How can one man do so much damage? How could the prime minister choose a federal minister of finance so ill-informed and over his head? More evidence today.
Just months ago, Jim Flaherty stood in a hastily-erected media set in the lobby of the finance building in Ottawa, held up a copy of the latest Harry Potter book and decried Canadian retailers and distributors for ripping off consumers. He’d just emerged from a meeting with key retail leaders, who had told him they were unable to pass along immediate savings from a high loonie, that it was irrational for him to believe that, and in the case of many of them, a dollar at par would spell lost jobs, lost companies and a hobbled sector. They pleaded with him not to deceive Canadians.
Mr. Flaherty ignored all of that, took to the microphones minutes later and cast himself as the king of retail politics – on the side of the little guy who now expected US-style prices on everything, even if Canada has a tenth of the population of America and far bigger per-unit costs.
To illustrate his point, he hoisted two Harry Potters – one he bought in the States, one in Canada. They should cost the same, he said. You’re being ripped off.
As it turned out, the Canadian edition that the minister held was published by Vancouver-based Raincoast Books, which for almost three decades has done business, employed people and turned out books. But no more. Today it announced it’s going out of business, thanks to the high Canadian dollar.
As competitor Jordan Fenn, CEO of Key Porter Books, told me, “This is as I feared and as I predicted in my testimony to Parliament. If something doesn’t happen soon with the dollar, or if measures to protect Canadian publishing/distribution firms, I fear that Raincoast will be the first of many firm to close their operations. This is a very real and very scary concern.”
What’s even scarier is a finance minister who does not understand finance. He held aloft a Canadian product, and vowed there should be consequences. And there were. Shame.
Here is the news report on Raincoast.
151 comments ↓
So much for your claim of not being motivated by party politics; you heaped praise on the man originally, and now, having joined the opposition, you heap scorn on him — often for exactly the same policies that you praised the year before (although not in this case), and praising Liberals you snidely swept aside the year before.
I originally thought you an honorable fellow, but I think that less and less — you are really just a politician like the rest of them.
I did not exactly heap praise on Flaherty, but was encouraged in my initial conversations with him in early 2006, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, he has proven over two years his grasp of the portfolio is weak and his understanding of the issues thin. My disappointment is consequently profound. — Garth
You’re right; ‘heaped praise’ was an exaggeration, and I shouldn’t have used it. My apologies. However, you did a lot more than just ‘give him the benefit of the doubt’ when you referred to his abilities as a Tory, not only on this blog but also on television when you talked up the initial Budget.
I also refer to your talking up of the GST reduction when you were a Tory, saying how great it was, but now toeing the Grits’ line on the issue, including saying that it disproportionately benefits those with more (they, as well as the Star & other left-leaning groups, have also reversed their own position from fifteen years ago when the tax was created, saying that to implement it would hurt the poor).
I do agree with you (your position as it stands presently, that is) that an income tax cut is much better for the economy, even if it is not better for me personally (I’m a student & don’t make enough to pay income tax, although I do pay sales tax).
If you’re going to market yourself as someone consistent who voices his opinions even if they’re against the party line, it helps to do it.
Are you defending Jim Flaherty and his ’strong dollar’ boosterism, along with this result? That is the topic of the post. Not me. — Garth
I must agree that Jim dropped the ball on this one. While our dollar was at par why did he only stop at books having to be equal in price. Why should gasoline not be the same prce as the U.S.? I wish I could buy alcohol in Canada for the same price as an exact same bottle down south costs. Differernt countries have different prices. Guess we can now have our books shipped over from some other country now so we can enjoy level prices with our U.S. counterparts. We have a bunch of idiots leading us around and the truely sad thing is we keep reelecting them.
In your last post you asked if anybody was shocked with the Harper govmint. Women aren’t. In the latest poll only 28% of women would vote for the Cons., thank goodness the Cons can’t win without those votes. Ursula K. Le Guin once remarked that “when women speak more than 30 per cent of the time, men perceive them as dominating the conversation.” So true. Canadian women are very angry with the ‘under the radar’ policies of this bot. Women from Ontario especially dislike Flaherty, for obvious reasons, but then again we haven’t forgiven Rae either. No substance, sort of like Obama.
I’m not defending him at all – I thought his press conference with the photo op was ridiculous and cheap, just as you said it was – but I do take issue with your indulgence in the partisanship that you so frequently denounce in others. I did not intend for my comments to sound like a personal vendetta against you if that’s how you took them. At any rate, I don’t live in Halton so my criticisms are largely irrelevant.
In Europe, prices are not at all in line with exchange rates; in Norway, I believe, they’re 50% higher than the US-Norwegian exchange rate would suggest. With our dollar at parity, prices will not reach US levels for much the same reasons that they don’t over there — costs & taxes are higher than they are in the US, and it is unreasonable to expect prices to reach their levels. If the dollar stays high, they may get closer to US levels, but they won’t reach them.
The Harper Reformers have been so busy playing politics that they have had neither the time nor the inclination nor the ability to make real policy; economic or otherwise. Their mendacious scheming has a recognizable element of dishonesty and dishonesty must not be allowed to govern.
Today it announced it’s going out of business, thanks to the high Canadian dollar. – Garth
To be accurate, only the publishing part is ceasing operations, distribution and wholesaling continues.
However, the point you make about Mr. Flaherty (or is that Screacher, the House Elf) is well taken.
Maybe Joe Canadian (Muggle) doesn’t understand the additional pressures put on a company, that, even with a dollar at par, will make Canadian goods more expensive. But the Finance Minister should as many are a direct result of government taxes and policy.
PMSH (He who should not be named), Flaherty (the House Elf) and Baird (Wormtail) are very quick to jump on the additional costs a carbon-tax would create, but this story shows they don’t seem to realise that other taxes and regulations already have that effect.
I guess they’d claim that was the Liberal’s (Mudbloods) fault.
Now, to be fair, I do cross border shop. However, I make allowance when comparing prices that items will cost a little more in Canada, as this funds our social programs like universal healthcare. Canadian companies need to change their cost structures, but we as Joe Canadians also need to realise that paying an extra buck on a $20 item is the price we pay for living the Canadian way, and not the US. way.
When I read the Raincoast story in this morning’s Globe and Mail, my first thought was “you incompetent twits”.
No business in this or any other country has a right to a particular exchange rate. Since 1971, when we switched to floating rates, it has been the responsibility of management to make changes to accommodate the ups-and-downs of the currency.
Apparently Raincoast’s management would prefer to “coast” rather than work for a living.
I had long thought that Canada’s dollar would rise, not only relative to the US dollar, but relative to the world at large. It has. Back in 2001-2002 I was managing a company when our dollar was in the dumpster, in the mid-60 cent (US) range, with a Euro at over 1.60 CAD each and the pound at 2.37. It was easy to pocket the extra profits – fewer product turns were required – with costs in CAD and income mostly in USD, EUR and GBP.
Now Canadian costs have risen relative to what your international sales bring in. (How this affects a Canadian publisher selling Canadian-produced works to a Canadian market is beyond me, because domestically a dollar is still just a dollar.) That means you have to become more productive (which, for a publisher, means increasing your sales of the volumes you publish, and making darn sure you sell well in your domestic market rather than just being a print shop for export).
How any of that is Flaherty’s fault – or the Government’s fault – is beyond me, Garth. Let’s also say clearly that the Finance Minister might think the dollar should be up, down or sideways on international currency markets but it is the Governor of the Bank of Canada who actually determines the key variable that might cause it to move one way or the other that’s under Ottawa’s control – and the Governor is independent in his assessment, since he is mandated to preserve the value of our currency (inflation bands), he need not listen to the Finance Minister in any case.
So if the Minister wants to be a normal celebratory Canadian happy that we “achieved parity”, does that make him stupid? Evil? The destroyer of the Canadian economy? Or is the problem with Canadian managers who have had five years of steady appreciation in the dollar and have clung to the notion that someone would step in and knock it back down for them?
The dollar apreciated 28% last year. That is a serious shock and the government should have worked to moderate exchange rate fluctuations instead of celebrate them and then dump on Canadian producers, creators and distributors for their inability to cope. Hard to see how anyone benefits from this kind of news. But you obviously don’t care. — Garth
Why cant Canada compete with the dollar at par? We have to strive to be as efficent as the US and not rely on the crutch of a weak $ to make a sale.
Because we have one-tenth the population and triple the distribution costs of American competitors against whom many of our businesses sell domestically. Because we ship into the US, and this 28% rise in our dollar equals a 28% rise in export prices or a 28% decline in operating revenues. You’re not in business, are you? — Garth
re Molly – “…Canadian women are very angry with the ‘under the radar’ policies of this bot.”
I second that emotion.
I doubt Flaherty is very interested in keeping publishing houses alive in Canada. People who read aren’t who he’s after. Oil companies and big Pharma – that’s another story. I liked Raincoast Books, and I bought their products.
Let us not forget that Flaherty was the Ontario finance minister in a Conservative Ontario government, turfed out on their fundaments massively (and turfed out on their massive fundaments) after enraging most of the population one way or another.
Time for the old heave-ho again – federally, this time.
David Cochrane on 01.08.08 1:19 pm,
I agree with you on one level but I also think your position should be put in the context of Canadian politics today. It is not just “Garth’s problem” but a systemic problem.
Political parties demand followership. Garth may have more “freedom” to express his views in the Liberal Party than in the new Conservative Party but even that freedom is severely limited.
There is a question as to whether Garth has changed his personal views or whether he is merely being dictated to by the realities of the current party system. We don’t really know.
This is one of the reason’s that Canadians have little trust in politicians. It is not just that they change their minds, we all tend to do that at times, and politicians are no different. However, the problem is systemic because of the requirement for party solidarity.
Jim Flaherty gives the impression that he wants the Canadian economy to collapse because it provides the opportunity to radically transform the country. Is that not the objective of neo-con ideology?
Why cant Canada compete with the dollar at par? We have to strive to be as efficent as the US and not rely on the crutch of a weak $ to make a sale.
By Duane W on 01.08.08 2:00 pm
There’s also a concept call purchasing price parity PPP which give the value of the CDN$ against the $US in terms of being able to buy the same thing at the same price. Call it fair market value, if you wish.
When the CDN$ was at 63C, it was undervalued and therefore made it advantageous for Americans to buy Canadian.
Now the opposite is true. At parity, its advantageous for Canadians to buy from the US.
I understand the PPP value of the CDN$ is around 85c US. That’s the value Flaherty should be looking at as being good for Canada.
McCallum asked Flaherty about this _exact_ topic during the last session. Here’s the video of the exchange in the house of commons.
I wonder if the question were asked today if the answer would be the same?
Went to the LCBO last night and noted that they are reducing, as of January 1, 2008 prices on many of their products to reflect the 1% decrease according to the posted signs. Gee, what products are those? It sure as Hell isn’t Canadian Rye.
One would think a government run agency could at least keep up with the retailers?
The dollar has been rising for almost six years now, and perhaps business leaders should have been able to cope better with the effect that it would have – we can’t rely on the dollar being weak – but I agree that such a huge jump in such a short time, unexpected in its size, would harm even the most well-prepared business.
The Bank could have cut interest rates earlier in order to ‘moderate the exchange rate,’ as you put it, but the inflation rate was high enough that they didn’t until recently. You were one of those who expressed concern about inflation being at 2.5%, if I recall. The dollar was not expected to remain high for very long, so the choice then appeared to be one of turning up inflation or stopping a rising dollar that looked set to fall back on its own anyway. As it turns out, the dollar is still around parity and the Bank has now reduced the interest rate; it will probably do so again due to the gloomy economic forecasts coming from the US. The extra royalties being imposed on the Alberta oil industry as well as weakening domestic demand will probably also contribute to a future drop.
