Hello and thank you for being a DL contributor. We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. Please click here to update your account with a username and password.

Hello. Some features on this site require registration. Please click here to register for free.

Hello and thank you for registering. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. If you can't find the email you can resend it here.

Hello. Some features on this site require a subscription. Please click here to get full access and no ads for $1.99 or less per month.

Canadian Dataloungers

How are we doing during this virus?

by Anonymousreply 262May 13, 2021 2:15 AM

We're putting on blackface and shoving women.

by Anonymousreply 1March 20, 2020 1:29 PM

So a normal day for R1.

by Anonymousreply 2March 20, 2020 1:30 PM

R1...

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 3March 20, 2020 1:31 PM

Canada population: 38 MILLION

Canada Wuflu:

Sufferers: 873

Died: 12

Recovered: 11

Still suffering: 850

In Canada in 2017, 1,679 people were killed in road accidents, 112,479 were injured.

by Anonymousreply 4March 20, 2020 1:31 PM

Not that far from the U.S. totals (if you times by 10 to equal the populations):

U.S.: Total cases: 10,442 Total deaths: 150

by Anonymousreply 5March 20, 2020 2:00 PM

Celebrating that they finally closed the border! Gonna be a shit storm down there.

by Anonymousreply 6March 20, 2020 2:09 PM

Blissfully socially distancing from the United States!

by Anonymousreply 7March 20, 2020 2:38 PM

What's so special about April 6? That's when everything is suppose to open gain and everyone is going back to work.

Meanwhile the specialist my mother has to see once a year rescheduled her appointment three times this week. Now she won't be seeing him until the middle of May.

by Anonymousreply 8March 20, 2020 11:22 PM

Living at the very downtown (King & Spadina), Toronto finally feels pleasant. Relatively few people, a good number of locals walking their dogs or jogging.

by Anonymousreply 9March 20, 2020 11:43 PM

Quiet. Slowed down. After a week of insanity, this feels like a vacation. Not so for those ill or who’ve lost loved ones, I know. But the din of society is gone, and that’s kind of a relief.

by Anonymousreply 10March 20, 2020 11:48 PM

This should be blasting at the border.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 11March 21, 2020 8:45 AM

Blame Canada!

Blame Canada!

All their COVID hullabaloo,

And that bitch J. Trudeau, too!

by Anonymousreply 12March 21, 2020 9:13 AM

Trudeau has been calm, intelligent and humane. There's a huge faction of RW and foreign influences aided by B ots (easy to recognize) that cant stand this. Many of us are grateful for his leadership.

R9 it's so quiet ya eh? Just the sound of a town full of released to nowhere people in quilted jackets and neon shoes walking doggies, jogging, gawking.

by Anonymousreply 13March 21, 2020 9:39 AM

I had an acid reflux attack this week so I've cut back on my eating to let my stomach get better.

Now I'm dealing with Atkins flu and I feel like shit.

by Anonymousreply 14March 21, 2020 12:53 PM

Mostly enjoying it. I already work from home and make my own schedule. Walk in the park yesterday. Also went for a couple relaxing drives to get out of the house. Connecting with friends & family via technology.

So happy this didn't happen when I was in my 20's and practically lived in bars/restaurants and clubbed regularly. My whole world would have been turned upside down lol.

by Anonymousreply 15March 21, 2020 1:06 PM

Many of the cases in Canada are people who were traveling in the States.

by Anonymousreply 16March 25, 2020 9:16 AM

You have nothing to back that up with R16. The world is a lot bigger than you think it is though.

by Anonymousreply 17March 25, 2020 10:16 AM

It’s day eleven for me, and my partner is self isolating elsewhere by consensual agreement.

Talking with my parents yesterday made me feel weepy afterwards.

by Anonymousreply 18March 25, 2020 10:20 AM

Canada (pop. 38 MILLION) Wuflu (25 Mar):

Infected: 2,792

Deaths: 26

Recovered: 112

by Anonymousreply 19March 25, 2020 10:29 AM

Feeling super grateful to live in Canada right now. Also, I have never felt so validated to be childfree.

by Anonymousreply 20March 28, 2020 1:12 AM

I’m no social butterfly, but I just want to go someplace with lots of people right about now. Odd for me.

by Anonymousreply 21March 28, 2020 1:16 AM

It’s fine I’m in Vancouver and I’m enjoying the personal space.

by Anonymousreply 22March 28, 2020 1:48 AM

S3 of "Ozark" got released on Netflix today, so I'm set for a few days.

by Anonymousreply 23March 28, 2020 1:53 AM

The federal health minister was on TV saying this is going to go on for months not weeks and we may have a second wave in the summer.

My neighbours don't seem to care about any suggestions to stay home--the guy next door goes out several times a day on his motorcycle. Parents and their kids are outside playing as if it's summer break. The people across the street took their newborn with them when they went shopping.

Somebody better come up with and test a vaccine sooner than later because these fucking people are going infect those of us who are doing what we're asked to do.

by Anonymousreply 24March 28, 2020 2:52 PM

Fewer people than California in the second-largest country in the world. You have a LOT more room for social distancing. I'm envious.

by Anonymousreply 25March 28, 2020 3:32 PM

Yes, I hope the fact that we are smaller and more spread out will work to our advantage.

by Anonymousreply 26March 28, 2020 10:23 PM

So, Canadian neighbors, is there a province and county breakdown of the number of cases at this time?

My grandmother was born on a farm in Canada and I'm curious to know how that part of the country, as well as other provinces/counties where cousins live are doing.

by Anonymousreply 27March 28, 2020 11:45 PM

I'm loving it, Victoria is so quiet now, I drove down to Dallas Road and parked and there was *nobody there*, haven't seen that since the early 00s. If this all ends in social collapse and chaos, at least there's this calm interlude to enjoy first.

by Anonymousreply 28March 28, 2020 11:49 PM

r27 here is a province breakdown, I do not know about county. This data is from CTV. Parenthetical number following province is NEW cases.

Cases Today (March 28)

Manitoba (25) – The province announced 25 new cases, bringing the total number in the province to 64.

Ontario (151) – Health officials announced 151 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 1,144. One death was also reported.

Quebec (477) – The province saw a huge spike in cases, adding 477, which brings the total in the province to 2,498. Four more deaths were also reported.

Newfoundland and Labrador (18) – The province announced 18 new cases on Saturday, but also four recoveries. [bold]120[/bold] cases, according to my NL buddy.

Nova Scotia (20) – Officials in Nova Scotia announced 20 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total there to 110.

New Brunswick (6) – The province announced 6 new cases of COVID-19 and one new recovery. The total in N.B. sits at 51.

Saskatchewan (30) – In the biggest single day jump to date, the province announced 30 new cases on Saturday. The province said that 19 of the cases are tied to a snowmobile rally.

British Columbia (92) – Health officials announced 92 new COVID-19 cases and one new death. But the province also announced that roughly 45 per cent of patients have recovered. 121 new recoveries

by Anonymousreply 29March 28, 2020 11:50 PM

Thank you, R29.

by Anonymousreply 30March 28, 2020 11:54 PM

R25, R26, not really, most Canadians live in large urban centres, it's not like we're scattered through the country in small town/rural areas.

by Anonymousreply 31March 28, 2020 11:59 PM

What about Prince Edward Island, R29?

by Anonymousreply 32March 29, 2020 1:29 AM

"The advantage of working from home is it's always snack time."

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 33March 29, 2020 1:40 AM

[quote]not really, most Canadians live in large urban centres, it's not like we're scattered through the country in small town/rural areas.

Sure, but you COULD.

by Anonymousreply 34March 29, 2020 2:01 AM

Here's some good news.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 35March 29, 2020 2:05 AM

r31 Yes, but the centres are more spread out from each other than in some other places.

by Anonymousreply 36March 29, 2020 4:44 AM

Enjoying myself, social distancing is how I’ve lived my whole life, so this is fine.

by Anonymousreply 37March 29, 2020 4:56 AM

Does anyone know how long closures and social distancing will go on?

It seems that it will be months rather than weeks.

I've read the end of May and others have said maybe even the end of July.

I'm worried because I have to take my mother to see a specialist and get her blood work done in early May.

by Anonymousreply 38March 31, 2020 11:47 PM

I've heard that non-essential court will be down until end of May.

by Anonymousreply 39March 31, 2020 11:52 PM

Very happy to see the help the Government is giving to the country. I would like to see Doug Ford step up,and give some to Ontarian's like other premiers have and not just rely on the Feds.

by Anonymousreply 40April 1, 2020 12:00 AM

Anyone find it interesting that Trudeau was so heavily criticized by the right for giving supplies to China and that Trump is being criticized by the left for the same thing?

by Anonymousreply 41April 1, 2020 12:05 AM

My city (Ottawa) is managing the load so far. Fingers crossed.

by Anonymousreply 42April 1, 2020 4:11 AM

Looks like this current situation will remain in effect until July and the gov't is expecting a second wave in the fall.

by Anonymousreply 43April 2, 2020 2:14 PM

Forgot the link.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 44April 2, 2020 2:15 PM

How do you guys think Trudeau is handling this? I was supportive at first, but now it seems as though the ball was dropped and his whole relief package is a mess.

