What Canadians like and dislike about the Liberal Party of Canada

I tend to liken the Liberals to General Motors - once great, but now teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. I can't recall the last time I looked at a GM car and said "wow" - kind of like the current leadership race. From my perspective, Mr. Ignatieff is the only person who has presented anything new or innovative and for this he has been villified by his own party and the mainstream press.

I would argue that there is no longer any "brand loyalty" in Canadian politics, and that the logic of national brokerage parties itself no longer holds. I think that the old logic/rationale behind national paities is based on the centralization of communications tools (telegraph, train and buggy) avalaible at the time of the creation of the brokerage model -but that's another story.

It could follow that the parliamentary system itself - from which the brokerage model flows - is also outdated. The times have changed, yet our governance system hasn't. Could it be that Canadians disastifaction with the way we are governed is manifesting itself in the flight from political parties?

I've voted Liberal in every election since I was first permitted to vote as an underage serviceman in the mid 60’s, I will continue to vote Liberal should Mr. Ignatieff win; however, should Mr. Rae win I'll vote Conservative for the first time in my life.

While I realize SES isn't a public service but is in fact a business, someone should really tell Mr. Nanos that if he continues to do these silly propaganda polls for Sun Media that attack the Liberals that he can kiss SES's credibility goodbye.

[updated Thu Nov 23 19:55:41 -0500 2006]

If Martha Ray Findlay were to win as the leader there would be a far better chance of winning the next election and a much better Canada. She has very little political experience and I believe that is the kind of leader Canada needs. Maybe as the PM she would actually listen to what we Canadians want.

Nik, I have to say that this poll is a bit of a dog's breakfast. How 10% of liberal supporters said they liked nothing about the Liberals is a mystery. Maybe they should rethink their voting strategy!

Similarly, 10% of conservative supporters said they disliked nothing about the Liberals.

The fact that one in three Canadians used the words "scandal" and "corrupt" in describing the Liberals, is not surprising given that anyone who doesn't support the Liberals is bound to raise those memories. Heck even Canada's New Government is constantly pummeling the previous government for their actions, apparently at a loss for words when asked to describe how they will do things differently.

Bottom line is, I think people are devoid of original thought and are simply repeating the mantras spoken by our elected officials and their spin artists.

Why can't people speak honestly about what they like and dislike about the party they didn't vote for? Surely there must be one thing that people like about the Liberals? I didn't vote for them, but I have no shame in saying there are some things that I like about their policies, for instance, their stance on gay marriage.

If one of your people had called me and asked what I liked about the Liberals, I would not have said "nothing" because that would be dishonest.

I'll be curious to see the results for the Conservative party? Is that in the works?

In my opinion the Liberals have not only been corrupt and unprincipled but also basically a do nothing, caretaker kind of government, under Chretien and Martin.
They fought tooth and nail against both GST and free trade when they were in opposition yet embraced both when in power which allowed them the tools to help them reduce the deficit.
What were their other notable achievments....the corruption as aired by Gomery...the ineptness and expense of the gun registry program, the commitment of Canada to excess GHG reductions under Kyoto and then doing absolutely nothing to try and ensure that a reduction took place! The list could go on and on!
Are there any Liberal supporters out there who will provide what in there opinion were the greatest five achievements of the government under Chretien and maybe two under Martin.

The problem I have is the Liberals will live up to their past problems, Denis Coderre says on Perre's program this am,the Liberals were not defeated by the Sponsorship Program, I do not know how others voted, but I voted against the Liberals because of the Sponsorship Program, Many Canadians are wondering why Chretien, Coderre and other Liberals are not in jail for hiding money on Canadians, they should be in jail not at a Convention in Montreal. No wonder Chretien will not speak about the past. Because he is guilty, guilty, because a Commissioner of the RCMP failed to do his job in many areas not just this one.

My thoughts to this question is quite simple, it's not what i like or dislike about the Liberals, it's what they have done to our country in their long history as the "Natural Governning Party".Basically they have done so much damage to Canada, that I'm amazed that we are still a nation united, for example: the Fiberals have completly and utterly destroyed our once to be reckoned with military. Their social programs over the years have been nothing but smoke and mirrors. I feel that whom ever the delegation elects as the leader of this party, will undoubtitly do the same old, same old Liberal stuff that still has its effects to this day. POWER, POWER, POWER, and Canada second. It's a shame but it's true. Regardless of the Scandals, Corruption, Sexual inuendos and what have you, all parties do something in their time to have a stint in the history books. But as for the Liberals, I fell that if they get in the next election, God help us.

