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Poilievre's housing "policy" is just a gimmick, but an effective one. As many PPC folk are noting, denseificiation around transit is 15-minute city heresy. As any urban planner will say, it's just good policy. As any strict constitutionalist will note, this is a wholesale federal overreach on both municipal and provincial jurisdiction. And private developers welcome this because housing near transit is more expensive, not less - in transit-centered cities like Tokyo, if you want a cheap apartment, look 15+ minutes walk away from a transit station. Anything nearby or on top is expensive and probably owned by the private transit running the station. So, it's entirely confused - at least at attempt at an answer, just a shitty one when you unpack it.

He's right to raise the issue, but ultimately the above means more development that's unaffordable. I'm seeing a massive rental space being built at Spadina and Front, and a unit similar to mine goes for $3000/mo. I can't afford that, and I make $120K a year. Those working minimum wage in the retail concourse downstairs aren't living upstairs or anywhere close.

Ultimately Milhouse's housing policy is free market on steroids, and they only build housing when there's profit to be made. We need more investment in non-profit housing, now.

Equidistant from The Well and my $2250 condo rental (paid to a foreign owner) are two co-ops built in the 1970s where I could rent for $1200. Wait lists were suspended when they got over a generation long and became moot.

Give a choice between $3000, $2000 and $1000 price points, i know what I'm picking.

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For me, it boils down to this: watch what they do, not what they say. I’ve been watching what Poilievre does for a long time, so I don’t believe he’s actually pivoting on anything that’s socially progressive. The CPC now sits firmly on the socially regressive, fiscally libertarian part of the ideological spectrum. They’re constantly fomenting outrage, and they have discovered how to appeal to a legitimately worried group of voters; some who are especially vulnerable right now aren’t politically savvy, and will be convinced over time that Poilievre is going to be the one to solve their current problems. Combined with the group who will just numbly vote for change without considering the potential negative consequences, I believe the CPC has a winning combination.

Sadly, by the time the electorate realizes who Poilievre is when he’s got more power…it’ll be too late (Ford). My hope for my country right now is fading. We’ve watched too many governments fail their most vulnerable people due to a populist leader recently. LPC, NDP, and the Green Party (if they can freaking get it together!), need to pull their heads out and offer up something that’s worthy of Canada.

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As you rightly said in the past, I think people are overestimating Polievre supposed ''brillance''. When you look closely at what he is saying, many things does not make sense. It is pretty clear why he is limiting his interactions with medias and does not meet serious stakeholders. Most of his time is devoted to social media videos to enrage his hard core base, who is likely big fan of Roman Barber.

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One thing missing in this analysis -- if you take the voters who support a Baber type candidate out of the CPC numbers, their current lead shrinks to at or below the Libs numbers -- he needs to pander to the Baber types to keep his numbers in the mid/high 30s -- so the fact is, a CPC caucus and cabinet would necessarily have a bunch of ultra right members and that should scare the hell out of lefties.

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.. ‘Polls are Propaganda’ - True or False.. ? It’s become my belief ‘Polls have become a Daily & Incremental Tactic, Tool & Technique of the Modern Coup D’état.. ‘Capture The Media & The Palace Is Yours’ -- Mainstream Media is now Entwined, Embedded & Integrated in the ‘conservative’ Harper CPC - Alberta now has a ‘Parachute Premier’ - Enacting her Version of The Harper Firewall Letter .. Mr Poilievre, Ms Smith - Mr Ford all employ Harper’s Realization that ‘If You Lie Every Day - Nobody Can Keep Track.. & ‘Their Eyes Will Glaze Over Even Trying’.. Daily Deceit as ‘Artificial Reality’.. akin to destroying the coral reefs.. & hen Replace with Plastic Reefs.. as ? Decor ? Amusement or Distraction for the Peasantry.. ?

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Another well written analysis that hits home how dangerous Poilievre is as politician. Poilievre does not believe in anything except in power. The difference is that he is the first leader in a row of failed CPC leaders that is much better in pretending that he does stand for something. I have never seen a politician who is so skillful in dishonesty.

PS are you sure that Roman Baber met with the ADF leader Anderson? I don’t think he was part of this disgraceful lunching with nazis episode.

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Another great column. On your point about voters choosing between economic interests vs social liberalism, Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a useful guide.

If voters feel their essential needs (economic security) are not being met, they are going to pay less attention to higher order needs (social liberalism).

A person may be pro-gay rights, pro-vaccines, and pro-green policies, but if they are struggling to make rent, have a shitty paying job, and see declining public services, social liberalism won't be a priority.

In wealthy parts of Canada, Roman Baber will definitely matter. But in the majority of the country that is struggling? I don't think the WEF nonsense will register very much.

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lol the ''majority of the country that is struggling''. Yes, some people are actually struggling but social media are the best too exagerate. It was the same thing when the anti-vaccine mnadates were telling us the vast majority of canadians was behind them becuase they were a few thousands people in Ottawa.