I hear that both Scheer and Singh plan on voting against the bill, so unless the Bloc supports it, it could fail and trigger a non confidence vote.

by Anonymousreply 45April 2, 2020 2:23 PM

The CPC has no leader R45. Scheer stepped down.

by Anonymousreply 46April 2, 2020 2:25 PM

He's still the interim leader, R46. He's threatened a vote of non confidence as recently as Feb. when the rail blockades were happening, and says his party is voting against the relief bill.

by Anonymousreply 47April 2, 2020 2:27 PM

Link R47?

by Anonymousreply 48April 2, 2020 2:30 PM
Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 49April 2, 2020 2:32 PM

Your link covers the February grandstanding before Scheer stepped down, but where's the link that the CPC plans to vote non confidence?

Scheer is desperate to keep the leadership and he's hoping doing this will trigger an election and he can stay on as leader. He's scum of the highest order.

by Anonymousreply 50April 2, 2020 2:35 PM

I can count on one hand the number of times I've left the house since the middle of February.

If this goes on until July I hope I don't go insane.

by Anonymousreply 51April 2, 2020 2:39 PM

R50, Scheer stepped down long before February. The Con leadership race was well underway by then. He and Singh said in interviews on CBC that they were going to vote against the bill. Scheer said that the Libs have to scrap the carbon tax, and Singh wants the feds to do something about rent/mortgages.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 52April 2, 2020 2:41 PM

Trudeau has been growing increasingly bitchy in his daily corona conferences.

by Anonymousreply 53April 2, 2020 2:42 PM

good, the DL loves a BITCH

by Anonymousreply 54April 2, 2020 2:49 PM

R52 they reached an agreement on March 24 about the bill. Stop being a moron.

Trudeau didn't have time for Scheer's bullshit desperation to cause an election.

It shows us who the real leader is and who the sack of shit desperate for power is.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 55April 2, 2020 2:53 PM

R55, they are recalling Parliament to amend the bill, do keep up.

by Anonymousreply 56April 2, 2020 2:55 PM

Here, R55. You're the moron.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 57April 2, 2020 3:00 PM

I'm really disappointed with the lack of testing capacity. Other countries like S Korea and Germany seem to test tens of thousands per day, and even fucking Iceland has said it will test their entire population. Apparently in Germany you get a certificate of good health once you've cleared symptoms and "passed" the antibody test - so you can go back to work and help the economy. Why the fuck can't we do this in Canada?

by Anonymousreply 58April 2, 2020 3:02 PM

One thing is that a negative test doesn't mean all that much because you could literally catch the virus minutes after testing negative. False sense of security or something, so I've heard.

by Anonymousreply 59April 2, 2020 3:05 PM

[quote] the guy next door goes out several times a day on his motorcycle.

So what? Unless he’s picking up strangers to ride with him, isn’t that the very definition of social distancing (i.e., alone)?

by Anonymousreply 60April 2, 2020 3:14 PM

I’ve been saying that, r59. I firmly believe that’s why here in the States they’re only testing people with specific symptoms for the most part. Getting a “negative” when you can then get it on the way home from the test center doesn’t help and may even do more harm if people think, “oh, I’m negative so I don’t have to social distance.”

by Anonymousreply 61April 2, 2020 3:16 PM

I can't remember which one, R61, but it was one of the Canadian medical officers that said that in one of the daily updates which is why here in Canada, they're only testing people with certain symptoms and are looking for positives, not negatives.

by Anonymousreply 62April 2, 2020 3:19 PM

Anyone watching Trudeau right now?

by Anonymousreply 63April 2, 2020 3:23 PM

Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer of health came out swinging yesterday... she has invoked her power to order COVID19 carriers to stay home. They are urging the provincial government to restrict further those who can go to work.

by Anonymousreply 64April 2, 2020 3:24 PM

I saw that, R64.

I have to say that I can't believe what a good job Doug Ford is doing. I hate Cons as a rule, but he's really stepped up during this. I'll go back to hating his policies as soon as this is over, I'm sure.

by Anonymousreply 65April 2, 2020 3:26 PM

I agree r65, it pains me to admit it but he's been fantastic during this crisis.

by Anonymousreply 66April 2, 2020 3:39 PM

[quote] it pains me to admit it but he's (Ford) been fantastic during this crisis.

Canadian Trump supporters have been busy busy on social media saying what a lousy job Justin Trudeau has been doing over this crisis, compared to Donald Trump.

Wishing and praying that Trump was handling the crisis here in Canada

by Anonymousreply 67April 2, 2020 3:44 PM

Trudeau has dropped the ball on some things, but a lot of that is because of hindsight, R67. A travel ban should have been in place earlier and they should have realized they needed more medical equipment sooner. The aid package seems somewhat bungled, because of all the confusion and red tape around it.

However, I don't totally blame him because I realize he's working with ever changing information. He's doing a FAR better job than Trump, who is purposefully lying to his public everyday. I think Trudeau is doing the best he can, even if he's fucked up a few things. Let's face it, no government is going to handle something like this perfectly because there's so many unanswered questions and the rapidly changing information.

Exactly, R66, I never knew Dougie had it in him to lead during a crisis, but here we are. He's shown he actually does have a heart and ability to lead.

by Anonymousreply 68April 2, 2020 3:51 PM

R56 and R57 seem far too invested in defending Scheer. Even and incompetent ass like him won't try to trigger an election at this time. he would be destroyed. He thinks he'll be able to go to the Governor General and request that the CPC form the new gov't. That would never happen. You and he are morons.

by Anonymousreply 69April 2, 2020 5:24 PM

R60 he's going out to Tims, and the grocery store and the corner store for smokes.

by Anonymousreply 70April 2, 2020 5:27 PM

Putting R68 on ignore shows him for the right wing troll he actually is.

The kind of human garbage who wishes for more deaths just to make Trudeau look back.

Fuck off and die you sack of shit.

by Anonymousreply 71April 2, 2020 5:30 PM

How long before we have to wear masks in public?

I'm limiting my trips out of the house to once every two weeks.

by Anonymousreply 72April 2, 2020 10:29 PM

"Independent" Canadian voter (and Justin Trudeau Hater) @levinepmc says Donald Trump has

"VASTLY SUPERIOR people, at the top level, than we do in Canada working on this crisis"

adding that Dr. Theresa Tam advice has been "somewhat suspect"

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 73April 2, 2020 10:32 PM

"Independent" Canadian voter (and Justin Trudeau Hater) @levinepmc is Norman Levine - Managing Director, CFA of Portfolio Management Corporation

by Anonymousreply 74April 2, 2020 10:34 PM

R71, you truly are an idiot. You didn't even know that Trudeau has to recall Parliament again, so you're mad because I had to point that out to you. Kindly stfu.

R73, idiots who think the US is handling things so much better down there should fuck off and move to that hellscape of a country. A lot of those people are probably wexiters or cons who troll the PM for everything from his yoga and doughnut habit to the way he's handling this Covid crisis. They are the same ones who wanted him to call the army in on the protesters only a month ago.

by Anonymousreply 75April 2, 2020 10:48 PM

R75 - R73 is a downtown Toronto resident

by Anonymousreply 76April 2, 2020 10:56 PM

R76, idiots live everywhere in Canada. My position is the same, they should go right ahead and move down there if they think it's so much better and want to worship Trump.

by Anonymousreply 77April 2, 2020 11:00 PM

These idiots worship Trump but hate on Trudeau for everything should know that Trump is blaming the shortage of equipment on the states. Maybe Trudeau should just blame the provinces in his next press conferences.

by Anonymousreply 78April 2, 2020 11:03 PM

[quote] These idiots worship Trump but hate on Trudeau for everything

Most of these idiots who hate Trudeau but LOVE Trump are older to middle ages white men who are threatened by Trudeau (though they won't admit it)

by Anonymousreply 79April 2, 2020 11:15 PM

From Angus Reid - 12% of Canadians believe #Covid19 is overblown. Of that 12% they are mostly

(1) Male over 35 (2) In Western Canada (3) Conservative Voters (4) Has skepticism towards government, institutions & Climate Change

by Anonymousreply 80April 2, 2020 11:37 PM

r63 Didn't watch live. Catching up right now.

by Anonymousreply 81April 3, 2020 2:02 AM

R75 you pointed out NOTHING.

Get the virus and die!

by Anonymousreply 82April 3, 2020 1:39 PM

R82 is too stupid to know that Scheer is still the interim leader of the CPC and that he threatened non confidence in Feb. during the blockades TWO months after he stepped down AND that they are recalling Parliament to amend the aid bill, yet he wants me to catch the virus and die? He thinks I'm defending Scheer because I posted about them recalling Parliament? You are a very stupid and ill informed person, R82. Very ill informed. Let the adults talk R82, since you don't even have a grasp on the basics.

by Anonymousreply 83April 3, 2020 2:58 PM

R83 prides himself on being the smartest guy in [bold]his[/bold] room.

