Canadian Politics

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Canadian Politics In Brantford Ontario 2014/2015

This Canadian Politics election video blog discusses the upcoming provincial and federal elections in Brantford, Ontario Canada, in 2014/2015. I talk about some of the candidates, namely, Marc LaFerriere, Phil Gillies, Alex Fesky, etc.
Brant/Brantford will have some interesting races, mainly because of the people who will be running. Brantford in some respects is a bellweather riding, although it has been known in the past to stick with one political party for long periods of time. The Liberal Party of late seems to have been left out in the cold, although it still has a strong contingent of liberal voters, who can be encouraged to vote for other parties. I think this area is a toss-up federally and provincially. I think any of the parties can win here. The personalities involved will ensure a real battle takes place.

Brantford Ontario Elections 2014/2015 from Canadian Politics Chuck McPhail on Vimeo.

Canadian Politics City TV Debate 2014

Hello and welcome to my canadian politics video blog. This is Chuck McPhail (me), discussing the candidates who will debate on City TV on March 26, 2014, which is Wednesday. I give my views on those running, however, i said hardly anything about Karen Stinz and David Socnaki. My main focus was on Mayor Rob Ford, Olivia Chow and John Tory. Thanks for watching!

Canadian Politics City TV Debate from Canadian Politics Chuck McPhail on Vimeo.

Quebec election campaign veering from one shrill attack to another - Quebec Votes 2014 - CBC

Monday, March 24, 2014

The Americanization of Canadian Health Care

C'mon people, where is the outrage? Why aren't the majority of people in this country, knocking down the doors of their MP's offices and, staging big-time political protests over this? What are the other political parties doing about it? I hear silence! I don't care whether it's not the policies of the other parties, i want to know what their doing about it. Oh, maybe you've talked about it behind closed doors, or maybe you shoved it into your platform somewhere, and wait, maybe you and your leader have plans down the road to deal with this. Well, why in the hell aren't you telling us what your going to do? We want to consistently and loudly hear from you on this issue, but i hear the deafening sound of silence. Speaking about it here and there doesn't cut it. Silence in this respect is far from golden.

Canadians have a right to expect the same level of health care no matter where they live in this country. National standards are what helps to make it so. Some individual Provinces haven't been much help over time in this regard either. They actually run the health care system and have been chipping away at it, allowing various "for profit" medical care deliveries. That's another issue.

The federal government has an undeniable strong role to play in ensuring the integrity and the promise of a universal health care system, where no one can be refused medical care whenever and however they need it. Nor, unlike our neighbours to the south, should we ever have to go in debt and lose our financial shirts, in order to maintain our health and stay alive.

Prime Minister Harper and Crew will not be happy until they can privatize and destroy our present system of health care, leaving it totally in the hands of the private sector. Harper will do what Mike Harris tried to do in Ontario, that is to Americanize whatever he can, mostly through the back door, if possible. Stop him, speak up!!!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Conservatives Want This Cartoon Banned

It's little wonder that the Harper conservatives would want this cartoon banned. Why? Because it tells the truth. Over 100 political scientists from around the world have condemed the conservatives so-called Fair Elections Act in Canada. Dozens of canadian political science professors have done the same thing. Is it not obvious to the Conservatives that this is wrong? Of course it is. Our international reputation as overseers of fair elections around the world, is in jeopardy. Politically, here at home, Harper invites the wrath of all fair-minded citizens, who simply see this as an attempt to disqualify a certain segment of our society from voting. It just so happens that that particular segment usually doesn't vote conservative. Surprised? I didn't think so. We must not allow this to happen. You must speak out loud and clear on this very important issue.

