The irony of Ontario politics

[Machjo]

One thing I find ironic about Ontario politics is that the parties we'd think most likely to oppose Ontario's discriminatory separate school system were either mute on the subject last election (i.e. the NDP) or actively defensive of it (i.e. the Liberal Party), while the ones most voally outspoken against this discrimination were in fact the Progressive Conservatives and the Greens.

What is it about Ontario politics that make for this irony?

 

[lone wolf]

Something called the British North America Act?

 

[Machjo]

Something called the British North America Act?

Er, yeah. That's why the Greens proposed changing it if necessary, and the PCs proposed working around it by simply extending funding to all schools.

You'd think the social-justice orentation of the NDP would have made it willing to stand up to change the BNA and not defend its current position. And the Liberals even opposed changeing the Act. You are aware that it is changeable, no?

 

[lone wolf]

You are aware Harper has something to say about that, no?

 

[Machjo]

You are aware Harper has something to say about that, no?

He did say he won't reopen the Constitution, yet he's going to establish an "Office of Religious Freedom" to monitor religious human rights abroad. Hmm, talk about preaching " Do as I say and not as I do."

Another point, Lone Wolf: Since changing the Constitution requires Federal-Provincial collaboration, it still helps if the Provincial party voices his support for changing the Act so as to let the Federal party know he's willing to open the Constitution and that the ball is thus squarely in the Federal court. If however the Ontario Government actively defends the separate school system, well then there is no point for the Federal government to even try to change it. And if the provincial government is just moot on the subject, that doesn't exactly encourage the Feds to open up the Constitution either.

For taht reason, unless there's been a change in policy from last election, we'd need a provincial Green or PC government for that to happen.

 

[gerryh]

He did say he won't reopen the Constitution, yet he's going to establish an "Office of Religious Freedom" to monitor religious human rights abroad. Hmm, talk about preaching " Do as I say and not as I do."

pot, meet kettle.

 

[WLDB]

I doubt even the PCs would touch it. Its nowhere in their new book...Changebook? Heavily plagiarized by the looks of it anyway.

 

[lone wolf]

Another irony in Ontario politics is Ontario seems to like having its Provincial governments of a different party than that seated in Federal. Do you suppose we'll stick with tradition?

 

[WLDB]

Another irony in Ontario politics is Ontario seems to like having its Provincial governments of a different party than that seated in Federal. Do you suppose we'll stick with tradition?

There's no other choice really. There's no connection between the Conservative Party and the Progressive Conservatives. So, no matter who wins it's a different party.

 

[lone wolf]

There's no other choice really. There's no connection between the Conservative Party and the Progressive Conservatives. So, no matter who wins it's a different party.

No connection - other than Baird, Clements and Flaherty and a Harris cheering section.

 

[WLDB]

No connection - other than Baird, Clements and Flaherty and a Harris cheering section.

I mean an official connection. They are different parties. Whereas the Liberals and NDP do have ties between provincial and federal counterparts.

 

[lone wolf]

I mean an official connection. They are different parties. Whereas the Liberals and NDP do have ties between provincial and federal counterparts.

Agreed.... Different parties. Same CEO attitudes.