Who Canadians trust on the issues (New Nanos National Poll)

The Poll seems in line with I would have expected other than on National Unity, there seems to be a real dis-connect with reality on this one. The Dion Liberals like previous Liberal governments have just flipped Western Canada the bird once again, didn't take him very long to tell Western Canada like his predecessors that he is willing to pillage and rob thier economy to satisfy the City of Toronto.

And as for Quebec, it has always been the Liberals that have aggravated separatist sentiments while the Conservatives have numerously tried to negotiate and acknowledge Quebec's place in Confederation.

Either way, with Western Canadian alieination revitalized and the "clarity act" kid looming in Quebec's eyesights once again, the Liberals will prove to be the real threat to legitimate Canadian harmony and unity

[updated Mon Jul 07 11:34:49 EDT 2008]

Nik---Who said a minority government works in Canada or who thinks playing your cards "close to your chest" is a smart move. Too bad we cannot dump all the leaders and start over again. If we think politics in our continuous election mode leaves something to be desired, just look to the current situation with our neighbours to the south where there is a "neck and neck" situation. Ah well, we maybe in the same political mess after October 19, 2009, and I would not look forward to a repeat of the previous 4 years.----Depressing ! ! !

[updated Mon Jul 07 11:44:32 EDT 2008]

On National Unity and the Environment, Regina Beach Boy seems susceptible to the Conservative message machine. In fact, rather than flipping Western Canada the bird, Dion has asked all Canadians to decide for themselves what lifestyle changes they will make in the carbon challenged future. Rather than treating Canadians like children as Harper has done, Dion regards Canadians as capable of making a contribution to the environmental situation by doing their part.

The Harper environment scheme is more harmful to the West (cap-and-trade and intensity targets) than Dion's will ever be because it digs deeper into the West's pocketbook to feed the East without telling them. Intellectually dishonest, on Harper's part, I'd say. The reason Harper wanted an earlier election was to escape the wrath of the West once it finds out they've been screwed again by the favourite Conservatives.

When will the West actually listen to and decipher the line of malarky, successive federal and provincial Conservative governments have been telling them. The West is better off right now because all Canadian taxpayers anted up to get the Tar Sands underway. I don't expect we'll ever see a thank you card on that one until the environment in Alberta and then Saskatchewan's coming oil tar projects needs to be cleaned up.

As for the Clarity Act, many Quebec residents, (& also many Canadians), were pleased to see the situation of separation resolved, at least to the point of understanding how much support would be needed to proceed. There was an immediate calming of separatist sentiment and a relaxation of federalist nerves, once the Supreme Court indicated what the process would be, if any part of Canada chose to leave.

It is Harper's disingenuous catering to Quebec that has raised the temperature in this debate once again. And not for the benefit of Quebec but in search of "his majority". From the time of the Clarity Act until the election campaign of 2006, Canadians and Quebeckers were able to set aside the notion of separation to focus on resolving our country's economic situation under the leadership of Finance Minister Paul Martin and PM Jean Chretien.

Now I guess, we'll have to be prepared to tighten our belts again after another Flaherty budget - the biggest spending budget in Canadian history. It is a myth that Conservatives of the progressive or of the neo-con variety are capable or even interested in managing the economy on behalf of Canadians - they always blow the wad and hand the bill back to us! Oh but, we'll have a great revitalized military to show for it so we can go make war alongside our southern neighbours and guard oil pipelines in Afghanistan for the next couple of decades just so the Americans can get their hands on cheap oil.

As for HealthCare, there is no indication that Harper will do anything less than dismantle the Canada Health Act through stealth to allow private competition on all fronts. Pretty soon, we'd be paying the high rates that Americans pay for a non-existent system propelled by quarterly reporting cycles rather than the health needs of Canadians.

Hopefully we will get a Plan from Dion as well as from all the parties on each of these high priorities for Canadians so that we can evaluate them then proceed to an election. From Harper, we can likely expect another Five Bullet Points with no meaning, no details and no plan...just words photoshopped together to make an election poster based on polls. Then he'll really tear this country apart.

As for the Nanos poll, change will not likely be significant until an election cycle occurs, Canadians are enjoying our blissful summer weather after a nasty bit of winter. Many are sick of the bickering of this parliament. Maybe pollsters should call us when we're actually allowed to respond with an opinion that will make a difference.

[updated Mon Jul 07 12:10:43 EDT 2008]

The polls can say what they want, but the odds of Dion being Prime Minister of Canada are 70 to 1 long shot. Greens have no chance maybe one seat. That is an awfully large percentage that are undecided. I have made up my mind already, it is not Dion or the Liberals.

