Judy Rebick Comments on Canadian Election: This is the most right-wing government we have ever had.

[democracy1st]

Run time: 04:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuOy--9sQbk   Posted on YouTube: May 03, 2011 By YouTube Member: mediagrrl9 Views on YouTube: 306   Posted on DU: May 03, 2011 By DU Member: democracy1st Views on DU: 1235

 
Democracy Now! speaks to longtime Canadian activist and writer Judy Rebick about the results of the Canadian elections. The Conservative party, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was elected to a majority in the Canadian parliament, ending five years of minority government. The election also saw major gains for the left-leaning National Democratic Party, which won enough seats to become the official opposition party for the first time. Harper has vowed to continue pro-corporate policies that have led critics to label his government the most right-wing in recent Canadian history. Rebick is the founder of
"Rabble.ca," one of Canada's leading independent news websites, and a professor of politics at Ryerson University in Toronto.

For the video/audio podcast, transcript, to sign up for the daily news digest, and for the entire Democracy Now! segment about the Canadian elections, visit http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/3/the_right_and_left_claim_success

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[murphyj87]

1. The most right wing government....

The most right wing government Canada has ever had puts it about in the middle of the political spectrum in relating it to American politics. American Conservatives would call Canadian Conservatives socialists.

[Enthusiast]

4. Would they make us return to the U.S.

if we sneak in and claimed refugee status?

[TrollBuster9090]

5. I wouldn't say they're in the middle

I'd say the Canadian Conservative Party is somewhere between Al Franken and Bernie Sanders, and the Canadian Liberal Party is to the left of Sanders and Kucinich. There are no elected politicians in the U.S. who you could compare to the NDP.

None of the Canadian parties are for getting rid of the single payer health care system, employment insurance, or the gun registry. Whereas, in the U.S. being in favor of a single payer health care system is what DEFINES you as a progressive. So, I'd say the Canadian political spectrum is 100% progressive, made up of Conservative progressives, Liberal Progressives, Progressive Progressives, and SEPARATIST progressives (the BQ). :)

[Foolacious]

6. The Conservatives ARE in favour if getting rid of the gun registry.

The long-gun registry, anyway. Harper and the Conservatives have also proposed a two-tier health care system, with a private tier for those who can pay. I'm a dual American/Canadian, having lived many years in both countries, and I would put the Canadian Conservative party as between Al Franken and President Obama, the Liberals between Franken and Kucinich, and the New Democrats between Kucinich and Sanders. In other words, I would shift them all a bit rightward from your descriptions. Okay, except for the Bloc Quebecois.

[canuckledragger]

2. rec'd

Makes the election a little clearer in my mind..& hope for the future with Quebec holding a knife to harper's throat if he goes too far.

Unless his ego gets the best of him of course.

Eeven if he forces Quebec out him & his party will be stained with that fact & will never have a majority again. (they would become as the Bloc Quebecois is now...lose so many seats & lose official party status)

[Beavker]

3. S!@#

One less place I can move to for some sanity.