Loadsa "independents" on the Ballot Discussion (split from PP by-election)

[The Bread Guy]

I do find it amusing that we have a group complaining about electoral reform (longest ballot folks) leading to complaints here about their efforts and how we need... Electoral reform.

Well, some say that even getting people to discuss the idea means an above-zero "mission accomplished" of sorts, right?

 

[Halifax Tar]

This is 100% an own goal for the CPC that has backfired spectacularly. If Poilievre had shown any form of honour in deafeat, he would have resigned and let an interim leader take the reins. Because of that, we are where we are and this by-election has gone pear-shaped.

I agree. He should have fallen on his sword and we should be electing a new leader right now.

I think PP was the perfect counter to JT. And he succeeded. But he is not the right guy anymore.

 

[ArmyRick]

This is no different than what Pierre Poilievre, Carpetbagger Esq. is doing by parachuting into the riding in a bid for the seat.

We get it. You hate Pierre Poilievre in an unhealthy way. However he is a legit candidate, he was an MP for 20+ years and guess what? its not the first time this has been done. The protestors are not protesting Pierre running. Ohhh, on parachuting, I guess you hate Uncle Mark too? Booted out Chandra Ayra so he could take his "liberal safe" seat?

I would caution though that what is "wrong" and what is "legal"

Sure. There is legally wrong and their is morally wrong. I mean if your ok with People from Nebraska and Lancaster, UK running as bogus candidates, well thats on you. I think the majority of Canadians are going to grow very tired of the longest ballot very soon.

I cannot see who else is to lame for this unnecessary by-election

Its a political tactical move, simple. I assume you were pissed about Carney taking Ayra riding? Were you pissed that Jagmeet Singh ran in a seat in 2019 that was on the other side of the country from his home? So tell you what, you don't like what the CPC doing, don't vote for them.

They are not responsible for the longest ballot, that is on Tomas Szuchewycz and his merry band of brats. They did it a few times in by elections in 2024, did you blame the CPC for that too?

This is 100% an own goal for the CPC that has backfired spectacularly.

He lost the by election already? Shit I overslept.

If Poilievre had shown any form of honour

Honour? So Trudeau would have called a general election instead of proroguing parliament and allowing Carney to come in?

Honour? So Jagmeet Singh would have looked after the interest of his own nation and party instead what appears to be a selfish political move and sinking his own party?

Honour? From the Liberals in the leadership race who booted out the two brown skinned candidates (Ruby Dhalla and Chandra Ayra) because "reasons"?

e would have resigned and let an interim leader take the reins

Leaders don't always step down when they lose. Jagmeet sure as hell didn't the first two times, Harper didn't in 2004 and he became Prime Minister in 2006. Is that why your in a real pissy mood about Pierre staying on? I am a member of the CPC and we will decide I January 2026 if he stays on. Want to have a say? get a CPC membership, only $15.

Because of that, we are where we are and this by-election has gone pear-shaped.

No, as I have already stated, this is the longest ballot committee doing. They started this years ago, ramped it up last year and escalated it only in Pierre riding in the last general election.

Bonnie Critchley and the few legit independent candidates in the riding are the ones who will suffer. I have no doubt Pierre going to win this by election. This pear shaped shit show is for what? Hassle the voters and the electoral staff? Good move. That will sure teach them.

All these "candidates" have the same Official Agent. Would be a shame if people started mailing/sending $1 dollar donations to him for each candidate. By law he has to have separate bank accounts for every candidate, and a whole lot of reporting rules. It'd stop this stupidness really quick.

Salute. Brilliant. I like thinking like this for this kind of clownery.

I said it before and I will say it again (and again and again), the only reason to run as a candidate in a federal election in a riding is because you actually intend to become an MP. Thats it. All the other sideways talk and verbal gymnastics is bullshit.

 

[ArmyRick]

But he is not the right guy anymore.

Unlike the Liberals, the Conservatives have allowed the party to keep the regulation that allows them to remove a leader they feel no longer fits the criteria (Liberals turned down this option last spring when they had a chance).

Leadership review coming in January 2026, lets see what the party does.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Unlike the Liberals, the Conservatives have allowed the party to keep the regulation that allows them to remove a leader they feel no longer fits the criteria (Liberals turned down this option last spring when they had a chance).

Leadership review coming in January 2026, lets see what the party does.

I am tracking Rick.

I am just of the camp that he should stepped back at the loss on election night. And I don't think he's the right guy. He needs a JT to be his opposite number.

