Michael den Tandt points out the obvious fact that it was the grits who ignored kyoto after signing it. kyoto died under the grits. The Tories are just presiding over the final burial.
“We didn’t get it done,” wailed Michael Ignatieff about Canada’s lacklustre, ineffectual attempts to meet this country’s Kyoto Protocol carbon emission targets, back when the Liberal government of Jean Chrétien was serious about pretending it took climate change seriously.
Ignatieff was, of course, spot on: Ottawa’s Kyoto commitments died on the operating table in the waning years of Chrétien’s third term, as the first of three Canadian prime ministers came to realize that implementing Kyoto faithfully would doom the oilpatch and Canada’s economic future with it. None of Chrétien’s Kyoto plans had teeth.
Which raises the question: How can the Liberals continue to holler about Kyoto today, as though they were the treaty’s greatest champions? After promising to adopt it, it was they themselves who kicked it to the curb.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Canada's GDP grows 3.5% in third Quarter
Some good news. We also outgrew the Americans whose GDP only grew 2%. This is good news after last quarters drop of ),5%. We need to continue to open up trade with the world. Free trade with India is coming soon. I like that HM Minister of Finance dropedsome trade tariffs recently. We should unilaterally drop all tariffs on poor Commonwealth countries. We need to have a massive Commonwealth free trade zone!
Annual GDP rises 3.5% in Q3, outpaces U.S. growth of 2.0: StatsCan
By The Canadian Press | November 30, 2011
OTTAWA - Real gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 3.5 per cent in the third quarter after a second-quarter drop of 0.5.
Statistics Canada notes real GDP in the United States grew two per cent over the same period.
GDP advanced 0.9 per cent over the previous quarter as demand for exports increased.
On a monthly basis, real GDP by industry increased 0.2 per cent in September.
Annual GDP rises 3.5% in Q3, outpaces U.S. growth of 2.0: StatsCan
By The Canadian Press | November 30, 2011
OTTAWA - Real gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 3.5 per cent in the third quarter after a second-quarter drop of 0.5.
Statistics Canada notes real GDP in the United States grew two per cent over the same period.
GDP advanced 0.9 per cent over the previous quarter as demand for exports increased.
On a monthly basis, real GDP by industry increased 0.2 per cent in September.
Barbara Kay writes about Joanne's excellent new book. If you can read French you really need to read it. Joanne is one of the co founders of the Quebec Freedom Network!!! Two great woman that I am honored to say are my friends!!
Taking down Quebec's 'Gouvernemaman'
Barbara Kay, National Post · Nov. 30, 2011 | Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2011 3:09 AM ET
In his column last Saturday, Conrad Black surveyed the wreckage of Quebec's sovereigntist movement. He ascribes the recent collapse of the Bloc Québécois and Quebec's shrinking influence in Ottawa to the federal government's steady, patient indulgence of the shiny trappings of independence that have obscured Quebec's ever-deepening financial dependence on the federal government. The cost of separation from Canada is now so ridiculously high, he concludes, that the dream simply cannot be taken seriously by most Quebecers.
The column ends on an optimistic note, with Black noting "the first stirrings of profound reassessment by serious people," amongst them former PQ cabinet minister François Legault and his new party, Coalition Avenir Québec (Coalition for the Future of Quebec), and entrepreneurial telecom mogul Charles Sirois, who may be "awakening Quebec from its somnolent idyll."
Another "serious" Quebecer specializing in wake-up calls is information technology engineer-turned-political-activist Joanne Marcotte. She heads up a group called Réseau Liberté-Québec (Quebec Freedom Network), whose mission is to co-ordinate forces for reform on the political right.
Taking down Quebec's 'Gouvernemaman'
Barbara Kay, National Post · Nov. 30, 2011 | Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2011 3:09 AM ET
In his column last Saturday, Conrad Black surveyed the wreckage of Quebec's sovereigntist movement. He ascribes the recent collapse of the Bloc Québécois and Quebec's shrinking influence in Ottawa to the federal government's steady, patient indulgence of the shiny trappings of independence that have obscured Quebec's ever-deepening financial dependence on the federal government. The cost of separation from Canada is now so ridiculously high, he concludes, that the dream simply cannot be taken seriously by most Quebecers.
The column ends on an optimistic note, with Black noting "the first stirrings of profound reassessment by serious people," amongst them former PQ cabinet minister François Legault and his new party, Coalition Avenir Québec (Coalition for the Future of Quebec), and entrepreneurial telecom mogul Charles Sirois, who may be "awakening Quebec from its somnolent idyll."
Another "serious" Quebecer specializing in wake-up calls is information technology engineer-turned-political-activist Joanne Marcotte. She heads up a group called Réseau Liberté-Québec (Quebec Freedom Network), whose mission is to co-ordinate forces for reform on the political right.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Senator Boisvenu
I have met Senator Boisvenu on a number of occasions. He is a gracious, passionate, considerate man, who is a tireless advocate for victims rights. I had the chance to speak to the Senator recently at a fundraiser in Montreal. I told him how proud I was of his reposes to the left wing Quebec elites, media and the Quebec Bar association. Senator Boisvenu's daughter was murdered by a repeat offender, he has founded victims rights organizations. He sells his book to help fund his organization and gives them his salary. He knows the crime statistics backwards and forwards. I again thank him for all he has done for the victims of crime. I am proud he is a Tory Senator!
Constitutional punditry
My friend James Bowden shreds the constitutional silliness of Lori Turnbull and some other constitiinal pundits on prorogation
read his reply here.
The media and these leftist academics care little for the constitution.
read his reply here.
The media and these leftist academics care little for the constitution.
The dying church of Kyoto
More on the dying hoax in the WSJ.
Consider the case of global warming, another system of doomsaying prophecy and faith in things unseen.
As with religion, it is presided over by a caste of spectacularly unattractive people pretending to an obscure form of knowledge that promises to make the seas retreat and the winds abate. As with religion, it comes with an elaborate list of virtues, vices and indulgences. As with religion, its claims are often non-falsifiable, hence the convenience of the term "climate change" when thermometers don't oblige the expected trend lines. As with religion, it is harsh toward skeptics, heretics and other "deniers." And as with religion, it is susceptible to the earthly temptations of money, power, politics, arrogance and deceit.
This week, the conclave of global warming's cardinals are meeting in Durban, South Africa, for their 17th conference in as many years. The idea is to come up with a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire next year, and to require rich countries to pony up $100 billion a year to help poor countries cope with the alleged effects of climate change. This is said to be essential because in 2017 global warming becomes "catastrophic and irreversible," according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency.
Yet a funny thing happened on the way to the climate apocalypse. Namely, the financial apocalypse.
The U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada and the EU have all but confirmed they won't be signing on to a new Kyoto. The Chinese and Indians won't make a move unless the West does. The notion that rich (or formerly rich) countries are going to ship $100 billion every year to the Micronesias of the world is risible, especially after they've spent it all on Greece.
And this excellent piece in by Terence Corcoran.
Peter Kent has it right on carbon deal
On the eve of the Dustbin in Durban, an apt nickname for the doomed UN Framework climate talks that opened Monday in South Africa, it looks like the Kyoto Protocol will not go gently into the night, at least not for Canada.
When Environment Minister Peter Kent stated the obvious — which is that the global protocol to control carbon emissions was “in the past” as far as Canada is concerned — he was denounced on all fronts. The Green Party, the Liberal party, the Pembina Party, the Greenpeace Party and other standard-bearers of the 1997 status quo on climate policy were instantly aflame with indignation that Mr. Kent should dare to utter such blasphemy.
“Shameful” and “sabotage,” said Elizabeth May, the Green leader. Liberal environment critic Kristy Duncan called Mr. Kent’s position “cowardly,” and accused Canada of negotiating in bad faith. Greenpeace described Canada’s failure to live up to its Kyoto commitment a failure of “epic proportions.”
As Mr. Kent tried to make clear to reporters Monday: Rumours that the Kyoto Protocol is still alive are greatly exaggerated. Whether the Harper Conservatives have actually decided to formally pull out of Kyoto in December — as reported — Mr. Kent would not confirm. It is clear, however, that Canada is out of Kyoto, the great green monster former prime minister Jean Chrétien agreed to in Japan in 1997, committing to rip apart the economy in an attempt to get national carbon emissions down to 6% below 1990 levels.
And in the NP.
This is not news. Even it's high priests admit it. The usual suspects that profit from the hoax are screaming but who even cares any more.
Consider the case of global warming, another system of doomsaying prophecy and faith in things unseen.
As with religion, it is presided over by a caste of spectacularly unattractive people pretending to an obscure form of knowledge that promises to make the seas retreat and the winds abate. As with religion, it comes with an elaborate list of virtues, vices and indulgences. As with religion, its claims are often non-falsifiable, hence the convenience of the term "climate change" when thermometers don't oblige the expected trend lines. As with religion, it is harsh toward skeptics, heretics and other "deniers." And as with religion, it is susceptible to the earthly temptations of money, power, politics, arrogance and deceit.
This week, the conclave of global warming's cardinals are meeting in Durban, South Africa, for their 17th conference in as many years. The idea is to come up with a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire next year, and to require rich countries to pony up $100 billion a year to help poor countries cope with the alleged effects of climate change. This is said to be essential because in 2017 global warming becomes "catastrophic and irreversible," according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency.
Yet a funny thing happened on the way to the climate apocalypse. Namely, the financial apocalypse.
The U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada and the EU have all but confirmed they won't be signing on to a new Kyoto. The Chinese and Indians won't make a move unless the West does. The notion that rich (or formerly rich) countries are going to ship $100 billion every year to the Micronesias of the world is risible, especially after they've spent it all on Greece.
And this excellent piece in by Terence Corcoran.
Peter Kent has it right on carbon deal
On the eve of the Dustbin in Durban, an apt nickname for the doomed UN Framework climate talks that opened Monday in South Africa, it looks like the Kyoto Protocol will not go gently into the night, at least not for Canada.
When Environment Minister Peter Kent stated the obvious — which is that the global protocol to control carbon emissions was “in the past” as far as Canada is concerned — he was denounced on all fronts. The Green Party, the Liberal party, the Pembina Party, the Greenpeace Party and other standard-bearers of the 1997 status quo on climate policy were instantly aflame with indignation that Mr. Kent should dare to utter such blasphemy.
“Shameful” and “sabotage,” said Elizabeth May, the Green leader. Liberal environment critic Kristy Duncan called Mr. Kent’s position “cowardly,” and accused Canada of negotiating in bad faith. Greenpeace described Canada’s failure to live up to its Kyoto commitment a failure of “epic proportions.”
As Mr. Kent tried to make clear to reporters Monday: Rumours that the Kyoto Protocol is still alive are greatly exaggerated. Whether the Harper Conservatives have actually decided to formally pull out of Kyoto in December — as reported — Mr. Kent would not confirm. It is clear, however, that Canada is out of Kyoto, the great green monster former prime minister Jean Chrétien agreed to in Japan in 1997, committing to rip apart the economy in an attempt to get national carbon emissions down to 6% below 1990 levels.
And in the NP.
This is not news. Even it's high priests admit it. The usual suspects that profit from the hoax are screaming but who even cares any more.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Cheaper Cell phones?
Canada's cell phone rates are among the worst in the world. We have only 3 large cell companies. We need to open up the market to competition. Apparently this is very likely. I urge HM Government to open up the cell phone market to world wide competition.
By Paul Vieira and Ben Dummett
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
OTTAWA (Dow Jones)--The Canadian government could signal this week it's ready to accept increased foreign investment in the country's telecommunications industry, in an effort to spur competition in the fast-growing and profitable wireless sector.
Two government-commissioned panels have recommended liberalization in recent years, and the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has promised to boost competition, in order to lower prices. Canada's Industry Minister, Christian Paradis, has said recently the government hasn't yet made any decision on its plans for the sector, in which foreign ownership has long been circumscribed.
Still, industry watchers say that two high-profile appearances this week by Paradis could be opportunities for the government to signal its intentions. The minister is slated to deliver remarks at a major industry conference in Ottawa on Tuesday. He then meets with Wall Street analysts Friday. Representatives for Paradis didn't return requests for comment.
Telecoms is among a handful of industries--along with broadcasting and airlines--that are subjected to specific limits on foreign investment in Canada. Foreigners are prohibited from owning more than 46.7% of the voting shares of a telecoms company.
By Paul Vieira and Ben Dummett
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
OTTAWA (Dow Jones)--The Canadian government could signal this week it's ready to accept increased foreign investment in the country's telecommunications industry, in an effort to spur competition in the fast-growing and profitable wireless sector.
Two government-commissioned panels have recommended liberalization in recent years, and the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has promised to boost competition, in order to lower prices. Canada's Industry Minister, Christian Paradis, has said recently the government hasn't yet made any decision on its plans for the sector, in which foreign ownership has long been circumscribed.
Still, industry watchers say that two high-profile appearances this week by Paradis could be opportunities for the government to signal its intentions. The minister is slated to deliver remarks at a major industry conference in Ottawa on Tuesday. He then meets with Wall Street analysts Friday. Representatives for Paradis didn't return requests for comment.
