Progressive trends & victories in Canadian politics

[Julius Seeker]

2011 - During the last Canadian Federal election, the NDP (Canada's social democratic party) saw a huge surge in support, and were elected as the official opposition party for the first time. In 2006 NDP set a huge record by gaining 29 seats in the House of Commons, but in 2011 they shattered that record with 103 seats. sadly, the very popular Jack Layton died only 4 and a half months after the victory.

2011 - Federal: The Green party, Canada's environmentalist party, also saw its first federally elected seat in Canadian history.

2012 - Canada's largest protestant church, the United Church of Canada, elects its first openly gay denomination head. The Church had previously lobbied to legalize same sex marriage, which did occur nationally in 2003.

2014 - Ontario elects the first Lesbian Premier in Canadian history - Premiers are roughly the equivalent of US Governors.

2015 - After 12 consecutive provincial Conservative majority governments, the NDP is elected into power in Alberta. This is shocking considering Alberta is pretty much the equivalent of a redneck state. Alberta has a law against bringing rats into the province; I have broken that law by bringing a pet domestic rat through the province which I purchased in Vancouver.

2015 - Prince Edward Island - elected its first openly gay Premier. Voted in its first ever provincial Green Party representative.

[Replay]

Nice! Any chance of unseating Harper any time soon?

I try to avoid taking an interest in Canadian politics; it's for Canadian citizens. But Harper has been way too enthusiastic a friend of the PATRIOT Act and its adherents down here for my tastes. How do people feel about him these days?

[ManaMan]

Way to go Canada! I don't think the US is likely to see a "progressive trend" any time soon (with the exception of urban city politics and some libertarian issues). I think you'll see the US stay dominated by conservatives until at least 2020, probably longer. I think you're going to see the culmination of a great demographic "freak out" over the next few years/decades. The US is on its way to becoming a "majority minority" nation by 2044. Whites have most of the wealth and poverty is racialized. They are afraid of minorities taking control and redistributing their wealth (through reparations, etc.) and many are using the political system to ensure they retain control at any cost. You can expect conservatives to continue to be voted into office, laws passed to limit voting rights aimed at minorities, more and more stringent controls placed on immigration, cuts to what remains of the social safety net, continued absurdly high levels of incarceration, etc. I think left-libertarian issues that are not related to race or wealth redistribution such as Gay Marriage & Marijuana legalization will continue to see success during this time.

I don't think that Canada is going to suffer from a "demographic freakout" any time soon as it is overwhelmingly white and this isn't going to change anytime soon. That's not to say that "progressive" change is impossible in the US it's just that such changes require an electorate with a much bigger "circle of empathy" than is required in other nations (including Canada).

[kali o.]

- I dont know why Seeker thinks NDP is great. We had NDP in the west for years and they were terrible.

- Vancouver is pretty damn diverse. Tons of chinese...gotta be 50% in the lower mainland.

- I think the only real difference you see in Canada (compared to the US) is the lack of religion influencing policy.

[ManaMan]

- Vancouver is pretty damn diverse. Tons of chinese...gotta be 50% in the lower mainland.

Yes but White - Asian race relations don't generally break down on class lines. Whites and Asians are more or less economic peers (statistically speaking) so you don't have the same dynamic.

- I think the only real difference you see in Canada (compared to the US) is the lack of religion influencing policy.

I think that yes, the US has more religious nuts and always has (first colonies founded by religious extremists), but I think that you have the cause & effect backwards. Lack of economic security leads to increased levels of religiosity. Generally, the poorer a country is, the more religious they are. Religion, for most people, is a lucky rabbit's foot that gives them a sense of security when they lack actual security. People in the US (especially the more conservative states) lack economic security due to a lack of a social safety net and thus turn to religion. Why the lack of a social safety net? It's due to racial/ethnic mistrust that I talked about. I don't have time to do all of the research but I'd bet you that if you look at trendlines for, say, church attendance in Canada or other nations with a strong welfare system you'd see that church attendance drops as social spending increases (with some delay). At some point around 1900 you'd see basically the same level with it falling off much faster in Canada than the US starting in the 1960s or so. Higher levels of religiosity in parts of the US make mixing religion and politics acceptable (& expected) behavior while in Canada (& most less religious "blue" states) this is seen as backwards and unacceptable.

