Wow, just… wow. This election has got to be one of the biggest movers in Canada’s history. The Conservatives finally won the majority that they were looking for, and the Liberals, once the party of Canada, were completely crushed. Canadians simply did not trust Ignatieff. Although Harper finally won a majority, many Canadians don’t like him either. Jack Layton has benefited greatly from this, making huge gains across the country, including Quebec which overwhelmingly chose him over the seperatist Bloc.
So, what does a majority government mean? Will this new government return to its proper role and reduce the weight of government on people’s backs? Will Canada move toward prosperity, or will we repeat the mistakes of our neighbours to the south, engaging in destructive spending and debt, needless wars, and more socialism (or state capitalism if you want to call it that; same thing)? Can any of Canada’s politicians deliver on that? We shall see.
I imagine that Harper must personally be very happy with the results. He has moved from “shady and dangerous Harper” and a succession of minority governments, an attempted coalition, finally to a majority government. In spite of all the vitriol against the Conservatives and from the Conservatives as well, they have won a decisive victory.
More information
Canada Votes 2011
Election Results
So, readers, what are your thoughts, and where do you think this is going to take Canada? And for my readers to the south and around the world, what are your thoughts?
Andrew Hallam says
May 3, 2011 at 8:41 amHey Kevin,
All I have to say is that I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t check out your blog today. After living in Singapore for the past 8 years, I have to admit that I’m out of the Canadian loop. The only thing I know for sure is that the Canucks need to win the Stanley Cup.
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:10 amThat will definitely be news when it happens!
The Biz of Life says
May 3, 2011 at 11:59 amNot big news here south of the border, but sounds like big doings with the Canucks. Besides a few jokes about how boring Canadian politics are, all I heard this morning was that this election might mean more oil and natural gas from Canada for us Americans than what we get today.
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:11 amWell that’s assuming that you Americans don’t block our “dirty oil” and prefer to buy overseas instead… 😉
Ken Faulkenberry says
May 3, 2011 at 3:30 pmKudos to Canada. I hope this is a harbinger of the 2012 election in the United States. It’s going to be hard work to turn around large budget deficits and big government, but it is the only choice if we want to lead the world in boosting our middle class.
Congratulations.
Ken Faulkenberry
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:13 amFor me what’s important is that we get a government that lowers spending and refrains from adding onto the debt. It’s always tempting to sweeten up the voters with a few treats, but this always comes at a cost.
Darwin's Money says
May 3, 2011 at 3:37 pmI haven’t followed too closely; what are some of the key issues/decisions coming up that will be swayed by the results?
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:24 amWell the truth is that Canadian politics are boring. A few of the key issues were the purchase of some fighter jets and crime bills that the Conservatives want to pass, as well as the corporate tax rate which is slated to go to 15% and which some parties wanted raised back to 19.5%.
Jessica07 says
May 3, 2011 at 9:15 pmAfter reading your post, I was wondering the same thing as Darwin’s Money.
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:25 amI guess we’ll see within 6 months what comes now that they have a majority!
MelodyJ says
May 3, 2011 at 11:49 pmI didn’t here much about it here in the US. I’m confused though. On the message boards I read people say they don’t like Harper. So, why is his “team” winning?
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:27 amMy thoughts is that a very vocal minority has been speaking out against him for one reason or another, but that this minority does not represent the majority that is not that interested in politics and is happy to stay the course.
Canadian Doomer says
May 9, 2011 at 8:32 amThe people who hate Harper *really* hate him – and they tend to be younger and, it seems, more likely to be online. Those who disliked Ignatieff were quieter, but spoke volumes with their votes. And the Quebecers were obviously furious at Duceppe.
I think the interesting ones to watch, though, will be the NDP. We can’t honestly say that Quebec “chose” them – a fence post with hair could have been elected in Quebec, as long as it wasn’t Bloc, Conservative or Liberal. Quebec will now be expecting a lot from them, but as completely powerless Opposition in a majority government, I’m not sure how Layton will be able to deliver.
So the election in four years will be equally interesting.
Kevin says
May 9, 2011 at 9:50 amThat’s quite true. I’ve read a lot on how the NDP ran a lot of “green” candidates whom don’t have a lot of experience and maybe weren’t expecting to win. Although Layton gained, in a sense he lost because now he has less leverage in Parliament than he did before. It will be interesting to see how things progress over the next 4 years; now that the Conservatives have a majority they cannot blame failures on the opposition parties. It’s time to deliver.
youngandthrifty says
May 11, 2011 at 1:13 amYeah, like what about that NDP candidate who won, and was in Vegas during the campaign?
wow.. just wow..!
Did you hear about the news that Jack Layton (well this was 17 years ago) was found in a “massage parlor” being given a “massage” by an Asian masseuse?
My Own Advisor says
May 4, 2011 at 9:54 amHey Kevin,
I’m glad the Conservatives got a majority, if nothing more, things should get done; things should get actioned and passed. Minority governments are simply not that effective, from a productivity standpoint. Rightly or wrongly, at least we’ll have some stuff moving….
I also agree with Andrew, go Canucks!!!
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 10:31 amLet’s just hope that the right things get done. One thing I didn’t like about the minority government is how pork was handed out everywhere; for an party called “Conservatives” their spending has sure been liberal. Now that they clearly have the mandate we’ll see if they can bring this under control!
Andrew says
May 8, 2011 at 6:32 amI’m hearing this a lot, and it’s really astounding to me. A Harper minority was rife with cronyism, ethics violations, and undemocratic behaviour. People are saying “Well, now he’s got a majority, he won’t have to do this stuff.” I’m convinced we’ll see more.
Forest says
May 4, 2011 at 10:58 amI’m not going to get into it too much but i F*****G HATE HARPER…… Sad day for me 🙁
Kevin says
May 4, 2011 at 11:13 amHey Forest,
As much as they try, I don’t think politicians will be able to put the cat back in the bag. The Internet gives a voice to people who didn’t have it before and it is ideas that ultimately underpin any ideology. If Harper becomes too much of a republican type of conservative I’m sure he’ll feel the backlash, because I don’t think that represents what Canadians want. What they do want is a strong economy which is strong for everyone, not simply those that get the pork out of the barrel. That will be his true test.
Forest says
May 5, 2011 at 3:05 amI think if he does cut public spending in a way that does not affect Canadians as a whole too much people will for the most part leave him alone…. The mass is fine as long as they don’t get hit too bad, now that is what worries me and again I don’t know enough of the details to fully get into it as have been out of the loop for at least two years.
I’m mostly worried about the details that Canadians as a whole don’t really respond to. Problems on the reserves, shutting down abortion and safe clinics for addicts and things of that ilk. I understand they cut spending but ultimately they cause more problems later down the road too.
Hunter says
May 10, 2011 at 12:04 amInteresting analysis. Canada is resource rich. I think this gives politicians of any stripe wiggle room. It’s only when GDP really starts to go backwards, that society falls apart, like Greece, and some other European nations.
Kevin says
May 11, 2011 at 10:08 pmI’m not too happy with the 1000 tax credit scheme but Canada’s strong relative position does give the politicians some leeway room right now.