A few days ago I asked if Canadian taxpayers had the stomach to challenge the Public Service sector on their compensation packages, which would be an inevitable result if the present government really dug in their heels on substantive and meaningful cuts rather than Stockwell Day’s first timid nicks.
At the end of that post I had added a link to a very pertinent article in the Globe by Karim Bardeesy – We can’t fix the public sector in one budget. Bardeesy invites us to look into the future and assess what kind of frills we feel we can do without in terms of reducing the costs of government services, especially in view of the fact that many collective agreements won’t be up for renegotiation for some time yet:
…Governments and taxpayers also need to revise their assumptions. They must ask whether tax increases are necessary to keep funding for public services adequate. Or they’ll need to start choosing which services they no longer expect to be publicly funded.
It’s easy to focus on politically expedient short-term battles between government and the public sector. The future of services that Canadians value will depend on those who’ll start the larger conversation.
I see Stockwell Day’s first efforts as a token gesture to get that debate going. And already we are hearing the screams of protest from the entitled public service, as Paul Rutherford tells us:
…Every federal department — except National Defence — will see its overall budget frozen at 2010-2011 levels for the following two years.
In an otherwise bland, so-so federal budget this was one of the bright spots.
It’s an effective way to begin the climb out of our massive deficit.
Canadian families and businesses are showing restraint — government needs to also, say the feds.
But no sooner had the ink dried on Flaherty’s budget, when the whining began.
“Why don’t they tell the people of Canada what services they can no longer expect?” Public Service Alliance of Canada national president John Gordon said.
Gordon has fired the first grenade claiming every time the feds come calling, their members are asked to make huge sacrifices, resulting in reduced services for Canadians and more work for public servants.
But are Canadians as fussed over what might go missing down at the local federal office more than an out-of-control deficit that needs to be reined in?
In a word: No…
Rutherford seems to think that taxpayers would support deeper cuts and I suspect he is right judging from the latest Angus Reid poll showing that 81% favour freezing the overall budgets for the offices of ministers and departmental operating budgets, as well as the 92% who support the freeze on wages for MPs, cabinet ministers and senators.
But Bardeesy is correct that it ultimately comes down to how much we are realistically prepared to give up ourselves in terms of services so that our tax burden becomes less oppressive. Trying to do things smarter with less is a great objective, but ultimately we have to decide what we can live without – and then convey those thoughts to our MPs and to every other level of government that seem to delight in emptying our wallets.
The Public Sector unions are going to go ballistic and the NDP will surely be stoking the fires on their behalf. Are we ready for that fight?
* * * *
Update
Interesting debate between Amanda Lang and Kevin O’Leary yesterday (starts just after the 4 minute mark). Kevin says “Fire all of them!”
That reminds me of Ezra Levant’s ‘Action Plan‘ from a few years ago, which still rings true today: Fire. Them. All.
And the CHRC is a great place to start. Yeah, I think we can live without them.
* * * *
Upperdate
O.K. I’ve decided to start a list based on comments and I’ll put my own at the top.
Where Stockwell Day should start cutting:
1. CHRC
2. Long Gun Registry (Lee)
3. CBC (Bluetech – with certain exceptions) [West Coast Teddi suggests privatizing it.]
4. Special Interest group programs and ministries (Greg)
5. Groups like Rights and Democracy (Jad)
5. Ten-Percenter reductions (Bec)
6. Wheat Board (Bec)
7. Cut all NGOs with advocacy roles (Dr. Roy)
8. Cuts to agricultural subsidies (Dr. Roy)
9. Exiled Maritimer suggests pension changes among other things. But Sandy recommends caution regarding travel expenses and severance.
10. Union contracts frozen and MPs perks cut to the bone (Wilson)
11. Bombardier subsidies (Doug)
12. Cut the GG’s budget. (Maz2)
13. Cut $1.95 subsidy to Federal Parties and many more ideas including the sale of Via Rail (Rich)
Where to look for efficiencies:
1. Tax code simplification (Lee) [Dr. Roy suggests a flat tax]
2. Elections Canada (Bec)
3. Skulman has several efficiency suggestions detailed here including incentive changes for the public service and allowing the private sector to take over some of the services. Mary T would also like to change the work ethic.
4. Two term limit for politicians and they only qualify for a pension if 50% of those they represented agree; a true ‘exit’ poll. (Wayne)
5. Bonuses to department heads based on how much money they did not spend in their budget. (Wayne)
* * * *
The ideas just keep coming and coming! I never expected this kind of response. Please check the whole comment section for more fantastic grassroot suggestions on how to get the bloat out of Government. And please forward your favourites to our elected officials. Thanks.
* * * *
Friday Update
Severance pay bonanza: Blizzard – Sun
HST a potential boon to Ontario’s tax collectors – Globe:
…The 1,250 public-sector employees in Ontario who will transfer to the federal government’s tax-collection arm will pocket as much as $45,000 in severance pay, even though they won’t lose a single day of work.
But the 300 civil servants in British Columbia who are also joining the federal government won’t get a similar generous sendoff.
