Words are inadequate

Actually, it's Alberta that's the Texas of the north - cattle, cowboys, oil, a "we're different and better" attitude... plus some fabulously gorgeous mountains and a lot of snow to make it a little more Canadian. :)

I still haven't figured out a lot of the details of the Canadian system, but the Bloc is surprisingly important (but very confusing). I think it's because they are big enough that the other parties need their votes to get stuff done, but their agenda is basically "we're in Quebec and speak French" so they don't have a lot else going for the rest of the country.

I've been disappointed in the commercials this time around. They remind me a lot more of the political commercials in the US - oversimplifying everything and focusing on who is or is not allegedly going to raise your taxes or ruin your health care. I'm not sure if they are worse than the last election here, or if I just didn't see the commercials last time because I don't watch the right kind of TV. This time, the elections coincide with the NHL playoffs, so we've got CBC on a lot more and are seeing more political commercials.