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Dear Conservative Party of Canada

tosca1 said:
It depends on which group becomes dominant. It doesn't have to be Muslim.
The dominant group that will have the power to put a PM on the throne, will be pandered to.
It's all about numbers now.
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What do you mean by 'pandered'? White Christians are a dominant group with the power to elect a PM- are they 'pandered' to?
 
Surrealistik said:
Yes, when Ignatieff was around Conservatives were strong, while Liberals were weak; what happens when both of them are anemic?



I think it will _definitely_ hurt them with the left, particularly the support stealed from the NDP/Green by lying about ER, and that is likely to cost them at least their majority if the NDP have any half-way decent leader, nevermind the general trust issues. If they continue to alienate the left (such as by committing electoral suicide in breaking their promise on weed legalization), I can see NDP potentially forming government if the Cons have awful leadership (O'Leary or any nationalist would probably be a trainwreck in Canada).

Also no, I don't accept that they had valid reasons for abandoning ER; those given were either falsehoods or self-serving excuses. Liberals essentially broke their promise on the basis of big donor pressure (as it would mean the effective death of Conservatives as a federal political power and forever shift the balance of power in the direction of the left, much to the chagrin of the Canadian rich) and the perception that it would be best for their own political fortunes (if it ain't broke, don't fix it philosophy now that they have a majority; also that sweet corporate cash. Gotta court those Aga Khan dollars).
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Ah, electoral reform isn't high on my anxiety list but if the Liberals don't move on affordable child care soon they're gonna lose me and several others.
I vote Liberal, when I vote, but I sit it out when the leader or party platform bugs me. I nearly sat out the last one but those Conservative ads pissed me off. Doesn't matter, my riding's been NDP since forever, but I'm just sayin'. Trudeau's used up his honeymoon time long ago- he needs to get his sleeves rolled up. I like the refugee thing so far, time to show me something else.
 
Grand Mal said:
What do you mean by 'pandered'? White Christians are a dominant group with the power to elect a PM- are they 'pandered' to?
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We heard this about Indians, especially Sikhs in the Mulroney era....Turbans were taking over the country. An entire party in Alberta wanted to become the 51st state.

Before that it was the Chinese; to keep them down where they belong, the Conservatives instituted a 'head tax"

Then it was hippies, filthy lay-abouts hanging out on Vancouver's W 4th, and Bloor street for God sakes....Bloor street!

And in there they had a hand at Ugandans, Vietnamese boat people and of course more hippies.

Conservatives are not happy unless they can convince everyone their very existence is threatened through some bringing together of people who are different.
 
Grand Mal said:
Ah, electoral reform isn't high on my anxiety list but if the Liberals don't move on affordable child care soon they're gonna lose me and several others.
I vote Liberal, when I vote, but I sit it out when the leader or party platform bugs me. I nearly sat out the last one but those Conservative ads pissed me off. Doesn't matter, my riding's been NDP since forever, but I'm just sayin'. Trudeau's used up his honeymoon time long ago- he needs to get his sleeves rolled up. I like the refugee thing so far, time to show me something else.
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Be still and know that the Natural Governing Party is, indeed, governing.

I saw this ALL through the Trudeau and Chretien years.

If it costs money, they will delivery at the very moment the nation is planning to kill them, and make it so nice everything is forgotten. It is proving to be aan albatross, it will be allowed to fade, fade and fade some more...and either be relegated to a "white paper" or a study committee where it will be forgotten along with about 2,674 such committees struck under Pierre Trudeau's first term.

My riding has been Liberal since Hedy Fry stole it from Kim Campbell. I vote who I think will do the job, I have ONCE in my life voted for the NDP.

Two years from now, no one is going to vote against them because they failed to change the voting system. By the time the public is told the long, expensive and sad tale of British Columbia' flirt with changing the system, after which no will want to try.