Why the different approaches? Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said the government is simply honouring the terms of the province’s collective agreement with its public-sector workers. The union representing the employees said they are entitled to severance pay because, even though they will immediately land new jobs with the federal government, they will no longer work for the public service in Ontario…
Tax staff to be paid $25M in severance, rehired – National Post:
…But the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Mr. McGuinty could cancel the agreement.
“It’s insane. The Premier should not pay out a single penny, period,” said federal director Kevin Gaudet.
“For once the Premier should stand up for the taxpayer instead of organized labour. It shouldn’t be about funneling cash to his union buddies. It should be about people who pay taxes. Taxpayers already lose once with the HST. Now they’re losing twice.”
You’re bloody right we are!
It’s a “Post Carbon” Canada.
MSM has the message now.
Minister Prentice: cut the Department’s advertising/propaganda Branch re AGW.
Prepare/educate your department/bureaucrats for a Post Carbon Canada.
Notice the dig re Sarah Palin.
…-
“Post Carbon
Young people don’t seem to be especially hot about climate change
Contrary to popular belief, young people are not more politically engaged on the issue of climate change than older Americans, according to a new climate poll conducted by researchers at American, Yale and George Mason universities.
The researchers found “adults under the age of 35 are significantly less likely than their elders to say that they had thought about global warming before today, with nearly a quarter (22 percent) of under-35s saying they had never thought about the issue previously. Only 38 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 34 say that they had previously thought about global warming either ‘a lot’ (10 percent) or ‘some’ (28 percent), compared to 51 percent of those 35-59 and 44 percent of those 60 and older.
“In addition, the issue of global warming is not considered of any greater personal importance to under-35s than it is to those 35 and older. Seventeen percent of adults under 35 say that the issue of global warming is either extremely or very important to them, a proportion that is statistically equivalent to the 20 percent of those 35-59 and 22 percent of those 60 and older who say this.”
Matthew C. Nisbet, an assistant professor in AU’s School of Communication, blogs about what news sources young people trust when it comes to climate change. It turns out, he writes, that “only 33 percent under the age of 35 trust the news media as a source of information about climate change, a proportion lower than any other age group. This proportion is also only slightly higher than the 27 percent of those under 35 who trust Sarah Palin on climate change.”"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030802308.html
The first thing that comes to mind is the long gun registry.
I will bet that there are many useless programs such as that which we could do away with and not adversely affect our lifestyles.
I don’t know what the population of the CRA is, but i suspect it is large. A simplification of tax codes could reduce that department.
There is much that can be done without reducing services at all.
Lee, that’s a great idea about the long gun registry. Maybe we should draw up a list together here and then send it to our MPs with a copy to Stockwell Day.
#3 CBC
Bluetech – I agree, but we must qualify that with the caveat that certain good programming be retained somehow. Lang O’Leary is awesome. So is the Dragon’s Den. Anything else?
Any ministry associated with a special interest group. I’m sure most women have no idea what a minister of state for women has ever done for them
I would like to see a reduced use of 10%-ers. They HAD a purpose at one time but their use seems to have escalated and everyone (particularly the Libs) have used them inappropriately.
I’m not saying that they have to be eliminated all together but each party should have a per elected member budget, period.
Other choices;
CHRC
Wheat Board
MP travel expenses
Elections Canada efficiencies
The Public service as many unions, gets complacent when no threat to their livelihood exists. They can learn to work as hard as the rest of us in the Private sector as far as I’m concerned. It would be an awakening and they know it.
I wonder if there are any numbers to indicate if proroguing Parliament saved us any money?
I just read something about the State of Texas. The population is a bit over 24 million. The State Legislature meets for 140 calendar days EVERY SECOND YEAR. That amounts to about 90 working days. The state is doing quite well even during this downturn. People and industry are moving there from other states.
Seems to me that there is something to be learned from how that State Government is run.
I see this deficit as an opportunity to cut a lot of programs. Cut all NGOs with advocacy roles. Why are the NGOs f they get government funding. Large cuts to agricultural subsidies are necesaary but will not be popular.
Introduce a flat tax and cut half of the CRA!!!
How about all these groups like rights and Democracy. As I understand it, the government gives them money for “human rights purposes” or whatever, and they spend it as they like, after skimming off their own operating costs. Cut out all the middlemen and have the money go directly from the government.
I know individual budgets are not huge, but there are a great number of these organizations, all set up by Liberal governments, so the totals involved could be significant.
Yes, Joanne I totally agree. I have mentioned previously that there is a great local CBC radio program, Morning North, out of Sudbury. Very good at local reporting, and challenging all parties with great questions during elections. And yesterday I heard a progrmme on CBC radio called Choices. .. a very good documentary dispelling the myth that the term ‘Mother Earth’ is linked to Native spirituaity.
Lots of good suggestions there, Bec.
But wouldn’t MP travel expenses be part of the already-mentioned cuts to Ministers’ expenses? I’m not clear on that one. Of course freezing is different from actual ‘cuts’.
I think the first step is to change the pay system for senior bureaucrats. Rather than paying them based on the size of their department and number of subordinates, tie their pay to achieving specific goals and reducing the unit cost of those goals.
We don’t need to cut old age pensions, what we need to do is cut the overhead of distributing pensions in half (or better).
