Jim Flaherty breezed into the committee room in Centre Block this afternoon a few moments after I arrived. He made a point of shaking hands with the two Bloc Quebecois members, which I thought was a little odd – until I heard the separatists had made a deal with the Tories this day to push the minister’s budget legislation through.
For one hour, he endured the committee. Mr. Flaherty erupted in partisan anger at John Mackay, launching into a diatribe about 13 years of blah, blah, blah, after my colleague had successfully baited him. It was all pretty much as expected. Parliamentary committees – once a sanctuary from partisan storms where MPs could actually work together – have been turned into swamps of political hate. We are probably all to blame, but the Conservatives have certainly helped the degradation, forcing their members to caucus before each meeting to set down a joint strategy.
My own questions centred around income tax and seniors, because while pension-splitting helps retired people with pensions, that leaves out 70% of folks over 65 who are single, or don’t have pension income. In fact for them, life with Mr. Flaherty is worse than it was before, since he raised the basic income tax rate from 15% to 15.25% last year, and up again to 15.5% this year.
To illustrate my point, I had with me the Canada Revenue Agency tax forms for 2005 and 2006, showing the escalating tax rates. I waved them at the minister at the far end of the table. But he denied it.
In fact, he replied, “You’re wrong,” when I said he had raised the basic tax rate. I asked the officials with him to speak up if I had the numbers messed up, but none of the five opened their mouths. Then Mr. Flaherty said that the 15% tax rate – brought in by the Liberals in the fall of 2005 – was not valid since the legislation enacting it never passed. In his mind, that meant when he brought in a budget in 2005, and raised the rate to 15.25%, it wasn’t actually an increase since the 15% (that everyone had been paying for seven months) was illegitimate.
So,there ya go. The man who runs the country’s finances disputes what is on the tax form which all Canadians completed one year ago. That should fill you with confidence. It should also give you an insight into a person who is much more of a political minister than he is an economic one. Mr. Flaherty’s primary motivation is the maintenance of political power at all costs. That’s why he fought with John Mackay. It’s why he denied the validity of a federal tax form. In his world, he’s right, and his questioners are enemies to be belittled, outmaneuvered and defeated. And if that means cooking a deal with the people who want to tear the country apart, well, whatever.
So after he left, the battle started. The Conservatives and Bloc wanted to quickly pass the legislation before us to implement the budget (which contains the income trust tax and record federal spending). My colleagues instead wanted to call witnesses to delve into some issues. In the midst of the battle the substitute chairman, overwhelmed by the procedural wrangling, simply adjourned the meeting and walked out. So it looks like the hostilities will begin again Thursday morning at eleven.
Meanwhile I had a chance to chat with MP John Cannis about Jim Flaherty and his budget – particularly regarding income trusts and the onerous new tax that has caused so much hardship to so many investors. The MP from Scarborough also wanted to chat about our role in Afghanistan, and the price of gas.
I must tell you that in the past month, I have been approached by at least three members of Parliament a day, Liberals, Bloc and NDP, wanting to be on the webcast that this site contains. This is exactly what I’d hoped would happen a year ago, when I first began MPtv, and spent countless hours trying to get Conservative MPs to participate, so we could help bring Parliament more to the people.
I could not have imagined then what these days would bring. Or how much happier, more productive and engaged my experience has become. Looking at Mr. Flaherty’s complexion grow crimson in that committee room, and watching him attack and deny, I knew the forces of irony are not finished yet.
To view a video of my conversation with John Cannis, and a walk through Centre Block to the Finance Committee hearing with Mr. Flaherty, click here.
68 comments ↓
I’m looking forward to seeing the BQ or NDP on MPTv.
I’ve been enjoying watching the Liberals there, and you’ve done well in putting a human face into politics, I’m curious to see what the other parties will have to say to the public.
Keep up the great work!
(And… first post!)
Garth said, “My own questions centred around income tax and seniors, because while pension-splitting helps retired people with pensions, that leaves out 70% of folks over 65 who are single, or don’t have pension income. In fact for them, life with Mr. Flaherty is worse than it was before, since he raised the basic income tax rate from 15% to 15.25% last year, and up again to 15.5% this year.”
