Harper is still the Harper he was, intelligence always comes to the front.
Carney talks from both sides of his mouth. BTW Libs are taking Poilievre message as being their own, people will see through this soon enough. We need elections now.
I did a literal spit take at Allison (NDP) making the comment about the huge importance of making sure we get our minerals out of the ground, with Marci (Liberal) nodding along vigorously.
Eliminating provincial trade barriers, on the face of it, sounds like a great idea. Personally, I'd welcome it if doing so were limited to the freedom to buy and sell products from across our land without restrictions.
However.
Given the track record of this Liberal Government, this might also be a huge opening for an unprecedented power grab in terms of regulations and jurisdiction towards the federal government and away from provincial governments. I realize some, many who subscribe to Paul, would say - GREAT! Be careful what you wish for, unless you live in Southern Ontario / Quebec. A federally initiated loss of provincial autonomy writ large could be a disaster in terms of national unity, yet would be entirely unsurprising, and basically on-brand, given what this federal government has been busy doing over the decade.
I hope I'm mistaken, and it's just a freer exchange of goods and services within Canada.
Frankly, the fall in the polls is spurious. Liberals commissioning their usual cast of characters is part of their game plan. Still Poilievre must come out with some direction to show how he plans to manage Trump moving forward, even if it is to just show his ability to stand strong for Canadians.
Poilievre has already many times emphasized that it is important Canada look to other countries to send our resources, thus making us less dependent upon the United States. Further, for quite some time he has also pushed for removal of interprovincial tariffs.
Always keep in mind that Donald Trump likes to rattle his opponents. Goodness, we are rattled.
I can’t agree more that Mark Carny needs some serious testing. He really could prove to be a paper tiger. He has a lot of possible weak spots inexperienced political skills, weak debate skills, or bad French. He seems closed off by only doing very friendly interviews. Like the Daily Show. I heard he is going to be on the Rest is Politics podcast. Love that podcast, but it is a UK based politics podcast very friendly to him. Why won’t he go on a Canadian podcast that will actually challenge him? Wish he would come on the Paul Wells show!
Actually, much as I dislike Carney, that is a good idea.
For the most part, those transfers to the provinces reflect federal programs that are administered by the provinces IN PROVINCIAL AREAS OF JURISDICTION. The feds shouldn't be in those areas at all!
Allow the provinces to determine if they like a particular program and, if so, find the funding in their own budget. At the same time, Carney can reduce the federal budget and the federal swivel service.
Almost all transfers like health care and $10 daycare are pharmacare and dental care are shared cost programs. The federal government used the spending power to bully their way into provincial jurisdictions. Now you are saying the Carney is going to break the federal Liberal commitment to fund the federal share of these programs and leave provinces holding the bag like Chretien and Martin did in the late nineties. They balanced the federal budget on the backs of the provinces while not cutting their own spending in areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction as much. Harper did not do this. He maintained provincial transfers, and cut spending in exclusive federal jurisdictions. The NDP have walked right into the same old Liberal bait-n-switch again, played for suckers again by the Liberals.
Which only proves again that you cannot trust the feds in anything that is provincial jurisdiction. At any moment they can plead poverty - or just damned disinterest - and cut back spending.
That, to me, means that all of these shared cost programs should be handled like the feds handle many programs with Quebec: here's some bucks, I hope you do "X" with it but I cannot control that spending so have fun. The other provinces are (in their own mind) too weak to take on the feds but they should grow some spine and argue for unrestricted transfers.
Carney is a guy who could have run for either the Conservatives or the Liberals; now that "sunny ways" is no longer cutting it, Liberals want a "fiscal conservative" and a high profile known commodity to keep the 18 wheeler from going off the cliff. From what I have seen so far, I don't agree with the negative ads. Trying to denigrate someone who had a high profile job under Stephen Harper to me isn't a winning strategy (and I think will play into the Liberal's hand). The Conservatives should be honest about what Mr Carney did then, and should make a point of asking what he is going to do now.
Love this panel as it is finally getting me over my visceral dislike of the NDP and the Liberals. The two woman are knowledgeable and more-or-less providing a look from afar on all parties. Yes, I am a Conservative and I will vote Poilievre as I cannot forgive the other two parties (Lib/NDP) for what they have done to Canada since Trudeau was elected. Did I actually read this morning that a Liberal opined that they might meet some of their immigration cut-backs this year. "Might"...what do ya mean 'might'. You goofs. Meet those pretty loosely-goosey targets and get out of Dodge (meaning Ottawa).
