Conservative Party Wins in Canada Election

[James_xeno]

OTTAWA - Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party won national elections Monday and ended 13 years of Liberal rule, a victory expected to move Canada rightward on social and economic issues and lead to improved ties with the United States.

The Conservatives' winning margin was too narrow to avoid ruling with a minority government, a situation that will make it difficult to get legislation through a divided House of Commons.

The triumph for the Conservatives came with many Canadians weary of the broken promises and corruption scandals under the Liberal Party, making them willing to give Harper a chance to govern despite concerns that some of his social views are extreme.

"Tonight friends, our great country has voted for change, and Canadians have asked our party to take the lead in delivering that change," Harper told some 2,000 cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters in Calgary.

Relations with the Bush administration will likely improve under Harper as his ideology runs along the same lines of many U.S. Republicans.

Harper has said he would reconsider a U.S. missile defense scheme rejected by the current Liberal government of

Prime Minister Paul Martin. He also said he wanted to move beyond the Kyoto debate by establishing different environmental controls, spend more on the Canadian military, expand its peacekeeping missions in

Afghanistan and Haiti and tighten security along the border with the United States in an effort to prevent terrorists and guns from crossing the frontier.

With nearly all votes counted in the race for the 308-seat House, officials results showed Conservatives with 123 seats; Liberals with 103; Bloc Quebecois with 50, New Democratic Party with 28; and one seat to an Independent. Three seats still haven't been determined.

Prime Minister Paul Martin conceded defeat and said he would step down as head of the party, though remain in Parliament to represent the Montreal seat he won again. It was an unusual move to do both on the same night, but Martin appeared upbeat and eager to continue to fight the Conservatives from the opposition benches of the House.

"I have just called Stephen Harper and I've offered him my congratulations," Martin told a subdued crowd at his headquarters in Montreal. "We differ on many things, but we all share a believe in the potential and the progress of Canada."

The Conservative victory ended more than a decade of Liberal Party rule and shifted the traditionally liberal country to the right on socio-economic issues such as health care, taxation, abortion and gay marriage. Some Canadians have expressed reservations about Harpers' views opposing abortion and gay marriage.

During the campaign, Harper pledged to cut the red tape in social welfare programs, lower the national sales tax from 7 percent to 5 percent and grant more autonomy and federal funding to Canada's 13 provinces and territories.

The Liberals have angered Washington in recent years, condemning the war in

Iraq, refusing to join the continental anti-ballistic missile plan and criticizing

President Bush for rejecting the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions and enacting punitive Canadian lumber tariffs.

Martin, 67, had trumpeted eight consecutive budget surpluses and sought to paint Harper as a right-winger posing as a moderate to woo mainstream voters. He claimed Harper supports the war in Iraq, which most Canadians oppose, and would try to outlaw abortion and overturn gay marriage.

Harper denied those claims and said Sunday that Martin had failed to swing voters against him.

"Canadians can disagree, but it takes a lot to get Canadians to intensely hate something or hate somebody. And it usually involves hockey," Harper quipped.

Voters cast ballots at 60,000 polling stations amid unseasonably mild winter weather. Turnout from the country's 22.7 million registered voters was expected to be better than the 60 percent of the June 2004 election, the lowest number since 1898.

William Azaroff, 35, voted for the left-of-center New Democratic Party but conceded a Conservative government was likely to win.

"I think it's a shame," said the business manager from Vancouver, British Columbia. "I think the last government was actually quite effective for Canadians. I think a Conservative government is just a backlash against certain corruption and the sense of entitlement."

Martin's government and the House were dissolved in November after New Democrats defected from the governing coalition to support the Conservatives in a no-confidence vote amid a corruption scandal involving the misuse of funds for a national unity program in Quebec.

An investigation absolved the prime minister of wrongdoing but accused senior Liberals of taking kickbacks and misspending tens of millions of dollars in public funds.

Just as campaigning hit full swing over the Christmas holidays, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced they were investigating a possible leak by Liberal government officials that appeared to have influenced the stock market.

When the 38th Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals had 133 seats, the Conservatives had 98, the Quebec separatist party Bloc Quebecois had 53 and the New Democrats had 18. There also were four Independents and two vacancies.

_____

AP writers Phil Couvrette in Montreal, Rob Gillies in Toronto, Shelley Knapp in Calgary and Jeremy Hainswroth in Vancouver contributed to this report.

Your thoughts on how this will effect our friends to the north?

