August 19, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Abacus looks into the ‘third rail issues,’ identifies vote winners and losers

Opinion research firm Abacus Data has published an in-depth look at how Canadian voters perceive ‘third-rail’ issues.

The report said, “The phrase “third rail” of politics is often attributed to Tip O’Neill, a former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is said to have used it to describe Social Security, implying that any politician who attempted to alter the program would suffer severe political consequences. While the exact origins are not definitively documented, O’Neill’s usage popularized the metaphor.”

The pollsters asked: “We want you to think about policies that a political party could announce that would completely rule out you voting for that party, EVEN if you like the party’s other policies. For each of the following policies, please indicate if you would vote for the party proposing that policy.”

“In the vote winner category, raising taxes on the richest 1%, making public transit free in every Canadian city, make university and college free for all Canadian students, eliminating the federal carbon tax, and forcing religious organizations to pay taxes all had far more Canadians indicate they would definitely vote for a party that promised those ideas than those who would never vote for the party.”

“Vote losers, or issues we consider “third rail” issues, include legalizing the use of all drugs, raising the eligibility age for retirement benefits, mandatory military service, criminalizing abortion, taxing the profit people make when they sell their primary residence, and abolishing official bilingualism. New taxes on sugary beverages and allowing people to pay to access most healthcare procedures were on the edge but far more would never vote for a party that promised those than definitely would.”

The issues are ranked below:

Read the research here.

Former Saskatoon Mayor decides to try again

Former mayor Don Atchison has once again announced his intentions to seek election as Mayor, a move that could have major direct and indirect implications on the race this fall.

During his announcement, Atchison said, “I’m running to change the policies of the present council and create positive change. Not one thing has gotten better. The problems have gotten worse.” Atchison said his priorities are restoring law and order, rescinding the fourplex rezoning, and freezing the mill rate. He also hinted at opposing the new downtown event centre.

This will be Atchison’s seventh mayoral bid this century, having run in every mayoral race since 2003. Atchison was elected Mayor of Saskatoon from 2003 to 2016, winning four consecutive elections. He lost the 2016 race to Charlie Clark and lost a comeback bid in 2020.

During the 2020 campaign, and following the result, many political players on the centre-right or conservative side said vote splitting between Atchison and Rob Norris led to Clark’s re-election. Norris even went so far as to call out Atchison in his election night concession speech. Clark won with 46% of the vote. Norris placed second with 26% and Atchison placed third with 20%.

Atchison is the fourth candidate for Mayor in a race shaping up much like the 2020 race. Cary Tarasoff’s name will be on the ballot again. Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gordon Wyant and Ward 6 Councillor Cynthia Block had a headstart, with both candidates announcing on the same day in June.

Block responded to Atchison’s news on X with this post:

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Trudeau appoints new Senator from Saskatchewan

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed a new Senator to fill a vacancy in Saskatchewan.

Tracy Muggli comes from Saskatoon. She is a registered social worker, executive, and former provincial public servant with over 35 years of experience in the health and social services sectors. She has long been an active member of her community and currently serves as the Executive Director of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. She is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal and the Premier’s Award for Excellence in Public Service.

In 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau promised to appoint independent senators who do not caucus with the Liberals. The senators are appointed through an independent advisory board. Since that time, more than half of the senators appointed have had ties to the Liberal Party.

Muggli has been involved in Liberal Party politics for years, and has been a two-time federal Liberal candidate. In 2015 and 2019 Muggli ran for the Liberal Party in Saskatoon-Grasswood, losing both times to Conservative Party MP Kevin Waugh.

Muggli joins former broadcaster Charles Adler as the two newest senators joining the upper chamber of ‘sober second thought.’

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NDP hears concerns at seniors tower, campaigns in Moose Jaw

NDP leader Carla Beck was in Moose Jaw last week to meet with seniors living in a bug-infested building.

In a video posted on X, Beck says “Their ministers, their MLAs from Moose Jaw have forgotten them and neglected them.”

Speaking at a press conference at High Park Towers, flanked by local candidates Cheantelle Fisher and Melissa Patterson, Beck gave remarks to local media. She said, “Some will remember that last November, residents of this very building — Moose Jaw seniors — travelled to the Legislature to draw attention to their concerns, that they are facing still today — cockroaches and a number of other serious issues. But since then, the cockroach issues have gotten worse.” 

The NDP have their sights set on Moose Jaw, with Carla Beck visiting the city many times over the last year. The city’s two ridings may be a battleground this fall and one to watch.

Following the press conference, the Ministry of Social Services released a statement that read, "The Ministry of Social Services takes these issues seriously. The most recent inspection was on August 6, 2024 and treatment is scheduled for today. We will continue to work with pest control contractors to confirm if the treatment is successful and perform additional treatments of the area as necessary.”

The full story can be read here.

More news and info

• Updated: Here’s a look at who’s running for Regina City Council this fall (Leader-Post)

• North Battleford gets a new treatment centre (MBC Radio)

• Saskatoon downtown arena partner cancels committee appearance (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix)

• The Democratic National Convention kicks off today. Here’s what to expect (USA Today)

• Wyant posts new campaign video (X)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker