Well, the wheel continues to turn. Not to beat a horse to death, but I just had to comment on the latest Liberal tactic to deal with the Tory attack ads targeting Ignatieff. Now they've sicked a senator on an unsuspecting public. That's right! They don't like the way the Tories are expressing their right to free speech so they're trying to introduce a new censorship bill in the senate.
Liberal senator Dennis Dawson introduced a bill today to force political parties to include all advertising produced in the three months prior to an election as an election expense. Apparently, the best way to deal with criticism is to ban it! They offered some lame excuse, suggesting their actions were an attempt to even the playing field. The truth of the matter is they have employed the same tactics themselves when they were in a better financial position. The ads must be having their desired effect!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ignatieff's Feeling the Heat
After a brief' sabbatical I'm back, and I'd like to take a closer look at the recent Tory ads criticising Ignatieff. He came out with his defense today - typical Liberal tripe! He's trying to turn the Tory criticism of his timely return to Canada to join the Liberal political machine into an attack on all new Canadians and immigrants. What? I don't know too many "new" Canadians who enter politics within months of their entry to our country.
The Tories are not suggesting in these ads that new Canadians, or returning Canadians, can not be a valuable part of the political process. In fact, I would argue they would welcome their participation. But new Canadians come to this country for a better life not to be opportunistic. Ignatieff returned to Canada to further his own ambitions - it's that simple. The Tory ads are simply focusing the Canadian public on a fact few may realise.
Let's review the facts. From 1978 to 2000 Ignatieff resided almost exclusively in the U.K., working at both Cambridge and Oxford. Did he return to Canada after this? No! He spent the next 5 years in the U.S. as as professor at Harvard. He returned to Canada in 2005 to take a position in Toronto, and almost immediately began rumblings about his ambitions in the political arena. By 2006 he was elected to parliament.
Clearly Ignatieff returned to Canada for political ambition - not for love of country. He is now using the standard Liberal arguments against the Tories to deflect criticism away from himself. You know the arguments, the Tories are anti-immigrant, racist, and of course do not stand for anything regular Canadians do. The fear mongering has started. The Liberals must be running scared!
The Tories are not suggesting in these ads that new Canadians, or returning Canadians, can not be a valuable part of the political process. In fact, I would argue they would welcome their participation. But new Canadians come to this country for a better life not to be opportunistic. Ignatieff returned to Canada to further his own ambitions - it's that simple. The Tory ads are simply focusing the Canadian public on a fact few may realise.
Let's review the facts. From 1978 to 2000 Ignatieff resided almost exclusively in the U.K., working at both Cambridge and Oxford. Did he return to Canada after this? No! He spent the next 5 years in the U.S. as as professor at Harvard. He returned to Canada in 2005 to take a position in Toronto, and almost immediately began rumblings about his ambitions in the political arena. By 2006 he was elected to parliament.
Clearly Ignatieff returned to Canada for political ambition - not for love of country. He is now using the standard Liberal arguments against the Tories to deflect criticism away from himself. You know the arguments, the Tories are anti-immigrant, racist, and of course do not stand for anything regular Canadians do. The fear mongering has started. The Liberals must be running scared!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Liberal Double Speak
Today the Tories launched a series of ads attacking Ignatieff. "The free ride is over", claim the adds. They attack, amongst other things Ignatieff's tenure in the country. It's well known he's spent the better part of his adult life in the U.S. So it stands to reason that this might raise some questions about his credibility.
No! How dare they question Mr Ignatieff - at least, according to Gerard Kennedy. He took the typical Liberal approach, branding the ads as normal Tory personal attacks. The Liberals would never partake in such things. Even when it was pointed out that they are doing just that with a series of YouTube ads, they denied it - claiming instead that these are factual accounts.
So you're getting this right? When Tories launch ads they're mean spirited personal attacks, but when the Liberals do it they're providing information to the public. And so the wheel turns . . .
No! How dare they question Mr Ignatieff - at least, according to Gerard Kennedy. He took the typical Liberal approach, branding the ads as normal Tory personal attacks. The Liberals would never partake in such things. Even when it was pointed out that they are doing just that with a series of YouTube ads, they denied it - claiming instead that these are factual accounts.
So you're getting this right? When Tories launch ads they're mean spirited personal attacks, but when the Liberals do it they're providing information to the public. And so the wheel turns . . .
