The important
Most people use Facebook to catch up with friends. Justin Trudeau used the social media outlet’s video platform on Monday to release his Liberal Party’s full election platform. Making the announcement at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., the 88-page platform included promises to boost the maximum Canada Student Grant by 50 per cent for full-time low-income students, up to $3,000 per year. As for those struggling with student debt, the Liberals pledged that graduates would only have to start repayment only after they start earning at least $25,000 annually.
First ever political campaign to launch its platform on Facebook live. Watch now. pic.twitter.com/mfbJxQ1LQO
— Liberal Party (@liberal_party) October 5, 2015
Of course, Trudeau wasn’t the only leader with big news using Facebook for a Q&A.
Stephen Harper is taking TPP questions on his Facebook page tonight, a CPC fundraising email tells me. You can post Qs as of now. #elxn42
— Laura Payton (@laura_payton) October 5, 2015
Tom Mulcair, meanwhile, was in Toronto to announce that an NDP government would invest $60 million over four years towards Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board, as well as ease up regulations for artists trying to score grants from the Canada Council for Arts.
And for those who think it’s only Conservative supporters scoffing at journalists’ questions, the NDP crowd also had some words for media almost exclusively asking Mulcair about the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
"Arts questions please!" NDP supporters heckling reporters #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/8fVVW5Lvav
— Don Peat (@reporterdonpeat) October 5, 2015
The interesting
From 2003 to 2010, Danny Williams was the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. But even though he was the leader of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party, that doesn’t mean he’s lobbying for a Harper government.
In reference to Harper’s stance against items like Muslim women wearing the niqab during citizenship oaths, Williams said the prime minister’s tactics isolate women, isolate minorities and “and even crosses, possibly, that racism line.” So for those conservatives who just can’t tick the box on election day in support of the Liberals or NDP, Williams has a piece of advice: strategic non-voting. “Don’t vote at all,” he said. “Just don’t vote for [Harper] because he’s bad for the country.”
Ever wonder if Danny Williams has buried that hatchet with Stephen Harper? Wonder no more. http://t.co/JnmLyGFoWd pic.twitter.com/Di6rQURqOT
— Terry Roberts (@TRobertst) October 5, 2015
With two weeks until Oct. 19 and all the federal leaders’ debates done for this election campaign, Trudeau is starting to pull ahead in the polls.
Latest @niknanos poll: Lib 35.6 (+4 from week ago), Tory 31 (-2), NDP 22.8 (-4.1) http://t.co/fsLrjsa7BI #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/lW01H5l8iO
— Stephen Wicary (@wicary) October 5, 2015
Nanos poll: Liberals emerging with lead, Conservatives steady, NDP slide http://t.co/iSGdQC3cNh @niknanos #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/Ve7UXNmDSB
— CTV News (@CTVNews) October 5, 2015
The NDP’s orange wave in Quebec from 2011 is quieting down substantially in 2015. Nanos polling numbers have the NDP in a statistical tie with the Liberals in La Belle Province, while the Bloc Quebecois vote has overtaken the Tories.
The fun
What should a Tory MP do when someone dumps 100 bushels of wheat outside his campaign office to protest the TPP deal? Turn that wheat into bread. (Get it? Money.)
An apparently disgruntled farmer has dumped a mound of wheat outside the campaign office of @LarryMaguireMP #bdnmb pic.twitter.com/Sj5qd89beK
— Matt Goerzen (@MattGoerzen) October 5, 2015
With news of the 12-nation agreement, one farmer was evidently unhappy enough to let the Conservative MP in Brandon, Man., Larry Maguire, see it first-hand. But instead of letting the crop sit idle on the pavement, Maguire turned into a prop to promote the cause.
TPP is a great free trade deal for Westman. This wheat will soon have access to customers from around the world! -LM pic.twitter.com/Ys8Fvz6xLj
— Larry Maguire (@LarryMaguireMP) October 5, 2015
Just called into Swap & Shop on @880cklqnews offering 100 bushels of bulk wheat to be picked up at 2940 Victoria. -LM pic.twitter.com/MS8jL45mFe
— Larry Maguire (@LarryMaguireMP) October 5, 2015
Getting ready to load up some wheat shortly if you want to come down to the campaign office and watch! -LM pic.twitter.com/pDmqvP0xwR
— Larry Maguire (@LarryMaguireMP) October 5, 2015
Just finished loading up over 100 bushels of wheat that will be donated the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. -LM pic.twitter.com/a70TwOnGWj
— Larry Maguire (@LarryMaguireMP) October 5, 2015
Big thanks to @RonKrahn for volunteering his truck to load the wheat and donate to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. -LM pic.twitter.com/muERNtDOXj
— Larry Maguire (@LarryMaguireMP) October 5, 2015