[updated Mon Jul 07 14:44:45 EDT 2008]

As Prime Minister I would run on "Scrap the GST" and put a 20% Tax on all products,airlines, food,services,media, newpapers "Made in China" including Hong Kong our revenues would set a world record. Also I forgot Canadian Autos are still far over priced, I would put in Match the US price Or? I think I would get Elected by a landslide, the downside is I'm not running, but will be supporting a Mayor with a "Speculators Tax"

[updated Mon Jul 07 14:49:50 EDT 2008]

Deb, I have to disagree with your position.

I don't believe most Ontarians like yourself have any idea of how truly hated or destructive the original NEP was east of Manitoba, but it was completely devastating. The hatred and sense of being powerless while someone else destroyed your economy was through the roof. It was the beginning of the 'seperatist' sentiment in the west.

This 'green shift', whether you believe in it or not, is fanning the cool embers of that back into a full fledged flame. If it ever got implemented, there is a very REAL chance it would tear Confederation apart. Alberta won't 'threaten' to leave, it'll just leave. And BC and Sask would be close behind, the only reason that BC hasn't got more seperatist sentiment is that a lot of people still like the idea of a 'whole' canada - but if one goes, that argument won't hold water any more.

Dion has come right out and said that Alberta and Saskactchewan will bear the brunt of this new tax. 8 billion from alberta alone. Do you really believe there is ANY chance that they will put up with that? And that's if you BELIEVE dion, which few people out this way do. "Revenue neutral" my heiny - he'll use the money to buy votes in the east, which is what Trudeau wanted the money for. (Which was admitted later on.).

Another word for 'revenue neutral' is 'tax and spend'. Which is exactly why dion is doing this - tax the west, spend in the east.

Dion is a huge threat to confederation. Not it's savoir. You'd have better luck selling re-introducing slavery again to black people as you'd have selling this concept to alberta, and to a slightly lesser degree the rest of the west.

[updated Mon Jul 07 15:44:40 EDT 2008]

The numbers seem to line up with what I thought. Despite the usual anti-harperites that will be posting here. I think that the gov't is doing exactly what Canadians wanted it to do at the time of the last election. The present gov't is also completely and undeniably perfoming the same. After all Canadians voted in a Minority gov't and the most common reasons are that generally speaking they do not raise taxes - and guess what - we have lower taxes. As well minority gov't spend more time accusing each other of scandals and less time implementing new gov't programs that only add more bulk to the heavy gov't we already have. Guess what the Conservatives have not created dozens of new gov't programs. Minority gov'ts seem to allow each party to shore up it's base and start to look outwards. Guess what each party is doing precisley that. I am very surpised that the screwy idea of a carbon tax hasn't resulted in disaffected left wingers changing parties after all though I would have thought there would be movement from the NDP to the Liberals but that does not seem to be happening.

[updated Mon Jul 07 16:28:21 EDT 2008]

Niik. "What do you think?"

I think you word the question wrong. Since I don't trust any of the parties in any of those categories to do what's best for Canadians. A better question would be, " Which do you distrust the most" . I would have an easier time answering that.

Since the Greens are under the radar we can ignore them and likewise, for a different reason, the Bloc.
Making a judgement call on a party never in power or an opposition with a new leader also muddies the water. One's just stabbing in the dark. With the party in power it is much easier, and even more so when the party is essentially one person.

I see it didn't take long for the 'debate' to degenerate into something, not of topic, but right wing rant, BS really with a capital B.

To suggest that Dion'splan relates to the NEP is totally rididulous. And the to suggest the NEP was not good policy is just as bad. I support the policies like the NEP. This is what Confederation is about. Leveling the field. Transferring from the lucky to the unlucky. The west had no problem with that philosophy before the World War 11.
Everything contains cycles. Different regions are affected differently at different times. When one region is prospering they should willing help areas that are doing poorly. In a few years the shoe will be on the other foot. What goes around comes around. and everyone should remember that.
The West has never been treated as badly as the East. BTW they still call Ontario and Quebec, the east. These are central. and maybe Manitoba could be lumped in with them. The East is NL, PEI, NS and NB and maybe the Gaspe and the north shore east of Quebec City could be with them.

Tho I live in Ontario, for years I have been criticizing our federal governments Liberals and PCs for for favouritism for central Canada at the expense of the far flung regions especially the far North. The West has never received the bad treatment from Ottawa as Newlounland has, not even close.

Tho, I don't like your question as asked, I'll answer it as it is asked in the poll.
And, oh yes, NO partisan bias. I'm still voting Green unless something unusual happens between now and the elections.

This is how I would answer.

Environment Liberal
Jobs and Economy NDP
National Unity NDP
Health Care NDP
Afghanistan NDP

[updated Tue Jul 08 08:23:42 EDT 2008]

To tell the truth I noticed that not to many people are paying attention to what the Liberals have to say, there are no comments on the globe and mail re Dion, they are not interested in what they have to say , after 13 years of this Chretien who should return his Order of Canada, for doing what, bribing the people of Canada with there own money!

