Dept. of Canada

[kaffy_r]

Election Night 

I'm just dropping in to say that I'm spending the evening locked in to CBC's live coverage of Canada's election. Probably switching from coffee to soju around 8 p.m., Chicago time, as I wait to see if the Liberal Party wins 172 seats to have a majority government.

Just a reminder, although I'm sure that most of my f'list is aware of this, that Canada runs on a parliamentary system. We don't directly vote the top of the ticket, in this case the person who becomes Prime Minister. The government comprises the majority of ridings (which are like American districts), in a majority government, or becomes a minority government with a plurality of ridings. 

Although, if I were living in Canada, I'd probably vote for the New Democratic Party generally, I'd be voting Liberal tonight. We - Canadians and Canada - can't afford Pierre Polievre or his Conservative Party. Carney has experience with That Man (and even Poilievre doesn't want to be connected to the latter. This morning, he told 45/47 to butt out of Canada's election) and he's at least 1,000 percent more intelligent than 45/47, and even though he's definitely a centrist corporatist, that's a tad different than it is in the U.S.

So, yes, I'll be watching. And crossing my fingers. Elbows the fuck up, Canada!

Comments

[cygnia]

Good luck up there!

[kaffy_r]

Thanks!

[muccamukk]

I think I'm going to just skip to the drinking part.

[kaffy_r]

I understand. Being down here in Chicago, and being a political nerd, I couldn't not do what I'm doing. But I know it's stressful as fuck, and you don't need more stress. Take care of yourself.

[lilacsigil]

I hope it all goes well! We have a federal election this Saturday, but I don't think our stakes are quite as high as yours right now.

[kaffy_r]

Good luck in your coming election; I don't know a lot about Australian politics, but I hope progressives of some sort win. (I really should take a look at the political landscape in your country!)

[lilacsigil]

The main thing to know about Australian politics is that we have ranked preferential voting which is the best thing ever. You literally can't "throw away" your vote! Also, voting is compulsory.

[kaffy_r]

Delayed response; I'd forgotten about the compulsory voting (or a fine, am I right?) I wish more countries used that. I hadn't known about the ranked preferential voting - I agree it's the best thing ever, and I wish more countries *cough*here and in Canada*cough* would adopt it.

[elisi]

Congrats! 🍾

[kaffy_r]

Thanks. It means even more to me because we're going to head up there once we sell this place. I was worried that people would elect the Z grade version of That Man; it would have made our journey much harder, at least emotionally.

[dreamshark]

Looks like you got your wish!

[kaffy_r]

Yep. As of now, we still don't know whether it will be a minority-close-to-majority government, or a minority-minority government. I'm disappointed that enough Canadian idiots voted for the Conservatives that the election didn't result in a clear majority. Still, all in all, it's a tremendous turnaround for the Liberals, and they saved the country. Here's hoping they continue to do so.

[masakochan]

Congrats on Canada's election results! \o/

[kaffy_r]

You damn betcha! Thanks!