Everywhere else he's a sad little know-it-all who doesn't really know it all.

Doug Ford will be speaking today. Make sure you're under the lectern to blow him.

by Anonymousreply 84April 3, 2020 3:18 PM

[quote]You are a very stupid and ill informed person, [R82]. Very ill informed.

I didn't know Trump was a Datalounger.

by Anonymousreply 85April 3, 2020 3:26 PM

Go away, R85.

Here's the leader of the Bloc, thankfully one of the opposition leaders is acting like an adult.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 86April 3, 2020 5:29 PM

^^^Hasn't anyone dropped a house on you yet?

by Anonymousreply 87April 3, 2020 6:03 PM

On Social Media (YouTube, Facebook and Twitter) the majority of Canadian comments are always the same thing.

Doug Ford is doing a wonderful FABULOUS job and Justin Trudeau us falling FLAT on his face, doing NOTHING

Wonder if these are just Conservatives with nothing to do?.

by Anonymousreply 88April 3, 2020 8:51 PM

The Ford gov't said we could see 6000 to 15000 deaths in Ontario under current measures. And 1,600 deaths and 80,000 cases by April 30 under the current scenario. They also believe the pandemic could last between 18 months and two years due to potential secondary and tertiary waves.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 89April 3, 2020 10:54 PM

John Ibbitson seems to have cooled his disdain for Justin Trudeau.

by Anonymousreply 90April 12, 2020 2:55 PM

Andrew Chang from CBC is growing on me. He's a great host, love him on the National and he's cute as well. Any gossip on him?

by Anonymousreply 91April 28, 2020 3:18 AM

Chang is cute, nice hair and smile, great voice. Wife and two kids. I think he is super short.

by Anonymousreply 92April 28, 2020 3:30 AM

Is Canada still off-limits to Americans? Thinking of spending the summer in Montreal if my intercontinental travel plans get canceled.

by Anonymousreply 93April 28, 2020 3:37 AM

I imagine it will be off limits this summer. We don't want your rona.

by Anonymousreply 94April 28, 2020 3:39 AM

He does have a great voice and face, R92. I really enjoy him.

Still off limits, R93.

by Anonymousreply 95April 28, 2020 3:39 AM

The border is closed.

by Anonymousreply 96April 28, 2020 3:40 AM

I’m doing great, thanks for asking.

by Anonymousreply 97April 28, 2020 4:06 AM

Any other media personality stories?

Vassey seems like quite the cunt. I like Evan though he can be douchy at times. Rosie is terrible, don't know how she keeps a job. Katie Simpson is doing well in Washington and I like her reports.

by Anonymousreply 98April 28, 2020 4:09 AM

R91 & R92 Andrew Chang lives in my boyfriend's building around Yonge/Eg and yes, straight and married with kids. We've been in the elevator with him a few times and he seems very nice. And yes, he is VERY short. I'm only 5'8 myself and when he stood next to me in the elevator once, he didn't even come up to my shoulder. So I'm guessing he's about 5'5.

R98 I don't have any stories, but anyone else think Todd van der Heyden looks drunk/high reading the news these days.

by Anonymousreply 99April 28, 2020 4:15 AM

The PM's mother has been hospitalized after an apartment fire.

by Anonymousreply 100April 28, 2020 12:01 PM
Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 101April 28, 2020 12:03 PM

I don't want you up here R93!

by Anonymousreply 102April 28, 2020 3:07 PM

Uber cunt Michelle Rempel is down in Oklahoma with her spouse and step children. She was busted today for being out of the country during the Covid-19 crisis and says she's in the US for a personal matter. Rumor is it has something to do with her new husband's mental health issues. He's a gun nut and a Trump fan and runs a service for veterans.

by Anonymousreply 103April 29, 2020 5:05 AM

So Manitoba and Alberta are opening for business in Monday, May 4th. Ontario is easing some restrictions as of Monday, and likely more by the end of the month. Quebec is going full throttle with re-opening too. Interestingly, however, polls are showing a clear majority of Canadians believe it's too early to re-open the economy and employers are worried that their workers won't come back en mass. It should be noted, the provinces pushing for a quicker re-opening are all have conservative governments in power, while BC, NS, NFLD, with Liberal or NDP governments, are taking much, much slower approaches.

I'm thankful my employer is allowing us to work from home for the foreseeable future. But I worry we're going to get a major second wave.

by Anonymousreply 104May 1, 2020 11:18 PM

Alberta and Quebec have had a lot of cases, makes no sense that they're reopening now. Manitoba hasn't had many, so I can understand some of the restrictions being lifted there, also, it's still PC there I believe, unlike Alberta. Ontario considering reopening is insane.

by Anonymousreply 105May 1, 2020 11:30 PM

Doug Ford (I loath him) was actually being fairly decent and cautious. And then two days ago we suddenly changed his tune. I suspect his rich donors were getting on his case. It should be said that it's not a full re-open. Malls and most retail stores are staying closed. Schools including universities and colleges will remain closed. In the next few weeks, you'll be allowed to socialize with one other household (known as the double bubble) but that's about it. We're not getting back to the way things were for months if not a year or so.

by Anonymousreply 106May 1, 2020 11:47 PM

Andrew Scheer as called on the Liberal Government to start curtailing the CERB benefit. Scheer argued that "it's always better off for Canadians to work." Trudeau basically told him off later in a press conference saying: “I really look forward to facing that challenge of how we start to scale back the benefits and help people get back to work. We're not there yet. For now, we're still very much focused on how we help people through this.”

The conservatives are increasingly tone deaf. First they're freaking out because Trudeau made military style assault weapons illegal in Canada, and now they think Canadians should will have no trouble finding work in the midst of the largest economic downturn in the history of the country. Just where are we supposed to find these jobs?

by Anonymousreply 107May 4, 2020 6:46 PM

And how much money does Andy make a year? And still he needed to raid party funds to pay for his ugly children to attend private school and buy a minivan??

by Anonymousreply 108May 4, 2020 6:54 PM

I swear to god that the conservatives are trying to reduce themselves to regional party status were only the prairie provinces vote for them.

by Anonymousreply 109May 4, 2020 8:08 PM

Rural areas vote for them, R109, and most of the Prairies, especially Alberta and Saskatchewan.

by Anonymousreply 110May 4, 2020 8:16 PM

Recent polls now have the Liberals upwards of 15% ahead of the conservatives, and Trudeau would win a majority. The Cons are burying themselves. Thank god Trudeau won the election. Can you imagine Scheer being Prime Minister right now.

by Anonymousreply 111May 5, 2020 3:15 AM

Was Margaret Trudeau like a first lady or something? Do the wives of prime ministers have special roles like the president's wife here in America do?

by Anonymousreply 112May 5, 2020 3:50 AM

R112 No, the Prime Minister's spouse does not have a formal role. Typically, the Prime Minister's wife plays no significant formal role other than appearing at their husband's side during political events and elections.

The reason for this is that the Prime Minister is not Canada's Head of State. The Queen is Canada's head of state and therefore Canada's 'first lady' is technically Prince Philip.

by Anonymousreply 113May 6, 2020 2:21 AM

R112, in her case her role was to be a raging slut, fuck several members of the Rolling stones, be a coked out mess on the floor of studio 43, but others have held different roles.

by Anonymousreply 114May 6, 2020 2:26 AM

Studio 43 was lit in the day!!!

by Anonymousreply 115May 6, 2020 2:29 AM

studio 54, that is

by Anonymousreply 116May 6, 2020 2:29 AM

I live in Ottawa (in Justin's hood) and heard stories about Margaret fucking hot RCMP dudes back in the day.

by Anonymousreply 117May 6, 2020 5:07 AM

She had a private jet on retainer for the purpose of regularly taking her to Studio 54.

by Anonymousreply 118May 6, 2020 5:10 AM

she was a slut

by Anonymousreply 119May 6, 2020 12:38 PM

DL loves a slut.

by Anonymousreply 120May 6, 2020 1:38 PM

So do I

by Anonymousreply 121May 6, 2020 1:53 PM

The Bloc leader shutting down Vassey was glorious.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 122May 6, 2020 11:54 PM

More!!!!!

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 123May 6, 2020 11:55 PM

And now he's going for Peter MacKay!!!

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 124May 6, 2020 11:56 PM

Margaret Trudeau deserves gay icon status.

by Anonymousreply 125May 7, 2020 11:28 PM

SLUTS r US

by Anonymousreply 126May 8, 2020 3:25 AM

Good grief, R119, is that supposed to be a bad thing?

How quaint. How, how mid-twentieth-century of you.

by Anonymousreply 127May 8, 2020 3:48 AM

Conversative newspapers like National Post and the G&M are trying to bait Trudeau into calling an election. They figure (and probably rightly so) that whichever party is seen as responsible for forcing an election during a pandemic will pay for it at the polls.

