For a fleeting few furry moments, I thought of writing about events of the last few hours. After all, the Toronto and New York stock markets have just lost hundreds of points. General Motors is in a profit freefall. One of America’s biggest financial outfits has written off a staggering $2.5 billion, thanks to the US housing crisis. And in Toronto people camped out for eight days straight for the privilege of buying unbuilt downtown condos.
Yes, I would say things are unfolding pretty much as I forecast here during the summer months. But worse, of course.
As my last article detailed, the Canadian currency is a disaster just emerging. Exporters, manufacturers, resource companies, tourist towns, convention and resort operators, even retailers, and hundreds of thousands of workers, will be clobbered. Once again today, our federal leaders diddled while the loonie flew erratically. Speaking to the media, PMSH could not utter the words, “We feel the currency is likely overvalued.†As a result, the dollar stayed pretty much where it was, instead of being talked down by a prime minister who has clearly forgotten his economics classes.
So, I was planning to give you some analysis of what happens next. The real estate asset inflation is serious, and unsustainable. The collapse of the American currency will have consequences for us all. The exchange rate crisis will certainly hasten the importation of recession – hopefully mild – into this country from the south. Housing values in Canada are unsustainable, and homeowners, especially those with mortgages, need to be told. Investors with asset-backed commercial paper in their portfolios (and most of them have no idea), are in for a costly surprise. And Ottawa’s signal to taxpayers – that we should go shopping – now constitutes the height of irresponsibility.
Feel it? We’re on the cusp of change. Not necessarily for the better, most would say. But change will come, and it will underscore the folly of most people’s spending decisions since Nine Eleven. There are certainly stop-loss strategies every homeowner and investors should be aware of. I was going to write about that, with equal urgency to my words of 24 hours ago on our currency challenge.
But, clearly, there are more important issues.
In my last post, a few words to Stephane Dion, I referenced the clever wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing logo of the now chewed up Saskatchewan NDP. Since the theme was heavily canine, I included the salutation ‘Chow’, instead of ‘Ciao.’ In doing so, I erred big time. I forgot the first thing zealots lose is their sense of humour.
As a result, one of the planet’s foremost Conservative, Harper-approved Tory bloggers wrote an entire investigative piece on my use of that one word. Needless to say, I have been condemned in no uncertain terms. Banished to my Lib litter to lick my considerable wounds. You can read the horror, here. Concludes the Con scribbler, “This is why politicians shouldn’t have blogs.â€
Bite me.
108 comments ↓
Hey Garth,
DION is little Liberal red riding hood and HARPER is the big bad wolf. Flaherty, PVL, and Baird can take on the roles of the three little pigs and we can mix fairy tales to see who wins.
Hopefully Red wins!
I love it, Garth. Keep your sense of humour. Do we always have to be “politically correct” ? We’re human after all. Ciao Chow.
Thanks for clearing up the chow Garth. I was actually wondering myself as I thought you were human especially in the MPTV last week when you were interviewing Judy Sgro. You 2 times discussed trade with North Korea. I was amazed as the two countries are completely different, but we all make mistakes. I did like how Judy emphasized it was trade with South Korea to not cause any more confusion. I now think of you as a mortal and not super human anymore but I would buy a used car from you still.
Wow that site is quite good found of funny video of Garth
http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D19ni70g6t3I
Any thoughts about Bloc Finance Critic Paul Crete’s idea to tie the Canadian dollar to the American one? He says that this would help exporters suffering from the effects of a surging Canadian dollar. You can read more about it here:
http://today.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2007-11-07T235334Z_01_N07575491_RTRIDST_0_CANADA-DOLLAR-BLOC.XML
Speaking to the media, PMSH could not utter the words, “We feel the currency is likely overvalued.†As a result, the dollar stayed pretty much where it was, instead of being talked down by a prime minister who has clearly forgotten his economics classes.- Garth
“It’s extremely rare for a prime minister to comment on currency movement, which suggests the Conservative government is uneasy about the loonie’s ascent and opens the door to questions about what, if any, action might be taken”.
“Mr. Harper said a stronger currency has benefits but that he has concerns about “some real significant disadvantages for certain sectors.â€
His comments come as Ottawa and the arm’s-length Bank of Canada face growing calls to intervene.
CTV NEWS
Wow, give this guy a stick and he will rub the hell out of it till he thinks he has invented fire. LOL
All he gets is “artificial smoke and mirrors”. Usual Neo-con stuff. I hope that they enjoy it as it keeps them occupied and off the streets making them (the streets) safer for the rest of us.
Oh, love the wolf picture.
How about a picture of your husky???
The beast is not among us. It sits in the Prime Minister’s chair surrounded by its pack.
By the way Garth. Zealots don’t lose their sense of humor. They never had any in the beginning.
I appreciate yours. Keep it up. Some of your little “sound bites” at the end of the postings give me a belly laugh.
Feel it? We’re on the cusp of change. Not necessarily for the better, most would say. But change will come, . . .
—————————————————–
Change is inevitable, as life always moves ahead. Today is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today (but not necessarily for some).
Change can also be quite painful, especially if one is not prepared to “roll with the punches, go with the flow”, etc., and wants to stay stagnant.
It is curious to see why people cannot be bothered to learn basic lessons from the past. Every time the economy gets on a roll and becomes white hot, the oppposite — sooner or later — has to be taken into account. What goes up, must come down.
Those people camping out for a week or so to buy an as-yet unbuilt condo — look back to the late 1980s, and people were walking away from their homes. Why? Because they were in way too far over their heads.
It’s deja vu all over again.
Apparently confession is not necessary in today’s Catholic church (I’m unsure of this), but this is very funny. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgmQM9cDPHk
In case this asteroid disposes with all life, a VERY stiff drink is recommended; then, everyone can sing a chorus of The Doors “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”!
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/nov/the-asteroid
The US greenback is not as strong as it once was, and this is one reason China is dumping it big time.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aJioZ1QNF3gw&refer=economy
What happens next? Maybe by Spring of 2008 we will see a working class rebellion. No shopping period after paying for the winter energy costs. It’s felt like an undeclared war against the middle class for the last 10 years anyway. Currently with Harpo in charge everything feels rigged between corporations and government. They call themselves conservatives, but they violate the core conservative principles they claim to represent. They only want to “conserve” their privileged status, and they prove it in how they govern by “conning” the public. Of course the Liberals have always done that as well, with minor differences, that’s why we need Dion to set forth his policies now.
Now that enough jobs have been lost I have no doubt the Cons will want to enact welfare reform which will impoverish the needy more than already has been done. Ayn Rand and all that. The middle class IS democracy and democracy IS the middle class. We’re stressed and we’re fed-up.
Cusp of Change? Oh yeah it’s here and it’s going to get much worse. Gandhi said “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Come on Dion, give us something. The Cons will use every dirt trick in their handbook, and we can no longer afford to lose.
*Yaaaaaaaaaaawwwwn*
Oh sorry Janke, did you actually mean what you put on your blog? It must be a terribly boring day in your life when you are grasping at straws such as this pathetic attempt at attention. Surely there are more interesting topics at hand in the media to put your simple brain to work on. Isn’t there? Somewhere? Something? Anything?
Meh, this goes in the whatever category so stay in your ivory tower build your house of cards thinking everything will be just fine while wearing your rose coloured glasses.
This is going to get nasty people, I mean real nasty. I am not talking about the provincial election in Saskatchewan or the moron quotient of twits like Janke giving their two copper coated cents worth of idiocy. No, Garth is right about the lack of direction from our sincere (laughs hysterically at the thought) PM and telling the general public that everything is fine and to trust him.
I hope people have plans to be students again as that is probably the only way to survive going into this downturn in the economy that will in all likelihood become a recession. Is the sky falling? Is Garth Chicken Little? I pray that the answer to both those questions is a resounding no. However he has a decent understanding of economics to understand more of what is going on. The only possible downside of Garth’s position being in the Opposition is that he doesn’t have the responsibility to be more concerned about his words affecting the market.
Now people that are likely to survive better will have taken precautions to diversify their income and liquid assets as well as not allowed themselves to become too burdened with consumer spending debt.
As for those people lining up for that unbuilt condo, I have no sympathy for them when their world comes crashing down and they can’t figure out why they lost everything. Sorry but you are what you eat, or in this case spend.