[updated Wed Jul 09 02:44:47 EDT 2008]

To tell the truth I noticed that not to many people are paying attention to what the Liberals have to say, there are no comments on the globe and mail re Dion, they are not interested in what they have to say , after 13 years of this Chretien who should return his Order of Canada, for doing what, bribing the people of Canada with there own money!

[updated Wed Jul 09 02:45:28 EDT 2008]

China and Chinese

Facts are that those in government are going to have to face the facts of the problems China and Chinese are giving to Canada and British Columbia

1.Murder of a BC Model in Shanghai ( Useless China Police)
2.Human Rights Violations (Treatment of Tibet and Taiwan)
3.2008 Beijing Olympic (Propaganda Games)
4.“Made In China” Products of Poor Quality
5. Chinese Bankers living in Richmond (Bank of China scam)
6.Lack of English skills in English/French Society
7.Chinese Retail Signage/News Media Outlets (Mouth Pieces for Beijing)
8.Coke Houses, Labs, Drug Grow-Ops
9.Leaky Condo Developers (Concord Pacific) (Pinnacle)
10. Real Estate firms connected to the Richmond Oval land must be investigated.
11. Traffic Violations and Purchased Drivers Licenses.
12. Chinese gangs ( Immigrants)
13. Blocking those in Taiwan that want the right to be their own Nation, not a Province of a group of “Thugs in Beijing”
14.Taking Police Courses at the BC Justice Institute ( when they cannot acknowledge an investigation of Number 1.

This is only the tip of the iceberg and politicians just put their heads in the sands and need to take courses on improving “Listening Skills”

What Fools Canadians are for Tolerating this nonsense and Federal Liberals are to blame!

You can count on this is going to be a problem for Re-Election or Election to any Provincial, Federal or Municipal government in the near future.

[updated Thu Jul 10 02:36:47 EDT 2008]

Lets see what you Tory wonder boys think of the latest Elections Canada tory scandal.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=/2006/july/10/swap/&c=1

Check swapping is an offense under the income tax act.

[updated Thu Jul 10 13:29:38 EDT 2008]

Nik; I notice that there are about 250 posts on this topic (there was over 700 on another).
I wonder what percentage of them was on the respective topic.

I also wonder how valid is an opinion one gets from the results of questions not carefully asked. For instance it is easy for one to think that I may be a NDP supporter because I named NDP as most trustworthy in 4 of the 5 categories. That would be a false reading.

There is a difference in trusting the leader and trusting what you think the party may do.
In the case of the Conservatives I think Harper IS the Conservatives. Tho, there are trustworthy members (and in high positions) in the party but they have little enfluence in the direction of the party. I could never trust the Conservative party as long as Harper is there. There are elements of the party I could trust but never the present leader.

I don't think Dion has such control over his party. I do trust Dion or maybe I should say he has done nothing to make me distrust him. Some top members of his party whom I don't trust, have enfluence on the direction of the party.

In the case of the NDP I don't think Layton is having a positive enfluence on his party. If they had another leader I would be more inclined to support the NDP because the traditional policies are ones I would support.

The reason I have such utter distrust of Harper is because of lack of integrity, moral or ethical standards. I was aware of this before he became head of the Conservative party.
I read his writing and heard him speak back then. I saw then he had no respect for truth, and he had no respect for the dignity of another human. He is an unmitigated liar in my opinion. This goes back many years.

Now we can see how he is still proving my opinion of him. We, as Canadians, used to feel good about our place in the world. Peoples from other countries used to look to us with admiration. We were a model for them.
The esteem in which we were held has fallen dramatically. One reason is our unflinching support of this US administration. We are seen as more militaristic. We have shown the world that we are not serious about global warming or any aspect of the environment. We are showing that we are less caring about are poorer brothers around the world.( and in our own country) And on the world stage we say things that we have no intention of doing.
Are credibility has diminished considerably. Harper is not representing us as we Canadians are. However I'm sure many people in the rest of the world can see that Harper is not the canadian that they know.
I don't think we have ever had a less trustworthy PM.

[updated Fri Jul 11 08:45:38 EDT 2008]

Ipos Ried Poll Online yesterday Thursday July 10,2008, the question was as follows: Will Stephen Dion be the next Prime Minister of Canada, 75% of Canadians who have internet access said "NO" What does your online instant poll say Nik!

[updated Fri Jul 11 13:06:33 EDT 2008]

Nik.Your original question was about trust. Regina beach boy began the debate saying Liberals caused seperatist sentiments to grow . It seems that selective memory problem has struck again. The Bloc Quebecois started in 1990 while Lyin Brian was in charge. A former Conservative minister named Lucien Bouchard was chosen as it's first leader and he became leader of the opposition . The near death of the Conservative party allowed Bouchard to bring this country to the brink of separation. Of course the choice of Campbell by the Conservatives to lead their party actually makes Dion look good. Quebecers don't like Dion because they consider him a traitor to Quebec sovereignty. It is quite telling that 34% chose none or unsure as their choice when asked about national unity. The only question is how could the Conservatives get 25%.