Duh! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for six months.
1. It’s single seniors who are really hurting as they have to pay all household expenses themselves.
2. Seniors who have pensions and those who owned income trusts are largely two different groups of people. Hence the pension splitting for seniors DID NOT offset the loss for seniors holding income trusts.
The raising of the lowest bracket of tax from 15 to 15.5% hits everyone, but it proportionately hits the lowest income folks the hardest.
Garth, if you ever get a Tory or NDP to consent to an interview please, please, PLEASE ask them if they ever saw the working papers on which Flaherty based his claim of $500million/year tax leakage. If they did not, ask them how they could in good conscience vote for the income trust tax legislation.
TIA.
Garth,
Simply EXCELLENT!
Garth,
Thanks for the great MPtv segments and for the real connection you’re providing.
You remind me of the very best aspects of George Brown (The 1818 variant — the founder of the original Reform Party…when Toronto used to be the West, and more pissed off than Alberta is today…good times)
I can’t think of anything more anti-democratic than voter and political apathy. This is blog, mptv, and the quality of the discourse that takes place here — is inspiring.
While eDemocracy is not a panacea for the demographic apathetic rot, I think eDemocracy will play a huge part in the cure, (or contributing to the cure) — in much the same way that George Brown caused Canada to come into being.
Thanks again,
LoH_Numa
Ted,
I asked my Cons MP from Elgin-Middlesex that very question–he said he had not seen the evidence of tax leakage–when I sent him the Blacked out sheets , he said that was the first time he had seen those & he had not seen the original un-blackened version–this was 3 weeks ago–he told me that he did not have the time to research this material on his own & had to rely totally on what the finance minister & his department told him–afterall , they were the experts–not sure how a divorce lawyer could be a financial expert, but never know!!
I asked him how he could vote on any issue without the proper research–he told me that most MPs have to rely solely on the ministerial input due to time constraints.
How is that for discouraging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mike p.
This is exactly what I’d hoped would happen a year ago, when I first began MPtv, and spent countless hours trying to get Conservative MPs to participate, so we could help bring Parliament more to the people. – Garth
Confidence level in Flaherty, the needle is hard against the zero stop. Same goes for PMSH. Given that the CPC are in damage control mode, even though they’ll never admit it, is it any wonder they’ve got their MP’s muzzled?
When they have to attack and deny, you know they’re backed into a corner, and just like a cornered animal, all they can do is attack!
Harper hardball backfires
Susan Riley, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2007
“for example, every time Liberal MP Garth Turner asks a question about income trusts — a matter of intense interest to his constituents — he is chided for leaping from the Conservatives to the Liberals without facing the electorate. Fair enough the first few times, but it gets tiresome after several months”
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2c1602c1-c396-40d1-a814-06636e96530b
“My own questions centred around income tax and seniors, because while pension-splitting helps retired people with pensions, that leaves out 70% of folks over 65 who are single, or don’t have pension income”
Well duh, Garth. You’re finally getting it. A tax break for a select group means everyone else pays more. It’s called arithmetic and demonstrates why income splitting is, at best, misguided.
It is far from misguided, since it smoothes out institutional inequities in the system. But it should, as I have always advocated, be accompanied by an overall income tax rate reduction. The least you could do is lend support. — Garth
Garth, any comment about Jonathon Chevreau’s article in the 5/15 Financial Post (http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/columnists/story.html?id=f07bdbd1-9bfa-4f91-aef1-9618d670c8ff) regarding the performance of income trust funds since the tax was announced?
Are you on the finance committee?
Maybe my previous question wasn’t clear… I meant, are you a member of the Finance Committee?
I am on it temporarily, as well as being a permanent member of the Government Operations committee. I would expect committee assignments to change after the coming break. Will keep you intimately informed. — Garth
Garth says –
“Mr. Flaherty erupted in partisan anger, launching into a diatribe about 13 years of blah, blah, blah,”
Yes Garth, the truth does hurt. We all know liberals are tired of hearing about 13 years of hell for Canadians under the pitiful, self serving and very pompus Liberals. I know you would like us all to forget it and most liberals will because liberals are forgetful.