Garth, forget the ‘chow’ ‘ciao’ stuff… it is petty and really doesn’t matter… and get back to the stark economic reality that is just around the corner for Canadians.
While there may be some short-lived euphoria with cross border shopping deals, Canadian consumers need to be aware of the economic perils that are looming – brought on by economic mismanagement of huge proportions in the US by the Bush administration, and the Harper Conservatives in Canada. While the US economy has shown more resiliance than I expected given the state of the sub-prime mortgage fiasco, more and more news is beginning to now creep out indicating some huge cracks in the economic well-being of our biggest trading partner.
What kind of strategies should home owners and the average consumer in Canada begin implementing to weather the pending storm?
Garth, the economy is important and you should focus on that. Forget about the Angry guy in the Great White North- only CRAP party hacks looking for a dose of vitreol read that blog anyway.
Canadians are interested in what you have to say and read your blog to find out what’s going on. We forgive you minor sins recognizing that this format is imperfect too. I try to remember to re-read sensitive wordings before I hit send but we’ve all been bitten. Consider yourself bitten.
Now back to the economy, please!
I wish this blog thing worked – i just composed a carefully worded comment and it disappeared. Believe me it was a work of art…now I have to try to remember it.
Please focus on the economy, Garth.
Ignore Angry in the Great White North…no one who wants to know what’s really going on reads him. Canadians who want to know what’s going on read your blog. You can tell because you have both sides commenting on most issues.
This blog format is not an ideal communication tool but it is perfect for intimating the essence of what’s going on. I appreciate your brief notes and try to read them daily. People who read your blog regularly know enough to leave little slips to pass by because that is the nature of this beast. Blogs are about an immediacy in communications. I read yours not to catch you out on a little slip or typo but to get a real flavour of what its like to be an MP and what’s going on in Ottawa.
A recent study of editorial pages has proven that more than 60% of commentators or columnists on the editorial pages of our newspapers are Conservative despite the urban myth of our news media being liberal. If I want news or opinions now that I can trust I need to seek them out. You are one of those who I seek out on a daily basis.
And don’t let Angry Conservatives allow you to lose your focus.
Now back to the economy, please.
If it was an honest typo what difference does it make what Steve Jankes thinks?
We can respect self-correction.
To be honest, my mind went there. The tone of your post taken as a whole appears to have meant caio.
You’ve clarified.
So politicans can’t make spelling mistakes on thier blog? Well, you’ve made them before, and will make them again.
As have all of us who post a lot, we are guilty as charged. I encourage readers to correct my mistakes. If we don’t fix them, thank our eagle eyed obessive spell checkers, and laugh them off, then it’s bye bye blogging.
“Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man’s superiority to all that befalls him.”- Romain Gary
Jankes sense of supriority comes from another place.
Blog on!
By MB on 11.07.07 6:14 am:
“Probably not, because the Harper Conservative minority government is constrained by the Opposition and the reality of the Canadian’s handout political mindset.” (By Harry S on 11.07.07 8:03 pm)
Okay… So Harper was just using “handouts†in the form of tax cuts to buy votes… HARPER THE MANIPULATOR
“Once Harper gets his majority, he will undoubtedly attempt to radically change the way Canada is governed from Ottawa.” (By Harry S on 11.07.07 8:03 pm)
Okaaaay… So Harper will “radically change†once he gets a majority… TWO-FACED HARPER… second face to be exposed ONLY after majority obtained
“He will cut out all the unnecessary tax-and-spend programs and centralizing socialistic control of Canada.” (By Harry S on 11.07.07 8:03 pm)
Alrighty then… Harper will take the cash from “unnecessary… programs†like healthcare and education and then let each province act like a Sovereign Nation… well Quebec will love that… I can see the headlines two years after electing a Conservative majority… ‘HARPER SIGNS QUEBEC SUCCESSION DEAL’, and ‘Canada takes on new name… THE UNITED PROVINCES of AMERICA’
“He will put more responsibility on the provinces to manage their economies, and wean several of the welfare state provinces off the dole.” (By Harry S on 11.07.07 8:03 pm)
Okey dokey there Harry… on the one hand he’s cutting the provinces loose and in the same sentence he’s taking over the despised “centralizing socialistic controlâ€, but only for the “welfare state provinces†… more headlines… HARPER RAPES “WELFARE†PROVINCES OF RESOURCES
“Canada cannot be pulled down by provinces that are not economically viable, because the reality of the world economy that.” (By Harry S on 11.07.07 8:03 pm)
HEADLINE: Harper says – F*** THE WEAK PROVINCES – THE ECONOMY WILL NOT TOLERATE BEING PULLED DOWN BY THEM
Nice.
Change will only come if people who are staying away from the voting stations make a point of VOTING.
Since YOU, the reader, are reading this it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to convince 5 friends to VOTE, and THEY get 5 friends to VOTE, and so on, and so on, and so on….
Start convincing your friends to vote starting TODAY!!!!! And keep going until the ballot boxes close on election day!!!
VOTE FOR CHANGE
VOTE AGAINST HARPER
The fate of Canada is in YOUR HANDS.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
Sincerely,
MB
P.S. wrt to your question Harry S, “would you support a majority Dion Liberal party that would immediately buy $5 Billion of Kyoto Carbon Credits, with Billion$$$ more to followâ€
Kyoto is a signed contract.
Dion, unlike Harper, is a man of integrity that honours his commitments. And Commitments, like the GST cut, take money to honour Harry S. I’m pretty sure that Canadians think that the world working arm-in-arm to solve this environmental crisis is worth spending money on, you and Harper obviously don’t agree, you and Harper would rather solve it on your own.
So, Yes, I will be voting for CHANGE.
The 1% GST cut was a $35 BILLION dollar commitment. A commitment made for no other reason, according to you Harry S, than to buy Harper some votes.
Let’s see… which is more important … working towards a solution to global warming with the rest of the world… buying a few votes to get a majority… hmmmmmm…too tough to call Harry – NOT!!!
I will be voting for CHANGE, Harry S, and not the “POCKET CHANGE” that the 1% GST reduction has brought to us.
I will be voting for real change, a CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP.
And, are you saying that because it cost so much money you want HARPER TO RAISE THE GST????
Sure sounds like it.
Mr. Turner: The CPC posters are using your use of a word to their advantage. No surprise. However, the same group will offer protests at the use of politically neutral terms and blame it all on Pierre Trudeau, in their disjointed way.
Hey Garth, this whole ‘politicians using blogs thing’ must be catching on, because another politician has jumped on the bandwagon. NL Mount Pearl North Provincial MHA (and former Mayor of Mount Pearl) Steve Kent has started his own independently-minded blog as well. Basically, he’s developed a reputation as not only one of the youngest people to become mayor (he became dep. mayor at age 18/19 and mayor at age 20/21), but he’s a real “man of the people.”
And like you Garth, he’s not afraid to stand up to his leader. So ya, if you’re interested in seeing his blog, it’s available at http://www.stevekent.ca
So ya Garth, keep the dream of “Digital Democracy” going, because it seems to be gaining ground!
To go directly to the blog, check out http://stevekentnews.blogspot.com/
COMPLETE VERSION Meathead MP from Halton asks the Prime Minister for permission to resign…or something like that.
By Martin Chriton on 11.07.07 11:35 pm
Quick comment on the source of this video and accompanying caption. Wasn’t it Archie Bunker who liked to use the term Meathead?? I wonder if the poster gets his political advice from Archie too?
Tough week for Steve.
http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/274636
Time Harper stood up for Canadian values
BTW.When the PMO read the blog this morning please take note on your attack ad.It looks like you whipped it up last minute , in a minute. Very cheesy and cheap.
The neo-Con blogosphere is only doing the only thing it is capable of: picking Liberal flyshit out of pepper, magnifying it into molehills, and blowing those up into mountains.
Totally irrelevant except to the converted, who must be pretty mindless to accept such guff as reality.
On to the economy, Garth. Let’s see how they deal with that.
“Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man’s superiority to all that befalls him.â€- Romain Gary
By Bene D on 11.08.07 3:49 am
Duely noted and saved. Thanks
Comrade Joker
The wolf is a noble animal and greatly misunderstood so comparing Harper to a wolf albeit in sheepskin is probably unfair to the wolf. How about this instead:
Mr. Harper is rat in a bunny suit.