When voting I always remind myself how the Conservatives fought AGAINST the bi-lingual policy. They lost my respect then and have never done anything to atone for it. Today, French immersion classes are awarded through lottery; the single most popular class in the country. Most Canadians are proud of that.

If they could be that mean and cruel, and wrong then, I don't see them changing much today.
 
Grand Mal said:
Ah, electoral reform isn't high on my anxiety list but if the Liberals don't move on affordable child care soon they're gonna lose me and several others.
I vote Liberal, when I vote, but I sit it out when the leader or party platform bugs me. I nearly sat out the last one but those Conservative ads pissed me off. Doesn't matter, my riding's been NDP since forever, but I'm just sayin'. Trudeau's used up his honeymoon time long ago- he needs to get his sleeves rolled up. I like the refugee thing so far, time to show me something else.
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It will surely cost them in left votes which were indispensable to their majority; I don't think it's going to be forgotten among the social democrats and those leaning in that direction, especially if the NDP takes them to task for it in their campaigning for 2019 (which they'd be stupid not to, unless they're desperate to avoid a Conservative outcome). It'll have a material impact for sure, even if it doesn't cost the Liberals their government, assuming the NDP at that juncture is at all remotely competent.
 
Surrealistik said:
It will surely cost them in left votes which were indispensable to their majority; I don't think it's going to be forgotten among the social democrats and those leaning in that direction, especially if the NDP takes them to task for it in their campaigning for 2019 (which they'd be stupid not to, unless they're desperate to avoid a Conservative outcome). It'll have a material impact for sure, even if it doesn't cost the Liberals their government, assuming the NDP at that juncture is at all remotely competent.
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I think it all depends on who the Conservatives choose as their leader. If someone like Chong gets in, I could see that happening. If someone like Leitch gets the leadership, you'll see another ABC movement. Despite what I'm seeing here, most Canadians are not Trumpists, and I would imagine would do anything to avoid the Canadian version from winning...especially after a surprise Trump win that caught American moderates/left with their pants down.

While no longer a Conservative, under the current manifestation, I was one for a lot of years, and I have to disagree with the OP that current Conservatives need to be "more Conservative". The Conservatives lost their way when the dropped the "Progressive" part. Most conservatives I know are not in the least bit interested in the gong show that it has become, and I'm very hopeful that a moderate will once again have the leadership role, it's been a long time since the Conservative party of Canada has had a reason to raise their heads high. Furthermore, the country sent a pretty strongly worded message to the Conservative party in the election of 2015. If they aim to be relevant in the next election, hopefully they listened.

Also...this is my first post here. Happy birthday to me! :)
 
OlNate said:
I think it all depends on who the Conservatives choose as their leader. If someone like Chong gets in, I could see that happening. If someone like Leitch gets the leadership, you'll see another ABC movement. Despite what I'm seeing here, most Canadians are not Trumpists, and I would imagine would do anything to avoid the Canadian version from winning...especially after a surprise Trump win that caught American moderates/left with their pants down.

While no longer a Conservative, under the current manifestation, I was one for a lot of years, and I have to disagree with the OP that current Conservatives need to be "more Conservative". The Conservatives lost their way when the dropped the "Progressive" part. Most conservatives I know are not in the least bit interested in the gong show that it has become, and I'm very hopeful that a moderate will once again have the leadership role, it's been a long time since the Conservative party of Canada has had a reason to raise their heads high. Furthermore, the country sent a pretty strongly worded message to the Conservative party in the election of 2015. If they aim to be relevant in the next election, hopefully they listened.

Also...this is my first post here. Happy birthday to me! :)
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I actually agree, having mentioned this elsewhere, though I think that even if the Conservative candidate is someone like Leitch, the Liberals will remain weakened due to the loss of the progressive vote; it's only a question of how much. To be sure, they will retain government in such an event.