The second step, should be to examine all budget line items to determine if its something the government really should be doing. As laudable as it may be, I don’t think the government has any business taking money out of my pocket to fund sports, arts, foreign aid, political activism, etc. If I want to support any of those things I’ll do it my way through more appropriate and more efficient agencies.
The third step should be a vicious reduction in paperwork and government make work. For example – why do we need Statistics Canada. If the stats gathered have value, let those employees go out, set up a company to collect the stats, and sell them to those who value them for whatever the market will bear. Likewise, get out of the employment insurance business; we already have a thriving and successful insurance industry. Write some regulations and let them handle it based on the true risks involved.
Reducing our federal budget by 20-30% should be a relatively easy task if the will was there.
jad…that ‘rights and democracy’ group seems to have a special place in the hearts of the Libs. Something fishy there. Yes…cut it!
Greg…right on. The successful women I know did it on their own without handouts from the government: Kate Mcmillan, Gwen Landolt and of course Joanne, to name a few.
Trouble is, wit”firing them all”, you’re looking at HUGE severance packages, I would think. But if you are actually eliminating positions, I guess it would be worth it.
We all need to invest in ear plugs if a true stab at reducing our budget were to take place. Can you imagine all the lefty screaming??? Egads!
Trouble is, with “firing them all”, you’re looking at HUGE severance packages, I would think. But if you are actually eliminating positions, I guess it would be worth it.
We all need to invest in ear plugs if a true stab at reducing our budget were to take place. Can you imagine all the lefty screaming??? Egads!
I don’t know if it still goes on, but one abuse (IMHO) that went on when I worked for the govt was, applying for another position-
Very few positions come available for non civil servants, most job postings started with-
Open to anyone making x-y salary. And, interviews were mostly held in Ottawa and expenses were paid for the trip to and from the interview. I can’t tell you how many union members applied for some job, or position, somewhere in Canada, and then took 3 days off to get to and from said interview, with no intention of ever taking said job if successful. Same thing for medical leave for dental/eye and other non specialist appointments. Funny how so many had these appointments in cities far away, and could only get appointments Friday mornings-allowing a 3 day paid weekend holiday.
Whoever agreed to those benefits for the union was not thinking of the results.
But, the best reduction and cost saving would be to change the work ethic of all depts, which was, never do today what you can put off till tomorrow, or preferably to next week, and always CYA.
When AB froze and cut wages several years ago, when it come to tax time, most of those who took cuts were surprised to find that their take home pay was not a lot less than before the cuts. As wages were cut, so were amounts deducted for income tax, and other benefits they have. And in some cases it moved them down in their tax brackets. But, union negotiators never look at final take home pay, they like that huge amount in box 14, not the amount of their cheque.
These are great ideas folks! Thanks so much. I have to run out now but will be checking in later.
I think the biggest obstacle is that 20%-30% of our labour force works for some incarnation of government. I’m willing to bet that most of these people vote, and I have no idea what percetange vote Tory. When the Liberals pump the sanctity of the civil service, they are actually trying to sell themselves to a large voting demographic. Public sector jobs pay on averge 25% higher than their private sector equivalents. There is no way that we can afford to pay 25% of our workforce 25% too much money on the tax payer’s dime (in the billions of dollars) when the baby boomers retire. Kevin Page is right that we are facing a demographic time bomb, but you can’t fill the gap by raising the sales tax 2%. If we are to overcome our structural deficit, we are going to have to alter the structure.
Soccermom – Reduction through attrition is a reasonable first step. But the unions will still scream bloody murder because they will lose money and power.
Best idea to cut the budget is to hire some of our bloggers and commentators to work on this. The severance pkg is a big one, but, just don’t fill a position when it becomes vacant.
Another place one could cut would be putting in a rule that one must have worked for 2 yrs before maternity leave can be taken. I know of many women who have got a job with the govt, only to get pregnant a few months later in order to take advantage of that little benefit. And before one yells, it does happen.
That is one reason married women were not allowed to work for the government many years ago.
I agree with Dr. Roy … a flat or fair tax and eliminate personal income tax. must be a huge savings in the cost of filing our taxes.
CBC should go private .. let them keep hockey for 10 years or something. don’t watch any programs on CBC.
Make the Territories into full provinces.
I would also state the question: “What should the Federal government save?”
Start with the armed services, coast guard and RCMP, a basic social services plan thru equalization (note basic not Quebec day care) that would be provincially operated, a dedicated foriegn service, a federal legal service, a federally regulated banking system, a food/product safe system, national parks. There are more that I’m sure I have missed but our Constitution stipulates what is Federal.
1.Eliminate MP and senate pensions and replace them with 50% (MAX) RRSP contributions. This will discourage professional politicians and encourage people with life experience and knowledge.
2.Negotiate pension protocols with the provinces so politicians can’t collect both provincial and federal pensions
3.Pass a law setting the total compensation package for the public sector at 95% of the public sector based on surveys comparing meaningful KPI’s such as productivity, job security, effectiveness etc. This could be phased in over two contract periods resulting in public sector unions reduced to determining how the package should be divided up and not how much.
And while we are at it whats with those foundations Chretien set up?