Telecoms is among a handful of industries--along with broadcasting and airlines--that are subjected to specific limits on foreign investment in Canada. Foreigners are prohibited from owning more than 46.7% of the voting shares of a telecoms company.
Canada to leave Kyoto
That is an excellent idea. kyoto has accomplished nothing and cost billions. Good for HM Canadian Government. suzuki and the other hoaxers will be mad. Good!!
Canada will announce next month that it will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol, CTV News has learned.
The Harper government has tentatively planned an announcement for a few days before Christmas, CTV's Roger Smith reported Sunday evening.
The developments come as Environment Minister Peter Kent prepares for a climate conference in Durban, South Africa that opens on Monday, with delegates from 190 countries seeking a new international agreement for cutting emissions.
Issues on the agenda include extending the Kyoto emission targets, a move being championed by Christiana Figueres, head of the UN climate secretariat.
Kent said in the House of Commons on Nov. 22 he won't sign a document at the Durban conference that extends the Kyoto targets.
"Canada goes to Durban with a number of countries sharing the same objective, and that is to put Kyoto behind us," Kent said.
Canada will announce next month that it will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol, CTV News has learned.
The Harper government has tentatively planned an announcement for a few days before Christmas, CTV's Roger Smith reported Sunday evening.
The developments come as Environment Minister Peter Kent prepares for a climate conference in Durban, South Africa that opens on Monday, with delegates from 190 countries seeking a new international agreement for cutting emissions.
Issues on the agenda include extending the Kyoto emission targets, a move being championed by Christiana Figueres, head of the UN climate secretariat.
Kent said in the House of Commons on Nov. 22 he won't sign a document at the Durban conference that extends the Kyoto targets.
"Canada goes to Durban with a number of countries sharing the same objective, and that is to put Kyoto behind us," Kent said.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Rex Murphy on the anti Christian left
An excellent piece by Rex on attacks on Christianity. These same liberals want us to be tolerant of the jihadis. The jihadi response to jokes about Islam is usually violence and death.
To be a serious Christian in modern Western culture is to be the favoured easy target of every progressive thinker and every half-witted comedian. It is to have your sensibilities and your deepest beliefs on perpetual call for taunts, mockery and desecration. At a time when all progressives preach full volume for inclusivity and sensitivity, for the utmost care in speech when speaking of others with differing views or hues, Christians, as Christians, are under a constant hail of abuse and disregard. There is nothing too low or too vulgar.
Something as inconsequential as a Christmas special, for example, will have — almost as an essential element, it being “Christ’s” birthday after all — something determinedly offensive to Christians. Russell Peters, the Canadian joker, for his special this year has invited Pamela Anderson, pinup queen and soft porn actress, to play the Virgin Mary.
Pamela Anderson as Mary the Immaculate: I know — the wit, the daring, the originality — hell, the bravery of it all. No wonder Peters is at the very top of the yuk-heap. Can it be that it’s only 30 years since Monty Python and The Life of Brian? Talk about “cutting-edge.” The casting is so, so clever — getting a lewd exhibitionist to play Mary, to call in a pop-culture tart to play the very Mother of God.
But for believers to object, well that would be irksome and stuffy and high-handed and parochial — it being another of this age’s curious predisposition that Christians are supposed, if not to like the jeers hurled at them, to at least be good enough to suffer the insults, blasphemies and mockeries in silence, if not secret approval. To actually object to Russell Peters going for a cheap, unintelligent and vulgar laugh would probably get categorized as “intolerance” or “censorship.” Go for it, Russell — Pam Anderson as the Virgin Mary will tickle the funnybone of every single digit IQ from St. John’s to Victoria.
To be a serious Christian in modern Western culture is to be the favoured easy target of every progressive thinker and every half-witted comedian. It is to have your sensibilities and your deepest beliefs on perpetual call for taunts, mockery and desecration. At a time when all progressives preach full volume for inclusivity and sensitivity, for the utmost care in speech when speaking of others with differing views or hues, Christians, as Christians, are under a constant hail of abuse and disregard. There is nothing too low or too vulgar.
Something as inconsequential as a Christmas special, for example, will have — almost as an essential element, it being “Christ’s” birthday after all — something determinedly offensive to Christians. Russell Peters, the Canadian joker, for his special this year has invited Pamela Anderson, pinup queen and soft porn actress, to play the Virgin Mary.
Pamela Anderson as Mary the Immaculate: I know — the wit, the daring, the originality — hell, the bravery of it all. No wonder Peters is at the very top of the yuk-heap. Can it be that it’s only 30 years since Monty Python and The Life of Brian? Talk about “cutting-edge.” The casting is so, so clever — getting a lewd exhibitionist to play Mary, to call in a pop-culture tart to play the very Mother of God.
But for believers to object, well that would be irksome and stuffy and high-handed and parochial — it being another of this age’s curious predisposition that Christians are supposed, if not to like the jeers hurled at them, to at least be good enough to suffer the insults, blasphemies and mockeries in silence, if not secret approval. To actually object to Russell Peters going for a cheap, unintelligent and vulgar laugh would probably get categorized as “intolerance” or “censorship.” Go for it, Russell — Pam Anderson as the Virgin Mary will tickle the funnybone of every single digit IQ from St. John’s to Victoria.
Salim Mansur on the deteriorating arab spring
Prof Mansur on the continuing islamist turn of the arab spring.
Revolutions are known to devour their children, and popular uprisings driven by the promise of change for the better have been notorious for turning into nightmares.
The so-called Arab Spring is another dark night unfolding across the Middle East.
This was predictable, and inevitable.
The Tunisian fruit-seller who sparked this Arab Spring by self-immolating was a man driven to despair by the very culture into which he was born, and from which he knew there was no escape.
The act of self-immolation was a terrible display of despair of a desperate man.
And so is the political drama in Arab streets — from Tripoli to Cairo to Damascus — an uncoiling of desperation among people trapped in a tribal culture stamped by authoritarianism.
But the culture is unforgiving, for it has been made by hard men and handed down from fathers to sons.
The history of this region, from the earliest years of Islam to the present time, is one relatively unbroken record of authoritarian rulers.
This is the closed circle where politics move from bad to worse, not good to better.
Revolutions are known to devour their children, and popular uprisings driven by the promise of change for the better have been notorious for turning into nightmares.
The so-called Arab Spring is another dark night unfolding across the Middle East.
This was predictable, and inevitable.
The Tunisian fruit-seller who sparked this Arab Spring by self-immolating was a man driven to despair by the very culture into which he was born, and from which he knew there was no escape.
The act of self-immolation was a terrible display of despair of a desperate man.
And so is the political drama in Arab streets — from Tripoli to Cairo to Damascus — an uncoiling of desperation among people trapped in a tribal culture stamped by authoritarianism.
But the culture is unforgiving, for it has been made by hard men and handed down from fathers to sons.
The history of this region, from the earliest years of Islam to the present time, is one relatively unbroken record of authoritarian rulers.
This is the closed circle where politics move from bad to worse, not good to better.
The Great Delusion
In times of economic jeopardy, governments are spending billions on what is a delusion. This authour thinks this is suicidal.
To grasp the almost suicidal state of unreality our Government has been driven into by the obsession with global warming, it is necessary to put together the two sides to an overall picture – each vividly highlighted by events of recent days.
On one hand there is the utterly lamentable state of the science which underpins it all, illuminated yet again by “Climategate 2.0”, the latest release of emails between the leading scientists who for years have been at the heart of the warming scare (which I return to below). On the other hand, we see the damage done by the political consequences of this scare, which will directly impinge, in various ways, on all our lives.
It is hard to know where to begin, after a week which opened with The Sunday Telegraph’s exclusive on a blast of realism from Prince Philip over the folly of our Government’s infatuation with useless windmills. Then came an excoriatory report from the House of Lords on how we have so run down our nuclear expertise that it is doubtful whether we can hope to run a new generation of nuclear power stations. Next, there was a report from a leading Swiss bank finding that the EU’s “emissions trading scheme” has wasted $287 billion (£186billion) over six years – paid by all of us, to achieve nothing in terms of reducing “carbon emissions”. There was also a front page story in another newspaper, warning that (as readers of this column have long been aware) within nine years we could all be paying nearly £300 a year to subsidise solar panels and those same useless windmills.
To grasp the almost suicidal state of unreality our Government has been driven into by the obsession with global warming, it is necessary to put together the two sides to an overall picture – each vividly highlighted by events of recent days.
On one hand there is the utterly lamentable state of the science which underpins it all, illuminated yet again by “Climategate 2.0”, the latest release of emails between the leading scientists who for years have been at the heart of the warming scare (which I return to below). On the other hand, we see the damage done by the political consequences of this scare, which will directly impinge, in various ways, on all our lives.
It is hard to know where to begin, after a week which opened with The Sunday Telegraph’s exclusive on a blast of realism from Prince Philip over the folly of our Government’s infatuation with useless windmills. Then came an excoriatory report from the House of Lords on how we have so run down our nuclear expertise that it is doubtful whether we can hope to run a new generation of nuclear power stations. Next, there was a report from a leading Swiss bank finding that the EU’s “emissions trading scheme” has wasted $287 billion (£186billion) over six years – paid by all of us, to achieve nothing in terms of reducing “carbon emissions”. There was also a front page story in another newspaper, warning that (as readers of this column have long been aware) within nine years we could all be paying nearly £300 a year to subsidise solar panels and those same useless windmills.
We can learn from HM NZ PM John Key
I am a fan of John Key, leader of the National Party. He has secured an absolute majority with support from ACt and United Future Party. He will continue the sale of state assets, started under labour, but now opposed by labour. He seeks a balanced budget by 2014-2015. He wants welfare reform and a smaller nanny state. Sounds good to me!
As the European debt crisis threatens global growth, New Zealand’s new government faces the challenge of shoring up confidence in an economy where unemployment exceeds 6 percent and employment rose 0.2 percent from the previous three months in the last quarter.
Key, who came to power three years ago pledging state support to help end the nation’s worst recession in three decades, has promised to create 150,000 jobs over the next term. To boost employment in the country of more than 4 million, he pledged to introduce a “starting-out” wage for young workers and will limit increases in the minimum wage.
The multimillionaire and former foreign-exchange head at Merrill Lynch & Co. plans to overhaul welfare to help erase a record NZ$18.4 billion deficit. He said after the election he was confident of pursuing his asset-sale policy, which was opposed by 68 percent of 1,006 voters in a One News Colmar Brunton poll in late October.
State Assets
The sale of New Zealand’s state assets began in 1988 under a Labour Party-led government and progressed under National from 1990 to 1999, when companies such as Telecom Corp. and power company Contact Energy Ltd. were created and sold.
Labour, which remains the main opposition even as its support fell to 27 percent from 34 percent in 2008, slowed the free-market policy push during its 1999-2008 rule. In campaigning for this month’s election, it had offered the alternative of a capital gains tax and income tax increases for the highest earners as the means to cut the budget deficit.
In contrast, National intends to raise at least NZ$5 billion by selling shares in electricity generators Meridian Energy Ltd., Mighty River Power Ltd. and Genesis Power Ltd., coal miner Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd. and Air New Zealand Ltd., which is now 75 percent state-owned. The government will retain at least a 51 percent stake and prioritize sales to local investors and pension funds, while limiting the size of individual holdings in the companies, the party has said.
As the European debt crisis threatens global growth, New Zealand’s new government faces the challenge of shoring up confidence in an economy where unemployment exceeds 6 percent and employment rose 0.2 percent from the previous three months in the last quarter.
Key, who came to power three years ago pledging state support to help end the nation’s worst recession in three decades, has promised to create 150,000 jobs over the next term. To boost employment in the country of more than 4 million, he pledged to introduce a “starting-out” wage for young workers and will limit increases in the minimum wage.
The multimillionaire and former foreign-exchange head at Merrill Lynch & Co. plans to overhaul welfare to help erase a record NZ$18.4 billion deficit. He said after the election he was confident of pursuing his asset-sale policy, which was opposed by 68 percent of 1,006 voters in a One News Colmar Brunton poll in late October.
State Assets
The sale of New Zealand’s state assets began in 1988 under a Labour Party-led government and progressed under National from 1990 to 1999, when companies such as Telecom Corp. and power company Contact Energy Ltd. were created and sold.
Labour, which remains the main opposition even as its support fell to 27 percent from 34 percent in 2008, slowed the free-market policy push during its 1999-2008 rule. In campaigning for this month’s election, it had offered the alternative of a capital gains tax and income tax increases for the highest earners as the means to cut the budget deficit.
