We know all about the NDP's 'tax heavy platform'. We know all about their 'unpopular schemes'. We'll all pay a lot less taxes under a Conservative government, right? After all, The Globe and Mail's told us so, hasn't it? Well, guess what? The sanctimonious corporate shills got it wrong. They got it wrong again , and again , and again . Yesterday the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives -- having bothered to, you know, read -- published a study comparing ...

Tuesday, June 15th, Leaders' Debate: Jack Layton: "I've got to take issue with a claim you're making, that there's only two parties in this country that are going to have the possibility of governing. What kind of arrogance gives you that kind of proposition?..." Paul Martin: "Well, I think I'll accept that criticism, Mr. Layton." Tuesda, June 22nd, British Columbia: Paul Martin: "There are two parties that could form the next government. If you are thinking of v...

The Green Party is awful . I mean like Ann Coulter, reptilian kitten-eater awful . I can already hear the voices, swooning from the peanut gallery: 'The Green Party? But they're so wonderfully environmental!'. True, the Greens would keep mankind from raping Mother Earth -- but they'd pillage the rest of us to get the job done. This isn't about tired, conservative scare tactics. I'm not talking 'bout how 'dem tree huggers is gonna wreck the economy, and such. No, this is a...

I've refrained from comment on the death of Dr. T. Douglas Kinsella, father of fellow blogger Warren Kinsella. Given that I know Kinsella only by writing and reputation, I suppose I just didn't have much to add to his own words. I feel compelled, however, to make note of those words , and let them speak for themselves.

Stephen Harper's claim that his party could now win a majority government is not just lousy politics, but falt wrong. The Conservatives and Liberals remain deadlocked at 32% in polls . When the Liberals fell below 40% it was called 'minority territory', but now -- while still eight percent lower -- we're to believe that the Conservatives are on the cusp of majority? Look closer: There are 75 seats in Québec -- and no indication that any of them will go Conservative. Seat pro...

The further we get from last night's performance the more difficult it becomes to digest. The lasting impact of our national debates hasn't been made in the moment, but in the foundations laid for the coming days. What are politicians selling, what are voters buying -- and what is this god forsaken election really all about? Measuring the leaders' debate by that standard reveals a microcosm of the election at large. Our national discourse is bereft of policy, as the leaders jockey...

Given Gilles Duceppe's virtually uncontested victory in last night's french language debate, there's no clear momentum going into tonight's english-only showdown. All the little Dippers from the NDP war room (except this one, I work nights) will be gathering at the party's downtown Ottawa offices to view the action. Sadly, I can't say that they'll be playing James Bow's debate drinking game , but it's sure to be an evening of fun nonetheless. As for the Big Media Moment (more lam...

Harper raised, almost exclusively, issues that will hurt him in Québec. Martin was arrogant and hollow. Duceppe was strong, but perhaps unnecessarily confrontational. Layton rose above the fray, but still isn't using all the tools in his box on taxes. Overall, Duceppe wins on points -- given that this was his and Martin's show. Layton wins on the lower card -- clearly coming out above both Martin and Harper. Ultimately, Layton and the NDP were undercut, mainly, by their...

It's the big night -- for one quarter of Canadians. Let's get right to the leaders... Gilles Duceppe Your the Stephen Harper of french language debate. Lay back, enjoy yourself and let the others kill each trying to get at'cha. You'll pound away at the old hobby horse: the patronizing Liberals, thinking they can buy Québec's votes with promises of money and power. That's always good. Your certain to be pressed on how you could possibly support a regressive, anti-Québec C...

The NDP began airing four new ads this week, closing in on the home stretch. The two spots above, "Ontarians Know" and "Affordable", were released Wednesday, along with another english language ad, " Both ". There are even ads in Mandarin and Cantonese . Previously on Canuckistan , I laid out several prospective NDP tactics for the final weeks of the campaign. I believe that these three elements could lead to an historic breakthrough: Paint the Liberals and Conservativ...

Slow news day. Check these out . Oh yeah, there was this .

A truly phenomenal political commercial , courtesy of the Liberal Party of Canada . Sweet Jesus, is this ad terrifying! Do not misunderstand. It's a sleek, professional spot. It has every component of a crushing body blow. It's delivery is high art. But this thirty second montage of reeling, staccato visuals leaves the viewer thinking that whoever conceived it must be as evil as the monster it describes: Fade in, bleery sunlight. VOICE: Stephen Harper would ha...

This morning, journalists asking questions about same-sex marriage were heckled by Stephen Harper supporters present at a Brampton, Ontario campaign stop. As Harper did little to shutdown the jeering crowd, he was -- himself -- eventually chastised by a frustrated scribes. You can see most of the press conference here , on the Thursday morning edition of Politics with Don Newman .

Good God : "Conservative values are Canadian values." This from the man who said that a "silent majority" of Canadians supported the War in Iraq. BTW -- the Conservative platform includes $58 billion in spending and $29 billion for the contingency debt reduction fund. This brings the total platform cost to $87 billion, not just fifty eight. Stephen Harper admitted last week that some of his promises, like aircraft carriers, can't be paid for within his own spending es...

Paul Martin -- king, lord and saviour of conservative Liberals -- released his party's pseudo-progressive platform today: "Liberal Leader Paul Martin tried to push the focus of an attack-filled election campaign back toward policy Thursday, unveiling a left-leaning platform that focuses on social program spending." This was, I believe, a fatal error in judgement. Pundits will claim that Martin is shoring up his left flank while putting enough distance between himself an...