It may be expensive to fire some in our employ due to stupendous amounts stipulated for severance but some would be well worth it. The twit in charge of EC is an example of one who needs to be shunted out. CBC should be cut from our payroll, given their blatant partisan political leanings. They are appearing more and more to be an arm of the LPC and we all should not be supporting that. Privately owned networks we can shut off but shutting off CBC we still pay.
HRC’s do not belong in this democracy and need to be abolished, they’re all part of the Leftist creep that’s been crawling for far too long and we risk it hiking it’s gait to a gallop if we don’t take action. Anything that interferes with our rights, makes some more equal than others has no place in this Country in this 21st century.
In a $59 billion deficit, Day’s action isn’t even a “start” since only 27 of those 245 positions is actually filled:
“A spokeswoman for Mr. Day said the estimated total savings from eliminating these 27 jobs is $53,000 to $62,000 in pay and $37,800 in travel bills.”
Joanne @ 9:52 am
I would love to have the time to find out exactly how MP’s travel, how much they spend and for what reason. A MINISTER is different of course and is doing the work of the nation but these 2 examples I am highlighting say alot about THE PERSON imo.
First the PM’s attitude,
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/02/19/12952646.html
And then we have the Opposition leaders attitude.
“we’ll move into the Chateau or the Elgin [two downtown Ottawa hotels] for three or four years and let us get a residence for the prime minister that makes the country proud”
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=2364690
Just the fact that Ignatieff ACCEPTED freebies for the Olympics said so much about him to me.
Union contracts should be frozen until the private sector wage and benefits catch up to the public sector…..
MP perks, like free flights for a companion (Ruby Dhalla’s mama) should be cut to the bone.
Bombardier (and any other) subsidies.
Yes Joanne @ 10:26. I think I can almost hear them screaming already, LOL
I think this is a very worthwhile exercise Joanne. For those Liberals looking in it may even give then a hint at what cooperation looks like…although it’s likely too common sensical for the man with two brains…and Bob Rae to understand.
I would ask one thing of the public service unions. Seeing as though most private sector employees and their families have had to give up certain things to make their ends meet what are the public sector unions willing to give up to do their fair share? Seems to me if they come up with something on their own it stands to reason that the public would look more favourably on them than if they start their usual withdrawl of services and strikes – because public opinion hates those things.
Secondly, I’d like to point on that in Ontario 1 in 3 people currently employed are employed as with the public service. Does that give Ontarians any clue at all at what our problem is?
Isn’t Canada the homeland of GG?
Cut the GG’s budget.
…-
“Governor-General’s Haiti visit
Globe and Mail – 2 hours ago
Governor-General Michaëlle Jean is in Haiti this week in an emotional visit to her homeland following January’s devastating earthquake.”
Have political parties ever considered buying an apt bldg or condo complex, for their MPs to live during their term. Bet that would be a saving over the long run.
Notice I said political parties, not the govt.
Ted, it’s a start.
I like these thoughts!!!
I think there should be a Facebook page set up as a place to keep this list and any additions we can think of. We could discuss the ramifications and vote on the ones that make the most sense. My idea for the name of it would be ‘Does Canada need a Tea Party?’ (Tea stands for Taxed Enough Already)
Oh and we could send ideas these to Stockwell but do it in an organized way…. ie. everyone write the list of the top ten for the month on a post card and all send it on the same day. It would be like the Prorogation rally but a rally by mail instead of on the streets.
Um, maybe Tea Party is too American. How about STAMP ie. ‘Send Them A Message People’. That would tie in with the mailing idea because all it would take is a stamp.
I hope this doesn’t sound nutty, lol. But watching Power Play last night, Rick Henderson mentioned that when Paul Martin was doing his cuts, he had the Reform Party sitting across the aisle encouraging him. Stockwell has 3 opposition parties all demanding he spend more. I think only a groundswell of support from Canadians is going to give him enough ‘authority’ to do what needs to be done.
Also, Joanne makes a great point ie. are we ready for the fight because the blowback from the PS unions will be huge. There will be protests galore, massive ones and the media will be right there with them. Can you say ‘megaphone’.? That Prorogation thing was just a tease compared to what’s likely to come.
I like the title STAMP, but you don’t need a stamp to send a letter etc to an MP or Minister when the House is in session.
Just wanted to add: Has it occurred to anyone that the opposition dropped all discussion of the budget the day after it was announced and moved back to the Afghan Detainee file for the sole purpose of distracting Conservatives from economic issues which is usually our strong suit? We need to change the agenda and we have to do it in a way that the media can’t dismiss. So maybe brainstorming about that is in order as well.
I’ll be quiet now.
When the Liberals pump the sanctity of the civil service, they are actually trying to sell themselves to a large voting demographic.
Iceman, that is certainly true in the case of the McGuinty Liberals.
Just turned on cpac to cathch QP. Too bad all Hedy’s voters were not watching her make a fool of herself on the budget debate. (to an almost empty house of liberals)
Ted Menzies is responding in his usual style of putting her down, with a comment that they say they wont support the budget. He asks if she will or wont support the budget. Now she is asking, when did health become a provincial matter, not federal. Yikes what a rant, one can’t understand a word she is saying. Wish I had bought that book yesterday, Body Language for Dummies.
Make the Territories into full provinces.
