NDP Ahead of Bloc in Quebec Polls

For the first time ever, the NDP has overtaken the popular vote in Quebec, even ahead of the province's favourite Bloc Quebecois. If the election were to happen today, the NDP would be the choice for 36% of the province's population, compared to 31% for the Bloc. This is very bad news for the Bloc, who have always had the majority of the support in the only Canadian province they run in. In Montreal, they have even more support, with 40% of Montreal residents supporting the NDP.

This support could be a breakthrough for the NDP, not only in the province of Quebec, but they are also hoping that this could signal a flood of support for the party throughout the country. Jack Layton, NDP leader was born in Montreal and recently took in a Canadiens game. That, paired with the English and French leaders debate was what many think propelled him to the top of the polls in the province.

This is a big signal to the NDP that they are doing something wrong in the election. They need to do something drastic to raise their standing in the polls, because unlike the other parties, Quebec is the only province that the Bloc runs in. If they lose the public opinion, it drastically reduces their chances of having as many members in Parliament as the last election.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/978205--ndp-jumps-ahead-of-bloc-in-quebec-poll?bn=1

Launch for BlackBerry Playbook Unsuccessful

BlackBerry's Canadian launch of their rival product to the Apple IPad was unsuccessful, to say the least. BlackBerry released the Playbook on Tuesday morning to a lackluster crowd. The launch at the Future Shop store at Yonge and Dundas square was not very well attended, which is strange considering it is the largest of the Future Shop stores in Canada. There were not many lineups across the street at Best Buy either, with the lineups in the heart of Canada's largest city maxing out at around 12 people.

Sure, there are problems with the Playbook. It cannot send emails without a connection to a BlackBerry smartphone. But loyal customers who think that messaging is more important than text will buy it, regardless of the flaws in it. It is marketed toward businesspeople who would be less likely to wait in line for something before the release, so the lineups have not dissuaded RIM, the maker of the BlackBerry phone and Playbook.

I think this is just something BlackBerry dashed off in a few months to just try and compete with Apple, who dominates the tablet market every since the IPad was released last year, and are in the process of making another. It shows just how much of an impact Apple is having on the market, and how unsuccessful BlackBerry will be in this market.

http://business.financialpost.com/2011/04/19/lacklustre-launch-for-blackberry-playbook/

First Debate Over With: Population Believes Harper Won

Tuesday night was the English Leaders Debate for the leaders of Canadian Political Parties. Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe battled it out last night on national television in front of the general public. There were a few questions that needed to be answered, including if Michael Ignatieff could convince Canadians who knew hardly anything about him to switch allegences and vote for a man who had spent a few decades out of the country.

Stephen Harper, on the other hand, was unflappable in all of his responses. Even though he was forced on the defensive most of the time, he responded in a cool, calm and collected fashion. All the while, Jack Layton, leader of the NDP went on the offensive, mainly directing his strikes toward Ignatieff.

Only time will tell if Ignatieff's efforts were enough to turn voters in his favour, or if they will have stuck with Stephen Harper's proven leadership and the Conservative Party. In my mind, this election is unnecessary and may even turn out to be a poor choice for the Liberals, because, as shown in polls, the Conservatives may even be in place to win a majority government.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/12/john-ivison-on-the-debate-harper-wins-by-avoiding-blunders/

France Bans Face Veils

On Monday morning, France's new law banning face veils in public areas. Anyone seen weiring a full face veil in public will be subject to a $150 euro fine or Frech Citizenship lessons. This ban was originally scheduled to be in effect earlier, but Muslim groups were given a grace period of 6 months to explain the new laws and ban to their supporters and members.

Surprisingly, those Muslim groups have been very peaceful about the ban. There have been no demonstrations so far, and the leader of the groups have said that after having conversations with the French authorities about the ban, that they are "100% respectful of French law." There are still hard feelings though, as many Muslims feel the ban imposes on their cultural freedom.

In my mind, this is a very controversial and foolish move by the French Government. I believe that the ban does impose on their cultural beliefs and freedoms. If they want to wear the veil in public, that should be their decision, not the Government's. This move was made by President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose poll ratings are at an all time low. Some have said that this move was made just to gain support of far right voters. This would mean that he didn't actually believe in the law, he just wanted more votes. This is something that the French should, and I believe will, investigate and look into.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/France+enacts+face+veils/4593995/story.html