In contrast, National intends to raise at least NZ$5 billion by selling shares in electricity generators Meridian Energy Ltd., Mighty River Power Ltd. and Genesis Power Ltd., coal miner Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd. and Air New Zealand Ltd., which is now 75 percent state-owned. The government will retain at least a 51 percent stake and prioritize sales to local investors and pension funds, while limiting the size of individual holdings in the companies, the party has said.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Mary Poppins
I attended Mary Poppins in Toronto. I had thoroughly enjoyed seeing Mary Poppins in the West End of London a few years ago. The North Americanproductions had several changes that made the production even better. It was a rollicking two and one half hours of fun. It really was perfect in practically every way. Go see it if there is any way you can.
Lord Black on Quebec
A fascinating analysis by Lord Black. The triumph of Canadian federalism over Quebec separatism. It has cost a lot of money, but it seems Quebec is now no longer able to blackmail the rest of Canada.
How we bought off Quebec
Conrad Black, National Post · Nov. 26, 2011 | Last Updated: Nov. 26, 2011 5:06 AM ET
The splintering into factions of Quebec's Parti Québécois, the rejection of the Bloc Québécois in the last federal election, Quebec's declining share of federal MPs, and polls showing a collapse of separatist enthusiasm among the province's youth, all help illustrate the overwhelming and largely unsung success of Canadian federalism.
The federalist strategy, since an outright separatist party emerged in 1976 as a principal force in Quebec, has been to concede symbolic instances of autonomy; massage money over Quebec to make its socialist nostrums more affordable and the province more dependent on the federal state; and engage in endless good-faith negotiations punctuated by upward ratchetings of the technical obstacles to secession, and to asserting an effective veto in Ottawa over federal policy. In sum, Ottawa has assisted Quebec in achieving its social-democratic, post-Catholic, exclusivist French state ruled by the senior bureaucrats - even as Ottawa diluted the possibility of independence being achieved or even desired, and shrank Quebec's influence in the country as a whole.
Canada wins this exchange. It costs $8-billion a year in transfer payments, and billions more in other preferments, but the country is secure, and Quebec has ceased to be a threat to the nation's integrity, or even a serious irritation.
How we bought off Quebec
Conrad Black, National Post · Nov. 26, 2011 | Last Updated: Nov. 26, 2011 5:06 AM ET
The splintering into factions of Quebec's Parti Québécois, the rejection of the Bloc Québécois in the last federal election, Quebec's declining share of federal MPs, and polls showing a collapse of separatist enthusiasm among the province's youth, all help illustrate the overwhelming and largely unsung success of Canadian federalism.
The federalist strategy, since an outright separatist party emerged in 1976 as a principal force in Quebec, has been to concede symbolic instances of autonomy; massage money over Quebec to make its socialist nostrums more affordable and the province more dependent on the federal state; and engage in endless good-faith negotiations punctuated by upward ratchetings of the technical obstacles to secession, and to asserting an effective veto in Ottawa over federal policy. In sum, Ottawa has assisted Quebec in achieving its social-democratic, post-Catholic, exclusivist French state ruled by the senior bureaucrats - even as Ottawa diluted the possibility of independence being achieved or even desired, and shrank Quebec's influence in the country as a whole.
Canada wins this exchange. It costs $8-billion a year in transfer payments, and billions more in other preferments, but the country is secure, and Quebec has ceased to be a threat to the nation's integrity, or even a serious irritation.
Climategate 2
More evidence of the intellectual dishonesty and corruption of the climate "scientists"(hoaxsters).
More than 5,000 documents have been leaked online purporting to be the correspondence of climate scientists at the University of East Anglia who were previously accused of ‘massaging’ evidence of man-made climate change.
Following on from the original 'climategate' emails of 2009, the new package appears to show systematic suppression of evidence, and even publication of reports that scientists knew to to be based on flawed approaches.
And not only do the emails paint a picture of scientists manipulating data, government employees at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are also implicated.
One message appeared to show a member of Defra staff telling colleagues working on climate science to give the government a ‘strong message’.
The emails paint a clear picture of scientists selectively using data, and colluding with politicians to misuse scientific information.
More than 5,000 documents have been leaked online purporting to be the correspondence of climate scientists at the University of East Anglia who were previously accused of ‘massaging’ evidence of man-made climate change.
Following on from the original 'climategate' emails of 2009, the new package appears to show systematic suppression of evidence, and even publication of reports that scientists knew to to be based on flawed approaches.
And not only do the emails paint a picture of scientists manipulating data, government employees at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are also implicated.
One message appeared to show a member of Defra staff telling colleagues working on climate science to give the government a ‘strong message’.
The emails paint a clear picture of scientists selectively using data, and colluding with politicians to misuse scientific information.
Canada's Constitutional Monarchy
Buy the book here.
Canadians enjoy one of the most stable forms of government on the planet, but there is a crisis in our understanding of the role the Crown plays in that government. Media often refer to the governor general as the Canadian head of state, and the queen is frequently misidentified in Canada as only the British monarch, yet she has been Queen of Canada since 1952. Even government publications routinely cast the Crown as merely a symbolic institution with no impact on the daily lives of Canadians — this is simply not true. Errors such as these are echoed in school textbooks and curriculum outlines.
Canada's Constitutional Monarchy has been written to reintroduced Canadians to a rich institution integral to their ideals of democracy and parliamentary government. Nathan Tidridge presents the Canadian Crown as a colourful and unique institution at the very heart of our constitution, exploring its history from 15th century English explorations and16th-century New France. Moving into the 21st century, relationships with First Nations, Heraldry, the Military, Governor General, Heir to the Throne, and many other aspects of the day-to-day life of the country are explored.
Congratulations to HM NZ PM Key..
It looks like The Nationals have very nearly won an absolute majority in elections in New Zealand. They will probably need to form a coalition with the New Zealand First Party. HM NZ PM John Key is a fiscal conservative and has promised to reform welfare and to sell more state assets! It is good that most of the Anglosphere is in conservative hands. Unfortunately it looks like the Kiwis have voted to keep their MMP in a non binding referendum.
Full results here.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Death of the Euro
I have always thought the euro was an impossible currency. Too many countries with vastly different economies. There was every indication that this scheme would fail.
The defining moment was the fiasco over Wednesday's bund auction, reinforced on Thursday by the spectacle of German sovereign bond yields rising above those of the UK.
If you are tempted to think this another vote of confidence by international investors in the UK, don't. It's actually got virtually nothing to do with us. Nor in truth does it have much to do with the idea that Germany will eventually get saddled with liability for periphery nation debts, thereby undermining its own creditworthiness.
No, what this is about is the markets starting to bet on what was previously a minority view - a complete collapse, or break-up, of the euro. Up until the past few days, it has remained just about possible to go along with the idea that ultimately Germany would bow to pressure and do whatever might be required to save the single currency.
The prevailing view was that the German Chancellor didn't really mean what she was saying, or was only saying it to placate German voters. When finally she came to peer over the precipice, she would retreat from her hard line position and compromise. Self interest alone would force Germany to act.
More evidence against the Hoax
So more evidence that the chicken littles have exaggerated their claims to the nth degree. This study is by believers. Read it and weep goreacle.
NEW STUDY: CLIMATE SENSITIVITY TO CO2 MORE LIMITED THAN EXTREME PROJECTIONS
11-24-11
CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study suggests that the rate of global warming from doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide may be less than the most dire estimates of some previous studies – and, in fact, may be less severe than projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in 2007.
Authors of the study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Paleoclimate Program and published online this week in the journal Science, say that global warming is real and that increases in atmospheric CO2 will have multiple serious impacts.
However, the most Draconian projections of temperature increases from the doubling of CO2 are unlikely.
“Many previous climate sensitivity studies have looked at the past only from 1850 through today, and not fully integrated paleoclimate date, especially on a global scale,” said Andreas Schmittner, an Oregon State University researcher and lead author on the Science article. “When you reconstruct sea and land surface temperatures from the peak of the last Ice Age 21,000 years ago – which is referred to as the Last Glacial Maximum – and compare it with climate model simulations of that period, you get a much different picture.
“If these paleoclimatic constraints apply to the future, as predicted by our model, the results imply less probability of extreme climatic change than previously thought,” Schmittner added.
Scientists have struggled for years trying to quantify “climate sensitivity” – which is how the Earth will respond to projected increases of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The 2007 IPCC report estimated that the air near the surface of the Earth would warm on average by 2 to 4.5 degrees (Celsius) with a doubling of atmospheric CO2 from pre-industrial standards. The mean, or “expected value” increase in the IPCC estimates was 3.0 degrees; most climate model studies use the doubling of CO2 as a basic index.
NEW STUDY: CLIMATE SENSITIVITY TO CO2 MORE LIMITED THAN EXTREME PROJECTIONS
11-24-11
CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study suggests that the rate of global warming from doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide may be less than the most dire estimates of some previous studies – and, in fact, may be less severe than projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in 2007.
Authors of the study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Paleoclimate Program and published online this week in the journal Science, say that global warming is real and that increases in atmospheric CO2 will have multiple serious impacts.
However, the most Draconian projections of temperature increases from the doubling of CO2 are unlikely.
“Many previous climate sensitivity studies have looked at the past only from 1850 through today, and not fully integrated paleoclimate date, especially on a global scale,” said Andreas Schmittner, an Oregon State University researcher and lead author on the Science article. “When you reconstruct sea and land surface temperatures from the peak of the last Ice Age 21,000 years ago – which is referred to as the Last Glacial Maximum – and compare it with climate model simulations of that period, you get a much different picture.
“If these paleoclimatic constraints apply to the future, as predicted by our model, the results imply less probability of extreme climatic change than previously thought,” Schmittner added.
Scientists have struggled for years trying to quantify “climate sensitivity” – which is how the Earth will respond to projected increases of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The 2007 IPCC report estimated that the air near the surface of the Earth would warm on average by 2 to 4.5 degrees (Celsius) with a doubling of atmospheric CO2 from pre-industrial standards. The mean, or “expected value” increase in the IPCC estimates was 3.0 degrees; most climate model studies use the doubling of CO2 as a basic index.
This Makes me Smile
It is always nice to watch the separatists self destruct. Apparently duceppe will be their saviour. ROFl
The Parti Québécois is showing signs of disintegrating in full public view with the expulsion of yet another caucus member, Daniel Ratthé, after he indicated he may soon join Coalition-Avenir-Quebec, a new party created by former PQ minister François Legault.
Stealing a page from Mr. Legault’s party platform, Mr. Ratthé said he doesn’t believe sovereignty is a priority for Quebeckers and that the focus should be placed on other issues such as education and health care.
The Parti Québécois is showing signs of disintegrating in full public view with the expulsion of yet another caucus member, Daniel Ratthé, after he indicated he may soon join Coalition-Avenir-Quebec, a new party created by former PQ minister François Legault.
Stealing a page from Mr. Legault’s party platform, Mr. Ratthé said he doesn’t believe sovereignty is a priority for Quebeckers and that the focus should be placed on other issues such as education and health care.
Tories at 23% in Quebec
A new CROP poll has the Tories in second place in Quebec. In spite of the whining of the Quebec political class about Bill C-10 and the gun registry, support is up for the Tories. Support for dippers is down.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Health care costs in Canada
Maude Barlow is always wrong and it is no different on this issue. health care costs will reach 70-80% of total provincial budgets in the next few decades. Throwing money at the issue is not the solution. Different solutions like some private care need to be considered. Maudie only thinks in socialist solutions.
The federal government needs to increase its funding to the provinces to pay for health care programs, and they should raise taxes to do it, a group of medicare advocates is telling the country's health ministers meeting in Halifax.
Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians says the federal government should commit to a 10-year health transfer plan with the provinces that would see a six per cent increase in funding annually.
"At the moment, the Harper government is only committed to 2016, so we are very concerned that they have no intention of carrying it beyond that," Barlow told a news conference Thursday.
Barlow added that the Canada Health Act must be better enforced so that it's used to stop private health care services from eroding the system.
Barlow also wants to see health care coverage include dental care, pharmacare and continuing care.
The ministers are meeting in Halifax to discuss how to reform and pay for health care after the current health care accord expires in 2014. Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq will join the ministers on Friday evening.
The federal government is currently providing $27 billion to the provinces this fiscal year for health care. That amount is slated to rise six per cent a year for the next four years. But the provinces provide the bulk of the funding -- often at the expense of other programs and their general fiscal health.
This week's meeting is considered an early step in the health care spending decision-making process. Talks will continue next month among provincial and territorial finance ministers and culminate with a gathering of premiers in January.
The talks come as the federal government looks to cut spending across a number of ministries -- and at time of growing concern about the rapidly rising costs of health care.
The federal government needs to increase its funding to the provinces to pay for health care programs, and they should raise taxes to do it, a group of medicare advocates is telling the country's health ministers meeting in Halifax.
Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians says the federal government should commit to a 10-year health transfer plan with the provinces that would see a six per cent increase in funding annually.
"At the moment, the Harper government is only committed to 2016, so we are very concerned that they have no intention of carrying it beyond that," Barlow told a news conference Thursday.
Barlow added that the Canada Health Act must be better enforced so that it's used to stop private health care services from eroding the system.
Barlow also wants to see health care coverage include dental care, pharmacare and continuing care.