That would make a fine visual I think.
I wanted to post something on the blog link that you provided, Garth, but when I realized I had to use my email address, I decided against it. I trust you. I don’t trust that site…I could get on a “no fly” list or something.
Most Canadians , myself included, are rather fond of wolves and don’t care what kind of clothing it is wearing. It is the sheep we disdain. We also disdain politicianss who behave like ostriches and stick their heads in the sand, aka Harper in relation to the $ Canadian. The stupidity of Flaherity and Harper in economic matters boggles the mind. Yet, the media gives them a pass. Perhaps all that negative ad money blinds them to reality and clouds their objectivity, not that they ever had any objectivity to begin with. Wake up…the cons are not populists and CEO’s are often neither wise nor intelligent…nor are economists, for that matter.
The Republica Party in the USA brought the American economy to the brink and destroyed peoples faith in the political system. The CPC are doing the same to canada.
Chow!!!my word for a good breakfast.
Garth says –
“Housing values in Canada are unsustainable, and homeowners, especially those with mortgages, need to be told.”
Garth,
What is the point of this comment ??
What would be accomplished by telling people with mortgages that housing values are unsustainable ??
Forget about the Angry guy in the Great White North- only CRAP party hacks looking for a dose of vitreol read that blog anyway.
Ignore Angry in the Great White North…no one who wants to know what’s really going on reads him. Canadians who want to know what’s going on read your blog.
By Deb Prothero on 11.08.07 3:17 am
Well Deb, Garth seems just a little obsessed with SJ – so clearly he’s under garth’s skin – and apparently you are more than a little familiar with his work.
I’m reminded of Janke’s pathetic whining, moaning and send me money campaign when he was last being sued.
Maybe you could sue him Garth, I for one would sure get a laugh from another whine, moan, and bitch campaign.
Given the myriad chronology of pressing critical issues to be addressed to preserve some semblance of a quality of life for Canadians I add my voice to those calling for solution based policies for mitigating potentially disastrous economic events by our southern neighbor and China.
The personlauty politics is just a RED herring to distract us from realizing the undemocratic paradigm shift being foisted upon us by the Harpobots.
Never mind abstaining it is time to make our stand
Given the myriad chronology of pressing critical issues to be addressed to preserve some semblance of a quality of life for Canadians I add my voice to those calling for solution based policies for mitigating potentially disastrous economic events by our southern neighbor and China.
The personality politics is just a RED herring to distract us from realizing the undemocratic paradigm shift being foisted upon us by the Harpobots.
Never mind abstaining it is time to make our stand
Things are bad and will only get worse. Harper has destroyed Canada. The future has never been bleaker.
What is Garth and the libs doing about it? Abstaining and complaining.
Janke is desperate it seems. Imagine having to have everything you do or say analysed to death by amateurs.
There is a breed of dog called a Chow, I have a friend who’s dog’s name is Chow – for that matter – Martha Stewart has a dog named Chow Chow.
Janke sure is a bow wow junk yard dog.
A whole lotta Bull in the middle.
The sky is not falling. GM hasn’t produced a car I would buy for the last 20 years. Smart money is buying U.S. assets and securities with U.S. dollars and patiently waiting for parity of the dollar and U.S assets to recover which will produce double digit easy returns. Is this the strategy of the crowd at Timmy’s and Hockey rinks across Canada that feed the ear of Jimmy? NOT.
http://www.tdhstrategies.com/images/middlebull.jpg
HARPER SIGNS QUEBEC SUCCESSION DEAL’, and ‘Canada takes on new name… THE UNITED PROVINCES of AMERICA’
By MB on 11.08.07 4:01 am
what is a SUCCESSION deal? is that encouragement to SUCCEED ?
I find it nice this common sense old fart can see things as they are. Seems others are catching on too.
Loonie’s rise signals end of American era
The reasons for the dollar’s decline are familiar. Like the Romans and British before them, the Americans have overextended themselves. As a country, they import more than they export. As individuals, they spend more than they earn.
Some rules of civilization are like gravity. You can fight against it, think you are invincible, but the moment you misstep…Down you go. History is gravity’s equivalent. What was that wise counsel? ‘Pride goeth before a fall!’ Seems it still holds true, even for the Mighty Empire!
Oh, last night on the Global National, they had Bush and France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy (anyone else notice how he looks suspiciously like Iran’s president?) and the comment was made ‘They both struggle with English!’ I about fell off the Chesterfield LMAO!
Greenback losing its might
China contemplates diversifying foreign reserves, says dollar losing status as default world currency
The U.S. greenback was clobbered on foreign currency markets again yesterday, tumbling against all 16 of the most-active currencies and setting new lows against the euro and the Canadian dollar during the session.
Garth, you too see things without the Blue tinted glasses. That is what scares them so much about you and Dion.
I have been speaking against paying the rising cost of housing for the past 5 years.
Some thoughts for average people.
Unless speculating with borrowed money that you are not personally responsible for, or buying fixer uppers to flip, it makes no sense to expose your future to an artificially high housing market, and interest rate fluctuations. Easy credit, mass media marketing and unrealistic attitudes born by this and older heads that should have known better, will result in a lot of grief for a lot of people.
These boom and bust periods are cycles and memories are short. Too bad so few understand that new and big, is not always best.
I see society as a whole as the one who picks up the tab in the end, as these economics result in wide ranging and often devastating social consequences, which in the end is averaged out, and paid for by taxpayers.
As I watch this madness, I ponder the worth of advice of experts. Folks trained at the best facilities, by those who largely have never left the academic bubble. Classic blind leading the blind.
If financial planners were to earn their fees, they should teach the economics of building a sound foundation, before trying to build a future. A house built on sticks, is always vulnerable.
Buy a fixer upper, watch Bob Villa, buy a few books and some tools. Plant some trees, and make the yard attractive then sell while prices are up and start over again. Do this as many times as you can before the bubble bursts then sit on your lower cost investment and ride it out. When prices look good enough, lever your equity, and start investing in some other properties that are rentable and position yourself for the next upswing. Whenever the powers decide that might be. Buying older multi unit dwellings and living in one unit is good too. If you are careful and patient you can use this philosophy to build your very own little real estate empire, and greatly increase your chances of stability.
The lifestyle of high personal debt and commitment to it, eats at a persons soul. It happens surreptitiously until nothing else matters, and your existence is comparable to a mouse running on a wheel.
The practice of Credit card companies soliciting young customers at Colleges and University should be stopped. In my view, this is predatory.
P.S. If you are already tied into an overpriced home, dump it, even if you only come out with your hide intact, and buy just one fixer upper for now.
An excerpt from Don Martin’s article today:
“It’s fair to expect Conservative MPs and senators to consult with cabinet ministers to make sure their private initiatives are legally and politically valid. But if a party that fought for more free votes and enhanced MP representation is limiting the right of its elected members to introduce legislation, Conservative control freakiness has reached a new and scary level.
The party’s MPs may be recoiling from self-initiative. Only eight of the last 80 private member’s bills came from Conservative MPs, who occupy 40 per cent of the seats.
Here’s hoping they stop paying so much attention to PMO messaging and start sending Parliament their bills.”
Like I said, the sewer politics of Harper are starting to ooze out.
OFF TOPIC – CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Can any of the reformers in CPC clothing explain to me the reasoning by PMSH that leads him to not intervene on Canadians facing the death penalty in another country (which I actually support), but will continue to refuse to extradite criminals that face the death penalty in another country. Just doesn’t make sense to me, and just shows how out of his depth our reform Prime Minister is.
This policy actually is stating that it is more important to protect non Canadians from the death penalty than it is to protect Canadians from the death penalty. Only in Canada….
There’s a good column by James Travers in today’s Toronto Star: It’s Time Harper Stood Up for Canadian Values – http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/274636. As Travers all but points out, there’s a case to be made that “Harper is NOT a leader” – certainly all we can see so far is that he’s a bully.
like you didn’t sense the rattle of the word nazis when you posted it.
))
and buried. The cost of shelter as reported in the CPI in no way reflects the increase of housing prices. (by my reckoning only about one third of the reality in my part of the world and our prices are slower than the norm)
Undoubted valiantly jawboned away at StatCan by beating on the mortgage rate numbers until they bleed, but IMO smoke and mirrors nonetheless but what the hell its all market liquidity flatulence anyways. No pain no strain.