[ManaMan]

I just realized what a stereotypical American I am: self-absorbed thinking only US politics matter, taking a thread about Canadian politics and turning it into a discussion of US politics. Sorry.

[kali o.]

I think your assessment is only valid in a causal sense. Religion appears to directly correlate with education. Education is obviously tied to social spending and the economy. In addition, the US is still especially effected by the rise of Religious fundamentalism in the 1940's / 1950's -- and that's been a rough hole to dig out of, especially since it defined the right ever since. Then of course, you have the "us vs. them" mentality with Islam that is decades old.

Of course...these are just my feelings. I have no real proof, just a loose grasp of history and observation.

As for the Chinese, there is definitely money coming in (wealthy Chinese), but I think the majority are Mainlanders and Cantonese speaking poor. It is actually more interesting to see the racism that forms between the Chinese groups (though we have seen a counter movement - for example, people lobbying for non-Chinese only signs, putting a stop to Chinese investors / immigration, etc).

[Julius Seeker]

- I dont know why Seeker thinks NDP is great. We had NDP in the west for years and they were terrible.

tl;dr - I'm pro-environmentalist, pro-liberal (The philosophy, not the party), and pro-social economy.

To throw out some other points:

1. They're the most socially progressive party in Canada.
2. They are already responsible for Canada's most important social policies of the last 75 years; including medicare - which was CCF/NDP's baby.
3. NDPs and Greens oppose acts, such as the Canadian Patriot Act proposed by the Conservatives. While the Liberals say they philosophically oppose it, they will vote to pass it anyway.
4. They have a strong environmental policy, which is lacking in the Liberal, and especially the Conservative parties.
5. They are the strongest advocates for native rights.
6. The economic policies they propose would be very helpful for small business and consumer rights.
7. Neither the Conservatives nor the Liberals have been good since the 90's, while the NDP has improved dramatically since that time.
8. Thomas Mulcair would make a much better Prime Minister than Harper or Trudeau.


Manaman:

My guess is that religion and religious culture is genuinely different in Canada. We have lots of religious people, it's just that religion doesn't really cover anything that people would find politically motivating; it's more like a social gathering than anything... whereas in the US religious culture seems to be very political (and very right winged) - and often promotes a culture of prejudice; at least based on TYT's examination, which is my main source for US news.

For example, my own province is we're 85% Christian, 1% Islamic, and 14% non-religious; which I believe puts us well above most states in the US - and also most provinces in Canada: in Canada we're the second most Christian province, and third most religious province in the country (out of 10). Yet within the last 30 years we've voted in 2 Arabic premiers, who each won two elections, a combined of 4; we've elected a female premier (first elected provincial premier in Canadian history); and now an openly gay premier.

[ManaMan]

My guess is that religion and religious culture is genuinely different in Canada. We have lots of religious people, it's just that religion doesn't really cover anything that people would find politically motivating; it's more like a social gathering than anything... whereas in the US religious culture seems to be very political (and very right winged) - and often promotes a culture of prejudice; at least based on TYT's examination, which is my main source for US news.

I'd say that you're correct. "Christianity" in the US has been quickly moving away from the "mainline" centrist Christianity that dominated for most of the 20th century to a more fundamentalist/evangelical model (mega churches & the like). Like I said in a previous post, this is due to entrenchment by a group of mainly white, rural, Christian Americans who feel like they're under assault from every direction. The Christianity of mainline churches no longer appeals to many Americans. It's too vague and liberal, too much hippie Jesus, not enough old school-good and evil-black and white-heaven & hell. Southern religion has always been fundamentalist/evangelical but it's spread to the rest of the US as part as the unfortunate "Southernification" of the rest of the US (along with Obesity and confederate flags).

For example, my own province is we're 85% Christian, 1% Islamic, and 14% non-religious; which I believe puts us well above most states in the US - and also most provinces in Canada: in Canada we're the second most Christian province, and third most religious province in the country (out of 10). Yet within the last 30 years we've voted in 2 Arabic premiers, who each won two elections, a combined of 4; we've elected a female premier (first elected provincial premier in Canadian history); and now an openly gay premier.

