Monday, May 12, 2025

Recount

 ChatGPT4-o:

Canada election 2025; what are the three ridings currently in recount, and what are the possible outcomes?

The three ridings currently in recount for the 2025 Canadian federal election are Milton East-Halton Hills South (Ontario), Terra Nova (Newfoundland and Labrador), and Kitchener Centre (Ontario) .

Possible Outcomes:

Milton East-Halton Hills South:

Preliminary results indicated the Conservatives had flipped this seat from the Liberals by 298 votes. However, Elections Canada's vote validation showed the Liberals held it by 29 votes. The judicial recount could confirm or reverse this outcome, which is critical for the Liberals as they inch closer to securing a parliamentary majority .

Terra Nova:

Early results were extremely close, prompting the recount. This riding could swing either way, with both the Liberals and Conservatives heavily competing. A win here for the Conservatives would strengthen their opposition, while a Liberal win would contribute to their pursuit of a majority government .

Kitchener Centre:

Initially won by the Conservatives, this recount is being closely monitored. The Green Party had a historic victory in this riding in 2021 but lost it this year. If the recount challenges the Conservative result and awards the seat to another party, it could alter the Greens' or Liberals' dynamics in Parliament .

Summary:

The recount results will significantly influence the final seat distribution in Parliament. A Liberal gain in these ridings could bring them closer to a majority. Conversely, Conservative or smaller party wins might limit the Liberals' ability to govern unilaterally.


How long does a recount typically take?

A recount in a Canadian federal election typically takes between 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on several factors:

Factors That Affect Recount Duration:

Size of the Riding:

In large ridings with many polling stations or mail-in ballots, recounts can take longer due to the sheer volume of ballots.

Vote Margin:

Narrower margins often mean ballots are scrutinized more carefully, which can extend the process.

Judicial Recounts vs. Administrative Recounts:

Administrative recounts, performed by the returning officer, tend to be faster and usually happen within a few days.

Judicial recounts, ordered and overseen by a judge through the court system, may take longer due to legal procedures, scheduling, and thorough assessments.

Complexity of Disputed Ballots:

If there are many disputed or spoiled ballots needing review, this can add time to the recount process.

Ballot Handling Logistics:

How ballots are transported, organized, and secured during the recount impacts timing.


What Happens During a Recount?

The ballots from all polling stations in the riding are opened and re-examined.

Election officials, representatives (scrutineers) of the candidates, and possibly a judge (in judicial recounts) ensure the process is fair and accurate.

If any ballots are contested (e.g., markings are unclear), a ruling is made on whether they are valid.

Expected Timeline:

Administrative Recounts: 3–5 days.

Judicial Recounts: 5–14 days. However, this can vary if the recount is delayed for legal arguments or logistical reasons.

Summary:

Most recounts are completed within one to two weeks, depending on the riding's size, legal oversight, and the circumstances surrounding the disputed ballots.


So the first two are presently credited to the Liberals, but the third is not. They, they have a chance

to get to 170. Wondering if and how the Speaker of the House might vote facing a tied House, had

a chat with Copilot about it... Not really the American system where the Soeaker carries the day;

but useful nonetheless:


Canadian House of Commons; Can the Speaker vote on a motion if there is a tie in the House?

Yes! In the Canadian House of Commons, the Speaker does not usually vote. However, in the event of a tie, the Speaker must cast a deciding vote. This is known as the casting vote, and it follows established conventions to avoid partisanship. The Speaker typically votes in a way that allows further debate or maintains the status quo rather than making a final decision.

For example, in 2005, Speaker Peter Milliken cast a tie-breaking vote on a confidence measure, marking the first time this happened in Canadian history.

Would you like more details on how these conventions work?


Can you provide examples of past casting votes?

Certainly! Here are some notable examples of casting votes by the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons:

Peter Milliken (2005) – Cast a historic tie-breaking vote on a confidence motion, allowing the government to continue governing.

Andrew Scheer (2012) – Used his casting vote on Bill C-273, which aimed to amend the Criminal Code regarding cyberbullying.

Other instances – The Speaker has occasionally cast votes on procedural motions and legislation when the House was evenly split.

You can explore more details on past casting votes here and here. Would you like to discuss how these votes influenced Canadian politics?

https://www.noscommunes.ca/speaker/en/role/casting-votes

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In which House of the American Congress does the Speaker get to cast a deciding vote?

In the United States Congress, the Speaker of the House of Representatives has the right to vote on any matter. However, they are required to vote when their vote would be decisive, such as in the case of a tie. This means the Speaker can cast a deciding vote in the House of Representatives, but not in the Senate, where the Vice President holds that role.

Would you like to explore historical instances where the Speaker’s vote changed the outcome of legislation?

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How many Members are there in the Canadian House of Commons; in the US Lower Houe; in the 
US Senate?

Here’s a breakdown of the number of members in each legislative body:

  • Canadian House of Commons: 343 Members of Parliament (MPs).

  • U.S. House of Representatives (Lower House): 435 voting members.

  • U.S. Senate: 100 senators (two per state).

Would you like to explore how these numbers have changed over time?




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