Election Follies and Funnies #30: it's over (almost)

Well, its all over except the shouting. 

As Gerry Butts pointed out on CBC, there may well be a few changes yet as the mail-in ballots and recounts get finished -- there seem to be at least a dozen seats where tonight's result may change. 

Overall, I'm very glad that Trudeau will remain our Prime Minister - I hope his Liberal government will last until 2025.

Members of the press expressing the completely nonsensical view: Why did we have an election when nothing changed. Well, that was the *result* of the election. It was not known in advance. Gah! #cdnpoli #Elxn44

— Diane Marie (@DianeMariePosts) September 21, 2021

I suspect that had the Conservatives picked up a few seats and were feeling a little more self-satisfied, the need for/price of an election wouldn't be a topic of discussion.

— Diane Marie (@DianeMariePosts) September 21, 2021

Conservatives and assorted right wingers online are trying to bend over backwards to pretend that Liberals lost this election, which they won by some margin. No, your "popular vote" tweet doesn't count. #Elxn44

— Asif Hossain (@asifintoronto) September 21, 2021

To the “what was the point” crowd,

The government had to make extraordinary choices in the last 18 months which they didn’t run on in 2019.

The public was due the opportunity to weigh in on those choices and what comes next.

Democracy is a verb, it’s never pointless. #Elxn44

— Andrew Tumilty (@AndrewTumilty) September 21, 2021

This is a dumb talking point, unless you think an election 2 years from now was going to be free. #Elxn44 https://t.co/iy8Sawyjxo

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) September 21, 2021

Twitter has been commenting on the concession speeches. Paul went first, but CBC actually cut away from her during her speech = she wasn't saying anything particularly interesting, and considering how poorly she did even in her own seat, she's not going to be around Canadian politics very long anyway.

Another 32 seconds and Annamie Paul’s concession speech will be longer than her leadership term. #cdnpoli

— Dean from Winnipeg (@Dean_Winnipeg) September 21, 2021

Then I think O'Toole was next:

This is the oddest concession speech I've ever heard; this one that @erinotoole is giving. It's like tonight's results never happened and the next election starts now. #elxn44 #cdnpoli

— Susan Delacourt (@SusanDelacourt) September 21, 2021

Wow ! How disappointing @lraitt @RosieBarton This is hardly an upbeat speech.
Accepting responsibility for flip flopping and supporting the gun lobby, not to mention his decision to avoid facing the need for vaccine mandates seems to go over Erin's head. #cdnpoli #Elxn44

— G Godwin (@gill_godwin) September 21, 2021

There is no gracious aspect of this O’toole speech. I suppose it’s a calculated choice to keep the internal anger down, but still feels lacking in normal points: congratulations to the winner, acceptance of the results voters gave, and willingness to work w govt.

— Bruce Anderson (@bruceanderson) September 21, 2021

Blanchet was after that, another odd one:

Maybe it plays differently in French, but this feels like a rambling, hard to follow speech from Yves-Francois Blanchet. #Elxn44

— Maclean Kay (@MacleanKay) September 21, 2021

The failure of Cons and Greens and Bloc to congratulate the PM is so petty and appalling lack of basic civility.

Classless.

— Anne with an "e" (@mrsmaris) September 21, 2021

Finally Singh spoke, and his speech was actually very good. He simply congratulated Trudeau on winning the election, and talked positively about the future. How refreshing!

Jagmeet Singh is at his best when Justin Trudeau's name is never spoken.

He hurt the party trying to take down Trudeau instead of promoting himself, his ideals and his vision.

Nobody can beat Trudeau by personally attacking Trudeau.

Nobody.

People wanna be inspired.

— kris meloche (@krismeloche) September 21, 2021

I’ve had plenty of criticism for Jagmeet Singh and the NDP campaign.

But I’ve got zero criticism of his speech tonight, he hit the notes exactly.

I would’ve liked to see more of that during the campaign. #cdnpoli

— Dean from Winnipeg (@Dean_Winnipeg) September 21, 2021

Lastly Trudeau spoke - somewhat chastened, I thought, but upbeat even though he didn't get the majority he had wanted. He thanked the people who voted for him, but more importantly he also vowed to work for the people who hadn't voted for him too.

It should be noted that @JustinTrudeau spoke graciously to his opponents and people who didn't vote for him. I do not get why this was missing from (most) other leaders' speeches tonight. #cdnpoli #elxn44

— Susan Delacourt (@SusanDelacourt) September 21, 2021

"We can only move forward if no one is left behind".
Justin Trudeau Sept 20, 2021.
Now to figure out our way forward,#Canadians #elxn44vote pic.twitter.com/PM42S2mp3b

— Tarita (@EveryAlbertan) September 21, 2021

I sense a little grumpiness among the pundits:

Justin Trudeau treats this election result as a victory because it literally is a victory. The Liberal Party has won the most seats in Parliament and that’s exactly how our system works.
BTW Erin O’Toole is the third Conservative leader Justin Trudeau has defeated.

— Philip MacQuarrie (@monkeynaut1966) September 21, 2021

If @JustinTrudeau’s speech claims this one or two seat shift in his caucus to be a victory worth a $600 million campaign, my TV screen will have a laptop sticking out of it.

— Don Martin (@DonMartinCTV) September 21, 2021

And what's next?

That faint sound you hear in the distance is the sharpening of knives in the Conservative backrooms

— Ian Bushfield (@ibushfield) September 20, 2021

One thing we can count on - there won't be another election for years, because the opposition parties cannot ask for a do-over again:

Like, you have them on record, saying #Elxn44 suddenly wasn't necessary, and how much this costs, and getting their bases all mad about it.

SO NOW THEY CAN'T FORCE A DO-OVER. Chicken played; chicken lost. Is O'Toole willing to make Canadians go through this again? Pfft.