PS. Garth – If the liberals were so great then why did you not run as a liberal ???? Could it be that you have no other place to go in the final days of your poor political career.
Thanks for the impartial and non-partisan, constructive query. Actually I was not a Liberal for the last 13 years, but a Progressive Conservative. I am now a Liberal of the Progressive Conservative persuasion and very happy the Harper days are over for me. Never could stand Reformers. Still can’t. — Garth
Marking Milestones, OR, more aptly titled, The Day My Anger became Fury and Fury Became Desire For Revenge.
Lasting Impressions:
A lot of very good people who are now united in the RESOLVE to see the back of PMSH, elfin’ Flim-Flam Dim-Jim Flaherty and his lyin’ bunch of toadies!
The greatest thing
Garth Turner on 04.26.07 @ 11:03 pm
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/04/26/the-greatest-thing/#comments
Will Flim-Flam Flaherty be admitted to the baseball Hall of Fame?
Pete Rose says, “HELL NO!”
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/lyin-king.JPG
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ENYA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqVnOLiH0FM
The whole 13 years blah, blah, blah is extremely tiresome. The issue is not that the Liberals don’t want to hear it – the issue is that the current government can’t keep blaming everyone else for their politices, failures, etc. They’ve been the government for 16 months and if they are not willing or ready to take responsibility for their own actions, they shouldn’t be the government.
Time to grow up Harper. Time to act like real leader that takes responsibility. I could never get away with blaming someone else for something I did as a kid, so why should so-called adults get away with it.
I’ve have never seen such an immature bunch of monkeys in my life as the Harper junior high school kids – and I mean KIDS.
Very interesting report on the committee mtg. However, if I had been there, I wonder if I would leave with the same impression as I have from reading your article. What makes me wonder this is that your impression and mine of Stephen Harper’s speech on Friday were quite different.
I made no comment on his Friday speech. I just posted it verbatim. In fact, I believe I was the only person to do so, in order that that Canadians might judge for themselves. — Garth
Could it be that you have no other place to go in the final days of your poor political career.
By haltonjohn on 05.17.07 7:50 am
Hey haltoonjohan, this is Sam’s Deli, where only the finer cuts are offered.
If you want to whistle past the graveyard, it’s one block up, and you’ll probabably meet Tom Long registering potential voters. Maybe he’ll pass you his list.
EVER HOPEFUL?
Garths response to haltonjohn –
“Thanks for the impartial and non-partisan, constructive query.”
Give me a break Garth. Do you think you are impartial and non-partisan ????? Come on, get a grip.
Black is White, Up is Down, the world is flat and round and round.
Must be sad to live in the technicolor Tory fantasty of life.
Consequently our country and Canadians continue to suffer the results.
Well, Flaherty sure is our finance guy. Now his department are into ticket scalping. Hey, what a guy.
Halton John is brilliant isn’t he? Just brilliant in a sort of child like, simplton way.
Hi everyone, indeed, kinda sad how the CPC resorts to denial, attacks and scare tactics instead of governance, truth and accountability.
In fact,they’re still running this Government like an Election Campaign!
HaltonJohn: You have not grown weary of 16 months of the Cons blaming their inactions on the Liberals. Have you at least grown weary of the Cons ad nauseum “Canada’s New Government” phrase that is included in every Con speech? I think that after a year nothing is “new” anymore. The Cons warranty has expired!!!
Pyotr,
Have you ever thought ‘Why don’t the real Conservatives, i.e., the REAL Tories destroy this piss-ant excuse for a conservative party led by Harper?
Maybe they simply live in denial, and are too damn gutless to try? Maybe they just figure its better to go to bed with the Devil and have power than to face the fact they brough it on themselves?
Either way, they deserve the infamy he has heaped upon them, but we don’t!
They DIDN’T GET THE JOB DONE!
Inflation – Statscan’s Tarek Harchaoui takes your questions today.