We do need to be less economically dependent on the US & the US-Canadian exchange rate, but it’s unrealistic to expect it to happen instantly as some posters have suggested. A slowly rising dollar, forcing our own producers to adapt to it over years rather than weeks, seems to me much more preferable than the meteoric rise that has occurred.
(The New Zealand dollar has doubled in US terms over the last five or six years, and recently the central bank there sold off some of their reserves to make the dollar fall — it fell by about 2 cents, then went on rising again. If the Bank of Canada were to try this instead of cutting interest rates, the result would likely be the same. The NZ economy has also begun slowing down, no doubt thanks at least in part to their high dollar.)
Joe Canadians also need to realise that paying an extra buck on a $20 item is the price we pay for living the Canadian way, and not the US. way.
By James- Chatham on 01.08.08 1:51 pm
I don’t think you’d find too many Canadians disagreeing with this. But when a book priced at $20 US also had $35 Cdn on it when the dollar was at part there’s bigger issues at play here than just the cost of social programs.
Retailers were gouging Canadian consumers for a long time. And it took the dollar being a par for most myopic Canadians to realize it.
When a computer component costs $40 from a Canadian retailer and $7 from a Hong Kong retailer, plus $14 shipping, the Canadian retailer should expect to lose sales.
By Bruce Stewart on 01.08.08 1:53 pm
Bruce I am 100% with you on this issue. I also hold the same views. It is mangement’s responsibility, not Ottawa’s, and I must say I am a tad mift with Garth on the continuous whine over our dollar, a currency backed by a low debt, and proper management, not a bloody free-for-all of raw capitalistic idiocy, being treated with value far below its real solidity.
I think too many Canadians have grown into little corporate socialists, meaning they love to get business benefits, the tax credits, and all that, but still want a Nanny government to cover their arse.
Being from the States I can tell you they would never last long down there. The U.S. economy was built by people willing to be courageous, innovative, and bold, but honest as well.
If this is the position of the Liberal Party then I will be reconsidering casting any vote for them in any election. I sure as Hell am unimpressed by McSquinty and his band of blowhards.
When we look at Europe and the EU we do not find this whininess, we find a very strong currency valued higher than our’s or the USD.
Any company that does not first have a solid domestic market is no better than the gambler playing the slots at the casino…the house always wins.
Likewise, too many Canadians sit on their laurels and do not even try to create anything new. Therefore, they are truly corporate socialists.
Bottom line is the Cnd$ has risen to where it should have been all along.
Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm,
The rapid changes in the dollar means that many items were purchased originally at a higher price and especially independent retailers could not afford to take the loss on products purchased months ago. A huge multi-national like Walmart can afford to take some losses but an independent book store cannot.
For years, Canadian companies had both tariffs & a low dollar to discourage competitiveness. The tariffs largely affected only Central Canadian industries, allowing them to charge high prices for their goods while Atlantic Canada & the West had to sell at lower world prices — one of the reasons for Ontario’s continued economic success for so many years in spite of uncompetitive businesses. Because of the low dollar & tariffs adding to the cost of foreign goods, people were still going to buy Canadian. Now the tariffs are gone & the dollar isn’t low anymore; the dollar’s rise has been so rapid that expecting Canadian businesses to adjust to it immediately is unrealistic; the industries can be forgiven for their current problems, but the continued bleating from politicians in Ontario about their ongoing difficulties is rather irritating; under free trade, tariffs were eliminated over several years & the industries had time to adjust, but instead they just sat and prayed for a protectionist government to come back into office, or, failing that, one that would instead give them billions in subsidies. If they had not hidden behind tariffs for so long (designed to help Central Canada at the expense of the East & West), the problem would not have arisen at all.
We have not had tariffs for forty years, and no protectionism at all since FTA became effective almost two decades ago. Your dissing of “politicians in Ontario” is unseemly and unedcated since this remains the maufacturing base of the country and is home to 40% of all citizens. — Garth
By Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm
I thought I said that in the first part of the sentence, “Canadian companies need to change their cost structures.”
By Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm
If they think books are a ripoff they should check car part prices between Magna’s monopoly (basically) and U.S. suppliers. Same parts, many made in Canada, but the difference is often 400%. Talk about a rip off of Canadians.
And yes, the Liberals were there all along.
Here in the Muskoka we are watching companies leave, not because of the strong Cnd$, but because their American parent, i.e., owner has gone bankrupt. Management is clearly to blame for that, not government.
We have watched ALCAN, Dura Automotive, Hidden Hitch, and almost Fenner-Dunlop (manufacturer of very large conveyor belting for the mining industry) leave because of poor management by their U.S. owners. Yet they praise the Canadian workers as excellent.
Fenner-Dunlop recouped, and renovated their facilities. They seem to be doing well.
As to the book market. I talked with a local retailer of books and learned that they have been forced to reduce prices, but it is their distributors, not so much the publishers, who are the source of the problem. That is what we get for multi-tiered distribution systems wherein the distributors make sure their take is king! For books that cannot be displayed with one price, they cover up the price, apply a discount, and sell at one price. it is as fair as the retailers can get because their costs have remained the same. Indigo and Chapters still have not adjusted their pricing at last I visited, and claimed ‘we are working on it.’ Yeah, right, their IT department has to make one entry and it applies to all their stores. WalMart does it, as can Home Depot, Best Buy, and the other Big Box stores on a central IT system. I simply stopped buying anything from Chapters or Indigo, or Home Depot (who still is ripping us off with too high prices.)
Do I need government to do that for me? Hell no! I do it for me, and that is my responsibility. I look for the best value, which includes quality, price, and service.
As to the housing market. When I see the prices come down, and refelct the GST decrease, and those prices are realisitc, then we will buy, and not until. The consumer drives the market or stops it, but then that takes personal responsibility for our purchasing decisions.
Because we have one-tenth the population and triple the distribution costs of American competitors against whom many of our businesses sell domestically. Because we ship into the US, and this 28% rise in our dollar equals a 28% rise in export prices or a 28% decline in operating revenues. You’re not in business, are you? — Garth
By Duane W on 01.08.08 2:00 pm
I am in business and the dollar is helping me. I buy domestically and sell domestically. My equipment costs less now than before. However the agricultural side is more challenging because of heavy subsidies in the US, but high grain prices for my farm customers are making sales to them much easier.
The beef industry being the exception, because of high grains.
If you buy and sell in Canadian dollars, you obviously don’t care very much about the exchange rate. Unfortunately our domestic population is too small to support our standard of living, which means we are an exporting nation. So, have some sympathy. — Garth
U.S. IOU economy is strong says Bush…
U.S. consumer credit rose $15.45 bln in November
The prestidigitizer society just borrows and borrows. When Bernanke was asked about America’s current account deficit he blamed the huge borrowing on all those retirees from other countries who are just saving too much, and on those Asian countries with huge foreign currency reserves. They refuse to face the problem squarely.
The Global Saving Glut and the U.S. Current Account Deficit
Canada needs a huge government inspired push to diversivy our trading partners. For inspiration, look at the United Arab Emirates. The latter have expanded their economy to such a degree that the largest % of their GDP doesn’t come from the oil anymore.
Furthermore, we are forced to support the housing, automotive, petroleum, and insurance companies over and above all others. The housing industry is the most outrageous. We have the natural resources, plenty of labour, and the distributors, again, take a lion’s share between the producers and the consumer. Do not be fooled, most retailers are working at 100% markeup minimum.
How else do you think companies can sell at 50 to 70% off when they have ’sales’?
If the Conservatives have their way we, too, can add medical insurance to our must have expenditures. We are already paying for it, but the private providers want more, and more, and more to feed their stockholders.
The entire system SUCKS in my opinion. CEO’s make far too much money for doing nothing beyond what staff can do in most instances. In fact, if the CEO’s had any real qualifications, they wouldn’t need so much unproductive staff to tell them what to think.
Same goes for government. We literally waste billions on ’studies’, and as we have seen today, those studies are then ignored by pompous arsed morons unqualified to run a pay toilet operation.
Like Barack Obama’s campaign slogan says ‘Change: We can believe in!’ We need some of that here very badly!
BTW, seems those Alliance party members are at it again in Alberta! Yeppers, watch out for the new Wildrose Party. The Cold Hand Of Censorhip, Conservative Style! Good, maybe the true PC party can regroup, the Libs split and let Dion and Iggy have their own followings. Harper can run back to Alberta, along with Flaherty, Baird, and the rest of HIS PMO, and try to win some seats outside of Alberta, just like the Bloc cannot outside of Quebec.
Perhaps Elizabeth May and Stephane Dion will team up, and that is a party I could feel comfortable supporting.
By Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm
I thought I said that in the first part of the sentence, “Canadian companies need to change their cost structures.”
By James- Chatham on 01.08.08 2:54 pm
I was concurring with that.
Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm,
The rapid changes in the dollar means that many items were purchased originally at a higher price and especially independent retailers could not afford to take the loss on products purchased months ago. A huge multi-national like Walmart can afford to take some losses but an independent book store cannot.
By C. B. Innes on 01.08.08 2:47 pm
I wouldn’t have a problem with a transition period to normalize costs. The problem, in particular with books, the economics of doing business in Canada do not support a price difference of 75% on an item like a book. And that would only apply to a book printed/published in the USA and imported to Canada. If it was ordered and paid for when the loonie was at $0.75 US then sold when the loonie was at $1 US. The company Garth brought up was publishing books in Canada. So the sinking US dollar wouldn’t affect the cost of a Canadian produced book as $1 Cdn 6 months ago is $1 Cdn today.
When Bernanke was asked about America’s current account deficit he blamed the huge borrowing on all those retirees from other countries who are just saving too much, and on those Asian countries with huge foreign currency reserves. They refuse to face the problem squarely.
By Pecked to Death by Ducks on 01.08.08 3:11 pm
Someone needs to call Bernanke and tell him ‘Your Village called. They’re idiot is missing!’
By Reid on 01.08.08 2:36 pm
If they think books are a ripoff they should check car part prices between Magna’s monopoly (basically) and U.S. suppliers. Same parts, many made in Canada, but the difference is often 400%. Talk about a rip off of Canadians.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 2:58 pm
I couldn’t agree more. I just brought up books because of the topic of this thread.
I’ve been saying for years we’ve been getting hosed as Canadian consumers. It just took a dollar at parity for most Canadian to agree with me!
I don’t need prices to be the same as in the USA. I just want them to be fair for Canada. Which they are not.
Oh yes, I meant to ask the commenters…How many of you bought Hillary’s crocodile tears act? I did not!
Oops. forgot a part…She said she was ’so thankful for all this country has given me.’ I would have believed it if she had said ‘I am so thankful for all this country has allowed me to take.’
I think too many Canadians have grown into little corporate socialists, meaning they love to get business benefits, the tax credits, and all that, but still want a Nanny government to cover their arse.
Being from the States I can tell you they would never last long down there. The U.S. economy was built by people willing to be courageous, innovative, and bold, but honest as well.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 2:42 pm
Bill, if things are so great in the U.S. why didn’t you stay. I defy to to prove that there is no crony capitalism in the U.S.and subsidies for industries. Maybe you should open your eyes. For example, take a serious look at the sub-prime issue or softwood lumber.
Govt. intervention eh Garth? You are sounding more like a Liberal everyday. I say compete or go out of business…now someone please pass Garth a tissue!
Intervention, where? — Garth
Someone needs to call Bernanke and tell him ‘Your Village called. They’re idiot is missing!’
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 3:26 pm
And just what did the village due to deserve that statement.
Reid on 01.08.08 3:25 pm,
The problem that Flaherty created for this small company was the perception that it was gouging consumers and that perception was enough to destroy its customer base for it main product.
Most Canadian publishers today are small. Profits are only realized when you sell in large volumes so it is difficult for any Canadian publisher to survive.
Most people today are quite content with supporting the mass market system and could care less whether we have any Canadian based value added industries until it affects their jobs or their living standards.