I too was surprised and impressed with Harper's message. We are in a time of generational conflict, I hope not as bad as the wars faced by our parents and grandparents faced in the world wars of the twentieth century. But we must step up and face that there could be heavy costs and a lot expected of us as individuals to fight for Canadian independence when our major ally turns predatory. Leaders cannot stop with flag waving and citizens cannot satisfy themselves with booing at hockey games or modest changes in shopping habits. We may have to do much more in terms of facing strong economic headwinds and helping fellow citizens who face the worst of these. And we will need to be creative and determined like never before to carve out our own future. Our political parties have been too dependent on American ideas, consultants, examples and verbiage. We need to think more broadly than being mesmerized by this flailing failing democracy, hoping that one day it can turn itself around, but not depending on that. The tariffs will be felt very quickly. The solutions are longer term. Surviving the short term to get to a better place in the future will test us.
Just to be clear, Harper’s strongest comments were in reference to preventing annexation rather than just as a response to tariffs. And it’s one of the few times I’d be willing to lock arms with him on an issue
“Important in that is to have a plan of how we would reorient our economy, so we would recover that prosperity again, and not just solve the damage,” Harper said.
I wonder if this would include taking on NIMBYs across the country?
Great show but not sure why the sound was so low. Difficult to hear. Mark Carney is off to a good start. He said Canadians don't need steel and fentanyl is just a challenge. And yes he speaks word and phrases that most of us underlings don't understand.
Harper is still the Harper he was, intelligence always comes to the front.
Carney talks from both sides of his mouth. BTW Libs are taking Poilievre message as being their own, people will see through this soon enough. We need elections now.
Agree with you , but we Don't run the show or process. My guess is an Easter election?
I did a literal spit take at Allison (NDP) making the comment about the huge importance of making sure we get our minerals out of the ground, with Marci (Liberal) nodding along vigorously.
Where were these policies this past decade....?
We live in strange times...
Right, and it is what Poilievre has been saying for years.
Just a thought.
Eliminating provincial trade barriers, on the face of it, sounds like a great idea. Personally, I'd welcome it if doing so were limited to the freedom to buy and sell products from across our land without restrictions.
However.
Given the track record of this Liberal Government, this might also be a huge opening for an unprecedented power grab in terms of regulations and jurisdiction towards the federal government and away from provincial governments. I realize some, many who subscribe to Paul, would say - GREAT! Be careful what you wish for, unless you live in Southern Ontario / Quebec. A federally initiated loss of provincial autonomy writ large could be a disaster in terms of national unity, yet would be entirely unsurprising, and basically on-brand, given what this federal government has been busy doing over the decade.
I hope I'm mistaken, and it's just a freer exchange of goods and services within Canada.
I bet I'm not mistaken.
Very Good Points
The Conservative “pivot” is from “Canada is broken” to “Canada is broken, and worse, our neighbours have noticed…”
lol
Frankly, the fall in the polls is spurious. Liberals commissioning their usual cast of characters is part of their game plan. Still Poilievre must come out with some direction to show how he plans to manage Trump moving forward, even if it is to just show his ability to stand strong for Canadians.
Poilievre has already many times emphasized that it is important Canada look to other countries to send our resources, thus making us less dependent upon the United States. Further, for quite some time he has also pushed for removal of interprovincial tariffs.
Always keep in mind that Donald Trump likes to rattle his opponents. Goodness, we are rattled.
Manage Trump or manage caucus WRT Trump?
I can’t agree more that Mark Carny needs some serious testing. He really could prove to be a paper tiger. He has a lot of possible weak spots inexperienced political skills, weak debate skills, or bad French. He seems closed off by only doing very friendly interviews. Like the Daily Show. I heard he is going to be on the Rest is Politics podcast. Love that podcast, but it is a UK based politics podcast very friendly to him. Why won’t he go on a Canadian podcast that will actually challenge him? Wish he would come on the Paul Wells show!
As always, Paul: informative, interesting, and entertaining. Cheers! Happy Valentines Day!
