It's a certainty that would happen in times like these.

Yes, it is. Which is why "disparate inequality" is tautological.

Have to take your word for that.

Ok then. Did you at least agree with my point about us having a totally corrupt Federal Government?

Case in point (and it's rare that I link to wikipedia, but being from York Region, very near to Toronto, I know a great deal more about Guilliano Fantino than perhaps you do).

Read this and weep. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Fantino

5 consecutive years! Serial is to kind!

Canada wins ‘Lifetime Unachievement’ Fossil award at Warsaw climate talks – Climate Action Network Canada

What about Fantino? All I see is a classic patronage appointment and he reciprocates by deflecting heat over the veterans scandal from Harper. He's old and should be out to pasture after the election, replaced by someone less unpopular.

Yes. He's been utterly incompetent and corrupt all round in whatever job he's had.

But Harper personally encouraged him to run in the Vaughan by-election in 2010 because he could (and did) swing the Italian vote. (Vaughan is predominantly Italian). He was then (almost) instantly brought into Cabinet.

I feel this tells us more about Harper than about the pathetic Fantino.

Wasn't the last government corrupt as well? I'm a noob (relatively) to Canadian federal politics but wasn't that Paul Martin fella mired in scandal as well?

I have no love for Mr Harper - I think the assault on logic and science is very lamentable - but the demonstrated ability of the opposition parties to self destruct and not offer a credible alternative when the chips are down means that he got in and there is a fair chance he will again.

Still, not for you to worry about from next year. Although I did read somewhere that Sarko making a move back into French politics. Frying pan and fire?

No, not really. Not that sort of scandal. His predecessor, Jean Chretien, did splash a lot of money around in Quebec in the wake of the 1995 referendum there though. This was not part of a concerted attempt to subvert Parliamentary democracy but rather a (somewhat) misguided attempt at holding the country together.

Paul Martin just happened to be in the place where the flak landed a few years later.

I'm not getting into French politics on this thread, but all Sarko has done so far is to get reselected as a candidate for the UMP. Monsieur Hollande is a bit pathetic, so my main worry there is Marine Le Pen doing a Godwin.

But back to Canada, I'm curious as to what you mean by the other parties self destructing. They've been serial victims of attack ads orchestrated by the same American guy who f***ed John Kerry with the Swift Boat bullshit (he now works for Harper for a rather fat fee).

Well the liberals choosing successively Stephane Dion - barely comprehendible, Michael Ignatiaff - arrogant bell end and now that Trudeau scion with the earnest attitude and the big hair. I fear he lacks substance which of course is the angle the attack ads will take. Then theres that nice Mulcair fella with the beard. His party rode the coattails of the late Jack Layton to it's position last time around but will struggle to replicate it's success next time. Fundamentally of course these two opposition parties risk merely diluting the anti-conservative vote to the extent that the cons will get in again. If the Conservatives are smart they'll ditch cold deadeyes Steve prior to the next election. Although Harper has orchestrated things so that there is no real opposition to him within the party and no natural successor. And that might be the only glimmer of of hope the opposition have is that Canadian's dislike of him & the lack of an acceptable face of the conservative party of Canada might play into the hands of the libs/ndp. Perhaps another coalition is on the cards, who knows.

Sadly, spot on.

Sadly, he is a winner, and winning trumps everything.

The Liberals remained in power beyond their sell by date because the right was split between CRAP and the Progressive Cons. (Sadly) The Tories will remain in power until there is a single credible centre/left opposition. Sadly, it is going to take a couple of election cycles until that happens.

We found out too late that Paul Martin wasn't a bad guy - dropped the ball on that one. If moral outrage alone was enough to remove a PM....... Make sure and vote every chance you get.

Filled up at $1.02/litre at the Costco gas bar at the corner of the Linc/Golf Links Road/403 in Hamilton. Can't beat that.

Did u wait in line long ?

Nope, about 5 mins