"85% Christian" is a misleading number. I'd wager that most of those 85% are "cultural Christians". They appreciate the myths, the holidays, & other traditions but are not "true believers" or "born again" in any sense. They may have some vague belief in God or a "Spiritual Life Energy" or something but in not the God-the-Father-in-heaven-who-sacrificed-his-only-Son-so-that-we-may-all-have-eternal-life of traditional Christianity. They have no problem electing Muslims or Gays because they don't *really* believe in the Old Testament vengeful God who requires Canada be guided by his hand-picked Christian rulers.

Take Sweden for instance. An overwhelming majority of Swedes report being "Christian" but only 14% believe there is a God. The stability the Swedish welfare state provides has replaced the need for the "lucky rabbits foot" of religious devotion. I think this is part of the reason that religion in the US is so attached to the right-wing cause. They see what happened in Europe. Churches are a multi-billion dollar business in the US and they want to keep the money flowing in. If people get security from Government programs they turn away from the church & the money dries up.

[Replay]

New Democrats today advocate, among other things:
Maintenance and expansion of human rights and civil rights, including: gender equality, equal rights for LGBT citizens, rights for people with physical and mental disabilities, workers' rights, and Aboriginal peoples' treaty, land, and constitutional rights
Promoting Interculturalism and an intercultural understanding of Canada[9]
Expanding public health care, including dental and prescription drug coverage
Raising the minimum wage to pace the cost of living
Reducing poverty in Canada[10]
Social assistance policies that reflects citizens' needs and assist their re-entry to the work force
Improving environmental protection through government regulations
National water safety standards
Increasing corporate taxes for big business[11] and lowering taxes for small businesses[12]
Abolishing the unelected Senate of Canada and ensuring more proportional representation[13]
Expanding funding for public transportation
A foreign policy that emphasizes diplomacy, peacekeeping, and humanitarian aid instead of offensive military action
One wing is focused on ending the Canadian War on Drugs and legalizing recreational drugs[14]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party

Sounds fine to me. What's the problem? Shit, after reading that, I wish we had New Democrats in the United States, instead of our various Billaryites and Goldman Sachs shills. (I guess Sanders is basically the king of NDP-like thought down here, and plan to write in a vote for him even if he loses the primaries.)

[Julius Seeker]

My guess is that religion and religious culture is genuinely different in Canada. We have lots of religious people, it's just that religion doesn't really cover anything that people would find politically motivating; it's more like a social gathering than anything... whereas in the US religious culture seems to be very political (and very right winged) - and often promotes a culture of prejudice; at least based on TYT's examination, which is my main source for US news.

I'd say that you're correct. "Christianity" in the US has been quickly moving away from the "mainline" centrist Christianity that dominated for most of the 20th century to a more fundamentalist/evangelical model (mega churches & the like). Like I said in a previous post, this is due to entrenchment by a group of mainly white, rural, Christian Americans who feel like they're under assault from every direction. The Christianity of mainline churches no longer appeals to many Americans. It's too vague and liberal, too much hippie Jesus, not enough old school-good and evil-black and white-heaven & hell. Southern religion has always been fundamentalist/evangelical but it's spread to the rest of the US as part as the unfortunate "Southernification" of the rest of the US (along with Obesity and confederate flags).

For example, my own province is we're 85% Christian, 1% Islamic, and 14% non-religious; which I believe puts us well above most states in the US - and also most provinces in Canada: in Canada we're the second most Christian province, and third most religious province in the country (out of 10). Yet within the last 30 years we've voted in 2 Arabic premiers, who each won two elections, a combined of 4; we've elected a female premier (first elected provincial premier in Canadian history); and now an openly gay premier.

"85% Christian" is a misleading number. I'd wager that most of those 85% are "cultural Christians". They appreciate the myths, the holidays, & other traditions but are not "true believers" or "born again" in any sense. They may have some vague belief in God or a "Spiritual Life Energy" or something but in not the God-the-Father-in-heaven-who-sacrificed-his-only-Son-so-that-we-may-all-have-eternal-life of traditional Christianity. They have no problem electing Muslims or Gays because they don't *really* believe in the Old Testament vengeful God who requires Canada be guided by his hand-picked Christian rulers.