 

[lenaitch]

The major parts, with the option if you gather enough signatures to have referendums on the minor parts too. My preferred system would have lawmakers who do their job in general, but the public can always have the final say. For example the Swiss have to vote to allow the government to levy taxes, they get to vote if they don't like certain laws to have them removed, etc. (for example marijuana likely would have been legalized earlier in Canada if that was the case, same with gay marriage).

As opposed to our current system where you really don't get a say. Even your 'say' to elect a MP means next to nothing as they don't have to do a single thing they said they would, they literally could do nothing for 4 years and you can't do anything about it. That isn't particularly democratic and it doesn't represent the citizenry. All these proposed election 'reforms' run into the same issue, lack of accountability for government and the inability to make the government act in the manner the citizenry wants.

If Switzerland can make it work for over 160 years, why can't we with the most educated population in the world, with access to modern day technology, make it work?

I defer since I know virtually nothing about the Swiss system. I just see difficulties repeatedly 'going to the people' in a country that covers six time zones and has a lot of seriously remote and unconnected communities.

Besides, do we run the risk of a 'tyranny of the uninformed'? Some issues are complex; government accounting even moreso. Do we think the public would vote to spend north or $80Bn for 15 ships?

 

[Eaglelord17]

I defer since I know virtually nothing about the Swiss system. I just see difficulties repeatedly 'going to the people' in a country that covers six time zones and has a lot of seriously remote and unconnected communities.

Besides, do we run the risk of a 'tyranny of the uninformed'? Some issues are complex; government accounting even moreso. Do we think the public would vote to spend north or $80Bn for 15 ships?

There would be issues, but nothing that couldn't be overcome. My understanding is the Swiss do their referendums about 4 times a year with the issues on the ballot for it. We could easily make the system so that you know at least a quarter year in advance what will be there to vote on to allow people to do research if they wish. My understanding is also that the Swiss government recommends people vote certain ways and generally if people are uninformed on a issue that is how they vote.

I agree that lots of issues are complex. I also believe that people rise to the conditions they are put in. Arguing the public can't know how to vote was a argument they made in the 1800s to try and limit suffrage. It isn't like our government currently does such a amazing job that I would consider them above reproach. At the end of the day they are all commoners as well, just ones who won a popularity contest.

If the government has to explain why we need to spend that money to justify it to the public then maybe they should have done that from day one as opposed to the current system of no accountability. Being blunt about why we need to do certain things will go a long way as it will show the necessity of the action.

 

[Navy_Pete]

I am tracking Rick.

I am just of the camp that he should stepped back at the loss on election night. And I don't think he's the right guy. He needs a JT to be his opposite number.

He's continued to stay on the attack, with no real suggestions for alternate approaches, and also has kept the same campaign manager that has caused huge rifts in the federal party as well as with provincial counterparts, creating enemies instead of allies.

His lack of flexibility, and insistence that the loss wasn't due to any failings on his part is concerning. And continuing to refuse to get clearance to be read into files is moronic.

He's good at getting 15 second snaps off for soundbites, and pithy slogans on oversimplified concepts, but he doesn't seem to have any substance to be able to provide real answers when challenged, and I don't think is capable of showing any real leadership, when he can't default to saying JT is shit. He lost his riding because people don't want to vote for him if there is any alternative, and continues to demonstrate he's just not ready.

 

[OldSolduer]

Whatever the outcome of this soap opera it will make no difference. The BQ and what is left of the NDP will gladly side with the LPC to run roughshod over any opposition to the LPC agenda. The BQ will get billions of $ for PQ and the NDP will rebound at some point. Anyone west of the Ont/Mb border will be disregarded as "hicks", "rednecks" "racists" etc etc

Remember the Liberals are the natural governing party of Canada. (sarcasm intended)

 

[quadrapiper]

Those ballots are even arranged alphabetically, so they just have to move their pencil down to the P-O-L-… candidate…

Drip trays and spill kits for every household, party platform scribbled in the back of a greasy logbook.

 

[RangerRay]

Whatever the outcome of this soap opera it will make no difference. The BQ and what is left of the NDP will gladly side with the LPC to run roughshod over any opposition to the LPC agenda. The BQ will get billions of $ for PQ and the NDP will rebound at some point. Anyone west of the Ont/Mb border will be disregarded as "hicks", "rednecks" "racists" etc etc

Remember the Liberals are the natural governing party of Canada. (sarcasm intended)

Except right now, it’s the Tories propping up the Libs…

 

[ArmyRick]

interesting