Anyone else worried that we're ultimately going to spend the summer in lockdown. I think some of the provinces are rushing to re-open the economy e.g. Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. It really seems the plan is re-open and hope for the best.

by Anonymousreply 128May 8, 2020 4:00 AM

R128 I have to say Doug Ford is being surprisingly careful in opening Ontario. I honestly thought when all this started he'd be the Trump of Ontario.

by Anonymousreply 129May 8, 2020 1:12 PM

instead he's the trump of manitoba

by Anonymousreply 130May 8, 2020 1:53 PM

Robert Fife is taking cheap shots at the PM, probably cause the Libs are so high in the polls.

by Anonymousreply 131May 8, 2020 2:02 PM

high on the hog

by Anonymousreply 132May 8, 2020 2:07 PM

Can anyone explain why the media seems so constantly bitchy and biased against the Liberals? Vassey is a cunt towards them on the regular, Evan isn't much better at times, it sees like most of the Globe and Mail WANTS Trudeau to fail, and Rosemary Barton always seems like a scolding schoolmarm. The Toronto Star is more balanced than the rest, but they're about the only ones.

by Anonymousreply 133May 8, 2020 3:05 PM

the star can't get it right

by Anonymousreply 134May 8, 2020 3:16 PM

R129 Doug Ford was being very careful until last week when he started pushing forward with re-opening the province. Now, just over a week later, the number are rising upwards again and it turned out he went up to his cottage despite telling people they were not allowed to do the same. Doug Ford is still Doug Ford.

by Anonymousreply 135May 8, 2020 4:37 PM

For a second time, Doug Ford admits to breaking the covid rules he put in place.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 136May 11, 2020 7:32 PM

It's okay, R136, he's a Conservative, so it's all good. Trudeau on the other hand......

by Anonymousreply 137May 11, 2020 7:38 PM

So Bryan Adams is an idiot.

by Anonymousreply 138May 12, 2020 12:51 AM

CNE is officially cancelled for 2020 (not surprising).

Despite an increase in the numbers, Doug Ford is going ahead with stage one of re-opening the economy (allegedly against the advice of Public Health Ontario)

Only 14% of grade school students showed up for class on Monday in Quebec.

by Anonymousreply 139May 12, 2020 7:05 PM

New poll for Conservative Leadership shows MacKay ahead, but O'Toole not far behind.

Wouldn't be a surprise if MacKay ends up losing after all the stupid things he's said during the COVID-19 crisis.

First Choice:

MacKay: 45%

O'Toole: 39%

Lewis: 10%

Sloan: 6%

Second Choice:

O'Toole: 24%

MacKay: 18%

Lewis: 13%

Sloan: 8%

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 140May 13, 2020 9:32 AM

If MacKay loses, then I think that'd be good for the Liberals. O'Toole is too right for most people to support.

by Anonymousreply 141May 13, 2020 2:01 PM

Great opinion piece about why conservatives are all suddenly up in arms about CERB fraud.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 142May 17, 2020 1:37 AM

Andrew Scheer is complaining about fraud?

by Anonymousreply 143May 17, 2020 2:15 PM

R143 Yup! The Conservatives have no direction so they are grasping for straws. They started attacking Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, but when polls showed the majority of Canadians supported her, they moved to this fraud story. Was the CERB rollout perfect? No...but Trudeau was right to wave the normal processing time so Canadians could pay their bills. With the number of people applying...it would have taken the CRA over two months to begin to process many people's applications. Trudeau has always made clear that when this is over and people file their taxes in 2021, their eligibility will be assessed then. If they didn't qualify, they have to pay it back.

by Anonymousreply 144May 17, 2020 3:33 PM

Andrew Scheer just announced he is keeping his DUAL US- Canadian citizenship

by Anonymousreply 145May 17, 2020 3:41 PM

Did anyone watch the Sunday Scrum today? All panelists disagreed with Jagmeet Singh's position on long term care homes.

by Anonymousreply 146May 17, 2020 5:34 PM

One of the Snowbirds crashed!

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 147May 17, 2020 8:25 PM

[quote]Andrew Scheer just announced he is keeping his DUAL US- Canadian citizenship

So I guess Scheer lied when he said he was renouncing his US citizenship.

by Anonymousreply 148May 17, 2020 9:48 PM

Scheer is likely going to move to the US once the Conservatives elect a new leader. I bet he has something lined up there.

by Anonymousreply 149May 18, 2020 9:37 PM

Good, R149. He and his ugly family will fit in well down there.

by Anonymousreply 150May 18, 2020 10:02 PM

R150 both of Andrew Scheer's sisters are married to Americans and live in the USA full-time

by Anonymousreply 151May 18, 2020 10:06 PM

Hopefully he goes there too, R151. Did you know he used slander to steal his riding from the Liberal? Scheer's a fucking douche and I can't stand looking at his fat, ugly, smug, milquetoast face.

by Anonymousreply 152May 18, 2020 10:11 PM

R152, Scheer's riding used to be held by long-time NDP MP Lorne Nystrom.

by Anonymousreply 153May 18, 2020 10:12 PM

R152 it was actually an NDPer he stole the seat from

by Anonymousreply 154May 18, 2020 10:13 PM

Oh right, my mistake, R153, R154.

by Anonymousreply 155May 18, 2020 10:15 PM

Kenney's all upset over Biden's pipeline comments. Suck it up, Alberta, no one wants your shitty tar sands oil.

by Anonymousreply 156May 19, 2020 9:10 PM

Random: Jason Kenney just appointed country singer Paul Brandt as the Chair of an anti-child trafficking committee designed to create and advise the Alberta government on policy. So, Brandt was a pediatric nurse and created an anti-trafficking charity, but has never worked in government. There are two women on the committee who have PhDs in the area that were far more qualified. There are rumours going around that Kenney and Brandt are involved romantically...Kenney's sexuality has long been an open secret but I know nothing about Brandt but he is apparently married...but his wife is rather....unattractive.

by Anonymousreply 157May 19, 2020 9:34 PM

R157, Brandt is married to a woman and they have 2 children.

So is Brandt in the closet, too?

by Anonymousreply 158May 20, 2020 3:38 AM

R158 There have been rumours about Brandt in the Canadian music industry for years. Allegedly, he got around when he was nurse.

by Anonymousreply 159May 20, 2020 6:22 AM

According to City news...the numbers in Ontario have risen by average of 1.5% over the last week, while testing is down. The growing evidence is, Ford opened the economy to soon. We're heading for a second wave in Ontario.

by Anonymousreply 160May 20, 2020 10:48 PM

It's not a second wave as the first wave hasn't even subsided yet. Everyone has quarantine fatigue and less than 25% of people are wearing masks in public. I'm not shaming, I'm tired of this shit too. At this point though I believe a lot of people are just rolling the dice for a little freedom and normalcy. If ya get it, ya get it.

by Anonymousreply 161May 21, 2020 12:45 AM

R161 I said this on another thread but I knew that once the nicer weather got here, it was going to be hard a hell to keep people inside and away from friends and family Because of our long winters here, we're hot wired to want to get outside as much as possible come May. Beautiful weather coupled with quarantine fatigue is going to make it near impossible to contain this thing during the summer. My sister in law is a nurse and she told me (on the phone) over the weekend that health officials are saying that we're not even through the prologue of this virus yet. And now they're predicting it's going to hit worse by September. And even if a vaccine is proven by the end of the year.....it will take 12 to 18 months before enough people are vaccinated to contain the virus.

by Anonymousreply 162May 21, 2020 2:15 AM

Conservatives are after Dr. Tam again and talking about China, the WHO, and Taiwan.

by Anonymousreply 163May 21, 2020 2:17 AM

R162 that is pretty depressing to hear that they are predicting a worse hit by September

by Anonymousreply 164May 21, 2020 2:17 AM

This week's new Léger poll:

LIBERALS: 44%

CONSERVATIVES: 25%

NDP: 15%

BQ: 7%

GREENS: 7%

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 165May 21, 2020 2:53 AM

That's good, R165. How have the NDP numbers been week to week?? The lower their numbers the better it is for the Libs.

by Anonymousreply 166May 21, 2020 2:56 AM

Hahaha

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 167May 21, 2020 3:01 PM

I've had CBC on the TV, as background noise initially, and am now following Heartland. Are there no gays in rural Alberta? They should have Caleb experiment a little.

And what the fuck is that theme song? Now I know what my brother meant when he said Helen Keller was singing it.

by Anonymousreply 168May 22, 2020 7:43 PM

DL's favorite Canadian!

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 169May 22, 2020 7:46 PM

NDP is forced to apply for the wage subsidy program as their donations have dried up

by Anonymousreply 170May 22, 2020 7:51 PM

I was going to laugh, R170, but it turns out that the Libs (and the Cons) are applying too.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 171May 22, 2020 8:24 PM

[quote]Are there no gays in rural Alberta?

NO!

by Anonymousreply 172May 22, 2020 10:30 PM

R168 Does Rural Alberta have any gays? As R172 said...NO! Back in the early to mid-00s when Alberta was booming and young people were moving there in droves, I moved to Edmonton for a year for a job and HATED it. The company I got a job with offered me the option of their Calgary or Edmonton office and on a whim I said Edmonton...thank god! Edmonton is a nicer and slightly more cosmopolitan city. If Alberta is Canada's Texas, than Edmonton is its Austin. Calgary was larger, but Edmonton had the largest LGBTQ+ community in Alberta, but it was crap. Most of the gay guys I met were from other provinces like me, and we all hated it.

