Todd Friesen

@toddfriesen.bsky.social

Disability Actuary; Health; Science; Climate Change; Economics; Boston Marathon Qualifier; Winnipegger

I have mixed feelings whether the CPC should replace Poilievre. I think they have better leadership candidates to choose from, but they won't choose them, and they risk choosing someone far worse. CPC should win the next election (LPC 5th term?). I don't know if I'd want to roll the dice on this.

Blue Jackets need a regulation win tonight to stay in the playoff hunt. Could we see a goalie pull in a tie game late in the 3rd? Canadiens on verge of clinching if Jackets don't win in regulation.

I'm curious for anyone in Elmwood-Transcona, which election signs you've seen the most of (NDP/LPC/CPC)? It's probably one of the harder to predict ridings in Canada right now. 2024 By-election saw very small LPC vote share, but it was much closer when Trudeau won a majority.

So, assuming these tariffs significantly reduce global trade with US, and manufacturing capacity doesn't go anywhere, would Canadian import prices come significantly down (excluding US)? Then again, maybe US demand is inelastic, they can't produce things more cheaply, and will pay the tariffs.

I'm skeptical the federal debates will bring much opportunity to shift sentiment. 5 leaders is too many, and one of them is polling at 2%, and two others under 10%. 5 leaders = 20 (5x4) possible 1v1 confrontations. Far too little time, and any jabs will feel scripted.

NEW 🧵 A quick thread of charts showing how Trump’s economic agenda is going so far: 1) US consumers are reacting very very negatively. These are the worst ratings for any US government’s economic policy since records began.

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I haven't found a Paul Chiang take that explains his thought process. Maybe it was a joke in bad taste? But frankly, I haven't seen this explained in any detail. Many are assuming it isn't a joke. There doesn't seem to be basis to debate the severity. Perhaps benefit of the doubt is not warranted.

I have been doing a lot of processing on federal election polling. It's hard to come to a full understanding of how the numbers have shifted so dynamically in a short period of time. A few thoughts: 🧵

With NDP/BQ down in the polls, a majority government looks increasingly likely. Just a 3% window for a minority government. LPC needs about 37-38% for a majority, and can win a majority while losing the popular vote by a significant margin.

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I think QC is perhaps an underrated variable in the Canadian election. I think Carney has potentially a lot to gain in QC. With the right voice, a mainstream party can win over BQ votes. NDP has done it with the orange wave. LPC could do it too.

#CanadaElection simulations based on 338. LPC needs ~37% for a majority. They get more seat efficiency if BQ slides. CPC needs ~43% for majority. The difference between a majority and a tie is if 2% of voters switch from LPC to CPC. CPC majority if 4% of voters of LPC switch to LPC.

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I am not tired of Canada winning over the USA. Jonathan David puts Canada up 2-1 in Nation's League 3rd place match (60 minutes). This after USA losing to Panama in the semi-final, also subject to annexation threats.

Given current polling and a 3.3% shift from LPC to CPC, still an LPC majority even if CPC is up 2.7% in popular vote. (Note my model methodology uses a ratio method for each riding from 2021 results. It's a pretty basic model, but I think the methodology is pretty sound).

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I'll make an outlier prediction for the federal election. LPC majority while losing the popular vote to the CPC. Based on my modeling, LPC electoral efficiency is soaring while NDP support plummets and can win a majority losing by 2%. Can you imagine how many heads will explode in this scenario?

How risks multiply, how they relate and how they apply to you personally are all important. We once built a tool for the NHS that allowed this. This screenshot is all i can find of it now but even high level results like this are informative, i think

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I'm very happy with BlueSky thus far. Need to do some work on more custom feeds/lists, but that will come. For me, I appreciate a respectful environment, but not via echo chambers. I'll express opinions. I do appreciate respectful disagreement. My ideas aren't all correct, and I'm here to learn.