Further, I estimate the Liberals will in all probability recycle Clinton's electoral strategy (and to a lesser extent their 2014 performance) of fear and smear relative to the Conservatives, imploring for unity of the Canadian left under their banner to keep out the unthinkable Tories, whether or not they happen to elect a moderate. That said, how successful it is will largely be a function of the promises they break, how scary the Conservative leadership is and how effective the NDP is. That said, like Clinton, should they commit to this, they're making a complete political miscalculation in banking on fear based politics unless the Cons are stupid enough to field a Trumpian candidate.

Also, welcome to DP!
 
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Surrealistik said:
I actually agree, having mentioned this elsewhere, though I think that even if the Conservative candidate is someone like Leitch, the Liberals will remain weakened due to the loss of the progressive vote; it's only a question of how much. To be sure, they will retain government in such an event.

Further, I estimate the Liberals will in all probability recycle Clinton's electoral strategy (and to a lesser extent their 2014 performance) of fear and smear relative to the Conservatives, imploring for unity of the Canadian left under their banner to keep out the unthinkable Tories, whether or not they happen to elect a moderate. That said, how successful it is will largely be a function of the promises they break, how scary the Conservative leadership is and how effective the NDP is. That said, like Clinton, should they commit to this, they're making a complete political miscalculation in banking on fear based politics unless the Cons are stupid enough to field a Trumpian candidate.

Also, welcome to DP!
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It will be interesting to see. I voted Liberal in the last election, primarily because, well, Harper, and secondarily because Mulcair struck me as a bit of a used car salesman. But, if Leitch or O'Leary or Raitt (is she still in it, I forget) do get the nod, I think that the Trump situation will convince the folks on the fence that they need to band together. The NDP have a real shot, but only if they come up with some viable policy, which I just haven't seen. The whole LEAP manifesto, while containing some legitimately solid points, isn't enough. We need more than a moral document, we need ways and means.

However, if the Conservatives go back to their more Progressive roots, I think they have a very real chance...and it might not be the worst thing to happen, especially if it means the Conservatives leave behind the same kind of rhetoric that got Trump elected, and go back to what they have been traditionally good at, which is nuts and bolts economic and infrastructure policy. I'd like to see the Liberals get it for another 4 years, to get the return of the deficit spending investment, but after that we'll need to pull back a bit, and the Cons are great at that.

It is my sincere hope that we de-Americanize our political system as quickly as possible, though... We're at our best when all three branches of our government are strong and respectable and focused on governing, vs. simply a four year power grab. I know it might be a tall order to hope that they could all work together, regardless of who is in power...I think I might be about 10 years too late for that...but it would be something to work toward, and something I think that we, as voters, need to demand a little more vigorously, vs. waiting to take down "the other guy" in partisan debates. :)

And thanks for the welcome, trying to keep it tame until I feel out the vibe...looks like one can get in trouble if one is not careful...haha
 
OlNate said:
It will be interesting to see. I voted Liberal in the last election, primarily because, well, Harper, and secondarily because Mulcair struck me as a bit of a used car salesman. But, if Leitch or O'Leary or Raitt (is she still in it, I forget) do get the nod, I think that the Trump situation will convince the folks on the fence that they need to band together. The NDP have a real shot, but only if they come up with some viable policy, which I just haven't seen. The whole LEAP manifesto, while containing some legitimately solid points, isn't enough. We need more than a moral document, we need ways and means.

However, if the Conservatives go back to their more Progressive roots, I think they have a very real chance...and it might not be the worst thing to happen, especially if it means the Conservatives leave behind the same kind of rhetoric that got Trump elected, and go back to what they have been traditionally good at, which is nuts and bolts economic and infrastructure policy. I'd like to see the Liberals get it for another 4 years, to get the return of the deficit spending investment, but after that we'll need to pull back a bit, and the Cons are great at that.