As the new economy becomes more and more established no matter what we do our living standards will decline because our small market becomes too expensive to service. If you live outside a large Canadian urban center you may not see how that is affecting rural Canada.
Unlike Garth, I believe that we need to focus far more on the internal Canadian economy or we will be hit hard by the US protectionism.
By C. B. Innes on 01.08.08 3:46 pm
Ah, are those defensive hackles I see rising on your back C.B.?
I made an honest and objective observation. you can accept it or reject it at will.
And just what did the village due to deserve that statement.
By Marc on 01.08.08 4:19 pm
Who knows? Could it be the village of Harper, Baird, or Flaherty? Van loan, Lund, or good old PMJC?
Like the one comedian said ‘ I’m from a village so small we couldn’t even afford an idiot!’ Perhaps it is their moment of fame. it will last 15 minutes at most according to Andy Worhal!
A tale of a DVD set -
Went shopping for a three-disc opera DVD set. Since the local price seemed steep, checked the internet. Amazon.ca listed it for $60.79 CDN, plus GST/PST of $7.90, total $68.69, shipping free. Amazon.com listed the same thing for US $34.97 plus $7.89 S&H, total US$42.95, no tax involved. Ordered it from amazon.com on 2 Jan, and received it on 7 Jan for a total cost of $43.89 CDN.
I’m as patriotic as the next guy, and I do try to support local retailers. BUT, I have to pay attention to my bottom line too, and buying it from a local store with GST/PST would have cost twice as much. The Great God Marketplace will have his reasons, but I have mine too, one being a limit to the extent to which I will allow myself to be fleeced.
‘The government should have worked to moderate exchange rate fluctuations.’ I think that’s what he meant. You’ve also frequently brought up the need for ‘assistance’ to Central Canadian industries, although specifically what would constitute such assistance I have yet to hear you say.
By Herb on 01.08.08 4:39 pm
Same here, except, with a twist.
WalMart has contracted the exclusive distribution for the Eagles Farewell Tour 1 from Melbourne. I got it yesterday for $24.97 Cnd plus GST/PST. The other stores are all pissy they cannot sell it.
So, what would a band do in such a circumstance…opt for maybe sales or massive sales. They probably end up making the same per unit, maybe even more, regardless.
BTW, it is a fantastic DVD and the sound is AWESOME!
Are the Eagles still alive? — Garth
Are the Eagles still alive? — Garth
YES!!!!!! And they are even better than ever before. Their sound is so mellow and so smooth to watch them play, only truly seasoned pros can do that.
In fact, they have even done their part on GW and CC. Their previous album ‘Hell Freezes Over!’ is really ‘cool’
It, too, is available on DVD
You have got to get out more Garth! LOL
At this point in the history of the universe, Jim Flaherty has zero credibility and even less integrity and competence.
His enjoinder would be his infamous “it’s not my fault”. So whose fault is it? The other Finance Minister? Oh yeah, we only have one Finance Minister. One too many it would appear.
Since when is it considered good policy making when you set out to achieve a certain result and end up achieving the reverse image outcome in the short space of 14 months?
http://caiti-online-media.blogspot.com/2007/12/harper-valdezstrengthening-canadas.html
Oh oh! Seems the bureaucrats are not willing to play possum like Harper’s Caucus members?
Nuclear safety commission challenges minister
Linda Keen warns that she’ll sue over any attempt by the minister to have her fired.
Keen issued a caustic reply today to a letter Lunn sent her late last month, in which he threatened her termination for refusing to follow a ministerial directive.
“Any objective assessment of the facts will reveal that the allegations contained in your letter are entirely without merit,” Keen wrote in her eight-page reply, posted on the commission website.
Reminds me of the Bully CSIS agent on ‘The Border’ last night whohas his nose squarely up the ‘Ministers’ arse, but the ICS agent could careless.
Seems school is in for MP Lunn BIG TIME!
Maybe someone should remind Steve that such agencies are there for OUR protection, not his personal political agenda. It is a matter of LAW. That is L-A-W Steve, and you too are subject to it!
One would think a government run agency could at least keep up with the retailers?
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 2:23 pm
Bill, you mentioned the operative word “government run”. Didn’t you know that they need to hold needless meetings to discuss the exact wording of the purpose of meetings to adjust the liquor prices. And then hold countless meetings to what the adjustments should be. And then hold countless meetings to discuss the implementation plan. And then hold countless meetings to….
BTW, Ontario’s LCBO is under provincial jurisdiction. Maybe your comment more directed at Liberal Premier McGuinty.
Oh yes, I meant to ask the commenters…How many of you bought Hillary’s crocodile tears act? I did not!
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 3:37 pm
I agree with Bill M. She seems to be quite an actor.
David, Don’t you know Garth is an expert at everything?
Are the Eagles still alive? — Garth
You do know that Led Zepplin is back playing again I hope. They will most likly do a tour as it is too much money not to. They even have the late John Bonhams son Jason playing in the new (if you can call them that) Led Zepplin.
Muskoka,
by popular demand, I will not review the Nagano/Lehnhoff version of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” I bought. Except that it would have been worth the full rip-off retail price! But with the money I saved, I can go and buy another set (as long as I stick with amazon.com.)
Why should gasoline not be the same prce as the U.S.? BY Mark.
Actually Gasoline in Washington state is higher then in Vancouver,BC because of the High dollar.
I made an honest and objective observation. you can accept it or reject it at will.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 4:34 pm
You are definately not being objective unless you will admit that you could not survive in business in a system in which government and crony corporations are so intertwined that it is almost impossible at times to distinguish between the public and private sector.
Be careful what you wish for.
I would hate to be paying American prices for groceries, paper products, cleaning products, etc.
Canadian grocery chains are much cheaper for the products we buy daily.
Yes, the Eagles are alive and they’re terrific. Some music critics have slammed their come back stuff – but I bet these critics are of the rap music mindset.
Bill Muskoka – you criticize Canada and bally hoo about the US – well, we’ve done pretty well over history and we only have 33 million people. You have a right to an opinion, but we also have a right to a little patriotism here. You may not have noticed, but Canadians a quietly patriotic – we don’t wave flags constantly, we don’t talk patriotism at every breath, but by God when we’re put down – we don’t like it and we stand up for ourselves.
This whole brainset that everything is better in the old USA is troubling – Canada, Britain, Sweden and many others are doing just fine and those countries all think they have the best country in the world.
Garth, what exactly would you have done about the high Cdn dollar if you were lucky enough to be the Finance Minister?
Answered in previous posts. — Garth
Actually Gasoline in Washington state is higher then in Vancouver,BC because of the High dollar.
By Van on 01.08.08 5:54 pm
Are Americans streaming over the 176th St. Truck Crossing or Sumas to buy cheap Canadian gas? That would be sweet justice after all those years of the reverse.
The experts/economists at Merrill Lynch apparently feel that the US is already in a recession.
Garth,you really are turning into an NDP.Never thought of you as a socialist before,but you sure have changed since being tossed by the Conservatives.
Is fighting for an eastern Canadian manufacturing base a “socialist” action to your Alberta guys now? — Garth
Gold hit $880.30 US today…the highest ever. Someone go visit Nixon’s grave and tell him ‘Tricky Dick…You were WRONG!’
That would be sweet justice after all those years of the reverse.
By Reid on 01.08.08 6:15 pm
Hmmmm…Makes me wonder how much Ottawa takes in from those Oil Sands transfers to fuel to U.S. market?
Garth, have some figures for us?
The fact that free trade has been around for so long is precisely my point; a lot of politicians haven’t yet gotten over it and they should. I did not mean that all or even most politicians from Ontario like to complain (to assume that I did is in itself unseemly & uneducated), but that is where most of the political opposition to free trade comes from. For years, Ontario industries received special protection from governments that needed its political support — now that those special protections have largely disappeared, they are having a hard time competing alongside everyone else. A significant number of politicians from that province seem to feel that Ontario is still entitled to the special favors that it used to get — such as those that gave special protection to manufacturing companies, thereby not encouraging them to innovate or to price their products competitively.
If you want to disagree with my points, do it – deliberately distorting one point I made just confirms you as a politician.
It would appear that most of the people who feel the current government’s performance is poor to very poor are all on this blog. (9% poor and 9.4% very poor)
The vast majority rate it very good to average at 77.6% ( Very Good 10.1%, good 29.4% and average at 38.1%) Not bad for a PM who some on this blog feel is doing the wrong thing. .
Apparently 77.6 % of the public feel that they really do have their Canada back with this government.
The Nano’s Research results follows:
http://208.110.170.18/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nanosresearch.com%2Fnews%2Fin_the_news%2FPolicy%20Options%20Dec%202007E.pdf&images=yes
All this doesn’t bode well for Dion and the Liberals in a future election.
By Herb on 01.08.08 5:52 pm
LOL We ALL thank you for that blessed decision. My dear friends are opera lovers. I am not, but love the music, just prefer being able to understand the words.
Now, was it Paganini or Pavarotti? That was the question poised by the SONAR Op in ‘The Hunt for Red October’?
I grew up through the Rock & Roll era loving the London Sypmhony Orchestra and Enoch Light, along with Herb Alpert and the Tiajana Brass, and the every marvelous Chicago and Fleetwood Mac.
Elvis left the building…Thank GOD! Great voice, could not stand to watch him though.
Does anybody know what time it is? Does anybody care? About time?
Probably the reason I also am not a fan of Rap, Grundge, heavy Metal, of most of the whiney voiced singers of the latest generation.
By slg on 01.08.08 6:02 pm
No, actually I am as pro Canadian as they come. My point was to get some to think about our attitude. We CAN do it better, HAVE done it better, and MUST do it better, or stay tied to the U.S. teat of economic sustenance.
This is the GREATEST country on this planet, but we have a lot of inferiority complex when it comes to the U.S.
Desperately seeking Flaherty
News Durhamregion.com
Local MPs should help protect our auto industry
Tue Jan 08, 2008
To the editor:
I am an auto worker who recently lost my job in Oshawa.
It’s beyond me why local Conservative MPs Jim Flaherty, Colin Carrie and Bev Oda stand and watch our auto industry go down the drain.
Since my layoff I have put out more than 50 resumes. Most are outside the region of Durham. The jobs in Durham are all paying $10 an hour or under.
Under federal finance minister Flaherty’s wait and see approach, what advice would he give to me
Should I take a $10-an-hour retail job, Jim These three MPs should hang their heads in shame.
One thing I would like to ask these three is, why won’t the government address the unfair trade deal with Asian nations
These three MPs are unpatriotic to Canada by not looking after Canadian workers. Canada needs a new auto pact. Something has to be done about these car imports that are coming into Canada. It’s killing our auto jobs. The people of Durham need to think about who they are going to vote for in the next federal election. I hope they don’t re-elect these three unpatriotic Canadians.
Bobby McBride
Bowmanville
Finance minister needs to concern himself with auto sector
Wed Jan 02, 2008
To the editor:
How nice it is for Whitby-Oshawa MP and Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to support our manufacturing and auto industry during these difficult times.
Now, for the first time in 25 years in the workforce, I start the year out of work. I guess I can join the 600 workers from the closed Hershey plant in Smith Falls, Ont., and the other 600 workers from another recently announced Hershey plant closing in Nova Scotia, plus thousands more.
I also need to thank Mr. Flaherty for his concern over auto emissions in regards to his rebate program. Unfortunately this does nothing to support jobs in Canada and enforces his belief in foreign made cars. Besides buying votes and trying to make him look good, it does zilch for our economy. It would have been better to offer incentives to companies to develop technology and manufacturing here.
One last thing. Thanks Mr. Flaherty for the overwhelming leadership role that your government showed at the Bali Conference. It shows Canada once again that the Conservatives cannot make a commitment to an important environmental issue, unless it caters to and benefits the United States and the Alberta oil industry.
I hope Mr. Flaherty’s New Year’s resolution was to start concerning himself with all of Canada’s workforce and global warming. By the way, thanks for the penny savings with the GST. It sure helps tremendously with the environment and the manufacturing industry — not!