Teddi, why hasn’t this happened already? I’m just curious.
First cut should be 1.95 subsidy to Federal Parties: Why should my tax dollars go to parties that I do not support. Second cut funding to artists to travel first class at taxpayers expense let them pay their own way. Cut funding to special interests groups. Reduce MP’s Senators & government Bureaucrats salaries by 6%: Reduce expense allowances for travel and office staff Sell off Government challenger jets let MP’s & Senators fly commercial (economy class) Sell Via Rail one of the biggest money sucking federal crown corporations going.
Seems to me if they come up with something on their own it stands to reason that the public would look more favourably on them than if they start their usual withdrawl of services and strikes – because public opinion hates those things.
Richco, excellent point. I think Bardeesy alluded to that briefly in his piece, but you are right on. Time for the public servants to start doing some serious introspection. What are they willing to bring to the table?
Secondly, I’d like to point on that in Ontario 1 in 3 people currently employed are employed as with the public service. Does that give Ontarians any clue at all at what our problem is?
Do you have any link or background information for that? Because it is a staggering thought. And you are exactly right that it is a huge problem.
Cut the GG’s budget.
Yeah well certainly her clothes allowance!
Shrug – Great ideas there. How about STAMP out public service pork?
First cut should be 1.95 subsidy to Federal Parties
Rich I do believe that was attempted by this Government and the result was that the Coalition almost took over.
Check this out:
“When the Auditor General criticized the department for its lack of controls, it responded by setting up the Bureau of Physical Resources to ensure that its real estate assets were managed efficiently and in line with Treasury Board rules. But the Bureau found itself powerless in the face of entrenched opposition by senior diplomats accustomed to indulging themselves.”
http://fairwhistleblower.ca/cases/gualtieri/dfait_property_management.html
Gosh could these be the same diplomats that signed that letter in support of Colvin? No wonder they want to get rid of the Conservative government. Their cushy life style is at stake.
Okay so add (continue) selling off foreign properties to the list.
OT, but the entire QP has been accusations re torture and demands for a public inquiry. The PM, and all others have answered all questions with calmness, no raising of voices etc.
And where does iggy/bloc/ndp get the idea that all Canadians are demanding this. I am not demanding it, and they might find out that a majority of us support our troops and their actions in foreign lands.
Are we going to have to put up with this crap from opposition in QP till the next election.
Lots of calls from the Bloc to raise taxes on the rich, and of course they are dissing the oil industry.
Ujaal demands the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth re detainees, torture etc. He might regret that stmt when the truth comes out that all these accusations occurred under liberal govts, and it was a lib plan that transfers happened.
Okay I’d do the Facebook thing myself except that I am rather clueless about how to go about it. I confess that the first time I had ever saw a Facebook page was when I joined NB Tory’s ‘I Support the PM’ site. So I’m not exactly ‘in the know’ about these things.
OTH, there’s nothing like just diving in and hoping you can learn as you go along.
Hmmm
Postal service 3 days per week instead of 6?
Two term limit for politicians and they only qualify for a pension if 50% of those they represented agree; a true ‘exit’ poll.
Some way of paying bonuses to department heads based on how much money they did not spend in their budget.
Sorry Joanne,,CBC has to go comletely..COLD TURKEY..The good programs will survive via other networks..Anyone mention BILINGUAL BONUS probably a billion a year savings there.
“Sorry Joanne,,CBC has to go comletely..COLD TURKEY..The good programs will survive via other networks..Anyone mention BILINGUAL BONUS probably a billion a year savings there.”
Bert, I agree completely. For instance HNIC could go to TSN, they own the rights to the theme anyway. Just move Maclean and Cherry and all those who produce it. It would turn out fine. They could actually make some money too I bet.
Also, I could see Global doing Dragons Den.
Redraw the electoral boundaries to create 100 seats. Use technology and some of the savings to handle “larger” ridings (satellite MP offices/services, etc.), if necessary. For comparison purposes, the state of California (slightly more population than Canada) has 53 seats in the House of Representatives. Our MP to population ratio is way too high/expensive.
Postal service 3 days per week instead of 6?
What? Who gets postal service 6 says a week?
Redraw the electoral boundaries to create 100 seats.
I think that would require a constitutional change. They’re already talking about increasing the number of seats because certain provinces like BC, Alberta and Ontario are unfairly represented.
Two term limit for politicians and they only qualify for a pension if 50% of those they represented agree; a true ‘exit’ poll.
Some way of paying bonuses to department heads based on how much money they did not spend in their budget.
Wayne, those are both great ideas!
O/T: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
“Afghanistan After 2011
Madely in the Morning – 8:10am
— Steve Madely is joined by Ret’d General Lewis MacKenzie, and Terry Glavin, award-winning author and journalist.
They are live in studio to promote tonight’s event called “Canada and Afghanistan: Keeping Our Promises” hosted by the Free Thinking Film Society of Ottawa and is also a fundraiser for the Afghan School Project.”
http://www.cfra.com/chum_audio/MacKenzie_Glavin_Mar09.mp3
Are we abandoning Afghanistan?
Informed commentary!!