It is my sincere hope that we de-Americanize our political system as quickly as possible, though... We're at our best when all three branches of our government are strong and respectable and focused on governing, vs. simply a four year power grab. I know it might be a tall order to hope that they could all work together, regardless of who is in power...I think I might be about 10 years too late for that...but it would be something to work toward, and something I think that we, as voters, need to demand a little more vigorously, vs. waiting to take down "the other guy" in partisan debates. :)

And thanks for the welcome, trying to keep it tame until I feel out the vibe...looks like one can get in trouble if one is not careful...haha
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I seriously doubt the NDP will do any better in he next election. The previous one with Jack Layton was an aberration, their gains were primarily in Quebec, somewhere they have never done well before. Mostly because Quebeckers were pissed at their traditional team the Liberals. They came back in big time with Trudeau and I see nothing that he has done that has lowered his popularity much in Quebec. My guess is the NDP will continue in their 3rd place rankings for some time to come.
 
Quag said:
I seriously doubt the NDP will do any better in he next election. The previous one with Jack Layton was an aberration, their gains were primarily in Quebec, somewhere they have never done well before. Mostly because Quebeckers were pissed at their traditional team the Liberals. They came back in big time with Trudeau and I see nothing that he has done that has lowered his popularity much in Quebec. My guess is the NDP will continue in their 3rd place rankings for some time to come.
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I think if they get competent leadership, the Conservatives field a weak leader that isn't fertile ground for Liberal fear mongering, and hold Trudeau accountable for his broken promises to the progressive vote, they will certainly do better. I don't think they'll take government, but they'll definitely enjoy gains.
 
Surrealistik said:
I think if they get competent leadership, the Conservatives field a weak leader that isn't fertile ground for Liberal fear mongering, and hold Trudeau accountable for his broken promises to the progressive vote, they will certainly do better. I don't think they'll take government, but they'll definitely enjoy gains.
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A lot of ifs and I dont see the NDP having another orange wave, Trudeau could probably kill a puppy on stage and still be more popular than any of the previous Liberal leaders since Chretien. It took Layton years to become as popular as he did and even then once again it was all in Quebec an aberration that was corrected in the last election.
Maybe one day they will form a govt., but I expect the Liberals will win the next election again. After all elections are basically popularity contests and Trudeau is still very popular and has more celebrity status and charisma than anyone the other parties are putting forward.
 
Quag said:
A lot of ifs and I dont see the NDP having another orange wave, Trudeau could probably kill a puppy on stage and still be more popular than any of the previous Liberal leaders since Chretien. It took Layton years to become as popular as he did and even then once again it was all in Quebec an aberration that was corrected in the last election.
Maybe one day they will form a govt., but I expect the Liberals will win the next election again. After all elections are basically popularity contests and Trudeau is still very popular and has more celebrity status and charisma than anyone the other parties are putting forward.
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Again, I don't think NDP will form government, and I believe that Trudeau as things stand, will win in 2019. All I am saying is that the NDP may be positioned to realize gains and recoup a significant portion of the progressive vote they lost to the Liberals.
 
Surrealistik said:
Again, I don't think NDP will form government, and I believe that Trudeau as things stand, will win in 2019. All I am saying is that the NDP may be positioned to realize gains and recoup a significant portion of the progressive vote they lost to the Liberals.
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I don't see that happening with their current crop of leadership candidates.
 
Carjosse said:
I don't see that happening with their current crop of leadership candidates.
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Of the existent line up, Peter Julian might fit the bill; pickings are fairly slim otherwise.
 
Surrealistik said:
Again, I don't think NDP will form government, and I believe that Trudeau as things stand, will win in 2019. All I am saying is that the NDP may be positioned to realize gains and recoup a significant portion of the progressive vote they lost to the Liberals.
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I seriously doubt it. Again their gains were in Quebec where they had nothing before, heck they had people win who weren't even in the riding to campaign. Yeah I know the circumstances behind it and understand it. but the reason that happened is because the NDP themselves didn't expect to win anything in Quebec either.
 
