A Year in Review

2009 is over ladies and gentlemen. We smiled, we cried, hell we even laughed a few times. Let's take a look at 2009, and what to expect for 2010.

In British Columbia our opinion polls that stated we were ahead of the governing Liberals, started to head south, and eventually slipped to our consistent 42% since 2005. We lost the election (but won here in Juan de Fuca!) and gained two new seats. But, just as quickly as our numbers dropped, they rose back up again in September following the announcement of the HST. Then, and still today are our numbers up at 47%, our best since the late 1980's. Carole's leadership was put into question by a bunch of disgruntled Liberals, but nothing came of it, and the BC NDP is now more united then ever in providing British Columbians a clear and positive alternative to the BC Liberals harmful policies.

Alberta is now going crazy with the rapid growth of popularity in the Wildrose Alliance, and as a result vote splitting will be massive in the next election, which will cause some of our best results (15% support) since the 1980's, and the end of the Progressive Conservative dynasty that has existed there since 1971. Saskatchewan is unfortunately still trapped in a conservative government's fist, and yet the people there are (tragically) buying it. Luckily though, following the election of Dwain Lingenfelter as leader, the NDP's approval rating has increased, putting the party in an excellent position for the remainder of the parliament as the province attempts to recover from the current economic recession using excessive fiscal austerity. Manitoba saw the end of the Doer era, as he left to become the United States Ambassador, leaving with an approval rating of 81% after ten years in office! His successor, Greg Selinger is continuing with the same proven record of success and has kept opinion polls at the same level.

Ontario citizens like British Columbians are scared shitless with the HST. They view it as a $4,000,000,000 tax grab, and are disappointed with the current Liberal government. What does that mean? Higher numbers in opinion polls of course! The NDP is now on par with federal approval ratings (20%) and is surprisingly within range of forming the Official Opposition there. Our newest province is getting tired of the poor service currently offered by the Tory government of Danny Williams. The NDP (the creator of universal health care in Canada), is beginning to point this out, and as a result is strengthening its position as the third party in the Legislative Assembly located in St. John's.

New Brunswick (which will be ripped apart during a provincial election in September), is beginning to enjoy the NDPs presence. Support there has recently tripled to 15%, due in part to the election of Darrell Dexter as Premier of Nova Scotia. Riding high since a federal convention and the first election of an NDP government in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia is not looking back and begging for the opportunity to give the government more seats. Prince Edward Islanders are looking to the NDP as the true third party in there politics, effectively removing the Green Party. Our support there has tripled as well.

Finally the opinion polls in Yukon are going a little bizarre, but overall the NDP has now (at the least) moved in Opposition status with some polls saying we could form government following the next election. I guess Elizabeth Hanson is connecting with the people up there.

Yes my friends, 2010 looks very bright for the NDP. But the true question: will you become a part of it?