O/T: March 8, 2010
“Senator Mike Duffy on the role of the Senate in the resumption of Parliament”:
http://autopod.ca/podcast_audio/chum/11/320/MH%20March%208.mp3
In the words of Michael Harris: “I feel like I’ve been taken to the woodshed.”
Excellent, informative commentary from Senator Mike Duffy. Wow, he did take Michael Harris to the woodshed!!
“It sounds great to take away MP benefits but the implications are huge in terms of who would run — only the losers and the independently rich.”
It’s worse than that even Sandy because those losers will stick around forever since they can’t get a job and are dependent on the benefits and pension. Look at the Bloc MPs for example.
Personally, and I know this is anaethema to say, but I think we should have fewer MPs and MPPs and be paying them more not less in order to attract real leaders who work real jobs like the rest of us, not just career politicians and pundits or political hacks/staffers who couldn’t get a job in the real world.
Shrug – I noticed the total flip on the part of the opposition to distract from the very positive and confident budget. We should know not to expect the Liberals to actually ask about something Canadians care about should we? They’re as disconnected as ever.
That the PM has to put up with the BS when so more positive things are going on is awful.
Another idea is for bloggers to make their ideas of where best to cut known to some like-minded Senators (if you get my drift).
May I make a suggestion? Rather than rant about chestnuts like the CBC and Status of Women that we don’t like, how about a federal government program that we *do* like but believe we can live without?
Say, for example, child care tax credits?
In reality with 308 MPs the cost of maintaining their salary and pensions is relatively small compared to the public sector as a whole. So I don’t think that freezing their money will affect the deficit by a noticeable amount. From my discussions with a number of friends in the public sector, the current pay scale for employees with high school education is significantly unbalanced when compared to the private sector. There is very little reason for a receptionist, or a clerk with the CRA or Passport Canada to be making $45k plus benefits to start, where your average desk job starts at about $25k. Large savings could be found simply by reducing the base salary for entry level positions.
Additionally I don’t think the government should not subsidize the arts, special interests, or businesses. Reduce my personal taxes and I’ll support the artists I like, and the special interests that represent me. And if a business needs government money to function, they shouldn’t be in business.
I just read something about the State of Texas. The population is a bit over 24 million. The State Legislature meets for 140 calendar days EVERY SECOND YEAR. That amounts to about 90 working days. The state is doing quite well even during this downturn. People and industry are moving there from other states.
Seems to me that there is something to be learned from how that State Government is run.
This has occurred to me as well. We’ve all seen how repetitive and unproductive QP is, and is there really enough wrong with this country that our MPs need to spend so much time in Ottawa? I honestly think that if MPs sat for 4-6 months of the year, and spent more time in their ridings they would really know what their constituents wanted from them.
Re MPs pensions/rrsp contributions etc. Instead of qualifying after x number of years, how about after govt term = 1 yr. If they get re-elected, they then qualify for another year.
Also, when an MP is defeated, he has been fired from his job by his employers, the voters. Anyone else getting fired is not eligible for EI, relocation bonus, or anything. Why should an MP who is defeated get all these benefits.
And one should have to wait till age 65 before pension is paid, and pension should only be paid for number of yrs served, not life. And, no double dipping. Cancelling the bilingual bonus, and training would be a great step. As long as Quebec is basically French speaking, with no Flags in their schools, or poppies for sale in November, they show they are not Canadian. But, their olympic team members are very Canadian.
When does the budget vote take place. Loved it when Ted Menzies asked Hedy how she was going to vote, referring to her faux outrage in the debate this am.
how about a federal government program that we *do* like but believe we can live without?
That’s quite the challenge Phantom. And you start to see the problem when things you really care about are taken away.
If half of the civil servants fell in the forest would anybody hear?
No one IMHO who has ever had to go to a federal office and had to deal directly with civil servants would not even notice if half of them were gone.
Stay out of business affairs.
Cut/eliminate Heritage Dept.
Our Enemy, the State.
…-
“Gov’t to decide if Amazon investment will “be of net benefit to Canada”
Winnipeg Free Press – 56 minutes ago
TORONTO – A Canadian Heritage spokesman says the government has ordered a review of Amazon’s proposed plans to open a Canadian distribution centre to determine if the investment “will be of net benefit to Canada”
The main function of the federal civil service is to protect their minister (that’s what I was told in 2002….not sure today as I am no longer in the civil service). Risk taking is verboten (in case you make a mistake and your minister gets into trouble) and responsibility is spread out. Human Resource Management processes are a NIGHTMARE.
BTW, outside of the military, Health Canada takes up half the federal budget and most of that is spent on First Nations health programs, a direct service.
drop home delivery of mail.
many of us use the superboxes, no reason why we can’t all.
Valencia – Thanks for the inside peek. Are you glad to be out or do you wish you were still in the civil service?
drop home delivery of mail.
And what would we do with all those poor mail carriers?
Don’t know if this has been mentioned, but a constitutional amendment is badly needed re seat distribution in a place like P.E.I. which has I believe 4 MP seats for such a tiny population. Wrong….Just completely wrong. Even the residents there probably would realize that is wrong. Would they really be against changing it???
Soccermom – My understanding is that according to the Constitution, seats can never be taken away – only added. Hence the need to increase other provinces proportionally. Maybe it is time to reopen the constitution.