Just to let the readers know who read my commemts, Im a former Reform member who has not decieded on a Federal Party to join. Im a card holding member of the Liberal BC Party, but Im on the Social Credit side of the party, most former Social Credit members are now Liberals, reminder the Social Credit Party was screwed up by 2 women one a primeir and the other Gracie M. I have many reasons to not like my Party also, it is run like Liberal Party of Canada, no grass roots, but as I type and watch on TV, this new consistitution has passed, I hope the Liberal BC Party catches on soon, but that may be difficult they are not that bright in Head Quarters.

News flash News flash Liberal Party of Canada just shot themselves in the foot at 12:54 PM Pacific and will not attract new members to the Party. Defeated the One Member One Vote, A Party that still lives in the Past!!!!!

While the convention is just getting started I haven't heard any of the delegates talk about how they will address the corruption and poor money management of this party. The Government of Canada auditor seems to hammer the Liberals every time she issues a report. Perhaps we will hear more from those hoping to lead the party in the future.

I am glad the Liberals voted against the so-called "One Member One Vote". I say this for reasons different than the other opponents that spoke. I believe that the First Past the Post system only works when there are two candidates, and that it is anti-democratic when used with more than two candidates. As a minimum, some sort of ranked ballot that allows for an instant run-off is needed to take what is currently offered with the multiple ballot system and extend it to one-member-one-vote.

As someone who has been campaigning for electoral reform for many years, I've noticed that the Liberals are the most opposed to this needed modernization. It didn't surprise me that this critical issue wasn't adequately included in this debate at the convention.

Russell McOrmond
http://www.flora.ca/

For myself Nik, the Liberals have just demonstrated a particularly dislikable characteristic in their rejection of the one-man-one-vote issue - they are controlled by the IN crowd and they prefer to remain that way. They are really yesterday's party for me and with the stable of leadership candidates presented, they will remain so. I think the polls show that for many its not nice to admit you are a conservative so they (the polls) remain distorted by the closet conservatives. Wait until the next election and I think I'll be proven right - Canadians are proud of their image now - more so than for years past.

What I dislike most about the Liberal Party is that they have shown their main goal is not to make a difference or to make Canada a better place, but rather it is merely to get elected, to gain power and to hold it. That's it.

I have seen over my adult life that they will say anything, do anything, make any promise, shamelessly break any promise, promise from the left and govern from the right ... or vice versa if that's what polls show will keep them in power at any given time. The Chretien years showed graphically that they will break the law to keep power.

I see no principles, no laudible goals, no leadership and no vision. None of that matters to Liberals. Their only goal in Montreal is to pick a leader who they think can beat Stephen Harper. That's it.

I find that both sad and sickening, and it is the reason I will never vote for the Liberal Party as long as I live. My view of leadership is a vision for something better, a plan to make it happen, principles to guide the way, and strong leadership to demand accountability and measure outcomes. That will never happen from this bunch.

[updated Thu Nov 30 18:30:24 -0500 2006]

All political parties are hypocritical to some degree but the Liberal party is really extraordinary in how it can disregard its past record and criticize the Conservatives and NDP. Remember the promise to cut the GST entirely!! Liberals, with a straight face, now criticize the Conservatives for cutting the GST 1%!! Hypocritical in the extreme.

The political parties are an impediment to democracy. They don't understand the purpose of government.They are more intersested in the party or the party's "elite" than they are in the general population. I view the Liberals as a little less harmful than the others. They are especially seen as a rampart against the onslaught of conservative policies.
So I vote for them as the lesser of evils.

Bernie

I find the most interesting question in the survey to be the one mentioning "flexible policies". Certainly their policies are nothing but "flexible"
The Liberals claim there is room in their party for all views. This is tantamount to admitting that they really don't have any beliefs that are constant. Witness their voting en masse four years ago re gay unions, but loudly declaring they would NEVER go so far as to condone gay marriage. That vow lasted a mere two years. Now, whether you agree or disagree, it was a complete reversal of views.

