Monthly Archives: March 2008
Ontarians to Experience Recycling Fees
| 3/31/2008 | Posted by Patti under Environment |
Waste Diversion Ontario has come up with a plan that should see electronic waste diverted from landfills and into recycling programs. The plan comes with an estimated cost of about $62million which is expected to be financed through fees consumers would pay at the time of purchasing their electronics.
Fees are also being suggested to fund the disposal of old vehicles tires. Although many retailers have been charging $5 / tire for disposal for many years now. Which begs the question, if the government hasn’t been collecting that $5 / tire, who has? If the government does actually impose a disposal fee for tires will retailers then be stopped from collecting the current fee in addition? (more…)
Liberals Need to “Show Discipline”?
| 3/29/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Liberal leader Stephane Dion Thursday declared that Liberals, particularly the Quebec Liberals, need to show discipline. “I’m the leader and I want discipline” is what he is quoted as saying. UMMM Stephane, you are the leader and you NEED to impose discipline, it’s one of the areas you really are lacking.
It will take you setting firm boundaries on what is acceptable and sanctioning those who defy you to start garnering some respect within your party, hell within the rest of the world. You know, that is pretty basic stuff.
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Harper Moves to Reconcile, Tory Blats From the Sidelines
| 3/28/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
In a move by Harper that appears to be a step toward actually forming a working relationship with the province of Ontario, money previously promised was released to the province by Harper. The $709million is to be used to boost public transit, hire more police and help workers in industries hit by the high dollar. The timing and the language used in the move seems to indicate that maybe Flaherty has been, at least for now, reigned in from his pugnacious attacks on the province and its elected government.
In a statement, Harper echoed that new feel-good tone, which contrasted with Flaherty’s claims that McGuinty is overtaxing Ontario into an economic slowdown.
“I want to congratulate Premier McGuinty and his government for developing programs that will use these federal funds to strengthen the Ontario economy, improve public safety, and expand the public transit system,” Harper said. (more…)
Dion May Need to Take a Walk in the Snow
| 3/27/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Stephane Dion, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, may need to follow in the steps of one of his former leaders and take a long thoughtful walk in the snow to ponder his future in politics.
Harper and his Conservative attack dogs maintain a sustained assault on him to the point that their website looks more like a site for the Liberals when it first loads than one about Harper. It has made me wonder what Harper finds so threatening about Dion that he needs to sustain the attack on him? Apparently this hasn’t occurred to members of the Liberal party, particularly those in Quebec, who are also working up an assault on his leadership.
I have to admit, Dion leaves me scratching my head over his ‘leadership’ more than nodding it in agreement. While I haven’t liked his repeatedly leading the party into avoiding taking any solid stands on issues in order to avoid an election, I have actually understood why he’s doing it. (more…)
Made in Ontario Budget
| 3/26/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Provincial Finance Minister Dwight Duncan delivered his provincial budget yesterday. He ignored Flaherty’s unprecedented attempts to control the financial direction of this province from Ottawa and set a budget made in Ontario. If that budget serves Ontario well as the economy slows will be another matter.
While the NDP pronounce that not enough money was spent on propping up manufacturing jobs and helping the poor, the Conservative talking head Tory bewailed that there was too much money being spent and no relief for corporate taxes. Interestingly enough, a day or so ago I came across a report that a study had shown that tax cuts have a far greater benefit for the higher income earners in this country than the low income earners. Gee, wonder why the conservative types are after tax cuts for themselves and their corporate friends? (more…)
What is an Immigration Bill Doing in a Budget Bill?
| 3/25/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Slipped inside a budget implementation bill is changes to the immigration system which some claim could lead to the Minister of Immigration having unprecedented authority to interfere in the system’s operation without oversight from any other source. It would allow the minister to do things like fast tracking certain applicants or denying others that have already been approved.
Not only is that level of power grabbing being allowed disturbing, but no one has explained why it is appropriate to have it inside a budget implementation bill. Am I to understand that the government of the day can simply stick whatever legislative changes they want to make into any bill and the members of the House have to scramble to find them? What kind of law making is that? (more…)
Flaherty Needs to Shut Up
| 3/24/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
I certainly hope that when the time comes that voters in Flaherty’s riding keep in mind his dumping on Ontario as the federal finance minister. I hope they remember his remarks, made nationally and internationally, that told businesses to stay away from Ontario. I know, in his little partisan mind he thinks he was telling Ontario their only good way to operate. Hate to break it to you Flaherty ol’ boy, just because your buddy Stephen appointed you to the post of finance minister doesn’t make you right.
You may sincerely believe what you espouse, that Ontario needs to lower their corporate tax rates, some economists agree with you although, not all to the extent you claim you are right. You seem to keep forgetting that the people of Ontario rejected you and your colleagues brand of fiscal management in 2003 and again in 2007. Course the rejection in 2007 had more to do with the talking head that beat you for leadership of the provincial Conservatives. Oh right, I almost forgot, your own party didn’t see you as fit to call the shots, so why should the elected government of Ontario? (more…)
We Will Remember Sgt Boyes
| 3/16/2008 | Posted by Patti under Brave Canadians |
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadian:
Sgt Jason Boyes – Afghanistan March 16, 2008
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
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