Cutting is always easy to suggest and much harder to do.
That’s true Sandy. But we can’t go on the way we are. But where to cut back? That’s the problem.
Sandy, Monte didn’t lose, he resigned before the 2008 election. Jaffer, did lose.
I am not really sure that I have interpreted some of the comments re MP’s correctly either. My earlier comments were simply to suggest that strict budgets should be implemented and adhered to but I support all 308 MP’s should they respect the tax payer as THEIR BOSSES!
We need more MP’s not less and we need them sooner not later. The unequal balance to population ratio must be addressed.
You should did get some interesting ideas here Joanne. I was particularly interested in the comment from Valencia.That was terrific!
Now there is a politically incorrect topic that I WOULD LOVE to see tackled with precision but the necessary PC sensitivity. A daunting task!
I was particularly interested in the comment from Valencia.That was terrific!
I would love to hear from more like Valencia. Very interesting indeed.
But in any case we’re just brain-storming here. Bec I like your idea that MPs should respect the taxpayers. I think they sometimes forget that.
We do not need EI. Privatize it. Let the insurance companies do it. User fees should be instituted for medicare; if you want check-ups, pay for them. A table of the real costs should be published. If you want non-basic services, such as a sex-change, pay for it. If we had a flat tax, Rev Can payrolls could be reduced. Eliminate the Refugee program until we have an immigration program that works.
By the way folks, public servants who do not tend to lose their jobs support everyone else by paying into EI for no benefit. PS pensions are reduced by the CPP, so we don’t get that either, and the OAS is means-tested, so we do not get that either.
What you say is true Sandy, the departments I’ve personally dealt with could be cut by half, every time I’ve been to one of these particular offices all I see is perpetual coffee break, no real work or service being performed and rude dismissive clerks to get past before anything can begin to be dealt with.
Anyone that gets fired from any job goes thru a great adjustment, same if they quit. But, those that are fired or quit do not qualify for EI benefits, or huge severance pkgs.
I wonder if politicians who lose have to go looking for a job and submit proof to the EI dept.
That is why a lot of workers in Fort Mac have quit playing the system, and work all year long.
Maybe those are some of the things the Minister will change, due to the loss of jobs in Canada.
How much money could be found if the “Arms Length Foundations” (the one the Auditor General isn’t allowed near) were shut down. And my pet peeve the 50 mil that goes to china should be cut off.
I came across this at the gov website. It’s a big document and I’m not finished reading it but I’m learning things so I thought others might be interested.
http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_200611_00_e_14968.html
BTW, I think Sandie makes some very good points. Slash and burn is rarely a good idea. But I also have friends and relatives who have worked in the public sector. Naturally they are all very hard workers like myself (:D) and they often talk about the poor work ethic within the system. Very frustrating for a person who takes pride in a job well done ie. efficient, timely, accurate etc.
Another idea. Maybe we should think about what role the federal government should have regarding services and then get rid of anything that strays from that mandate. I’m thinking defense, security, public safety, international trade and relationships etc. A wholesale cut across the board doesn’t strike me as a good plan.
Sandy, I have a little more faith in people than to believe that out of spite, the majority of them would deny someone a pension without real cause. I may be wrong. However, I believe if politicians kept their noses where they belong, without continually trying to encroach on every aspect of our lives, they would get the 50% support. Make it so 50+1 would have to vote against them instead of for them. I don’t think people would maliciously vote against one’s livelihood unless they had proven themselves to be first class a-holes, but maybe.
Without term limits, they are continually kissing up to the voters with deep pockets in order to get re-elected over and over. That is not working so well either.
they often talk about the poor work ethic within the system. Very frustrating for a person who takes pride in a job well done ie. efficient, timely, accurate etc.
Shrug, that is a problem with union mentalities in general. I know of conscientious people in union situations who were looked down upon by their peers if they were working too hard. It’s a very big problem and it affects our country’s productivity.
Stop the unneccesary and mostly useless ‘committee’s’ and the continual requests for special commissions.Take for example the whole Mulroney/KHS circus.What did that cost taxpayers? The ndp LOVE to waste our money on stupidity..if they want a panel convened,pay for it out of their own party funds.
As for cbc..I want a mile-long parade of the morons in the newsroom,on their way to an unemployment line! I want Mansbridge leading the parade,with Milewski right behind him.There is not one show on cbc worth watching..and being a poor Leafs fan,HNIC just isn’t cutting it anymore.Give HNIC to TSN,and keep Don Cherry (or make him a Senator!)
I wonder if the media is starting to get the message. Just completed an Angus Reid online poll and the first bunch of questions listed most major newspapers and many other daily ones. Question, how often do you read the print version of the following. Never was marked all the way down.
Then there were questions on web sites visited, including those papers and various tv sites. Never was marked all the way down.
From there they wanted to know what kind of washer I would buy, and what features I wanted, and where I would buy it. Talk about changing topics.
I answered that survey as well Mary. I thought it odd too, but got a chuckle out of marking ‘never’ on the papers and media
Watch out for IRuby’s private members bill to make a comeback re immigrants to qualify for OAS and GIS after being here for 3 yrs instead of the 10 that is now required.
