November 29, 200520 yr :mischief Canadians Vote to Throw Out Government Nov 29, 8:21 AM (ET) By ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) - Canadian politicians will hit the campaign trail this holiday season after opposition parties seized upon a corruption scandal to bring down the minority government of Prime Minister Paul Martin in a vote of no confidence. Monday's loss means an election for all 308 seats in the lower House of Commons, likely on Jan. 23. Martin and his Cabinet will continue to govern until then. The Conservative Party teamed up with the New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois parties to bring down the government, claiming the ruling Liberal Party had lost its moral authority. Recent polls have given the Liberals a slight lead over the Conservatives, with the New Democrats in third place. The same surveys suggest the Bloc Quebecois would sweep the French-speaking province of Quebec, making a majority government unlikely no matter which party wins the most seats. Martin is expected to dissolve the House of Commons on Tuesday and set a firm date for the elections. Canadian law sharply restricts the duration of the campaign. "The vote in the House of Commons did not go our way," Martin said. "But the decision of the future of our government will be made by Canadians. They will judge us." Martin has had frosty relations with the White House, standing by the Liberal Party decision not to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He also declined to join in Washington's continental ballistic missile shield, infuriating the Bush administration, has been called weak on terrorism, and was vocal in his opposition of high U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber. His push to legalize gay marriage throughout Canada also raised the hackles of Republicans south of the 49th parallel, but Martin is widely respected worldwide for Canada's neutrality and open arms toward immigrants and minorities. Canada's Conservatives, by contrast, are seen as much more receptive to improving relations with Washington, though a majority of Canadians opposed the war in Iraq and the policies of President Bush. Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper favors tax cuts and opposed Martin's successful bill to legalize same-sex marriage throughout Canada. He would become prime minister if the Conservatives receive the most seats in Parliament. "This is not just the end of a tired, directionless, scandal-plagued government," Harper said after Monday's vote. "It's the start of a bright new future for this country." The opposition is banking on the public's disgust with a corruption scandal involving the misuse of funds targeted for a national unity program in Quebec. An initial investigation absolved Martin of wrongdoing, but accused senior Liberal members of taking kickbacks and misspending tens of millions of dollars in public funds. The government ran into peril this month when it lost the support of the New Democratic Party, whose backing earlier this year helped Martin escape a previous no-confidence motion by a single vote. New Democrat leader Jack Layton said he had not received enough assurances the Liberal Party would fight the increased use of private health care in Canada. Martin appears prepared to take his chances with a holiday campaign and blamed his opponents for any inconvenience to the predominantly Christian electorate. The prime minister had promised to call an election within 30 days of the release of a follow-up report on the corruption scandal. The document is expected Feb. 1, which would have meant elections in the first week of April, a time that suits Canadians better than the bitterly cold and busy holiday season. Although no formal agreement is in place, all the parties are likely to agree to a pause in the campaign around the Christmas and New Year holidays. The campaign is expected to start Tuesday, after Parliament is dissolved. Unemployment in Canada is at a 30-year low and Canada runs a budget surplus. Andrew Stark, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, maintained that the campaign would not be decided until the final days. Stark, however, believes the Conservatives will win a minority government if Canadians view another Liberal and New Democrat coalition as being unaccountable with tax money. The last time a Canadian political campaign coincided with the holiday season was in 1979, when Joe Clark's minority Conservative government was toppled just weeks before Christmas. That vote was delayed until February, however, when Pierre Trudeau and the Liberals took back Parliament. The latest collapse comes 17 months after an election that turned a Liberal majority into a fragile minority on June 28, 2004. Instead of having all these elections, why not have the US take over the country? :shifty
November 29, 200520 yr Damn all 10 people outside of Montreal must be worried of poachers with the government gone.
November 29, 200520 yr The hour grows near - soon the time will be right, and we will take back what is ours.
November 29, 200520 yr The hour grows near - soon the time will be right, and we will take back what is ours. we are? awesome the good parts of new mexico will once more be texas property. sweet!
November 30, 200520 yr Updated map I think we can tell who's really winning in this one. :mischief 910729[/snapback] Our day has almost arrived. Now to assemble a militia... The Yukon is still on the market...
November 30, 200520 yr Updated map I think we can tell who's really winning in this one. :mischief 910729[/snapback] Our day has almost arrived. Now to assemble a militia... The Yukon is still on the market... I want it. And with it, perhaps the rights to the Yukon Trail game. But seriously, count me in for the Yukon.
November 30, 200520 yr I'd like to be the governor of New Brunswick, under CapeFish of course. Granted under the powers of the CapeFish Authority.
November 30, 200520 yr Maybe we can work a deal with the UN. We give Mexico back Texas and Bush and We get Canada in return? I think it is fair.
November 30, 200520 yr durable tear be on note ... i have armaments in place to seize and control Moose Factory, Ontario we look to be nothing more than a peaceful, independent state ... if you resist, aside from battles at Moose Factory, we will throw 1 Moose a day into Niagra Falls We will also set up a Thunder Bay and other young person party spots as havens for infectious disease and will personally water down all drinks ... tourism will be killed if you resist
November 30, 200520 yr The Fishfan79 Faction hereby lay's claim to the Yukon territory. Our rebel forces will not allow the entrance of any and all individuals from the other providences. If found to be tress passing,extreme actions shall be undertaken. We also claim the rights to the pipeline through here and have decided to destroy the alaskan pipeline.
November 30, 200520 yr The Fishfan79 Faction hereby lay's claim to the Yukon territory. Our rebel forces will not allow the entrance of any and all individuals from the other providences. If found to be tress passing,extreme actions shall be undertaken. We also claim the rights to the pipeline through here and have decided to destroy the alaskan pipeline. I already claimed it. Sorry. Don't start a war.
November 30, 200520 yr I'm annexing that weird tail part of Alaska. It looks stupid on Alaska and it gives us more coastline.
November 30, 200520 yr Im annexing Montreal and will live as king of the city with Elisha Cuthbert as my queen. I will live in sovereignty with Capefish as long as he doesnt challenge my authority in the city. If he does, Ill settle for all property rights over Elisha. If he challenges this, I will fight to the death.
November 30, 200520 yr Im annexing Montreal and will live as king of the city with Elisha Cuthbert as my queen. I will live in sovereignty with Capefish as long as he doesnt challenge my authority in the city. If he does, Ill settle for all property rights over Elisha. If he challenges this, I will fight to the death. Quebec is Moneyballian Empire territory. Cape has no jurisdiction. :mischief
November 30, 200520 yr Im annexing Montreal and will live as king of the city with Elisha Cuthbert as my queen. I will live in sovereignty with Capefish as long as he doesnt challenge my authority in the city. If he does, Ill settle for all property rights over Elisha. If he challenges this, I will fight to the death. Quebec is Moneyballian Empire territory. Cape has no jurisdiction. :mischief Geez you got a lot of land.
November 30, 200520 yr Moneyball has way too much territory. Anyone up for a coalition of the willing to free the poor oppressed people of Quebec?
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