Alberta is the most American feeling province in Canada, and the people that live there exist in such an odd bubble of hardcore conservatism. The province has gone to shit, and deservedly so. The NDP government did actually make a lot of improvements in the Province, but Albertans are the Jesus loving, church going conservatives who care more about abortion and guns than actually getting their province back on economic track. Most of the gay guys I knew when I lived there, left within two years. Many went to BC others to Ontario. I swear the only gay people there now are Jason Kenney and Paul Brandt.

by Anonymousreply 173May 22, 2020 11:24 PM

R173 is correct. I've lived all over Canada, including Edmonton and while I'd take it over Calgary, I much preferred Winnipeg as far as mid sized cities go. It's cold in the winter but fun in the summer, and not very conservative at all.

by Anonymousreply 174May 22, 2020 11:50 PM

Despite having a slightly smaller population than Calgary, Edmonton feels more like a larger city than Calgary. Calgary is far more conservative, in fact, I think it's the only major city in Canada that consistently votes to the right in every election. Edmonton is a bit more mixed politically being a battle ground between the Conservatives and NDP. The reason for this I think is that Edmonton has a slightly higher level of immigration and non-Albertan population. Also, statistically people living in Edmonton have higher-rates of post-secondary education. I always say that if someone says that Calgary is a better city, they were born in Alberta. Most born and bred Albertans look at Edmonton the way many people in Ontario look at Toronto. There's a perception of people from Edmonton being elite and snobbish. That being said, yeah, the gay scene in Alberta pretty much died in the early 2010s.

by Anonymousreply 175May 23, 2020 2:38 AM

And yet Calgary's mayor since 2010, re-elected twice, is the first Muslim mayor of a large North American city, and a centre-leftist.

by Anonymousreply 176May 23, 2020 5:24 AM

[quote]Are there no gays in rural Alberta?

Only closet cases who are married to women.

by Anonymousreply 177May 23, 2020 12:39 PM

I am disappointed with where we're going. Ontario and Quebec seem incapable of managing testing, tracing and isolating and Ottawa seems to be floating along, content with greeting card poetry from Trudeau. Yesterday I heard the second in command at public health (federally) say we'd be getting in serotesting to determine the scope of the unknown infected/recovered [italic]in the coming weeks and [bold]months.[/bold][/italic]

Ford keeps saying he's determined to get it right and get it going but nothing seems to change. I don't know if it's the government or a paralyzed bureaucracy or hick town health units that can't get their act together. Whatever is going on they are communicating terribly. Cuomo seems to tell everybody everything, these people just keep repeating ad nauseum stay home, six feet apart, virus is highly contagious, sorry people died... all of them, from the politicians to the doctors.

And of course we are seeing the revenge of Mother's Day. Infections for the last few days well above 400 again because idiots can't keep apart. Well, I hope that visit was worth killing Grandma.

I feel very discouraged about our ability to get new cases in Ontario under a hundred before the next wave. Which is probably gathering steam since Mother's Day. That was a waste of the last two months in my books, but the truth is I see it everywhere: people are breaking the rules in small doses, but just enough to drive numbers up with an R above 1.

by Anonymousreply 178May 23, 2020 1:30 PM

People can complain all they want about the conditions in senior homes but nothing will improve until the workers are paid fairly and conditions improve for them.

by Anonymousreply 179May 23, 2020 3:06 PM

R178 I can't speak to Quebec because I'm not following the numbers there. Still, it's becoming more apparent that the Ford government opened the economy too soon or at least before proper safety measures could be put in place e.g., widespread testing and contact tracing. Back when the government released the staged plans of opening the economy, Ford stated that we would need to sustain a count of around 250 or lower for 7 to 14 days before beginning. That plan suddenly dropped away. At one point, Ford admitted he was facing a ton of pressure to open things up; he gave into that.

Also, in early May, Ford began changing his tone from serious to optimistic (too optimistic). I think it started sending the wrong message that the worst was behind us. Some people see stores open, and that makes them drop their guard. I expect the numbers to keep rising, and we're going to see a spike this coming week. I believe a lot of people weren't distancing during the Victoria Day weekend. I live in the burbs about an hour away from Toronto, and more than half of my neighbours had people over inside their houses because it was raining. With the nicer weather, it's going to be harder and harder to enforce distancing.

As for testing, let's not forget one of Ford's first measures after coming to power was to gut the public health units and close labs. His government cut $1.5 Billion from public health, which is one of the reasons they are struggling. We must also remember that Public Health Ontario does NOT dictate government policy. It makes recommendations to the government about how to handle public health matters, but the buck stops with Ford. While he's trying to deflect blame, he is the one calling the shots. There have been rumours that he and Dr. Williams (Ontario's Chief Medical Officer) are at odds.

Sadly, Ontario is heading in a scary direction. A lot of people are going to die needlessly. Ford took a political gamble to play up his newfound popularity. I think he and his advisors thought if they could re-open the economy and the numbers stayed down, it would ensure his re-election. Even the media were praising him, that seems to be changing now. In the last few days, he's been facing tough questions, and it's so clear he's starting to melt under pressure. I think he'll cut the daily press conferences soon.

by Anonymousreply 180May 23, 2020 3:06 PM

Today in Chantal Hebert Toronto Star column she writes that Andrew Scheer has been

(1) tone-deaf

(2) living in a parellel political universe

(3) has set the Harper coalition (joining West + Suburban Ontario + Immigrant Voters) back ten years!

Writing

Over 75% of voters approve of the measures Justin Trudeau put forward to manage the pandemic fallout

Andrew Scheer hammering the message that Trudeau is FAILING Canadians falls spectacularly short of offering a credible alternative narrative to the government

by Anonymousreply 181May 23, 2020 3:09 PM

According to Abacus, almost 60% of Conservatives supporters want an election

RIGHT NOW (during #Covid19)

So they can turf Justin Trudeau

Apparently, it is not just Andrew Scheer & the current Conservative caucus that lives in a parallel political universe.

by Anonymousreply 182May 23, 2020 3:10 PM

I'd love to tell Trudeau to call their bluff, R182, but it would be foolish to have an election now.

by Anonymousreply 183May 23, 2020 3:12 PM

R183 Trudeau won't call their bluff (or at least he shouldn't) because the party seen to be triggering an election right now, we'll pay for it. No one wants an election. I suspect there will be one next year as soon as the situation looks much better. Conservative support is tanking everywhere except Alberta and the prairies.

by Anonymousreply 184May 23, 2020 3:14 PM

Of course he shouldn't, R184, we all know that. He needs to stay the course and keep going and call one next year. He shouldn't wait too long because people have short memories. The voters need to remember how he's handled Covid before the Cons drum up some scandal against him, so next spring (if things are back to normal) would be a good time. Cons are leading in Alberta, but if you look at "saskytoba" they are leading but, the Libs and the NDP have more support combined - but that big chunk of red you see may only be the cities..

Don't forget that Con support is also strong in rural areas throughout the country, so we need to make sure the cities stay red.

by Anonymousreply 185May 23, 2020 3:20 PM

Here's a breakdown.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 186May 23, 2020 3:22 PM

Every single riding is LPC safe in Winnipeg, aside from one that shows the NDP leading. One seat outside of Winnpeg goes to the NDP, and all of Saskatchewan to the Cons, aside from a couple deemed toss-ups.

I know I've said it before, but people in Toronto have to understand that Winnipeg generally isn't conservative and friends there are tired of being lumped in with the rest of the Prairies (politically and socially, never really has been either). It'd be like judging us in Toronto because Ontario voted for Ford.

by Anonymousreply 187May 23, 2020 3:28 PM

R180... I agree, I don't know why they are screwing up but they are screwing up. I'm so sad about it. I can't even hate over it. I'm just sad. He showed such promise and now it's squandered. And it's our lives. I would never have voted for him in a general election but I gave him credit for managing this well until now. And Andrew Scheer is a fool and a failure. That party... I am one of those Toronto voters they suck after each election and then drive away with their dinosaur choices in between elections. I hope he has set those fools back ten years.

But you raise an important point: to some extent we have to blame ourselves because we can still make a lot of choices to protect ourselves. I didn't see so much activity Victoria Day, but I was in Toronto the whole time and a lot of people in my part of town went to the cottage. But Mother's Day I could tell there was a lot of rule breaking. A friend of mine bought down the street from me and had people in to see her new place, I heard. I lost of a lot respect for her. On the other hand, not everybody can stay tucked away - I know people need to earn or, with opening up, are compelled back. I just wish the people who could stay apart would, for everyone's sake.

I'm so disappointed in us at every level. But maybe a high price to pay in the coming weeks will wake everybody up again.