Mr. Turner, I’m not surprised the ‘angry’ blogger took it where he did. He’s pathologically wired to construct scandal at every turn.
Admittedly, though, the post was a misinterpretation waiting to happen.
Let’s narrow the gap between symbol and meaning for next time.
Oh, and where Dion is concerned, why hasn’t somebody wryly pointed out that PMSH’s comments re: Pakistan are curious. Isn’t that country, after all, a *democracy?* And if those officials are *democratically elected* then who are *Canada’s formerly New Government* to quibble with a few suspended rights and freedoms? The link between Pakistan and not upholding representation to death-row Candidates is waiting to be jumped on.
Thanks.
What can I say, they’re Cons. Of course they’ll attack the tiny details in the post because they can’t attack anything real (hint, hint, hint to Harry S, Jim, John G and L etc). At this point, it’s clear they’re desperate. When will we see those same Cons defend the IT flip-flop, support for the war in Iraq, etc? I ask you (Harry S, Jim, John G & L), can you actually show us your true colours, and perhaps at the same time admit you’re wrong?
They must be really really scared and desperate to try to make a big deal about n-o-t-h-i-n-g.
What saddens me about this is the alignment between the neo-Cons and the once-honourable NDP. You pretty much know what you’re getting with Harper…once you cut through all the crap, but for Layton to sell the soul of the NDP for the sake of his own shameless quest for power is disgusting. Tommy Douglas must be turning over in his grave.
and btw,
an important part of the equation not part of the current common rhetoric…
The US Fed’s going to have a hell of a time keeping interest rates down. IMO they won’t be able to, plain and simple.
China is losing over $4B USD in T-Bill holding alone for every 1% drop in the greenback and holds in said T-Bills nearly 6 times the value of the Feds official dollar reserve. There’s no way in hell they’ll accept retreads at the call without a hike in return.
yep, Canadians can’t wait to get rid of Harper and replace him with Dion.
contributors to the CPC: 32,812
contributors to the LPC: 7,849
contributors to the NDP: 12,000 !!!
Looks like we even prefer Jack! to Stephane.
Mr. Turner: The CPC posters are using your use of a word to their advantage. No surprise. However, the same group will offer protests at the use of politically neutral terms and blame it all on Pierre Trudeau, in their disjointed way.
By Catherine, too on 11.08.07 6:49 am
Yes, you’re right, Catherine. Very similar to the government voting at the UN in favour of abolishing capital punishment. Then the libs using that to say Harper is bring back the death penalty.
Go figure.
Poor Steve Janke doesn’t see humour in the word Chow, I would ask him when I put cat chow on my shopping list or describe my dog as being part chow that I am insulting someone’s wife. Do we not have much more important things to think about than this.
Travers all but points out, there’s a case to be made that “Harper is NOT a leader†– certainly all we can see so far is that he’s a bully.
By JudyK on 11.08.07 9:54 am
I was just going to mention this link, Judy, when I noticed that you already done so. Mr. Travers is right! We need someone at the helm of our great country who will actually stand up and be counted in a positive way for Canadians. I WANT MY CANADA BACK!
The Economy is now the #1 Issue South of border just ahead of Iraq…….seems you called it again.
Lots of borrowed money for the Winds of War, but nothing for the middle class…
Garth, not sure you or others heard it, but a short clip on CNN (goverments us the MSM to put bad news then drop it qucik for CYA reasons) ahhhh what was it “Gas Regualation” they know a $5 gallon will cause a revolt, so they have to find a way to make even more and find something to blame it on. It appears that their plan to steal all that Iraqi oil fell througth the cracks.
I need some help here, can anyone please tell me what our Neo Con’s (Stevie boy & buddies) have done to help Canadians since he became PM, what measures have they taken to ensure we are not hit by the “R” word and to keep the Canadian economy safe?
I know he talks and attacks Liberals, I know he wants to lock people up, I know he cut the GST (no Canada Savings there) I know he hates Senators, I know he shut down committees, I know he gave Quebec money and status, I know he killed Income Trust, Attlantic Accord, and Kelowna, I know he appointed a Senator to a Minister and gave billions to spend on his friends (untender contracts) I know he fired MP’s for standing up for thier people, I know he dito’d words of GWB, I know he committed our troops to pointy end, I know he rented tanks (we now own em) I know he really does like GT, I know he does not like Atlantic Canada, I know he would like to see the Death Penity Restored, I know he wants to assimualte our First Nations People (F.I.R.E) and we all know he wants a Majority to take complete control and make Canada over in the immage of his mentor….George “Dubya” Bush.
So please tell me what has done that is for Canada?
More taxcpayer money attacking M. Dion does not count!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES !!!!!!!!
PM Harper is a magnificent Wolf.
So what is Dion ??
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/scripts/large.php?Lang=1&accessnumber=M999.81.118
The editorial cartoon you refer to is 10 years ago, and was drawn in response to Stephane Dion standing up for the Canadian nation against the Quebec separatists. Do you have a point other than to confirm you are irrelevant? — Garth
Poor Steve Janke doesn’t see humour in the word Chow, I would ask him when I put cat chow on my shopping list or describe my dog as being part chow that I am insulting someone’s wife. Do we not have much more important things to think about than this.
By Judy Roberts on 11.08.07 10:56 am
CHOW-CHOW
2 large heads of cauliflower [preferably bearing the likeness of Flaherty and Baird], 200 very small cucumbers, 50 small onions, 1 very large head of cabbage [preferably bearing the likeness of Stephen Harper], A few green grapes, radish pods, and nasturtium seeds, 1/2 pound of white mustard seed, 1/2 pound of celery seed, 1/4 teacup of ground pepper, 1/4 teacup of cinnamon, 1/2 pint of grated horseradish.
Put the cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, and onions in salt over night. Drain off and put to soak in vinegar 2 days. Drain again and mix with spices. Boil a gallon of vinegar with 2 pounds of sugar and pour over while hot. Do this 3 mornings in succession; then mix some ground mustard and a little olive oil until a good flavour.
Rasputin’s variation: Provide yourself with one very large flask of Smirnoff, 140 over proof, and quaff liberally and reverently during preparations, while reciting “ciao ciao†in flawless Italian.
HIC … ERP! Hope you like it.
I really shouldn’t bother but I’m postscripting to the US downturn anyways so…
That’s not what our government of the day did and that’s not what the Liberal press release says.
now then, about that downturn. Keeping in mind that a great deal of existing net new North-South trade is really a replacement of what used to be East-West, I think what should be on the agenda for consideration is…
1) the greening of our transportation infrastructure (anybody remember the railway privatization scam?) and
2) how Ottawa can contribute to improved management of provincial trade barriers.
“Harper has destroyed Canada.”
By jim on 11.08.07 8:41 am
Jim.
You are freakin out man.
Your opinion is so extreme, and wacked out, that it is actually good for Harper. Keep it up. Harper needs idiots like you.
The sky is falling,
The sky is falling.
Whatever you say Jimbo.
but for Layton to sell the soul of the NDP for the sake of his own shameless quest for power is disgusting. Tommy Douglas must be turning over in his grave.
By Good Grief on 11.08.07 10:27 am
It seems clear that Layton has chosen to join the rest of the Demagogues in their tactics, and is now fundamentally the same. The only good thing he has done in recent memory, was to stick his thumb into the Green Party pie, regarding the ZENN car and bring it up in the house.
This, following the lead of the CBC and the Greens. I will post more on that shortly.
What I wonder is, where was Mr. Dion? Where were all the Liberals? Where in hell was common sense??
Here we have a party and a leader that is failing in Quebec, and watching the Kyoto accord die. Along comes an issue like this, which represents Environment, addressing oil dependence, Government and ministry boondoggling, jobs in the manufacturing sector and jobs in Quebec, and does the leader of opposition say anything about it?
I again defer to Forrest Gump. That’s all I have to say about that.
Did top Tories dodge Mulroney paper trail?
Mr. Panetta, CP, always does his homework. Now, the big question. If’n I phoned the Justice Minister [either Toews ... rhymes with To[e]s as in Quayle’s potato[e] kid … Or Nicholson and gave them each a 5-minute briefing, would that still provide them DENIABILITY? Er, I mean, apart from LYING in the H o C.
http://www.thespec.com/article/278643
http://www.thespec.com/search?&q=mulroney&r=
“ciao ciao†in flawless Italian.