— Carol Channing Tatum (@ThinWhiteDork) September 21, 2021

Finally, I just loved this:

The nice poll officer asked me if it was my 1st time voting. I mumbled that I became a citizen Friday.
She stood up and said to the room: “we have a new citizen here.”
Everyone clapped. It was humbling.
I was told to keep the pencil 😊 pic.twitter.com/zJ7pCa7JTd

— Hina Alam (@hinakalam) September 20, 2021

I hope she frames it.

Election Follies and Funnies #29: decision day

Well, that's the ball game:

My prediction for Sept 20, 2021 Election. @JustinTrudeau Liberals form gov't for the 3rd time. #Ontario delivers the minority. #BritishColumbia determines whether #Liberals win a majority. #Elxn44

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 20, 2021

Seats Changing Hands: pic.twitter.com/gA7vPCCjrY

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 20, 2021

I am still hoping that Trudeau might be able to pull out a few more seat flips and end up with a majority -- but as usual, it will all come down to who can get their vote out. 

Here's a last minute reminder of what's at stake:

As a woman, this is why I voted for the @liberal_party 🗳

✅ Accessible & affordable childcare
✅ Protection of reproductive & LGBTQ2 rights
✅ The best climate plan
✅ Tough on guns
✅ Canada Child Benefit
✅ Vaccine mandates
✅ Covid response#Elxn44 https://t.co/Xeg9LY8YfX

— Lisa Kirbie (@lisakirbie) September 19, 2021

Thrilled to see so many of my climate/ocean science colleagues in Canada stepping up to speak out in support of the @liberal_party climate plan. The climate crisis is front & centre in #elxn44. Only @JustinTrudeau has a plan that recognizes the scale of the crisis #cdnpoli

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) September 20, 2021

In a nutshell, this cartoon summarizes why O'Toole won't be elected Prime Minister - when the going gets tough, he can't figure out how to be a leader:

Globe and Mail political cartoonist Brian Gable captures Erin O’Toole’s inability to explain away the promises he made to the gun lobby in his platform. #Elxn44 #cdnpoli #Page90 pic.twitter.com/o8DLXfz9zv

— Blake Brown (@RBlakeBrown) September 19, 2021

Jasmeet Singh may gain some seats tomorrow, but his relentless and bitter negativity toward Trudeau combined a poorly articulated NDP platform have really put me off.

I never thought I’d see an NDP leader out hate and out lie a Con leader. But it seems that Jagmeet Singh has managed to win that ugly race. Read the evidence, and you be the judge. #cdnpoli #Elxn44 https://t.co/kRAtpifmLv via @LooniePolitics pic.twitter.com/PolwMgoCHQ

— 🇨🇦 Simon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🌈🏂 (@montrealsimon) September 20, 2021

Green Leader Elizabeth May took aim at Jagmeet Singh Thursday, saying she’s losing patience and respect for the New Democrat leader and accusing him of spreading false information.
https://t.co/UwafOnYASM#Elxn44 #cdnpoli

— Nickie with an 'e' 😷 🌈 💉💉 (@winter_canada) September 19, 2021

Election Eve thoughts:

- the NDP have lost me for good
- #cdnmedia needs to fact-check and challenge 3rd, 4th & 5th parties the way they do the cons and Libs
- the Libs not fighting disinformation from the NDP irritated me more than anything
- where’d the NDP get so much $?!

— Jenny-P 🇨🇦 (@Jenn_Pastrak) September 20, 2021

Two very random thoughts before I go to sleep:

1) Jagmeet only has himself to blame if tomorrow goes badly for him. Horrible strategy down the stretch from him

2) Feist should cover Hallelujah

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 20, 2021

Singh followed up his airport skateboarding yesterday with a bizarre TicTok shower video today, and Twitter wasn't impressed:

My fellow olds, a TikTok trend is a micro video challenge kids perform when the algorithm surfaces something popular for them to mimic. Yes, it’s a little cringe when a 42-year-old does it, but whatever, let Jagmeet Singh have it, there isn’t much else going on for him. #Elxn44

— Asif Hossain (@asifintoronto) September 20, 2021

I definitely agree with this - I hope the Justice Minister will investigate because people died!

Conservative governments in at least 3 provinces deliberately delayed action on COVID, hoping to out wait #Elxn44 before doing the right thing. There needs to be a national inquiry into potential collusion between them and the federal CPC and the related costs to public health.

— Chris Owttrim (@cowttrim) September 19, 2021

They agreed to let Albertan's die, to try and win an election. If there is another conclusion, I'm not seeing it.

— Adrian Wilson (@AdrianW123) September 19, 2021

Alberta Conservatives are upset with Kenney and signing letters asking for leadership reviews.

Oh my God, they’re gonna kill Kenney. pic.twitter.com/HVBbkU3bmp

— David Fisman (@DFisman) September 19, 2021

And I suspect this is what will happen now with O'Toole:

#Elxn44 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Mm6e2vwgMZ

— Memeditorialist (@ajhtweeting) September 20, 2021

I thought this was sort of funny:

Well, you’re sucking the life out of most of us…. https://t.co/3eEgmFYKjl

— David Puddy (@allsystemsjo) September 20, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #28: Covid Critical Care Stage Fuck!

Here's today's good news about the election:

The LPC lead in Ontario is so large that I am not even going to report it (will confirm tomorrow ). I am not sure there are more than a handful of safe CPC seats in Ontario (abridged)

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 19, 2021

But then again, there's this:

"If Leger’s right, the door is nearly closed shut on a Liberal majority. If they want a path to 170, they’ll be praying he’s wrong. Good luck with that, because you’ll need it"

Me @UnscriptedScrim on Quebec, Leger, and the receding chances of a majorityhttps://t.co/8TRmIHEzdF

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 19, 2021

So I think we can agree that the pollsters are all agreeing that it will be a Liberal Minority government. But the Majority question is going to go right down to the wire -- depends what happens in the Maritimes. And in Quebec. And in Ontario. And on the Prairies. And in BC.