[margot]

I hear he wants to completley privatize health care and illegalize gay marriage, but because those two things would cost so much money they won't happen. I can't see anything really wide-scale like that happening, anytime soon.

[Siendra]

I hear he wants to completley privatize health care and illegalize gay marriage, but because those two things would cost so much money they won't happen. I can't see anything really wide-scale like that happening, anytime soon.

That's not true at all. He wants to allow a limited number of seasoned physicians to open private clinics. And I'm sorry, but if you can afford to have immediate treatment, you should be able to obtain it. Nobody should complain about that, as it removes stress in the public system too. Which means shorter wait times, more attnetion, and resources go to those who can't afford private care. That's a GOOD thing. On top of all of that, it will convince more physicians to remain in this country

As for Gay Marriage, he has said that HE doesn't support it. Not the Conservative party. And he also said that the choice will be left to the voters. He plans to have a referendum on it near the end of this year and then vote with the majority of Canadians.

Honestly, some of his personal ideas are a little extreme, but that doesn't matter. They aren't the party ideas - they are his. He formed a minority government, so he won't be able to garner enough support in the house to send troops to Iraq are anything of that nature. But, he will have the support to implement extreme measures (Being planned by the same minister that got rid of Alberta's debt in fifteen years) to bring down the the federal debt (Which the liberal party never did. They refinanced and got the base numbers lower at a higher interest rate.).

I mean, Harper IS a good leader. Example: He openly admitted that nobody in his cabinet is as qualified as one of the NDP cabinet members to run Social Welfare and Child Care in Canada. He is giving an opposing party member a seat in his government becuase that's what will work the best. His first bill that is being introduced to the house is one of federal responsibility. He's bringing forth something that could have him locked away if his party screws up badly. And he's doing it so the country doens't go through another Liberal cluster fuck.

I think the brightest point is that he has a backbone unlike Martin. He actual has international and foreign policies in place. And he's actually willing to work with the US on free trade. He's very much a "give a little, take a little" sort of person in that respect. For example: Soft wood lumber. Bush was willing to remove the tarriffs if Martin would have our side of the border better secured. Martin refused. He never gave a reason, he just outright refused. Harper likely would have agreed to that (With some small conditions) becuase it would be for the best. And the best doesn't involve his fucking ego.

[Poophy]

Well… I hate to say it but I now fear that any chance for legalized marijuana in North America has been greatly reduced…

[Siendra]

Well… I hate to say it but I now fear that any chance for legalized marijuana in North America has been greatly reduced…

Well duh. Though the Liberals weren't anymore likely to legalize it beyond medical use. They just liked to keep the option open to encourage an extra 200 votes into their pockets.

[Ceraziefish]

...Wait, isn't pot legal in British Columbia?

Or have the hippies at school been lying to me again?

[Siendra]

...Wait, isn't pot legal in British Columbia?

Or have the hippies at school been lying to me again?

No. It's legal to have for medical purpose. You can grow it for medical use as well. However, you can only grow one plant and you have to present proof of prescription when prompted. If you don't (Even if you simply left it at home.) you will be charged just like any normal person.

[Ceraziefish]

Huh.

Makes little difference to me, but I'd heard it was legal.

[darkon]

Huh.

Makes little difference to me, but I'd heard it was legal.

I think Foldered once said, "It's not legal, but the law isn't enforced."

[Ceraziefish]

Well, shit, that's how it is here.

I know people who have smoked in front of cops and had nothing bad happen.

[Siendra]

Bah, where the heck is Reinas? I need someone to celebrate with!

[Reinas]

Bah, where the heck is Reinas? I need someone to celebrate with!

I AM HERE! Two days late no less, but whatever.

I wasn't expecting a Conservative majority but I'm surprised at how much seats the Liberals got. And it isn't exactly as East vs. West as it's portrayed in the media. Alberta was conservatively swept. Vancouver was mostly Liberal and in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the ridings were divided. But hopefully with this Conservative minority the West will get the attention it deserves.

Funny how Conservatives = Right wing extremes = psychos. Wow, narrow minded much?

[tango]

Came across the Daily Show last night and I quote Jon Stewart-

"...I still hope that we can freely travel Europe with their flag attached to our backpacks. Maybe just a little smaller."

[PEN15]

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

[Poophy]

Is this part of a secret society of republicans’ globalist agenda, a “new world order”? It wouldn’t surprise me. Quick before they take Europe, because then they will be unstoppable, fight the power!

[Siendra]

Funny how Conservatives = Right wing extremes = psychos. Wow, narrow minded much?