Carney promises to reduce spending in part by reducing transfers to provinces and people. https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/02/13/retour-a-lequilibre-budgetaire-dici-3-ans-la-promesse-de-carney-est-elle-realiste
Actually, much as I dislike Carney, that is a good idea.
For the most part, those transfers to the provinces reflect federal programs that are administered by the provinces IN PROVINCIAL AREAS OF JURISDICTION. The feds shouldn't be in those areas at all!
Allow the provinces to determine if they like a particular program and, if so, find the funding in their own budget. At the same time, Carney can reduce the federal budget and the federal swivel service.
Almost all transfers like health care and $10 daycare are pharmacare and dental care are shared cost programs. The federal government used the spending power to bully their way into provincial jurisdictions. Now you are saying the Carney is going to break the federal Liberal commitment to fund the federal share of these programs and leave provinces holding the bag like Chretien and Martin did in the late nineties. They balanced the federal budget on the backs of the provinces while not cutting their own spending in areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction as much. Harper did not do this. He maintained provincial transfers, and cut spending in exclusive federal jurisdictions. The NDP have walked right into the same old Liberal bait-n-switch again, played for suckers again by the Liberals.
Which only proves again that you cannot trust the feds in anything that is provincial jurisdiction. At any moment they can plead poverty - or just damned disinterest - and cut back spending.
That, to me, means that all of these shared cost programs should be handled like the feds handle many programs with Quebec: here's some bucks, I hope you do "X" with it but I cannot control that spending so have fun. The other provinces are (in their own mind) too weak to take on the feds but they should grow some spine and argue for unrestricted transfers.
Carney is a guy who could have run for either the Conservatives or the Liberals; now that "sunny ways" is no longer cutting it, Liberals want a "fiscal conservative" and a high profile known commodity to keep the 18 wheeler from going off the cliff. From what I have seen so far, I don't agree with the negative ads. Trying to denigrate someone who had a high profile job under Stephen Harper to me isn't a winning strategy (and I think will play into the Liberal's hand). The Conservatives should be honest about what Mr Carney did then, and should make a point of asking what he is going to do now.
With 5 people debating, Carney will benefit from having less time to speak (especially important re. his French skills.)
Love this panel as it is finally getting me over my visceral dislike of the NDP and the Liberals. The two woman are knowledgeable and more-or-less providing a look from afar on all parties. Yes, I am a Conservative and I will vote Poilievre as I cannot forgive the other two parties (Lib/NDP) for what they have done to Canada since Trudeau was elected. Did I actually read this morning that a Liberal opined that they might meet some of their immigration cut-backs this year. "Might"...what do ya mean 'might'. You goofs. Meet those pretty loosely-goosey targets and get out of Dodge (meaning Ottawa).
I too was surprised and impressed with Harper's message. We are in a time of generational conflict, I hope not as bad as the wars faced by our parents and grandparents faced in the world wars of the twentieth century. But we must step up and face that there could be heavy costs and a lot expected of us as individuals to fight for Canadian independence when our major ally turns predatory. Leaders cannot stop with flag waving and citizens cannot satisfy themselves with booing at hockey games or modest changes in shopping habits. We may have to do much more in terms of facing strong economic headwinds and helping fellow citizens who face the worst of these. And we will need to be creative and determined like never before to carve out our own future. Our political parties have been too dependent on American ideas, consultants, examples and verbiage. We need to think more broadly than being mesmerized by this flailing failing democracy, hoping that one day it can turn itself around, but not depending on that. The tariffs will be felt very quickly. The solutions are longer term. Surviving the short term to get to a better place in the future will test us.
Just to be clear, Harper’s strongest comments were in reference to preventing annexation rather than just as a response to tariffs. And it’s one of the few times I’d be willing to lock arms with him on an issue
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/any-level-of-damage-how-far-stephen-harper-would-go-to-keep-an-independent-canada
“Important in that is to have a plan of how we would reorient our economy, so we would recover that prosperity again, and not just solve the damage,” Harper said.
I wonder if this would include taking on NIMBYs across the country?
Great show but not sure why the sound was so low. Difficult to hear. Mark Carney is off to a good start. He said Canadians don't need steel and fentanyl is just a challenge. And yes he speaks word and phrases that most of us underlings don't understand.
Following the At Issue 20-25 minute formula?
I think it’s possible to overstate how much planning goes into this.