Of course, according to the MSM, the Tories are in worst shape with a majority government than they were leading a majority government (huh??).
And the people who want to break off into another country really got their clocks cleaned. As far as I am concerned, let them go -- and let them sink or swim on their own with no help from Ottawa.
And Michael Ingrowntoenail lost his riding. Ha ha.
The treasonous, separatists Bloc Quebecois got their proverbial you know what handed to them on a plate. They went from 47 seats to 3 (preliminary results).
And the Liberals, led by the ineffective imposter Michael Ignatieff, lost not only his own seat but managed to reduce the party total down to 34 seats (preliminary) from a pre-election total of 77.
Luther, a riding can be compared to a congressional district. Parliament is the lower house. The Senate is the upper house and is, as it used to be in the United States, an appointed body.
While it is not a direct comparison, the Prime Minister can somewhat be analogous to the Speaker of the House of the US Congress. The PM is not the Head of State: that is the Governor General, who is appointed by the Queen (after being nominated by the PM).
Fay may clear up some my my details here, but this should give you a basic idea.
No corrections Matt, I think you nailed it. The only thing I would add is that the Head of State is mainly ceremonial and holds no real power over government.
To hear the news coverage, you would think that Steven Harper was run out of Ottawa on a rail. First majority government in seven years and the winner is being portrayed as a loser.
Just in case anybody does not know what "majority" or "minority" government means, a majority government is when one party holds more than 50% of the seats in Parliament. If there is not a majority government then there is a minority government -- and that requires a coalition. In such cases if one of the parties of the coalition gets in a snit they can cause the government to fall. That is why Canada has had four elections in seven years.
"If there is not a majority government then there is a minority government -- and that requires a coalition."
Not technically true. Harper never entered into a coalition with any other party during his two previous minority governments. The minority was able to survive because enough members of opposition parties voted with the government.
The minority could be brought down at any time if the opposition chose to unite and vote against the government, which is exactly what happened to the last two Conservative minorities.
Exactly, Matt - I was very impressed by what Harper was able to do with a minority; I'm hoping that he'll continue to lead well so that skittish Canadian voters will continue to view him as trustworthy.
Woo hoo! What great news! First Bin Laden is gone and now Canada wins the elections! No, that was not a typo - the election results being what they are, with PM Harper elected with a majority government, Canada has won. As indeed has the rest of the world, especially Israel. I am so happy!
Top it off with the royal wedding and I'm on a high. ;;)
I woke up this morning to this great, great news. I think it may even just now be dawning on Ignatieff that he is, in fact, a gigantic wanker. If not, perhaps someone will tell him?
If the Conservatives are to have a long-term chance, they will have to use this opportunity to rein in the permanent government, including the CBC. If they don't, both will slowly smother it until the Natural State of Affairs returns. We will see.
Of course,the CBC was sounding as though these election results were the biggest disaster that could befall Canada with all their comments of how "people are concerned...." You KNOW they would never have made such comments had the Liberals or NDP had won or had formed a coalition with the BQ. But the Conservatives won? Then there is cause for concern.
It's not as though they won a majority or anything. Oh, wait....
Oh, happy day! I'm jumping for joy that our northern cousins are seeing the light. I'm a huge Harper fan, and I'm hoping that we here in the states can field a conservative candidate as strong as he is.
Next task for Canada: tar and feather the mainstream media, run them out on a rail, and support true journalism (just the facts, ma'am. No activism of any kind).
Thanks for the explanations of Canada's political system, Fay and Matt. A conservative majority government! Sweeeet!
This is a wonderful turn of events- not only for the Canada- but for those of us below of the 45th parallel who now have some insight as to how they go about putting people into office up north. Thanks Matt & Fay. I now consider myself somewhat enlightened.
I can't argue with you there, florrie. I'd say that Steyn was in rare form, except that he's consistently great. Heck, I was going to live-blog it but as I was driving at the time I figured I shouldn't. In hindsight, I should have just pulled over and stated typing away.
To one not familiar with Canadian political terms that was a most confusing article from the Post. What is a 'riding', anyway? :)
ReplyDeleteHowever, it seems that Canada might foretell an overall rise of sensibility in the North American electorate. I, for one, hope so.
Of course, according to the MSM, the Tories are in worst shape with a majority government than they were leading a majority government (huh??).
ReplyDeleteAnd the people who want to break off into another country really got their clocks cleaned. As far as I am concerned, let them go -- and let them sink or swim on their own with no help from Ottawa.
And Michael Ingrowntoenail lost his riding. Ha ha.
The treasonous, separatists Bloc Quebecois got their proverbial you know what handed to them on a plate. They went from 47 seats to 3 (preliminary results).
ReplyDeleteAnd the Liberals, led by the ineffective imposter Michael Ignatieff, lost not only his own seat but managed to reduce the party total down to 34 seats (preliminary) from a pre-election total of 77.