The ministers are meeting in Halifax to discuss how to reform and pay for health care after the current health care accord expires in 2014. Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq will join the ministers on Friday evening.
The federal government is currently providing $27 billion to the provinces this fiscal year for health care. That amount is slated to rise six per cent a year for the next four years. But the provinces provide the bulk of the funding -- often at the expense of other programs and their general fiscal health.
This week's meeting is considered an early step in the health care spending decision-making process. Talks will continue next month among provincial and territorial finance ministers and culminate with a gathering of premiers in January.
The talks come as the federal government looks to cut spending across a number of ministries -- and at time of growing concern about the rapidly rising costs of health care.
Happy Thanksgiving
I want to wish my American friends and family a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I am truly Thankful for the United States of America. You are a stalwart friend and ally. God Bless you all!!
We Gather Together - Thanksgiving Hymn from Michael Souders on Vimeo.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
If Only...
I love this piece by Niall Ferguson on the future of Europe. It is a eurosceptics dream..
Welcome to Europe, 2021. Ten years have elapsed since the great crisis of 2010-11, which claimed the scalps of no fewer than 10 governments, including Spain and France. Some things have stayed the same, but a lot has changed.
The euro is still circulating, though banknotes are now seldom seen. (Indeed, the ease of electronic payments now makes some people wonder why creating a single European currency ever seemed worth the effort.) But Brussels has been abandoned as Europe's political headquarters. Vienna has been a great success.
"There is something about the Habsburg legacy," explains the dynamic new Austrian Chancellor Marsha Radetzky. "It just seems to make multinational politics so much more fun."
Welcome to Europe, 2021. Ten years have elapsed since the great crisis of 2010-11, which claimed the scalps of no fewer than 10 governments, including Spain and France. Some things have stayed the same, but a lot has changed.
The euro is still circulating, though banknotes are now seldom seen. (Indeed, the ease of electronic payments now makes some people wonder why creating a single European currency ever seemed worth the effort.) But Brussels has been abandoned as Europe's political headquarters. Vienna has been a great success.
"There is something about the Habsburg legacy," explains the dynamic new Austrian Chancellor Marsha Radetzky. "It just seems to make multinational politics so much more fun."
The real 1%? Greenies?
My friend Thomas writes about hoe so called environmentalists care little for the struggling people's of Africa.
Agriculture is vital for Africa’s development. Countries such as Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda are using crops such as palm oil to support economic development and improved infrastructure. Although Africa accounts for only 4% of the world’s palm oil production, West Africa has attracted $6bn in investment in this sector and this is likely to rise. In countries that desperately need new investment and jobs, such as Liberia and Uganda, hundreds of thousands of hectares are being developed to produce this crop. Palm oil has encouraged s outh- s outh investment, with Malaysian firms investing in Uganda. With palm oil, African agriculture can be a significant player in feeding and powering itself and the rest of the world.
These much-needed agricultural investments are creating thousands of jobs, providing livelihoods for African families and helping pay for education and healthcare. But it’s too soon to pop champagne corks. There are well-organised and deep-pocketed obstacles to realising the full potential of palm oil in Africa.
First, many western environmental organisations are hostile to the continent’s rapid economic growth. They have sworn to prevent African countries from doing what they did decades ago in order to be prosperous. Some of the groups are familiar to the African public. Pesticide Action Network, for instance, has long opposed DDT and other insecticides for fighting malaria.
Other environmental groups have taken to other causes, such as blocking genetically modified food production across the world, which is a key source for alleviating hunger and starvation in parts of Africa.
So it is hardly surprising that "green" groups have found fault with the palm oil trade. It seems that any time Africans are keen to use their own resources, new technology and trade to better their lives, a European nongovernmental organisation (NGO) wants to stand in the way. These environmental NGOs will have a large presence in Durban and their propaganda campaigns against African development should be strongly resisted.
Interestingly, the World Bank has lately made common cause with the environmental NGOs. The bank recently decided to subject lending decisions to NGO preferences and standards. This undermines the ability of African farmers to benefit from palm oil expansion.
And the World Bank has even begun criticising investment in Africa, claiming it threatens the very farmers that stand to benefit from better infrastructure, cheaper input costs and greater agriculture opportunities.
I also found this funny article. Green peace is accusing industry of blocking climate change "consensus". That's pretty funny because greenpeace and the other greenies are funded by big industry and big government. Big companies are busy rent seeking from government climate change cash. Greenpeace and the other greenies seem to care little for the poor of the world. Indeed it is a greenie dream that there would be billions less of us. The environmental movement like Stalinism is a fundamentally anti human thing.
Agriculture is vital for Africa’s development. Countries such as Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda are using crops such as palm oil to support economic development and improved infrastructure. Although Africa accounts for only 4% of the world’s palm oil production, West Africa has attracted $6bn in investment in this sector and this is likely to rise. In countries that desperately need new investment and jobs, such as Liberia and Uganda, hundreds of thousands of hectares are being developed to produce this crop. Palm oil has encouraged s outh- s outh investment, with Malaysian firms investing in Uganda. With palm oil, African agriculture can be a significant player in feeding and powering itself and the rest of the world.
These much-needed agricultural investments are creating thousands of jobs, providing livelihoods for African families and helping pay for education and healthcare. But it’s too soon to pop champagne corks. There are well-organised and deep-pocketed obstacles to realising the full potential of palm oil in Africa.
First, many western environmental organisations are hostile to the continent’s rapid economic growth. They have sworn to prevent African countries from doing what they did decades ago in order to be prosperous. Some of the groups are familiar to the African public. Pesticide Action Network, for instance, has long opposed DDT and other insecticides for fighting malaria.
Other environmental groups have taken to other causes, such as blocking genetically modified food production across the world, which is a key source for alleviating hunger and starvation in parts of Africa.
So it is hardly surprising that "green" groups have found fault with the palm oil trade. It seems that any time Africans are keen to use their own resources, new technology and trade to better their lives, a European nongovernmental organisation (NGO) wants to stand in the way. These environmental NGOs will have a large presence in Durban and their propaganda campaigns against African development should be strongly resisted.
Interestingly, the World Bank has lately made common cause with the environmental NGOs. The bank recently decided to subject lending decisions to NGO preferences and standards. This undermines the ability of African farmers to benefit from palm oil expansion.
And the World Bank has even begun criticising investment in Africa, claiming it threatens the very farmers that stand to benefit from better infrastructure, cheaper input costs and greater agriculture opportunities.
I also found this funny article. Green peace is accusing industry of blocking climate change "consensus". That's pretty funny because greenpeace and the other greenies are funded by big industry and big government. Big companies are busy rent seeking from government climate change cash. Greenpeace and the other greenies seem to care little for the poor of the world. Indeed it is a greenie dream that there would be billions less of us. The environmental movement like Stalinism is a fundamentally anti human thing.
Kelly Block is an excellent MP. I am glad this bill is being introduced as a government bill. Native leaders must be held accountable just like anyone who is getting taxpayer money. I am surprised that this has not been a requirement in the past. This is a good start, but there is much more that needs to be done on the situation of Canadian aboriginals. Private property rights for individual Aboriginals should be allowed. Return reservation land from the Crown to the individual bands and lots more...
OTTAWA - Hundreds of First Nations across Canada will have to make public the salaries of their chiefs and band councillors under new legislation the federal government is expected to introduce on Wednesday.
Greg Rickford, the parliamentary secretary for Aboriginal Affairs, will introduce "an Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations" on behalf of Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan.
Mr. Duncan will speak to the details of the bill at a news conference in Saskatchewan Wednesday afternoon.
The legislation revives a private member's bill from a Saskatchewan Tory backbencher that died when the election was called last March.
Kelly Block's bill required First Nations to include details of the chief's and councillors' salaries and reimbursements for expenses in annual audited financial statements. If the information is not made public by the end of November each year, the Minister would have legal authority to release the information.
Ms. Block said she was introducing the legislation because she had heard from too many Canadians who could not get information about their band's finances.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged during the election to reintroduce Ms. Block's bill as a government bill, and it's expected the legislation will be similar.
OTTAWA - Hundreds of First Nations across Canada will have to make public the salaries of their chiefs and band councillors under new legislation the federal government is expected to introduce on Wednesday.
Greg Rickford, the parliamentary secretary for Aboriginal Affairs, will introduce "an Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations" on behalf of Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan.
Mr. Duncan will speak to the details of the bill at a news conference in Saskatchewan Wednesday afternoon.
The legislation revives a private member's bill from a Saskatchewan Tory backbencher that died when the election was called last March.
Kelly Block's bill required First Nations to include details of the chief's and councillors' salaries and reimbursements for expenses in annual audited financial statements. If the information is not made public by the end of November each year, the Minister would have legal authority to release the information.
Ms. Block said she was introducing the legislation because she had heard from too many Canadians who could not get information about their band's finances.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged during the election to reintroduce Ms. Block's bill as a government bill, and it's expected the legislation will be similar.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
More Climategate
Just in time for the latest un sponsored attempt to revive the hoax, a new dump of climate gate emails. Wonder what the lefties who loved wiki leaks are saying about this.
Terence Corcoran: A new Climategate scandal, familiar cast of characters
Terence Corcoran Nov 22, 2011
In the wake of Climategate 2.0, action on the IPCC is more needed than ever
On the eve of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which opens in Durban, South Africa, on Nov. 28, a second massive collection of embarrassing climate science emails have been dumped on the world via a web server in Russia.
Where they came from nobody knows, just as the source of the first climate science emails — released to the world through a Russian site on the eve of the ill-fated 2009 Copenhagen climate conference — has never been revealed.
Dubbed Climategate 2.0, it looks at first glance like more of the same. The same science personalities at the top of the United Nations climate research machine — the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — who starred in the pre-Copenhagen leaks are back, parading before readers in all their blundering glory.
The emails originate at the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, a key IPCC research hub, and were somehow part of a U.K. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.
Terence Corcoran: A new Climategate scandal, familiar cast of characters
Terence Corcoran Nov 22, 2011
In the wake of Climategate 2.0, action on the IPCC is more needed than ever
On the eve of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which opens in Durban, South Africa, on Nov. 28, a second massive collection of embarrassing climate science emails have been dumped on the world via a web server in Russia.
Where they came from nobody knows, just as the source of the first climate science emails — released to the world through a Russian site on the eve of the ill-fated 2009 Copenhagen climate conference — has never been revealed.
Dubbed Climategate 2.0, it looks at first glance like more of the same. The same science personalities at the top of the United Nations climate research machine — the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — who starred in the pre-Copenhagen leaks are back, parading before readers in all their blundering glory.
The emails originate at the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, a key IPCC research hub, and were somehow part of a U.K. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.
Even ipcc can't maintain hysteria
Even the ipcc can't back the hysterical claims of the warmest hoaxsters.
IPCC weather report a major setback for warmists looking for the smoking cigarette butts of global warming
Only a week to go before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins in Durban, South Africa, where world governments will again attempt to draft a global plan to control carbon emissions so as to stave off catastrophic man-made global warming. At the moment, however, the world’s governments seem more intent on warding off catastrophic government-made fiscal disasters. If for no other reason, Durban is heading for the dustbin of UN climate meetings.
But distraction with economic and fiscal crises isn’t the only reason Durban seems doomed. Another issue would be what looks like a growing realism in climate science, including within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the science arm of the UN climate machinery. In a summary report last Friday, the IPCC rang climate alarm bells on extreme weather events that weren’t all that alarming.
The report summarized the “key findings” of a Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters, to be released next February. For warmists looking for the smoking cigarette butts of climate change, the report was a major setback. Despite a few headlines that mostly exaggerated its findings, the report actually concluded there was little or no evidence of man-made global warming to date as measured in extreme-weather events. As for the future, nothing much can be expected for another 20 or 30 years. The big impacts were projected way off at the end of the 21st century.
The report was so lame as a climate-warning device that Media Matters, the U.S. watchdog group, observed Monday that it was “almost totally ignored” by the TV networks. Not a word on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC or CBS. Media Matters’ concern was that the key headline message — warning of more extreme heat waves, floods, droughts and storms — had failed to reach the people.
IPCC weather report a major setback for warmists looking for the smoking cigarette butts of global warming
Only a week to go before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins in Durban, South Africa, where world governments will again attempt to draft a global plan to control carbon emissions so as to stave off catastrophic man-made global warming. At the moment, however, the world’s governments seem more intent on warding off catastrophic government-made fiscal disasters. If for no other reason, Durban is heading for the dustbin of UN climate meetings.
But distraction with economic and fiscal crises isn’t the only reason Durban seems doomed. Another issue would be what looks like a growing realism in climate science, including within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the science arm of the UN climate machinery. In a summary report last Friday, the IPCC rang climate alarm bells on extreme weather events that weren’t all that alarming.
The report summarized the “key findings” of a Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters, to be released next February. For warmists looking for the smoking cigarette butts of climate change, the report was a major setback. Despite a few headlines that mostly exaggerated its findings, the report actually concluded there was little or no evidence of man-made global warming to date as measured in extreme-weather events. As for the future, nothing much can be expected for another 20 or 30 years. The big impacts were projected way off at the end of the 21st century.
