Political Crisis in Ontario

[ontario claret]

Doug Ford, better known as "Thug" Ford, our new premier, has created a political crisis by enacting the "Notwithstanding Clause" in the Canadian Constitution in order to reduce the Toronto city council from 46 to 25 members. He's doing this so that he can gerrymander the boundaries to ensure that he has a majority of supporters on said council. He was overruled by a provincial judge, who, unfortunately, is of East Asian origin. Thus, he can also claim that he is saving taxpayers money (a totally false argument), plus, he says that he is elected, while the judge was appointed by the previous Liberal government. In Canada, judges are appointed by provincial governments on the recommendation of local bar associations. It's rather like the Queen being the final signee before a law receives final approval. So Ford taps into white anger, while pretending to be a populist. This could get very interesting. We have another Donald Trump on our hands.

[Quickenthetempo]

We're sending Turtle over. He will sort it shortly.

[South West Claret.]

When ever I see a reference to gerrymandering My thoughts go back to old mother Porter in London, a nasty piece of work if ever there is one.

[ontario claret]

Gerry Mander was a real politician in Massachusetts. Not to be confused with Jerry Mathers, of "Leave It to Beaver" fame.

[Paul Waine]

Wasn't there another Canadian politician a short time back called Ford? Any relation?

[thatdberight]

Gerry Mander was a real politician in Massachusetts. Not to be confused with Jerry Mathers, of "Leave It to Beaver" fame.

Not quite true. It was a Governor Gerry (with a hard 'g').

Add it to the list of mispronounced things named after people with Eve-rest...

[AndrewJB]

Wasn't there another Canadian politician a short time back called Ford? Any relation?

His brother.

[ontario claret]

His brother, Rob, was mayor of Toronto, succeeding David Miller, who I used to play rugby with (shameless name drop), who became the head of the local chapter of the WWF. Rob was a total buffoon, until his death from stomach cancer. Doug ran against John Tory, who succeeded his brother, but lost. He then started a rumour that he was going to run for prime minister. The whole country shook with fear. Never came about. His private polling showed that he had no chance. He then threw his hat into the ring to fill the vacant Tory leadership role. Through mysterious circumstances (there was a 6-hour recount wait), he won against the widow of the recently departed federal Tory finance minister. Meanwhile, the Liberals were shooting themselves in the foot. After nearly 20 years in power, our lesbian premier, who has 2 children from her first marriage to a man (don't ask), was running around spending money she didn't have. Election night, Tories had won a clear majority with 40% of the vote, with the NDP (pseudo-Labour) in opposition, and Libs going from a majority to a 7-seat rump. Interesting times. Next step, annexation by the United States (or invasion).

[ontario claret]

And gerrymandering WAS invented by the 19th century governor of Massachusetts, Gerry Mander.

[Greenmile]

And gerrymandering WAS invented by the 19th century governor of Massachusetts, Gerry Mander.

Nope. Elbridge Gerry was his name, and one of the gerrymandered districts looked like a salamander.

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