Core inflation in Canada was pegged at 2.5% today. Do you want to ask the guy how they come up with those funky numbers when your Property Tax increases by 10% and a new home costs you 9.5% and insurance is going up 4% and it costs you $100 to fill up the truck? Voodoo math? Personally, I think they simply base it on the interest rate that the Bank gives your Savings Account plus 2%.
But hey Bunky, it’s all a matter of perspective isn’t it? Do you remember that 2,000% inflation rate of Zimbabwe?
It’s at 3,700% now.
When paper money burns, does it add to the Carbon Footprint?
The good news about inflation is that salaries always keep pace.
Take B.C. for instance, where politicians want to boost their salaries by 29%.
Political Pay
B.C. proposed salary – $98,000 a year Ontario – $110,775
Quebec – $98,005
Federal – $150,800
Figures from Sun Wire Services
Bobbleheads don’t come cheap.
No bobble here, bud. — Garth
They DIDN’T GET THE JOB DONE!
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 9:10 am
Philosophically, I’ve always been a Progressive. I am a fiscal conservative who believes in tightly-managed finances.
I fear, with some justification, PMSH and coterie have tossed that aside.
I have a feeling, lurking in the current background, is a mess of mammoth proportions authored in/by public works, defence and consulting contracts.
Frankly, as a Canadian who has served in the US in various corporate functions, I am ashamed of what I see ‘passing’ as THEIR IDEA of democracy.
I had a very brief conversation with someone this morning who agrees The Hon. Garth Turner is DEFINITELY the most effective communicator we’ve ever experienced.
Along with such a high compliment goes the recognition that he puts in a helluva lot of time FOR OUR BENEFIT.
The others, on the government side. are into filibusters and stonewalling and issuing blacked-out F.O.I. replies.
That’s not even a poor copy of what constitutes good governance.
Noticeable too, is their willingness to trot out fake religiosity when challenged … “Would I ever do that?”
Pyotr,
Have you ever thought ‘Why don’t the real Conservatives, i.e., the REAL Tories destroy this piss-ant excuse for a conservative party led by Harper?
Maybe they simply live in denial, and are too damn gutless to try? Maybe they just figure its better to go to bed with the Devil and have power than to face the fact they brough it on themselves?
Either way, they deserve the infamy he has heaped upon them, but we don’t!
They DIDN’T GET THE JOB DONE!
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 9:10 am
I admit that we failed but I will not take the abuse that you want to dish out in your ignorance.
I will tell you some of the reasons that moderate conservatives have no place in the new Conservative Party. There are several stategies that are used if you are not an abject follower. They include shunning, the disappearance of memberships, non-notification of meetings, etc. Need I go on. The whole system is designed to make sure that Harper’s motto of “One Conservative Voice” is secure.
We are forced to work outside the party.
You can blame those who fought the changes and the Harper takeover of the party for failure. But in your arrogance, to attack them as you have, is unfair, demeaning, and says a great deal more about you than them.
But hey Bunky, it’s all a matter of perspective isn’t it? Do you remember that 2,000% inflation rate of Zimbabwe?
It’s at 3,700% now.
By Charles on 05.17.07 9:12 am
‘Morning, Charles … Bunky here. When you spoke of the cost for a single sheet of toilet paper, you neglected to mention that it was a USED, single-ply, with no wet strength whatsoever.
While I’m a believer in recycling, I just don’t think I could ever become THAT much of a fanatic. I would also beware of any handshake with Mugabe.
Thanks Garth, keep the home fires buring for fair tax reform. Threshold tax bases benifit and we were starting to move in the right direction. For others Reform/Alliance/Conservative has no progessive in it, as a amtter of fact many members headed south when the underhanded back door Peter Mackay switch took place.
Careful. A cornered rat will try to drag a move out of you. For those not so inclined please excuse the reference but 1 Peter 2:15 sums up where I think the opposition stands these days. These guys are down to just one whopper after the other.
you gotta laugh
really
you gotta laugh.
But in your arrogance, to attack them as you have, is unfair, demeaning, and says a great deal more about you than them.
By C. B. Innes on 05.17.07 9:56 am
You’ve rendered your judgment which I unreservedly reject.