Take Sweden for instance. An overwhelming majority of Swedes report being "Christian" but only 14% believe there is a God. The stability the Swedish welfare state provides has replaced the need for the "lucky rabbits foot" of religious devotion. I think this is part of the reason that religion in the US is so attached to the right-wing cause. They see what happened in Europe. Churches are a multi-billion dollar business in the US and they want to keep the money flowing in. If people get security from Government programs they turn away from the church & the money dries up.

Sweden is a bit complicated. Sweden, unlike Canada, has a national Church which children are made members of at birth. Technically my mother is a member of the Church of Sweden, but has never been to Church outside of maybe weddings and funerals. These are counted as memberships to the Church, but their defacto Church status would be nil. In Canada, no such thing occurs, when the census poll comes around, people identify honestly, there is no official Church which you are a member of.

As far as left wing economics, safety nets, and that sort of thing go. We have them here in Canada too. There is a strong culture of government aid and subsidies here. If you run a business of any sort, chances are high it is propped up by the government. While 85% of the population in my province identifies as Christian, 53% go to church on a regular basis. Sweden's non-religiousness has mainly to do with how bad the Church of Sweden is. Similar sorts of things occur in other countries with official churches in Europe, such as the UK.

[ManaMan]

Here's an interesting development in the US: For the first time, social liberals are as common as social conservatives. Maybe some of that progressivism is trickling down over the boarder... at least on social issues.

[Replay]

A good progressive Canadian politician to support:

Meena Wong for mayor of Vancouver.

The thrust of her campaign has to do with stopping predatory "renovictions", a discussion of which can be seen on other threads. Seems predatory real estate is becoming a real, serious problem in that city.

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/ ... r?page=all

[kali o.]

A good progressive Canadian politician to support:

Meena Wong for mayor of Vancouver.

The thrust of her campaign has to do with stopping predatory "renovictions", a discussion of which can be seen on other threads. Seems predatory real estate is becoming a real, serious problem in that city.

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/ ... r?page=all

For the election that already happened?

[Replay]

Indeed! Sorry, I don't live up there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Rob ... itician%29

Seems Meena lost to him. Don't worry, there are further elections to have.

[Replay]

And what a mayor he is, too.

"Vision Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has denied his party has traded favours or is peddling influence as a result of a promise the party made to city hall unions not to contract out services if it is re-elected."

Sounds like Wong and other candidates who want to reform corruption like you will have a nice easy chance in 2017.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Va ... story.html

[Julius Seeker]

The NDP is now leading the polls on the Federal Polls.
NDP - 29.6%
CON - 28.1%
LIB - 26.1%
GRN - 7.6
BLOC - 5.4%
OTH - 3.3%

Just as a reminder, while the name "Liberal Party" implies leftist politics, relative to Canada, they are a right of center party. The left parties are the NDP and the Greens.

http://www.ekospolitics.com/wp-content/ ... 2_2015.pdf

To understand the Liberal lead in the polls through 2013 and 2014,you have to look at the celebrity leader they raised; Justin Trudeau, son of P.E. Trudeau who was Prime Minister from the 60's until the mid 80's - Justin Trudeau is like Canada's version of the Bush kids or Hillary Clinton; someone whose popularity is not linked to skill, but rather due to a relationship with a leader of a previous political regime. That celebrity mystique has been eroding throughout the last year.

[ManaMan]

Canadian politics are starting to look a lot like UK politics: a tri-partisan system with a conservative party, a social democratic party, and a centrist/"liberal" party. You even have a regional nationalist party and a token green party! Wow.

[Julius Seeker]

NDP is pulling further into the lead now. With current popular vote stats at:

NDP: 33.6
CON: 26.9
LIB: 23.3
GRN: 7.3

[Julius Seeker]

The election campaign period has officially begun. Current stats:
NDP: 39%
CON: 28%
LIB: 25%
GRN: 5%
Bloc: 3%

Leader popularity:
Mulcair (NDP): 31%
Harper (CON): 24%
Trudeau (LIB): 22%


With the way things are trending, there is the strong possibility of an NDP majority victory.

[kali o.]

While I am fine losing Harper, NDP is a scary option (lib is barely a better alternative). If I am voting solely on the basis of economy, Conservatives make the most sense...and I fucking hate them.

I do want to go back to this:

"5. They are the strongest advocates for native rights."

This is one of Canada's biggest fuck ups, and current negotiation strategies and reserve policies are failures. If am sick of concessions to indigenous populations. Fuck em.