Brent Roberts
Whitby
By C. B. Innes on 01.08.08 5:57 pm
Try the U.S. system of unmitigated raw capitalism some time mon ami!
I have worked and played in both. I will take Canada anyday, but we can do better, and without our ingrained dependence on the U.S.
Hi Reid,
Don’t know if they are or not because there are big line ups of Canadian’s coming home. Besides I don’t think there is a gas station at the Canadian border
I got sucked in good when we went to Bellingham on 4 Dec thinking gasas cheaper in the US and bought gas in Blaine. Cost was $3.29 usd a american gallon which worked out to $1.15 cdn a litre. At the time gas in Vancouver was $1.08
By Van on 01.08.08 5:54 pm
Not sure where you got your figures from but from the website washingtongasprices. com highest listed price is $3.59 p/g. Seen as I have been filling up at $1.10p/l and a gallon is roughly 4 litres that is on a par dollar $4.40 p/g. Not cheaper by any streach. Even with our never ending gas sale (which I wonder why the compitition act does not regulate) of -3.5 cents p/l that is still a street pump price of almost 25 cents p/l less then we pay up north of the 49th.
BTW, Ontario’s LCBO is under provincial jurisdiction. Maybe your comment more directed at Liberal Premier McGuinty.
By Catherine on 01.08.08 5:49 pm
Hence the old adage ‘A committee is four or more people sharing a brain.’ That applies even moreso to corporate decision making.
As to Hillary. I watched, again, and again, her ‘emotional moment’ and I still can not see any tears. She is a power hungry, desparte, phoney. And that is being very civil and kind.
Ask those 150 Federal Meat Inspectors skeletons found in the canal behind the Arkansas Tyson chicken factory how sweet the Clinton Governor era really was.
Did you hear about that tidbit from Amwerican history?
I bet Hillary made Kleenex stock soar over that one.
By slg on 01.08.08 6:02 pm
AS to critics I just remember Siskel & Ebert gave two THUMBS DOWN to Star Wars. So much for their opinion on anything. LOL
By Marc on 01.08.08 5:52 pm
Let us not forget the return of Fleetwood Mac. That was an AWESOME moment! Mick Fleetwood, Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie nickes, etc. AWESOME
Gotta get to a meeting. More tomorrow.
A CTV article on Ron Paul.
He, like me is getting on in years, but he has a lot of fresh ideas — none of which agree with the so-called “establishment’s” smart ideas — and that is the main reason why he doesn’t stand a cat in hell’s chance of being President — he is too thought-provoking, he gets things done.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080108/ron_paul_080108/20080108?hub=World&s_name=
Seems school is in for MP Lunn BIG TIME!
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 5:40 pm
The letter supposedly claims that Ms.
Keen’s judgements and actions in doing her job of looking after nuclear safety make call into question her competancy in the job.
Quite the contrary. Her job, which she did admirably, is to ensurecthe nuclear plant operates under its licence agreement and regulation with respect to safety.
It is not to ensure that the radioisotopes are produced. That falls to AECL and the minister.cIt is also their responsibility to ensure that the plant meets the regulations to which the CNSC will hold them to.
The letter to Ms. Keen, therefore, shows the inadequacy of the Minister to hold his job. If anyone should be fired
it is Mr. Lunn.
For those interested, this is a follow-up to my previous posting.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-paultrans8jan08%2C0%2C1671981.story?page=1
I must agree that Jim dropped the ball on this one. While our dollar was at par why did he only stop at books having to be equal in price.
By Marc on 01.08.08 1:17 pm
Well Marc, sadly, I’d suggest that the simplest answer to that one is also the most accurate one. Jim saw an opportunity to do some populist grandstanding because books happen to display both American and Canadian pricing.
From the GST cut on, Flaherty has done nothing but cater to the lowest level of economic understanding. From Garth’s comments, I wonder if Jim’s actually duped him into believing that he doesn’t know any better. I give Jim more (or less) credit and would suggest that he knows damn well that what he’s doing is wrong and is simply acting in an iresponsible manner in hopes of a majority.
Let’s face it. He’s boxing the Libs into an economic corner in which they’ll be forced to make an unpopular decision and raise the GST or sacrifice spending and/or an income tax cut.
You’re right though Marc. He’s able to do so because too many Canadians buy into it come election day. Perhaps too many people get their taxes done at H&R Block and need simple math????
Are you going on-the-record and declaring that the Liberals would actively intercede to reduce the value of the Canadian dollar? If so what measures are the Liberals committing to in order to make it happen?
Basically there are several major flaws in our country being exposed at the same time right now. As Bill_m said we need a reallignment of our political spectrum to move forward. The NDP needs to move to a Swedish socialist model or face dissapering altogether. The Green party and left leaning Liberals need to join to be relevent. Right leaning liberals and PCers in the conservative party need to form a progressive right wing party like Europian models and the democatic party down south while the rest of the far right wngnuts can form an Alberta based party along the lines of the block and become equally ineffective in moving the country in directions the majority don’t want to go.
The second area we are hitting the wall is so called “free trade”. It sort of worked with a low dollar but is an anchor with a realistic currency. Garth is right when he says that we will always pay a higher price because of vast distances in this country. Living in Whitehorse we pay more than most because we pay for shipping here as well as the cost of the empty truck going south. On the other hand I disagree that a population of thrty million is too small. The problem is that we can’t compete with low cost of living and wages in most of the world. Anybody I have told this to ends up agreeing with me. THE ONLY TRUE FREE TRADE CAN OCCUR IF THERE IS A COMMON MINIMUM WAGE AMONG ALL PARTNERS AS WELL AS COMMON QUALITY CONTROLS AND STANDARDS AND COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. With a high dollar our exports would still drop off but our internal market would stay strong because we can compete with imports by selling better quality without a massive price difference. Ask yourself this question: What can we sell Mexcico, China or India other than food or raw resorces which make up more than 90% of our exports now????? Until workers in those countries make enough money to buy more than food we should not be importing anything from them which competes with our own industries.
Oh, and for all the aspiring rock stars here, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not just the price of buying music that’s gone down. The price of musical instruments has too:)
If you’ve been thinking about living the dream, the time is now.
A Japanese made Fender Telecaster retailed @ $500 Canadian back in the early 80’s. Nowadays you can get a package with a better Japanese made Telecaster, an amp (although not meant to compete with drums), chords, picks, strap, instructional DVD etc. for…$500 Canadian!
Perhaps we should start a band:)
“Answered in previous posts”?
Looks a little evasive; why not do a recap? Evasive answers to reasonable requests for more info isn’t a good sign.
Or how about:
What would the Liberals do about the high Canadian dollar if they were in power?
Seems a pretty straightforward question.
Garth:What do you make of the CTV report Jan.8th “Real estate market continues to soar:report” “average prices continuing to rise but at a more moderate pace”"Canadian buyers and sellers can expect lealthy,balanced conditions in 2008″ This is certainly different than what we have been hearing from you!!!!
That was a media release from Royal LePage. They sell houses. In addition, I speak of future prices, not past sales. — Garth
Always be careful of taking those with an agenda at face value, whether a real estate firm or a politician. There are very few sources of entirely objective information. Real Estate firms are in the business of selling real estate and politicians are in the business of selling their party. The key is to look at how well they do when they are asked to justify their claims.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 7:09 pm
I actually was unaware that Lindsey Buckingham was in Fleetwood Mac. Thanks now I have to watch the Holiday Road video again.
Women from Ontario especially dislike Flaherty, for obvious reasons, but then again we haven’t forgiven Rae either. No substance, sort of like Obama.By Molly on 01.08.08 1:17 pm
As a woman from Ontario, I rather like Rae, and many women I know do, but I have to agree with you about Flaherty. In my opinion, Rae has substance as does Obama. Perhaps you missed an earlier post and link (I believe it was Brent Fullard’s), regarding Obama’s policies.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
Just because someone is charming, doesn’t mean that person lacks substance. Take Garth for example!
Muskoka,
I grew up in the Rock and Roll age too – and couldn’t stand the stuff. Distinctly remember Elvis’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show – and thought he was a joke. That’s what I get for a fondness for classical music.
Andrew McDonnell,
won’t join the band, but if you guys want to put on a Wagner Opera, I wannabe the director. Having seen what directors who try to be “hip” and relevant do to great plots, words and music, I would like to apply Occam’s Razor and reduce things to the simplicity presupposed by truth and art.
Er, Garth, what is this blog turning into? Oh, got it – punishing the troll patrol!
Did you hear about that tidbit from Amwerican history?
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 7:03 pm
I would like to hear about that tidbit, Bill. And I agree with you that Hilary came off looking like a phoney. Maybe I’m misjudging her, but it just didn’t ring true to me.
I like Obama. I also like Ron Paul. Wouldn’t it be a nice “change” if they could have a democrat and a republican be co-presidents?
I would like to see a woman leader someday..Prime Minister or President, but I would like to see that woman make it on her own…not on the back of her husband (oh that conjured up an interesting picture in my head of Bill and Hilary).
Was it not possible for the North American auto companies to develop technology and manufacturing facilities here without government incentives? I guess my concern is how we’d limit such incentives to only “our” companies when so many foreign firms have established here. I’ve seen reports that most of our domestice auto companies kept turning out large numbers of trucks and SUVs because the profit margins were higher on them than on smaller vehicles and the proverbial chickens have come home to roost.
I did not exactly heap praise on Flaherty, but was encouraged in my initial conversations with him in early 2006, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, he has proven over two years his grasp of the portfolio is weak and his understanding of the issues thin. My disappointment is consequently profound. — Garth
Garth,
Wasn’t Jim, Finance Minister of Ontario for some year? Surely as a resident in Ontario you had plenty of time to come to your current conclusion.
Wouldn’t it be a nice “change” if they could have a democrat and a republican be co-presidents?
By Lana on 01.08.08 10:11 pm
Actually Lana, it used to be that whoever came in second in the presidential race became the Vice-President.
I just got home from a meeting and see that the ‘projections’ (Gawd, gotta love those, eh), not the final actual count has Clinton leading by about 6K votes in NH. She got 39% and Obama 37%. A great showing, and nothing more than a teaser for the upcoming Super Tuesday when the real decision gets made.
I am also pleased to see John McCain win the Republican side. He and Obama would most likely have the best darn debate in decades, if not my lifetime.
Anyway, I am off to bed.
I can’t drive anymore, but for those who do, seems as if the price is getting a little steep.
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0850195420080108?sp=true
Those may be crocodile tears but the USA needs a Clinton again to clean up after a Bush. And the job this time is bigger than ever.
Something the fast talking greenhorn Osamba will only bumble and fumble.
Forget a Republican President this time. Ain’t gonna happen. Dubya poisoned that well good.
As a woman from Ontario, I rather like Rae, and many women I know do, but I have to agree with you about Flaherty. In my opinion, Rae has substance as does Obama. Perhaps you missed an earlier post and link (I believe it was Brent Fullard’s), regarding Obama’s policies.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
Just because someone is charming, doesn’t mean that person lacks substance. Take Garth for example!
By Lana on 01.08.08 9:41 pm
I guess Lana, you did not live through the Bob Rae Days. He wasn’t called Buffalo Bob for nothing, you know.
Hi Reid,
Don’t know if they are or not because there are big line ups of Canadian’s coming home. Besides I don’t think there is a gas station at the Canadian border
I got sucked in good when we went to Bellingham on 4 Dec thinking gasas cheaper in the US and bought gas in Blaine. Cost was $3.29 usd a american gallon which worked out to $1.15 cdn a litre. At the time gas in Vancouver was $1.08
By Van on 01.08.08 7:00 pm
Costco is right across the border in abby, but you need a costco membership
–
Garth:What do you make of the CTV report Jan.8th “Real estate market continues to soar:report” “average prices continuing to rise but at a more moderate pace””Canadian buyers and sellers can expect lealthy,balanced conditions in 2008? This is certainly different than what we have been hearing from you!!!!
