According to Correctional Services Canada, the average annual cost of keeping someone in a federal prison in Canada in 2004-2005 was $88,067 . Now compare that to the annual amount spent per student in Canada during the same time period of $8726 including operating budgets and salaries.
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The Equivocator: Canadian Politics Word(s) of the Year: 2011
Today is the final day for writing/releasing end-of-the-year posts. 2011 featured a federal election and provincial/territorial elections in Manitoba, Ontario, PEI, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the NWT. At the end of 2011, Canada now has 4 female premiers (up from 2 at the beginning of the year), the BQ have
Continue readingFracking Gone Wild
“Our Government believes shale gas is an important strategic resource that could provide numerous economic benefits to Canada,” the (environment) ministry’s statement said. Gas is an important part of a clean energy future, the ministry added, saying that “a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand.” This
Continue readingeaves.ca: Open Government Consultation, Twitter Townhalls & Doing Advocacy Wrong
Earlier this week the Canadian Federal Government launched its consultation process on Open Government. This is an opportunity for citizens to comment and make suggestions around what data the federal government should make open, what information it should share and provide feedback on how it can consult more effectively with
Continue readingThe Equivocator: Mike Crawley for President of the Liberal Party of Canada
Like many Liberals, I first encountered Mike Crawley through his bold op-ed in the Toronto Star entitled “Long-term decline of a great party.” His insights into the structural and cultural flaws that the Liberal Party must overcome if it is to survive were impressive. As well, I was inspired by
Continue readingEdwin Current: Impeach Mayor Rob Ford "Quimby"
So I’m kinda dumb sometimes and I was wondering if it’s possible to impeach a mayor to get them out of office. So of course I did a Google search on “impeach the mayor”. Now I’m not sure if it’s just because Google searches use your region …
Continue readingEdwin Current: Impeach Mayor Rob Ford "Quimby"
So I’m kinda dumb sometimes and I was wondering if it’s possible to impeach a mayor to get them out of office. So of course I did a Google search on “impeach the mayor”. Now I’m not sure if it’s just because Google searches use your region in the algorithm but
Continue readingeaves.ca: Statistics Canada Data to become OpenData – Background, Winners and Next Steps
As some of you learned last night, Embassy Magazine broke the story that all of Statistics Canada’s online data will not only be made free, but released under the Government of Canada’s Open Data License Agreement (updated and reviewed earlier this week) that allows for commercial re-use. This decision has
Continue readingThe Equivocator: Liberal Party of Canada Presidential Candidates’ Debate Report Card – Nov. 22/23
On November 22nd and 23rd I listened to/attended two debates of the four candidates currently running to be President of the Liberal Party of Canada. The first was a phone debate run by the excellent facebook group Liberals Rebuilding the Liberal Party (moderated by Gerard Kennedy) the second was held
Continue readingA Little Juxtaposition
On one hand we have the Conservatives fifty million dollar G8 slush fund complete with two senior government ministers saying yeah so what if we broke the rules ,you can’t touch us. Yet despite the malodorous stench of accounting irregularities and possible criminality both the Auditor General and the RCMP
Continue readingeaves.ca: The New Government of Canada Open Data License: The OGL by another name
Last week the Minister Clement issued a press release announcing some of the progress the government has made on its Open Government Initiatives. Three things caught my eye. First, it appears the government continues to revise its open data license with things continuing to trend in the right direction. As
Continue readingThe Equivocator: Douglas Coupland on Hockey and the Canadian Identity
“Canadian winters are long. Life is hard and so is ice. Canadian teams playing within the NHL are, in effect, a microcosm of Canada’s ongoing process of trying to remain a country – battling constantly not only against Americans but against other teams from within their own country. It’s ugly
Continue readingEdwin Current: Rob Ford and Stephen Harper in a Fight?
It’s been a little while since my last post. To be honest though, it seems as though there isn’t anything really new and exciting going on and I’ve actually been pretty busy. Or maybe I’m just not keeping up. I’m not sure if it’s just me but it seems that
Continue readingEdwin Current: Rob Ford and Stephen Harper in a Fight?
It’s been a little while since my last post. To be honest though, it seems as though there isn’t anything really new and exciting going on and I’ve actually been pretty busy. Or maybe I’m just not keeping up. I’m not sure if it’s just…
Continue readingeaves.ca: As Canada Searches for its Open Government Partnership Commitments: A Proposal
Just before its launch in New York on September 20th, the Canadian Government agreed to be a signatory of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Composed of over 40 countries the OGP signatories are required to create a list of commitments they promise to implement. Because Canada signed on just before the deadline it has not […]
Continue readingEdwin Current: Focus Idea: Keep on Moving, @OccupyToronto !!
I think there is allot of confusion because many Canadians assumed a large majority of the greed exists and comes from the Canadian banking system similar to the US. However our banking system has some pretty good regulators and is one of the best in the world however there is
Continue readingEdwin Current: Focus Idea: Keep on Moving, @OccupyToronto !!
I think there is allot of confusion because many Canadians assumed a large majority of the greed exists and comes from the Canadian banking system similar to the US. However our banking system has some pretty good regulators and is one of the best in the world however there is
Continue readingEdwin Current: Focus Idea: Keep on Moving, @OccupyToronto !!
I think there is allot of confusion because many Canadians assumed a large majority of the greed exists and comes from the Canadian banking system similar to the US. However our banking system has some pretty good regulators and is one of the best in t…
Continue readingEdwin Current: Proper Disclosure of Statistics in Misinformation Era
I found this really cool tool on the OECD website the other day(link will be at the bottom). The tool contains massive amounts of statistical data for many countries in the world. What is really cool about this tool is the interface that allows you to easily see the most generally used statistics used often as success indicators for
Continue readingEdwin Current: Proper Disclosure of Statistics in Misinformation Era
I found this really cool tool on the OECD website the other day(link will be at the bottom). The tool contains massive amounts of statistical data for many countries in the world. What is really cool about this tool is the interface that allows you to easily see the most generally used statistics used often as success indicators for
Continue reading