Canada

The difference here is that the Liberals are not the Democrats. They will stand up and push back. If Poilievre makes it about needless opposition, they will just work with the other parties and keep going. They don't need him.

But yes, I can appreciate what you say. It seems clear that the Republicans and those like them have only ever paid lip service to good faith and respectful dialogue, and they've never done anything but take advantage of anyone who offers them goodwill. I can see this starting in western Canada, and I do believe Poilievre is cut from the same cloth. But I think Carney has a strategic advantage here and it doesn't disadvantage him to at least try to create a better environment. Hard liners won't change, but Canada seems to have softer support in the centre and they generally prefer civil politics.

I don't think this is Carney's intent at all. I think this is done fully expecting PP to be just as petulant as he's been all this time. It's to show that he's just as terrible as everybody who voted against him knows him to be, and to make his supporters start to really think about who they voted for. Not to mention that PP will accomplish absolutely nothing as the official opposition leader, since Carney only needs three seats to vote for anything, and he can get that from the NDP that's most closely aligned to the Liberals, or even the Bloc that have openly stated to form a ceasefire as long as Trump continues to attack Canada.

It's far better than risking the Conservatives getting an actually competent leader that can rally their constituency when they're already looking like they're breaking at the seams. By allowing PP to have a seat and be official opposition leader, it makes it harder for the Conservatives to remove PP and put someone else in, which puts further strain on their cohesion.

I feel like Carney's move is an attempt to make the Conservatives break apart with the realization that this election was the best chance they had at gaining power in a long time, and things will look worse because it's almost impossible for Carney to screw up in ways that'll make his support weaker the next election as long as he continues to play hardball against Trump.

At the very worst, he can treat the guy like a mild annoyance, since no matter how loudly he yells, it's easy to ignore him when the Conservative vote means nothing in this virtual majority government.

I believe that candidates should have to be permanent residents of their riding. In this case, they picked a riding where the locals will probably be happy to have Poilievre.

However in much of rural Alberta you could run a pile of cowpies wearing a blue necktie and win the election.

Why is the cost a concern? It mostly goes to low income temp workers. Even a general election is a microscopic component of govt spending. Democracy and elections should be among the highest spending priorities.

If you want to complain about spending, complain about something wasteful, like $60B in annual subsidies for the US-owned oil industry that produces 70% of AB oil. Shave that by 1% and you'd pay for every by-election since 1867

Especially when he called out Justin Trudeau for imposing for his own preferred electoral system while ignoring the wishes of Canadians.

The key word is "immediately". It is within his power to delay the byelection for months.

The PM doesn't have to call an MP election immediately, they can wait up to 6 months before calling an election. And I believe they also get to set how long the campaign period is to an extent which would delay things further. If Carney wanted to play politics, he could prevent the Conservatives from having their leader in the house of commons until sometime in 2026. It's a classy move that Carney stated he would call an election immediately if an MP gives up their position for Poilievre to run. It shows he's not about playing political games and is wanting to work together with other parties to unify Canada.

I'm referring to the fact that he could have made Poilievre wait until November (I think he has up to 6 months). He did not have to do it immediately, it was Carney's decision to make.