Things that make you go hmmm...

[profundis]

So. Canucks. How's tricks with your new P.M.? Heard a lot from you guys in the last few years about Bush, but not so much from you about Harper, strangely enough. Did you get him swept under the rug yet or is it too unseemly to talk about? Our "we're leaving if the vote doesn't go our way" people need somewhere to go and it was sounding a bit dodgy if you guys were gonna be any better off than us.

Comments

[raphbearish.livejournal.com]

Most Canadians are so passe about politics. I know I can honestly say that I rarely hear of any big issue that concerns all Canadians with such fervor as any Bush-decision. Our last big topics that I, as the average Canadian who watches maybe an hour or two of news a week, have heard of: gay marriage debate, tax being reduced by 1%, and zomg conservative PM!

[profundis.livejournal.com]

I just find that rather amusing - you guys yawning over your own politics and foaming at the mouth over ours...but I guess we do the same thing - always easier to focus on something farther away ;)

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

We're working on getting rid of him. An election is expected, probably in the spring (ours don't have fixed terms) and most likely that will be the end of Harper. Fingers crossed.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

That's pretty cool I suppose. How often can you have these elections? I bet that keeps whatever parties are in power on their toes. What kind of turn out do you typically get for elections there?

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the minimum period is officially but in general six months is a practical minimum - from the time a Writ of Election is issued the interval to the actual election is 60 days, and we seem to prefer spring or autumn elections. Typical turnout is hard to predict - if there's nothing contentious going on it can be as little as 30% but when there's a lot at stake then 60% or more is common.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

The turnout numbers sound similar to ours, but being able to have an election every 6 months sounds both really awesome and really problematic. Does it work out in practice that you have turn over every 6 months or so? One wonders how that affects continuity of long-term projects and goals...interesting.

[detailbear.livejournal.com]

Not every 6 months. Elections happen when the government calls one (usually near the end of the maximum 4 years between elections) or when a goverment with a minority (less than 50% of the seats, but having the most seats) loses a major vote, like a budget, or a motion of non-confidence put forth by an opposition party passes.

In summary, from about 6 months to 4 years, depending on when the government loses the support of the majority of the members in the House of Commons.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Also ... I don't know how much you know about our politics so forgive me if this is already familiar. But we have three or more parties making up our gov at most times, which naturally limits his abiltiy to push bullshit legislation. He can still do damage but it would be nearly impossible for him to pass something like DOMA or the thing that took away Habeus Corpus in the states.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

There are times when one or the other party ends up with a majority, even a very large one, and then our politics become similar to US politics.

Of course the thing Mikey is ignoring is that while Canadian politics have no affect in the US, US politics has a dramatic effect on our lives.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

The US is our largest trading partner so anything that affects the US economy effects ours. Any change in border regulations, shipping regulations, health & safety regulations, etc. The US is a constant military threat, so appeasement is a major part of Canadian policy. Every time you guys have a repressive government, we get many of your dissatisfied liberals. Also we share geography - so for instance if your gov decided to allow pollution of the Great Lakes not much we could do about it.

Lots of others.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Don't presume. I'm not ignoring anything, I'm asking for a little tit-for-tat. "You guys" (in the most general sense possible) have had plenty to say on the subject of our politics - and quite frankly said down the length of a few noses - so I'm calling "you" out.

I find it telling that "we guys" seem to have nothing to say on the subject of your politics (likely good old American "if it don't affect us directly we'd rather be watching football" mentality) and that "you guys" seemed to shut right up when your own govt took a conservative turn.

But as you say, hopefully that's a temporary condition.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Ah so you're trying to pick a fight. OK, you win.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Why jump to conclusions? I'm not fighting, I'm just challenging you (not you in specific) to step up and tell your tale. Here's your big chance to educate me (and those reading) on the particulars of your system (which so far sounds pretty fascinating and I'd heard precious little about). Since I've heard so much about the current U.S. administation, I'd love to see how you guys deal with an unwanted Head Honcho of your own.

Flamebait? You got it.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

That's a really fucked up way to figure out how Canadian politics work. Can't you just wikipedia that shit? Seriously, you're not fooling anyone. You're trying to prove that we're somehow hypocritical of American politics because we care about them so much.

As for how we're dealing with Steven Harper? We don't have to. A Prime Minister is not a President as the power given to the President in the USA is more evenly distributed through various elected and non-elected federal officials. What really matters presently in Canada given the minority government is the configuration of quarem in the house. So basically if Harper says anything and takes it to the house to be passed he'll get murdered because the liberal/green/ndp/whatever parties will make an alliance and vote it down. This means conservative leanings or not the New Conservative government has very little actual power. Since the primaries in the USA our governments have actually taken on much similar configurations relative to their fundamental differences.