The report was so lame as a climate-warning device that Media Matters, the U.S. watchdog group, observed Monday that it was “almost totally ignored” by the TV networks. Not a word on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC or CBS. Media Matters’ concern was that the key headline message — warning of more extreme heat waves, floods, droughts and storms — had failed to reach the people.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Addams Family
I attended the Toronto premiere of The DanCap production of The Addams Family. It was a dark , but funny musical. The sets were great, the cast pretty good, but it wasn't the broadway stars ( Nathan Lane and bebe Neuwirth). It was not Sondheim but it was fun. It will be playing for the next 2 weeks. Go see it!
The Test
It was an unsettling play with shades of Othello and Maury Povich. It starred a a Street Legal Reunion of Sonja Smits and Eric Petersen. It starts out with a DNA paternity test and ends with death and destruction in a political family. Many of the elderly theatre goers with me had trouble hearing the dialogue. One elderly man actually yelled speak up. The play is a translation of a Swiss German piece. It brought up many issues about family, loyalty, marriage and politics. Overall it was a good play, but did have some directorial issues.
dion doesn't get it
Stephan, the Tory ads were not the only reason you and iffy lost. You were both terrible leaders. Your command of English was poor. Your policies and iffy's made little sense. The people of Canada are still tired of grit arrogance and corruption. keep thinking it was Tory truth das
Grits must'protect' next leader: Dion
By RONALD ZAJAC, QMI AGENCY
Posted 9 hours ago
BROCKVILLE, Ont. -- The federal Liberals need to do a better job of defining their next leader rather than letting the Conservatives do it for them, former Grit leader Stéphane Dion believes.
In an interview Sunday at the start of his two-day stay in Brockville, Dion said both he and his successor, Michael Ignatieff, suffered because the Liberals did not prepare for an immediate onslaught of Tory attack ads.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, said Dion, "imported" the American idea of the "permanent campaign" and seized on the pre-election period to define newly minted Liberal leaders before the Grits introduced them properly.
"We have been introduced to Canadians by the Conservative attack ads and we did not anticipate how damaging it would be for us," said Dion, who suffered a crushing defeat to Harper in the 2008 election.
Dion said he lost that election because he could not rise above those Tory attack ads and properly explain his "Green Shift" platform.
Grits must'protect' next leader: Dion
By RONALD ZAJAC, QMI AGENCY
Posted 9 hours ago
BROCKVILLE, Ont. -- The federal Liberals need to do a better job of defining their next leader rather than letting the Conservatives do it for them, former Grit leader Stéphane Dion believes.
In an interview Sunday at the start of his two-day stay in Brockville, Dion said both he and his successor, Michael Ignatieff, suffered because the Liberals did not prepare for an immediate onslaught of Tory attack ads.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, said Dion, "imported" the American idea of the "permanent campaign" and seized on the pre-election period to define newly minted Liberal leaders before the Grits introduced them properly.
"We have been introduced to Canadians by the Conservative attack ads and we did not anticipate how damaging it would be for us," said Dion, who suffered a crushing defeat to Harper in the 2008 election.
Dion said he lost that election because he could not rise above those Tory attack ads and properly explain his "Green Shift" platform.
Prof Mansur at McGill
Prof Mansur at McGill UNiversity at an event co sponsored by the RLQ, Act Up Canada and The Prince Arthur Herald. He discuses his new book.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Conservatives win in Spain
The Popular Party looks to be headed to a landslide win in Spain. The socialists have conceded defeat. This will not be an easy ride for the Popular Party, but I am sure they will do better than the socialists.
Initial exit polls suggested the Popular Party had secured between 181 and 185 seats, compared to 154 in the last legislature and that the socialists could only hope to win between 115 and 119 seats. The final results were not expected until late into Sunday night.
Mariano Rajoy, leader of the centre-right Popular Party (PP) was on course to win an absolute majority, as voters punished the ruling Socialists for their perceived mishandling of the economy.
Initial exit polls suggested the Popular Party had secured between 181 and 185 seats, compared to 154 in the last legislature and that the socialists could only hope to win between 115 and 119 seats. The final results were not expected until late into Sunday night.
Mariano Rajoy, leader of the centre-right Popular Party (PP) was on course to win an absolute majority, as voters punished the ruling Socialists for their perceived mishandling of the economy.
obama and the dems are bad neighbours
A good editorial in Barron's. obama and his dem friends jeopardize their http://www.wilsoncountynews.com/article.php?id=39500&n=commentaries-the-economist-punting-energy-security-with-keystone>own nation's energy security.
Bad Neighbor Policy
By THOMAS G. DONLAN
The U.S. government loses touch with the best source of imported energy.
Article
The leaders of the United States often forget that there is another country between here and the North Pole. Washington often moves without caring about its effect on our northern neighbors, especially in matters concerning energy.
Thus, we have had to observe the spectacle created over Keystone XL, a proposed pipeline that would move Canadian oil from Alberta to American refineries that have specialized technology well-suited to process it. Those refineries face dwindling supplies of heavy oil from Mexico and Venezuela.
Some of the Canadian petroleum would be consumed in the U.S. as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel; some of these refined products would be exported. In both cases, there would be significant profits for Canadian producers and transporters and for U.S. refiners, transporters and retailers.
Bad Neighbor Policy
By THOMAS G. DONLAN
The U.S. government loses touch with the best source of imported energy.
Article
The leaders of the United States often forget that there is another country between here and the North Pole. Washington often moves without caring about its effect on our northern neighbors, especially in matters concerning energy.
Thus, we have had to observe the spectacle created over Keystone XL, a proposed pipeline that would move Canadian oil from Alberta to American refineries that have specialized technology well-suited to process it. Those refineries face dwindling supplies of heavy oil from Mexico and Venezuela.
Some of the Canadian petroleum would be consumed in the U.S. as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel; some of these refined products would be exported. In both cases, there would be significant profits for Canadian producers and transporters and for U.S. refiners, transporters and retailers.
Freedom on the March
I am proud to have helped my friend Ezra ( in a very small way) fight for free speech in Canada. Section 13 needs to go. I am very happy that the Tories are listening to the grass roots of our party!
Last week, the federal justice minister, Rob Nicholson, stood up in the House of Commons and answered a question about Section 13.
The question was about a private member’s bill, put by Brian Storseth, an MP from northern Alberta. Storseth has introduced a private member’s bill, C-304, to repeal Section 13. But private member’s bills have little chance of passing without the endorsement of the government.
But Nicholson did endorse it. He called on all MPs to support it, too. Bill C-304, Storseth’s bill, is now effectively a government bill. And with a Tory majority in both the House and Senate, this bill is as good as done.
No more witch hunts by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. No more persecuting their political and religious enemies.
This is the best thing the Harper government has done in five years. Freedom is on the march.
Last week, the federal justice minister, Rob Nicholson, stood up in the House of Commons and answered a question about Section 13.
The question was about a private member’s bill, put by Brian Storseth, an MP from northern Alberta. Storseth has introduced a private member’s bill, C-304, to repeal Section 13. But private member’s bills have little chance of passing without the endorsement of the government.
But Nicholson did endorse it. He called on all MPs to support it, too. Bill C-304, Storseth’s bill, is now effectively a government bill. And with a Tory majority in both the House and Senate, this bill is as good as done.
No more witch hunts by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. No more persecuting their political and religious enemies.
This is the best thing the Harper government has done in five years. Freedom is on the march.
Happy Anniversary to HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip
Our Queen and Prince Philip were married 64 years ago today! Happy Anniversary!! God Bless HM and HRH!!!
It's Always Something
The show was wonderful as usual. Russell Peters was in fine form. Martin Short even sang his osama song live!
The reception was great as usual. A wonderful evening for an amazing cause.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Ezra exposes an empty protest
Apparently the "occupiers" think they have a constitutional right to make a mess, to squat on public land, to scare children and to make an utter mess. The tents are mostly empty and so are the heads of most of these occupiers. St James Park needs to be cleaned up and even Dean Stout doesn't want these squatters on Church land.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Peter C. Newman soothsayer
I am not a big fan of peter c. newman. So I don't pay much attention to what this liberal hagiographer says. Though it is interesting that even this grits sees a dark future for the Toronto party.
OTTAWA—The Liberal party is dead and the “natural governing party” title now belongs to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, author Peter C. Newman has proclaimed in his new book.
“If you had the chance to relaunch the Liberal party today, would you? The answer has to be a resounding ‘No!’ because there no longer seems to be a need for one,” Newman writes in a book that was originally conceived as a chronicle of former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff’s path to power.
“Liberals have finally met their Armageddon. Get used to it.”
Newman, 82, is a veteran journalist and author who specializes in writing about the powerful in Canada. He has apparently decided that the federal Liberal party has lost its clout, its purpose and its future.
His new book, When the Gods Changed, charts the decline — largely as it occurred in the past few years under Ignatieff’s leadership. Ignatieff resigned in May, immediately after the party was reduced to 34 seats in the federal election.
OTTAWA—The Liberal party is dead and the “natural governing party” title now belongs to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, author Peter C. Newman has proclaimed in his new book.
“If you had the chance to relaunch the Liberal party today, would you? The answer has to be a resounding ‘No!’ because there no longer seems to be a need for one,” Newman writes in a book that was originally conceived as a chronicle of former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff’s path to power.
“Liberals have finally met their Armageddon. Get used to it.”
Newman, 82, is a veteran journalist and author who specializes in writing about the powerful in Canada. He has apparently decided that the federal Liberal party has lost its clout, its purpose and its future.
His new book, When the Gods Changed, charts the decline — largely as it occurred in the past few years under Ignatieff’s leadership. Ignatieff resigned in May, immediately after the party was reduced to 34 seats in the federal election.
Fire Marc Mayrand!!!
I have Ben saying this for some time. He is biased against the Tories and in love with the grits and dippers. He needs to be stripped of his job and put out to pasture. I'm sure the grateful grits would give him a job.
Brian Lilley agrees:
So did you hear Elections Canada got those guys at the top of a federal political party to admit they broke the law?
Nope, I’m not talking about the Conservatives and their “in-and-out” case.
I’m talking about the NDP.
See, back in the summer when Jack Layton died, the NDP solicited donations in Jack’s memory for the Broadbent Institute, a yet-to-be-established, left-wing think-tank.
The party also promised donors would get the 75% tax break they would expect if the donation was for a political party.
That is against the law.
The party collected thousands of dollars before it was pointed out it was breaking the Canada Elections Act.
The party stopped collecting money, but then a funny thing happened — Elections Canada did not immediately begin investigating.
It waited for a complaint.
It did eventually investigate the NDP, but unlike when it investigated the Conservative Party over claims of illegal election spending, there was no tip-off to the media, no calls to tell people to show up with cameras at the same time as investigators arrived.
In fact, there was no notice given that anything had been done at all until a decision was posted in the Canada Gazette, the government’s official publication for laws, decisions and government orders.
The NDP admitted it broke the law, sections 405 and 497 of the Elections Act, and for doing so it escaped prosecution.
Instead, it got a “compliance agreement.”
Brian Lilley agrees:
So did you hear Elections Canada got those guys at the top of a federal political party to admit they broke the law?
Nope, I’m not talking about the Conservatives and their “in-and-out” case.
I’m talking about the NDP.
See, back in the summer when Jack Layton died, the NDP solicited donations in Jack’s memory for the Broadbent Institute, a yet-to-be-established, left-wing think-tank.
The party also promised donors would get the 75% tax break they would expect if the donation was for a political party.
That is against the law.
The party collected thousands of dollars before it was pointed out it was breaking the Canada Elections Act.
The party stopped collecting money, but then a funny thing happened — Elections Canada did not immediately begin investigating.
It waited for a complaint.
It did eventually investigate the NDP, but unlike when it investigated the Conservative Party over claims of illegal election spending, there was no tip-off to the media, no calls to tell people to show up with cameras at the same time as investigators arrived.
In fact, there was no notice given that anything had been done at all until a decision was posted in the Canada Gazette, the government’s official publication for laws, decisions and government orders.
The NDP admitted it broke the law, sections 405 and 497 of the Elections Act, and for doing so it escaped prosecution.
Instead, it got a “compliance agreement.”
Ivison gives the opposition a lesson...
In how parliament works. Apparently the dippers and the grits have not adjusted to having a strong stable Conservative Majority government.
Judging by the response, you'd think they had suspended habeas corpus. "A stunning assault on democracy," frothed Green leader Elizabeth May. "A hijacking of democracy," said Liberal Irwin Cotler.
Mr. Cotler, who should know better, was in full flow. "If we pass these nine bills in their present form - we will have the exact opposite of what we seek: more crime, less justice and more cost," he told the committee.