Many former progessives were contributing financially to the former PC party … up to the dying moments.
Many of us were contacted by members of the current government hierarchy requesting continued contributions.
I am blunt-spoken, more than likely to a fault, but I launched into a tirade against them which turned the air foul.
In the end, disappointingly, it became a lesson in what I could no longer have.
I’ve moved on, but I still enjoy a good scrap, and will rejoin the battle while I BANK THE EMBERS.
btw, nice picture of Harper on the party home page today but you should give the guy a break and try to find one with a bit less eyebrow work. the shrinking hairspray is bad enough but the poor guy got munched.
Charles,
When paper money burns, does it add to the Carbon Footprint?
On page 103 of the ‘Voodoo Economic Practitioner’s Guidebook’ it clearly states that A burnt offering of Funny Money shall be made on an annual basis that the smoke may rise thereforth towards the Eternal Vault of Bankers!;
and then in the ‘Legal and other Considerations for Public Deceptions’ in ‘Appendix ii’ we find the applicable disclaimer:
Whereas, the Money Launderers are exempt from all laws passed on their behalf, for the management of the public in general, no prosecutions shall occur against any member or organziation unless they embarass the Board of Directors of the Primary Directive.
I hope that answers your quite important inquiry?
Lets see which day Tax freedom day falls on this year shall we. I am sure that it will be at least a day or two after last years tax freedom day on June 19, thats if the Fraser Institute dares publish one this year.
I lost $400 dollars in 2006 compared to previous year. My husband lost even more.
Great tax cuts Flaherty.
Many former progessives were contributing financially to the former PC party … up to the dying moments.
By Pyotr Petrobitch on 05.17.07 10:13 am
Are you saying that you are one of those who deserve Bill’s attack? That has me totally confused.
That one’s dead and buried already. Sorry you missed it. The spin they put on it assumes “average” to be at the top of the 80th percentile.
Is that a plasma HD tv in the middle of the floor so that the committee can watch hockey while they work?
Garth I am so happy you made it back to FINA and that your site is getting the respect it deserves.
I may stop in and say hello for your upcoming meeting in Ottawa June 5th.
C.B. Innes,
We are forced to work outside the party.
Well, first of all, I was not even thinking of you in that light. You are one of the most respected commenters here in my opinion.
As to the rest that cowtowed to the movement, and I think purely from a deep desire for power in numbers, the blame stays where I placed it.
Perhaps it in how I define ‘conservative’? First, I strongly believe in the separation of church and State, and I do not mean throwing acknowledgement of God, Creator, or Higher Power out of the mix. I mean keep the best of what religions teache such as equality, fairness, respect, and dignity of the person.
I reject all the judgemental crap like SSM as a legal issue to be bantered about like a Badmiton Birdie.
I also believe in using wisdom in funding and programs that are properly monitored to assure they produce the desired and intended results.
I do NOT believe in the bleeding heart treatment of real criminals. I support proper assessment of their psychological factors to determine whether prison or rehabilitation is the best course for society’s and their own benefit. Show me a hardline, arrogant, criminal and I will throw away the key. Show me a person who has never known fairness, and has been living in raw survival mode and I will assess their situation and extend a helping hand, with mandates on their continued performance. It is called Tough Love.
Regarding free markets. They have their place where they do not impose unfair consequences on the people at large, such as utilities, basic needs such as food, housing, fuel, transportation, healthcare, etc.. In short there are plenty of ‘investment’ areas for people to make money, but not at the expense of the people who have no choice to exercise. I have a choice where it comes to what vehicle I purchase, where I want to live, where I shop, but where a monopoly exists and market collusion that removes my choice.
I am a Progressive Conservative, have always been, but the conservative movement has been largely taken over by the Far Right, and that has been grossly overtaken by the Funnymentalist Movement led by egomaniacs like Jerry Foulsmell, Pat Robertson, etc.. That I stand FIRMLY against, not because I am anti-anything, other than anti-liars.
There are those Liberals who epitomize balance, and those who epitomize stupidity. Same with all political parties. When they start the Group Think antics, as we see daily in QP, and mostly by the CPC MP’s, then I charge them all with being guilty. They are individuals, and they know right from wrong. I do not respect COWARDS!