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Mulroney and the Never Ending Ego (I would use story but that titles taken)
Mr. Mulroney was once again in front of the Schreiber enquiry again today. It was vintage Mulroney. He went on about his boyhood in Quebec. He waxed eloquent about his time as Prime Minister of Canada. And of course he continued to deny any wrong doing in his dealings with Schreiber.
Mulroney does not deny receiving money from Schreiber, but he refutes any assertions that this was some kind of payoff. Well, let's see. He took $75, 000 given to him by Schreiber and placed it in his safe at his cottage. This money was never reported to his accountant, and it never saw the inside of a bank. In fact, he never told anyone about it. Does this seem like the actions of someone with nothing to hide? If you or I did some work for cash and then stuck it under our mattress would this be right? If Revenue Canada found out about it would they be happy? Not likely.
What Mr Mulroney did was wrong. If not legally, then certainly morally. Period. He will likely never be punished for his actions, there isn't enough evidence to prove he did anything outside the law. Where he will be punished is in posterity. While many love to hate Mulroney, he did a lot of things right. Most notably the free trade agreement. It was vilified when he introduced it, but has proved important for Canada's economic growth. All his accomplishments will now be overshadowed, and he will be remembered for his dealings with Schreiber. What a shame!
Mulroney does not deny receiving money from Schreiber, but he refutes any assertions that this was some kind of payoff. Well, let's see. He took $75, 000 given to him by Schreiber and placed it in his safe at his cottage. This money was never reported to his accountant, and it never saw the inside of a bank. In fact, he never told anyone about it. Does this seem like the actions of someone with nothing to hide? If you or I did some work for cash and then stuck it under our mattress would this be right? If Revenue Canada found out about it would they be happy? Not likely.
What Mr Mulroney did was wrong. If not legally, then certainly morally. Period. He will likely never be punished for his actions, there isn't enough evidence to prove he did anything outside the law. Where he will be punished is in posterity. While many love to hate Mulroney, he did a lot of things right. Most notably the free trade agreement. It was vilified when he introduced it, but has proved important for Canada's economic growth. All his accomplishments will now be overshadowed, and he will be remembered for his dealings with Schreiber. What a shame!
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Senate of a New Beginning
Canada's senate is an archaic institution. It is not democratic. It is not effective. And it certainly is not popular. How do we change this? How do we make it more viable? Should we? Or should we simply abolish it? These are all valid questions - questions politically minded Canadians have been asking ourselves for a long time. I do not think abolition is in the best interest of Canada. The senate can serve Canada in a useful and ongoing capacity, but not in it's present form.
We often here the terms equal, elected, and effective bandied about with respect to the senate. What do these terms refer to? Well, first of all equal suggests that the smaller provinces should have a more representative voice than they enjoy in the lower house. The theory here is that this will allow their interests a greater voice in confederation.
Elected means just that - elected. Mr Harper has often suggested that a system be established in which the provinces hold elections for the senate and then these selections would be presented to the Prime Minister's office for the rubber stamp. Those who oppose such ideas point out the unconstitutionality of this proposal. Look, if the political will existed it would get done. There are always ways of getting around the legal problems. So why would anyone oppose an elected senate? Simple, it doesn't suit their interests. The senate will never be effective if it is not elected. The impasse continues . . .
We often here the terms equal, elected, and effective bandied about with respect to the senate. What do these terms refer to? Well, first of all equal suggests that the smaller provinces should have a more representative voice than they enjoy in the lower house. The theory here is that this will allow their interests a greater voice in confederation.
Elected means just that - elected. Mr Harper has often suggested that a system be established in which the provinces hold elections for the senate and then these selections would be presented to the Prime Minister's office for the rubber stamp. Those who oppose such ideas point out the unconstitutionality of this proposal. Look, if the political will existed it would get done. There are always ways of getting around the legal problems. So why would anyone oppose an elected senate? Simple, it doesn't suit their interests. The senate will never be effective if it is not elected. The impasse continues . . .
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Euro-Canada
Euro-Canada. What might that mean? Adopting the Euro as our currency? Joining the EU? Nothing quite so dramatic. What I'm talking about here is free trade between Europe and Canada. I'm sure most have heard something about this in recent weeks. This last week there was talk of Canada backing out of talks withe the EU because of there decision to ban the sale of Canadian seal skins within the EU. Look, that is a political decision not an economic one. Let's face it, the seal hunt is not a major sector of the Canadian economy, and certainly not worth risking a major trade agreement over.
