Election Day!

[Badger]

Does anyone want me to go on and on about Quebec alienation? Quebec: alienated since 1760... Je me souviens, eh?

And the senate: just get rid of the damn thing, there are way too many levels of government in this country as it is, don't need another one competing with the parliament and the provinces.

Heh, not really, Orwell. I'd probably just get all apoplectic, and stroke out or something.

If it's been an issue since 1760, and Canada's only been around since 1876, why'd Quebec join in the first place? This is something I don't get.

 

[Segnosaur]

And the senate: just get rid of the damn thing, there are way too many levels of government in this country as it is, don't need another one competing with the parliament and the provinces.

Many other countries in the world do quite well having a separate "senate".

The idea is, we don't want to get into a situation where an entire country is 'controlled' from the large population centers. Yes, Ontario and Quebec deserve a lot of influence based on their population base; however, you don't want to get into a situation where smaller, less populous regions are ignored.

Our 'first past the post' system of electing MPs does help to eliminate at least some of that problem; however, there is a demand from some people for stronger proportional representation. I'd have no problem with PR, if we had a strong senate to balance the effects of centralization of power.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

I find it sad that the Liberals had to base their campaign on, as you state, demonizing the Tories. Some platform. Some vision of the future of the country. But, people bought it. I find that seriously disheartening.

Pffft, and the Tories didn't just bash Liberals. Just look at what blatant Tory corruption goes on in Alberta, and we will soon see what real scandals are made of.

Hmm, Tory policies don't change. Just ask Klein what we can forecast for the this coming year. It's not a pretty picture. Well, Klein would find it quite rosy.

A number of the recently announced stances are an amalgamation of the policies of the former Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties; both have a tradition or conservative policies and heavily religious agendas.

http://cyborgdemocracy.net/2004/06/canadian-conservative-party-would-ban.html

 

[Segnosaur]

(Link to an article outlining conservative plans to stop funding for ebryonic stem cells)
http://cyborgdemocracy.net/2004/06/canadian-conservative-party-would-ban.html

A couple of things need to be said about that article...

First of all, it was mis-titled. The title suggests that the conservatives would 'ban' embryonic stem cell research for several years. But if you read the article, it shows the title is misleading. The conservatives would not 'ban' embryonic stem cell research, they would simply stop federal funding; privately funded labs could continue doing any research they wished.

Secondly, while I don't necessarily like the idea that this decision may have been made with religous ideals in mind, ultimately its not such a bad decision. Adult stem cells have been used in research for decades, and have actually gotten to the point where many diseases are being treated with them. So far, embryonic stem cell research has had, shall we say, less success. (Actually, embryonic stem cells tend to turn into cancer when used.) Given the fact that we have only limited money to spend on research, we should direct our funding to areas that show the most promise, and that would be adult stem cells.

And while I don't like the idea of religion affecting policies relating to science, it should be noted that the conservatives aren't the only ones who have trouble separating fact from fiction. The Ontario Liberal government recently passed a law supporting acupuncture, thus proving that all sides are guilty of 'woo' thinking.

http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/bills/382/50382.htm

 

[Orwell]

Heh, not really, Orwell. I'd probably just get all apoplectic, and stroke out or something.

If it's been an issue since 1760, and Canada's only been around since 1876, why'd Quebec join in the first place? This is something I don't get.

If you don't get that, your knowledge of Canadian history must be very rudimentary: a problem that many Canadians suffer from, I might add.

One of the reasons Quebec joined the Confederation was the hope that Quebecers would play a very important role in it. The fact that English speakers had a disproportionate political importance relative to their numbers (mostly because they controlled most of the business in Quebec) also played a part.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

A couple of things need to be said about that article...

First of all, it was mis-titled. The title suggests that the conservatives would 'ban' embryonic stem cell research for several years. But if you read the article, it shows the title is misleading. The conservatives would not 'ban' embryonic stem cell research, they would simply stop federal funding; privately funded labs could continue doing any research they wished.

Secondly, while I don't necessarily like the idea that this decision may have been made with religous ideals in mind, ultimately its not such a bad decision. Adult stem cells have been used in research for decades, and have actually gotten to the point where many diseases are being treated with them. So far, embryonic stem cell research has had, shall we say, less success. (Actually, embryonic stem cells tend to turn into cancer when used.) Given the fact that we have only limited money to spend on research, we should direct our funding to areas that show the most promise, and that would be adult stem cells.

And while I don't like the idea of religion affecting policies relating to science, it should be noted that the conservatives aren't the only ones who have trouble separating fact from fiction. The Ontario Liberal government recently passed a law supporting acupuncture, thus proving that all sides are guilty of 'woo' thinking.

http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/bills/382/50382.htm

Supporting or regulating accupuncture? Your link shows that accupuncture is being regulated. This could mean less support if they don't follow the rules. Regulating should call for proof of efficacy though...that would put a wrench in the accupuncture industry.

Nobody is saying the conservatives made the embryonic cell decisions based on religion, ignorance maybe, but not religion. That wasn't even the point of my post. They do make policies based on religious principles though, and that is part of what makes them part of the "right" side of the political spectrum. I figured everyone would at least know that.

It would be like trying to deny that Bush makes policies based on his religious beliefs. Conservatives are right wing. You can't deny that.

 

[Badger]

If you don't get that, your knowledge of Canadian history must be very rudimentary: a problem that many Canadians suffer from, I might add.

One of the reasons Quebec joined the Confederation was the hope that Quebecers would play a very important role in it. The fact that English speakers had a disproportionate political importance relative to their numbers (mostly because they controlled most of the business in Quebec) also played a part.

Sorry for my flippancy. I didn't say what I was thinking at all.

What I meant was that for over a hundred years there had been the same issues with upper Canada. They only got worse over that time. Quebec accepted an offer to join Canada anyway, and nothing has improved since.

Please correct me if my shorthand above is wrong.