That was a media release from Royal LePage. They sell houses. In addition, I speak of future prices, not past sales. — Garth
By david on 01.08.08 8:47 pm
I just gotta say, I don’t know if it will be as bad as Garth thinks, or not, but why not take an objective view on how our side of the world is going? Do you seriously think a failing US economy will have no affect on Canada?
I don’t need anyone to tell me that when they suffer, we will too. I damn well hate it, and I wish it weren’t true, but there is no way that Canada is going to walk away from them going down without a dent or two. How bad, is YTBD (yet to be determined).
To-day is new day in American politics, Hillary’s tears won her the day winning back soft hearted women dispite all those smart overpaid TV poltical experts, then again what the hell do I kown. Could it be all states want this to come down to wire in California as each state one by one attracts all the money and hipe putting them is spotlight? Follow the money…….
Flaherty is best and greatest Finnace Mininster Canada has every had and will be the man is brilliant! So line up now and get your picture taken alongside him while you still have a chance…..yup one fart smeller he is bye>
OUCH ,that has to hurt getting compared to Homer.
It only gets worse for Lunn
Minister takes Homer Simpson approach
John Ivison, National Post
Published: Wednesday, January 09, 200
OTTAWA -Gary Lunn seems to have taken on a new senior advisor –one Homer J. Simpson –judging by the shoddy letter the Natural Resources Minister sent to the head of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Linda Keen, in which he asked for reasons why he shouldn’t fire her.
The Minister appears to agree with Homer that there is no need for an independent nuclear regulator and that safety is best assured by thanking the Almighty for nuclear power, “which has yet to cause a single proven fatality, at least in this country.”
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=224183
I think, Bill Muskoka, you are wrong just this one time about Hillary and the “held back” tears. When my parents were in the hospital at the same time and I was told by the doctor that I would lose both and could be either one of them very shortly and I was going on 2 or 3 hours sleep and still working (I’m am not the crier type and I am quite strong) I walking down the hall and a Red Cross lady came over to me, hugged me and said that they don’t just worry about the patients, but also the caretaker, and she asked me how
“I” was doing and gave me a hug – I burst into tears. I was shocked at how I let go of my emotions.
I does happen to human beings, even Hillary. I believe it was real.
By the way, I love Americans – I just don’t like the current administration. My great grandfather was American.
Flaherty is best and greatest Finnace Mininster Canada has every had and will be the man is brilliant! So line up now and get your picture taken alongside him while you still have a chance
…yup one fart smeller he is bye>
By David Bakody on 01.09.08 6:13 am
It does SEEM TO ME, David, you have described the [elfin] FM, but failed to note his his diminutive size probably contributes to his environmental acquisitions, which could probably better be described under the banner of Breaking News.
Please clarify what ply? … single-ply, double-ply, or triple-ply? the EIGHTEEN [18] blacked-out pages were.
After all, we would not wish to see such a no-strain effort to be judged a total waste.
I guess Lana, you did not live through the Bob Rae Days. He wasn’t called Buffalo Bob for nothing, you know.By Catherine on 01.09.08 4:09 am
Catherine, as a 60-year old, I’ve lived through many Premiers and Prime Ministers, including Bob Rae. He made mistakes, as have other leaders, including Harper. I’m no fan of Harper, and you are, so our politics differ. If we all agreed on one party or one leader, there would be no need for elections. We vote for the person or party we feel most matches our own beliefs and priorities. Then there is that “likeability” factor, or a gut-feeling about someone that affects how one votes. Look at Hillary…a few soft spoken words, a tear, and at the last moment, she wins because of the female vote. Nice timing!
I shudder to think of the alternative to a rising dollar: the prospect of squandering Canada’s current and future national wealth in order to prop up the U.S. currency.
Hopefully our central bank knows better than to bow down to pressure from either the government or the opposition and try and intervene in the currency markets.
Then again, the BoC did sell off most of our gold reserves at $300US/oz.
By slg on 01.09.08 8:17 am
If you’re willing to permit another opinion, such emotional outbursts can result from the frustration of seeing the potential loss of the goal one has strived mightily to achieve. Other than that, I’ve always found a preposition a difficult word to end a sentence of.
I don’t wish to attempt to speak for Bill, but I don’t believe he would ever use the term disingenuous … I suspect, he would opt for a more basic term which would adequately describe the perception. I, myself, learned to speak English phonically … but NOBODY ever calls me to acknowledge it.
The Eagles latest release – most depressing lyrics that I have ever come across. As arid and empty of hope as a discarded old boot roasting in the desert sand.
A true compilation of lost love and old age awareness of approaching death.
U.S. firm buys Canadarm builder
That Monty Python image of the “it’s only a flesh wound” knight without arms or legs keep popping into my mind.
Best news I’ve seen in the past month!
Hallelujah:
FINANCE COMMITTEE MOTION
“Today I have sent this motion to the clerk of the Finance Committee:
“That this committee as soon as possible launch an inquiry into the unproven allegation by the Finance Minister that income trusts result in a loss of tax revenue to Ottawa, in light of reports that 70% of all recent trust purchasers are tax-exempt, while individual Canadian investors lost tens of billions of dollars, and therefore pay less tax, as a result of the government trust decision.”
Garth
–
Hon. Garth Turner, PC, MP
Member of Parliament, Halton
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/12/10/the-inquisition/#comments
Curiously, on the same date, I performed a cursory scan for unseemly use of profanities. It did occur, and I was greatly surprised, because it was before I sent the originator my solicitations regarding the 12 days of Christmas … and she gained ready access to the Happy Dale Sanitor[y]um
Garth, I cannot believe the total shit I am reading here today.
By Leasa on 12.11.07 10:01 am
Tilson, David Dufferin—Caledon Ontario Conservative …
The erstwhile sardonic wit occupant in that riding was actively maintaining a “NOBODY HOME IN THE RIDING,” when the income trust defenders arrived to share their experiences relative to the [elfin] finance minister’s BAFFLEGAB.
Yes, there are POORLY-SERVED CITIZENS in the riding.
http://www.caledoncitizen.com/news/2007/0530/business/020.html
Wait’ll they see the list of Pyotr’s new-year resolutions!
OOPS … HERE’S ONE OF THEM NOW! … Resolutions, that is …
“A Conservative government will stand for certainty for seniors and never allow raids on seniors’ nest eggs by changing investment rules or imposing death taxes on inheritances”—Mike [aka Let Mikey Eat It] Wallace—’06 election campaign literature [January 23, 2006] Our Stand Up Plan for the country and for Burlington
Looks like it’ll be ‘Back to selling windows and doors’ or product endorsements fer the boy!
40-year mortgages have arrived
Jan 09, 2008 04:30 AM
Ellen Roseman
Business columnist
If you’re buying a home, you should find it easier than ever to get a mortgage.
While the U.S. mortgage market is troubled, Canada’s mortgage market is still healthy, competitive and innovative.
Several changes introduced last year make it easier for buyers with a good credit record to move into their dream homes more quickly.
But don’t take all the financing you’re offered just because you qualify for it. Some mortgage products are too expensive and benefit lenders more than borrowers.
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/292254
Seems step-by-step we’re following the American route.
By kpn on 01.09.08 10:52 am
40 year mortgages, thats nothing.
In the UK, they have 100 year transferable mortgages. Not only do your kids inherit the house, they inherit the mortgage too!
Good advice about not taking all the financing you can get, but tell me, if on the first payment 90% of the payment is going to interest (40 year mortgage) the benefit is to the lender.
And thats the other side of the coin when it comes to house prices. A drop in house prices will result in a loss in equity for those who have already bought, but it will make them more affordable for those who at the present time, can’t.
Lana,
Here are just a few of the many links regarding Tyson Foods in Arkansas. You can do a Net Search and read many more, but how many will be online is iffy due to the timing of the events and the evolution of the web.
The President’s Favors to Tyson and IBP: Consolidation, Perks and Cheap Labor
This article illustrates how the megacorps take over our key industries such as our food supply. They do it with the help of the elected politicians.
Frustrating efforts by Smithfield Foods, the nation’s largest pork producer, Tyson Foods Inc., the nation’s largest poultry producer, has agreed to buy IBP Inc., the nation’s largest beef processor for $4.7 billion in cash, stock and debt.
Tyson will pay $30 for each IBP share, approximately half in cash and half in stock and also will assume about $1.5 billion in IBP debt and other obligations.
“The acquisition will make Tyson the biggest meat producer in the U.S. by far.
7/19/2007 – Tyson Foods is facing fines of up to $339,500 for “serious, willful, and repeat” health and safety violations at its poultry processing plant in Noel, Missouri.
Seems Tyson, now a Super Corp controlling the major U.S. poultry and beef supply, still goes right ahead with a profit first/safety second attitude.
And who can forget the Whitewater real estate scandal? Whitewater and the Missing Billing Records
Those of us, from the States, remember that Hillary is anything but a weeping angel.
Hillary Clinton’s Skeleton Closet
And we surely have not forgotten how the Washington, DC Club works…Once in, your in for life, unless you lose your life along the way! It is time for fresh minds and people, but like an elite country club, only those who have a credible recommendation from the invisible member committee can get funding.
I did try to find, albeit briefly due to a rather long power outage here this morning, links back to the skeletons found in the canal behind tyson Chicken’s plant in Little Rock (as best my old memory serves me), but that preceeded the Google Era, and many news sources have not gone back to include old stories.
This is a rather interesting link however should you care to peruse it.
USDA, Clintons, Arkansas and the Mob, etc.
Oh, and BTW, in New York City, you will consult the Mob if you want any power. Most of the really bad Mafioso types come from New York.
And here is another interesting link to the agribusiness/mafia connections
On the lighter side. Let us remember that They Walk Amongst Us.
Yes, it’s that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.
Here is the glorious winner:
1. When his 38-calibre revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach , California , would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the honorable mentions:
2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef’s claim was approved.
3. A man who shovelled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn’t discovered for 3 days.
5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer . . . $15. (If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?)
7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he’d just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, “Yes, officer, that’s her. That’s the lady I stole the purse from.”
9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti , Michigan , at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn’t open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren’t available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. (*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER)
10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home’s sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he’d ever had.
In the interest of bettering mankind, please share these with your friends and family … unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long-lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.
The Eagles latest release – most depressing lyrics that I have ever come across. As arid and empty of hope as a discarded old boot roasting in the desert sand.
A true compilation of lost love and old age awareness of approaching death.
By Pecked to Death by Ducks on 01.09.08 8:52 am
Au contrare, I especially enjoyed their latest album ‘Long Road Out of Eden’ because finally someone has written some truth about the Iraq War and the repeat of Viet Nam. Haven’t heard any good anti-imperialism songs since way back then, at least anyone could understand the lyrics to.
By keith phibbs on 01.09.08 6:43 am
Harper’s Management Play Book is modelled on ‘Dilbert’ I think, only they have no Dilbert to moderate the insanity.
Re: article posted by keith phibbs on 01.09.08 6:43 am,
I wonder if Lunn had the approval of the PMO to send this letter. If he did not the Prime Minister should immediately remove him from his cabinet post.
If Harper supports Lunn then we can be quite sure that Lunn was not acting without the PMs approval. In fact, not to remove him puts the responsibility in the lap of the PM.
By the way, I love Americans – I just don’t like the current administration. My great grandfather was American.
By slg on 01.09.08 8:17 am
My tenth generation grandfather came to the Jamestown Colony way back about 1650. He was English.
My family ancestors helped write, literally, the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of rights.
I think very highly of what those brave people had to say, and what it meant, and still means.
I likewise, feel as strongly for my new country Canada, its history, its quiet resolve, and the honour we cherish.
