Conservative Cabinet Revealed!

Rick Mercer has worked hard to research and reveal the Cabinet we may expect from a new Conservative government.

Rob Anders – Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

Rob Anders is the guy to reach out to Canada’s diverse multicultural communities.

“Nelson Mandela is a terrorist.”
- Rob Anders

“Rob is a true reformer and a true conservative. He has been a faithful supporter of mine and I am grateful for his work.”
- Stephen Harper endorsing Calgary West Conservative MP Rob Anders


David Sweet – Minister responsible for the Status of Women

“There's a particular reason why Jesus called men only. It's not that women aren't co-participators. It's because Jesus knew women would naturally follow. Men, on the other hand, had to be called.”
- Conservative Candidate David Sweet former President & CEO of Promise Keepers Canada


Brian Fitzpatrick –Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

“You can’t scalp me because I haven’t got much hair on top of my head.”
-Conservative Candidate Brian Fitzpatrick

Oy. Really, the scary thing is that you could do this with the Liberals too, and yet only those two parties have any chance to win power.

Debate notes

• The moderator is amusingly casual. "Mr Layton, you want in on this?"
• Did Gilles Duceppe have an Englishectomy? I know he speaks English better than that.
• I'm playing NDP "Give 'em the boot II Bingo" and I'm winning!
• The Bloc and the NDP never attack each other. I wish the Bloc would give up on separatism and merge with the NDP. They'd kick ass.
• Off-topic: I'm supposed to be making potato salad right now. But I can't see the TV from the kitchen. Hmmm.
• Stephen Harper just lied. He said "that's not correct" when asked about his tax increase plan.
• I should disclose that I'm winning the bingo game against myself.
• Favourite moment: Duceppe badgering Martin during Martin's answer on a Québec issue, so much so that Martin quietly sniped back en français.

Verdict: Unfortunately, Harper performed too well. Damnit.

Profile 4: Vancouver Centre

c9's Pretty Clearly Left-Leaning Riding Write-ups!

Riding:Vancouver Centre
Map: http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/maps/P59029.pdf
More info on your riding

Riding 59029, Vancouver Centre, is Vancouver's downtown business core. The 2001 census counted 105,998 residents, of whom more than 32 per cent were immigrants. Renters outnumbered homeowners nearly 3 to 1.

Vancouver Centre serves as the headquarters for many of B.C.'s largest companies and government-service providers. Almost 36 per cent of the people here hold university degrees, the fourth highest percentage among Canadian ridings. The average family income was $75,756 in 2001 and unemployment was 7.3 per cent.

Liberal Hedy Fry kept her seat in 2004, defeating New Democrat Kennedy Stewart by 4,230 votes.

This was Liberal territory in the 1960s and 70s, when it was held by Ron Basford and Art Phillips. It turned Tory in 1980 with the election of Pat Carney, who served in Brian Mulroney's cabinet.

In 1988, Vancouver Centre voters elected Tory Kim Campbell. Campbell was Canada's first female justice minister and defence minister. After Mulroney resigned, she became the country's first female prime minister in June 1993. By November she and her party were out of office. Campbell lost in her riding to Fry.

Fry's main opponents in 1997 and 2000 were Reform/Canadian Alliance challengers. Both times she won by about 9,300 votes.

(writeup above primarily from cbc.ca)

2006 Candidates:
Heathcliff Dionysus Campbell (Marijuana Party)
John Clarke (Libertarian Party of Canada)
Jared Evans (Green Party of Canada)
Tony Fogarassy (Conservative Party of Canada)
Hedy Fry (Liberal Party of Canada) (incumbent)
Joe Pal (Christian Heritage Party of Canada)
Svend Robinson (New Democratic Party)

Recent Election Results:

	LIB	CPC	PC	CA	REF	NDP	OTHER
2004	40.3%	19.2%				32.3%	8.2%
2000	42.3%		11.8%	26.1%		12.0%	7.7%
1997	40.8%		9.2%		22.6%	20.9%	6.4%

Prior to 1997, the area's MP was: Liberal (1993-present), PC (1980-1993), Liberal (1962-1980).

The NDP is running former superstar Svend Robinson, and the downtown urban riding traditionally has strong NDP support. Some see Robinson as non-local candidate (even though he has lived in the riding regularly and spent much time there), and countering that some see Hedy Fry as an MP who has spent enough time, and maybe is done. Only Hedy or Svend will win, and both are truly strong representatives for the riding.

www.electionprediction.org says: Too close to call. I agree. Nail-biting excitement!

In this riding, the Liberals typically come first, and the NDP second. The Conservatives are not a factor here, so you should vote your heart in a Liberal-NDP decision.

Hot Issue: Equal Marriage. The incumbent is very supportive, and Svend introduced equal marriage and equal rights legislation over and over since the early 80s.


( Explanations and non-riding-specific information )

Disclaimer: Your vote is your choice. If you think I'm wrong go ahead and (a) comment about it, and (b) vote your heart. I can take it.