Ontario Liberal leads today, by pollster:
2 (Mainstreet), 3 (Leger), 6 (Angus Reid), 7 (Redacted), 7 (Abacus), 13 (EKOS)

The Tories cannot win Government with these Ontario numbers

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 19, 2021

The most reliably right wing pollster this country has puts the LPC up 6 in Ontario in their final poll and Fournier is trying to spin it as a "small" lead, my fucking God

I need Monday to get here so badly, my brain is melting live in front of me

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 19, 2021

Here's perhaps the final word on media endorsements:

Here is one thing I have discovered in my travels . Voters pay the square root of SFA attention to the advice of the media .

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 18, 2021

And now for the really important stuff, the terrifying Covid news here in Saskatchewan.

Our hospital system has reached what they call Critical Care Stage 2, but what I call Critical Care Stage Fuck! 

Here's a thread from Canadian Press reporter Mickey Djuric, talking to Sask Health Authority chief medical officer Dr. Susan Shaw (see the article, too):

Saskatchewan is already in Stage 1 of its triage plan. Surgeries are getting delayed so that those who are in a car crash or have COVD-19 can have immediate access to an ICU bed. #covid19sk

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

Sask’s triage/critical care plan states that in Stage 2, people with end-of-life organ failure or someone over 80 who has a heart attack would be excluded from ICUs. Important to note: Stage 2 has never been activated throughout the pandemic. #covid19sk

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

Dr. Shaw urges ppl to talk about their end-of-life goals with their families and doctors: “So that should you ever need ICU, your family knows what you want, and we can continue to provide care based on your values. That’s where we’re at.” #covid19sk #skpoli

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

Hospitals in Saskatchewan (Prince Albert, Saskatoon, North Battleford) are routinely on bypass. Residents in these surrounding areas who need intensive care are getting sent to Regina, Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Yorkton. #covid19sk

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

STARS Ambulance says it was asked by the Saskatchewan Government to staff another helicopter for a period of time, where its primary role is to be transferring COVID-19 patients. #covid19sk #skpoli

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

Saskatchewan once again (as we saw in spring) has rooms where 2 COVID-patients may be in one room to utilize limited staff and resources. ICU beds is expanded into other wards, and critical advanced care students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic are helping. #covid19sk #skpoli

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

The surge in hospitalizations is predominantly fueled by the unvaccinated. Yesterday CMHO Dr. Saqib Shahab said if the province’s proof of vaccine policy + mask mandate doesn’t work to reduce hospitalizations, more measures will be needed. #covid19sk #skpoli

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) September 18, 2021

Abandoning the old on the ice floe to save the rest of the tribe is called Senicide, and it looks like we have reached that point with Covid now. 

As I have already told my family, if it comes to Critical Care Stage Fuck! then just let me go. 

I'm 72 and I have had a great life, with people I love.  So I would be willing to give up my ICU bed to a child, or to a parent of young children. 

I'm calling this Senicide Choice and I just hope its never going to be a choice that anyone has to make.

And on that happy note, see you tomorrow for my last Election Follies post. Here's a palate cleanser for ya:

Sorry bud, no mask no service. pic.twitter.com/s6lRf5F8zY

— Meanwhile in Canada (@MeanwhileinCana) September 18, 2021

Horse Sense 😌 pic.twitter.com/wyapeeH0vx

— Reesus Patriot (@ResusCGMedia) September 18, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #27: Endorsement-paloosa

First Trudeau gets two high-profile endorsements:

Wishing my friend @JustinTrudeau the best in Canada’s upcoming election. Justin has been an effective leader and strong voice for democratic values, and I’m proud of the work we did together.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 16, 2021

I have seen my friend @JustinTrudeau show leadership in the fight for accessible child care, protected reproductive rights, and ambitious climate action.

I’m wishing him and our progressive Canadian neighbors the best in Monday's election.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 17, 2021

Then Singh gets one as well:

Bernie Sanders has just given his endorsement to Jagmeet Singh. (The campaign is ecstatic) This comes on the same day Hillary Clinton endorsed Trudeau. https://t.co/a2fBs5Z0OD

— Annie Bergeron-Oliver (@AnnieClaireBO) September 17, 2021

And even O'Toole gets the pardonned felon nod:

Conrad Black: There is only one rational choice in this election https://t.co/1Mf7pzZWli

— National Post (@nationalpost) September 17, 2021

Some reactions:

Conrad Black endorsing O'Toole. 😂😂🤣🤐🤐

Vote Liberal.

— Neo-Leigh (@leighfromcanada) September 18, 2021

How many people across Canada are on the fence when it comes to voting and thinking "I'll just wait and see what Rex Murphy, Conrad Black and the editorial in my local Postmedia paper suggest."

— Rev.Paperboy (@revpaperboy) September 17, 2021

Trump has to endorse Bernier now, right?

— Alex Forgay (@AlexForgay) September 17, 2021

The Beaverton gets it again:

Beaverton as usual nails it lol! https://t.co/Na0dLAcGvz

— Mike Morden (@mmorden) September 17, 2021

Except for the Manitoba chiefs endorsing Liberal candidate Shirley Robinson (in front of Singh, at that priceless press conference!) I think Canada's First Nations leadership has been walking a fine line, I think to avoid problems with provincial issues across the country. Former AFN chief Phil Fontaine does endorse Trudeau today:

Former AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine says "Liberal government offers Indigenous people a path to insuring a brighter future for all" #elexn44 #cdnpoli #VoteLiberal #Elxn44 #elxn2021 #LPC

https://t.co/32Nmz9yvkB via @YouTube

— Susan Smith (@susansmithott) September 17, 2021

Work is continuing on lifting the boil water orders as the most intractable problems are getting resolved one by one:

This was such a wonderful announcement the other day. Torpedoed Jagmeet's "they've done nothing" rhetoric. https://t.co/lFOCVtn5vS

— Arthur Atkinson 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 (@ArthurAtkinson0) September 17, 2021

Here are some priorities that Canadian Aboriginal organizations want to discuss with the next government. New AFN chief RoseAnne Archibald tweeted this priorities document on its priorities for the next government:

Election Day is September 20. How will you cast your vote?