Quag said:
I seriously doubt it. Again their gains were in Quebec where they had nothing before, heck they had people win who weren't even in the riding to campaign. Yeah I know the circumstances behind it and understand it. but the reason that happened is because the NDP themselves didn't expect to win anything in Quebec either.
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There is also the fact that the Liberals have Truedeau, a native Quebecker and native French speaker. There is no way the NDP can compete with that.
 
Quag said:
I seriously doubt it. Again their gains were in Quebec where they had nothing before, heck they had people win who weren't even in the riding to campaign. Yeah I know the circumstances behind it and understand it. but the reason that happened is because the NDP themselves didn't expect to win anything in Quebec either.
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We'll have to see. I'm not basing this off of Quebec at all, so much as the contemporary political landscape. If NDP gains happen, they will be borne off the back of a skilled NDP leader, and Trudeau's broken promises. In general I think you underestimate how much his lies with regards to electoral reform hurt his brand among the left and progressive crowd; excellent munitions for a savvy NDP leader looking to reclaim at least a significant portion of those votes.
 
Surrealistik said:
We'll have to see. I'm not basing this off of Quebec at all, so much as the contemporary political landscape. If NDP gains happen, they will be borne off the back of a skilled NDP leader, and Trudeau's broken promises. In general I think you underestimate how much his lies with regards to electoral reform hurt his brand among the left and progressive crowd; excellent munitions for a savvy NDP leader looking to reclaim at least a significant portion of those votes.
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Yes we will see, but I doubt any gains the NDP might make would be of any significant amount
 
Quag said:
Yes we will see, but I doubt any gains the NDP might make would be of any significant amount
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They have a couple years to pull it off, it all depends on if any of Trudeau's investments pay off in the form of better living standard. There's a lot of talk about things improving for the middle class, and technically there's a fair bit of sound policy, and certainly none of the horror show that was the Harper years, but a number of key promises have been broken, either because of flip flopping or simply finding out the promises weren't right minded in the first place.

The center / left is becoming a bit shaky, and that presents an opportunity for the Conservative party, who enjoys less fragmentation (and therefore vote splitting) on the right, to make a comeback, especially if they put a moderate in leadership. Legalization is the last big promise that we're waiting to see about...that's going to make or break this government.

The way I see it, if the Liberals want to win, they have to be almost perfect from now to the election. If the NDP want to win, the Libs have to be an absolute disaster, and they'll need a decent leader and something more substantial in the policy department than the LEAP manifesto. Anything in between will result in a Con victory, IF they put a moderate in charge. If O'Leary or Leitch get the leadership, it goes into the same "I've got no idea" rabbit hole as what America went through with Trump, in which case I'll consult my magic 8 ball as the ultimate authority on what will happen in Canada....hehe...
 
OlNate said:
They have a couple years to pull it off, it all depends on if any of Trudeau's investments pay off in the form of better living standard. There's a lot of talk about things improving for the middle class, and technically there's a fair bit of sound policy, and certainly none of the horror show that was the Harper years, but a number of key promises have been broken, either because of flip flopping or simply finding out the promises weren't right minded in the first place.

The center / left is becoming a bit shaky, and that presents an opportunity for the Conservative party, who enjoys less fragmentation (and therefore vote splitting) on the right, to make a comeback, especially if they put a moderate in leadership. Legalization is the last big promise that we're waiting to see about...that's going to make or break this government.

The way I see it, if the Liberals want to win, they have to be almost perfect from now to the election. If the NDP want to win, the Libs have to be an absolute disaster, and they'll need a decent leader and something more substantial in the policy department than the LEAP manifesto. Anything in between will result in a Con victory, IF they put a moderate in charge. If O'Leary or Leitch get the leadership, it goes into the same "I've got no idea" rabbit hole as what America went through with Trump, in which case I'll consult my magic 8 ball as the ultimate authority on what will happen in Canada....hehe...
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With Bill Mourneau declaring that the Liberal government has no intention of passing the basic income as the transit tax credit is abolished (while stock option credits remain in place: Bill Morneau: Basic Income 'Not Something We're Looking At' ), and as corporate tax rates continue to diminish despite the small increase on high earners, the NDP is collecting more ammunition all the time. On top of all this, if they're stupid enough to fail to legalize recreational marijuana, serious blowback will be all but guaranteed.
 