R178 - I absolutely agree. We need major policy change there and strict regulations requiring that staff in long term care be full time staff, not flitting between three jobs at three different homes because that's the need to make a decent living. I'm also of the view long term care and for profit are incompatible. All long term care in Ontario should be not for profit but it should pay well to so as to attract quality employees.

I make a lot of money compared to most people but my politics have shifted firmly left and more collective because of this and they will stay that way. We're stuck in this together but we're obviously not all in it together... so an active government needs to step in. Taxes are going to have to go up. It's necessary. I hate the idea but it's just necessary. We have to do better. This country needs to start moving toward the Scandinavian model.

by Anonymousreply 188May 23, 2020 3:42 PM

^ sorry, meant R179.

by Anonymousreply 189May 23, 2020 3:44 PM

Also regarding the LTC homes, they need more staff. They have problems with dementia residents who can be violent and there isn't enough staff to deal with them. A friend of mine was assaulted because he was expected to go into a room alone with a resident with dementia.

No one wants to talk about those things though, they want to make the issue about the seniors being the victims, not the workers. Meanwhile, everyone's all content to pay as little as possible to warehouse grandma and grandpa so they can preserve whatever inheritance they have coming.

And no one seems to be talking about the racial abuse many of the workers encounter in these homes either, just ask any minority woman what they put up with at their place of work on a regular basis.

by Anonymousreply 190May 23, 2020 4:06 PM

[quote]Meanwhile, everyone's all content to pay as little as possible to warehouse grandma and grandpa so they can preserve whatever inheritance they have coming.

That's kind of inaccurate. Long term care rates are set by the government. There is no way to shop for as little as possible. If it's a long term care home, the rate is the same everywhere (at least in Ontario.) Retirement living is an entirely different matter as is private enterprise but is not structured to provide for the intense care needs of long term care homes. Nor do they want to. They charge a fortune... no less than $5000 grand a month as I recall. My mother had dementia and in the early going lived in retirement living. But there came a point she wasn't... on brand... and even though they were for profit they politely said it was time for her to move elsewhere.

It's certainly fair that the LTCs could benefit from more staff, especially - paradoxically - because of the regulatory burden. During my mother's stay in LTC it became evident the staff was run off their feet trying to get everything done that they were required to complete, log and report. There were certain care types that agitated my mother and we were content to limit the frequency for everyone's sake - but primarily her's. But the home had to do it because the regulations demanded it. So great, let's take an old woman with dementia, undress her, put her naked in a hoist, lift up, swing over and then lower her into a bath multiple times a week because a) that won't freak her out and b) she breaks a sweat lifting so often she definitely needs that bath.

They also lived in total terror of falls - because when there's a fall there's usually a broken hip and that means hospital and that means a bed and that probably means pneumonia and that probably means death which definitely means a whole in depth investigation. The home spent so much time focusing on preventing falls.

In the bid to protect it was a frustrating mess. There is no room for judgment or interpretation.

by Anonymousreply 191May 23, 2020 5:18 PM

New reports suggest the increase in numbers in Ontario is overwhelmingly within the community and not in LTC homes as the Ford government and Ontario Public Health have been stating. Too much is open and too many people ignoring physical distancing.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 192May 23, 2020 6:01 PM

[quote] It'd be like judging us in Toronto because Ontario voted for Ford.

Or judging us in Ontario because Toronto voted for Rob Ford...

by Anonymousreply 193May 23, 2020 6:28 PM

This is where my downstairs neighbour works as an administrative nurse. Yesterday I spoke to her briefly and according to her, the article leaves out a lot but at least stresses the most acute problem - the shortage of staff.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 194May 23, 2020 6:32 PM

Much of the problem is how society views what's commonly seen as traditional "women's work." Same goes for daycare workers and even the teaching profession. People expect others' to care for their little darlings for wages barely above minimum. Teachers are vilified by the Conservative party and by their voters. Just look at the degrading memes aimed at the PM for instance.

Racism is rearing its head now as well since it's been widely reported that many of the underpaid and overworked LTC staff are new Canadians. I don't know how people didn't realize that many new immigrants work as attendants in these facilities. The jobs have lousy pay, there's not much rewarding about changing grandma and grandpas' diapers, and most Canadians don't want to do it, just as they don't want to go work as agricultural workers and the like. We're more concerned with the poor hard done by oil patch workers who squandered their money and have now lost their jobs.

Until this is all addressed, Canadians should stop with the faux outrage. Truth is, very few people care enough to actually change anything.

by Anonymousreply 195May 23, 2020 7:09 PM

[quote]Conservative support is tanking everywhere except Alberta and the prairies.

Yes, in the latest Abacus & Léger polls, the Liberals lead in every province except Alberta & Saskatchewan.

by Anonymousreply 196May 23, 2020 10:34 PM

Here's the new column that R181 referred to:

What Stephen Harper built over 10 years, Andrew Scheer has quickly squandered

By Chantal Hébert

Sat., May 23, 2020

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 197May 23, 2020 10:57 PM

And now Harper's blaming the media for his loss in 2015.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 198May 23, 2020 11:12 PM

R198, I think that's American Conservative host Dennis Prager.

by Anonymousreply 199May 23, 2020 11:16 PM

Poor Stephen Harper. It's got to be hard knowing his hand picked replacement has the wit and charisma of a lump of cold oatmeal.

by Anonymousreply 200May 23, 2020 11:19 PM

That’s actually a description of Harper.

by Anonymousreply 201May 23, 2020 11:52 PM

Well it suits Scheer too. Harper was at least smart enough to be conniving and evil, Shceer's just a dolt - he'd be making photocopies in an insurance office in Regina if it weren't for Harper.

by Anonymousreply 202May 24, 2020 12:00 AM

Harper is lying when he complains the media was against him -- the majority of the media in Canada is right-wing as this chart shows:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 203May 24, 2020 2:17 AM

Canadians,

Not really COVID related, by why, in a country that is supposed to be bilingual, are there so few bilingual speakers in the whole country?

Why so much animosity between English speakers and French speakers?

by Anonymousreply 204May 24, 2020 2:21 AM

I refuse to touch that.

by Anonymousreply 205May 24, 2020 3:40 AM

I hate The Globe and Mail so much

by Anonymousreply 206May 24, 2020 6:43 AM

r203 they are not right or left wing, they are behind whatever will boost their careers and save their jobs. The elitism that gets mistaken for "right wing" applies to all the limousine liberals in all the so called left wing parties, including the NDP. AFAIC, that party died with Jack Layton. (And yes, I'm aware he was well off, but he was well versed in social issues & he was genuinely comfortable with different types of people.)

by Anonymousreply 207May 24, 2020 6:49 AM

Everything's back to normal today! Check in with us again in two weeks...

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 208May 24, 2020 7:02 AM

Canada is doing fairly well. I've seen the stats, few deaths. They're not nearly as badly hit as their neighbor to the south.

by Anonymousreply 209May 24, 2020 10:49 AM

Today's 338 projection has the Liberals hitting 200 seats:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 210May 24, 2020 11:01 PM

R209 Canada's greatest asset is its public health system and that fact that public health policy is drafted by medical professionals and not politicians. That being said, I'm really worried about Ontario and Quebec. The numbers are rising and I fear Toronto has the potential of becoming the next New York. People in the city are just not social distancing. Added to that, the Ontario government started to lift restrictions to early. We're hitting about 400 new cases a day in Ontario. We're likely going to spend summer in lockdown people.

by Anonymousreply 211May 25, 2020 5:01 AM

R211, I wish we would. It seems the only way to eliminate this thing enough that a cautious re-opening can be undertaken. We're going the wrong way. Mother's Day was only two weeks ago so that is what I think we're seeing now. There was no other event to explain it. Victoria Day was a week yesterday, so we should see the rise continue next on that basis and then in Toronto we'll have the great mass gathering in Trinity Bellwoods.

As a government, you can only do your best to control stupid people, of which there are many. What you can do is have a strategic testing plan in place and I see little evidence Ontario did. It's going to be a long, sad, frustrating summer.

by Anonymousreply 212May 25, 2020 12:59 PM

Have any of you been on public transportation recently? I haven't been on the Metro since March. I have taken the bus a few times, it's been free and empty. I've been using driving my old Camry more than ever. Montreal's current administration is well-known for not being car-friendly, which I didn't see as a bad thing, and up until recently I was considering not having a car.

I can't see doing without one now.

by Anonymousreply 213May 25, 2020 1:20 PM

There will not be another lockdown. If anything they will suggest people with underlying health issues stay home as well as those over 60. Herd immunity is where it's gonna be at going forward.

by Anonymousreply 214May 25, 2020 2:03 PM

R214 Truth is we have no idea what's going to happen, however, a second lockdown is a probable outcome. It may not be a country wide lock down since other provinces are doing a good job at containing the virus, but regional lockdowns are very likely.

The reason for a lockdown is to slow the spread of the virus so the hospital don't become overwhelmed with cases and have to start deciding who gets a ventilator and who doesn't. Even Ford has stated a second round of restrictions is not off the table. And this people with health issue should stay home while everyone else gets back to normal thing doesn't work. Plenty of young and health people require hospitalization due to complications.