That may very well be the case - and there are certainly many shortcomings in the crime bill. But his opinion on its worth should not be confused with the government's right to pass legislation on which it was elected. It's not as if the various component bills that make up the Safe Streets and Communities Act have not been debated in Parliament. The bill as it stands has had four days of debate, comprising 16 hours and 53 speeches, not to mention nine days at committee. But much of its content has been hanging around Parliament since the Conservatives were elected in 2006. In total, including review in the Senate, the component bills have had 53 days of debate, made up of 95 hours and 261 speeches, since they were first introduced, according to the House leader's office. Not quite the trampling of democracy the opposition parties suggest.
In fact, most of the legislation in front of the House has been thoroughly aired - bills to modernize copyright, kill the long-gun registry, open up the wheat board, and create more seats in the House of Commons have all appeared in one form or another in previous parliaments.
Almost by definition, the opposition parties don't agree with them - nor should they. But the Conservatives won the right to push through their agenda at the last election, after years of seeing half their bills killed by elections, prorogation and opposition tactics.
Judging by the response, you'd think they had suspended habeas corpus. "A stunning assault on democracy," frothed Green leader Elizabeth May. "A hijacking of democracy," said Liberal Irwin Cotler.
Mr. Cotler, who should know better, was in full flow. "If we pass these nine bills in their present form - we will have the exact opposite of what we seek: more crime, less justice and more cost," he told the committee.
That may very well be the case - and there are certainly many shortcomings in the crime bill. But his opinion on its worth should not be confused with the government's right to pass legislation on which it was elected. It's not as if the various component bills that make up the Safe Streets and Communities Act have not been debated in Parliament. The bill as it stands has had four days of debate, comprising 16 hours and 53 speeches, not to mention nine days at committee. But much of its content has been hanging around Parliament since the Conservatives were elected in 2006. In total, including review in the Senate, the component bills have had 53 days of debate, made up of 95 hours and 261 speeches, since they were first introduced, according to the House leader's office. Not quite the trampling of democracy the opposition parties suggest.
In fact, most of the legislation in front of the House has been thoroughly aired - bills to modernize copyright, kill the long-gun registry, open up the wheat board, and create more seats in the House of Commons have all appeared in one form or another in previous parliaments.
Almost by definition, the opposition parties don't agree with them - nor should they. But the Conservatives won the right to push through their agenda at the last election, after years of seeing half their bills killed by elections, prorogation and opposition tactics.
Free Speech:Section 13 must go
The hate speech part of the federal human rights code is odious. It needs to go. It is used as a weapon by censors. I have personally spoken to HM PM Harper and Hm Minister of Justice Rob Nichols bout getting rid of this piece of legislation on a number of occasions. Seems I may get my wish.Watch Ezra andHM Minister of Justice here.
Hate speech law on the chopping block
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson makes an announcement in Montreal on November 1, 2011. (ERIC BOLTE/QMI Agency)
OTTAWA - Canada's human rights commissions could soon be de-fanged.
New legislation would repeal Section 13, the hate speech portion of Human Rights Act.
“Our government believes Section 13 is not an appropriate or effective means for combating hate propaganda. We believe the Criminal Code is the best vehicle to prosecute these crimes,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson told the House of Commons during question period.
“I say to the opposition: get onside with the media, MacLean's magazine, National Post, and even the Toronto Star says this section should go.”
Quebecor and its media properties, including Sun News Network and QMI Agency, also want the section scrapped.
Tory backbencher Brian Storseth drafted the private member's bill, C-304.
“This is a great first step,” Storseth told The Source host Ezra Levant on Sun News Network. “Free speech is something we all hold very dear to our hearts and something we all have a necessity for.”
Thanks to SDMATT
Hate speech law on the chopping block
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson makes an announcement in Montreal on November 1, 2011. (ERIC BOLTE/QMI Agency)
OTTAWA - Canada's human rights commissions could soon be de-fanged.
New legislation would repeal Section 13, the hate speech portion of Human Rights Act.
“Our government believes Section 13 is not an appropriate or effective means for combating hate propaganda. We believe the Criminal Code is the best vehicle to prosecute these crimes,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson told the House of Commons during question period.
“I say to the opposition: get onside with the media, MacLean's magazine, National Post, and even the Toronto Star says this section should go.”
Quebecor and its media properties, including Sun News Network and QMI Agency, also want the section scrapped.
Tory backbencher Brian Storseth drafted the private member's bill, C-304.
“This is a great first step,” Storseth told The Source host Ezra Levant on Sun News Network. “Free speech is something we all hold very dear to our hearts and something we all have a necessity for.”
Thanks to SDMATT
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Liberal hack comments on?..
The dying separatist movement.But only to bashHM Canadian government. The liberal part hack seems to forget why the separatist movement came back to life the 1982 Constitution Act signed without Quebec. The grits are an irrelevance n Quebec politics. The Tories recognized Quebec as a nation within a united Canada and has continued a policy of letting provinces be more in charge of their constitutionally mandated responsibilities. The liberal hack talks about the massive Quebec welfare state, yet forgets to mention the billions Quebeckers receive in equalization to maintain this unsustainable nanny state. He credits this for the pq decline but sees it as a reason why the Tories are alienating Quebec. Perhaps the liberal hack from Quebec should acknowledge that the policies of HM Canadian Government are backed in much of the country. Support for the changes to Royal of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Airforce had a lot of backing .Perhaps the liberal hack from Quebec should realize that all policies should be enacted to please Quebec. Perhaps the liberal hack should notice that Quebeckers decided to exclude themselves from the cabinet table. Pandering to Quebec has been the grit modus operandi. The rest of Canada is tired of this as was evidenced by the blue wave in the rest of Canada. Quebec separatism is a preoccupation of the gray haired. Support for this option has fallen below 34% among young people. Separatism may not be dead, but it is quite wounded and there is no doctor in sight.
Mr Garneau time to study the constitution
Kelly McParland rakes Marc Garneau over the coals for his grit constitutional silliness. Maybe you should look at the constitution Mr. Garneau.
A similar reshuffling in Canada would require the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces, which isn't going to happen - ever.Most recently, Quebec politicians demanded 25% of all the Commons seats in perpetuity, despite the fact their province has just 23% of the national population (and falling). Does Mr. Garneau actually believe Quebecers can be convinced to support a constitutional amendment that would automatically shrink their share of Commons' seats every decade (given current population trends)? Is he willing to campaign on that in the next election?
Were the Liberals still in power and a Tory committee member had made such a flub, imagine the condescension and sneering the Liberals would have engaged in. But now that the Liberals are a third-place party desperate to be noticed, no idea is to silly to get its day.
A similar reshuffling in Canada would require the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces, which isn't going to happen - ever.Most recently, Quebec politicians demanded 25% of all the Commons seats in perpetuity, despite the fact their province has just 23% of the national population (and falling). Does Mr. Garneau actually believe Quebecers can be convinced to support a constitutional amendment that would automatically shrink their share of Commons' seats every decade (given current population trends)? Is he willing to campaign on that in the next election?
Were the Liberals still in power and a Tory committee member had made such a flub, imagine the condescension and sneering the Liberals would have engaged in. But now that the Liberals are a third-place party desperate to be noticed, no idea is to silly to get its day.
Dipper civility
Si I guess Jack's final words meant nothing to pat Martin. dippers call for civility? Let's all just laugh. No wonder Martin wants to merge with the fuddle duddle party of trudeau.
WINNIPEG - A longtime Winnipeg MP unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade Wednesday against the Harper government via his Twitter account.
NDP MP Pat Martin, who has represented Winnipeg Centre since 1997, launched the blistering attack via Twitter after the federal Tories closed down parliamentary debate on the federal budget.
“This is a f---ing disgrace ... closure again,” Martin tweeted. “And on the budget! There’s not a democracy in the world that would tolerate this jackboot s---.”
Martin’s tweet, sent to his 1,360 followers, caused a stir in the Twitterverse, with the MP almost immediately becoming one of the country’s top trending topics on the social media site.
WINNIPEG - A longtime Winnipeg MP unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade Wednesday against the Harper government via his Twitter account.
NDP MP Pat Martin, who has represented Winnipeg Centre since 1997, launched the blistering attack via Twitter after the federal Tories closed down parliamentary debate on the federal budget.
“This is a f---ing disgrace ... closure again,” Martin tweeted. “And on the budget! There’s not a democracy in the world that would tolerate this jackboot s---.”
Martin’s tweet, sent to his 1,360 followers, caused a stir in the Twitterverse, with the MP almost immediately becoming one of the country’s top trending topics on the social media site.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Evict the squatters
The Marthoma Church is communicant with the Anglican Communion. I attend The Cathedral Church of St James in Toronto. It is now surrounded by a tent city of occupy Toronto deadbeats. I can't wait until these people are moved from the park. Rob Ford says that will happen soon. Even Bloomberg couldn't tolerate it anymore.
A new grit leader
Wow, i also think bob Rae will be the new grit leader. Though he comes with so much baggage. If he is leader he will be entirely the wrong message for the grits. It will show they have learned nothing from their huge defeat. The grits will have a leader who couldn't beat Stephane dion or iffy. bob Rae is despised in Ontario. I think I would be happy watching Rae and the grits sink together. Especially since this would upset catsmeat.
Some time ago, I jettisoned my crystal ball owing to its serial malfunctioning. But recently, while I was reading a book on table-rapper Mackenzie King, it reappeared in all its non-glory. Here’s what it said:
For lack of a better candidate, aging Bob Rae will become permanent leader of the Liberal Party and lead it back to respectability, though not victory. Mark Carney, the Bank of Canada governor celebrated on a magazine cover last week as “The Canadian Hired to Save the World,” will take over the Rae reins after the next election.
Some time ago, I jettisoned my crystal ball owing to its serial malfunctioning. But recently, while I was reading a book on table-rapper Mackenzie King, it reappeared in all its non-glory. Here’s what it said:
For lack of a better candidate, aging Bob Rae will become permanent leader of the Liberal Party and lead it back to respectability, though not victory. Mark Carney, the Bank of Canada governor celebrated on a magazine cover last week as “The Canadian Hired to Save the World,” will take over the Rae reins after the next election.
Monday, November 14, 2011
omar khadr: a Canadian of convenience
The vile terrorist omar khadr wants to return to Canada. Apparently now its his home, though even his sister says the fact that his home was never Toronto, it was in Afghanistan or Pakistan. We need changes to the citizenship act. We should return to 5 years to obtain citizenship and stop allowing automatic citizenship for babies born to non citizens.
I also think that many economic refugess would not come ehere if Canada stopped allowing benefits to refugees and tightened up our refugee system. We have far too many failed refugee candidates who never leave the Dominion and are on welfare for many, many years.
I also think that many economic refugess would not come ehere if Canada stopped allowing benefits to refugees and tightened up our refugee system. We have far too many failed refugee candidates who never leave the Dominion and are on welfare for many, many years.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
More Free Trade
HM PM Harper ahs announced ever more trade deals. It seems the US is struggling and we need to expand our trading realtionshsips. I think we should propose free trade to THE UK , Audtralia and New Zealand and expand that to the Commonwealth.
We really need to get of all of our supply management schemes!
HONOLULU — Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Sunday Canada will apply to join a new free trade agreement with the United States and the Asia-Pacific region, and suggested that Canada’s farm supply management systems could be on the table for negotiation.
Mr. Harper also said Canada will look further into selling its oil and gas to Asian countries due to U.S. delays in approving the Keystone XL pipeline.
Mr. Harper, who met U.S. President Barack Obama over lunch on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu, said Canada will formally ask to join the emerging Trans-Pacific Partnership trade group of nine Asia-Pacific countries.
A handful of countries in the TPP negotiations — including possibly New Zealand and the United States — have been resisting Canada’s entry into the group because of the Canadian supply management system that protects fewer than 20,000 dairy and poultry farmers behind a tariff wall and hands them production quotas.
We really need to get of all of our supply management schemes!
HONOLULU — Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Sunday Canada will apply to join a new free trade agreement with the United States and the Asia-Pacific region, and suggested that Canada’s farm supply management systems could be on the table for negotiation.
Mr. Harper also said Canada will look further into selling its oil and gas to Asian countries due to U.S. delays in approving the Keystone XL pipeline.
Mr. Harper, who met U.S. President Barack Obama over lunch on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu, said Canada will formally ask to join the emerging Trans-Pacific Partnership trade group of nine Asia-Pacific countries.
A handful of countries in the TPP negotiations — including possibly New Zealand and the United States — have been resisting Canada’s entry into the group because of the Canadian supply management system that protects fewer than 20,000 dairy and poultry farmers behind a tariff wall and hands them production quotas.
HM PM Harper on parenthood
I do belive that children are the future of this great land. I was greatly touched by this statement by HM Pm Harper. Apparently I was not the only one impressed.
But having said that, Stephen Harper did reach me when he told a TV interviewer that his greatest life ambition is to raise happy, productive children.
To that I say: you and me both, Stephen Harper. Raising happy, productive children has to be the most important job any parent can do, even if that parent happens to be prime minister.
Maybe Stephen Harper reached me because his kids are the exact same age as my own, 15 and 12. That would certainly put us on the same section of the life train.