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In regards to vaccine mandates, I get your point of view as I share it. When I refer to "struggling", I am referring to economic matters. In the past two years, I have travelled across Canada, and by getting out of the Ottawa bubble I have clearly seen how this country has declined.

I am no PP supporter and will not vote for PP or Max, as the Cons and PPC are indulgingly in crazy talk . But the fact remains that many, many parts of this country (Northern Ontario, various Indigenous communities, numerous rural areas, downtrodden urban areas like Vancouver's downtown eastside) are struggling with poverty. That is not a result of social media, it's the result of many other factors, coupled with bad decisions by many levels of government. If we do not address this, there will be an inevitable backlash.

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Thanks for your reply. I guess everybody can have their own perception of the socio economic reality of Canadians based on what they see and perceptions are not always facts. While there are indeed challenges (i fuly agree on this), I still believe that the issue is amplified by conservatives propaganda on social media at the federal level for electoral gains.

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100% agree that some Tories use social media to spread propaganda, but that is true of all political parties.

As for facts vs perception, it is clear that crime is rising, productivity is down, wages are falling behind inflation, and the ability to buy a house is becoming more difficult. That is not my opinion, those are government statistics.

What is in dispute are the reasons for this decline. Some blame the Liberals, others argue our decline is due to global causes beyond any government's control. Whatever the reason, my point is that we need to do a better job at addressing this decline, or we will wake up to a backlash one of these days.

I get the sense we share many similar political views. My point is that we need to admit that we are declining and find solutions to our socioeconomic problems, because if we don't, then Canada could elect PP or someone like him.

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i challenge Evan often re ‘penetration’ of Media > ‘voter perspectives’ - & yes.. ! As you suggest.. perceptions are not necessarily connected to ‘facts' or ‘factually reality’ .. some, indeed so many, prefer ‘fantasy’.. which is an interesting type of Partisan ‘Political Delusion’ or narcosis.. whereby one ‘lies to themselves & believes it’

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Why would Canadians accept any softening of Poilievre by his crooked wife? Before they were married Ana was okay with skimming off the taxpayer by renting property to the MP she nominally worked for? She accepted the illegal gift of a trip to Taiwan with Pierre before they were married. It stinks. Like the Colonbian drug lord money laundering her father was kicked out of Venezuelan banking for in 1995.

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CPC talking points and comments from CPC supporters frequently criticize Trudeau and the Liberals of braking their promises. I think a major problem for Poilievre will be that the Liberals will claim that Poilievre will keep his promises: all of them, explicit and implied. So voters can expect the Governor of the Bank of Canada to be fired on day one as he promised and say Kevin O'Leary replaces him, followed immediately by dropping the Canadian dollar in favour of crypto currency. Roman Babar will become Minster of Health and Tamara Lich will become Chief Medical Officer, who orders all vaccination material to be incinerated. Legislation will be introduced to outlaw health authorities in favour of candidates provided by Take Back Alberta, who will then be controlling the government of Alberta. Based on the byelection results in Manitoba and Poilievre's vote against gay marriage in 2005 (?), voters can expect Poilievre to introduce legislation eliminating same sex marriage and reducing the rights of LGBTQ people. On day two Canadians can expect CBC tv to be only a test screen image and CBC radio will be silent. On day three the carbon tax will be eliminated and all international agreements designed to address climate change will be cancelled. Voters can expect legislation in line with Danielle Smith's policy to eliminate renewable energy projects and increase subsidies to oil and gas companies. Voters can expect safe injection sites across the country to be shut down with the expectation that drug addicts will just say no or maybe seek treatment that doesn't exist due to lack of health care funding. The new Minister of Finance can be expected to start an austerity program to recover all funds irresponsibly provided to individuals and businesses during the pandemic. The list will go on and on; all promises Poilievre made during his time in politics. The Liberals will have a filed day.

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Hi Evan, just wanted to know if your thoughts have changed after two quick fact checks.

Firstly, there is indeed footage of Poilievre on camera, in a mainstream news conference to Global News on June 2, in English, voicing his support for LGBTQ+ people. He said "we should continue to give refuge in Canada to gays, lesbians, LGBT people, who are persecuted" and "my purpose is to make Canada the freest country in the world. Freedom for everybody, including gays and lesbians".

Secondly, Baber did not meet with the far right AFD MP. That was Lewis, Allison, and Carrie.

Thoughts? Looking forward to your response Evan.

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Dear Evan.. dearie me.. Evan ! What flavour Koolaid you been banging back.. ? ? Askin for a friend.. y’neow ?

