I have never commented before, this platform or any other, I know I am speaking to the converted so what's the point right, so here goes. Matt there may be more Gormless Weasels out there than you have previous identified. From birth to present day our children are told by parents & society they are the most important thing in our lives. When presented with a clear plea from the youth to help them help themselves, we boomers lacked the courage to trust our children, we chose self interest and fear over empowerment and an orderly transfer of power. For those who do not understand the mental health concerns of our children, I say look in the mirror, the answer may be staring you in the face. My wife & I didn't cancel out my children's vote. We have committed to do what we can going forward to improve their lives, to increase our generosity to compensate for institutional failure as we have done in past, we worked hard & we have the means. That's not what they want, they want to carve their own way independent and strong. Please keep up the good work, I like the direction The Line is headed in and look forward to more content
So well said! I too am a boomer who also did not cancel out my kids vote. My motto has always been to them I will teach you how to fish not keep giving you a fish! My kids are all in the 30-35 age range all worked hard to achieve education and now have good jobs which they work hard at. One of kids recently thanked me for being one of the boomers who get it this election.
I am astounded by the boomers who are stymied about why the young are discouraged ... shame on those boomers who have lots of assets and are not open to the fact that it is really hard for young people now in Canada.
I really liked this interview as there was a time constraint and yet so many thoughtful points discussed. Sometimes the Line interviews go on and on so please keep having these tight interviews that deliver.
Limbo,drift,stagnant. Runaway crime in the cities,more Opioid overdoses,unemployment rising. No pipelines West to East,no speed trains,no Ring of Fire mines,no Energy Corridors,no immediate much needed Defense spending,no trees planted. Lots of conversations,and Boomers drinking iced tea in the shade while younger workers scramble to put food on the table
Was this a "free and fair election", though? How many manipulated circumstances can there be, and how many levers of power can the incumbent government exercise for partisan advantage, before we start to flirt with some serious 'hybrid regime' features in service of a perpetual one-party state?
If the Liberals are so unpopular from a policy perspective that they can only win elections when they campaign during external crises, and they always time elections when an external crisis occurs (see also 2021), what do we even call that? Do we just shrug our shoulders and demand that the opposition somehow makes up for this by running a heaven-sent campaign that no other party is held to?
On top of this we have government funded media outlets skewing the narrative so much that you can tell, when you talk to someone, if they get their information primarily from the CBC, because they believe the wildest conspiracy theories about Poilievre and the Conservatives.
Not even sure if it's necessary to point out that this entire election was run under a dark cloud of foreign interference by Donald Trump, who selectively chose when and when not to make comments attacking Canadian sovereignty or threatening economic sanctions, and did this most notably on election day with a clear partisan motivation.
This election may have been "free" to the extent that there weren't soldiers at the polling booths forcing you to vote their way, and nobody was stuffing the ballot boxes, but it sure didn't seem "fair".
For the G7 thing... can we just not invite Trump? I mean, he can hardly expect a warm welcome, can he?
Tell him to call in, and we'll put him on speakerphone. And then don't answer. "The country you have threatened to annex is not available right now. Please GFY."
Sorry, but you have to keep talking or things can go really sideways. But maybe move the conference to some place less attractive… Kananaskis in May is absolutely stunning. Don’t want to add anymore fuel to the fire here!
Just off the phone with a raving client . She just learned about the 45% departure tax, as after 25 years, and the worst year of her business (which has 30 employees), she is now looking South. In any event, Matt, if only the Buds had your work ethic. I am simply trying to work and I cannot keep up with all of the Line material!
Perhaps I'm just not dialled in enough to know how ignorant my comment is, but I just don't see how Mr. Carney's majority is that fragile.
Sure... in theory the NDP can threaten to bring down the government, but would they really pull the trigger? The NDP is in financial disarray and has no clear reason to exist. It got 6% of the popular vote. SIX PERCENT. For context, that's less than the percentage of American men who think they can beat a grizzly bear in unarmed combat.
I just don't see them pulling the trigger when every LPC door knocker has a killer argument for all those people who voted NDP the last time... that it's either Carney or Poilievre.
In the short term that's right. We will see when the Trump situation gets resolved, Carney inevitably becomes less popular, and the NDP gets a new leader especially if it's someone halfway decent. If they start to realize they can do way better than seven seats they might be tempted. Though I feel like Carney will do anything to stay in power, in a way that would make even Justin Trudeau uncomfortable.
The NDP will get a new leader before Trump leaves office, but I don't think that will help them. However popular that leader ends up being, two things will remain true for a long time.
First, any NDP gains make it more likely that the Conservatives win government which is the end of the world to a lot of the NDP voters. (Because the NDP has been telling them that for years now.). Second...their finances are terrible and campaigns cost money. At some point, they just won't have the money to campaign.
