Manitoba NDP Leadership Convention

[iso_55]

There's a leadership convention going on. Manitobans could have the same government but new Premier. But where's Judy Wasylicia-Leis? This lady is desperate to lead even a Girl Guides group. To have anyone follow her. Yet she's not running. How can that be? Say it ain't so, Judy. Say it ain't so. 

[rebusrankin]

Selinger or Oswald, essentially dumb and dumber. God help us.

[Jaxon]

Apparently Selinger is the best that the NDP have to offer.  Next Provincial election is April 2016.  They should start packing now, and I for one will not be sorry to see them leave.

 

Too bad the convention wasn't next weekend, because then they could have stabbed their leader in the back on the Ides of March.

[max power]

As a conservative, I couldn't be more pleased. Looking forward to the next election now. If the NDP win again (and honestly it wouldn't surprise me) then we'll know once and for all that we'll be a socialist have-not province forever with no hope of a conservative government. If it doesn't happen in 2016, I can't imagine it ever will.

[Mark H.]

I do not envy the party who wins the 2016 election. With the state of things in Alberta, transfer payments are bound to shrink even further. They used to be over 40% of total revenue for Manitoba; they are currently 23% of total revenue.

[Mr Dee]

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? Or, who didn't have the money and still blew it all.

If it's one thing I'm learning, as times move along, is that there not much difference when it comes to political parties, it boils down to what happening around them and how they manage those circumstances. 

Hey, if you have the resources, you're the smartest team in town, right?

 

Change is good, so why not a blockbuster trade between Mb. and Alta…..for political parties?

Wouldn't that cause a stir?

 

[Mark H.]

Political popularity depends almost entirely on circumstances.

[rebusrankin]

Even with their recent problems, Alberta is in better shape than us. We have crumbling infrastructure, a broken down health care system and a lack of private enterprise. Throw in debt levels, an 8% PST, some of the highest tax levels in Canada and bracket creep and its pretty bad.

 

Alberta could add a PST and junk the flat tax and they'd be in better shape.

[RagingIce]

Even with their recent problems, Alberta is in better shape than us. We have crumbling infrastructure, a broken down health care system and a lack of private enterprise. Throw in debt levels, an 8% PST, some of the highest tax levels in Canada and bracket creep and its pretty bad.

 

Alberta could add a PST and junk the flat tax and they'd be in better shape.

 

I mean things certainly aren't peachy keen, but comparing Manitoba to Alberta isn't exactly fair. Alberta sits on a pile of black gold, doesn't have to deal with annual floods of the caliber that we see, and in general is built on better terrain than Manitoba.

 

With all these advantages, the conservatives have routinely screwed the pooch in Alberta, and the fact that people are even comparing the two provinces is evidence of that.

 

I can't really fault the NDP for the debt considering the federal government is also still in deficit, and the 8% PST thing was so overblown it's not funny. The same people who advocated for a decade long property tax freeze (this is the real cause of the crumbling infrastructure) are the same people who are complaining about the PST.

 

All that said I really think that Manitoba needs a change in leadership, which is why I was hoping Selinger would be defeated here. Pallister is just too much of a buffoon to govern and the fact that he will likely win terrifies me.

 

It's times like these that I wish we had proportional representation so that voting for a third party was feasible.

[Goalie]

The reason the conservatives won't win here is because, while Selinger might be a total goof, Pallister is even a bigger one. Until the conservatives actually change their own leadership here, i doubt they will win. Lots of time between now and the election, do a few big things and people will forget the last little while. 

 

The real issue here is outside of the NDP, the other 2 parties are pretty much a joke. Pallister likely won't win because he is not as likable really. Comes down to that really, We will see tho, should be interesting but honestly, as things stand right now, I'll take the devil we know over the devil we don't know. 

[blueandgoldguy]

 

Even with their recent problems, Alberta is in better shape than us. We have crumbling infrastructure, a broken down health care system and a lack of private enterprise. Throw in debt levels, an 8% PST, some of the highest tax levels in Canada and bracket creep and its pretty bad.

 

Alberta could add a PST and junk the flat tax and they'd be in better shape.

 

I mean things certainly aren't peachy keen, but comparing Manitoba to Alberta isn't exactly fair. Alberta sits on a pile of black gold, doesn't have to deal with annual floods of the caliber that we see, and in general is built on better terrain than Manitoba.

 

With all these advantages, the conservatives have routinely screwed the pooch in Alberta, and the fact that people are even comparing the two provinces is evidence of that.

 

I can't really fault the NDP for the debt considering the federal government is also still in deficit, and the 8% PST thing was so overblown it's not funny. The same people who advocated for a decade long property tax freeze (this is the real cause of the crumbling infrastructure) are the same people who are complaining about the PST.

 

All that said I really think that Manitoba needs a change in leadership, which is why I was hoping Selinger would be defeated here. Pallister is just too much of a buffoon to govern and the fact that he will likely win terrifies me.

