[hurley_108]

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

Maybe they didn't care a year ago. They didn't run on an environmental platform. They told Canadians very clearly what their priorities were. Nobody can say they didn't know what they were voting for.

Now the public has grown increasingly concerned about the subject, so they've made considerable efforts to make it a priority.

Isn't that what governments are supposed to do in a democracy? Isn't that the essence of "responsive" government? You're NDP. You guys have been screaming about the environment for years. Now you've got a government that's willing to work with you. So what's the problem?

The problem is we've got a government whose first thought when it comes to target setting is to consult the very industry creating the problem! That's a clear conflict of interest. By all means consult with industry to develop strategies to achieve targets, but they're in no position to help set the targets. I reserve my judgement of the next incarnation of the dirty air act until after it's released.

$1:

There's tons of precedent for declaring contentious issues "confidence" motions. Particularly in a minority situation.

And what could be more contentious than an issue that has Canadian soldiers fighting and dying?

If memory serves, almost all past minorities fell on bugets.

$1:

For sure. All bets are off once the writ's dropped. That's why I think the Tories are still seriously contemplating an election. The Libs are weak and unfocused at the moment. They're not ready to fight an election campaign.

Could be dangerous, though, to force the Liberals to rally around Dion. Just cause you guys couldn't in 2000 doesn't mean they can't in 2007.

[OnTheIce]

hurley_108 hurley_108:

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Incorrect.

The Conservatives pulled into the lead around the 20th of December...the virtual half way point of the campaign.

Incorrect. The Conservatives pulled into the lead over the first week of January. Source.

And I stand corrected, after further investigation, on the date. The earliest date would have been Jan 9, a point at which the Conservatives were demonstrably leading the Liberals, but as it stands, the current minority government is the smallest, by proportion, ever, and may have been yet smaller had the election been earlier.

It all depends what polls you followed. I followed Ipsos.

[hurley_108]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

hurley_108 hurley_108:

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Incorrect.

The Conservatives pulled into the lead around the 20th of December...the virtual half way point of the campaign.

Incorrect. The Conservatives pulled into the lead over the first week of January. Source.

And I stand corrected, after further investigation, on the date. The earliest date would have been Jan 9, a point at which the Conservatives were demonstrably leading the Liberals, but as it stands, the current minority government is the smallest, by proportion, ever, and may have been yet smaller had the election been earlier.

It all depends what polls you followed. I followed Ipsos.

Any particular reason you followed Ipsos and ignored the rest?

Ipsos, by the way, recently pegged the Liberals at 37% to the Conservatives' 33% with a margin of error of 3.1%, 19 times in 20.

[bootlegga]

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

I'm hearing more and more talk that a Spring election isn't going to happen now because the Conservatives can't put together enough support for a majority.

I'm just speculating, but I'm not so sure.

Yeah! Another $250 million flushed down the drain! Too bad the children in Ottawa can't get along...

[sandorski]

If either one of the 2 gets enough Poll support to possibly form a Majority, an Election will come soon afterwards. Either Party will trigger it, depending on who has the advantage.

[hurley_108]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

I'm hearing more and more talk that a Spring election isn't going to happen now because the Conservatives can't put together enough support for a majority.

I'm just speculating, but I'm not so sure.

Yeah! Another $250 million flushed down the drain! Too bad the children in Ottawa can't get along...

I donno. I like voting. Even $250M/year is only $8.30 per person per year. Less than a dollar per month. I lose that much in my couch!

[OnTheIce]

hurley_108 hurley_108:

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

hurley_108 hurley_108:

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Incorrect.

The Conservatives pulled into the lead around the 20th of December...the virtual half way point of the campaign.

Incorrect. The Conservatives pulled into the lead over the first week of January. Source.

And I stand corrected, after further investigation, on the date. The earliest date would have been Jan 9, a point at which the Conservatives were demonstrably leading the Liberals, but as it stands, the current minority government is the smallest, by proportion, ever, and may have been yet smaller had the election been earlier.

It all depends what polls you followed. I followed Ipsos.

Any particular reason you followed Ipsos and ignored the rest?

Ipsos, by the way, recently pegged the Liberals at 37% to the Conservatives' 33% with a margin of error of 3.1%, 19 times in 20.

Didn't say I ignored the rest. I'm not sure exactly why I followed Ipsos, turns out they were dead on.

I have no doubt the current Ipsos polls are correct considering their margin of error. It's fair to say it's a dead heat.