I would no more remain quiet on issues I believe are of critical importance to either country than my ancestors would have.
When I see the desecration of those prinicples for purpose of power or profit I react like Marvin Martian ‘I get very, very angry!’ If only I had a Plutonium 32 Space Demodulator…if only! LOL
The current ‘administration’ (a PC term for a group of brain dead morons who have no comprehension of what America was intended to be) is the absolute WORST excuse for a Presidency in history. it is the direct result of the gluttonous, greedy raw capitalism that has become the norm due to corrupt politicians and globalism. It is a disgrace to America and to humanity at large.
I do not want to, again, witness the desecration of a great nation here in Canada…my home for the rest of my natural life, which I love and cherish.
By C. B. Innes on 01.09.08 12:24 pm
A PMO Minister acting WITHOUT Harper’s approval? You must be kidding? Caesar Disgustus would slit their throat and feed them to the lions immediately, and then blame someone down the food chain.
In view of the fact that the Conservative Party of Canada was not big enough for such innovative thinkers like Don Orchard, I had hoped that he could find a place in the Liberal Party.
Now, having been denied the right to run democratically as the Liberal Party’s candidate in the northern riding in Saskatchewan, he could be a source of division as he makes the case that candidates of the various parties should really be nominated by the democratic process.
For the Conservatives to dump their candidate in Toronto Centre where they had no chance was one thing, but now the Liberals seem to be denying a candidate the right to run in a riding that they should have every chance of winning, and where unity is imperative.
By C. B. Innes on 01.08.08 2:17 pm
“Jim Flaherty gives the impression that he wants the Canadian economy to collapse because it provides the opportunity to radically transform the country. Is that not the objective of neo-con ideology?”
This is the scary aspect of the current governments actions. When the general public is faced with a disaster of one type or another, it’s easier to force through what would otherwise be unpopular polices. For an excellent read on this check out Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine”
By Van on 01.08.08 6:53 pm
“QUESTION 6. WOULD YOU RATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LED BY CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER AS VERY GOOD, GOOD, AVERAGE, POOR OR VERY POOR?”
And you know that this (stridently non-partisan) Canadian would rank their performance, in this context, as good too.
However if the question was rephrased to be related to; vision, leadership, the environment, the economy, sustainable infrastructure, a national transportation policy or the more subjective topics related to my socially liberal and secular viewpoints then the answer(s) would be completely different.
That being said I am nowhere near content with what I am not hearing from the alternatives.
We voters have bred a generation of politicians who have been trained to avoid telling us the truth. If the 6 billion (and growing) of us can not treat this earth properly one of two things will happen. We will kill it or it will kill us.
Probably the latter.
If we Canadians can not lead by action and example, or at least follow as effective doers, then we deserve to get trampled.
The latest ‘Butt Light’ commercial from Greenpeace. Unbelievable! LOL
You are my sunshine
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 01.09.08 1:04 pm
Isn’t that managing change 101 as demonstrated by Mike Harris and his education and health ministers?
If you want to change something, first create the conditions for change, that is create a crisis. Whether one existed beforehand is irrelevent, just one is needed.
Then propose the changes you desire as a panacea to solve the crisis.
Then enshrine the changes, saying you’ve fixed the crisis.
For most people won’t realise there wasn’t a crisis to begin with, so you look good!
By Ike on 01.09.08 1:04 pm,
Why do you see that “For the Conservatives to dump their candidate in Toronto Centre where they had no chance…” is more acceptable than what has happened to Orchard? The new Conservative Party has a stringent “application” process to ensure that those who are nominated represents the interests of the leader. It was not as if Warner had not been already approved by the party establishment. If they saw the candidate initially selected as not having a chance to be elected, why bother dumping him?
The only reason to dump Warner was that he was appearing too “progressive” for the core supporters from the religious right. The decision to dump Warner was either to send the message that the new Conservative party would not tolerate progressive views or to send a signal to the religious right that their special interests would be accommodated. In fact, I suspect the motives were a combination of the two.
I have a feeling 2008 is going to look the same as 2007. A minority gov’t allowed to fulfill entire mandate. Something very wrong with that picture, but there you have it.
I got a chuckle from the following editorial because it is so elitist. The whole concept of “the fringe” illustrates how the establishment sees the Canadian public because the majority of Canadians are outside the national establishment. While the insult is directed specifially at the members of the Progressive Canadian Party in general it describes the vast majority of us.
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=96229&sc=80
snip “THE ONLY TRUE FREE TRADE CAN OCCUR IF THERE IS A COMMON MINIMUM WAGE AMONG ALL PARTNERS AS WELL AS COMMON QUALITY CONTROLS AND STANDARDS AND COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.” snip
etc.
By William Dahl on 01.08.08 7:36 pm
Add me to your list of acceptors. There are real problems with the “alleged Free Trade”, as company owners benefit from the present regime, while many Canadian workers do not and who are in fact penalized by what was might considered “dumping”. We now buy goods that cannot be afforded by those living in the countries that manufacture them.
I am for FAIR TRADE, and not the “Free Trade” in the present state. I may sound protectionist, but the only way Canadian manufacturers can compete is to pay less tax, supply fewer benefits to their workers, support fewer social programs, have drastically reduced environmental laws, etc., etc. We are lowering our standards of living, and while I agree to helping developing countries raise their standards, I am quite sure that workers overseas do not see as much benefit as their company owners.
“Offshoring” I have experienced has hit companies I worked for drastically – in capital equipment manufacturing, light manufacturing, high tech manufacturing, etc. These were all engineering companies, with R&D expenditures, which gave a future to young Canadians, yet in every case, those opportunities are going to “developing economies”. And, yes, my career had to adapt as companies closed as a result.
During a stint in management in Adult Education, I worked with hundreds of people seeking “new careers in high-tech and information technologies”. These people spent $15k+ in comprehensive high focus training programs (plus living expenses for at least one year), and many are now back on the streets trying to find ANY job in programming or IT. Many millions of dollars were spent by both Federal and Provincial governments re-training folks , and the “return on investment” has largely collapsed, as these same people are now on social support. Their jobs are being sent overseas, and those that remain pay less and less.
It is so much more than just an exchange rate problem. We are trying to compete with countries with no pollution laws, very poor safety regulations, no employee benefits and almost slave labor wages. Oh yeah, etc., etc…..
This is a complex problem, and from my p.o.v., there is an important role for the government to play. The very people who are paying taxes, and by extension the salaries of MP’s, are watching their lives shattered as a few benefit from profiteering – something once considered serious enough to involve government intervention.
Hey Garth, think you might consider a blog topic on “Free Trade”??? I would like to hear how that one would go. This is a non-partisan topic that merits discussion…
Maybe you can share some of the response with your policy makers…
Goldman to pocket a $48-million fee for selling BCE
Boyd Erman, today at 11:31 AM EST
Everybody knew that the investment banks were going to make a whole lot of money from the BCE Inc. auction, but now it’s clear just how much Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will pocket.
Thanks to testimony in a Montreal courtroom by Frank Connor, the Goldman banker who manages the relationship with BCE, as the lead adviser Goldman stands to earn $48-million for its role in selling BCE. As is customary in the business, about 85 per cent of that fee is contingent on the closing of the deal.
The number came up as part of the suit launched by BCE bondholders who want more compensation for the drubbing BCE notes have taken in the wake of the leveraged buyout.
Mark Carney and Henry Paulson were both contemporaries at Goldman Sachs for 16 years.
Perhaps Flaherty can get a job at Goldman Sachs after he loses the next election
In the interest of bettering mankind, please share these with your friends and family … unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long-lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.09.08 11:53 am
Oh I shall Bill – thanks for sharing them. Second best laugh this year
Once upon a time in the capital city of a country with a government with a weak hold on power, on another continent, in another century, the parliament building burnt down. In the ensuing panic, legislation was passed that solidified that government’s hold on power and removed all guarantees of civil liberties, rights to property, even to liberty and life to anyone who was deemed to be an enemy of the state. Can this happen again? Here?
By C. B. Innes on 01.09.08 12:24 pm
A PMO Minister acting WITHOUT Harper’s approval? You must be kidding? Caesar Disgustus would slit their throat and feed them to the lions immediately, and then blame someone down the food chain.
Nah – somehow he’d blame the Libs Bill.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is trying to diffuse the controversy over his direct appointment of Joan Beatty as a candidate in a northern Saskatchewan riding.
“It’s always difficult for me to decide to appoint someone,” Dion said. “I need to have good reasons. And I had very good reasons in the case of Joan Beatty.”
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/01/09/beatty.html
It doesn’t seem to be all that difficult for Dion to appoint candidates. He has already appointed Jocelyn Coulon and Martha-Hall Finley along with Joan Beatty. That is three out of seven so far and he has not even faced a general election yet.
Maybe the “good reasons” had something to do with preventing David Orchard from getting the nomination.
This is the scary aspect of the current governments actions. When the general public is faced with a disaster of one type or another, it’s easier to force through what would otherwise be unpopular polices. For an excellent read on this check out Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine”
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 01.09.08 1:04 pm
Isn’t that just was GWB and the neocons did after 9/11 and, to a lesser extent, PMSH did with the isotope issue?
Our Modern World:
I was depressed last night so I called Lifeline.
Got a call centre in Pakistan.
I told them I was suicidal.
They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.
It figures, eh?
Gold hit $880.30 US today…the highest ever. . . .
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.08.08 6:42 pm
Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice through the looking glass. Although she did recognize his own reflection, he was saddened by what she had become — The Mad Hatter who didn’t know what he / she was anymore!
Surprisingly I remember the mid-90s, when two Canadian stocks, which everyone who had wads of excess money, along with their relatives and friends, were buying into with wanton abandon, not bothering to do any research and investigation.
The lure of strong, uninterrupted and consistent growth was too much of a bargain for these folk to resist.
The two stocks in question were well-known — Nortel and Bre-X. I understand that after those heady highs leading up to A.D. 2001, they have now deteriorated somewhat; does anyone know what happened to them?
Timing and playing the stock market is like buying a lottery ticket — a little flutter here and there won’t hurt anyone, but basing one’s portfolio (and retirement) isn’t overly smart.
I used to buy tickets when in the work force, because I could afford to; now I don’t, as I will not let myself get sucked into a “Money For Nothing” situation.
As for Bre-X, one of the pressmen whom I used to work with lost somewhere around $10K. Not very intelligent investing!
By Charles Oxley on 01.09.08 5:31 pm
Hey, that reminds me…I have a Genuine ‘Bre-X Salting Team’ hat I picked up a about a decade ago. LOL
By maybe Rhino? on 01.09.08 3:14 pm
Rhino I couldn’t agree with you more. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that free trade is not fair trade. As I’ve said before, its all about the ‘lowest’ common denominator, at the expense of the workers and the benefit of the multinationals.
Thankfully, my DH, who is atleast in his 2nd or 3rd career, 10 yrs now in IT with the local school board, is pretty secure. He supervises some IT technicians and is responsible for a variety of servers, etc. But he also does programming to make he and his techs’ lives easier. BTW, he paid $10K on own dime about 15-17 yrs ago to take an IT 48 wk course. Five yrs later cost was $26K for same course. He’s a smart cookie. Developed state of the art software for 1st co. he worked for until they moved to US. Over Xmas/NY’s he spent at least 100 hours of his own time on his latest program. He’s always looking for ways to do things more efficiently. But, he’s disgusted (maybe a bit harsh) by some of his staff who he considers lazy and don’t have trouble shooting skills. But, his hands are basically tied, because he doesn’t get to choose his team & its next to impossible to let people go in govt. I know, I supervised 13 secretaries in Govt. for years.
Possible downturn — in China.
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article3321423.ece
Further on Ron Paul, who was on Jay Leno recently.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Ron_Paul_slams_Fox_praises_Kucinich_0108.html
Bill Muskoka, you have at least 30 postings right here on this thread alone, some of them quite lengthy. That is almost one quarter (1/4) of the entire entries.