If we're lucky and governments get their act together with testing and contact racing, maybe we'll avoid a strict lockdown, but I'm not optimistic.

by Anonymousreply 215May 25, 2020 3:35 PM

Oh, please. Here in Saskatchewan I believe we had four active cases, as of yesterday. This entire thing was massively overblown. I know people driving Uber because they lost their low paying jobs in the service industries.

There will be no more shutdowns. We can't afford it. Apparently our hospitals weren't over crowded in the least. We already have a horrible albeit "free" Healthcare system. Our bars and restaurants are supposed to open June 8th but at 50% capacity. Some may never financially recover from this.

Stupid salon owners have been complaining to the media that health inspectors aren't washing their hands. It's just a show of herd ignorance, at this point.

by Anonymousreply 216May 25, 2020 3:45 PM

R216 Of course the Saskatchewan numbers are low, because who the fuck lives in Saskatchewan? 100 people who are all related to the same brother and sister? R215 is right, localized lock downs are the realistic outcome. Every province except ON and Quebec currently has this under control. Ontario's curve today is higher than New York's with Toronto being the hardest hit. Ontario will likely have to impose tighter restrictions again, but that doesn't mean other provinces will, they have different governments and situations.

by Anonymousreply 217May 25, 2020 4:32 PM

And worth pointing out in the context of Sask. vs elsewhere, New York City itself is still under lockdown and probably will be last to be unlocked though I gather the reason in NYC is hospital capacity. I cite the example because the urban areas seem harder for the Western politicians to bring under control. Between the density and the lack of courage, they are afraid to act to get this under control.

I believe it will go to regional lockdowns and has to. I believe the City of Toronto should probably remain under one for some time. Most of the office workers are able to work remotely anyway. Provision of services is easier.

It's so frustrating to me we can't figure out exactly WHY Toronto is doing so badly. There is no effective testing regime. I don't know if it's because we've have dolts running public health or the government or both - and that's before you get to the stupid people who live her. Opinion can't even coalesce in a majority around whether Trinity Bellwoods was a disaster or not. Some of out betters, like the twin blowhards Richard Florida and Jennifer Keesmat, are arguing it isn't citizens fault they broke the rules (even though there's 1500 other parks and they weren't overcrowded) it's city's fault for not having enough parks. Now don't get me wrong - I am a resident and I think Toronto is one of the most poorly planned cities you can imagine - but I don't absolve people for making stupid choices in the context of we're all in this together.

by Anonymousreply 218May 25, 2020 5:00 PM

I work for Health Ontario. Public health officials are most concerned with the doubling effect: how quickly are the number of cases doubling. When Ford started lifting restrictions earlier this month, the number of cases was doubling at a rate of every 16 days (in march we were doubling cases every 3 to 5 days). Right now, the province can handle the current upswing but if we get back into the range of cases doubling every 7 to 10 days we're in serious trouble. Hospital capacity will start becoming a significant issue, and restrictions will be reinstated. That's not an if, it's part of pandemic policy now in place.

Had we not put restrictions in place back in March, it's like the death toll would be around 15K right now in Ontario. If we continue on the current path and don't put restrictions back in place if our case loads start rapidly doubling, the estimate is an additional 30 to 50K will die by December. the current projections are about 10 to 15K deaths by the end of the year of we maintain the current rates of infection.

by Anonymousreply 219May 25, 2020 6:34 PM

R219, interesting. Thank you. To clarify, 10 -15 more or 10 - 15 total? It seems a shame. We're at about 2100... to concede to 5 to 7 times more in six months... maybe that's the best they can do under the circumstances.

Can you tell from the grapevine, are they (the royal they... politicians, health experts) communicating this poorly on purpose (i.e. a strategy of keeping people uninformed on the detail, vs. the broad strokes, or are they just fucking it up? I say poorly because now Andrew Cuomo is the gold standard on talking to his population plainly. No elected in Canada is Andrew Cuomo.

Are they intending any serious effort at sero testing to determine the resolved cases either asymptomatic or so minimally symptomatic they didn't get interpreted by the infected as covid vs. your run of the mill respiratory infection?

by Anonymousreply 220May 25, 2020 7:37 PM
Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 221May 25, 2020 10:23 PM

Yes, Richard Florida is a blowhard and a huckster, but he's right that Toronto should have created more parks in the past 20 years (and not just for social distancing during a pandemic). The way the city, especially south of Dundas, has been sold to developers, rather than planned, by multiple mayors, is a scandal.

by Anonymousreply 222May 26, 2020 1:47 AM

Yes, I agree, R222. Keesmaat was one of those planners for a time... she seems so woefully out of touch. I remember when she ran for mayor, banging on about "a grand boulevard" to replace the Gardiner (which is not a good thing, I won't argue.) But we are all past "grand boulevards" as language that motivates voters. She's a champagne socialist. It is possible for two things to be true at once: Toronto is badly planned (but actually not short on parks) and those idiots at Trinity Bellwoods were pretty thoughtless and could have gone elsewhere.

Toronto is such a podunky town... our politicians fall easily under the sway of a "branded" expert. David Miller wouldn't tie his shoes unless motherly Jane Jacobs had written about it and Keesmaat and Florida are glam-smart so our feeble little do gooders take them as gospel.

That said I really hope Raildeck come to pass.

by Anonymousreply 223May 26, 2020 2:55 PM

Doug Ford to speak about the conditions in LTC homes as reported by the military. Wonder how he'll spin this?

by Anonymousreply 224May 26, 2020 5:23 PM

You and me both r224.

by Anonymousreply 225May 26, 2020 5:54 PM

Well, the Cons are spinning it alright, claiming that the Libs knew about the report two weeks ago and only released it today - which is bullshit.

by Anonymousreply 226May 26, 2020 6:43 PM

I just finished reading about it and can't figure out what the cons could go on about.

by Anonymousreply 227May 26, 2020 7:24 PM

NDP is onto the blame gain now too, placing the blame on the feds.

by Anonymousreply 228May 26, 2020 9:26 PM

*blame game*

by Anonymousreply 229May 26, 2020 9:27 PM

We need to be honest about the LTC scandal. This has been decades in the making. It started with the Harris government who began cutting funding and privatizing long-term health care. The Liberals continued this trend, and Ford slashed the inspection budgets to the point that only 9 out of 600 long-term facilities in Ontario were inspected last years. Ford says he inherited a broken system, which is true, but he has done nothing to correct it. As usual, he is shifting blame everywhere. Ultimetly, as the sitting government, he will likely have to pay for it politically. Without a doubt the minister in charge will have to resign, and Ford's new found popularity is likely going to plummet. But this is on all of us. Despite reports over the years, elder care is ignored by most of the population. It is never an election issue, and when reports like these come out, the go ignored and nothing changes.

by Anonymousreply 230May 26, 2020 10:24 PM

R228 NDP are blaming Ford (as they should). Long-term care is a Provincial responsibility. The liberals are just a guilty in this. McGuinty and Wynne did nothing to improve Harris' cuts. The only party with clean hands right now, is actually the NDP.

by Anonymousreply 231May 26, 2020 10:26 PM

Don Davies was just on Evan Solomon blaming the Feds, R231 and saying that Justin Trudeau is hiding from the issue. Singh just said the same thing on Vassey.

by Anonymousreply 232May 26, 2020 10:29 PM

I find the blame game right now really ugly. I don’t want to see them chewing on each other. I just wanna hear about solutions. I firmly believe now when it comes to long-term care profit has no place in the mix. I don’t want to see it become a big bureaucratic thing. I’d like to see a bunch of nonprofit corporations structured drawing on a range of experts and points of view who are beholden to nothing but care.

by Anonymousreply 233May 26, 2020 10:59 PM

[quote]Don Davies was just on Evan Solomon blaming the Feds, [R231] and saying that Justin Trudeau is hiding from the issue. Singh just said the same thing on Vassey.

Isn't it primarily an area of provincial jurisdiction? Why are they trying to blame it on Trudeau?

by Anonymousreply 234May 26, 2020 11:57 PM

It is, R234, but they're saying the Feds should put LTC homes under the Canada Health Act, and that Trudeau's government had the report two weeks ago and didn't release it right away.

by Anonymousreply 235May 27, 2020 12:05 AM

I don't believe for a second that the Ontario government didn't know anything about this before these reports. Anyone whose had a loved one in long-term care know shit has been going on for years. These places are chronically understaffed, and cut corners in order to make a profit.

by Anonymousreply 236May 27, 2020 5:28 AM

I can readily believe Doug Ford had no clue. He's a multi-millionaire. People who are well off can not only afford to pay for good private care, they have access to information/networks to know where the best places are. Good GPs can pull strings to get you on waiting lists. With the gutting of the middle class, people are becoming more isolated in enclaves at the extremes.

There really are Two Solitudes in Canada now, & it's not English/French. Rich/Upper middle urban vs poor, lower middle class rural.

by Anonymousreply 237May 27, 2020 3:16 PM

Is anyone else tired of hearing about how seniors built this country? All the politicians from Trudeau, to Singh, to Scheer, to Ford are saying it.