To view the full AFN Healing the Path Forward Election priorities document: https://t.co/96v4KWpz4E#Election2021 #CanPoli #AFN #LPC #CPC #NDP #QC #GPC #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/rS0ykQYAhQ

— RoseAnne Archibald (@ChiefRoseAnne) September 17, 2021

And the BC chiefs are sending this Open Letter:

Open Letter to All Candidates in the Federal Election: "The events of the last year have exposed the deep wounds of colonialism. Canadians have said that they want a new relationship with Indigenous peoples. Canada’s next Parliament must act [...]" https://t.co/bidp4OUxv7 pic.twitter.com/foh6P3KYMh

— UBCIC (@UBCIC) September 13, 2021

Here's a few more tweets from today:

Jagmeet Singh is starting to piss me off as much as O'Toole does.#Elxn44 #cdnpoli

— Marc (@MarcDesgagne1) September 16, 2021

So the guy calling Sophie Trudeau a whore turns out to be @JustinTrudeau's fault, according to Singh, who stopped short of asking what Sophie was wearing. Singh is a menace and NDP would do well to send him back to Detroit. #Elxn44

— john d beggs (@dbeggs13) September 17, 2021

A big surprise in #elxn44 has been the extent to which Singh & NDP opted to double down on tropes (“ you bought a pipeline”), misleading info (“Liberals have done nothing”), & blew an opportunity to pitch a more ambitious, comprehensive, & credible #ClimateChange plan. #cdnpoli https://t.co/pUwrxLW5kD

— Dan Woynillowicz (@DanWoy) September 17, 2021

From @EdmontonSun "Erin O’Toole playing the fool. If he doesn’t believe in his platform, why believe in him?" by Conservative commentator Lorne Gunter @sunlornegunter #elxn44vote https://t.co/1bI8yS4pJ0

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 17, 2021

Very true. He doesn’t have the leadership qualities required to run this country. He can’t manage this caucus, so how would he manage this country? https://t.co/gCeEfV0oRE

— Peter Gabriel Benevides (@peter_benevides) September 16, 2021

The people who fed raw meat to tigers for years now have concerns about being eaten by tigers. 🐅 #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/y7LtVQcWsg

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) September 17, 2021

And he didn’t have to shit talk anyone to make his point. I’m no longer accepting “that’s politics” as an excuse. We won’t get better until we demand better.

— Scribulatora (@Scribulatora) September 18, 2021

Canadians are starting to try to evaluate this whole election experience, to figure out what it all means, too:

Despite what cynics have continued to crow, this #Elxn44 was *not* about nothing. #Pandemic response, tackling #climatechange, nat'l #childcare; the stakes have been sky high. Pundits have refused to acknowledge that fact in favour of cynical columns that earn clicks. 🙄#cdnpoli

— Stephen (is really) Near 🇨🇦😷 (@SNear23) September 18, 2021

Because it’s the election of good vs evil

— Bev Rayburn (@RayburnBev) September 18, 2021

Late news tonight -- from Frank Graves at EKOS -

The CPC are at , wait for it , 26pts tonight . WIPEOUT

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 18, 2021

let me explain this for you that don't understand stats . This is over , done like dinner . Only question is whether it is a majority or minority

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 18, 2021

A call to arms:

We must ensure the Conservative party loses this election so badly, they can never recover as a party again. The people of Canada have a new enemy, the PPC. Keep your eye on the ball. Look over the horizon. Forget the trees, start looking for the forest.

— John Corbett (@johnVcorbett) September 18, 2021

…that we won’t have anything to do with their crazy American ideas on guns and abortion and religion and the rest of their awful fantasies, then they win. It’s that delicately balanced, right now. If you live in a safe NDP riding, then, fine, vote your heart out.

— John Corbett (@johnVcorbett) September 18, 2021

But, if you live in a riding where the Liberal can defeat the Conservative, you gotta vote red.

— John Corbett (@johnVcorbett) September 18, 2021

Here's a thread for strategic voting:

Hey Friends; I posted all the ABC ridings across Canada (thread). I just want to let you all know that every VOTE counts! Let’s do this and make Canada blue free! 😘 If you are unsure about the requirements please see https://t.co/UoN3tSSwTF We got this progressive peeps ❤️

— Lucy 🇨🇦 (@TheBlueGem3) September 18, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #26: Did Kenney and O'Toole make a deal?

Tonight's question is whether O'Toole and Kenney had a deal that Kenney would delay imposing yesterday's Covid health measures until after the Monday vote. 

In other words, did Conservative electioneering cost Albertans their lives?

There’s mounting evidence that #JasonKenney & Erin O’Toole made a deal, playing dirty politics with people’s lives. To the families of the 24 Albertans who died yesterday, demand a full public inquiry. #ResignKenney #ResignOToole #ConservativesKill #NeverVoteCPC #Elxn44 #ABleg pic.twitter.com/g1NnoUi4pJ

— Heather e^​‑1/​x^​2 (@HeatherMoAndCo) September 16, 2021

I don't know whether we will ever know for sure, but certainly O'Toole wasn't able to answer reporters' questions today.