I think a stable deal will be reached with Trump within a few months. I predict we will be 'brought in' as a relatively favoured partner but expected to make key resource concessions and probably assist with bullying other countries. 51st state by other means, wrapped in domestically acceptable window dressing of Carney upholding our respect by the US.
I was thinking the other day about Jack Layton's 'NDP victory' in 2011. Was anyone in the NDP then thinking that it was unacceptable that his strength allowed a Conservative majority? No, they considered it a huge success and a great step on the way to making a serious bid for government, which it was. They were taken seriously as a party and nearly won the 2015 election if a few things went differently. What changed from then until now?
How many tariff policies has Mr. Trump has since taking office?
Given that any politician interested in a long term deal would have had exactly one such policy and the actual answer is “a number significantly greater than one”, I disagree that a stable is probable.
And I note that “stable” is a funny word to use given Mr. Trumps rather pathetic insistence that he’s a “very stable genius”.
It’s a bit like being cool. If you have to tell people you’re cool…. you’re really not.
We reached one in 2018 that was stable at least until he was re-elected. He'll have his hands full after 2026 at this rate when the Democrats re-take both houses thanks to his growing and richly deserved unpopularity.
I thought about this today too after I heard that comment. And then a lightbulb went off. KRM nails half of it. It won’t be hard for the NDP to beat 7 seats in a rematch.. and the Liberals if they don’t turn toward the conservatives to keep the red tories their tent that went for Carney, will be very vulnerable on their left flank.
And then another scary thought occurred to me. I think Rachael Notley is planning a run for leader of the federal NDP. For those unfamiliar with Rachael Notley and the Alberta NDP, they are a legitimate political force. They are more akin to Wab Kinew than Jagmeet Singh. And they have actually governed. Thats all because of Rachael Notley - 100%. They fundraise reasonably well, and under Notley they would have broad populist appeal, a more rational left of centre position (instead of straight up crazy), and credibility. She is also more old school NDP - pro-blue collar worker, less Maserati driving climate fanatic. The NDP under a leader like Notley could re-surge in a hurry, she would be the antithesis to Carney, a down to earth populist woman who grew up in Northern Alberta and lives in Edmonton. Lots of miles between here and there, but with the right leader and a few wrong moves by Carney, the NDP could really spike in a hurry, and then all bets are off.
I have never commented before, this platform or any other, I know I am speaking to the converted so what's the point right, so here goes. Matt there may be more Gormless Weasels out there than you have previous identified. From birth to present day our children are told by parents & society they are the most important thing in our lives. When presented with a clear plea from the youth to help them help themselves, we boomers lacked the courage to trust our children, we chose self interest and fear over empowerment and an orderly transfer of power. For those who do not understand the mental health concerns of our children, I say look in the mirror, the answer may be staring you in the face. My wife & I didn't cancel out my children's vote. We have committed to do what we can going forward to improve their lives, to increase our generosity to compensate for institutional failure as we have done in past, we worked hard & we have the means. That's not what they want, they want to carve their own way independent and strong. Please keep up the good work, I like the direction The Line is headed in and look forward to more content
So well said! I too am a boomer who also did not cancel out my kids vote. My motto has always been to them I will teach you how to fish not keep giving you a fish! My kids are all in the 30-35 age range all worked hard to achieve education and now have good jobs which they work hard at. One of kids recently thanked me for being one of the boomers who get it this election.
I am astounded by the boomers who are stymied about why the young are discouraged ... shame on those boomers who have lots of assets and are not open to the fact that it is really hard for young people now in Canada.
I really liked this interview as there was a time constraint and yet so many thoughtful points discussed. Sometimes the Line interviews go on and on so please keep having these tight interviews that deliver.
Limbo,drift,stagnant. Runaway crime in the cities,more Opioid overdoses,unemployment rising. No pipelines West to East,no speed trains,no Ring of Fire mines,no Energy Corridors,no immediate much needed Defense spending,no trees planted. Lots of conversations,and Boomers drinking iced tea in the shade while younger workers scramble to put food on the table
Was this a "free and fair election", though? How many manipulated circumstances can there be, and how many levers of power can the incumbent government exercise for partisan advantage, before we start to flirt with some serious 'hybrid regime' features in service of a perpetual one-party state?
If the Liberals are so unpopular from a policy perspective that they can only win elections when they campaign during external crises, and they always time elections when an external crisis occurs (see also 2021), what do we even call that? Do we just shrug our shoulders and demand that the opposition somehow makes up for this by running a heaven-sent campaign that no other party is held to?
On top of this we have government funded media outlets skewing the narrative so much that you can tell, when you talk to someone, if they get their information primarily from the CBC, because they believe the wildest conspiracy theories about Poilievre and the Conservatives.
Not even sure if it's necessary to point out that this entire election was run under a dark cloud of foreign interference by Donald Trump, who selectively chose when and when not to make comments attacking Canadian sovereignty or threatening economic sanctions, and did this most notably on election day with a clear partisan motivation.