The fact remains, the Tories wanted power, and in seeking such, gave up their rights to balance by allowing the C.R.A.P. to take them over.
We are in quite a mess right now, and the storm looks pretty dark to me. Both the Onatraio Liberals, and the Federal CPC have betrayed the people’s trust too many times.
That is why I will vote Green and see if we can start things back on tract? If we had more Garth Turners we would all be better off. Principles come from within, not from a Fearless Leader. If the leader is principled, then our security is for better. If not, then we are allowing ourselves to be seriously endangered.
Such is the case with the Harper Government who are out of touch, out of date, and out of answers (they provide ZERO), so it necessarily follows that they should be OUT OF TIME! I can empathise with your predicament. You have no party framework to function in. Try the Greens, and let us work together to re-build what Canada really stands for. Let us build a sustainable and environmentally responible nation where ‘any good ideas are welcomed’, and not the current dictatorial fiasco of Ego Man Stephen Harper.
Now we have the First nations really upset, because Harper cancelled the Kelowna Agreement. We will spend millions in legal and law enforcement fees thanks to Harper and Flaherty’s idiocy.
If there are those you are aware of in the CPC who are behind all this then EXPOSE them here, and let the nation know who is pulling who’s strings. Why them? because they are the current government and the ones responsible for the solution. No blaming of Liberals will pass. Like someone pointed out in a comment the other day Canada acheived World Class status as the best country to live in under the Liberals, who honestly got our financial house back in order, and they deserve credit for that.
Have a great day. See you later today.
“National debate on Canada’s energy policy” says EMBASSY editorial – don’t bet on it Bunky.
Gordon Laxer’s testimony about “how NAFTA and the SPP were affecting Canada’s own energy security” is now on the record? Not from what I can see!
What was the House Committee fuss about? Why did the Conservative Chair adjourn the meeting? The Alberta University prof just wanted to point out the Energy facts that few Canadians are aware of:…
Canada exports 63 per cent of our oil Canada exports 56 per cent of our natural gas
Canada imports 40 per cent of our oil to meet 90 per cent of Atlantic and Quebec’s needs
Canada imports 40 per cent of Ontario’s needs
Is he right? What would happen those imports should come to a screeching halt?
Garth, how much is in our National Energy Reserve Supply?
C.B. Innes,
One last point. When I stop hearing the CPC Cheering Section carrying on in QP like 3 year olds, and hear one of them STAND UP FOR CANADA over the pure BS of Peter Van Loan, Baird, or Harper, then I will believe they have a spine. Freedom requires courage, and I have seen NONE in the current CPC MP’s.
They either or Canadians first or merely gutless cowardly puppets. Like the saying goes ‘We will either hang together or individually!’ Harper has power because he GRANTED power. Power can readily be taken away by the other members of the CPC.
Garth;
I am a single senior over 65.
I was wondering when someone would notice and comment on the unfairness of income splitting to single seniors.
Generally, it is easier to live on two pension incomes than one!
I believe a bigger issue should made of this injustice.
Good work.
Tom
Charles,
Garth, how much is in our National Energy Reserve Supply?
Do we even have one? The U.S does, but that is a leftover from the Cold War, and of course, to ensure their military/industrial complex can continue to wage war at the President’s slightest whim. I am quite interested in Garth’s response to this question.
Things you don’t want to hear aboutCANADA
The comments are interesting.
Bill, I don’t think you’ll get an answer from Garth. as with the water issue, he switched channels real quick to trash somebody’s car.
Those Political salary statistics and the Energy import figures must have been embarassing.
‘Scuse me, was there a question on the floor? — Garth
Garth,
So,there ya go. The man who runs the country’s finances disputes what is on the tax form which all Canadians completed one year ago.
Funny, you used the exact same argument on May 10, 2006. Just over a year ago. Why the change of heart Garth?
Hon. John McCallum: That wasn’t my question. On page 218 of the budget it says that the tax rate is 15% in 2005 and 15.25% in 2006. That’s the statement. My first question is, do you agree that that’s an increase?