Can someone name a “true” conservative for me? Who in the past would have been considered a true conservative?
Mr Garth TurnerMP,
Any thoughts on better places to park RRSP funds? Presently have most in mutual fund equitys, forein and domestic. Would blue chip, smallcap, GIC’s, energy, or metal, ect. Would one be better than another? But I guess it depends on your personal situation and age.
I guess I should go see one or two financal adviser see what there best guess is on were to put my hard earned savings to try and maintain them and grow over the long term. Hopefully growning faster that inflation.
I just got my credit card bill down to zero. Now helping to get my wife down to zero as well, sooner than later.
Just remembered, I still need to pay off the break job I need done last week.
I hope peak-oil doesn’t make things to tough for the average person? It does make to harder as oil and gas prices go up to find extra funds to insulating your home more or to buy a more efficant home heating&A/C system. Maybe geothermal it works and no green house gasses. Just some electricity to run the fan and pump. Maybe using home wind and solar for some of the power.
or some clean CANDU power.
Also as oil prices go up food will cost more!
When will we see the plug-in hybreads for the mass market, any idea?
Perhaps the planet is in need of a mass depopulation to keep the global climate change from getting out of hand and to keep from running out of energy, clean food, clean water, clean air, farm land, reduce polution, so future generations can survive, along with all the other forms of life on our planet.
Okay… So Harper was just using “handouts†in the form of tax cuts to buy votes… HARPER THE MANIPULATOR
You got that right because that’s how Canadian voters want to be treated .. buy my vote. Layton and Dion are doing that too, except Dion is also suggesting that he would increase the GST back to 7% to fund all his socialistic welfare programs.
…………………………………
Okaaaay… So Harper will “radically change†once he gets a majority… TWO-FACED HARPER… second face to be exposed ONLY after majority obtained
These radical changes will be coupled with more tax decreases. Flaherty did say he would be demanding further government cost reductions. This will clean out all those liberal make-work advocacy groups that are nothing more than Liberal propaganda organs .. like the CBC.
………………………………….
Alrighty then… Harper will take the cash from “unnecessary… programs†like healthcare and education and then let each province act like a Sovereign Nation… well Quebec will love that… I can see the headlines two years after electing a Conservative majority… ‘HARPER SIGNS QUEBEC SUCCESSION DEAL’, and ‘Canada takes on new name… THE UNITED PROVINCES of AMERICA’
Wrong you are MB. Healthcare will not be affected, but education will because it’s a provincial responsibility. Let the provinces tax their people for their education system. Involving the Ottawa bureaucracy is wasteful and unnecessary.
………………………………….
Okey dokey there Harry… on the one hand he’s cutting the provinces loose and in the same sentence he’s taking over the despised “centralizing socialistic controlâ€, but only for the “welfare state provinces†… more headlines… HARPER RAPES “WELFARE†PROVINCES OF RESOURCES
Your obviously confused now, and can’t understand what it takes for an efficient central government.
………………………………….
HEADLINE: Harper says – F*** THE WEAK PROVINCES – THE ECONOMY WILL NOT TOLERATE BEING PULLED DOWN BY THEM
Now that’s extreme and ridiculous. The central government is committed to equalization payments, but when a province cannot raise itself up by it’s own bootstraps, there is something radically wrong. What we are talking about is the Maritimes, and their over-governed existence while maintaining their inefficient economic size. I believe the Maritimes must be merged into one or two provinces thus reducing the cost of government and creating a more viable economic unit. Enough is enough, because the rest of Canada is not going to subsidize the existence of the Maritimes while being threatened from offshore economies that affects Ontario and Quebec. But that’s my assessment, which you must admit is reasonable.
Otherwise, thank you for your ‘sincere’ responses.
We can fund an election, Liberals say
$18M Lined Up; Dion will decide best date: party’s national director
Juliet O’neill, CanWest News Service
Published: Thursday, November 08, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/2ks4s7
Mr. Dion has recently clarified that the Liberal party is financially ready to campaign whenever the next election is called, which should be pretty soon now if any more of Harper’s problems make the headlines.
While I don’t like negative campaigning, I would like to see tv ads that start out by saying what a Liberal gov. would *not* do, then saying what a Liberal gov. would do – turning a negative into a positive. Keeping it simple and straightforward makes it more likely that the message would be heard.
There is an endless pool of broken promises that should not be ignored or forgotten – broken promises, muzzling of Conservative MPs, wrong-headed tax policies, environmental flim-flam, etc., not to mention the hoax that Layton is perpetrating by pretending to criticize Harper’s party while he and Harper scheme together about things like opening the Constitution on the pretext of abolishing the Senate.
I would also like to see the Libs call for including the leader of the Green Party in the debates – they are now polling at about the same number as the NDP.
It’s time to start getting on with getting on.
Hi Chistine Campbell, On.
Before you or the Bloc start to think that a common currence with the USA/IRS money system might be an idea to look at. You need to watch the movie,
“America: Freedom to Fasisum. by Aaron
Russo. 1:50 min. scroll down to find movie. http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2007/08/25/aaron-russo-1943-2007/
Why is PMSH still working on the shadowy SPP dealings? How is he really working with/for???
Go figure.
By Jim on 11.08.07 10:53 am
When you speak, raise your head (so we can see that really brown nose) and make sure you also pledge full allegiance to Harper. Please also indicate your full and unreserved support for the IT flip-flop, joining the war in Iraq, killing convicted prisoners instead of imprisoning them for life.
Jim.
You are freakin out man.
Your opinion is so extreme, and wacked out, that it is actually good for Harper. Keep it up. Harper needs idiots like you.
The sky is falling,
The sky is falling.
Whatever you say Jimbo.
By Milton man on 11.08.07 11:52 am
Hey Milt, didn’t you read Garth’s blog. He predicted this doomsday and sure enough it is here. At least he says it is.
It should be noted that the behaviour of the canine Chow is more akin to that of the feline cat and, hence, it makes an excellent pet in the small house or apartment. It originated in China where it served well as a pet and a barbecue item.
That a Conservative is using its nominclature to roast Garth shows a wisdom and intellegence not normally found in the con species. It also shows that it takes very little to occupy the buisy con minds.
Edmund Burke
By Greg on 11.08.07 11:54 am
The only good thing he has done in recent memory, was to stick his thumb into the Green Party pie, regarding the ZENN car and bring it up in the house.
Greg, I believe that the maximum speed for the ZENN car and others like it is about 50k/h, so it’s a matter for each province to decide if they pose a slow-driving hazard. They seem like a really great idea, but I think there may be a few issues with them for now.
In case you guys haven’t noticed, our neighbour to the south is currently twisting in the wind with a critical moral deficiency and rudderless leadership. Down there, we know who’s really in charge and it’s not Bush… He just looks that way… So why does PMSH want to be like them???
Leadership is not watching what the Joneses are doing and doing the same thing. It’s taking decisive action and being able to command the respect of others without having to resort to threatening tactics.
Down there, Bush represents everything that is wrong in politics and in my mind, he has become worse than Joe McCarthy.
So once again, I ask, why does PMSH want to be like him? And why doesn’t the media do their jobs and give him the scrutiny he truly deserves?
By Harry S on 11.08.07 11:29 am
YES !!!!!!!! PM Harper is a magnificent Wolf. So what is Dion ??
The editorial cartoon you refer to is 10 years ago, and was drawn in response to Stephane Dion standing up for the Canadian nation against the Quebec separatists. Do you have a point other than to confirm you are irrelevant? — Garth
……………………………….
You are correct, Garth, but how do you explain Dion’s abysmal polling unpopularity in Quebec, and for that matter in the rest of Canada? Are you attempting to pull Harper down to Dion’s lowly level??
When Canadians get a good look at Dion during an election campaign, his unpopularity may increase even further, and that is what you and all Liberals fear. Is that why you are attempting to trash the Conservatives in such a primitive manner, and playing up to your many admirers on this blog??
You depict Harper and the Conservatives as wolves in sheep’s clothing, and even tolerate Oxley’s accusations that Conservatives are ‘nazis’ without a peep from you .. but you object to Dion being depicted as ‘Le Rat’ as in Quebec??