 

It's times like these that I wish we had proportional representation so that voting for a third party was feasible.

 

I'll vote for the Cons, but it would be nice to have a legit third option in the liberals.  Last time they were relevant was the mid-90s.

[iso_55]

Selinger or Oswald, essentially dumb and dumber. God help us.

Steve Ashton the professional politician... the guy who has never held a job a day in his life. You wouldn't have wanted him as Premier. I hear his daughter is following the family lineage & is a politician as well. 

[max power]

And this is why we're hooped. The NDP is as messed up as any party could be and people here are still making excuses for them or holding their nose while they grudgingly say they'll vote PC because Pallister is... Unlikeable? That's the worst you have on the guy? What exactly is Selinger???

[The Unknown Poster]

I remember when Doer was a goofball too.  He seemed like a guy who could never win because he just didnt seem like a Premier.  He certainly grew into the job.  Pallister might too.  Let's hope so.  The NDP didnt screw up - the problems in Manitoba are exactly what they intended.  This is their idea of socialism.  The last thing they want is a robust, wealthy province.  When the government truly believes they have a God-given right to govern and know what you and I need better than we do, you're going to have problems.

 

Look at this mess at Osborn House for a perfect, specific example of their arrogance and lies and desire for revenge and the fact they will do what they think is best even when it isnt, women and children at risk be damned.

[17to85]

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? 

what a ridiculous statement to make. Alberta has seen it's population grow by something close to 1 million people in the last decade, you think it's cheap to build infrastructure to support that many new people? Especially without raising taxes? Give me the government who keeps taxes low rather than the one that raises taxes at the drop of a hat. Oil will bounce back and Alberta will be rolling in the money again within a few years, Manitoba is still going to be stuck with their ridiculously high tax rate in a few years though. 

[Mr Dee]

 

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? 

what a ridiculous statement to make. Alberta has seen it's population grow by something close to 1 million people in the last decade, you think it's cheap to build infrastructure to support that many new people? Especially without raising taxes? Give me the government who keeps taxes low rather than the one that raises taxes at the drop of a hat. Oil will bounce back and Alberta will be rolling in the money again within a few years, Manitoba is still going to be stuck with their ridiculously high tax rate in a few years though. 

 

 

My my, touchy on such an innocent statement. Manitoba has worse infrastructure problems than Alta. has, and way less money to have spent on it.  Alta., with any kind of competent governing, should have quite the nest egg, even with a minimal Prov. tax, but they don't.

Even though my statement was tongue in cheek…it still stands.

So the question is, who's statement really is that ridiculous?

[max power]

 

 

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? 

what a ridiculous statement to make. Alberta has seen it's population grow by something close to 1 million people in the last decade, you think it's cheap to build infrastructure to support that many new people? Especially without raising taxes? Give me the government who keeps taxes low rather than the one that raises taxes at the drop of a hat. Oil will bounce back and Alberta will be rolling in the money again within a few years, Manitoba is still going to be stuck with their ridiculously high tax rate in a few years though. 

 

 

My my, touchy on such an innocent statement. Manitoba has worse infrastructure problems than Alta. has, and way less money to have spent on it.  Alta., with any kind of competent governing, should have quite the nest egg, even with a minimal Prov. tax, but they don't.

Even though my statement was tongue in cheek…it still stands.

So the question is, who's statement really is that ridiculous?

 

While the province of Alberta may not have the "nest egg" they should, at least the people living and working there should, given the higher wages and lower taxes they've had for so long. I'd rather have the people keep their money than any government be trusted to take care of it.

 

Here in Manitoba we have neither. And the NDP have shown no desire to stop wasting what they do get from us.

[17to85]

 

 

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? 

what a ridiculous statement to make. Alberta has seen it's population grow by something close to 1 million people in the last decade, you think it's cheap to build infrastructure to support that many new people? Especially without raising taxes? Give me the government who keeps taxes low rather than the one that raises taxes at the drop of a hat. Oil will bounce back and Alberta will be rolling in the money again within a few years, Manitoba is still going to be stuck with their ridiculously high tax rate in a few years though. 

 

 

My my, touchy on such an innocent statement. Manitoba has worse infrastructure problems than Alta. has, and way less money to have spent on it.  Alta., with any kind of competent governing, should have quite the nest egg, even with a minimal Prov. tax, but they don't.

Even though my statement was tongue in cheek…it still stands.

So the question is, who's statement really is that ridiculous?

 

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is because Alberta has been spending a crap ton on it? That's why they don't have the big next egg, they've actually been building things the province needs. The Heritage fund hasn't been prioritized by the province, but it still exists. The spending has been focussed on a lot of spending to meet the needs of the province. Ralph Klein was hell bent on getting out of debt and he deferred a lot of spending to accomplish that, the governments after him have had to spend more and they are. The finances in Alberta aren't as dire as they seem. There is a lot of sensationalism regarding the price of oil right now because the rest of the country is very jealous and are taking the time to mock Alberta, but they don't realize that things are still pretty good in Alberta. Every province has budget issues, the difference is that Alberta isn't already taxed to the hilt so there is a lot of flexibility in terms of how to fix them. 

