Posts Tagged by Ottawa
New Immigrant Guide Book
| 11/13/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
It isn’t often I have much positive to say about Harper and his gang of thugs behaviour in Ottawa. I’ve now found a second positive thing to talk about from this government, not bad in four years. The first, for anyone who thinks I have never liked anything about them is his apparent commitment to renew and rebuild our Canadian Armed Forces. I always hated the constant cuts previous governments had engaged in.
This second item has just been released, the updated study guide for new immigrants. I’ve looked through the guide and am pleased to see it, to me, provides a broader view of Canada, its past, values, and society in general. It talks about some of the more painful aspects of our past, explains our structure of government, our attachment to the Monarchy as part of that government, the military etc.
There have been criticisms that the guide doesn’t mention the environment nor does it depict women as being a presence in the country. Both of the criticisms are legitimate, neither of them surprise me. This government would like to ignore the existence of both the environment and the need to protect it and the equality of women. Harper has shown repeatedly that if not for political pressure to have women involved, he’d like a boys club around him and for the most part there is. (more…)
Government Will Survive
| 1/28/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Well the budget has been read, what hadn’t already been ‘leaked’ is now known. Ignatieff and his caucuse has had time to review it and made the call on if the government will stand, for now.
From what I saw of the tax cuts, they have hit some areas where tax relief should be like low income earners and seniors. The cuts for the middle income people was more about Conservative idealogy and vote buying than any true benefit. While middle income earners will save a bit (and I do mean a bit) on their income taxes each year, that collective ‘bit’ will mean we stay in deficit longer.
For the most part, Harper brought in the budget he had to bring in if he wanted to stay in office. The Liberals have said they will support the budget but with amendments. The primary part of those amendments is that the Conservatives will have to report to parliament with details of how much of the budget funds have been distributed by specific dates. (more…)
Budget Time Approaching
| 1/24/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
All eyes will be on Ottawa for the next few days leading up to Tuesday’s budget reading. It’s been a bit of an odd path to this budget. First we had an election that Harper called because he claimed that Parliament had become dysfunctional, which was true but largely because he and his people chose to make it so.
During that election, Harper either was blind to the fact that an economic tsunami was bearing down on the world or was deluded enough to actually believe that it would miraculously wash itself around Canada while engulfing our largest trading partner, the USA. He belittled the opposition when they spoke of the need to take immediate measures to offset the coming storm. He did note however that the stock market meltdown that was underway did provide some excellent buying opportunities. He didn’t seem to notice that those losing their shirt to create those opportunities, included Canadians.
More out of an inability of Dion to present himself as a viable alternative to Harper than anything else, Canadians, that is the 49% who decided to turn out to vote, once again gave more Conservative candidates their vote. Basically we gave what appeared to be the lessor of several evils the benefit of the doubt. (more…)
Obama Takes the Reigns
| 1/23/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics, World Politics |
I started this post yesterday but my site went down, then I had to go to work and time shifted by until yesterday’s post is now today’s. c’est la vie!
Well, the world watched as Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th American President. I don’t normally follow American politics beyond the most basic information. The Americans are after all, the next door neighbour to my own country and what happens there has an effect on Canada. Do I hang on their every sneeze, no, as small as our little boys in Ottawa are, they are the ones who truly impact my life.
I watched fascinated and almost unable to believe what I was watching as the first black American took the reigns of power. I’ve said it before in these pages, I never ever thought it would be possible for that to happen in the USA of all places in my life time. This man is a man like no other, of any colour. (more…)
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