:D
:D
:D
Luther, a "Riding" is an electorial district.
ReplyDeleteMatt, was your second "majority" meant to be a minority?
ReplyDeleteLuther, a riding can be compared to a congressional district. Parliament is the lower house. The Senate is the upper house and is, as it used to be in the United States, an appointed body.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is not a direct comparison, the Prime Minister can somewhat be analogous to the Speaker of the House of the US Congress. The PM is not the Head of State: that is the Governor General, who is appointed by the Queen (after being nominated by the PM).
Fay may clear up some my my details here, but this should give you a basic idea.
And the CBC Liberal pary hacks are shaking in their boots.
ReplyDeleteBwahahahaha!
That would be "party hacks"
ReplyDeleteYes, Fay, I was just seeing if you were paying attention. IS just this feeling of Euphoria.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think that Canadians have been looking south of the border and did not like what they saw.
No corrections Matt, I think you nailed it. The only thing I would add is that the Head of State is mainly ceremonial and holds no real power over government.
ReplyDeleteTo hear the news coverage, you would think that Steven Harper was run out of Ottawa on a rail. First majority government in seven years and the winner is being portrayed as a loser.
ReplyDeleteJust in case anybody does not know what "majority" or "minority" government means, a majority government is when one party holds more than 50% of the seats in Parliament. If there is not a majority government then there is a minority government -- and that requires a coalition. In such cases if one of the parties of the coalition gets in a snit they can cause the government to fall. That is why Canada has had four elections in seven years.
Woo hoo! I just knew there'd be a party here! Now let's see what PM Harper can do.
ReplyDeleteI love the drubbing the PQ took...
The fact that Harper was able to do as much as he did with a minority government, we can only hope what he can do with a majority.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation of 'ridings'. Makes sense now. As to 'Bloc Quebecois', so glad to see that subject a thing of the past, or hope so anyway.
ReplyDeleteThough, one more question, who appoints the Senate?
I think I used to know much more about Canadian political structure, but as with so much else I've managed to forget it. No slight intended.
"If there is not a majority government then there is a minority government -- and that requires a coalition."
ReplyDeleteNot technically true. Harper never entered into a coalition with any other party during his two previous minority governments. The minority was able to survive because enough members of opposition parties voted with the government.
The minority could be brought down at any time if the opposition chose to unite and vote against the government, which is exactly what happened to the last two Conservative minorities.
Exactly, Matt - I was very impressed by what Harper was able to do with a minority; I'm hoping that he'll continue to lead well so that skittish Canadian voters will continue to view him as trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteThe Senate is appointed by the Govenor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
ReplyDeleteMostly political payback for services rendered.
This is wonderful news, Fay, I'm so happy for you all (and us!).
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the explanation in post #6, Matt.
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! What great news! First Bin Laden is gone and now Canada wins the elections! No, that was not a typo - the election results being what they are, with PM Harper elected with a majority government, Canada has won. As indeed has the rest of the world, especially Israel. I am so happy!
ReplyDeleteTop it off with the royal wedding and I'm on a high. ;;)
I woke up this morning to this great, great news. I think it may even just now be dawning on Ignatieff that he is, in fact, a gigantic wanker. If not, perhaps someone will tell him?
ReplyDeleteIf the Conservatives are to have a long-term chance, they will have to use this opportunity to rein in the permanent government, including the CBC. If they don't, both will slowly smother it until the Natural State of Affairs returns. We will see.
Of course,the CBC was sounding as though these election results were the biggest disaster that could befall Canada with all their comments of how "people are concerned...." You KNOW they would never have made such comments had the Liberals or NDP had won or had formed a coalition with the BQ. But the Conservatives won? Then there is cause for concern.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as though they won a majority or anything. Oh, wait....
Oh, happy day! I'm jumping for joy that our northern cousins are seeing the light. I'm a huge Harper fan, and I'm hoping that we here in the states can field a conservative candidate as strong as he is.
ReplyDeleteNext task for Canada: tar and feather the mainstream media, run them out on a rail, and support true journalism (just the facts, ma'am. No activism of any kind).
Thanks for the explanations of Canada's political system, Fay and Matt. A conservative majority government! Sweeeet!
This is a wonderful turn of events- not only for the Canada- but for those of us below of the 45th parallel who now have some insight as to how they go about putting people into office up north. Thanks Matt & Fay. I now consider myself somewhat enlightened.
ReplyDeleteAlphie, I can just imagine!! I'm sorry I missed him. I know this is heretical but I enjoy Mark as the "undocumented host" even more than El Rushbo.
ReplyDeleteI can't argue with you there, florrie. I'd say that Steyn was in rare form, except that he's consistently great.
ReplyDeleteHeck, I was going to live-blog it but as I was driving at the time I figured I shouldn't. In hindsight, I should have just pulled over and stated typing away.