Mr. Serge Nadeau: Well, it’s an increase compared with what is being administered currently; however, as I said, it’s a tax reduction compared with the legislative fiscal tax reduction.
Hon. John McCallum: But is it an increase relative to what all Canadians paid this year? It says very clearly on the tax form—
Hon. Garth Turner (Halton, CPC): It was never passed, John.
Hon. John McCallum: —that the tax rate is 15%. So clearly Canadians, in filling out their tax form for the year 2005, paid 15% in 2005, as stated in the budget document. Is that correct?
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/391/FINA/Evidence/EV2194375/FINAEV03-E.PDF
I’ll admit it – McCallum was right. — Garth
(Oops!)
Harper has power because he GRANTED power. Power can readily be taken away by the other members of the CPC.
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 11:50 am
Should have read ‘Harper has power because he was GRANTED power.’ Can’t have those neo-con Kool-Aide drinkers thinking their Fearless Leader is Divine, now can we? LMAO!
Garth,
Yes, actually there is.
Garth, how much is in our National Energy Reserve Supply?
Do we even have one was my question?
It’s called ‘Alberta.’ — Garth
Garth,
It’s called ‘Alberta.’ — Garth
AHA! I suspected that was the reality! The key word still being ‘NATIONAL’, aka, Canadian!
I’ll admit it – McCallum was right. — Garth
Was McCallum right or was it simply your change of colours?
Who allowed the change of the tax forms before the tax reduction actually passed? Isn’t that some breach of protocol?
Tax changes have the force of law once they pass the lips of a Minister of Finance. Hence when Ralph Goodale dropped the income tax rate to 15% in his 2005 budget, that’s what we all paid – until Jim Flaherty jacked it up again in his 2006 budget. — Garth
Every time I see Flaherty I hear echos of ” Heigh Ho,Heigh Ho it’s off to work we go….. “
is that allowed? isn’t the Sargeant-at-Arms gonna come after you secret decoder ring or something?
By Marg on 05.17.07 12:48 am
I don’t know why seniors are upset at all with any tax levy…isn’t it obvious by now that the government in Ottawa and the government in Queens Park and halton and Burlington are bent on destroying senior’s ability to survive? Just look at the level of increases on energy, water, property taxes etc and compare it to the rate of indexing of senior’s pensions. They don’t care! If they did, they would do something, it won’t matter who gets in, they don’t care! Then they wonder why people get so disenfranchised that they blow up buldings. meanwhile the MPPs in Ontario got a nice fat raise last year…oh but that’s what they care about…themselves! They are all the same! THEY ARE ALL THE SAME!
JCLH,
Every time I see Flaherty I hear echos of †Heigh Ho,Heigh Ho it’s off to work we go….. “
NO, NO! Jackie…There was no Dwarf names Sleazy…it was Sneezy.
Here try this delicious Apple…nice and green grown by The Minister of the Environment, Dopey Baird!
Hey wait…have I got Fairy tales mixed up here? ‘Dopey’ (check!); ‘Baird’ (Hmm…was I thinking Goldie Locks and the Three Bears?). Boy, so many Slurnames…so little time! LMAO!
PJW,
We will not go quietly into the night…unless it is to leave Dirty Depends at their doorstep! LOL
Tax changes have the force of law once they pass the lips of a Minister of Finance. — Garth
So what prevents a Minister of Finance is fully within his perogative to decrease or increase the tax rate without having it passed by parliament? Even a minority parliament? That is crazy. It should have to pass before it come into effect. Otherwise, the Minister of Justice could say something is illegal and start getting the police to arrest people for that crime. What exactly is the difference?
Re: comments by GGF on 05.17.07 4:03 pm
No government can increase taxes without the approval of Parliament but they can lower them.
