Is the ‘Seinfeld theory’ coming for Justin Trudeau’s political future? | Canada News Media
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Is the ‘Seinfeld theory’ coming for Justin Trudeau’s political future?

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The Trudeau government released its 2024 budget with a promise to bring “fairness for every generation” by pledging billions on housing and introducing a new capital gains tax on the wealthy, as part of its strategy to win back younger voters.

But former Liberal deputy prime minister John Manley doubts the major spending geared at a millennial and Gen Z audience will be enough to keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in power once election time rolls around.

“I subscribe to what I call the Seinfeld theory of political longevity,” John Manley told West Block host Mercedes Stephenson.

“Seinfeld, great show, lasted nine seasons. And if you think in terms of modern political history in Canada, think back to Brian Mulroney: nine seasons, Jean Chretien: 10 seasons, Stephen Harper: nine seasons,” he said, referencing the years they spent in power.

Manley adds Canada is not unique. France’s Charles de Gaulle and the U.K.’s Margaret Thatcher also saw their time in power end around the same time, he says.

When it comes to the “seasons” Trudeau may have left, “I think people are going to say, ‘you know, enjoyed the show, but it’s time for something new,’” said Manley.

Seinfeld, the beloved sitcom often described as “about nothing”, ended in 1998. Back then, millennials still couldn’t vote and most Gen Z Canadians weren’t even born.

But the two demographics now make up a key voting bloc that has grown increasingly frustrated by the economic uncertainty that has come to characterize their lives: the 2008 global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, record inflation and a lack of affordable housing.

“When I talk about the need to address the housing crisis that we have, it’s founded on the notion that in order for us to retain our young people, to attract investment, we need to have housing,” said former Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt in an interview with the West Block.

Increasingly, those young voters are turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, with recent polling suggesting the Conservatives are leading the Liberals among the demographic.

Trudeau is trying to win them back, with hundreds of measures “sprinkled” in what seems like a “pre-election” fiscal plan, said former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page about the budget last week.

The measures include money for housing, free contraceptives, and the “right to disconnect.”

Page says prime minister has moved away from his previous message of “strengthening the middle class to fairness across generations.”

But Manley insists Trudeau’s sales pitch to millennials and Gen Z remains a “tough sell” for Canadians tired of watching political re-runs.

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N.S. parties focus on affordability on the campaign trail

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N.S. parties focus on affordability on the campaign trail

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N.S. election promise tracker: What has been promised by three main parties?

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Voters in Nova Scotia are scheduled to go to the polls on Nov. 26. At dissolution, the Progressive Conservatives held 34 seats in the 55-seat legislature, the Liberals held 14 seats, the NDP had six and there was one Independent.

Here’s a look at some of the promises announced by the three major parties:

Progressive Conservatives:

— Cut the harmonized sales tax by one percentage point, to 14 per cent, by April 1. (Announced shortly before election call.)

— Increase the basic personal exemption on the Nova Scotia income tax to $11,744 from $8,744.

— Increase minimum wage in 2025 to $16.50 per hour from $15.20 per hour.

— Remove the tolls from the two Halifax harbour bridges at a cost to government coffers of $40 million.

Liberals:

— Establish the position of ethics commissioner with order-making powers; give more resources to auditor general.

— Grant order-making powers to the privacy commissioner so that rulings related to access to information requests and other privacy matters can be enforced.

— Implement fine of $250,000 for any governing party that defies law on fixed election date.

— Remove the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax on all food that isn’t already tax-free, such as snack foods, granola products, and rotisserie chickens, at a cost of $11 million annually.

— Provide about $10 million in subsidies for independent grocers and food retailers in the form of grants and low-interest loans to help them expand and compete with big retailers.

NDP:

Announced a housing plan in May 2024 that would:

— Prioritize the use of prefabricated housing to expand public housing stock.

— Increase loans to help with down payments on homes, to 10 per cent of purchase price (up from five per cent), for a maximum of $50,000; extend the repayment period to 25 years from 10 years.

— Establish rent control and provide a tax credit for renters from low and middle-income households.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Breakingnews: Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe wins seat in provincial election

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