There is much wisdom on these, but almost too much, and a bit overwhelming for some of us slower readers. These glasses don’t seem to be working the way that they used to.
Bill – also on a lighter side, my DH sent this to me. I laughed. That’s our sense of humour.
A woman went to her doctor.
The doctor, after an examination, sighed and said, “I’ve some bad news.
You have inoperable cancer, and you’d best put your affairs in order.”
The woman was shocked, but managed to compose herself and walk into the waiting room where her daughter had been waiting.
“Well, Daughter, we women celebrate when things are good, and we celebrate
when things don’t go so well. In this case, things aren’t well. I have cancer. Let’s head to the club and have a martini.”
After 3 or 4 martinis, the two were feeling a little less somber There were some laughs and more martinis. They were eventually approached by some of the woman’s old friends, who were curious as to what the two were celebrating.
The woman told her friends they were drinking to her impending end. “I’ve been diagnosed with AIDS.” The friends were aghast and gave the woman their condolences.
After the friends left, the woman’s daughter leaned over and whispered, “Momma, I thought you said you were dying of cancer, and you just told your friends you were dying of AIDS.”
The woman said, “I don’t want any of those bitches sleeping with your father after I’m gone.”
That’s “Putting Your Affairs In Order……”
“By Ike on 01.09.08 1:04 pm,
“Why do you see that ‘For the Conservatives to dump their candidate in Toronto Centre where they had no chance…’ is more acceptable than what has happened to Orchard?” –C. B. Innes.
C. B., my point was that it was less acceptable for the Liberals to dump Don Orchard, because had they gone with him, or at least allowed a democratic process in the Saskatchewan riding, they would have had a very good chance of winning the riding.
Now it is very doubtful, because the Liberals are deeply divided in that riding.
My point was that the Liberals had a good chance of winning the Saskatchewan riding, whereas the CONS had no chance in Toronto Centre.
That makes the Liberal strategy to ignore the democratic process, and to dump Orchard, even less acceptable, because by it, they could well forfeit a riding to either the NDP or the Conservatives.
There was never a chance that the Conservatives would win anything in Toronto Centre, making their choice of candidate a moot question, and basically irrelvant and inconsequential.
What happened in Saskatchewan to avoid the democratic process to put a lackey of Dion in place was serious, and an error in judgment in my view.
By William Dahl on 01.08.08 7:36 pm
By maybe Rhino? on 01.09.08 3:14 pm
Hi all, I haven’t had much time for Garth’s site or any site since the beginning of this new year. Simply been crazy busy. However, the issue of Free Trade is one that makes my blood boil and actually makes me think of running my own campaign on ‘don’t vote because it’s a massive waste of time’. The following is in part of a conversation I have had with a well known ‘think tank’ regarding just what you are talking about. I can of course only give you what I have written and cannot identify the organization or responses as I do not have consent to do so. But, from my words you can get the gist of what transpired:
Dear Mr. XXXX,
This letter is in regard to the talk you gave to CIBC guests in XXXX at the XXXXX this past Tuesday evening. First let me say that I found your incite interesting and I thank you for that. If you can recall, I am the woman at the front table who asked you a few questions.
Some ideals that you shared with this group gave me cause for concern because as I understand it, the XXXX XXXX Centre does often speak to WTO and lend itself to the Government of Canada for consultation.
During the Q&A portion of your presentation, I had suggested to you that we need to insist on higher standards for workers in countries like Guatemala, China and many other such countries. I had suggested to you that it should be looked at as a subsidy, when a country has no social or little social safety nets in place for it’s people, thus creating a force bordering on slave labour of its people. You said that we cannot do that because it would mean essentially that the poor person would no longer have a job. You said it would be unreasonable for us to even expect these countries to meet us half way. Those weren’t your exact words, but are the meaning of our conversation. Please consider the following.
What you are saying to me is; that we can never even try to make things change for these poor people. This thinking as any reasonable person knows, is what keeps these people poor. In China, a worker earns about 35 cents an hour and they have to work very long days. China is now a wealthy country, why is it the standards for Chinese workers has not changed with their bright economic outlook? China has got billions upon billions of dollars in reserves and continues to build its military at an alarming rate, yet no one, not even your think tank is advocating change for the standard of living for the people of China. Why is that?
If the ‘rest of the world’ said to China and all countries with no social safety nets like health care, employment insurance, disability insurance, retirement pensions or make use of child labour that we will stop trade with you in five years if you don’t increase your standard of living by this much, they will increase it. Of course they would, otherwise they would go out of business completely. It is only in the interest of big corporations and corrupt regimes that we allow this situation to continue. Canada does not need unsafe food at ridiculously low wholesale prices.
One of the world’s richest companies, XXXX, continues to make billions of dollars off of the backs of the very poor in many African nations as well as Jamaica and many others. Some work for as little as a dollar a day.
Wealthy and corrupt regimes are making absolute fortunes off of the subsidy of slave/forced labour, off of the backs of the poor. If what you said is accurate and I did not misunderstand you, the XXXX XXXX Center does not advocate change in any way of this situation.
Meanwhile; as an Ontario vegetable grower, I am being forced to compete with wholesale prices set by slave/forced labour. In Peru, an average farm worker earns $100. CND a month, in China $0.35 an hour or $3.50 per day. My farm labourers start for me at $100. per day. My highest paid worker earns $155. per day, plus sick days, stat days and vacation pay.
You also suggested that we the Canadian grower should be able to compete with this forced/slave labour by being more efficient. To suggest we are not efficient is indeed an insult. Sir, the Canadian farmer is the most efficient, productive in the world. Most of us have invested in the most innovative up to date technology available. How on earth do you expect any farmer to compete with slave labour?
As you know, large corporations from Western & European countries locate and set up shop in third world countries where they can take their technology (& equipment), and take advantage of forced labour, no food safety standards and can use chemicals at will. Corporations in the U.S. often source their produce from these countries and sell it as their own. This accounts for lack of traceability of contaminated product.
Canada is the only country in the industrialized world that allows trace of chemicals that are not legal for their own growers to use. In fact, Canada allows a trace of any chemical ever produced in the world.
Even though Canada’s farmers are the most efficient, how do you suggest they compete with product from countries where there is forced labour, no food safety standards and any chemical that reduce the labour they use?
The U.S. & E.U. are right in continuing their subsidy to farmers. They do this because they know that it would be impossible to compete with the subsidy of slave labour and no standards of these countries. As I said, some of the U.S. corporations are tapping into the products of these countries, but that in itself is dangerous for the consumer on many levels that are obvious.
Why would the XXXX XXXX Centre not push for change for the people of these countries? Why would they not insist that we have a safe food supply in Canada? Why would they not advocate protecting food sovereignty in Canada, do they not realize the importance of food sovereignty?
As a vegetable farmer, I have no subsidy. I cannot get insurance for my crops. I am reviewed for tough food safety standards and there are very few chemicals I can use. So, please tell me, how can I continue to compete?
With all due respect, very little of what you said the other evening made any sense. *On the ‘obesity issue’, fat is from too much sugar (imported) and starch (also imported). Currently, only about 10% of vegetables consumed in this country are produced here, the rest is now imported. If the farmers of this country could even just provide 50% of what our own citizens consume there would be no problem. But, with ‘think tanks’ like the XXXX XXXX Centre advocating that we allow force/slave/child labour to continue unabated that is not likely to happen.
Thank you for considering my opinion,
Regards,
*At this event, it was suggested that Canadians are fat because our farmers produce too much food!
Comments By Leasa on 01.09.08 7:25 pm,
First, I want to compliment you on what you have written.
Most “think tanks” are funded by those organizations that profit from the type of “trade” to which you refer. In turn these think tanks advise government. They don’t even have to register as lobbyists because they are one step removed from the corporation on whose donations their income is dependent.
“Free trade” is a system that is designed to maximize profits for global corporations. “Free” means merely that our government will not interfere.
Many people have not caught on to the jargon that is used to ensure that the rich get richer through their freedom to exploit others whether it is child labour, lack of labour or environmental standards or any other factor that means they can “buy cheap and sell dear.”
Even here in Canada, for years special interests have been exploiting our farmers by setting government standards for fertilizer applications and pesticides levels that are unnecessary and potentially harmful because it allowed them to increase their sales and profits.
The interweaving of government and special corporate interests is far more advanced that most Canadians realize.
As a specialist in rural history I understand that agriculture is not a business like any other.
Re: comments by Ike on 01.09.08 7:07 pm,
In essence, I take it you consider it an error in strategy and I would agree.
I would also point out that the pro-NAFTA and pro-North American integration forces control both the Liberal and Conservative parties and I would suggest that was the main factor in Dion’s decison.
Remember that the Conservatives went so far as to ban Orchard from membership in the party because they are so opposed to Canadian nationalism. I find it interesting that while the Conservatives, and many Liberals, oppose Canadian nationalism they are fully supportive of Quebec nationalism.
On the issue of the subversion of the democratic process both are actions are equal but in the end I believe they are strongly related. The campaign against democracy is gaining headway on several fronts through “incrementalism.”
By C. B. Innes on 01.09.08 9:18 pm
Yes that is true, it is a business not like any other for many, many different reasons.
However, on the pesticide & herbicide issue Canada has banned more of these chemicals than any other. For most of my crops there are no chemicals that I can use. None. That’s part of what gets my dander up. I have to compete with countries that use DDT and any other chemical ever invented. I have to compete with these same countries that have absolutely no food safety standards what so ever. I compete against slave/forced labour.
Canada is the ONLY industrialized nation in the world that allows imported food to have a trace of any chemical ever made. Other countries as far as imports go: if we can’t use it…you can’t bring it in. If Canada says this chemical is unsafe to use…shouldn’t it stand to reason that it is also unsafe to eat?
Right now agriculture especially the vegetable sector is the sacrificial lamb of free trade. We are sacrificing our ability to feed our own people.
We watched it with our textile industry. We watched it with steel, our fisheries, ship building and the question is, just how much more are we willing to ‘give up’?
Free Trade sucks. Fair Trade would be great. Trouble is; I don’t think we will ever see a government who will ever get it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Support for agriculture in Canada continues to fall.
The new ‘insurance’ initiative for vegetables, when all is said and done for what few products they will cover, in the event of a total failure…won’t even cover the cost of the seed. For most crops there is no other insurance.
I do believe that this federal government has the same plan as the last. Get rid of all the vegetable farmers and have all food products imported for free trade deals.
I have a lot to think about. Who would join me in a voting is a waste of time campaign? I’m half kidding here.
I’m shaken because I thought that this government would value our food supply, our food sovereignty and I’m sure not seeing it.
I still cling to the hope that this government if given the chance would make a dent in the violent offenders and child abusers walking our streets. THAT alone tells me I should continue to support the CPC. But, as for the rest of it…I’m on the fence.
There I’ve said it. Trouble is, who does that leave? It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a liberal either provincially or federally say ‘agriculture’ and mean it. One article in a farm newspaper said that agriculture has been pushed out of the picture federally because very few opposition MPs are rural and therefore do not ask ag. questions in QP or push for support for the industry. Could be.
Anyway, this is the end of a long day. Take care, and good night all.
Leasa
These glasses don’t seem to be working the way that they used to.
By Ike on 01.09.08 6:56 pm
There is a brick, a hollow brick, in the wall visible from the clock tower of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.
Inside the brick there is alleged to be a pair of multi-spectrum glasses that will give you profound vision. Seek and ye shall find! LOL
PS: Stay away from the lemon juice…it is quite acidic.
By kpn on 01.09.08 6:56 pm
LOL! Good one. It shall travel well!
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is trying to diffuse the controversy over his direct appointment of Joan Beatty as a candidate in a northern Saskatchewan riding.
“It’s always difficult for me to decide to appoint someone,” Dion said. “I need to have good reasons. And I had very good reasons in the case of Joan Beatty.”