Friday, March 21, 2014

This is exactly what Harper and the Conservatives are saying to today's veterans!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Justin Trudeau under fire from Trinity-Spadina Liberals - Politics - CBC News

Well, looks like there is more fall-out for Justin Trudeau and the Liberals over interference from top-brass liberals into the local nomination process in Trinity-Spadina. Much isn't really known and clear about what really happened and who said what. The problem is that this negative publicity can't be helpfull to a leader who claims that he would never interfere in the local nomination of candidates unless it was absolutely necessary. But, this isn't the only time of late that this kind of situation has cropped up for Justin Trudeau. He and those surrounding him had better get their acts together fast on this one. Perception is everything in politics.

Justin Trudeau under fire from Trinity-Spadina Liberals - Politics - CBC News

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Allison Redford Resigns

The writing was on the wall. What other outcome could there have been for this politician? The Tory Premier of Alberta was brazen and shameless with her spending of taxpayer dollars, and treated even her close inner circle with bullish behavior. A Queen of entitlement for sure!

During her election campaign she aligned herself with many unionists and progressives, promising to be a centrist, eradicate poverty and improve the lot of the average Albertan. Well, that didn't happen. Almost immediately after winning election, Premier Redford moved her party to the right, bursting the progressive balloon, beginning the slow measured alienation of many elements within Albertan society, including those within her own political party.

There won't be many tears shed today over her departure. That is sad in and of itself. Once again the public is given another reason to be suspect, at the very least, of politicians in general. Oh democracy, you encourage such corruption, yet you are the best we've got!!!

Monday, March 17, 2014

ChuckMcPhail on video...that's me!!!

This is me requesting that my facebook friends spread my new blogger link about Canadian politics around the internet. However, I would ask that anyone visiting this site do so as well. Much appreciated!!!

The only progressive in the TO Mayor race is Olivia Chow

I believe that it is true that Olivia Chow actually is the only candidate in the Toronto mayoralty race who is left of center and a progressive in the true sense of the word. The other three major candidates, Rob Ford, John Tory and Karen Stinz, are all right of center to a greater or less degree. Progressive voters may be jumping up and down with glee because of this, but wait, not so fast!!! Yes, it may appear as though this makes it much easier for Olivia to win, but does it really? Maybe yes in some respects, but no in others. Look, those of us who have a keen interest in most things political, look at these political goings on somewhat differently than does the average voter. We like to throw around words such as left, right, center, etc., and they mean something to us, but NOT to average Joe Citizen generally!...Rob Ford anyone? You get my point? Tell the public that you'll save them $10.00 per year on their taxes, cut waste and spending, ending the gravy train, and what do you get?...Rob Ford!!! Forty-seven percent of Torontonians voted for this man and a good chunk of them had to be New Democrats!!! Now your really getting my drift aren't you? So, yes, I think that Olivia Chow has a good chance of winning, but it's no slam dunk. In fact, I also believe that John Tory is not out of the ball park either. Even Rob Ford could win, but I think it's unlikely. Really, anything can happen. Stay tuned folks, we're in for a hell of a ride!

Liberal star Zach Paikin quits Hamilton nomination race ‘as a sign of protest’ against Trudeau | canada.com

Zach Paikin, the son of Steve Paikin from TVO, has called it quits, refusing to be a federal liberal party candidate. The reason is because he believes that Justin Trudeau broke his promise about allowing open nomination meetings. Trudeau, he believes has done this twice now, once in Toronto-Rosedale, and now in Trinity-Spadina. Of course Justin and liberal party officials deny this, giving other explanations for the decisions.

In my opinion, your word is your word. Perception is everything in politics. However, maybe there were legitimate reasons why this has been done. Do we really know? Maybe Zach is just a rabble rouser, too inexperienced and/or immature, ready to leap at anything that he perceives to be offensive. We don't know for sure, at least not yet.

Of course this is great fodder for opposing political forces that do not want to see Justin Trudeau and the liberals governing from Parliament Hill. And you can't blame them either for jumping all over this. That's the name of the game in politics, rightly or wrongly, fair or not.

But, I am willing to give Trudeau the benefit of the doubt on this right now, as those in other political parties would do for their leaders under similar circumstances.