They didn't build the country, most of these seniors were teens in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Saying that they "built" the country totally erases the people that came before them, Indigenous people, Chinese immigrants who helped build our railways etc...and it indicates that the country is somehow finished, and that contributions of younger generations aren't as important.

The saying also reeks of Harper's "old stock" Canadian bullshit.

by Anonymousreply 238May 27, 2020 3:29 PM

I'll be an asshole here and add that people who voted Conservative set the stage for for-profit LTC homes, austerity, less government oversight, less rules and regulations etc.... People need to realize that this is exactly what happens when you give conservatives power. We should all take this as a warning and not forget it since we've apparently already forgotten the lessons from disasters such as Walkerton and Lac Magantic.

by Anonymousreply 239May 27, 2020 3:35 PM

R239 bring up Harris and Walkerton with an Ontario right winger and they go ape shit trying to defend what happened.

by Anonymousreply 240May 27, 2020 5:00 PM

Numbers in Ontario saw a big jump, day over day. Sunday was 326. Today's new cases = 404. It had been under 400 for seven days.

Trinity Bellwood's was the weekend before last. So it's been a full week and the median emergence of symptoms is five days. It's now been nine.

If the numbers go up, thanks people. Who else have you managed to infect?

At least it will scare (some) people into thinking about how to behave.

by Anonymousreply 241June 1, 2020 3:54 PM

R241 I think it's still a but early to be seeing the Trinity Bellwood's cases. Victoria Day was 2 weeks ago and we're probably seeing some of those numbers now. It takes an average of 5 to 10 for you to first start noticing symptoms and even then, people don't always run out and get tested. I think the numbers are going to rise all week from the tail end of the May 24 numbers and then new the Trinity Bellwoods numbers starting to come in. The only good news, is out side of the GTA, the virus is basically under control everywhere else.

by Anonymousreply 242June 2, 2020 4:00 AM

Brian Mulroney is going all NDP now. He's advocating a universal basic income, a wealth tax, free college and university, regulated rental and real estate markets to ensure housing remains linked to income not investment.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 243July 1, 2020 3:19 AM

Anyone following the Julie Payette story? A ton of current and former staff at Rideau Hall (the Governor General's official residence) have come forward saying that she is a nut job and terrible to work for. I tend to believe these stories. My best friend's partner did some work with Payette on some project for the government before she became GG, and in his words, "she was fucking insane." Allegedly, she through a book at him and called him a "worthless piece of shit." Clearly Trudeau's office did not vet her properly before becoming GG. She had at least two domestic assault charges brought against her by her ex-husband who later dropped the charges, and she was also involved in a hit in run in the States.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 244July 23, 2020 6:02 PM

[quote]Clearly Trudeau's office did not vet her properly before becoming GG.

Oh, I can't imagine it. His track record speaks for itself.

by Anonymousreply 245July 23, 2020 6:04 PM

[quote]Brian Mulroney is going all NDP now. He's advocating a universal basic income, a wealth tax, free college and university, regulated rental and real estate markets to ensure housing remains linked to income not investment.

Boy, the shit you'll try when your daughter-in-law disgraces the family.

by Anonymousreply 246July 23, 2020 6:07 PM

Remember that crazy astronaut woman who drove for hours wearing a diaper?

by Anonymousreply 247July 24, 2020 1:13 AM

R244 So here's the tea about Payette's appointment (this was reported on back in 2018 after it was clear there was issues with Payette's job performance) she was not Trudeau's first pick for Governor General. His office had vetted another candidate (allegedly a person of first nations descent to keep with the government's agenda of reconciliation) around the late spring and early summer of 2017. Just as Trudeau was about to go forward and offer the role to this person, he learned the Payette was actively seeking a job with the Canadian Government, allegedly she was pushing to be named the Canadian Ambassador to France. But Trudeau felt she perfectly aligned with the image of a pro-feminist, pro-science government. She was contacted, offered the position, and accepted within a 10 day span...just for some perspective, Adrienne Clarkson was vetted and brief about the role for six months before the formerly offered it to her, Michaelle Jean four moths, David Johnson was given a year to decide. It quickly became apparent that Trudeau didn't vet her, nor did Payette have any idea what the role involved. By all the press reports, Payette and Trudeau are no longer really on speaking terms and only meet when protocol dictates they have too.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 248July 24, 2020 3:29 AM

God, the more I'm learning the less fond I am of Trudeau's appointments. Payette, JWR, Morneau....every single one a disaster! Who is advising him? Or is he making these choices by himself?

by Anonymousreply 249July 24, 2020 4:04 AM

Well back in the day, the legendary Gerald Butts advised him. Butts resigned... in fallout from the SNC Lavalin imbroglio.

by Anonymousreply 250July 24, 2020 4:31 AM

R249 Basically he has a small group of advisors in his office who help him make decisions on who to appoint.

Here is a major issue with the role of the Governor General (beyond it being a colonial holdover). There is a fair degree of turnover in the position. Every five years or so, a new Governor General is appointed. Most of the people who are appointed tend to be public figures who to some degree, want a public role. Once the take office, their focus becomes legacy building, they want to leave an impact on the office. While this is normal and understandable in almost any given public office, it's not appropriate behaviour for the Governor General. The GG is meant to be the ceremonial representative of the monarchy in Canada. The issue issue that the Crown is about continuity not legacy. The Queen is massively popular partly because she doesn't give a shit about her legacy. Her motivation is to do what is expected of her and to ensure the monarchy survives. This is not the case for the GG. They typically love the limelight and want to make an impression. The most successful governor general in the last 20 years in terms of doing the job correctly, e.g. being boring as fuck and totally uncontroversial, was David Johnson. Yes, Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean raised the public profile of the office, but did so more to draw attention to themselves and not out of a desire to perform the role as it's constitutionally supposed to. Basically, the GG needs to be someone boring, like David Johnson, who is well spoken and has no political affiliations.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 251July 24, 2020 4:08 PM

[quote] Yes, Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean raised the public profile of the office, but did so more to draw attention to themselves and not out of a desire to perform the role as it's constitutionally supposed to.

Oh, yeah.

by Anonymousreply 252July 24, 2020 5:01 PM

I actually really liked Michaelle Jean as Governor General. It's very rare in Canada to have anyone who is young(ish), attractive, intelligent, and articulate holding public office (Yes, Justin has the young and attractive part down).

Adrienne Clarkson brought the Office of the Governor General back to a level of public prominence that it hadn't enjoyed in decades, and she is a fantastic public speaker, but she became way too grand by the end of it. She thought she was the Queen by the end of her time in office. She also loved to spend public money lavishly.

David Johnston I knew because I went to the University of Waterloo while he was President, and he is a super nice guy. He probably was the best president Waterloo ever had as he transformed the university's reputation from meh to prestigious. He was the first academic to hold the office of GG which why I think from a constitutional standpoint, he did the job better than Clarkson or Jean but he was lower profile partly because he is an old white guy, and he's not as much of an engaging public speaker/personality as Jean and Clarkson.

Payette is a shocking disappointment. Her installation speech was amazing, but that's the only thing she's done that I can actually think of. I guess it gives me heart that if someone as accomplished and educated as her can fail at a job, there's hope for all of us.

The next governor general needs to be someone more like Johnson...lower key....and not a former politician. I think that's a tradition that should continue.

by Anonymousreply 253July 25, 2020 4:26 PM

Bumping this thread to ask: What the fuck is happening in Ontario with thousands of new cases each day? I"m actually afraid to leave the house.

by Anonymousreply 254January 14, 2021 10:52 PM

R254, hasn't Ford issued a new "Stay At Home Order" for Ontario?

It's supposed to mean that people just leave the house for essentials -- eg. groceries, pharmacies, work, exercise, etc.

by Anonymousreply 255January 14, 2021 11:17 PM

Correct R255. I finally broke down and went to the grocery store yesterday and the roads were nearly deserted and the store had more employees than shoppers. It was eerie.

by Anonymousreply 256January 15, 2021 1:43 PM

Premier Doug Ford kicks MPP Roman Baber out of the PC caucus for opposing the COVID19 lockdown

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 257January 15, 2021 11:51 PM

I want to live in Canada again!

by Anonymousreply 258January 16, 2021 12:54 AM

I know that water swirls backwards in Australia. How does it swirl in Canada? And is it true that Canadians only have four toes?

by Anonymousreply 259January 16, 2021 12:56 AM

Since we're north it swirls up R259. Every Canadian toilet is like a bidet.

by Anonymousreply 260January 16, 2021 2:10 PM

Bump

by Anonymousreply 261May 12, 2021 7:58 PM

Is a ginger in his 40s from Nova Scotia more apt to have a cut or uncut schlong?

by Anonymousreply 262May 13, 2021 2:15 AM
Loading
Need more help? Click Here.

Yes indeed, we too use "cookies." Take a look at our privacy/terms or if you just want to see the damn site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, click ACCEPT. Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site for your pointless bitchery needs.

×

Become a contributor - post when you want with no ads!