Take a walk with me down the back alley with me & a pair of brass knuckles & our rhythm sticks to the Jenni Byrne WarFactory

where it’s a yummy crunchy grrNola & CandyFloss liposuction Pimpaganda ROPE THE Dopes with no BUDGET CEILING

i DOUBLE DAREYA.. to Bet The Pot & Keys To Your Heart.. we can just walk right in & goon the Goons

With yer Sheer & Stunning Talent/Energy & this old fluck’s Off Planet MultiMedia Savagery We Can Own The Scumbag Deceivers

& ‘Evan Better’ - we can gut them like the Parasitic Lamprey Eels they are ... Count Many Coup.. Take nada Prisoners

Tap Tap Silver Hammer.. Bang Bang Maxwell Silver Hammer.. Nothing Illegal son.. ‘Just Be Warriors’

I am the one who with my artist pal Richard ‘killer’ Cortes gave birth to ‘MediaTribe’

just as Marshall McLuhan & Derrick de Kerkoeve described us & predicted we would would come..

soon.. is now.. NOW - “generalists manning the outposts of Culture & Technology”

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I’m currently On Site shooting in Paradise - Not Shooting Down Parasites like Poilievre et al Inc which I am wont (not want) to do 🦎🏴‍☠️

You EARNED my RESPECT .. THE HARD WAY ..

Mr Poilievre EARNED my Everlasting DISGUST & DISRESPECT the Same Hard Way.. please note that I will not even INCLUDE HIM

on the same line of text.. or sentence including your name .. You do understand ‘Polar Opposites’ of course you do !

Will get back to you in a bit Sir ! Here or via Twitter X

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The author is really toxifying his Liberal party friends with such and ugly and ridiculous Nazi accusations pointed at the Christine Anderson who very adeptly put Trudeau in his place at the European Parliament.

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I'm no Fan of Trudeau's but the woman is a member of the far rightwing AfD Party. A party that shops in anti-Islamic, anti-semitic, anti-immigration, Holocaust denying politics. Even Poilievre has stated that "her views are vile and have no place in our politics". Prior to her election, she was an activist with the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim alliance Pegida. She has gone on transphobic tirades, crusaded against face masks during the pandemic, struck a pro-Russian tone on the war in Ukraine, and objected to the COVID-19 vaccines on the grounds they are “experimental. Even inside Germany for an AfD politician Anderson’s reputation is toxic. A far right German demagogue well known for harboring extremism views from power, especially far-right/Nazi-like viewpoints. Anderson had been forging relationships with many of the NA anti-vaccine activists and made plans to fly over to Canada to tour cities across the country to hone her paranoid populist stump speech. So, unless you are one of these RWNJs, her words are both fatuous and meaningless.

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My reading of the story is that the CIJA, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO) basically ordered Poilievre to condemn Anderson or face the ire of the media monopoly that has a disproportionate say in how Canada is governed. I never saw Poilievre say the words attributed to him. Poilievre probably simply signed a document presented him by the CIJA. I've seen that kind of transaction from this crew before.

This demonstration of the Lobby's power over both the governing party and the opposition party is a pretty good indication of why democratic discourse in Canada is so impoverished and limp. Christine Anderson speaks eloquently on the issues of the toxic mandated injections and such, rightfully pointing to Justin Trudeau as a disgrace to any democracy. His approach is to criminalize his most effective political critics.

The criminalization of the Coutts Four by the disgraced political performance agency, namely the RCMP, is another display of Canada's free fall underway under the Trudeau-Singh alliance. The kind of xerox-style, press-release thinking displayed above does not bode well for Canada's future. Dealing with political opponents by saying they should "leave Canada" does not put in a good light those on your side of this political disagreement. Its an indicator of an ideological version of bigotry. Decent authentic liberals understand that accommodating diversity of thought is pretty essential to democracy's workings. Weren't you embarrassed to see Canada made to look so bad in an international parliament like the EU in Brussels? There were many present in the EU Parliament from a variety of parties who clearly agreed with Anderson.

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So you're one of those RWNJs I see. Bravo for you. And no, you're dreaming if you think there were "many" who agreed. 3-4 people do not constitute many, and they were from similar far RW governments.

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What's a RWNJ? A RW government? Many who agreed with what? Christine Anderson? She has a large following actually. Why be so cryptic and elusive in your language Timberwolf?

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Cryptic? Hardly. And follow the thread - the answer to your question "agreed with what" is sitting in the comment I replied to. Wakie, wakie. And she may have a following. but they are all RWNJs. You can't be serious you don't know what that means. Seems you fit right in with that crowd.

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Speaking of Nazis, the Trudeau Liberals seem to have no trouble with the PM and his Bandera sidekick flying off regularly to the Ukraine to help out with money and political capital the Nazi factions and militias there. Do you agree with Trudeau that the Conservative Party and with the Nazis. What a desecration of Parliament that was. How far and how fast Canada is plummeting under the Trudeau net zero lunatics. I did figure out RWNJ but I have yet to be clear what your reference to 3 to 4 people is all about. Why can't you carry on some semblance of decent civil discourse Timberwolf?

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I think we have an example of Polievre's core base supporter living in an alternate reality. Have fun supporting your pals accusing of conspiranced to committ murders

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.. Let us know how soon you can leave Canada, thanks ! And have a nice day wherever you slink off to eh ! 🦎🏴‍☠️

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