OlNate said:
I think it all depends on who the Conservatives choose as their leader. If someone like Chong gets in, I could see that happening. If someone like Leitch gets the leadership, you'll see another ABC movement. Despite what I'm seeing here, most Canadians are not Trumpists, and I would imagine would do anything to avoid the Canadian version from winning...especially after a surprise Trump win that caught American moderates/left with their pants down.

While no longer a Conservative, under the current manifestation, I was one for a lot of years, and I have to disagree with the OP that current Conservatives need to be "more Conservative". The Conservatives lost their way when the dropped the "Progressive" part. Most conservatives I know are not in the least bit interested in the gong show that it has become, and I'm very hopeful that a moderate will once again have the leadership role, it's been a long time since the Conservative party of Canada has had a reason to raise their heads high. Furthermore, the country sent a pretty strongly worded message to the Conservative party in the election of 2015. If they aim to be relevant in the next election, hopefully they listened.

Also...this is my first post here. Happy birthday to me! :)
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One needs to recall that the "Conservative" party is in fact "The Reform Party Of Canada". One needs to recall as well this party was formed by a fundamentalist xian nutbar and that the core support remains of that ilk. This group is very like the Republicans whereas the party which carried the name before was nowhere like Republicans. These people want to deny women and gays their civil rights among other stupidities. Leitch lacks only the orange skin and comb-over to be another Chump.
 
OlNate said:
I think it all depends on who the Conservatives choose as their leader. If someone like Chong gets in, I could see that happening. If someone like Leitch gets the leadership, you'll see another ABC movement. Despite what I'm seeing here, most Canadians are not Trumpists, and I would imagine would do anything to avoid the Canadian version from winning...especially after a surprise Trump win that caught American moderates/left with their pants down.

While no longer a Conservative, under the current manifestation, I was one for a lot of years, and I have to disagree with the OP that current Conservatives need to be "more Conservative". The Conservatives lost their way when the dropped the "Progressive" part. Most conservatives I know are not in the least bit interested in the gong show that it has become, and I'm very hopeful that a moderate will once again have the leadership role, it's been a long time since the Conservative party of Canada has had a reason to raise their heads high. Furthermore, the country sent a pretty strongly worded message to the Conservative party in the election of 2015. If they aim to be relevant in the next election, hopefully they listened.

Also...this is my first post here. Happy birthday to me! :)
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Good post.

And I believe you are right about most of the nation NOT wanting Trump-style government. The closest the Canadian people have ever come to the authoritarian rule of the US was when the Liberals lost it so badly. As we went through Martin, Ignatief and had some twit who named his dog Kyoto, people were fed up and went to the next best option, Harper.

Notice though, that he had to call an election to get traction in parliament, 80% of Harper's plans were rejected outright and as soon as Canadians could see an alternative the Tories got send to the political arctic. And notice he did not get back to back majorities, last accomplished by the right under Lyin' Brian Mulroney...and we all know what happened to the party then...

Tried a small game the other day, strangers and some others I asked if anyone could name three candidates for the Conservative leadership. No one got it right, two people got close, one said " a guy named O'Malley the other got O'Leary.....no one could give either a first name.

Today I hear Preston Manning telling the CBC there i more support for Trumpist politics than we would think. When pressed though, he spoke of Alberta where he lives; not in any way a sampling of the country.

O'Leary is getting press, mainly because he's a maniac, but this country will never again elect someone who refuses to learn French. over 40% of the population is now functional if not fluent and having a hold out from the 18th century is a bit too "conservative'.