You noticed too, right? Which is odd, becuase outside of toughening up the justice system, they have plans to better develop social welfare, child care, and assistance programs that go well beyond the Liberals.l

[Venom112]

You noticed too, right? Which is odd, becuase outside of toughening up the justice system, they have plans to better develop social welfare, child care, and assistance programs that go well beyond the Liberals.l

Planning is great and all, but what about following through? Time will tell! It will be interesting to see how lowering taxes while improving various tax funded programs will fare.

[darkon]

Planning is great and all, but what about following through? Time will tell! It will be interesting to see how lowering taxes while improving various tax funded programs will fare.

It was a disaster for George W. Bush, even with increased user fees.

[Suga Babe]

It was a disaster for George W. Bush, even with increased user fees.

...and it'll end up being a disaster for us as well. Pssh...lower taxes -- its because of them we even pay 7% extra! I just hope they get kicked out soon -- I was so disappointed when they actually won. Even though my province is Liberal -- that's still not good...since they'll listen to the Conservative ruled provinces before us. I'm so against this Conservative minority government...I think Canadians were on crack when they went to vote.

[uniform_motion]

You noticed too, right? Which is odd, becuase outside of toughening up the justice system, they have plans to better develop social welfare, child care, and assistance programs that go well beyond the Liberals.l

No Child Left Behind is a disgrace. I spit on that shitty program.

[darkon]

No Child Left Behind is a disgrace. I spit on that shitty program.

We all do. It leaves everyone behind, it's plain awful.

[Reinas]

...and it'll end up being a disaster for us as well. Pssh...lower taxes -- its because of them we even pay 7% extra! I just hope they get kicked out soon -- I was so disappointed when they actually won. Even though my province is Liberal -- that's still not good...since they'll listen to the Conservative ruled provinces before us. I'm so against this Conservative minority government...I think Canadians were on crack when they went to vote.

Why do you think Harper wants to lower the GST? Um...maybe to fix a mistake? It's really frightening to see how much hate there is for a government who wants to change things.

Yeah, because the Liberals with their money laundering, broken promises are soo much better than a goverment who will lower taxes, improve social programs, defence and god forbid, hold those commiting a crime accountable for their actions. :rolleyes:

[Venom112]

Why do you think Harper wants to lower the GST? Um...maybe to fix a mistake?

Perhaps, but that is really unknown currently.

It's really frightening to see how much hate there is for a government who wants to change things.

Change from the government isn't always good. I'd bring up a certain group to prove a point, but they're used waaay too often.

Yeah, because the Liberals with their money laundering, broken promises are soo much better than a goverment who will lower taxes, improve social programs, defence and god forbid, hold those commiting a crime accountable for their actions.

And you can prove this from all the stuff they've already done, great job! Wait a tick... They haven't done it yet! It's just heresay currently! Blimey, sounds like trickery is afoot.

[Siendra]

...and it'll end up being a disaster for us as well. Pssh...lower taxes -- its because of them we even pay 7% extra!

And? They made that change more then twelve years ago. Now they wish to fix it. Here's a question: If it was such a mistake, why didn't the Liberal government rid us of the GST? Oh yeah, becuase they were busy pissing it down the drain with Gun Registration and their own pockets.

I just hope they get kicked out soon -- I was so disappointed when they actually won. Even though my province is Liberal -- that's still not good...since they'll listen to the Conservative ruled provinces before us. I'm so against this Conservative minority government...I think Canadians were on crack when they went to vote.

Obviously anybody who doesn't blindly follow a government that has been in place for twelve years and actually made things considerably worse is high, right? Here's a new idea: perhaps those of us who voted for the Conservatives, NDP, Or Bloc(*snnrk*) wanted a change of pace. Perhaps we thought another party deserved to have a chance for the first time in more then a decade?

Either way, if you outright deny that a change was needed, you're an idiot. I don't give a flying fuck about opinion, it doesn't apply in this situation.

[Reinas]

Perhaps, but that is really unknown currently.

And I guess we'd know if the Liberals would actually do what they say.

Change from the government isn't always good. I'd bring up a certain group to prove a point, but they're used waaay too often.

Canada was overdue for a change in government.

And you can prove this from all the stuff they've already done, great job! Wait a tick... They haven't done it yet! It's just heresay currently! Blimey, sounds like trickery is afoot.

Blimey!

Yeah, because the Liberals with their money laundering, broken promises are soo much better than a goverment who will lower taxes, improve social programs, defence and god forbid, hold those commiting a crime accountable for their actions.

Please. Please, re-read.