Cost is estimated to be about 700 million/yr according to Diane Finlay.
A similar bill introduced by a liberal died on the order paper due to the 2008 election.
Just watched a bit of the national, and must ask, what is wrong with Terry Mileski’s (sp)eyes. He always looks like he is staring and very angry, and his voice sounds very angry.
But, he did sort of change the torture channel by asking, if libs didn’t turn those taliban over to the afghans, or to the US, what would they have done with them. No one would agree that Canada should build its own prisons in Afghan.
Cut arts funding – let them stand on their own. If their “art” is good, it will survive. I don’t think that DaVinci would have done the same kind of work had he been subsidized by taxes. Cut back EI benefits and subsidies to anyone deemed fit to work who isn’t working. Make the medical system user pay. Make it law that unions can only organize when a disagreement arises between workers and management. Unions should never be permanent. Have incentives for public sector workers to do their best and not their least (as currently occurs). Kill government incentives for “green industry” and green jobs. No more bail-outs of or subsidies to any industry unless the industry in question is deemed “essential for the survival of all Canadians”.
Where to cut:
1) No more funding for ethnic festivities, gay parades, or any other such type of activities. Let these groups fund their own agendas as they should.
2) Cut back severely on welfare recipients. Investigate and uncover the numerous fraudulent activities in this area.
3) Cut back on the amount of money (financial aid) given to newly arrived immigrants.
4) Get people off of welfare and into jobs, re-training, etc..
5) Go after tax evaders, the black market, etc..
6) Get rid of the multi-culturalism policy. Either we’re Canadians or we are not. We can celebrate the various backgrounds of all Canadians as Canadians in our everyday lives. We learn from each other every day.
7) Get rid of dual citizenship and the resulting costs of financing Canadians living abroad when there is trouble.
9) Cut out from every federal department all unnecessary expenses and wasteful use of taxpayers’ money.
10) Review all social programs, needle programs, etc., and weed out all useless practices.
11) Get people off of the street and into job re-training so they can have happy, productive lives thereby contributing to the country as a whole.
12) Cut back on the funding for bilingualism and eliminate duplication, waste, and where it’s unnecessary.
No bonuses for being bilingual or taking second-language courses.
Bilingualism where it is warranted. A policy that develops a quota system as to who gets these so-called bilingual positions. 80% to English speaking bilingual applicants and 20% to French speaking bilingual applicants.
You learn a second language on the job using it, it’s the only way. I think of all those well-meaning young students flocking to Montreal from the east and the west to improve their use of French and then not being given the opportunity to grow in that second-language because bilingual positions are closed to them.
On the other hand, I’ve seen for decades young French Canadians working in bilingual positions across this land at the federal level, provincial level, and many other areas, at national & provincial campgrounds, museums, right in Ottawa in our nation’s capital, in many different institutions and the list goes on.
Many of these French Canadians speak a poor English but they do have a working knowledge of it. And guess what, they become fluently bilingual by using the English language on the job.
As for the English applicants, they must pass difficult French tests to prove that they are fluently bilingual. They are not given the opportunity to grow their French on the job as the French applicant is able to do.
And that’s why I say the bilingualism policy is unfair to the great majority in this country.
Changes in the bilingualism policy can only result in a more productive and efficient country.
Good suggestions ed.
For me, we need to change the culture of the public service.
1. Flatten the hierarchy. I felt I had 3 bosses in a department with 40-50 people. There is no ability to make decisions at the front line. And no one takes primary responsibility. Responsibility is an amorphous blob….that’s why you often can’t identify any single person responsible for a program and how the minister is therefore protected.
2. Get rid or trim the policy shops. Government should be limited to: direct services and operations, and the regulatory functions. Policy should arise from these departments rather than a separate policy shop which then asks for evidence/programs to fit. That’s how you get policy driven evidence (see Global Warming for example).
3. Reassess how much regulation is required. Does it do any good? If so, then make sure you have enough clout to enforce.
4. Make sure senior managers (ie ADMs etc) have content knowledge of their departments. Makes for less work for everyone else if you dont have to bring your ADM up to speed, especially in technical areas. (Note: Department of Justice is an exception. Most manager positions are filled by lawyers; this is not true in Health for example where there may be economists or sociologists in charge).
5. Don’t play musical chairs with managers etc. You lose corporate knowledge.
6. You can’t make everyone happy all the time and you can’t be fair all the time either. That’s the way the world works. Government imposes fairness across the board which sometimes leads to absurd outcomes, poor service, and in actuality more injustice. It takes away judgement and individual responsibility. JMHO.
I proposed downsizing my department based on the available evidence that showed our regulatory functions did not likely change anything in 80% of cases, mostly since the provinces were doing some of the work de facto. Many workers agreed with me BUT God forbid, that means losing control.
Oh, and some MPs are truly not very bright. Sigh.
Ed and Valencia – Great ideas there.
Is anyone planning to contact their MP or the Government with some of these suggestions?
Have a read of this New Zealand politician.
Some very good ideas here
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2004&month=04
Valencia, I just bookmarked the article about the New Zealand politician you noted. Hope others here will see it. Very interesting, I’ll read it fully when I get the chance.
Thank you for posting it!!