Enough about you. Let's talk about Canada's election.
(Canada... that big place on top of America... where the weather comes from.)
I know it seems that the whole world is watching, breathless, to see how the US elections will turn out. Actually, it’s true. We are. But other things are happening around the globe, too. Britons are worried about the stock market. The Japanese are learning about their latest prime minister. The French are busy being French. And we Canadians have decided to have our own little election.
It’s a very different sort of affair from an American vote. First, while patient Americans have been subjected to electioneering since Lost was the hot new TV show, our election period is shorter. On Sunday, our prime minister dissolved Parliament. 38 days later, we’ll vote. No primaries, no conventions, and – thank heaven and fingers crossed – no sexual revelations from candidates.
It’s also a less extravagant and less entertaining process. We vote on a tight budget here. This year, both Sen. Obama’s and Sen. McCain’s campaigns are expected to reach $500 million in total money raised and spent. A billion dollars, and that’s not including the primary candidates who didn’t make it to the top of a ticket. In a number of congressional districts, it seems candidates will spend between $5 million and $10 million to win a seat. Canada has strict election-spending laws. The national parties are limited to a total of around $18 million, for their coast-to-coast-to-(Arctic)coast campaigns. Each of the candidates for the 308 seats in the House of Commons can spend a maximum of about $85,000. There are no 527 groups, and third-party ads are essentially prohibited.
The differences between the main parties are much smaller, too, at least on a policy level. On economic issues, everyone is agreed that Canada must not slip into a budget deficit. We’ve had surpluses for a decade, and have been paying down our national debt. No one believes that free trade is bad, and there is no talk of reopening Nafta or any other international trade agreements. Both the governing Conservatives and the opposition-leading Liberals believe in a stable dollar and gradually-reduced taxes on both individuals and businesses. On social issues, we have something that from abroad looks like peace and consensus. Canada has no law limiting abortion rights, and no party is interested in tabling a new one. Gay marriage is the settled law of the land, and no leader has plans to challenge that fact. You can get a firearms license if you’re a hunter or target shooter, but it’s hard. Just try to get a handgun license. It would take you less time to raise a child.
Our parties have their differences, of course. One party wants to spend more on a national daycare program. The other wants to give tax credits directly to parents. One party wants to implement a broad carbon tax, to move more quickly on climate change. The other wants to make big carbon-spitting industries take the lead on cutting emissions, as part of a more step-by-step approach. God (or gods) is a private matter here, and He (they) don't make much of an appearance at election time. The differences betewen the parties exist, but by US standards they're ridiculously small.
But there is one point of familiarity and reassurance for Americans who (accidentally?) take note of Canada’s quick, cheap election. Ours, too, is likely to be plenty mean. Supporters of each party are nearly as enraged and vicious about the other side as they are in the land of the free, home of the brave. Existential threats and Armageddon and the worst A-word of all (“American-style”) are being thrown around with abandon. Partisans have sharpened their teeth and have a good hate on for the other guys.
I’ve decided to blame Canada's bloggers for this sad phenomenon. Blogs are just bad for you in general. Political blogs have the additional unhealthy effect of segregating us by opinion, and amplifying our partisanship exponentially. That and a summer of cold, wet, lousy weather. If we Canadians don’t get our 4 weeks of summer, it puts us in a bad mood all year.
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Cam Battley lives quietly in rural Ontario, Canada.
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Comments
Are you a blogger on some Canadian website? Sounds like the political blogging can be as divisive as here. But I think it's good to at least be in active passionate conversations.
Biblio, the contest here is between the Conservatives, who have a minority government, and the Liberals, who have formed our governments for about 2/3 of our history. We also have the New Democratic Party, a social democratic party along vaguely European lines and policies, the Green Party (which makes the environment the paramount issue, and is led by a woman) and... I don't know quite how to explain this in simple terms... a Quebec separatist party called the Bloc Quebecois. This last party is the 3rd largest by representation in our national Parliament.
We here in the best country in the world are complicated in very boring ways. [chuckle]
As to the more important point, a Nanaimo bar is the epitome of delicious. It's very bad for you and makes you very happy. Like another Canadian invention: poutine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
If you've never had Poutine, you have not lived enough. Get in or on some form of relatively rapid transportation and get yourself to Quebec. Poutine is worth the Lipitor you'll need to counter its effects. Trust me. I'm from Quebec. [chuckle]
Biblio, poutine is one of the rare things that might make me invoke my Creator. It is the best natural french fries you've ever tasted. Sprinkle cheese curds on top. Finish by pouring on salty, hot gravy, causing the cheese to melt and the french fries to... climax, I think.
