Listening to Oshawa's rock station today 94.9 ( my favorite), I heard for the first time the NDP radio ad attacking the Conservatives from NDP leader Jack Layton. Aside from the fact the NDP candidate is also the head of local 222, which represents GM workers and many of the parts plants in the area, Layton's question was beyond the pale. Layton states Stephen Harper got voted in and then did nothing for the people of Oshawa. Well, let's look at a few examples of what Oshawa has received in the last number of years since the Conservatives took office.
1. Billions to save GM from bankruptcy. If Layton has even half a clue, he must know GM's entire economy relies on the survival of GM.
2. Extension of EI benefits allowed many auto workers to continue receiving benefits until the auto sector took off again.
3. Extensive job retraining for laid off workers. Many of those GM workers with little seniority benefited from federal job retraining programs, which gave extensive extensions to EI as well as covering the cost of courses.
4. Stevenson Road/401 Interchange. A combination of federal/provincial/municipal money resulted in a much needed 401 interchange for the city.
5. A number of infrastructure upgrades from the economic stimulus program.
6. Federal transfers for health care increased. Some of that money made it's way to Oshawa General Hospital.
There are numerous other examples. Conservative incumbent Colin Carrie has been an excellent MP for the area, fighting for the loans to keep GM, and by extension, Oshawa afloat. Layton may want to get his facts straight before making such an idiotic ad.
p.s. Also interesting the Liberals haven't named a candidate for the Oshawa riding. Maybe Dipper turned Liberal supporter Dolby was late, waiting 5 days to throw his support to his coalition partner.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Media Forgets To Mention Man Accusing Former Conservative Campaign Worker Is Ex-Paul Martin Aide
More stories today about what is supposed to be an embarrassment for the Conservatives regarding a volunteer worker named Giulio Maturi. Allegations were made in 2009 by one Benoit Labonté that Maturi advised him to use campaign workers who were paid by a private company. So I can see why the Conservatives might want to shy away from having this person associated with the party, even though he denied the allegations.
But there is something a little more troubling about this story. It's how the media is handling it, apparently ignorant to the fact who Benoit Labonté is and his recent past. Benoit Labonté was an aide to former Liberal PM Paul Martin. That's right, he's a Liberal. So I guess the media don't think it's worth mentioning. The thing is he seems to have a somewhat shady past himself. The media has run with his allegations, despite the denial from Mr. Maturi that it ever occurred. But what of Benoit Labonté? Well, you would think the media might mention this, no?
"Montreal opposition leader Benoît Labonté is denying allegations he had dealings with the construction entrepreneur at the centre of the city's water-meter scandal.
The allegations were reported Friday by RueFrontenac.com, the online news site written by the locked-out journalists from the French-language daily Journal de Montreal.
Labonté met with Tony Accurso in March 2008 while preparing to launch his bid to lead the Vision Montreal party, the website said, citing anonymous sources.
The website alleges Labonté eventually asked for and received more than $100,000 in donations from Accurso."
Full story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2009/10/16/mtl-labonte-accurso.html
Update: Doing a little more searching on google produced this. Appears the allegations against Labonte were admitted to:
http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091022/mtl_poll_091022/20091022/?hub=MontrealHome
But there is something a little more troubling about this story. It's how the media is handling it, apparently ignorant to the fact who Benoit Labonté is and his recent past. Benoit Labonté was an aide to former Liberal PM Paul Martin. That's right, he's a Liberal. So I guess the media don't think it's worth mentioning. The thing is he seems to have a somewhat shady past himself. The media has run with his allegations, despite the denial from Mr. Maturi that it ever occurred. But what of Benoit Labonté? Well, you would think the media might mention this, no?
"Montreal opposition leader Benoît Labonté is denying allegations he had dealings with the construction entrepreneur at the centre of the city's water-meter scandal.
The allegations were reported Friday by RueFrontenac.com, the online news site written by the locked-out journalists from the French-language daily Journal de Montreal.
Labonté met with Tony Accurso in March 2008 while preparing to launch his bid to lead the Vision Montreal party, the website said, citing anonymous sources.