[updated Sun Jul 13 18:42:52 EDT 2008]

On the issue of trust the MSM plays an important role. The fact that for the most part they seem to lack any sort of journalistic integrity is troubling. You can find examples daily without looking to hard. An excellent example of their bias in today’s headlines is the Khadr story. Today’s two major networks have incredibly slanted stories.

The CBC' lead story has Khadr's mother making "A Desperate Plea" for her son's release. The same mother who has stated repeatedly that 911 was a "great act" and that she is disappointed that her son did not martyr himself in Afghanistan and that he is not worthy of god's forgiveness. Not one word about any of that in the story.

The CTV story headline is “Conservatives remain firm on Khadr following video.” Not the government or even the “Conservative government” as they are prone to using. Now it is just the “Conservatives.” Apparently it is and always has been CPC policy to keep Khadr in GITMO? No mention of the fact that most of time he was there was under a Liberal government and no mention of the fact the Liberals never once asked for his release either. There is also no mention of the fact that this poor child murdered a US Army medic trying to help his Al Qaeda comrades nor that the medic left a widow and three now fatherless children to grieve. Nope just how poorly this child is being treated and how bad a person Stephen Harper is.

No mention in either story that this poor so call “Canadian child” was raised in Pakistan and schooled in an extremist madrassah in Peshawar Pakistan where he was taught to hate everything Western and how to make bombs and use an AK 47. Nor any mention of the fact that his father was a personal friend of Bin Ladens and in fact moved to Jalalabad Afghanistan to be closer to Bin laden. While there he learned more weapons training and in his off time played with the Bin Laden children. A later collection of biographies written by al Qaeda praises the elder Khadr, who was killed fighting along side his son, for "tossing his little child in the furnace of the battle", and likens his son to a lion cub.

Until we get a press is this country that is unbiased and committed to telling the entire story instead of acting as a PR arm for the opposition many Canadians will continue to be duped into trusting the wrong party. An unethical MSM that wants to be part of the political landscape instead of an unbiased observer and reporter of facts has no place in a democracy.

[updated Wed Jul 16 09:11:49 EDT 2008]

Nik,
I keep reading stuff here, and many other blogs and media, about Dion and his green shift and it appears to me that he is getting sufficient press to have taken the lead in terms of being in the news. The polls will ultimately judge how he is doing in getting his message out. However, when all is said and done people can no longer say that Dion is hiding nor can they say he's not producing any policy.

All the comments here by rabid dog Tories signifies the fear they have that Liberals will return to power. They are now aware he is moving his party to the left and they really don't have answers to that since 70% of canadian voters are on the left. The NDP has been badly spooked by Dion's plan which is reaching well into their votes. The Bloc are waging seat by seat attacks on Conservative seats and potential seats and will possibly hurt them there as will the liberals because they are considered much more green than the other competing parties.

I now see a potential Liberal majority is within sight in the next election if Dion and his team can successfully sell their green plan as well as their whole platform.

[updated Thu Jul 17 23:35:02 EDT 2008]

While this is not directly related to Nik's poll, The TO Star has a feature article today outlining the results that might be expected with increased minimum prison times in Canada. The article points out the serious flaws that the the US system has created and the fact the same appears to be happening here.
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/Crime/article/460704
Polls indicate Canadians are happy with these increased prison times but apparently are not prepared for the fallout of seriously increased costs to house more prisoners and the fact that repeat offenders seem to grow with this method of punishment. The fact also is there is less retraining of the prisoner for his return to the street. The article also points out some obvious facts about the economic background of the average prisoner and makes it clear that the Harper conservative are simply playing politics with the disadvantaged to win more votes and are not explaining the results that maybe expected.

To the people who think Liberals are simply a party that takes advantage of situations I say you should look inward at your own party. It appears that the Liberals may have needed to tinker ever so slightly with the prison system had they remained in power but that their focus remained rehabiliation and not punishment of those who are disadvantaged to begin with. In other words a principled approach to punishment but with a carrot.
Running around stating that Tories are more principled than others simply does not wash on this important issue and many more.

[updated Sat Jul 19 13:26:13 EDT 2008]

Polls and commentary on PEI have the Fed Libs on the political ropes for the first time in years.

[updated Mon Jul 21 19:05:34 EDT 2008]

How can anyone trust Mr. Harper? He campaigned and won on a platform of openness, transparency and accountibility and then tried to shut down the Press Gallery and cherry-pick which journalists could question the government. I'm voting Liberal this time around.

[updated Thu Sep 11 20:36:22 EDT 2008]