Ms. Redford’s expectation that the price of oil would stay high (we’re currently hitting a nine-month low for oil), her spending promises be fulfilled, and that a PC government would be a stable choice for Albertans, has fallen flat. She ran on the regular non-Conservative spending sprees — even where
Continue readingTag: budget
The Happy Wanderer: Release the Budget at the Beginning of the Year
Not having information to make decisions concerning our country can be quite dangerous sometimes. Especially when it has to do with government spending and more importantly, where the government is spending. This is caused by estimates of government spending being released before the budget. So, it’s impossible to estimate the
Continue readingCanadian Trends: RE: Fiscal “Crisis” In Context: Two Indicators
I’ve enjoyed reading the Progressive Economics Forum, they’ve had many great posts and analysis but a post put out today titled “Fiscal “Crisis” In Context: Two Indicators” has me strongly disagreeing as I find the context presented to be much too narrow to provide proper context at all. The post
Continue readingImpolitical: Bad environmental choices, bad economics too
David Suzuki’s column today on the government’s choice to close the Experimental Lakes Area magnifies the tremendous cost to taxpayers: The world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area in Southern Ontario has served as an outdoor laboratory for this purpose since 1968. By manipulating and studying conditions in 58 small lakes and their
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Stephen Harper Isn’t Socialist But Don’t Tell Him That
It would be ludicrous to suggest Stephen Harper is a socialist, because he’s not, he is however similar to one. Creating the biggest government in Canadian history, running the largest deficit, using government programs to dictate where people live and work, increasing spending while reducing taxes, government intervention in labour
Continue readingCanadian Trends: Alberta, Canada’s ‘Energy Capital’, implements rolling blackouts
Yep, another Alberta post. Welcome to the reality of the two-tiered Alberta energy system. What do I mean by two tiered? Well let me explain. Over a year ago I wrote this piece on the “requirement” for the new high capacity transmission lines. Quoted in that piece is this little blurb: Alberta
Continue readingThe Happy Wanderer: A Doctor, A Rabbi and A Nobel Laureate Walk Into.. (part 2)
The Governments response to leaving many well deserving people of help is that (given by a spokesperson): “Right now, nearly 95 per cent of people who come here from the European Union and claim asylum either withdraw or abandon their own claim,” said the spokesman, because they cannot make a legitimate
Continue readingThe Happy Wanderer: A Doctor, A Rabbi and A Nobel Laureate Walk Into… (Part 1)
The Conservative cuts to refugee Health Care have sparked some controversy. And now doctors all around Canada as well as a Toronto Rabbi group from Toronto and even Elie Wisel a Nobel Laureate are joining together against these cuts. The “reform” the Harper Government is proposing will designate which countries Canada considers safe
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Right-leaning British magazine rips Stephen Harper
Since coming to power in 2006, the Canadian prime minister “has acquired a reputation for playing fast and loose with the rules.” Harper plays to his social conservative base. He and his Conservative majority government tolerate neither criticism nor dissent. But these “bullying” ways are set to boost the opposition’s
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Conservatives Attack Budget Officer To Defend A Legacy
The Conservative government created the position of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, and now the government is creating its legacy. After creating the position of Parliamentary Budget Officer in 2006 this Conservative government could have complied to every request for information made by its first and current office holder Kevin Page.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – I wouldn’t want to take Dan Gardner’s conclusion as to the effects of power as an immutable truth – as he himself notes in pointing out means of minimizing its risks. But it’s certainly an apt description of what’s happened since the Harper
Continue readingCanadian Trends: $80 / barrel? Prepare yourself for the next Albertan epic fail.
Once upon a time, Alberta was in deficit. Their King at the time, Ralph, decided that this was completely unacceptable and from that moment forward (with the aid of an earlier oil boom and massive government cuts) the deficit would be no more. Ralph accomplished his goal, Albertans rejoiced, and in
Continue readingCanadian Trends: Debt fuelled economy unsustainable? Gee, what a surprise
So, can we finally drop the act? Debt-fuelled economy unsustainable, Carney says. Canada’s relatively healthy economy has been largely based on borrowed money but the situation cannot go on indefinitely, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney warned Thursday. Relative to the circus currently going on in the EU, or the
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Provincial Ontario Liberals very disappointing on the environment.
This post might annoy a few people I know at Queen’s Park, but I’m a tad annoyed with the Mcguinty government, so it will even out. Mcguinty’s Liberals are pulling the same Omnibus stunt (Bill C-55 I believe it’s called) that Stephen Harper’s Conservatives were getting roundly criticized for over
Continue readingCanadian Trends: One big idea: Banking Oversight? Please.
Emerging from their resort world leaders have come up with one idea that just might work. Banking Oversight. No seriously, this is what they are spending money coming up with. Click the link, see for yourself. Of course their brand of banking oversight is new. It’s nothing like the banking
Continue readingCanadian Trends: Expensive resorts and lavish dinners, austerity is in the air
The G20 leaders continue to excel at making a credible case for austerity. Hunkered down in a Mexican luxury resort the reality of the world most people live in is no where to be found near them. Between lavish meals economic talk erupts, lots of talk which these leaders insist
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Tom Korski nicely captures the essence of the Cons’ omnibus attack on the environment (along with anything that stands in the way of a cheap and dirty buck): C-38 is a gift for oil and gas lobbyists. It repeals 20 years of environmental
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Sunday reading. – It’s a few months old, but the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy’s comparison of U.S. states with a zero personal income tax to those with the highest tax levels looks like one of the most clear refutations yet of the idea that
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Bruce Johnstone and the Star-Phoenix editorial board both join the voices decrying the Cons’ decision to throw parliamentary democracy under their omnibus budget bill. And Gerald Caplan points out the Harper Cons’ more general tendency to silence dissenting views: (T)here’s little doubt the
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Evening Links
This and that to end your week. – Jeffrey Simpson discusses how the Cons have diminished Canada’s place on the world stage: For those who care about Canada’s international reputation and Canada’s ability to influence others in the pursuit of Canada’s self-interest, these are discouraging days. Everywhere, there is penny-pinching
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