What I do like about the Liberal Party is it's policy of rewarding those who have spent years promoting its aims and ideals, who have sacrificed for the aims of the party, and who have dedicated their lives to its well-being. Witness such names as Keith Martin, Scott Brison, Belinda Stronach, Ujjal Dosanjh, and most recently Bob Rae, Michael Ignatieff....(Sarcasm)

Hello Nik:

Perhaps I am missing the point of this issue, but could it be because PM Harper has
muzzled his Ministers, and in many instances, I could see why, and the fact that
he has avoided the Press, and pursued his 5 platform promises, without discussions
and debates with the other parties?
If his Ministers disagree with him, they either have to resign, get dismissed, and/or
will get reshuffled to other Ministerial position...We could see this soon, as the rumours
go for Min. Rona Ambrose. He is even firing his Minister, whereby the farmers are outraged,
and deciding to do away with the Wheat board issue, against the farmers' approval. The
farmers want a democratic vote on this, and the conservatives aren't even listening.
His stronghold on his Ministers' as independant "thinkers", seems to categories/labels
them as dissenters!? If you are not in total agreement with Mr. Harper, you are then
against him! If you attempt to debate the Afghanistan mission, for which I am a supporter, however,
you are unpatriotic, and unloyal to the soldiers fighting out there; as in the 'bush' tradition,which in my view
is what is souring, and dividing this Country, on a very important issue, and a Nato approved mission, which was extended for two years, within a two hour discussion, which forced
the aye vote.
As for the Liberal and corruption, there were only three people concerned, and I believe
that all parties, after a lengthy reign, will encounter this, unless there are more independent
bodies who "oversight", just as we have seen with the RCMP, and the conservatives, if I may add, had
to be put under much pressure to react positively. Reducing bureaucracy would also be
an improvement. Absolute protection for "whistleblowers" is going to be adament, which
will bring much improvement in refraining this from happening.
Just recently, we saw how one political candidate in the Liberal leadership race did get away with campaign funding from sources, which were not particularly straightforward, and this
is still a conundrum to me, as to how he managed to stay within the party, and still has
a voice in the House, which is a bit mysterious to me.
I still believe that the party who has the most to offer, and from which all can benefit more,
is the Liberal party.
There will always be a few bad apples, but I do believe that generally, the people who are
elected to office wish to maintain the highest level of integrity, and honesty, and bring
about changes that will benefit their constituents. It is up to us to inform them of our
expectations, and getting out there and vote, and change our attitude, and believe that we can make
a difference, and help those changes come about.

blos
blossomf@videotron.ca

I favour neither right nor left in politics but I think for myself before I vote therefore I like to weigh the party, the platform and the local candidate and can quite easily be a "swing" voter. I believe Stephen Harper is to be commended for the progress he has made with domestic issues with his fairly peaceful minority parliament. He accomplished much more than Paul Martin did in the same minority situation with the Conservatives trying to force an election at every opportunity. Minority parliaments are full of restraint, understandably. In no way do I approve of what led up to the Sponsorship scandal and the Liberal Party deserved a ruddy good kick in the butt for not taking prompt action with some individuals who deserved to be in jail and still do-----and who has been the government this last year? The foreign policy of the current government scares me and, should they have a majority, Canada can forget being a neutral and rejoice being a side kick of United States for the time being as foeign policy there is in ferment at the moment. A majority parliament for the current government may lead to the opening of divisive social issues that I had hoped had been laid to rest except for the noisy minority pressure groups. One should not attempt to paint all Liberals with the same brush nor to paint all Conservatives as Bush supporters. One should exercise their own brain and evaluate the Party, Candidate and platform in the forthcoming election.

It is clear Canadians have still not forgiven the Liberal party for stealing millions of dollars of hard working taxpayer dollars in order to finance their Quebec elections. That is good. Despite this it is amazing to see that the Liberals still continue, in all the polls, to maintain the support of a good number of Canadians. How can that be? If someone stole money from you would you continue to be their friend. I think we all know the answer. However, the support is even more surprising when you consider the policies or lack of policies that the Liberals have introduced in the last 10 years. Think about the promises made and not kept. The aboriginal situation, the lack of support for the military, the lack of progress on the environment, the health care system which was supposed to be fixed for a generation. The lack of funding for education. The promise to eliminate the GST. The intrusion into areas which are clearly provinicial jurisdiction i.e. daycare. The list could go on. The only thing that matters to the Liberal party is power for the sake of power. They will do or say anything to win an election even if it means lying to the Canadian people. Canadians need to pay close attention to the Liberal party in the next election. Even though they have a new leader there are no knew policies being promoted. It's power for the sake of power. For this they do not deserve to be elected next time.