A Message to NDP and Green Party Voters, From a Concerned Canadian

Recapping Episode 116 of The Bill Kelly Podcast.

With just three weeks to go before Canadians head to the polls, the air is thick with speculation, campaign promises, and yes, more than a few questionable takes on polling data. I’ve covered a lot of elections over the years, and this one is different. It feels like many Canadians have already made up their minds. Sure, there are always a few who wait until they’re standing at the booth to mark that “X,” but there’s an engagement and attentiveness this time around that’s noteworthy—and frankly, encouraging.

Let’s talk polling. Early-week numbers from Nanos and Angus Reid show the Liberals with a consistent lead—somewhere between 7 and 10 points, depending on which pollster you believe. And while I know there’s a growing chorus claiming the polls are “controlled by the Liberals”—let me be blunt: that’s garbage.

These pollsters aren’t party shills. I know many of them personally, from years on the radio and now through this podcast. If anything, most of them lean small-c conservative. Not ideologically bombastic, but analytical, careful, deliberate. Their job is to present a snapshot in time, not forecast the future. So if you trust polls when they show your guy up by 20 points, don’t suddenly cry foul when they don’t.

The Real Threat: Misinformation and Foreign Interference

Now, here’s something more troubling than poll denialism: foreign interference. Canadian intelligence services—CSIS, the RCMP, and others—have identified coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at disrupting this election. The Chinese government has targeted Mark Carney with misleading narratives, and just last week, similar accusations were linked to the Indian government.

These aren’t our friends. Not right now. The diplomatic relationships with both countries have soured, especially following allegations that Indian operatives were involved in the murder of a Canadian citizen. So why are these foreign powers seemingly throwing their weight behind Pierre Poilievre?

I won’t speculate irresponsibly—but it’s worth asking. Why do regimes known for suppressing dissent and undermining democratic norms want him in charge? Could it be that Carney’s economic experience and global credibility are too threatening to their interests?

It’s one of those “hmm” moments that deserve more attention.

Lies, Damn Lies, and Campaign Rhetoric

Let’s cut through the noise: misinformation is rampant. Ridiculous claims—like Carney being in debt to the Chinese government—are part of classic smear tactics. The “big lie” theory is alive and well: the more outrageous the claim, the more people seem willing to believe it. We’ve seen it before. We’re seeing it now.

And it’s not limited to one candidate or party. There are plenty of misleading narratives floating around about Poilievre too. But here’s my take: I don’t trust the guy. I’ve interviewed him, I’ve watched him, and I’m just not buying what he’s selling. His record tells the story—voting against minimum wage increases, $10-a-day daycare, child nutrition programs, dental care for kids, and senior benefits—all while happily racking up his own MP pension.

That’s hypocrisy. And in my view, that’s not leadership material.

Don’t Fall for the “Red Tape” Rhetoric

Poilievre’s recent promises to “cut red tape” on major energy projects sound appealing—until you ask what he actually means. Because what he calls “red tape” often includes environmental protections, Indigenous land rights, and constitutional obligations.

These aren’t bureaucratic hurdles—they’re essential safeguards. Gutting them isn’t streamlining government; it’s turning back the clock on decades of hard-won progress. Do we really want to emulate the environmental recklessness we’re seeing south of the border?

We deserve better. Industry deserves better. The planet definitely deserves better.

Media Access and Democratic Accountability

Another red flag: Poilievre’s aversion to press scrutiny. No media allowed on his campaign plane. He handpicks which reporters can ask questions—if he holds a Q&A at all. That’s not strength. That’s fear. The press has a job to do, and when a politician undermines their role in a democracy, that’s a warning sign.

We know what unchecked political power looks like. We’ve seen it in the U.S.—billionaires making policy, accountability out the window, and an entire system tilting dangerously toward authoritarianism. We should be doing everything we can to avoid importing that chaos.

The NDP Dilemma: Time to Get Real

Look, I know this will rub some people the wrong way—but the federal NDP is heading toward irrelevance in this election. Projections suggest they may walk away with maybe 8 to 10 seats. Jagmeet Singh has already dropped the “running for Prime Minister” line from the party site, and rightly so. It was never in the cards.

So why cling to an NDP vote? Singh can promise the moon, but he won’t be in a position to deliver. That’s the political reality.

This is a two-party race: Liberals or Conservatives. One will govern. One will oppose. That's it.

You may not love your options, but you owe it to yourself—and to this country—to vote strategically. A protest vote may feel good, but the next day, when power is handed over, that warm, fuzzy feeling won’t mean much.

In Closing: Think. Decide. Vote.

This election is pivotal. If we get it wrong, we’re in serious trouble. And I’m not exaggerating. The parallels with the U.S. are uncomfortable, but instructive.

So ask the hard questions. Challenge your assumptions. Be willing to vote differently than you have in the past. Politics isn’t about loyalty—it’s about direction. What kind of country do you want? Who’s offering a path to that future?

There’s still time to decide. Still time to debate. Still time to get it right.

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Thanks for being part of this conversation. You can find the Bill Kelly Podcast on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. And yes, we're on Blue Sky too—join us there if you're looking for real debate without the chaos of X.

Until next time—stay in touch, and stay informed.

—Bill Kelly

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FURTHER READING

Election 45: Liberal lead holds, while Liberal vote commitment intensifies (Angus Reid)

https://angusreid.org/election-45-liberal-lead-commitment/

Can’t do ‘CSIS background checks’ on donors, Poilievre responds to ‘friends’ of Modi report (Global News)

https://globalnews.ca/news/11124257/poilievre-responds-donors-overseas-friends-bjp-modi/

Carney targeted by Chinese WeChat ‘operation’ in Canada election: officials (Global News)

https://globalnews.ca/news/11119339/canada-election-mark-carney-wechat-china-campaign/

India’s Meddling in the Poilievre Campaign Reflects a Dangerous New Alliance: The world’s authoritarians are networking. That’s bad news for Canada’s sovereignty (The Walrus)

https://thewalrus.ca/indias-meddling-in-the-poilievre-campaign-reflects-a-dangerous-new-alliance/