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Archive of entries posted on 13th February 2008

Clinging to the Nanny State mentality

Posted by Joanne on 13 February 2008, 10:15 pm

I have to give credit to the Kitchener Record for not getting sucked into the Karen Redman vortex of blaming the Federal Government for everything that goes wrong in Canada.

Yesterday in Question Period, Kitchener Liberal MP Karen Redman demanded (updated link):

Mr. Speaker, the crisis in the auto parts industry is getting worse and still the government does nothing. Kitchener Frame announced that it is throwing 1,200 people out of work and this is a huge blow to the Waterloo region

Will the government finally admit that there is a strong role for the federal government? How many good Canadian jobs have to disappear before the government does something about this emergency?

By contrast, the Record points to a variety of factors causing the carnage, including the stubborn stand of the CAW brass which refuses to consider wage cuts (Let’s work to save Kitchener Frame):

…Unfortunately, CAW president Buzz Hargrove has fingered the federal government as Kitchener Frame’s saviour, as if it wields a magic wand that can set everything right. Hargrove should look to his own organization and the company for salvation. The threats facing Kitchener Frame, as well as other auto parts manufacturers, are mainly beyond the federal government’s power to control.

High labour costs, particularly compared to those in similar plants in Mexico, declining demand for the sports utility vehicle frames the company makes, increased transportation costs as well as the high Canadian dollar — these are the series of body blows that have sent Kitchener Frame reeling. Despite having coffers stuffed with billions of taxpayer dollars, the federal government just isn’t rich enough to turn back the global economic and market tides washing over — and away — Canadian industry…

Of course, unions shouldn’t be blamed exclusively either. It is however, a huge factor contributing to the perfect storm that’s tearing the heart out of automobile manufacturing in Ontario.

Karen Redman’s simplistic attitude of demanding that more taxpayer money be thrown at an industry which needs to undergo some serious introspection is disingenuous, irresponsible and only serves to pander to the interests of the buddy of her ex-boss.

Even if Corporate Welfare could be used to save some companies the Record points out, “if it does intervene selectively, who gets saved and who is allowed to perish?”

Instead of trying to score points in QP with useless accusations and pointless questions, perhaps Karen Redman could start addressing the concerns of her constituents with suggestions of realistic methods of helping workers adjust to economics changes that are part of the ebb and flow of life – and to which we must all adapt.

* * * *
More from At Home in Hespeler – Auto Industry Bloodbath continues.

Climbing out of the Dark – Buzz, Lightyear’s Behind!

Filed under Canadian economy, Federal politics.
7 Comments

Checkmate!

Posted by Joanne on 13 February 2008, 5:54 pm

John Ivison explains how Dion is going to have a hard time getting his mitts on the federal coffers even if the Liberals actually win the next election – Harper keeping Dion out of the money:

The problem for the Liberals is that Stephen Harper has devised a cunning plan that will stop the Grits getting their mitts on the cash. When the Liberal plan to re-direct the surplus toward program spending was put to the Prime Minister at a function on Monday, he responded with a grin: “I’ve already thought of that.”

Under the Tax Back Guarantee the Conservatives introduced last year, any unplanned surpluses automatically go to reduce the federal debt at the end of the fiscal year, with any savings in interest payments being re-allocated to tax relief. The Conservatives plan to make Mr. Dion’s spending plans part of their election campaign and have already run attack ads suggesting the Liberal leader is “not worth the risk” when it comes to reckless expenditure in a slowing economy.

- Forcing the Grits to be fiscally responsible, even if the present Government falls.

My admiration of Stephen Harper increases each day.

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Update: Dion’s pledges thin on reality – Ivison. (Saturday Post)

Filed under Harper smartest PM ever.
7 Comments

They’d have to pay ME!

Posted by Joanne on 13 February 2008, 4:33 pm

Stephen Taylor first broke this story several days ago, but the Globe has picked it up – For Liberal’s, the ‘sky is the limit’ tonight.

It seems that those crafty Liberals think they have found a way around fundraising limits by holding an auction with Liberal politicians being pimped out as the prize.

…Elections Canada spokesman John Enright said he was seeking legal advice on how auctions involving politicians should be interpreted.

“As a general rule,” he said, “… anything over and above the commercial value of it would have to be declared as a contribution.”

New Democratic MP Charlie Angus said anything above the price of the golf or hockey game should be a donation, and the $1,100 annual limit for individual donations should be respected.

So how much would you pay for the privilege of playing golf with Paul Martin?

Well, I guess we’re obviously not paying enough to have him show up in Parliament…

* * * *
Second thoughts – CBC updates the story.

Related – Canada’s Liberals split over forcing election: Reuters.

…”I haven’t changed my view. I think the government needs to be brought down as soon as possible,” said Liberal legislator Garth Turner.

“There are some of my colleagues who would rather have their kidneys harvested without anesthetic than go to an election, but that’s kind of normal I think. In any caucus you’re going to find hawks and doves,” Turner told reporters…

…If the Liberals do hold their fire it could help them to address their internal problems. The party’s fund-raising efforts have fallen far short of the Conservatives’ and officials are still looking for a campaign plane.

Yeah, and tonight’s efforts may well fizzle out as well.

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This is a MUST-SEE!!!! Smackdown – Peter Van Loan Scores on Ken Dryden - Officially Screwed.

Thursday Update: Stephen Taylor – Liberals back down from fundraiser, choose to follow law.

Filed under Federal politics, Liberal arrogance.
5 Comments

Towards a ‘more inclusive’ Ontario

Posted by Joanne on 13 February 2008, 1:52 pm

McGuinty wants to drop the Lord’s Prayer at Queen’s Park, or else have rotating prayers from different faiths.

Do atheists have their own prayer? And what about the environmentalists?

Filed under Multiculturalism.
16 Comments

‘Race-based policy’ continues in Caledonia

Posted by Joanne on 13 February 2008, 12:45 pm

As the Second Anniversary of the Douglas Creek occupation/reclamation draws closer, MPP Toby Barrett registers his disgust with the two-tiered system in Caledonia – Police Ignoring Native Violence, MPP Alleges.

It’s amazing how McGuinty acted so outraged when the protesters suggested wintering through the first year. Now it’s just become an accepted way of dealing with native disputes – Bend over and take it.

So thanks to Dalton, we now have Race-Based school funding in Ontario, as well as Race-Based policing.

Clearly, some citizens are more equal than others.

Filed under Caledonia, Ontario.
2 Comments