Re: Flamebait? You got it.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Yup, you got me, I wasn't merely interested in the intricacies of the Canadian political system (interesting though the topic has been). I was wondering what happened to all that hue and cry I'd been hearing for at least 2 years from up there once you had your own elections. I did hear a brief "oh crap" at the time, but not much of anything since, and yeah...I do think it's at least a little convenient if not hypocritical. But as you outlined, perhaps Harper and his party are not really that big of a deal. Actually I think Bill said a few things that answered my question on a deeper level than I was even asking for, though I can't say that the answer gives me any jollies. SO there ya go.

Re: Flamebait? You got it.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah ok, just let it be known that I think this approach is bullshit and if you pull it again, well feel free. But I will be ignoring you, got it? Respect attracts respect and you're not showing us ANY.

Re: Flamebait? You got it.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry my approach offended you so Brodie, but I feel like you're overstating a bit - not that its something to brag about but I wasn't remotely expressing myself as negatively as I could, because it wasn't warranted, wasn't the point, and because I didn't want to.

You and I have rarely agreed on anything of a political nature and I don't expect us to now. Not singling you out - but I don't recall a great deal of respect in the various discussions (sometimes rants) of our political woes here, though to be fair that certainly wasn't limited to Canadians. I've gotten a lot of "we just do it all better" vibe and seen some "we fail to mention what we don't do better" in posts and comment threads from pundits on your side of the border, and I don't think *that's* fair - so I was asking for a little "put up or shut up"

From the answers given thus far it seems that people there are either a) not that into it b) not that worried about it) or C) feel they have more at stake in our political process than your own - which seems unfortunate if true, but may be unavoidable if so.

reading isn't as much fun as baiting on Livejournal.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Or as being snarky in return. Thanks for the links, though...they may prove useful. You are totally correct about LJ being a limited selection on the topic (but hey, its not a news site so I guess that's par for the course).

[profundis.livejournal.com]

It's an overstatement to say that the writ of habeas corpus has been taken away. Granted it has been weakened in respect to non-U.S citizens that the POTUS considers linked to terrorism, and as they say, its a slippery slope - thus it bears much attention and careful scrutiny - but the writ does still exist here and has been confirmed by the SCOTUS (at least for U.S. Citizens).

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Yeah but even that, you'd have a hard time passing here.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

But again we're coming back to U.S. stuff...which wasn't my question.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Though if it makes you feel any better, we'd have a hard time passing that same-sex marriage act here. So far, anyway. We're workin' on it.

[whiskerfish.livejournal.com]

I particularly like your use of derogatory terminology.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Care to elucidate?

Dictionary

[whiskerfish.livejournal.com]

Canuck |kəˈnək| noun
informal a Canadian, esp. a French Canadian (chiefly used by Canadians themselves and often derogatory in the U.S.).

Re: Dictionary

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Well thank for that (I have indeed looked it up before) but you might want to note in case you are not familiar, that I'm not one to worry much about political correctness for any group anywhere. I'm equal opportunity, though. ;)

I have a lot of pals north of the border, and I use Canuck as an affectionate or playful term. Hopefully when they refer to me as a "Yank" its with affection too...especially given the irony! A Gawgia Cracker a "Yank?!" Blasphemy!

[hantsbear.livejournal.com]

Did you get him swept under the rug yet

Under Rug Swept - how very Alanis!!!

[profundis.livejournal.com]

ORLY? I haven't heard that one I guess...does it speak to the discussion, cause that would be a nifty coincidence.

[colicub.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing....I guess there's something ironic in the Brits being the ones to think of Alanis Morissette.....and no, unlike her song, ACTUALLY ironic!

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Because she's from Canada?

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

From what I understand about the Canadian government (thanks to scottybear, if the current government gets a vote of no confidence then they HAVE to have elections within a certain time period. Basically it's a time that the government has no confidence in their current prime minister and they vote to throw out the government and leave it to the people to vote on a new government including the PM. It really is quite interesting to hear about it and how it all still ties back to the queen of england.

[profundis.livejournal.com]

Yeah Parliamentary system if I'm not mistaken. My only concern with that is it could lead to general paralysis from constant turnover. Or maybe it would here since we have such a contentious political climate.

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

well I think the Canadian people are smart enough to let the new government get settled and start working on certain issues before trying to oust them again. One would think that the leader of the government would be on the straight and narrow just to keep his job but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. it's pretty obvious that people are never going to agree on everything. However there are certain acceptable levels of ground to give up.