Rather than fixating on Donald Trump as an 'existential threat,' shouldn't Canada be asking whether its persistent underinvestment in NATO, lax border and domestic security, and vulnerability to foreign influence reflect a deeper strategic complacency that makes the country increasingly exposed—regardless of who is in the White House?
This. People are too quick to blame the president for pointing out our vulnerabilities rather than seeing how these vulnerabilities came about and fixing them.
Sounds like you're saying that Canada is Broken when you should be saying Elbows UP! Don't you know that you can't criticize Canada during the Worst Crisis Since the Meteorite Hit the Yucatan and Killed the Dinosaurs?
Jenn, Matt, I'm a boomer and I voted Conservative as did my boomer wife so did my gen X children... we are most concerned about younger Canadians. The Liberals have made things so difficult. Not holding my breath but looks like same-old, same-old.
I live in the US now and haven’t watched CBC in years. Chantel Hebert and Andrew Coyne are slowly merging into one another. By the 2029 election, they might just be a single person.
Maybe semi-related to the election but will we get a Gurney article on the power grid fail in Spain/Portugal? Maybe a Tuesday episode podcast with an power grid expert and what it would look like in Canada?
So in a minority (either way) what are the chances that the two major parties can govern from a "best for Canada perspective on the issues of economics, housing, security and sovereignty? Can MC and PP forge an Asshole Canada coalition if needed?
Carney has not even lived in the country for the last decade - how can he understand the country other than doing what Butts, Telford, Lametti & Mendicino tell him to do?
When will the term "Maple Maga" go away? Drives me nuts that people use MAGA for conservatives in a broad stroke, when (a) MAGA acrynym doesn't work for Canada (d'uh!); and (b) we are not all far right blues...that was what the People Party was for
Isn't that an existential issue for the Conservatives? I'm thinking back to Mulroney days and the ProgCon revolt, but Harper's Conservatives were so western that it hurt.
I'm gen X and my social media has been filled with equal parts "liberals will destroy Canada" and "Conservatives are hateful and will destroy everything" - I feel anxious that no matter the outcome of this election, people are going to be very divided rather than unified and respecting of the fact that we live in a democracy where the majority vote (in each electorate riding) influences the government we get. We don't have to like the outcome - but we do have to respect it.
Now that I've had my soap box, my question is - have you also seen these polar opposite divisions? Does it seem to be at a higher level of rhetoric this time or do I have a weird silo of strongly opinionated friends? Any thoughts on how everyone comes back together cohesively after the results are final and some people are happy and others are disappointed?
I wanted Carney to win but I have no desire to gloat. If I want to call myself a Canadian patriot that means I have to respect those Canadians who disagree with me too. If I can only view my fellow Canadians who are Conservative as an existential enemy, then what kind of country do we have left?
An exception: There are those Canadians who can't wait to be the 51st state, who look at the hideous dumpster fire of the Trump administration and think "yes I would like that".. I have nothing to say to them, and I can only hope that they never become too numerous.
I do not have to respect the outcome when the outcome directly negatively impacts my life. There is no forgiveness left in me, so there will be no coming back together.
The whole nature of a democracy is one person one vote. If you don't respect the outcome, then you are saying you don't want to live in a democracy. If you expect others to respect your vote, then you have to respect their vote too.
What does a Liberal Cabinet look like, and what does a shadow cabinet look like for the CPC? Does Carney keep the old guard around, or does he clean house? Is the LPC caretaker cabinet any indication? Too early to assess?
quoting Norman Spector again - "With things stirring in Alberta and Trump lurking, the worst possible outcome for Canada would be a Liberal minority government with the Bloc holding the balance of power"
I find Norman usually pretty spot on with his analysis
Kind of regardless of who wins, have provinces in general just kind of passed blame onto the Federal government for issues that they should be handling? Do you think people in general are just quick to blame the Feds for all their issues?
Dumb question for Matt — if the party leaders were Star Trek characters who are they? (bridge crews/ main cast unless there’s some random character you can pull out of your ass cause they’re a perfect match)
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Rather than fixating on Donald Trump as an 'existential threat,' shouldn't Canada be asking whether its persistent underinvestment in NATO, lax border and domestic security, and vulnerability to foreign influence reflect a deeper strategic complacency that makes the country increasingly exposed—regardless of who is in the White House?
This. People are too quick to blame the president for pointing out our vulnerabilities rather than seeing how these vulnerabilities came about and fixing them.