You have in your desperation, made your point, and it’s scary.
But that’s my assessment, which you must admit is reasonable.
[...]
By Harry S on 11.08.07 12:18 pm
I strongly suggest that you move to Jesusland. I also (not seriously) think that Alberta should be kicked out of the confederation and made to join the US. That’s right, so that the 66% who voted Cons (for reasons quite unknown since they couldn’t answer the “why”) can be very happy to join the Motherland! On top of that, they won’t even have to worry about their oil anymore, since their new feds would do it for them! What’s left of Canada would then instantly be back on track for Kyoto, and won’t need to worry one bit about being seen as a backwards place anymore.
Come on, suggesting a provincial reorganization is ridiculous. Who do you think you are? The director of the department for inter provincial affairs? If you, with your lil job at the PMO, think you and your mentors Stevie and Georgie are so great, show us your support for all of the following:
1. flip flop on ITs;
2. missing childcare spots;
3. war in Iraq;
4. no rights for gays;
5. no need for womens’ equality;
6. a high dollar is great cuz, hey, who needs those export jobs in Ontario when we have that much oil in Alberta.
or would showing your support for those things cost you your PMO job?
ZENN Car receives approval from Transport Canada to be sold in Canada.
http://www.zenncars.com/media/zennvideo23a.html
http://www.zenncars.com/media/zennvideo22a.html
and a technology update;
http://www.zenncars.com/media/zennvideo21a.html
Synopsis; Government Ministry stands firmly in the way of progress, and entrepreneurial endeavor. CBC breaks story. Minister says was unaware. Opposition parties unaware. Government and Minister rush to provide approval and cover story. NDP leader is opportunistic. Leader of Opposition holds dick.
If regulators will get up to speed, and cease efforts to handicap marketing environmentally saving products and technology, the great minds will bring their focus to bear.
If you build it, they will come.
doomsday,,,,,????
Jim,,,,????
Are you on the extreme team ??
Watch out Jim,,,,
Look up,,,
your sky is falling,
your sky is falling.
Wow,,,
Harper just finished a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto this afternoon.
The crowd roared their approval,
clapped their hands for what seemed like eternity,
and gave him a thundering standing ovation.
,
,
,
I guess they liked him.
Me to.
Impartial crowd, obviously. — Garth
I just watched Harper’s noon speech to the Canadian Club in Toronto. How can someone say so much without saying anything of substance?
It is encouraging, however, to see the business-oriented audience’s reaction to his words.
On panning the audience during applause moments, it was obvious that his “economic update” was not widely appreciated. At LEAST half sat on their hands rather than applaud, and the frowns or otherwise concerned looks were in the majority. Even zoom out to the head table showed about half the folks there not applauding his lauding of Mr. Flatulence (present there with PVL), or the wisdom of their recent tax cuts. Much of the applause could generously be tagged “polite”.
This is encouraging. My long time held view is that Conservative values favored business. It seems the CPC Harperites have lost that support in the heart of Canadian Business.
PMSH’s feeble attempt at attacking Mr. Dion were even less appreciated by the audience.
His attempt to take credit for improvements in Canadian economy over the past 210 years were almost no-response.
There is hope!
ooops… typo…
that should read “10 years”…
ADDENDUM
He claimed the massive increase of “self-employed” as an ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! As a fairly recent “self-employed”, let me tell you that most of those I know in similar situations did not make the transition from choice. It is a matter of survival. Dropping from an almost 6 figure corporate salary, to a hopefully $50k annual is devastating to me and many of my colleagues.
Greg:
RE your comment at 12:24 to my earlier post. I think you misunderstand me. I’m not advocating the Bloc position; I’m just trying to understand it better and was hoping that posters here through sharing their thoughts on the topic would do that.
I can understand what Crete is saying when he argues that linking the two currencies would help exporters. The worry for me however is that linking the two currencies might create more problems than it attempts to solve. The big one of course would be the tanking US economy. If we link our dollar to thiers we might go down along with them.
Wow,,,
Harper just finished a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto this afternoon.
The crowd roared their approval,
clapped their hands for what seemed like eternity,
and gave him a thundering standing ovation.
,
,
,
I guess they liked him.
Me to.
Impartial crowd, obviously. — Garth
By Haltonjohn on 11.08.07 1:02 pm
LOL…and then the truth was posted by By maybe Rhino? on 11.08.07 1:05 pm
On panning the audience during applause moments, it was obvious that his “economic update†was not widely appreciated. At LEAST half sat on their hands rather than applaud, and the frowns or otherwise concerned looks were in the majority. Even zoom out to the head table showed about half the folks there not applauding his lauding of Mr. Flatulence (present there with PVL), or the wisdom of their recent tax cuts. Much of the applause could generously be tagged “politeâ€.
Haltonjohn, you have absolutely no credibility here. Why do you even bother posting? Oh wait…because you get paid to by the CPC.
Sucks to be you.
“But that’s my assessment, which you must admit is reasonable.
Otherwise, thank you for your ’sincere’ responses.”
By Harry S on 11.08.07 12:18 pm
First, let me assure you that every comment I make is sincere, coming from both my heart and mind Harry.
Second, I can tell that you truly believe in the solutions that you offered in the repsonse quoted above, so thank you for your sincereity Harry.
The problem with the solutions that you offered, and the solutions being offered by PM Harper, is that their focus is…
EFFICIENCY!!!
But machines are efficient Harry, whereas people are inherently inefficient on a moment to moment basis.
And the problem with making EFFICIENCY the minute to minute goal of a government is that it, as you have clearly pointed out, WIPES OUT WEAKNESS.
Efficient government wipes out weak people.
Read that again Harry… Efficient government WIPES OUT weak PEOPLE!!!
We are talking about PEOPLE here Harry!
Real living, breathing, human beings with centuries of tradition, and wonderful, ineficient, idiosyncratic behaviours and ideas that make up the incredibly RICH COMLEXITY of the CANADIAN MOSAIC.
There is VALUE in that so-called ‘inefficieny’ Harry.
And because of that… GOVERNING is the ULTIMATE HUMAN activity with all of its so-called related ‘inefficiencies’ respected and TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION…
NOT WIPED OUT!!!
To give you an example from my own life Harry, I was once at a very very low point in my life. A point where I could not function on a day to day basis without help. And there were many people in my life at that point who had written me off saying that I was beyond their help and who did not want to have anything to do with me. It was ‘efficient’ for them to take that point of view, and I do not fault them for their actions of abandonment. They did so in large part out of self preservation.
But there were two people who refused to give up on me. They stuck with me unreservedly refusing to give up on me even though it took a heavy personal toll on them.
And it is because of their blind support that I am here having this conversation with you today Harry. They had faith in my value even when I, and everyone around me, saw no value in myself.
Governing is like that Harry.
Good government doesn’t abandon just because something or someone seems inefficient at the moment.
Good government believes in, and facilitates, all human endeavour until it eventually reaches it’s stride and lives out a long and meandering, yet productive LIFE.
I’m not getting that snese of belief in the goodness of all things from PM Harper.
I wish I did.
And that is why I will be voting for change.
Sincerely,
MB
I just finished checking out todays online poll at the Globe and Mail and astonishingly 61% of the 10000 or so respondents want a higher Canadian dollar over interest rate cuts!!!!!
Are these people stupid?!?!? Do they not see the obvious signs of economic hardship on the horizon? Do they care more about shopping for deals in the US than staying employed? Are the all morons? Are the all related to Milton man?
I believe the Maritimes must be merged into one or two provinces thus reducing the cost of government and creating a more viable economic unit.
By Harry S on 11.08.07 12:18 pm
Harry you made one valid point. The one above. The rest regarding the Maritimes is mumbo jumbo.
First, you should have said Atlantic Provinces, as the 4 of them should work toward amalgamation.
Secondly, the worst employment situation remains in NFLD.
Third, if you understood the broad picture you would realize that these provinces have and are providing a great number of workers for the rest of Canada. Past/present population figures show this clearly. NFLD alone has had a population decline in excess of 50,000 in recent years. These migrated Atlantic Canadians are contributing to the tax structure too.
Fourth, look at your transfer payments and follow the money Harry before you attempt an analysis. Look at the history of transfer payments to Quebec, for example.