Well I know it won’t make an iota of difference, but I just sent off an email to flimflam about the tax increase on the lowest income earners and IT’s. I owed tax this year. Yeah, I’m a lucky pensioner, having worked for the prov govt for 26 years & 3 years for the feds (which pension I bought back after 26 years at a high cost (after prov & feds signed an agreement) just so I could get out of the civil service after having been screwed for several years by cutbacks of 3% on our salary and no increases for several years.) It may sound as tho I’m complaining, but I’m not – just really glad to get out of the rat race – 4 departmental realignments in 5 yrs with threats that everyone’s job was on the line was just too much. But, I’d rather pay my fair share of taxes and live in a country that provides Health Care for all (although there exists many problems with it) than south of the border.
Nuf of my ranting.
btw, nice picture of Harper on the party home page today but you should give the guy a break and try to find one with a bit less eyebrow work. the shrinking hairspray is bad enough but the poor guy got munched.
By Brian Dondo on 05.17.07 10:14 am
Was he in the midst of buttoning up his top buttom of his suit jacket? I’d say we taxpayers have been paying too much for his makeup artist/stylist/psychic. Can’t she convince him to buy a suit that fits him?
Garths response to haltonjohn –
“Thanks for the impartial and non-partisan, constructive query.â€
Give me a break Garth. Do you think you are impartial and non-partisan ????? Come on, get a grip.
By haltonjohn on 05.17.07 8:33 am
Why the heck haltonjohn should he be impartial. Why don’t you get your own blog and be ‘impartial’!. Yeah right – don’t anyone hold their breath.
Halton John thinks he’s posting to Bloggingmorons.com
one of the few things they’re NOT dealing with on the short term.
ever notice he twiddles his thumbs when he feels vulnerable?
“It is far from misguided, since it smoothes out institutional inequities in the system. But it should, as I have always advocated, be accompanied by an overall income tax rate reduction. The least you could do is lend support. — Garth”
What income splitting does is institutionalize inequity and I will never support inequity in any way, shape, or form. Income splitting is a special tax arrangement for a select few and as such comes at the expense of those who can’t get in on the game.
Speaking of our role in Afghanistan, I tuned in to the Ethics committee hearing yesterday and the testimony I heard made it crystal clear that according to the official document trail the PMO never even recieved a copy of that human rights report that was leaked.
accountability be damned. there’s such a thing as due diligence that’s needs to be demonstrated.
What income splitting does is institutionalize inequity and I will never support inequity in any way, shape, or form. Income splitting is a special tax arrangement for a select few and as such comes at the expense of those who can’t get in on the game.
By henry on 05.17.07 11:48 pm
Our system has all kinds of policies that contribute to inequality. A mother who stays at home and raises a family is subject to inequality because of the systemic devaluation of that enterprise. It is only those endeavours that provide a direct monetary return that are valued in a capitalist society. The same is true when employment disadvantages people or low incomes. The same people who often decry income splitting tend to have no problem with outrageous corporate salaries or tax advantages.
Catherine might detest the stay-at-home mother who invests a small amount through a spousal RRSP so she could have some income at retirement. You would do the same if she received a return by splitting income with her husband while he is alive and saving some for the period when she might be widowed.
I remember Paul Martin standing up and arguing, when it was suggested that the personal exemption be increased for low income earners, that everyone should expect to pay a share of the tax burden and there was no free ride. At the same time his multi-million company had found a means not to pay its fair share of taxes.
There is no easy answer to these problems. What may appear fair and equitable to one may appear extremely unfair and inequitable to someone else.
Hi Garth, Is their any way to calculate in dollars what this .5% tax increase would amount to? I am by no means any tax expert or romotely close to one but I don’t think this increase amounts to $100 per year. Seems like the GST cut and raising the personal exemption and a1000 dollar per year employment tax credit I should be making up this increase pretty quickly. I have yet to see any government federal or provincial give a tax cut without clawing it back in user fees by some means so I hope that the 15.5% is not lowered as I feel I am better off now then a year ago. Regards
CB Innes
No government can increase taxes without the approval of Parliament but they can lower them.
So can the Justice minister repeal laws without parliament approval? Either way, I don’t think that should be allowed. It should have to pass through parliament by a majority of MPs.
The only thing standing between Cabinet and tyranny is the office of Governor General.
The only thing standing between Cabinet and tyranny is the office of Governor General.
That is a scary thought considering the GG is appointed by the PM.