Sounds like you're saying that Canada is Broken when you should be saying Elbows UP! Don't you know that you can't criticize Canada during the Worst Crisis Since the Meteorite Hit the Yucatan and Killed the Dinosaurs?
Jenn, Matt, I'm a boomer and I voted Conservative as did my boomer wife so did my gen X children... we are most concerned about younger Canadians. The Liberals have made things so difficult. Not holding my breath but looks like same-old, same-old.
I live in the US now and haven’t watched CBC in years. Chantel Hebert and Andrew Coyne are slowly merging into one another. By the 2029 election, they might just be a single person.
Maybe semi-related to the election but will we get a Gurney article on the power grid fail in Spain/Portugal? Maybe a Tuesday episode podcast with an power grid expert and what it would look like in Canada?
Ooh that would be a good listen.
A series on infrastructure / “backbones” of society would be cool
So in a minority (either way) what are the chances that the two major parties can govern from a "best for Canada perspective on the issues of economics, housing, security and sovereignty? Can MC and PP forge an Asshole Canada coalition if needed?
Carney has not even lived in the country for the last decade - how can he understand the country other than doing what Butts, Telford, Lametti & Mendicino tell him to do?
I had the same thought, but I doubt either man is capable of putting the country first and doing that.
I'm afraid your assessment is correct. Too much ego and too little understanding the gravity of the situation.
When will the term "Maple Maga" go away? Drives me nuts that people use MAGA for conservatives in a broad stroke, when (a) MAGA acrynym doesn't work for Canada (d'uh!); and (b) we are not all far right blues...that was what the People Party was for
Why does Poilievre have such a poor relationship to provincial conservatives (including but not limited to Doug Ford)?
Isn't that an existential issue for the Conservatives? I'm thinking back to Mulroney days and the ProgCon revolt, but Harper's Conservatives were so western that it hurt.
I'm gen X and my social media has been filled with equal parts "liberals will destroy Canada" and "Conservatives are hateful and will destroy everything" - I feel anxious that no matter the outcome of this election, people are going to be very divided rather than unified and respecting of the fact that we live in a democracy where the majority vote (in each electorate riding) influences the government we get. We don't have to like the outcome - but we do have to respect it.
Now that I've had my soap box, my question is - have you also seen these polar opposite divisions? Does it seem to be at a higher level of rhetoric this time or do I have a weird silo of strongly opinionated friends? Any thoughts on how everyone comes back together cohesively after the results are final and some people are happy and others are disappointed?
I wanted Carney to win but I have no desire to gloat. If I want to call myself a Canadian patriot that means I have to respect those Canadians who disagree with me too. If I can only view my fellow Canadians who are Conservative as an existential enemy, then what kind of country do we have left?
An exception: There are those Canadians who can't wait to be the 51st state, who look at the hideous dumpster fire of the Trump administration and think "yes I would like that".. I have nothing to say to them, and I can only hope that they never become too numerous.
I do not have to respect the outcome when the outcome directly negatively impacts my life. There is no forgiveness left in me, so there will be no coming back together.
The whole nature of a democracy is one person one vote. If you don't respect the outcome, then you are saying you don't want to live in a democracy. If you expect others to respect your vote, then you have to respect their vote too.
I think we are meaning different things when we say “respect” - I have no love for the outcome, or those who have made it reality.
What does a Liberal Cabinet look like, and what does a shadow cabinet look like for the CPC? Does Carney keep the old guard around, or does he clean house? Is the LPC caretaker cabinet any indication? Too early to assess?
As a Yankee living in Canada since 2018, I just love not having a campaign that's two fucking years long!
Why do Canadian broadcasters report a candidate ahead with 1/233 polls reporting in a riding?
quoting Norman Spector again - "With things stirring in Alberta and Trump lurking, the worst possible outcome for Canada would be a Liberal minority government with the Bloc holding the balance of power"
I find Norman usually pretty spot on with his analysis
Dear God not Doug Ford.
Kind of regardless of who wins, have provinces in general just kind of passed blame onto the Federal government for issues that they should be handling? Do you think people in general are just quick to blame the Feds for all their issues?
Dumb question for Matt — if the party leaders were Star Trek characters who are they? (bridge crews/ main cast unless there’s some random character you can pull out of your ass cause they’re a perfect match)
Jellico was a good choice by Matt. I say Singh is Ensign Kim: all these years and just treading water.
I was thinking Kim as well for Singh. Jellico was a great choice. I’m mad I didn’t think of it.
Carney is Admiral Ross from DS9.