So now O'Toole's hiding on account of Jason Kenney, for those of you still keeping track of Great Moments In Conservative Cowardice #elxn44 #cdnpoli https://t.co/stULPQl3GS

— #SHIFT (@TheGentYYC) September 17, 2021

I haven't seen Erin O'Toole trend this bad since he said "Residential Schools were for educational purpose" to young Ryerson Conservatives....

— kris meloche (@krismeloche) September 16, 2021

If #Bernier smells timidity on #OToole, he will tell Conservative followers to vote #PPC risk free. https://t.co/JyJ1fhywoz

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 17, 2021

The pitter-patter of little feet.
Erin O’Toole in full retreat. #cdnpoli

— tom howden ☘️🇨🇦 (@Thomas_Howden) September 17, 2021

But of course, Singh still thinks his job is to figure out a way to blame Alberta on Trudeau:

Jagmeet Singh blaming Trudeau for Jason Kenney's Covid failure in Alberta is one of the more disingenuous and contorted bits of spin I've seen in this mean-spirited election. #Elxn44 #cdnpoli

— Stephen Lautens (@stephenlautens) September 16, 2021

Here are some of today's poll results - and these won't even include the Alberta and Saskatchewan health announcements:

New Canada #ScrimshawScoreboard (changes since 2019):
LPC: 175 (+18)
CPC: 108 (-13)
NDP: 32 (+8)
BQ: 22 (-10)
GPC: 1 (-2)
Others: 0 (-1)

Regionals: pic.twitter.com/dxnB1LpiFe

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 16, 2021

Average Quebec lead, 4 tracking polls today is LPC +9

Average Ontario lead today is LPC+7.5

That's majority government

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 16, 2021

Game over for CPC . Bernier ---revenge is dish best served cold.

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 17, 2021

The Covid situation here on the Prairies is getting more terrible by the day. 

Hundreds of new cases every day, hospitalizations rising, ICU beds filled -- we're now talking about "ethical triage" AKA denying someone an ICU bed or a ventilator if their chances of living aren't very good anyway. 

I looked up the terminology for abandoning the elderly on an ice floe and its called Senicide. If worst comes to worst, I would be OK with that.

I'm 72. If it comes to ethical triage, then just let me go.
I've had a great life, with people I love. But I would gladly give up my ICU bed to a child, or to a parent of young children. #SenicideChoice

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 17, 2021

I'm starting to think about what is going to happen after Monday, if the Liberals cannot get enough seats to form a majority government. 

It seems clear now that the Liberals would win one or two dozen more seats than the CPC anyway, but the NDP and/or the Bloc could again hold the balance of power. 

This campaign has shown that Jagmeet Singh has both a vitriolic dislike of Trudeau and a naïve belief that he could work with O'Toole - to the point where I really wonder if Singh would try to get his NDP MPs to agree to tell the Governor-General that it is the Conservatives, not the Liberals, that would have enough support in the Commons to form the government.. 

And if that's what he tries to do, then it will really hit the fan - NDP leadership and voters across Canada would be absolutely furious and would not tolerate an attempt by Singh to make an alliance with a party that will not ever support any NDP priorities - which would, in fact, actively dismantle progressive initiatives.  But Singh is a stubborn man, and a brand-new Governor-General might feel she had no choice except to let the Conservatives try to form a government. And then we would be in for months of chaos.

Now, I have no idea whether such a thing might happen, but I'm beginning to be concerned.

I'm a one issue voter sometimes. This time the issue is do not do anything to elect a Conservative government or give them any power whatsoever. https://t.co/WWPoMJSuSw

— Restrictions Exempt (Monica) (@monicarooney) September 15, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #25: Mulroney's turn

Forget about a statistical tie. @VoiceOfFranky has an honest-to-god actual tie - to one decimal point! 31.8% each for the #LPC and the #CPC ! #elxn44 pic.twitter.com/aPP6hWumW0

— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) September 15, 2021

The NDP promise to align with with a CPC minority government will not be progressive.@JustinTrudeau🗨"I think it is cynical of Mr. Singh to continue to pretend that there is no difference between a Conservative government & a Liberal government" #Cdnpolipic.twitter.com/Vc9kcpR1fs

— Jaro Giesbrecht🇨🇦 (@JaroGiesbrecht) September 15, 2021

Chretien was at a Liberal event last night, so they got Mulroney at one tonight, and he started talking about O'Toole making "deep structural changes" in Canada - maybe so Conservatives will win elections more easily in the future? Oh but nothing to see here, folks, move along, move along:

So this jumped out at me tonight. @CPC_HQ and @erinotoole have spent weeks trying to suggest no huge changes are coming, Mulroney says the opposite. #Elxn44 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/wI0G23U5ri

— Althia Raj (@althiaraj) September 15, 2021

Unmentioned is that Harper excommunicated him after the literal bags of cash revelations. Mulroney was politically radioactive. Even his old loyalists had to be very silent about it, lest they upset Harper and lose their status. It was not voluntary. https://t.co/GYnX1N4zhP pic.twitter.com/cxgFg5SNPc

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) September 16, 2021

At least the Star gets it right. https://t.co/6k7CxUK3vZ pic.twitter.com/O9oDTkcQm2

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) September 16, 2021

O'Toole is having a lot of trouble maintaining any kind of consistency in his policies - gun control, abortion, vaccinations, carbon pricing, pick anything and O'Toole will flip it around as he tries to appeal to everyone all the time. But things are catching up to him and he can't duck and weave forever

If reversing policy positions was a drinking game, Erin O'Toole would be blowing .15 #Elxn44 https://t.co/EIq08zNkm2

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 15, 2021

The Beaverton gets it about right:

Erin O’Toole reverses position he hasn’t announced yet https://t.co/Qkxehp38FS pic.twitter.com/JXsQmMF2hv

— The Beaverton (@TheBeaverton) September 15, 2021

And The Globe and Mail seems to be going full frontal fascist about those supposedly awful "non-European immigrants" who are giving the PPC the vapours:

