“Canadian Politics”

Provincial frictions and bringing establishment onside present early tests for NDP Leader Lewis, say politicos

Provincial frictions and bringing establishment onside present early tests for NDP Leader Lewis, say politicos

NDP Leader Avi Lewis is already ruffling feathers among provincial leaders, and observers say they’ll be “watching closely” to see how he mends those fences, with some speculating his win was likely thanks to newer NDP members, not establishment votes.

“He would benefit from the wise counsel of people who have built the party up, who understand how to be successful as a third party,” said Lori Turnbull, a Dalhousie University political science professor and former Privy Council Office adviser.

God help us.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics"

Pierre Poilievre is finally acting like a grown-up. Mark Carney would be wrong to discount him

Pierre Poilievre is finally acting like a grown-up. Mark Carney would be wrong to discount him

On March 2, when Pierre Poilievre sat down for a podcast interview with former CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, he jokingly noted that Mansbridge had called him Mr. Poilievre.

“You’re the leader of his majesty’s loyal opposition,” said Mansbridge, explaining his formality.

“It’s the worst damn job in the country,” said Poilievre, grinning.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics"

MCTEAGUE: Green delusions of new NDP leader Avi Lewis

If you were trying to develop a detailed policy program to get Canada back on track, you could do worse than looking at the proposals of the new NDP leader, and self-described ‘Eco-Socialist,’ Avi Lewis and doing the exact opposite.

Lewis advocates for a rapid shift away from hydrocarbon energy by means of a Canadian “Green New Deal,” which he says is both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics"

James Moore: The next election is about one big thing

James Moore is a former federal cabinet minister under prime minister Stephen Harper, and is a contributing columnist for CTVNews.ca.

Now that the federal New Democrats have selected Avi Lewis as their leader, Canadians know the leadership offering that they will be presented by the major parties in the next campaign.

Now the race is on between the parties to try to frame the ‘ballot question’ of the next campaign – whenever that may be. But at this moment, given the climate and context in which we live, the ballot question for the next campaign seems quite cemented.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics"

Tom Mulcair: Avi Lewis is on to something with his plans to nationalize everything from pharmaceuticals to groceries

Avi Lewis is a truly unconventional politician. He has managed to make himself a champion of young Canadians, which is quite a feat given that he’ll be in his 60th year in May.

They provided a lot of energy to his campaign but also tend to vote less and that could prove a challenge.

Under his leadership, the NDP will cement its role as a safe place for equity-seeking groups, a part of its branding that was a reflection of Jack Layton’s core beliefs.

Avi is on something not on to something. Never underestimate the stupidity of today’s university students or the media’s Avi cheerleaders.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", Communism, Communists

Crisis is coming, and voters may give the federal NDP another look

Somewhere, James Laxer is shedding a wistful tear. Along with Mel Watkins, Cy Gonick and others, Mr. Laxer led the radical Waffle faction within the federal NDP in the late 1960s and early 1970s, whose mission was to pull the party sharply to the left.

They advocated for nationalization of major industries, strict limits on foreign ownership, sharply higher taxes on the wealthy, and perhaps most controversially, withdrawal from NATO. They were organized, disciplined and uncompromising: a party within a party.

Are the Elbow people so stupid they’d vote Lewis in. I’m betting they won’t as Coyne thinks they might.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", Canada, WTF?

Mulcair: Avi Lewis has big ideas. In politics, that’s not enough

For dreams to become reality, you first must get elected. That’s going to be a challenge for the NDP’s new leader.

The NDP put its best foot forward at last weekend’s convention, and the opening speech by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was a highlight.

Deeply experienced and wise, Kinew represents the best of the NDP. He shone in both official languages, very much at ease on his home turf in Winnipeg.

His speech contained a strong message of hope, as one would expect.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP

Avi Lewis may have a shot at knitting the NDP together, despite a troubled start

Well, as honeymoons go, that was brief.

Avi Lewis may well have set a record for honeymoon brevity in Canadian politics. He wasn’t even done accepting the great prize of winning the leadership of the federal NDP last Sunday before two key figures in his own party denounced him over his resolve to move the country beyond fossil fuels.

Lewis may also have set something of a record for sheer cheerfulness in the face of such speedy backstabbing.

No shortage of media trying to make us believe Avi isn’t a complete commie nutter.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP

Geoff Russ: Don’t underestimate the appeal of Avi Lewis’s Third Worldism

Avi Lewis was elected leader of the New Democrats on Sunday with a smashing first ballot win, inheriting a skeleton of a party. Only six NDP MPs sit in the House of Commons after Nunavut’s Lori Idlout’s recent floorcrossing.

However, this is a time of revived left-wing radicalism in the English-speaking world. Do not dismiss Lewis, as many have. If he plays his cards right, he will not be a punchline for long.

You gotta pray Canadians aren’t that dumb. Pray a lot.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP

The NDP has a new leader. What does Avi Lewis’s arrival mean for the party?

Newly named NDP leader Avi Lewis promised to bring back the party from the political wilderness after its dismal showing in last year’s federal election.

“The NDP will start winning again because we will become that beacon to the 99 per cent — illuminating the darkening sky of these terrifying times with the energizing light of collectivism,” he said at the convention in Winnipeg on Sunday, after it was announced he had won the months-long leadership contest.

Lewis came out on top of a field of five leadership candidates that included Alberta MP Heather McPherson, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail and social worker and municipal councillor Tanille Johnston.

Good Lord

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP

With finish line in sight, NDP leadership candidates try to win over voters

The five candidates vying for the NDP’s leadership into the next election gave one final appeal to members before the party chooses its next leader.

Each candidate was given time at the party’s convention in Winnipeg on Saturday to sway any voters who are still undecided.

The contenders are: MP Heather McPherson, activist and filmmaker Avi Lewis, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail and social worker and municipal councillor Tanille Johnston.

Avi is so progressive he’s a NAZI!

Avi Lewis Is About to Make Jew-Hate the NDP’s Official Slogan

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP

At historic low point, New Democrats descend on Winnipeg to choose a new leader

The NDP will have a new leader by Sunday afternoon — and whoever comes out of the party’s convention in Winnipeg with the top job will be tasked with bringing the party back from a historic low.

Five candidates — MP Heather McPherson, activist and filmmaker Avi Lewis, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail and social worker and municipal councillor Tanille Johnston — are looking to replace former leader Jagmeet Singh.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Canadian Politics", NDP