I think I know some of the topics that come up at his dinner table after work, the social dramas and challenges of school. My guess is that we share similar joys and moments of pride, and that our kids take up a larger part of our worry quota than people realize.
I applaud him for going public with this life’s ambition because too often the work — whether paid or unpaid — of raising the next generation of taxpayers, voters and workers gets left off the balance sheet of a nation’s health and well-being.
But having said that, Stephen Harper did reach me when he told a TV interviewer that his greatest life ambition is to raise happy, productive children.
To that I say: you and me both, Stephen Harper. Raising happy, productive children has to be the most important job any parent can do, even if that parent happens to be prime minister.
Maybe Stephen Harper reached me because his kids are the exact same age as my own, 15 and 12. That would certainly put us on the same section of the life train.
I think I know some of the topics that come up at his dinner table after work, the social dramas and challenges of school. My guess is that we share similar joys and moments of pride, and that our kids take up a larger part of our worry quota than people realize.
I applaud him for going public with this life’s ambition because too often the work — whether paid or unpaid — of raising the next generation of taxpayers, voters and workers gets left off the balance sheet of a nation’s health and well-being.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
MSO: Bach & The St John Passion
I recently attended the MSO's Bach and St John in the brand new Concert Hall of the MSO( of course built totally at state expense with big cost over runs).
It was a beautiful performance of this deeply religious piece. The soloists were wonderful including last minute replacement Daniel Taylor. A wonderful evening of music.
KENT NAGANO, conductor
SIBYLLA RUBENS, soprano
DANIEL TAYLOR, counter-tenor
MARTIN MITTERRUTZNER, tenor
CHRISTOPH GENZ, tenor (Evangelist)
TYLER DUNCAN, baritone
MARKUS WERBA, baritone
PHILIPPE SLY, bass-baritone (Pilatus)
OSM CHORUS BACH
Johannes-Passion
(St. John Passion)
An eminently dramatic work, the St. John Passion depicts the last days of Christ at the very heart of a structure in sound intended as an immense musical fresco. Although the work is anchored in the Gospel text, this Passion goes well beyond musical narration. Arias and choruses take turns in transmitting the message, covering a tremendous range in a crest of choral baroque, compelling in its inwardness.
It was a beautiful performance of this deeply religious piece. The soloists were wonderful including last minute replacement Daniel Taylor. A wonderful evening of music.
KENT NAGANO, conductor
SIBYLLA RUBENS, soprano
DANIEL TAYLOR, counter-tenor
MARTIN MITTERRUTZNER, tenor
CHRISTOPH GENZ, tenor (Evangelist)
TYLER DUNCAN, baritone
MARKUS WERBA, baritone
PHILIPPE SLY, bass-baritone (Pilatus)
OSM CHORUS BACH
Johannes-Passion
(St. John Passion)
An eminently dramatic work, the St. John Passion depicts the last days of Christ at the very heart of a structure in sound intended as an immense musical fresco. Although the work is anchored in the Gospel text, this Passion goes well beyond musical narration. Arias and choruses take turns in transmitting the message, covering a tremendous range in a crest of choral baroque, compelling in its inwardness.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Canada Number 1 again!
The grits and the dippers would have you believe that with a Tory government everyone has bad opinions of Canada. This will make the dippers and grits very unhappy.
Canada has the best country "brand" in the world, according to an international business consulting firm.
FutureBrand, with operations in New York, London and Singapore, ranked Canada atop its country brand index for the second straight year.
Canada has the best country "brand" in the world, according to an international business consulting firm.
FutureBrand, with operations in New York, London and Singapore, ranked Canada atop its country brand index for the second straight year.
The grits and the CBC
The grits have suddenly discovered they like the public broadcaster. When they were in government they had other ideas. They substantially cut CBC funding by some $414 million. Andre Ouellet called SRC what it really is: A hotbed of separatism.
I think the Tories should match an exceed grit cuts to the CBC. SRC is now a home for separatists and Marxists. The English CBC is biased to its core. Come Sunday to the Free Thinking Film society and watch the new documentary on CBC/SRC bias.
And, please don't miss our first self-produced documentary - "The Biases of the CBC" which documents CBC bias against Israel and against conservatives. After the film, we will be conducting a panel discussion with Brian Lilley of Sun News, Eric Duhaime of Le Journal de Montreal, Stephen Taylor of the National Citizens Coalition, Mike Fegelman of HonestReporting Canada, and David Krayden from the Canadian Centre for Policy Studies. "The Biases of the CBC" will be held on Sunday, November 13th, at 2 PM at the Library & Archives Canada (395 Wellington).
I think the Tories should match an exceed grit cuts to the CBC. SRC is now a home for separatists and Marxists. The English CBC is biased to its core. Come Sunday to the Free Thinking Film society and watch the new documentary on CBC/SRC bias.
And, please don't miss our first self-produced documentary - "The Biases of the CBC" which documents CBC bias against Israel and against conservatives. After the film, we will be conducting a panel discussion with Brian Lilley of Sun News, Eric Duhaime of Le Journal de Montreal, Stephen Taylor of the National Citizens Coalition, Mike Fegelman of HonestReporting Canada, and David Krayden from the Canadian Centre for Policy Studies. "The Biases of the CBC" will be held on Sunday, November 13th, at 2 PM at the Library & Archives Canada (395 Wellington).
Remembrance Day
WE should remember those who sacrificed and died for freedom all year long, but today we specially remember all of HM Forces. Thank you for my freedom!!
For our king and our country and the promise of glory
We came from Kingston and Brighton to fight on the front line
Just lads from the farms and boys from the cities
Not meant to be soldiers we lay in the trenches
We'd face the fighting with a smile - or so we said
If only we had known what danger lay ahead
The sky turned to grey as we went into battle
On the fields of Europe young men were fallin'
I'll be back for you someday - it won't be long
If I can just hold on 'til this bloody war is over
The guns will be silent on Remembrance Day
There'll be no more fighting on Remembrance Day
By October of 18 Cambrai had fallen
Soon the war would be over and we'd be returnin'
Don't forget me while I'm gone far away
Well it won't be long 'till I'm back there in your arms again
One day soon - I don't know when
You know we'll all be free and the bells of peace will ring again
The time will come for you and me
We'll be goin' home when this bloody war is ended
The guns will be silent on Remembrance Day
We'll all say a prayer on Remembrance Day
On Remembrance Day - say a little prayer
On Remembrance Day
Well the guns will be silent
oh There'll be no more fighting
we'll lay down our weapons
On Remembrance Day
For our king and our country and the promise of glory
We came from Kingston and Brighton to fight on the front line
Just lads from the farms and boys from the cities
Not meant to be soldiers we lay in the trenches
We'd face the fighting with a smile - or so we said
If only we had known what danger lay ahead
The sky turned to grey as we went into battle
On the fields of Europe young men were fallin'
I'll be back for you someday - it won't be long
If I can just hold on 'til this bloody war is over
The guns will be silent on Remembrance Day
There'll be no more fighting on Remembrance Day
By October of 18 Cambrai had fallen
Soon the war would be over and we'd be returnin'
Don't forget me while I'm gone far away
Well it won't be long 'till I'm back there in your arms again
One day soon - I don't know when
You know we'll all be free and the bells of peace will ring again
The time will come for you and me
We'll be goin' home when this bloody war is ended
The guns will be silent on Remembrance Day
We'll all say a prayer on Remembrance Day
On Remembrance Day - say a little prayer
On Remembrance Day
Well the guns will be silent
oh There'll be no more fighting
we'll lay down our weapons
On Remembrance Day
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Another Obama folly
Bo has delayed the Keystone pipeline. Even the unions think this is a stupid idea. Bo is not interested in job creation, just his socialist base. bo is not a leader.
Statement of Terry O’Sullivan,
General President of LIUNA,
On Delay of Keystone XL Pipeline Construction
Washington, D.C. (November 10, 2011) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today in response to the U.S. State Department delay of the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline:
Environmentalists formed a circle around the White House and within days the Obama Administration chose to inflict a potentially fatal delay to a project that is not just a pipeline, but is a lifeline for thousands of desperate working men and women. The Administration chose to support environmentalists over jobs – job-killers win, American workers lose.
Environmental groups from the Natural Resources Defense Council to the Sierra Club may be dancing in the streets, having delayed and possibly stopped yet another project that would put men and women back to work. While they celebrate, pipeline workers will continue to lose their homes and livelihoods.
We had hoped the decision would have been made on the basis of economics, facts and the best interests of the nation, not on the basis of a political calculation.
The State Department should have been freed to make its decision, and then allowed the state and people of Nebraska to proceed with their concerns through the many avenues available to them. That would have been a sign of the Administration’s support for jobs and a recognition that workers can’t wait until after the next election for a job.
We are extremely disappointed.
Statement of Terry O’Sullivan,
General President of LIUNA,
On Delay of Keystone XL Pipeline Construction
Washington, D.C. (November 10, 2011) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today in response to the U.S. State Department delay of the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline:
Environmentalists formed a circle around the White House and within days the Obama Administration chose to inflict a potentially fatal delay to a project that is not just a pipeline, but is a lifeline for thousands of desperate working men and women. The Administration chose to support environmentalists over jobs – job-killers win, American workers lose.
Environmental groups from the Natural Resources Defense Council to the Sierra Club may be dancing in the streets, having delayed and possibly stopped yet another project that would put men and women back to work. While they celebrate, pipeline workers will continue to lose their homes and livelihoods.
We had hoped the decision would have been made on the basis of economics, facts and the best interests of the nation, not on the basis of a political calculation.
The State Department should have been freed to make its decision, and then allowed the state and people of Nebraska to proceed with their concerns through the many avenues available to them. That would have been a sign of the Administration’s support for jobs and a recognition that workers can’t wait until after the next election for a job.
We are extremely disappointed.
Quebec students , a spolied lot
Quebec students went on strike to protest minor increases in tuition. Quebec syudents, by the grace of Alberta oil money, pay the lowest tuitions in Canada. The Prince Arthur Herald has a good piece on the strike, which many students including those at my alma mater, McGill, did not attend. Supporting such low tuitions is a direct subsidy to the wealthy. A funny thing for socialists to support.
La Arts Undergraduate Society of McGill University (AUS) tenait mardi soir dernier une assemblée générale. Parmi les questions débattues se trouvait une motion de grève. Les étudiants de la faculté étaient appelés à se prononcer en faveur ou contre une grève d’un jour pour protester contre la hausse des frais de scolarité de 1 625$ sur 5 ans. Cette grève a lieu aujourd’hui.
Il faut saluer le climat démocratique dans lequel a été voté ce débrayage. L’assemblée était clairement noyautée par la frange radicale de la communauté étudiante de McGill qui rêve de mettre un portrait de Karl Marx dans la cafétéria du Shatner Building. Cette frange, réputée pour être friande de démocratie et de pouvoir au peuple, semblait pressée de faire avancer son agenda. Après avoir écourté prématurément la période de question sur la motion de grève, l’assemblée a voté pour qu’il n’y ait aucun débat sur la motion et a appelé au vote. Il va de soi que l’enjeu fait l’unanimité. À quoi bon écouter les moutons noirs qui sont en faveur de la hausse ?
La Arts Undergraduate Society of McGill University (AUS) tenait mardi soir dernier une assemblée générale. Parmi les questions débattues se trouvait une motion de grève. Les étudiants de la faculté étaient appelés à se prononcer en faveur ou contre une grève d’un jour pour protester contre la hausse des frais de scolarité de 1 625$ sur 5 ans. Cette grève a lieu aujourd’hui.
Il faut saluer le climat démocratique dans lequel a été voté ce débrayage. L’assemblée était clairement noyautée par la frange radicale de la communauté étudiante de McGill qui rêve de mettre un portrait de Karl Marx dans la cafétéria du Shatner Building. Cette frange, réputée pour être friande de démocratie et de pouvoir au peuple, semblait pressée de faire avancer son agenda. Après avoir écourté prématurément la période de question sur la motion de grève, l’assemblée a voté pour qu’il n’y ait aucun débat sur la motion et a appelé au vote. Il va de soi que l’enjeu fait l’unanimité. À quoi bon écouter les moutons noirs qui sont en faveur de la hausse ?
Fire marc mayrand...
nd cut elections Canada down to size. The in and out scandal is over. All it really proved was that elections Canada is run by anti Tory grit hacks. marc mayrand needs to go as soon as his term is up. Unfortunately it seems mayrand can stay until age 65. elections Canada should be massively purged of the grit rot. The theatrics of this grit hack in this ridiculous case should be enough to get him fired, but it probably won't happen.He is busy now not asking for repayment of grit leadership loans and is probably busily looking for some other way to attack the Tories. Let him know that he is held in utter contempt by a great many Canadians.
Senior Conservatives still maintain they did nothing wrong shuffling the money between national and local campaigns. They have a point — for long periods of time this was considered standard practice by all parties. In fact, it was the Bloc Québecois that pioneered and perfected the method of inflating campaign expenses at the riding level to obtain higher refunds from Elections Canada in the 2000 campaign. Other parties were shuffling money around in 2006 and the only reason they didn’t breach spending limits is that they didn’t have enough money.