A free trade agreement with Europe is essential to Canada's growth and prosperity. At the moment 80 percent of our exports are to the United States - we are far too reliant on them. I am not suggesting we should walk away form NAFTA. On the contrary, we need to establish similar trade agreements with major economic partners across the world to ensure our increased economic diversity. Put succinctly, we should strive for more economic independence.
Canada is a small market with huge resources. We have barely tapped our potential. By opening up our market to close to a billion Europeans we can only benefit. Europe is a highly developed economic zone, but it's resources have been depleted over the centuries. We have the resources they crave.
The EU has an advanced manufacturing sector, and by opening our markets more freely to their goods we are increasing the choices available to Canadian consumers. We are also insulating ourselves against the downturns in the U.S. economy. A small market likes ours is not self sustaining. We are much more susceptible to the ups and downs of our trading partners. The U.S., on the other hand, can weather the small storms of their economic partners due to the size and diversity of their economy. In order for us to achieve the same sort of protection we need strong trade agreements with other strong economic partners. For this reason a free trade agreement with Europe is essential to Canada's continued prosperity.
A free trade agreement with Europe is essential to Canada's growth and prosperity. At the moment 80 percent of our exports are to the United States - we are far too reliant on them. I am not suggesting we should walk away form NAFTA. On the contrary, we need to establish similar trade agreements with major economic partners across the world to ensure our increased economic diversity. Put succinctly, we should strive for more economic independence.
Canada is a small market with huge resources. We have barely tapped our potential. By opening up our market to close to a billion Europeans we can only benefit. Europe is a highly developed economic zone, but it's resources have been depleted over the centuries. We have the resources they crave.
The EU has an advanced manufacturing sector, and by opening our markets more freely to their goods we are increasing the choices available to Canadian consumers. We are also insulating ourselves against the downturns in the U.S. economy. A small market likes ours is not self sustaining. We are much more susceptible to the ups and downs of our trading partners. The U.S., on the other hand, can weather the small storms of their economic partners due to the size and diversity of their economy. In order for us to achieve the same sort of protection we need strong trade agreements with other strong economic partners. For this reason a free trade agreement with Europe is essential to Canada's continued prosperity.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Small business Survival
Minimum wage in Ontario increased from $8.75 to $9.50 at the end of March. How could anyone argue that this is not good news. Well I will, because it's not that simple. The McGuinty government of Ontario introduced this wage increase in the middle of a recession! Lets look at this a little deeper.
This past week the federal government forced the CAW back to the bargaining table with GM. Why? The cuts they made earlier this year did not go far enough. Tony Clement, Canada's industry minister, wants the CAW to sign a similar deal with GM to the one they've Just signed with Chrysler. If they don't there will be no more federal money for GM - without it GM Canada would likely be liquidated.
So, let me get this straight. These huge conglomerates can not survive without massive wage concessions by their unions, and not without bailout money from the government. Yet small business in Ontario are to give a government mandated raise to their employees and they are to do this without any bailouts. Excuse me? This makes absolutely no sense. Don't get me wrong I'm all for raising the minimum wage - under the right economic circumstances. Now is not that time. Wake up Ontario if you want small business to survive!
This past week the federal government forced the CAW back to the bargaining table with GM. Why? The cuts they made earlier this year did not go far enough. Tony Clement, Canada's industry minister, wants the CAW to sign a similar deal with GM to the one they've Just signed with Chrysler. If they don't there will be no more federal money for GM - without it GM Canada would likely be liquidated.
So, let me get this straight. These huge conglomerates can not survive without massive wage concessions by their unions, and not without bailout money from the government. Yet small business in Ontario are to give a government mandated raise to their employees and they are to do this without any bailouts. Excuse me? This makes absolutely no sense. Don't get me wrong I'm all for raising the minimum wage - under the right economic circumstances. Now is not that time. Wake up Ontario if you want small business to survive!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Ontarionot!!
How about an update on the economy of southern Ontario? Falling fast! INCO will shut down for several weeks this summer, as will GM. Chrysler has no option but to shut down due to Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States. Stelco is on indefinite shut down and Nanticoke is down to a skeleton crew. Granted, there are stirrings by the federal government about challenging the legitimacy of the moves by U.S. Steel (Stelco's parent company) and INCO, but there's no guarantee's as this is uncharted territory.