Well, this is disgusting. https://t.co/T56Dh16GuB pic.twitter.com/hlhdk5m7vB

— Dr. Mike P. Moffatt 🇨🇦🏅🏅 (@MikePMoffatt) September 14, 2021

But O'Toole is trying his best to keep on pandering:

I will never vote @CPC_HQ @erinotoole or any Conservative when they continue to throw immigrants and other people of colour under the bus to pander to the racists among their base. Absolutely sickening. https://t.co/YJKRmoSyVB

— Dr. Faisal Moola (@faisal_moola) September 15, 2021

Remember that the same people who thought that Doug Ford and Jason Kenney would make great Premiers now want to elect Erin O'Toole as Prime Minister of Canada. #cdnpoli #Elxn44

— Neil Before Zod™ (@WaytowichNeil) September 16, 2021

So today, after cancelled surgeries and patients being airlifted out, Jason Kenney finally apologized to Alberta for getting Covid so wrong. Sounds like it took a caucus revolt before Kenney would act:

In 45 minutes Alberta Premier @jkenney will announce lockdown measures and a vaccine passport in a effort to battle COVID-19.
There is unrest in caucus and several members will leave. Hearing some high level cabinet ministers may go.
Fascinating times. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli

— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) September 15, 2021

“I’m sorry. But also not sorry, but kind of sorry, and I really want to emphasize how sorry I am, but not for my apology earlier, but for sure my apology now, which I’m not sorry for, and for that, I am truly sorry…but not, because I’m sorry.”

- Jason Kenney
September 15, 2021

— Andrew Phung (@andrewphung) September 16, 2021

AHS CEO Verna Yu says they’re making preparations to send Alberta ICU patients to other provinces. They’re also preparing to implement “triage protocols” — which mean asking doctors to decide who lives and who dies. #intentionallycruelwave #COVID19AB

— Gil McGowan (@gilmcgowan) September 16, 2021

Who else thinks @jkenney waited for the advance polls to close before making todays announcement? he should have done this a week ago or more.

— Gibson (@BGib47) September 16, 2021

Hey Alberta, your lives are election playthings pic.twitter.com/xitqGYiwOt

— ethan (@verynotmad) September 16, 2021

I fully believe that was the intention was to wait till Tuesday but couldn't because the Healthcare system wouldn't make it

— David Gallant (he/his) 🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦 (@abguy09) September 16, 2021

Saskatchewan had another 450 cases today. Again. I expect sometime tomorrow or Friday Scott Moe will finally be dragged kicking and screaming into the same types of restrictions Alberta is implementing. We really should be trying to do a better job in managing Covid than Alabama.

"University of Sask professor Andrew Potter said it's clear Moe has stopped listening to reason and facts when it comes to the pandemic." #skpoli #cdnpoli
Alabama health officials warn Saskatchewan: don't repeat our mistakes in the COVID-19 battle https://t.co/ys4CVX71H7

— Charles Smith (@ProfSmithSask) September 14, 2021

When thinking about the importance of maintaining gun control in Canada here's something to consider:

I have bowls full of beach rocks and cans of wasp spray in my classroom. The kids know they’re there in case we need to use them against possible shooters.

Think about having this conversation with kids before you tell me how traumatizing masks are.

— KD 📚🌎🌊🇺🇸 (@kdnerak33) September 15, 2021

And the Marijuana Party is still toking:

The Marijuana Party’s responses to the questionnaire sent out by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers are just a trip that none of you are prepared for in the slightest. pic.twitter.com/TRGLPCbRGW

— Jordan Sherbino (@JordanSherbino) September 16, 2021

Makes me think of those Japanese navy/army fighters found on the islands in the pacific years after ww2 ended and they still thought they were at war. Same idea except cloud of cannabis smoke instead of an island.

— Mike (@Mread8821) September 13, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #24: Chretien is back!

Chrétien talks about importance of vaccines. Says he’s been vaccinated with various shots for 86 years. On Erin O’Toole- “He is doing something I cannot do - he is speaking out of both sides of his mouth.” pic.twitter.com/9i2drNzG5J

— Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) September 15, 2021

Chrétien said it’s not the time to be far left or far right. It’s time to be in the middle. He said it’s the time to be Liberal.

— Ashley Burke (@AshleyBurkeCBC) September 15, 2021

Q: How do you think this race will end? Chrétien: "It will end on the 20th."

— Ashley Burke (@AshleyBurkeCBC) September 15, 2021

Chrétien kept us out of the Iraq War when Harper, half the business community and most of the media wanted us in. Thank God. https://t.co/QMNmKwzHXL

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) September 11, 2021

The Liberals have released Shelia Copps AND Jean Chretien. If Paul Martin makes an appearance, they're going to have to start a 90s cover band.

— Brandon Tozzo (@BrandonTozzo) September 15, 2021

Rosemary Barton at the CBC has been doing lengthy interviews with the leaders - O'Toole on Monday night, Trudeau on Tuesday night, and now Singh tonight - worth listening to, I think. But here's one of the funniest takes:

#CBC’s @RosieBarton looked exasperated trying to get @theJagmeetSingh to answer, so here he is with a perfect response… https://t.co/tvh0IA2uuJ

— dmolson (@burlivespipe) September 15, 2021

Liberals are entering majority territory, though who knows if it will hold up:

CANADA SEAT PROJECTION

Nationwide! Here's today's scorecard for how the #Elxn44 race is looking on Sept 14 in #cdnpoli.