As usual in Canada, we will grow resentments against Trudeau as the "promises" we thought he made didn't end up looking like we thought it would. But in the end, unless something really horrible happens, the people will vote 'safe", meaning the middle, meaning the Liberal Party of Canada
 
Fearandloathing said:
Good post.

And I believe you are right about most of the nation NOT wanting Trump-style government. The closest the Canadian people have ever come to the authoritarian rule of the US was when the Liberals lost it so badly. As we went through Martin, Ignatief and had some twit who named his dog Kyoto, people were fed up and went to the next best option, Harper.

Notice though, that he had to call an election to get traction in parliament, 80% of Harper's plans were rejected outright and as soon as Canadians could see an alternative the Tories got send to the political arctic. And notice he did not get back to back majorities, last accomplished by the right under Lyin' Brian Mulroney...and we all know what happened to the party then...

Tried a small game the other day, strangers and some others I asked if anyone could name three candidates for the Conservative leadership. No one got it right, two people got close, one said " a guy named O'Malley the other got O'Leary.....no one could give either a first name.

Today I hear Preston Manning telling the CBC there i more support for Trumpist politics than we would think. When pressed though, he spoke of Alberta where he lives; not in any way a sampling of the country.

O'Leary is getting press, mainly because he's a maniac, but this country will never again elect someone who refuses to learn French. over 40% of the population is now functional if not fluent and having a hold out from the 18th century is a bit too "conservative'.

As usual in Canada, we will grow resentments against Trudeau as the "promises" we thought he made didn't end up looking like we thought it would. But in the end, unless something really horrible happens, the people will vote 'safe", meaning the middle, meaning the Liberal Party of Canada
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Good analysis. Problem is, Trudeau is more NDP than Mulcair or the Rolex Socialist who preceded him.
 
Surrealistik said:
I actually agree, having mentioned this elsewhere, though I think that even if the Conservative candidate is someone like Leitch, the Liberals will remain weakened due to the loss of the progressive vote; it's only a question of how much. To be sure, they will retain government in such an event.

Further, I estimate the Liberals will in all probability recycle Clinton's electoral strategy (and to a lesser extent their 2014 performance) of fear and smear relative to the Conservatives, imploring for unity of the Canadian left under their banner to keep out the unthinkable Tories, whether or not they happen to elect a moderate. That said, how successful it is will largely be a function of the promises they break, how scary the Conservative leadership is and how effective the NDP is. That said, like Clinton, should they commit to this, they're making a complete political miscalculation in banking on fear based politics unless the Cons are stupid enough to field a Trumpian candidate.

Also, welcome to DP!
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As a start, the "progressives" are three parties, labour, activist/enviromentalism, and political opportunism.....what I used to call the "Rainbow" platfrom back when rainbow meant a group of colors.

The NDP is facing the toughest test since Tommy Douglas pulled them out of the communist mire and brought them to the national stage. IT is what killed them in the last election in BC. They were crushed in an election they should have won, were 22% ahead when the race began and lost seats....their minority reduced.

The reason was clear, the leader of the day was absolute "NO" to pipelines, including one being proposed in Vancouver....and every welder, pipe fitter, steel worker and every other unionized worked said "**** you" we want jobs.

It was said, me among them, that the NDP now had an albatross around it's neck; "the environment" where they beat heads with the Green party on every vote. With that there, the unions will not be, no matter how much the NDP blathers about "living wage", the issue is jobs for them and the NDP can't match what Trudeau has done on that file. He out NDP'd the NDP with his infrastructure program and now $50 billion deficit.

Every road, pipeline, infrastructure etc. in Canada is going to be exposed and opposed from now on, as even white people can get $ if a pipeline impacts on their lifestyle. And every union will want it, and every eco freak will hate it, and the NDP has both under their tent, even giving various unions delegate status at conventions.

Damned if you don't and damned if you do is not a foundation on which to build a party.
 
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