Oh, you poor creature. What you missed. And that was in Vancouver, where it would have been serviceable, but good. Far, far, from the birthplace of the gorgeous poutine, in Quebec.
I am jealous of your shorter and less angst ridden election process. No wonder it feels cozy being so close to Vancouver.
First, Cam you described our politics very concisely for this primarily American audience. Very good job and you hit all the main points about our politics. We don't tear ourselves apart on ridiculous "social issues" that have nothing to do with governance.
Second, my main Canuck complaint about Americans is how they use the term socialized medicine. And it is not only right wingers who wish to deride our health care system who do this. I've heard many a progressive use this term, which is basically adopting the loaded, demonizing language of the American right. If I hear one more...
Do you call your military socialized defense? Do you call your interstate highway system socialized roads? Then stop calling it socialized medicine! We don't and it's our system.
Third, I predict, for the 3 people out there, including Cam, who understand what I'm talking about, another minority Tory government.
For you independent and right leaning Americans, that means another communist government just north of you.
For you progressives, liberal heaven.
I think they're more worried about how fashionable they look during the economic downturn. According to an economic survey released yesterday, Britons have spent less across the board in the last 12 months--that is, except for food (duh) and shoes. :-)
I remember watching Canadian election results the last time around with my Canuck friends. Every one of them was depressed by the result...though I failed to see why, as it wasn't as though Harper had a commanding vote in Parliament. He may get luckier this time around, but I guess we'll see.
It's been 2 years since I was last in Canada; it would be lovely to go back soon enough!
But it's really nobody's system. It's just an insurance system run by government.
Cam, the only thing I like more than the title of this post is the "oh god here we go" tag. Marvelous.
I heard the writ was dropped and since then have been devouring every piece of news I can find. I feel awfully distanced, though, reading all of this from the other side of the world.
Bibliofile - Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, may not be a threat, but she's awfully persistent. I suppose you'd have to be to lead a party that, until some time last week? last month? (when did Blair Wilson climb on board?) hasn't had a single seat in the house.
And Lt. Columbo, I think you're right about the minority Conservative government. It makes me cringe to think of Stephen Harper being given another, albeit shaky, mandate, but really I can't imagine any of the party leaders in power, either. If it weren't for the whole separatist thing I'd say we should give Duceppe the job, except I think the only reason he's as good as he is is because he knows he has nothing to lose.
Hey, I have always held a special place in my heart for the home of hockey. I never ever ever understood why there was an "NHL" when it really should be an IHL. Unless, that is, we merged and no-one told me.
Seriously, good write-up Cam. Made me smile about politics - which is rare, indeed. :-D
First, with all the constant noise and hullabaloo going on in the Excited States, it's rare that someone looks north to notice the hinterland next door.
Second, try as we might, we're not seen as the most... fascinating country in the world. Years ago (I can't recall exactly when), there was a famous contest bythe New Republic - the search for the most boring headline in the world. The winner was from the NY Times op-ed page: "Worthy Canadian Initiative". We're still getting over that. [chuckle]
Great post, Cam. After my latest 3 week trip across Canada this past summer, I'm glad to know more.
PS: I loooove Vancouver
I'm hearing a lot of folks are planning on immigrating to our fair country, depending on the election results. Well, come on in. It'll be great for our real estate values, which are slipping a bit right now! [chuckle]
One of the best sights along the road was a sign in the Yukon Territory: "Nuclear Weapons Free Zone".
Canadians, or The Polite People, as they are often called, are quite a rational group of people. Your elections are sensible, your laws are permissive, and everyone is so, well, polite. Even the Quebecoix are nice, no matter how tangled my high-school French becomes as it out of my mouth.
Seriously, I've considered moving to your lovely country on more than one occasion. It has much to offer and has (slightly) longer summers than Alaska!
Finally, I get to talk to someone who has a more intimate relationship with cold than I do. [chuckle] I'm just sorry you and your $7 million got to the Russians before we did. We'd love to have Alaska. "Seward's Folly", indeed!
(And to prove I'm not just mocking Canada: proof!
Critics "alleged that Mr McGuinty was 'a kitten-eating alien.'")
:)
Blatant self-promotion? Yes, but also relevant.
Now what is the fun in an election like that?
I didn't realise the Canadians ran political dynasties like the Americans.
I'm going to forward your post to my family down here in DC, so that they know what I have given up to be here. One day I'll return to collect on my CPP (if there's any left).
Nicely written, sir!