Want to see more #cdnpoli projections and polling? Subscribe here: https://t.co/JDqcz5RrWF pic.twitter.com/pzNK36ybBw

— Election Barometer 🇨🇦 (@elxnometre) September 14, 2021

This is why the former Green leader is endorsing the Liberals climate plan now:

Today I met with @JustinTrudeau in Richmond to discuss the @liberal_party climate plan. As I told him, “This is a plan that I’ve been dreaming of for most of my life.” It is economy wide, its all encompassing and it's costed and well thought through! #cdnpoli #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/qx39VOCYTn

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) September 14, 2021

Another outstanding video:

VOTE FOR!! SHIRLEY ROBINSON!!

For CHURCHILL KEEWATINOOK ASKI!
ON SET 20!!! #VoteShirleyRobinson #Vote4Shirley #4keewatinookaski #cdnpoli #elxn44 @KeewatinookAski @gunktah pic.twitter.com/xSR725dK4g

— Lisa Muswagon (@LisaMuswagon) September 14, 2021

Remembering O'Toole's greatest hits:

So vile. A blatant lie to deliberately stoke anger and fear in Canadians. It was unforgivable at such an uncertain time. So many people were so stressed thinking we’d never get vaccines.

We should not forget these guys obstructed and cheered against the Covid effort. #elx44

— David Brown (@OrbitStudios) September 15, 2021

And here's one we need to get trending:

I got fully vaccinated and wasn’t prepared for the side effects but apparently “absolutely enormous cock” is quite common

— Crockett🍀 (@CrockettForReal) September 13, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #23: some of the good stuff

The polls continue to look positive for the Liberals. But for tonight, I wanted to lead off with this:

A very big moment: I voted for the first time in a Canadian federal election and I am so proud it 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
I came to Canada 5 and a half years ago as a refugee. Today, as a proud citizen, I voted because a lot of Canadians have sacrificed so much to protect my right to vote #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/SRFO5guTnY

— Tareq Hadhad (@TareqHadhad) September 13, 2021

There were stupid protests today at hospitals across the country, and my only hope for these people is that somehow they will realize how ridiculous they are.

pic.twitter.com/w9CAfMxNbI

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 13, 2021

What's the difference between a Vaccine passport and a Yellow Star? My vaccine passport opens the door to air travel. My grandmother's Yellow Star opened the door to an oven. https://t.co/i1UnuhTPRP

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 13, 2021

Please enjoy my #AntiVaxxers cartoon for Tuesday's @TorontoStar #VaccinePassports pic.twitter.com/hO9DwvMFbj

— Theo Moudakis (@TheoMoudakis) September 13, 2021

pic.twitter.com/Ic30Id7DfK

— Nick Chamchuk (@chamchuk_nick) September 14, 2021

Twitter is back to doing what it does best:

My cousin's friend got the vaccine and BOOM two days later had his car repossessed. Do your research. https://t.co/YnNJD8QrVX

— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) September 14, 2021

Okay, here's the idea -- we take the Pfizer vaccine and rebrand it as Iverectum, a suppository for treating anal fissures in sheep. Then we start the rumor that it cures COVID and all the anti-vax Republicans will flock to it in large enough numbers to achieve herd immunity.

— Abraxsys (@Abraxsys) September 13, 2021

I don’t need oven mitts. I have an excellent immune system.

— Myrna Tellingheusen (@PearlsFromMyrna) September 11, 2021

Back to the campaign:

We have reached the ‘throw anything and everything at @JustinTrudeau and see if it sticks because things aren’t going well for the opposition’ part of the election. #cdnpoli #Elxn44

— Jeffrey Luscombe (@JeffreyLuscombe) September 12, 2021

Perhaps Singh gets it, but I have seen nothing from O'Toole, Blanchet, Bernier or Paul that would lead me to think they would endorse, or even understand, the positive path Canada has been following toward reconciliation and progress under Trudeau.

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 14, 2021

When I see these PPC supporters, I think of A E Houseman:
"I, a stranger and afraid, In a world I never made." https://t.co/s3BRvICQmT

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 14, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #22: Trudeau's remarkable speech

Today on the campaign:

Trudeau made an impassioned speech about Canadians coming together to help each other out during the pandemic.

Singh had a zinger tweet.

O'Toole fell on his face during an interview with Rosie Barton.

— Trevor Purdy (@TrevorsIdeas) September 13, 2021

So here they are - first, Trudeau's remarkable speech:

We are stronger together. It’s what got us through the past 18 months — and sticking together is what will keep moving us forward. pic.twitter.com/qHEqYyof0S

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 12, 2021

Singh's egotistical tweet:

Just watch me. https://t.co/i7UEduPeTo

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 12, 2021

A reminder -- Pierre Trudeau said this when he was implementing the War Measures Act during the October Crisis, one of the most terrifying times in the history of the country. 

Singh is repeating the phrase to flex at Justin Trudeau about raising tax revenues.  

And O'Toole's word salad:

Loved watching @erinotoole squirm when he couldn't explain to @RosieBarton why he feels he can lead the country when 62 members of his caucus voted down banning conversion therapy.
It was delicious!

— Page - A HOST BODY in your life ⛵️🇨🇦♥️ (@sailorgirl2017) September 13, 2021

Yes, I thought this was just more O'Toole Word Salad. But then my son told me the newest right-wing talking point now is that vaccine mandates are actually "racist", so anyone who is against mandates is actually just "defending the rights of BIPOC".
Sigh.

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 13, 2021

Latest polling:

Today's two tracking polls have Liberal leads of 6% and 10% in Ontario. EKOS had a 5% lead yesterday.

That's the ballgame, folks

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 12, 2021

New Canada #ScrimshawScoreboard (changes since 2019):
LPC: 170 (+13)
CPC: 113 (-8)
NDP: 32 (+8)
BQ: 22 (-10)
GPC: 1 (-2)
Others: 0 (-1)

Regionals: pic.twitter.com/6UwVaOYy22

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 12, 2021

On Monday, a bunch of all-Canadian jerks are going to protest vaccines at hospitals. Again. The mayor of Ottawa says "I won't have it!" and I don't doubt that every other mayor feels the same way.