By C. B. Innes on 01.09.08 5:23 pm
Looks like Stephane doesn’t support democracy any more that Stephen H. Dion took away people’s right to vote for a Liberal in Elizabeth May’s riding as well. I certainly am not impressed with him at the moment. He seems to be starting to behave like Harper.
I wouldn’t call Dion’s action in this matter co-operative. He is begging the premiers and Harper to be cooperative. Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
I do note that Stephane chose not to give his reasons.
If this woman is so good, then let her stand for nomination like anyone else. I think what Dion has done is a put-down to women and is certainly not democratic. How can she feel good about herself as a candidate when she truly wasn’t nominated by the party supporters in her riding?
Personally when I see the assinine behavior largely by the men in Question period and how politics is played, I wonder why any woman would want to become a politician.
I once said that half the politicians were liars. I now retract my statement. “Half of politicians are not liars”.
I think it is time for a major change. Get the old major parties out and bring the fresh breeze of the Greens in.
Ike… it is not Don Orchard but David Orchard. And it is appropriate that Dion would appoint a women who is also First Nation as a candidate. This helps to bring the percentage of women candidates up which is one of Dion’s goals. As for David Orchard, he is being quiet because he and Dion probably have already worked out a compromise whereas Orchard will be running in another riding that he will win.
Is it just me, or do any of you miss half of Canada on here tonight like I do?
Here’s hoping the East can dig out soon! Even Ottawa.
Leasa (on 01.09.08 10:07 pm),
I understand your frustration. In the 1950s and 1960s the federal government used regulation intentionally to destroy small farms. In fact, at one point there was discussion in Ottawa about forcing small farmers off the land and into urban centers because it was believed they would be better off on welfare than living on the level of farm incomes they were getting. They decided that this would be not be political feasible and instead went the regulatory route. The theory was that if you made the regulations costly enough small farmers could not survive and large corporate farms would be able to take over.
In reality what has happened is that most corportations find it more profitable to eliminate their risk by importing food grown in areas where labour costs are low. Farming is far too risky for the corporate mindset.
Governments, who are seeped in the corporate culture, have assumed the same mindset and hence agriculture is insignificant.
Leasa,
thanks for the facts and logic in your 7:25 last night. It reinforces my suspicion that free trade is good only for those who profit from it – a tautology, isn’t it.
C.B. Innes,
dim memory from colonial history and more recent rationales: backward peoples, later underdeveloped/third-world countries, were going to progress and advance through the levels of development as a result of international trade. What happened? Oligarchies are growing globally, and the local poor stay poor – see Africa, Latin America, and even our trading partner Mexico.
Any theoretical and practicable way out of this situation? How can the survival of the Leasas be assured, or do we declare them to be the inevitable casualties of progress and tell them to find another line of work, if any?
Governments, who are seeped in the corporate culture, have assumed the same mindset and hence agriculture is insignificant.
By C. B. Innes on 01.10.08 9:46 am
Nova’s program Tuesday (which i mentioned above) clearly showed how the agribusiness was drastically changed with the advent of refrigeration.
When ice production was feasbly achived using ammonia evaporators, the railroads were then able to transport massive tonnage of produce and meats to the cities.
It also allowed the denizens to preserve (via refrigeration) perishables that they never couldf have had before.
The same is true today and the ocean going container ships have onboard refirgeration systems.
Hence the perception that city dwellers can survive without local agribusiness has added greatly to the globalization concept.
All biological subatances will undergo deterioration over time. The prvention of baterial growth and dessication by refrigeration is paramount to their preservation.
Interestingly, an American named Clarence Birdseye, discovered will ice fishing in Labrador Canada in Inuit waters, that the fish taken would fast freeze in the cold Canadian air, and yet not destroy the cell structure. He studied this phenomenon and developed the first frozen food company Birdseye Foods as a result. His secret was to rapidly freeze the products thereby preventing large ice crystal formation which ruptured the cellular structure, and hence destroyed both the flavour and the texture.
Without our modern technology we would not be able to support such large cities.
Those in government who understand little of the connectivity of things to reality, are generally unqualified to act as our guide towards better civilization.
C.B., Herb and Bill…thanks for taking an interest in agriculture.
Of course over the last 20 years I have learned much about agriculture domestic & globalized because it is my business. Some of what I have learned would scare the bejeebers out of the ordinary citizen.
When it comes to business, I am (so far) a survivor because I am a contortionist…I bend and twist with each wave of change. I know when to suck and when to blow and so far that has kept me going.
The things I’ve learned concern me, not only for MY personal business but because I know the value of food sovereignty. Once a country has lost the ability to feed it’s people it is hopelessly dependent on any foreign country it relies on for this most essential commodity, our food. THAT my friends gives those countries a hell of a lot of pull when it comes to global issues of all levels.
The world has not seen a true global disaster or war for over 60 years, the world has not had a true pandemic for how long? But, it will come.
We had a very tiny taste of things to come with SARS in Toronto. We had a very minute taste with BSE. Now imagine one of those viruses mutates to humans that scientists are warning will happen. Borders close. Where is you food supply coming from?
You cannot turn urban sprawl back into arable soil. You cannot turn fallow land into productive land over night. Where will your food come from?
Bill, when refrigeration for transport was discovered it was also in the days when if we lived to 40 we were considered very old. People excepted then that many would die of dysentery as a natural course of nature. Today we know better. We spread our diseases around the globe and didn’t even know it. People in the ‘know’ today do not refer to third world food as bowel-bleeders for no reason.
It frightens me that the entire globe has now become 100% dependant on China for it’s supply of vitamin C. There is only ONE company left that produces multi-vitamins left in Canada and even they have to buy C from China.
Personally, I do not want to be dependent on any foreign nation for our food. That gives them too much power. Just look what Dole and the U.S. has done to Jamaica!
Canadians were very proud of our agriculture a short time ago. We should think twice about what we are willing to sell out. Mr. Harper, are you listening???
L
Garth, after reading this thread and the opinion regarding Free Trade…where do you stand? What is YOUR opinion. I would respect hearing it very much. Does food sovereignty concern you? Leasa
“As for David Orchard, he is being quiet because he and Dion probably have already worked out a compromise whereas Orchard will be running in another riding that he will win.” –By Emilie on 01.10.08 1:40 am
Emilie, unfortunately, your subjectivity and speculative imagination is once again gaining the upper hand over objective realism.
David Orchard says he’d never have campaigned to become a Liberal candidate in Saskatchewan if he had been told from the outset that Leader Stephane Dion would appoint a woman.
In his first comments since controversy erupted over Dion’s decision to appoint NDP defector Joan Beatty, Orchard told The Canadian Press he was assured there would be an open contest to choose the Liberal candidate for the Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River byelection on March 17.
Orchard vehemently refuted Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale’s version of events, who said Wednesday that Orchard and other prospective candidates knew full well that Dion might appoint a woman. Indeed, Goodale said all would-be candidates signed a paper acknowledging that the leader might bypass the democratic nomination process and make an appointment.
“Mr. Goodale’s statement is completely and utterly false,” Orchard said in a brief telephone interview.
“In fact, I was assured that there would be no appointment whatsoever and urged to work hard for the riding.
“Does anyone believe that I would have campaigned for three months – I criss-crossed the riding, 20,000 kilometres, signing up hundreds of members – if there’d been a threat of an appointment over my head?”
And Orchard issued a blunt challenge to Goodale: “Produce the paper about the female candidate or back down.”
Some irate Orchard supporters have predicted the controversy will cost Liberals the northern Saskatchewan riding. The party only managed to win Desnethe by 67 votes in the 2006 election but the victor, Gary Merasty, resigned abruptly last summer.
Some of Orchard’s supporters have organized an emergency meeting on Saturday, at which they intend to elect a new Liberal executive in the riding and set a date for a nomination contest – in defiance of Dion’s decision last week to appoint Beatty.
Where will it end? When will it stop? This is the last thing that the Liberal Party of Canada needs right now.
Leasa,
it’s not just food that is a problem, it’s just about everything. Your “food sovereignty” actually is one aspect of economic self-sufficiency – autarky – that might be desirable for sovereign nations, but runs broadside into the “global” economy.
You are heading down the garden path into a dilemma. If the marketplace operating freely determines that China be the source of the world’s vitamin C or whatever, free enterprisers have no reason for complaint. If China produces garbage and it is bought, it is not a problem – free enterprise is working nicely. So, if we don’t like what free enterprise is producing, we can lump it, or demand the immediate protection that only a government can give. So now we want the actions of the marketplace controlled by forces that should have no role in free enterprise. Add a perceived requirement for human and social responsibility, such as improving the lot of exploited workers, and you approach socialism. So pure capitalism doesn’t work, and socialism is taboo for conservatives.
Perhaps C.B. Innes can point the way out of this dilemma.
By Leasa on 01.10.08 12:28 pm
The beauty of all of us coming here is that no one can possibly keep up with the myriad of details of all our critical items. Your contributions have been extraordinary and I, as well as I am sure others, thank you sincerely.
That is what a true democracy is supposed to be. People sharing mutually important issues and deriving a proper and sustainable course.
You are 100% correct on Canada producing its own food supply. We can go without many things but not food or water. A strong nation is a self-sufficient nation. That is a fact the U.S. lost years ago when they bought into the no-limit to growth concept.
Ancient Egypt knew more about sustaining their people than the current U.S administration has a clue. Fortunately, we have solid people in our government as buraeucrats who do do their job like Keen. The politicians come and go…hopefully most go after a term or two.
Anyway, long subject and I have little spare time at the moment. More when I do.
Please read Jared Diamond’s ‘Collapse: How Societies Choose to Succeed or Fail’ and John Ralston Sauls ‘The Coollapse of Globalism and the reinvention of The World.’ You will find extensive answers to the questions of what we must do.
Take care.
Herb on 01.10.08 11:01 am,
Just like we have other policies I believe that we need to have a national food policy. Many of the areas from which we import often have food shortages but from a business perspective it is more profitable to export the food than sell it locally. This has actually happened in Canada in the past.
No one has a problem with “fair trade” which is a totally different concept from “free trade.” Free trade means trade that is not regulated by government but by trade agreements negotiated by “stakeholders” which are the commercial interests involved in trade. Rather than “free trade” a better term is self-regulated or managed trade.
In fair trade government intervention is required to set the rules governing the system. For example, in “fair trade” rules a company would be unable to exploit wages or lower standards in one part of the world to compete with our producers in another.
The argument is that this would mean higher prices for us but that is not necessarily true. There are many other factors involved such as the tendency for importers to use the lower labour and standards to increase their profits rather than lower prices. Transportation costs and the energy needed for refrigeration are other factors. A rapid increase in costs, crop failures, coupled with declining profits can result in major disruptions in supply.
If climate change is a reality, and I believe it is, it will be extremely difficult to adapt fast enough to ensure food supply unless we have policy in place. This is an important reason to make sure that domestic production remains viable.
By Herb on 01.10.08 2:26 pm
Hi Herb, As an employer, I’ve always believed in a good day’s pay, for a good day’s work. If any person on this globe is being abused by a large corporation to the point of work for us for this wage for this many hours or starve, it is the business of every industrialized nation in the world. I don’t believe in welfare for those who are simply milking the system and are quite capable of work, but there are those who need it when life hands them a bad hand…temporary, but necessary. I believe in socialism ‘light’, not extreme. What we are allowing certain regimes & corporations to get away with is criminal. You know as well as I do that they intentionally keep the people poor and desperate…and we help perpetuate it by greedily wanting all that crap at rock bottom prices…while the corps. make 400% mark -ups.
There are certain industries, that governments should be involved in protecting…health care industry, the ability to feed our people and the ability to protect our borders. Those are essential, and it’s those things that stop US from becoming the abused poor.
I’ll say it again…we must not become dependent on any foreign nation to feed us. That gives them too much power over us. Leasa