The Tory defence was that they fell foul of a change of interpretation of the Elections Act by Elections Canada, which issued new guidelines on what constituted local advertising. The Conservatives claim that they, not the bureaucracy, should have been the arbiters of editorial content in their ads, which seems fair enough.
Senior Conservatives still maintain they did nothing wrong shuffling the money between national and local campaigns. They have a point — for long periods of time this was considered standard practice by all parties. In fact, it was the Bloc Québecois that pioneered and perfected the method of inflating campaign expenses at the riding level to obtain higher refunds from Elections Canada in the 2000 campaign. Other parties were shuffling money around in 2006 and the only reason they didn’t breach spending limits is that they didn’t have enough money.
The Tory defence was that they fell foul of a change of interpretation of the Elections Act by Elections Canada, which issued new guidelines on what constituted local advertising. The Conservatives claim that they, not the bureaucracy, should have been the arbiters of editorial content in their ads, which seems fair enough.
Grit renewal?
Well not according to red star lefty Hepburn.
Despite all the advance hype surrounding it, though, the speech surely disappointed those who wanted to hear about the party’s plans to reform itself, regain voter confidence and, ultimately, return to power.
Indeed, as it stands now, the Liberals’ vaunted “road map” is more like a map to nowhere.
Rae’s “road map” speech lacked any direction, was devoid of details of how the party will change and provided no clue on how it will get from here to there.
Instead, it was filled with empty clichés and shopworn rhetoric attacking the Conservatives and NDP. If anything, the speech could have been — and might well have been — delivered by any Liberal leader over the last 20 years, except for a few minor changes to reflect today’s news and statistics.
I think if managesto stay as grit leader, the grits are finished.
Despite all the advance hype surrounding it, though, the speech surely disappointed those who wanted to hear about the party’s plans to reform itself, regain voter confidence and, ultimately, return to power.
Indeed, as it stands now, the Liberals’ vaunted “road map” is more like a map to nowhere.
Rae’s “road map” speech lacked any direction, was devoid of details of how the party will change and provided no clue on how it will get from here to there.
Instead, it was filled with empty clichés and shopworn rhetoric attacking the Conservatives and NDP. If anything, the speech could have been — and might well have been — delivered by any Liberal leader over the last 20 years, except for a few minor changes to reflect today’s news and statistics.
I think if managesto stay as grit leader, the grits are finished.
A 2 speed Europe?
Sounds more like the end of Europe. Sark oozy and Merkel are proposing radical changes to the eu. It sounds like the UK needs to further distance itself from this failing enterprise. Merkel wants changes to the eu treaty. It is time to honor promises by both labour and the Tories for a referendum on the Euro!!
French and German leaders are talking of a "new" European Union in the wake of an escalating debt crisis, which on Wednesday forced Italy to become the first major economy to require an international bailout.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told students in Strasbourg that the only model for the future was a two-speed Europe where some countries - but not all - were more closely integrated. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a conference in Berlin on Wednesday, "It is time for a breakthrough to a new Europe."
One EU diplomat told Reuters, "This will unravel everything our forebears have painstakingly built up and repudiate all that they stood for in the past 60 years. This is not about a two-speed Europe, we already have that. This will redraw the map geopolitically and give rise to new tensions. It could truly be the end of Europe as we know it."
French and German leaders are talking of a "new" European Union in the wake of an escalating debt crisis, which on Wednesday forced Italy to become the first major economy to require an international bailout.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told students in Strasbourg that the only model for the future was a two-speed Europe where some countries - but not all - were more closely integrated. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a conference in Berlin on Wednesday, "It is time for a breakthrough to a new Europe."
One EU diplomat told Reuters, "This will unravel everything our forebears have painstakingly built up and repudiate all that they stood for in the past 60 years. This is not about a two-speed Europe, we already have that. This will redraw the map geopolitically and give rise to new tensions. It could truly be the end of Europe as we know it."
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Quebec nanny state unsustainable
My friends at the Institute of Marriage and the Family Canada have a report on the Quebec Nanny state and the state of Quebec families. The news is not very good. Very few people in Quebec seem ready to accept that these things are a problem.
Quebec 'welfare state' unsustainable: Report
By Brian Daly, QMI Agency
MONTREAL - Quebec could be headed for financial disaster because of low fertility, high taxes and an "eye-popping" debt-to-GDP ratio that's the fifth highest in the world, says a new study.
The Ottawa-based Institute of Marriage and Family Canada says massive transfer payments pouring into Quebec from the rest of Canada might be the only thing keeping the "ambitious Quebec welfare state" from collapsing.
"There are real reasons to be concerned about the sustainability of family programs as they currently run in Quebec," read a study released by the institute on Monday.
"As high as taxes are in Quebec, they would likely be even higher if not for the large transfer payments that province receives annually from the Government of Canada."
The 28-page report, titled "A Quebec family portrait," also suggests the preponderance of single-parent and common-law households will be less equipped to handle the possible dismantling of big government in La Belle Province.
Quebec 'welfare state' unsustainable: Report
By Brian Daly, QMI Agency
MONTREAL - Quebec could be headed for financial disaster because of low fertility, high taxes and an "eye-popping" debt-to-GDP ratio that's the fifth highest in the world, says a new study.
The Ottawa-based Institute of Marriage and Family Canada says massive transfer payments pouring into Quebec from the rest of Canada might be the only thing keeping the "ambitious Quebec welfare state" from collapsing.
"There are real reasons to be concerned about the sustainability of family programs as they currently run in Quebec," read a study released by the institute on Monday.
"As high as taxes are in Quebec, they would likely be even higher if not for the large transfer payments that province receives annually from the Government of Canada."
The 28-page report, titled "A Quebec family portrait," also suggests the preponderance of single-parent and common-law households will be less equipped to handle the possible dismantling of big government in La Belle Province.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
A dismal grit election season
Yesterday Premier Brad Wall won a landslide victory in Saskatchewan. The grits won virtually no votes, coming after the greens. Across the other elections in Manitoba, PEI, Ontario and Newfoundland. The grits lost a fair number of seats. They have a majority only in PEI and even there the Tories did better than expected. In Ontario dulton lost his majority, 4 cabinet ministers and has turned his party into the Toronto party, an omen of the future. IN Manitobe the grits have one seat and they barely won the opposition in Newfoundland.
Bob Rae admits that the grits were funded by big government and big corporations. They have not re connected with their grass roots. Of course there was the May 2 election where the grits were banished to third place and had also been the party of Toronto , but the Tories breached the fortress. All in all not a good period for the grits. The last quarter's fundraising was also pretty bad for the grits. Will the grits make a come back? I don't know for sure, but I don't think so.
More importantly, Rae appears to be acknowledging what Stephen Harper has been saying all along: for decades the Liberals treated themselves to a system in which big corporate backers poured money into the party, in an obvious desire to keep it sweet when the executives returned in search of political favours. And when that gravy train ended, the party quickly got used to a replacement plan in which the government paid the subsidies the corporations had withdrawn.
Now both sources of easy cash have been closed and the party is are stuck having to ask Liberals themselves to pay up. There is a big mystery in this, in that the rules have been evolving for a decade now, yet the Liberals have notably failed to keep up. Both the Conservatives and the NDP had adjusted, developing effective fundraising operations, while the Liberals have dawdled. Accustomed to decades in which they could simply make the rules to suit themselves, they seem unable to grasp that there’s no one else out there to pay their bills, and they’ll have to do it themselves.
Unfortunately, the message comes at a particularly inopportune time. The party is weaker than it’s ever been, and no longer in a position to hand out goodies to donors willing to part with the maximum contribution (which will increase to a relatively paltry $1,200 on Jan. 1). It’s labouring without a permanent leader, and won’t get around to choosing one until 2013. Whoever that turns out to be seems certain to be lacking in the experience the party badly needs; Mr. Rae, its most effective performer, has withdrawn from the race in return for his interim job.
Bob Rae admits that the grits were funded by big government and big corporations. They have not re connected with their grass roots. Of course there was the May 2 election where the grits were banished to third place and had also been the party of Toronto , but the Tories breached the fortress. All in all not a good period for the grits. The last quarter's fundraising was also pretty bad for the grits. Will the grits make a come back? I don't know for sure, but I don't think so.
More importantly, Rae appears to be acknowledging what Stephen Harper has been saying all along: for decades the Liberals treated themselves to a system in which big corporate backers poured money into the party, in an obvious desire to keep it sweet when the executives returned in search of political favours. And when that gravy train ended, the party quickly got used to a replacement plan in which the government paid the subsidies the corporations had withdrawn.
Now both sources of easy cash have been closed and the party is are stuck having to ask Liberals themselves to pay up. There is a big mystery in this, in that the rules have been evolving for a decade now, yet the Liberals have notably failed to keep up. Both the Conservatives and the NDP had adjusted, developing effective fundraising operations, while the Liberals have dawdled. Accustomed to decades in which they could simply make the rules to suit themselves, they seem unable to grasp that there’s no one else out there to pay their bills, and they’ll have to do it themselves.
Unfortunately, the message comes at a particularly inopportune time. The party is weaker than it’s ever been, and no longer in a position to hand out goodies to donors willing to part with the maximum contribution (which will increase to a relatively paltry $1,200 on Jan. 1). It’s labouring without a permanent leader, and won’t get around to choosing one until 2013. Whoever that turns out to be seems certain to be lacking in the experience the party badly needs; Mr. Rae, its most effective performer, has withdrawn from the race in return for his interim job.
Monday, November 07, 2011
Quebec young people do not...
...support separatism!! That's very good news, because Quebec older people are very much against Separation. Guess just some baby boomers left.
MONTREAL — Sovereignty is becoming as passe among young Quebecers as mullet haircuts, a new poll suggests.
Voters under 25 are now less likely to endorse sovereignty than their parents and grandparents, according to the survey for the Association for Canadian Studies.
Just 32% of people age 18 to 24 would vote for a sovereign Quebec, compared to 34% for all age groups combined, according to the poll conducted the week of Oct. 16-22 by Leger Marketing.
Sovereignist leaders including former premier Bernard Landry used to say young voters’ enthusiasm for an independent Quebec virtually guaranteed the option would triumph one day.
MONTREAL — Sovereignty is becoming as passe among young Quebecers as mullet haircuts, a new poll suggests.
Voters under 25 are now less likely to endorse sovereignty than their parents and grandparents, according to the survey for the Association for Canadian Studies.
Just 32% of people age 18 to 24 would vote for a sovereign Quebec, compared to 34% for all age groups combined, according to the poll conducted the week of Oct. 16-22 by Leger Marketing.
Sovereignist leaders including former premier Bernard Landry used to say young voters’ enthusiasm for an independent Quebec virtually guaranteed the option would triumph one day.
Free Thinking Film Festival
I will be attending the second annual Free Thinking Film Festival( I sit on the board of the Free Thinking Film Society that puts on this event). It is a wonderful event where you can see a lot of films about freedom, anti semitism and other politically correct events. I always enjoy myself immensely.
There is a documentary about CBC bias and it is co sponsored by the Reseau Liberte Quebec. Co founder Eric Duhaime will be on the panel discussing this important documentary. Here is a trailer:
Here is a schedule of other films and events for the Festival.
The festival is in Ottawa, but we have people coming in from Montreal and Toronto. I urge you all to attend. It is a lot of fun.
You can buy passes and tickets here
Joanne Marcotte Launches her New Book
L'illusion Tranquille
Susan Boyle: An Unlikely Superstar
Susan Boyle is still doing fantastically well. She has a new album. I hope she comes to Canada soon! This is a recent documentary
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Grit fundraising
Or why the grits are in a lot of trouble.
Liberal Leader Bob Rae in the House of Commons, Ottawa, Nov. 3, 201. (JOHN MAJOR/QMI AGENCY)
The Liberal party needs to ramp up fundraising if it wants to survive, interim party Leader Bob Rae told fellow Liberals Sunday.
"The corporate sugar daddy has gone, the government sugar daddy is gone," he said during a Sunday evening telephone "townhall" with the party's grassroots.
Rae was referring both to changes to political donations rules dating from 2007 preventing corporations from giving to parties and to the Harper government's recent move to phase out the per-vote subsidy for federal parties.
"We've got no choice and no alternative but to build up the strength of the party both financially and in terms of organization," he said.
Liberal Leader Bob Rae in the House of Commons, Ottawa, Nov. 3, 201. (JOHN MAJOR/QMI AGENCY)
The Liberal party needs to ramp up fundraising if it wants to survive, interim party Leader Bob Rae told fellow Liberals Sunday.
"The corporate sugar daddy has gone, the government sugar daddy is gone," he said during a Sunday evening telephone "townhall" with the party's grassroots.
Rae was referring both to changes to political donations rules dating from 2007 preventing corporations from giving to parties and to the Harper government's recent move to phase out the per-vote subsidy for federal parties.
"We've got no choice and no alternative but to build up the strength of the party both financially and in terms of organization," he said.
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