My question to the people protesting outside hospitals:

If you are going to cut off your nose to spite your face who do you think will sew it back on ? 🤔🙄

— Front of the lobe 🇨🇦 (@ou812_Kess) September 11, 2021

I have new polling that I will release later this week that shows most believe the 4th wave is not due to borders , or poor public health but overwhelmingly to the unvaccinated . Public patience with the vaccine refusers is utterly exhausted . Stay home or get vaxxed . The end.

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 13, 2021

Sure, but most of the residual non vaccinated are not looking for help.This is no longer about hesitancy. This is willful , reckless and disinformed stupidity

— Frank Graves (@VoiceOfFranky) September 13, 2021

I'm seeing tweets from some of the people who have voted in the Advance Polls this weekend:

You know what my biggest ballot question was? Who do I trust the most to handle a big Mu variant breakout. That's Trudeau.

— Very Optimistic Jays Fan #ExtendCharlie (@callmechris316) September 13, 2021

Some lane-switching also going on:

Former Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes voting Conservative.
Former Liberal MP Jody Wilson-Raybould may vote NDP.
Former Green MLA and BC Leader Andrew Weaver will vote Liberal.

There is a reason they are all former. #elxn43

https://t.co/pLfBzF5cly

— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) September 12, 2021

And here's another one:

I was going to vote for the Liberals but when I heard what JWR had to say I switched to the Conservatives, said not one voter ever.

— Christopher Byrne 🇨🇦 (@CBinVAN) September 13, 2021

Canadian right-wing pundits are salivating over the Jody Wilson-Raybould book:

And now they're pushing for an RCMP investigation of something, anything, remembering how this derailed Martin in 2006.

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) September 13, 2021

Election Follies and Funnies #21: Trudeau rising

This was not what I was expecting today https://t.co/ELl1vwCNy8

— Stephen Maher (@stphnmaher) September 11, 2021

"Erin O’Toole sits 9 days out likelier than not to lose seats. But hey, he’ll always have Fournier’s Macleans column to keep him company as he stays at Stornoway - that is, if the Tories let him"
For @UnscriptedScrim, just how low is the Tory floor?https://t.co/ydEraqTH0D

— Evan Scrimshaw (@EScrimshaw) September 11, 2021

The Trudeau Liberals seem to have picked up a solid bounce from the two leader's debates according to a Nanos poll commissioned by CTV and The Globe in both the "National Ballot" and "Preferred PM." pic.twitter.com/fcjwIclkgW

— David Bailey 🇨🇦 (@DABailey62) September 11, 2021

Here's an odd one:

O'Toole is literally re-announcing a Liberal government initiative. Extremely strange behaviour. https://t.co/4cHRwHdefB

— Sheamus Murphy (@sheamusmurphy) September 11, 2021

And here they are again taking credit for the Liberal's work:

Reminder that the current government already signed contracts for future doses if they are needed. The Conservatives are literally pledging to take credit for Anita Anand’s work. pic.twitter.com/pSNbzgNEQh

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) September 4, 2021

I am getting the feeling that the Conservative campaign is just out of gas right now. They haven't managed to body-slam Trudeau and their bread and circuses promises aren't engaging people and we're seeing more and more cartoons like this one:

Canadian centrists two weeks before a federal election pic.twitter.com/Ii0mxzfxy0

— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) September 9, 2021

And Postmedia can pound the "deficits" message all they want, but people aren't focused on it:

How very odd. imo many Canadians across the country very much want low cost childcare. I haven't heard many saying they'd rather have the deficit cut and give up the lower cost child care.
None in fact. But - we now know Erin's priority, don't we?

— Mike Morris (@1MikeMorris) September 8, 2021

Because it’s 1995 and will always be 1995. https://t.co/e2WzevEsti

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) September 10, 2021

Lots of tweets about Jody Wilson-Raybould's new book and her "feeling" that Trudeau asked her to lie. Sigh.

Jody Wilson said she "FELT" like he wanted her to Lie. I mean C'mon. Conservatives like Pepe Pierre Poilievre are eating it up. I feel alot of things, doesn't make them true.
Like yesterday I felt like I was going to win the lottery. Today I found out my feelings Lied.

— Clay Thompson (@harryt59_harry) September 11, 2021

that's not exactly what he said.... 🧐🙄 I thought he responded honestly and well... and said he has reflected on it a lot...
he didn't say he "couldn't let that slow him down"... you're making him sound dismissive. He wasn't.

— Millennials 4 World Peace (@millennials4_wp) September 11, 2021

The saddest thing about the whole Jody Wilson-Raybould story is that she did absolutely nothing to make the justice system fairer for Indigenous Peoples during her time as Attorney General!#cdnpoli

— Nickie with an 'e' 😷 🌈 💉💉 (@winter_canada) September 11, 2021

Since we’re about be treated to JWR hagiography-media, important to understand that she had a dubious record of accomplishment, and went through 4 chiefs of staff in 3 years. Prior to surreptitiously recording her colleague, Mr. Wernick. https://t.co/v193U7rj2b

— Ninety-Nine 🎈 🎈 🎈 (@ssolyom) September 11, 2021

I don't think The JWR show will convince anyone to dislike Trudeau now if they didn't already dislike him. And the more people remember what she was like as a Justice minister, the worse she will look in comparison to some of the truely outstanding women in Trudeau's cabinet now:

Anita Anand did more for First Nations than JWR ever has simply by getting vaccination to their communities first...

How's that for Women's leadership & feminism...

One's a hero, one signed a book deal based on unfounded claims...

— kris meloche (@krismeloche) September 11, 2021

And this has nothing to do with our election, but I wanted to share it anyway:

This sums it up nicely. pic.twitter.com/CM5SvvTw6V

— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) September 11, 2021