Fifth, do some actual comparisons on unemployment figures regarding individual provinces and the actual numbers of unemployed not just the per capita percentages. Look at the numbers generated just in Montreal and Toronto alone and you will have an idea of how insignificant the “Maritimes” is in relation.
Sixth, the Maritimes are no more over governed than the rest of Canada. There are more Government workers per capita, but that is largely because the Federal Gov. located many employees there to provide employment. These services are for all of Canada. If you compare Provincial and Municipal Government employees to say Alberta, you will find that Alberta lags behind Atlantic Canada.
N.B. suffers from duplication and all 4 suffer from patronage.
Total unemployed in Toronto and Montreal is close to 300,000. Total unemployed in Atlantic Canada is approx. 125,000. The “Maritimes”, approx 85,000.
In 2005/06 equalization entitlements for the Atlantic Provinces was 3,830,000,000. Quebec was 4,798,000,000. Manitoba was 1,601,000,000.
Now when considering transfer payments per capita, factors such as worker migration play heavily as this greatly reduces provincial tax revenues. Another significant factor is pay levels, which directly affects tax revenues on all fronts. When you have a small economy that is virtually controlled by 3 corporate giants, who are supported by the influence they exert on local politicians, guess what happens?? They rule the roost.
How much was wasted on the gun registry? How much lost tax will result from IT changes?
How much lost revenue will there be from the high dollar?
You folks, including (LoH_Numa on 11.02.07 2:10 pm), are suffering from a misnomer, and need to look elsewhere for the boogeyman.
Transfer payments chart;
http://www.fin.gc.ca/FEDPROV05/eqpe.html
Its funny, I seem to remember Leasa making fun of the way Dion speaks and Garth lost his sense of humour and called her racist. Now the shoe is on the other foot and Garth states that the zealots have no sense of humour.
Gee Garth, make up your mind.
Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 11.08.07 2:03 pm
I don’t know Reefer Madness, Haltonjohn could be right. I just heard comments on the radio about Harper’s speech and it sounded quite positive for Harper. Besides, Rhino’s aren’t the brightest bulbs on the tree.
Maybe you need to smoke another joint
and relax a bit Reefer. Take a deep breath of your Toronto air.
Ahhhhhhh,,,yaaaaaa,,,that’s it Reef.
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 11.08.07 2:22 pm
Are these people stupid?!?!? Do they not see the obvious signs of economic hardship on the horizon? Do they care more about shopping for deals in the US than staying employed? Are the all morons? Are the all related to Milton man?
Wonder if it has anything to do with Harper’s and Flaherty’s ho-hum attitude…
The Haper approved blogger you linked to not only has no sense of humour but he’s also lying by omission, a Harper government trait:
Not only does Ciao mean goodbye, but its one of those words that has a double meaning, the other being “Hello!”
They seem like a really great idea, but I think there may be a few issues with them for now.
By Good Grief on 11.08.07 12:30 pm
Granted these cars are only capable of limited use, but if you read my second post it leads into the aspect of further development. This is the step that must follow and will be driven by feasibility and potential profits. I have little doubt that it can be done, considering accomplishments in the field of technology. The question is will it receive the necessary impetus?
As the comedian Flip Wilson used to say, “If you can fly this plane in the dark, and find Los Angeles, you can find my bags”.
Harpoon blasts the former Dipper but is it true?
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071108/harper_taxes_071108/20071108?hub=TopStories
Sean P. Hogan wrote:
Its funny, I seem to remember Leasa making fun of the way Dion speaks and Garth lost his sense of humour and called her racist. Now the shoe is on the other foot and Garth states that the zealots have no sense of humour.
I fail to see how the mocking of a person’s difficulty in a foreign language constitutes humour. As a child of deaf parents, I can fully understand the difficulty one would have speaking a language only learned through reading. If you knew anything about second language acquisition, you would know that the foundation for fluency in speaking a language is based on long and repeated exposure to primary speakers of the target language.
But then again, perhaps you were one of those sensitive and caring humans that would mock my parents for their disability and and others who are attempting to assimilate into a foreign environment to the best of their ability. While you’re at it why don’t you do an Archie Bunker and make up some retard jokes?
By Jonnay on 11.08.07 12:41 pm
Oops the link earlier was supposed to be http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1120436743193_22/?hub=Canada and not the search I used to find it.
By Greg on 11.08.07 3:54 pm
Agreed, but given how long it’s been taking to get the fuel cell technology on the road, it may be quite a while until these cars are ‘mainstream’.
In case you missed this,,,
The Gazette, October 11, 2007
Most Quebecers don’t approve of Stéphane Dion’s leadership, a new poll has found.
The Léger Marketing survey conducted for the French TVA network found 59 per cent of Quebecers don’t approve of Dion.
A further 50 per cent believe the Liberals made a bad choice when they picked him as their leader and 43 per cent believe he should resign.
The survey was conducted between Oct. 3 and 8 as Dion came under fire for not dismissing national director Jamie Carroll for making disparaging remarks against Quebecers.
actually if I had to a poison I’d cut to the chase and knock off the liquidity nonsense sooner rather than later, but its not like I’m signing on the dotted line or anything.
nice poll. WAY more responses than usual. just goes to show you some web polls are more worth scipting than others.
Oh my,
The liberals are down to 15% in Quebec. Only 2 points above the NDP and 16% lower than the Conservatives.
Apparently, the only liberal votes left in Quebec are the ethnic votes. Dion is having trouble in his own riding.
“> Cheers.
By Greg on 11.08.07 2:45 pm
Harry you made one valid point. The one above.
First, you should have said Atlantic Provinces, as the 4 of them should work toward amalgamation.
Secondly ………
………………………………
Thank you for that clarification over the Atlantic provinces and equalization. I am not a Maritimer, as you may be, but you can sense my frustration with decades of that ‘culture of defeat’ that permeates those provinces. Enough is enough with maritimers and aboriginals too.
I and most Canadians want results and fast. I believe a Harper majority government will provide those results because sure as hell the Liberals won’t ..!!
As for Quebec being favoured, I recall then PM Louis St.Laurent saying something like this about equalization: “I don’t care what the formula is, just make sure that Quebec gets more!!” … and that has been the situation for decades.
If you take a pragmatic view of Canadian politics, you will appreciate that Quebec holds the RoC against the wall in it’s demands as a distinct society and more money. Harper has poured Billion$$$$ into Quebec to improve his popularity there, and it’s working.
Don’t you think that Dion would do the same thing to rescue his sorry arse in Quebec, or do you think that Dion can carry the RoC for his majority government and ignore Quebec..??
Let’s get real as you have done in your comments to me. Thanks.
MB
By MB on 11.08.07 2:17 pm
Gosh, I’d love to know what the MB stands for. You are very scripted and well written. Ummmm. Do tell! L
By Harry S on 11.08.07 6:50 pm
I don’t think I would refer to Atlantic Canada as having a defeatist attitude. I think this is a phrase of convenience largely. There is frustration certainly, for a number of reasons. Some of the more prominent are the influence that governments have had on traditional industry, i.e. farming, fishing and forestry. This coupled with the destruction of so many small businesses by the giants that I mentioned, which in the end, does not produce competition that benefits the population, but monopolies and co-operative maintenance of profit margins between the few. Often resulting in overpriced products and services. Tactics employed by some of these large entities would not be allowed in most provinces, (yet) but due to the power and influence they wield, convention and law has been circumvented.
There have also been a number of official inquiries into a number of these miscarriages, at great expense. The results have been constant. Nothing is accomplished, nothing changes and the people feel there has been no justice. Then there have been numerous cases of gross misjudgment and a history of blatant patronage. Now, there is the perception of the Atlantic Accord.
All of the above result in a feeling of powerlessness, and betrayal. Describing this as defeatist, I believe is inaccurate.
As to Quebec and what Dion would do, I would simply say the history of payments to Quebec has been somewhat consistent, and I see no reason to think it will change significantly anytime soon. As a province of Canada they are as entitled to the benefits of this program as much as any other province. My concern with their situation is reflected by their unemployment statistics, and particularly Montreal. These figures are consistent with the Maritimes as a whole and run in the high 8-percentile range. This is troubling. I say this because I am old enough to remember Montreal as the center of commerce for Canada and lived through the transition to Toronto as a result of language policies in Quebec. This direction has continued there, and it seems clear that maintaining the language is more important than being a responsible partner in Canada. As the Government of Quebec continues in this direction, it appears their attitude is that whatever losses they create, can be recovered from the taxpayer of Canada, and equalization payments virtually guarantee this. The odd treat like Harpers recently gift are always welcome too, I’m sure.
