A number of writers have noted that, given the lock the CPoC has on Alberta, voters there are pretty much stuck without alternatives when Harper, for example, rains down hard earned oil money on such distant lands such as Quebec and Ontario, or taxes income trusts. Who else can they support? Well, maybe (according to Diane Francis in today's Natty Post column) a slate of "spoiler" candidates financed by a coalition of income trusts. As Bob Siegel of Cabot Capital Group in New York City writes:
I would recommend that the coalition step up its campaign against Albertan Conservative MPs beyond mere voicing of intense opposition [...] Specifically, I would propose that the energy trusts, given their economic and political clout within the province of Alberta, recruit and put forth a slate of candidates who will run against any sitting Conservative MP in Alberta who follows the Party line and votes for this measure.
The province of Alberta is the backbone of Conservative Party strength. If the Energy Trusts muster their considerable strength in Alberta to make known to Conservative MPs --in this kind of direct, immediate, 'in-your-face' electoral way -- that a vote for this measure will cost them their jobs and, thereby, cause at least some erosion in legislative support for this measure in Canada's Conservative stronghold.
I don't know how feasible a plan like this would actually be. Bleeding off a few votes here and there in Alberta ridings where Tory candidates routinely get 70% of the vote won't make any difference to the outcome on election day. However, as Francis also points out, there are plenty of places in Ontario and B.C. where an "Income Trust Spoiler" candidate could take down the sitting Tory.
The "ITS" Party, anyone?
FINALLY! Indisputable evidence of the government ramming through their narrow-minded, extreme ideologies on the justice system by appointing their cronies to the courts! Disgusting!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stephentaylor.ca/archives/000503.html
I don't think the ITS party would do well at all. Although the income trusts may be economically strong, they can't directly donate to candidates.
ReplyDeleteIf all of the people who lost money on the income trusts in Alberta were to donate $1000, I doubt you would have enough cash to run a significant slate.
And if you can afford to donate $1000 to a political party, you probably didn't get hit that badly by the income trust issue.
Not enough people were substantially hurt by income trusts to allow this single issue to hold sway in an election.
From the Edmonton Sun....
ReplyDelete" Last night about 1,000 Tory faithful filled a cavernous hall at the Shaw Conference Centre for what seemed like a pre-election rally.
Harper received a standing ovation before he thanked the party members for their work in the past election and said it was they "who are going to win this great province for us once again in the next election."
Harper said he'd brought the West back into Canada's federal fold "like it hasn't been in a long, long time."
And he attacked the Liberals' call to slow down development in northern Alberta's roaring tar sands.
"Don't worry friends, no one is listening to this obsolete Liberal thinking anymore," said Harper. "A rising tide raises all boats, and Alberta is that tide."
The Edmonton Journal reported 1200 turnout
Sounds like Harpor's been reading those Tidy Bowl pitchman scripts again... His rising tide, with its deceptive taxes, foolish insults and its extreme root canalling of Canadian social justice is going to get flushed, sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteA tax accountant explained that there was very little after-tax impact from what the gov't did w.r.t. the Income Trusts. And even if they forewarned people what was to happen, the end result would be the same. A non-issue.
ReplyDeleteA root-canaling of the Canadian social justice system, that's a great line.
ReplyDeleteIt infers that it's rotten to the core, and is presently ready to crumble unless drastic action is taken. It's causing unnecessary pain and suffering. I couldn't agree more.
"Don't worry friends, no one is listening to this obsolete Liberal thinking anymore," said Harper. "A rising tide raises all boats, and Alberta is that tide.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard rhetoric that stirring since the Nuremburg Rallies.
Alberta is a tide everyone. Really, that's what the Prime Minister of Canada tells the residents of a province of a bit over 3 million, from which nothing but oil and hot air comes. It's a tide.
Good bye, Harper.
"Really, that's what the Prime Minister of Canada tells the residents of a province of a bit over 3 million, from which nothing but oil and hot air comes."
ReplyDeleteReally, we are a country. Can we stop cheap shotting regions based on specific issues. After all, the nuclear waste and garbage from Ontario will be an issue for decades to come.
Wonderful, supporting tax breaks for oil and gas trusts to expediate exploration. Has Dion thought this through? Supporting tax breaks for these trusts only weakens the environmental position of Dion.