Canadian Tories propose 10 years for masks...

[Enigma]

I've read that those in Canada will soon have the option to opt out of those ads that seems to have intimate knowledge of the user. Doesn't seem right wingish to me.

As right wing as the Cons are, they are soo much to the left as any political party in the U.S..

[Aaron MkII]

That would be pretty cool. They also ditched the LGR, which is a pretty novel idea, not keeping records? Giving up power?

Still, not keen on free trade with China and India though.

[Blayne]

On the other hand the Conservatives are significantly harming the environment or passing legislation that could easily result in it, trying to buy a boondoggle of an military aircraft to replace our aging fleet and pursuing economic policies that harm the economic diversification of our country.

[It is a very convenient myth that the Conservatives under Harper are good for the economy, one they have wasted no effort in exploiting to misinform the average voter, in reality virtually all of the credit should go to regulations put in place by liberals, regulations Harper tried to repeal.]

They have also been found to be in contempt of parliament and virtually the only ruling party in the entire commonwealth to have done so, and additionally are trying to mandate minimum sentancing and making us more similar to a US-style prison system focusing on incarceration and being "tough on crime" rather than prevention measures via fighting poverty or working to rehabilitate current prisoners (through for example farmwork).

While it is true that we have not gone down some slippery slope towards some fascist police state (and arguably are more leftwing than US Democrats) and that some of their legislation has not met with success for which I am grateful. It is not however true that I should accept HarperGov and be okay with the job they have done, in fact I have every reason to not like or be satisfied with the job they have done. As such I personally feel as I cannot speak for everyone that we should continue to be critical and vocal in our opposition to the Conservatives and continue to hammer at them on the issues that they have horrendously mismanaged.

Such as their lying over the cost of the F-35's that Mulcair has been blasting them on from the front bench.

[Aaron MkII]

Civil liberties is about the only that I agree they've done ok with. The rest, including the pointless F-35...fuck em.

[Aaron MkII]

Forever vigilant as the saying goes.

[Blayne]

Excellent, we have consensus!

Though on the other other hand the F-35, or rather replacement aircraft in general isn't strictly speaking pointless. I don't mind spending money so we maintain our sovereignty, international law is very clear it operates on a use it or lose it basis. So we do need new aircraft the CF-18's are old and metal fatigue is a real thing.

So far talking it back and forth between some aircraft otaku buddies of mine the F/A-18 Superhornet is probably best, it's dual engined and a naval plane so its good for northern airfields and artic air. It's cheaper so we can buy more for the same price and they are 'new' planes in the sense that new ones are still being built so they are fresh airframes and we'll have them last a good 25 years at least and they are upgradeable as plenty of countries are still using them just not as many countries as the theoretical F-35.

Personally I would opt for the Russian Su-35 the 4th gen++ variant that's about 50% the cost of the F-35 for 75% of the plane.

But the F-35? Massive boondoggle and it's heading towards failure we should run away from it as fast as possible, anything would be better, like the Grippen (I think I spelt it wrong) or the Rafale.

[Aaron MkII]

Oh my F-35 objection is specific to the aircraft. We don't need a stealth fighter, the latest F-18 would be fine. Or one of the Euro jets. Stealth is just gold plating for what we do.