So is there any good news? Sure, Canada's banks are on sound footing. The TSX has returned to the heights it reached last November and the real estate market is showing signs of life. So all is not doom and gloom, but the signs of recovery are fledgling at best. In order to move forward there has to be a commitment to change. You're probably thinking "Yes, yes the governments going to implement it's stimulus package they'll spend our way out of this recession and all will be well". This is not what I mean by moving forward.
The roots of this recession run much deeper. It is a problem rooted in the individual spending habits of most Canadians, in fact, most Westerners. We rely far too much on credit. That's it. That's it in a nutshell. In order to ensure our return to prosperity is sustainable we have to change our spending habits. Credit should be used sparingly if at all.
So is there any good news? Sure, Canada's banks are on sound footing. The TSX has returned to the heights it reached last November and the real estate market is showing signs of life. So all is not doom and gloom, but the signs of recovery are fledgling at best. In order to move forward there has to be a commitment to change. You're probably thinking "Yes, yes the governments going to implement it's stimulus package they'll spend our way out of this recession and all will be well". This is not what I mean by moving forward.
The roots of this recession run much deeper. It is a problem rooted in the individual spending habits of most Canadians, in fact, most Westerners. We rely far too much on credit. That's it. That's it in a nutshell. In order to ensure our return to prosperity is sustainable we have to change our spending habits. Credit should be used sparingly if at all.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dahl of a New Day
Well, Mr. Ignatieff has his first serious crisis to deal with. Ruby Dhalla. Perhaps the name isn't familiar to a lot of people. She was, until today, the Liberal Multicultural and Youth critic. Now she is fighting to clear her name. What did she do? Her family is accused of confiscating the passports of two live-in caregivers and forcing them to work long hours, often doing duties that had nothing to do with care giving.
Now we will see how the Liberals new found popularity holds up to the scrutiny of Stephen Harper's Tories. Harper is a master at making his opponents pay for any indiscretions. This is just the opportunity he has been waiting for. Over the next few weeks he will make every attempt to put the Liberals on the defensive. Based on his track record, you can expect him to be relentless.
Now we will see how the Liberals new found popularity holds up to the scrutiny of Stephen Harper's Tories. Harper is a master at making his opponents pay for any indiscretions. This is just the opportunity he has been waiting for. Over the next few weeks he will make every attempt to put the Liberals on the defensive. Based on his track record, you can expect him to be relentless.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The End is Near!
Signs are emerging that the end of this devastating recession is near. The markets continue to move upwards, as they have for the last two months. What does this mean for you and I? In the cycle of things a boom tends to follow a bust. As Adam Smith suggested in his "Wealth of Nations", an invisible hand really is at work. Granted, in this case it had a big push from world governments and their economic stimulus packages, but it is happening.
It's not only the markets that are returning to life. In the U.S., the epicenter for the current world crisis, for the first time in months construction spending was up in March. It has been sometime since we heard of a major world bank or investment company in trouble. It's true the auto sector continues to suffer, but there are signs even this industry is finding it's legs again. The changes have been painful, but the North American auto companies and their stake holders appear to understand that drastic change is needed to make the industry competitive.
There will be further hardships. More people will lose their jobs. Others will see their hours cut. In the end we will be faced with a very different economic landscape, but we will be better for it. In particular Canada is positioned to do well going forward. Our strong banks and conservative values virtually assure we will be leaders in the new market reality. We could be on the cusp of Canada's golden age.
It's not only the markets that are returning to life. In the U.S., the epicenter for the current world crisis, for the first time in months construction spending was up in March. It has been sometime since we heard of a major world bank or investment company in trouble. It's true the auto sector continues to suffer, but there are signs even this industry is finding it's legs again. The changes have been painful, but the North American auto companies and their stake holders appear to understand that drastic change is needed to make the industry competitive.
There will be further hardships. More people will lose their jobs. Others will see their hours cut. In the end we will be faced with a very different economic landscape, but we will be better for it. In particular Canada is positioned to do well going forward. Our strong banks and conservative values virtually assure we will be leaders in the new market reality. We could be on the cusp of Canada's golden age.
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