[Mr Dee]

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is…….

 

 

They didn't get the big money Alberta was fortunate to dig up.

 

Really, it boils down to whomever is in power having the wherewithal, and the gumption to do it right.

It is rare to see any government get that combination right.

[17to85]

 

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is…….

 

 

They didn't get the big money Alberta was fortunate to dig up.

 

that's a defeatist attitude. Manitoba could have worked to build up some type of industrial or commercial base, but instead the province has had a long tradition of socialism and anti business policies. High taxes and pro-union governments make Manitoba into what it is. There's resources in Manitoba too, but there isn't a lot of incentive for companies to base themselves in Manitoba. 

[RagingIce]

 

 

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is…….

 

 

They didn't get the big money Alberta was fortunate to dig up.

 

that's a defeatist attitude. Manitoba could have worked to build up some type of industrial or commercial base, but instead the province has had a long tradition of socialism and anti business policies. High taxes and pro-union governments make Manitoba into what it is. There's resources in Manitoba too, but there isn't a lot of incentive for companies to base themselves in Manitoba. 

 

So anti-business that we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. It's just a fact of living here that there are more expenses and fewer resources than Alberta.

 

Manitoba certainly wasn't competitive with Alberta when the PCs were in change for a decade, so you can hardly blame pro-union or anti-business attitudes for anything.

[17to85]

 

 

 

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is…….

 

 

They didn't get the big money Alberta was fortunate to dig up.

 

that's a defeatist attitude. Manitoba could have worked to build up some type of industrial or commercial base, but instead the province has had a long tradition of socialism and anti business policies. High taxes and pro-union governments make Manitoba into what it is. There's resources in Manitoba too, but there isn't a lot of incentive for companies to base themselves in Manitoba. 

 

So anti-business that we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. It's just a fact of living here that there are more expenses and fewer resources than Alberta.

 

Manitoba certainly wasn't competitive with Alberta when the PCs were in change for a decade, so you can hardly blame pro-union or anti-business attitudes for anything.

 

a low unemployment rate perhaps because when people can't find a job in Manitoba they head out west to Alberta right? Not like this is the first NDP government that Manitoba has had you know, the provinces history stretches back a lot farther than you or I have been around for. 

[Mark H.]

Two things:

 

1. Alberta teachers have received wage increases of 5% per year in recently settled contracts (the past 3 - 5 years).  In MB, we've never gotten more than 2 - 3 percent increases. Nurses in MB. took a wage freeze a few years ago. I realize I'm only looking at a couple of sectors, but I think the idea that MB. is union friendly while Alberta is not is somewhat misplaced.

 

2. Most people go to Alberta because the oil fields are the only place in Canada where you can earn good money without having a degree.  Of course they could find employment at home, but nothing can compete with that oil field pay cheque.  Seriously, if some one running a manufacturing business paid their employees oil field wages, they wouldn't be in business very long.

[iso_55]

 

 

So, who really did a worse job of governing in the last little while in their respective Provinces - the Conservatives in Alberta, or the NDP in Manitoba? Who had all the money and blew it all? 

what a ridiculous statement to make. Alberta has seen it's population grow by something close to 1 million people in the last decade, you think it's cheap to build infrastructure to support that many new people? Especially without raising taxes? Give me the government who keeps taxes low rather than the one that raises taxes at the drop of a hat. Oil will bounce back and Alberta will be rolling in the money again within a few years, Manitoba is still going to be stuck with their ridiculously high tax rate in a few years though. 

 

 

My my, touchy on such an innocent statement. Manitoba has worse infrastructure problems than Alta. has, and way less money to have spent on it.  Alta., with any kind of competent governing, should have quite the nest egg, even with a minimal Prov. tax, but they don't.

Even though my statement was tongue in cheek…it still stands.

So the question is, who's statement really is that ridiculous?

 

As an Albertan who has lived in calgary & been through the Klein cuts... Alberta by far. We've squandered tens of billions just since 2007. Our Conservative politicians out here are douchebags. Manitoba's problem has always been the NDP with its pro labour, high taxes & anti business government. There's plenty of mismanagement in Manitoba but not on the scale of Alberta. 

[Mr Dee]

 

 

Perhaps the reason Manitoba has worse infrastructure is…….

 

 

They didn't get the big money Alberta was fortunate to dig up.

 

that's a defeatist attitude. Manitoba could have worked to build up some type of industrial or commercial base, but instead the province has had a long tradition of socialism and anti business policies. High taxes and pro-union governments make Manitoba into what it is. There's resources in Manitoba too, but there isn't a lot of incentive for companies to base themselves in Manitoba. 

 

 

Sure sounds like somebody's bought into the political propaganda.