Blue Like You

Archive for November 28th, 2007

Well, the unions were solidly behind McGuinty during the election, and now begins payback time.

The labour movement is demanding that the province take a more aggressive stance in safeguarding union jobs. That usually means more money for them and more taxes for us.

Funny thing is that usually the lefties scorn corporate tax incentives, but they still want their high-paying, union jobs protected.

Anyway, at the end of this Star article (Unions turn screws on Liberals) there is an interesting bit of information about the infamous ‘Working Families Coalition‘:

Representatives of the building trades, teachers and firefighters were all at the convention. But their unions all worked along with the CAW to help elect Liberals in last month’s provincial election, either directly or indirectly through the “working families” coalition. They are unlikely to join any concerted anti-government protests.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out.

Meanwhile back in Caledonia, resident Ken Hewitt made it clear in an open letter to Michael Bryant that he expects much more involvement from the Minister than a quick photo-op:

In any event my concern lies with the comment you made regarding the HDI; a group that has no legitimacy, nor do they have lawful jurisdiction over land that has yet to be settled in any formal claims negotiations. I fully support and agree with your comment that no builder or developer should consult with such group, and that fees were not expected to be paid to any group; that they should trust the legal titles and registration process prescribed by the province. My question is why then does the provincial government not stand behind those statements. Furthermore your statement that,” natives will not be forcibly removed from any site” only serves to guarantee more protests like Caledonia’s. Most of us live our lives with an understanding that with behaviour come consequences. You have taken the consequences out of the equation and have given them a false of sense of power that will bring harm on them as well those they affect.

Today, as a result of your statements, the HDI has decided to test them by stopping a builder in Brantford indefinitely. The terms are to consult and to pay fees that you said he would not have to. I am afraid that he will be faced with little choice as your (our) government abandons him and leaves him on his own. You should know that just recently the HDI was involved in stopping a dump that was given the provincial go ahead to move forward. While that is a win for the environment, the fact that they are no longer there would suggest that the environment was not their agenda and that they have been or will be paid fees as well.

So the McGuinty government is going to have a few challenges in the next little while. I wonder how much more of our money they will spend to try and make it all go away?

Bob Rae takes offense to a comment erroneously attributed to him in today’s Post.

The ‘unelected Foreign Affairs Critic’ clears the air:

I did not, in fact, make these remarks. Canadians will know that I would not be that non-partisan do not believe Mr. Harper is on firm ground even at the best of times.

(H/T Bourque)

The heinous error appears to be corrected in the online version.

Steve Janke explains Stephane Dion’s sad and tragic flaw.

This story in today’s Record has been the lead story in the local news for a few days now - A New Home, a Fresh Start.

I find it shocking that someone who worked as a temp for a company like RIM as recently September could find himself out on the street so soon afterwards.

The response from the community has been overwhelming for Kerwin Harrison and his two dogs.

Last night the three of them slept in a warm home for the first time in five weeks; thanks to the generosity of a stranger.

Putting a human face to the poverty of the working poor is very motivating.

I’ll be thinking of Kerwin when I gather food for the Food Bank this Christmas.