Will politicians pander for their own good? Of course. It’s all about power. Unfortunately, no one has come up with a system that works better, long term except maybe the Hutterites. And their system is purely Communistic, held together with religious fundamentalism. Now, we know that ain’t gonna work widescale, don’t we?
I have read this blog for few months. I am amazed how some can be so blinded by belonging to a political party but cannot bring themselves to say something good about anything the present government does. I have been a Liberal for years. However, I am also objective. I had my time to vote. the election is over and we have a Prime Minister. We should show our support until we have a chance to go to the polls and exercise our right. I keep reading about the Income Trust. Guess what!! I have some of these and they have not lost a cent and have made money since the poicy was introduced last fall. Day care spaces it takes two to tango. The provinces have a major say in this. On capital Punishment the PM is very clear on this issue. On gay rights. The PM supports the Charter of Rights and Freedom. On the war in the Liberals put us in this mess and the governments has done a great job for the military as far as equipment and benefits that the Liberals failed to do.(I have spent several years in the Forces) On women’s issues the Liberals had 13 years in government to get this right but failed. For the dollar this is not a government problem. in fact they cannot interfere with the B of C. I would suggest that some of the writers get their head out of the sand and fact the facts. When this happens then an intelligent debate can take place. This would make more sense than Harper bashing. If you do not believe me check out who is donating money to what party and where are the parties in the polls.
“Gosh, I’d love to know what the MB stands for. You are very scripted and well written. Ummmm. Do tell! L”
By Leasa on 11.08.07 7:56 pm
The MB stands for lifelong progressive conservative – Work hard, respect others, save a little, spend a little, and donate a little.
If my words are “well scripted”, Leasa, it is because I am writing the script based on the experiences of my life. Some of which have been personal battles against charismatic public opinion makers who have had power, based on perception, on their side.
Ultimately these wielders of temporary power have come up on the short side of the battles because their power was not based neither on character, nor integrity.
The techniques to counteract these power bullies are always the same, but it is ultimately integrity that always wins the day… it just takes time and effort L.
If I am “well written” it is because my parents valued education and instilled a love of learning in me, and I am happiest when I can USE what I have learned in the service of others, like here on Garth’s blog.
I hope that helps you L.
Here comes one of the power counteracting techniques that is focused against you, Leasa, who I believe to be an agent of PM Harper…
I want to give your importing/farming business a plug Leasa – so that we can all help you make your business more viable thereby helping to support the good and hard working people you employ.
Please tell us the legally registered name and trade name of your business L. so that when we have an opportunity to support you we can.
You should have no problem with that eh Leasa?
Please advise.
Sincerely,
MB
If I am “well written†it is because my parents valued education and instilled a love of learning in me, and I am happiest when I can USE what I have learned in the service of others, like here on Garth’s blog.
By MB on 11.08.07 10:37 pm
Are we brothers? LOL That is exactly what my purpose is. To share what I know, and hopefully, others will not have to go through the experience alone.
By David Halfkenny on 11.08.07 9:34 pm
I have read this blog for few months. I am amazed how some can be so blinded by belonging to a political party but cannot bring themselves to say something good about anything the present government does. I have been a Liberal for years. However, I am also objective. ……….
Excellent commentary David, but the problem is much deeper than you portray. There is outright hatred for family man Stephen Harper, and that hatred surfaces on this fine forum. That vicious hatred is an obvious sign of utter desperation and panic, if you ask me. Such people cannot be reasoned with, and must be opposed at every opportunity.
The Liberal party must go through a period of renewal as stated by Ignatieff, and that is what he promised to do if elected leader. Unfortunately, the old guard within the current Liberal party feared renewal because they knew it would mean purging the party of those who were deeply associated with the previous regimes and their corruption. Instead they ‘selected’ Dion and what a pathetic leader he has proven to be.
Politicians facing extinction get desperate and nasty. Canadians must help the Liberal party cleanse itself of it’s sordid past, and force them to bring in new and dynamic leadership, otherwise the Liberal party is truly headed towards extinction.
Oddly enough, I see politicians such as our Garth a great asset and help for the Liberal party to rejuvenate itself into something much more relevant to all Canadians. Until then, I believe we need a majority Harper Conservative government to bring our monstrous central government under control.
In the meantime we must suffer the insults of those who want to get back to power asap. Let’s not go back .. it’s not worth the risk.
Until then, I believe we need a majority Harper Conservative government to bring our monstrous central government under control.
Welcome to my nightmare. The monstrosity is the Harper Conservative government, in my opinion. But you are entitled to your opinion (as everyone else is on this blog).
By MB on 11.08.07 10:37 pm
Actually, MB, I use my real name, I’ve even stated where I live. I’ve even posted articles that identifies me completely. I speak in support of all Ontario’s vegetable growers. Really want to support Ontario agriculture and food sovereignty? Buy Ontario products.
Leasa
Hug a farmer today.
I want to support you and your co-workers… the people you work with and employ… If you really want to support Ontario agriculture and food sovereignty put an identifiable business that we can all support directly with our $$$ rather than just our support of your speeches Leasa.
Having already fully identified yourself elsewhere I would greatly appreciate it if you could identify your business and you name right here in a response to this request.
We want to support you and your people directly with $$$ Leasa. Neighbour helping neighbour.
Please help us to help you Leasa.
Fully identify yourself in one response here in this blog topic or risk losing all credibility as a farming business owner who advocates food sovereignty for Ontario farmers.
Can’t you stand the scrutiny of the free choice that you say you want for Ontario farmers Leasa?
Identification of your business, or lack thereof, will fully answer that question.
Sincerely,
MB
P.S. Hug a farmer today and every day!!!
“Are we brothers? LOL”
By Bill-Muskoka on 11.08.07 11:05 pm
That is wild… I had exactly the same feeling after reading your stuff… I even considered asking you for a job!
I only work for people I admire as people of demonstrated character. I’m very selective that way.
Can you do me a favour Bill-Muskoka?
Can you make sure your Green friends spend all of their money in the upcoming federal election in the Prarie Provinces… you know… the pure blue ones.
I think that this is the most fertile ground for the Greens to elect members to the HoC.
Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Sincerely,
MB
I speak in support of all Ontario’s vegetable growers. Really want to support Ontario agriculture and food sovereignty? Buy Ontario products.
Leasa
Hug a farmer today.
By Leasa on 11.09.07 8:30 am
………………
Right on Leasa … and as an example of supporting Ontario farmers, I no longer buy Fuji apples from China or asparagus from Peru.
While shopping at Price Chopper in Ontario, I bought a $1.97 jar of store brand pickles instead of the $2.47 jar of Bicks pickles. When I tried the cheap pickles they were soft and soggy when they should have been crisp and firm. Checking the label, I was shocked to notice the pickles were from INDIA !!!!
I returned that jar of offshore pickles and bought the Canadian Bicks pickles which were nice and crunchy.
CHECK THE SOURCE OF THE PRODUCT BEFORE YOU BUY IT … OTHERWISE YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EATING… !!!!
Dear Leasa,
“We want to support you and your people directly with $$$ Leasa. Neighbour helping neighbour.
Please help us to help you Leasa.
Fully identify yourself in one response here in this blog topic or risk losing all credibility as a farming business owner who advocates food sovereignty for Ontario farmers.
Can’t you stand the scrutiny of the free choice that you say you want for Ontario farmers Leasa?
Identification of your business, or lack thereof, will fully answer that question.
Sincerely,
MB
P.S. Hug a farmer today and every day!!!”
By MB on 11.09.07 9:31 am
……………
Right on MB… let’s support Ontario farmers and Leasa in particular!!!
When all us folks are in the supermarket make sure we choose Ontario foodstuffs and in particular Leasa’s farm’s stuff.
Still waiting to help you and your people Leasa.
Please identify your company.
Sincerely,
MB
P.S. Nice try, Leasa, trying to get us to look through each of your previous Harperbot posts, but we’ll wait for you to self-identify right here in this blog topic.
Tick, tick, tick…