This election may have been "free" to the extent that there weren't soldiers at the polling booths forcing you to vote their way, and nobody was stuffing the ballot boxes, but it sure didn't seem "fair".
The liberals will do whatever it takes, whenever it takes, however it takes to keep winning. That has always been their formula.
Buy Canada?
Bye Canada.
For the G7 thing... can we just not invite Trump? I mean, he can hardly expect a warm welcome, can he?
Tell him to call in, and we'll put him on speakerphone. And then don't answer. "The country you have threatened to annex is not available right now. Please GFY."
Sorry, but you have to keep talking or things can go really sideways. But maybe move the conference to some place less attractive… Kananaskis in May is absolutely stunning. Don’t want to add anymore fuel to the fire here!
Curious about G7, can a convicted felon come to Canada?
Just off the phone with a raving client . She just learned about the 45% departure tax, as after 25 years, and the worst year of her business (which has 30 employees), she is now looking South. In any event, Matt, if only the Buds had your work ethic. I am simply trying to work and I cannot keep up with all of the Line material!
Perhaps I'm just not dialled in enough to know how ignorant my comment is, but I just don't see how Mr. Carney's majority is that fragile.
Sure... in theory the NDP can threaten to bring down the government, but would they really pull the trigger? The NDP is in financial disarray and has no clear reason to exist. It got 6% of the popular vote. SIX PERCENT. For context, that's less than the percentage of American men who think they can beat a grizzly bear in unarmed combat.
I just don't see them pulling the trigger when every LPC door knocker has a killer argument for all those people who voted NDP the last time... that it's either Carney or Poilievre.
So how is the government fragile?
In the short term that's right. We will see when the Trump situation gets resolved, Carney inevitably becomes less popular, and the NDP gets a new leader especially if it's someone halfway decent. If they start to realize they can do way better than seven seats they might be tempted. Though I feel like Carney will do anything to stay in power, in a way that would make even Justin Trudeau uncomfortable.
> when the Trump situation gets resolved,
So... not the short term at all. ;-)
The NDP will get a new leader before Trump leaves office, but I don't think that will help them. However popular that leader ends up being, two things will remain true for a long time.
First, any NDP gains make it more likely that the Conservatives win government which is the end of the world to a lot of the NDP voters. (Because the NDP has been telling them that for years now.). Second...their finances are terrible and campaigns cost money. At some point, they just won't have the money to campaign.
I think a stable deal will be reached with Trump within a few months. I predict we will be 'brought in' as a relatively favoured partner but expected to make key resource concessions and probably assist with bullying other countries. 51st state by other means, wrapped in domestically acceptable window dressing of Carney upholding our respect by the US.
I was thinking the other day about Jack Layton's 'NDP victory' in 2011. Was anyone in the NDP then thinking that it was unacceptable that his strength allowed a Conservative majority? No, they considered it a huge success and a great step on the way to making a serious bid for government, which it was. They were taken seriously as a party and nearly won the 2015 election if a few things went differently. What changed from then until now?
How many tariff policies has Mr. Trump has since taking office?
Given that any politician interested in a long term deal would have had exactly one such policy and the actual answer is “a number significantly greater than one”, I disagree that a stable is probable.
And I note that “stable” is a funny word to use given Mr. Trumps rather pathetic insistence that he’s a “very stable genius”.
It’s a bit like being cool. If you have to tell people you’re cool…. you’re really not.
But we’ll see I suppose.
We reached one in 2018 that was stable at least until he was re-elected. He'll have his hands full after 2026 at this rate when the Democrats re-take both houses thanks to his growing and richly deserved unpopularity.
I thought about this today too after I heard that comment. And then a lightbulb went off. KRM nails half of it. It won’t be hard for the NDP to beat 7 seats in a rematch.. and the Liberals if they don’t turn toward the conservatives to keep the red tories their tent that went for Carney, will be very vulnerable on their left flank.
And then another scary thought occurred to me. I think Rachael Notley is planning a run for leader of the federal NDP. For those unfamiliar with Rachael Notley and the Alberta NDP, they are a legitimate political force. They are more akin to Wab Kinew than Jagmeet Singh. And they have actually governed. Thats all because of Rachael Notley - 100%. They fundraise reasonably well, and under Notley they would have broad populist appeal, a more rational left of centre position (instead of straight up crazy), and credibility. She is also more old school NDP - pro-blue collar worker, less Maserati driving climate fanatic. The NDP under a leader like Notley could re-surge in a hurry, she would be the antithesis to Carney, a down to earth populist woman who grew up in Northern Alberta and lives in Edmonton. Lots of miles between here and there, but with the right leader and a few wrong moves by Carney, the NDP could really spike in a hurry, and then all bets are off.
This is why I love listening & reading Matt & Jenn. Solid analysis & questioning and wise guests. I'm so glad Canada has you.