The website alleges Labonté eventually asked for and received more than $100,000 in donations from Accurso."
Full story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2009/10/16/mtl-labonte-accurso.html
Update: Doing a little more searching on google produced this. Appears the allegations against Labonte were admitted to:
http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091022/mtl_poll_091022/20091022/?hub=MontrealHome
Ignatieff Finally Admits Plan To Take Power From A Conservative Minority...
I've done two previous posts this week begging someone in the media to ask Ignatieff if he would support a Conservative minority budget should Stephen Harper win another minority government. I actually left a comment for the National Post's John Ivison on a column he did about the coalition talk being done with and put to rest, asking him to ask Ignatieff that question. Today we got the answer: "
VANCOUVER — Michael Ignatieff has said he would not be able to support a Conservative budget, if it is the same one that was rejected by the three opposition parties last week. In a broad-ranging interview with the National Post, the Liberal leader was asked if he could support the same budget that Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, introduced in the House of Commons last week.
“I think we’ve given a clear answer on that question,” he said. If they win, the Conservatives would be obliged to bring down a budget and Mr. Flaherty has already said he intends to re-introduce the same financial plan that the three opposition parties rejected. Indeed, the Conservatives have been campaigning on many of the measures contained in Mr. Flaherty’s plan.
It suggests the country is destined for an endless cycle of elections until one side or another wins a majority government. The Conservatives have accused Mr. Ignatieff of hatching a plan to form a coalition government with the NDP, supported by the Bloc Québécois, and Mr. Ignatieff’s admission that he could not support Mr. Flaherty’s budget will add to suspicions that the opposition parties are planning to act in concert. Mr. Ignatieff ruled out a coalition or a formal agreement with the Bloc on Saturday.
VANCOUVER — Michael Ignatieff has said he would not be able to support a Conservative budget, if it is the same one that was rejected by the three opposition parties last week. In a broad-ranging interview with the National Post, the Liberal leader was asked if he could support the same budget that Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, introduced in the House of Commons last week.
“I think we’ve given a clear answer on that question,” he said. If they win, the Conservatives would be obliged to bring down a budget and Mr. Flaherty has already said he intends to re-introduce the same financial plan that the three opposition parties rejected. Indeed, the Conservatives have been campaigning on many of the measures contained in Mr. Flaherty’s plan.
It suggests the country is destined for an endless cycle of elections until one side or another wins a majority government. The Conservatives have accused Mr. Ignatieff of hatching a plan to form a coalition government with the NDP, supported by the Bloc Québécois, and Mr. Ignatieff’s admission that he could not support Mr. Flaherty’s budget will add to suspicions that the opposition parties are planning to act in concert. Mr. Ignatieff ruled out a coalition or a formal agreement with the Bloc on Saturday.
Ignatieff's Election Platform Debunked- Corporate Tax Cuts And CPP
With Ignatieff releasing another plank in his platform today, changes to supposedly boost CPP, and with Ignatieff continuing to repeat how those bad banks don't deserve corporate tax breaks, it's time to put the two planks of the Liberal platform together, something it seems Ignatieff and the Liberal Party failed to do. The problem for Ignatieff is with today's platform release, it's like the Liberal leader is now going to try and strengthen CPP when in fact his platform to raise corporate taxes damages the strength of the CPP plan. Why? Well, you can start with this:
Who benefits from bank profits?
"Canadians do." At least, that's the line from the bankers. But what actually happens to those billions in profits? It's tempting to think of Daddy Warbucks-like bank CEOs gleefully counting out their bonuses and stock options. But CEOs don't make billions. Only millions. Of the $13.3 billion in profit made by all of Canada's chartered banks in 2004, they paid out $4.5 billion in dividends to their stockholders. You're probably thinking about Daddy Warbucks again.
But some of the biggest shareholders in Canadian banks are the big public and private pension funds and the big mutual funds — in other words, most Canadians. Let's take the Canada Pension Plan, as an example. It owned $2.6 billion in stock of the Big Six banks as of March 31, 2006. That's about $150 in bank stock for every one of its members.
At the $41-billion Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System pension plan, banks occupy four of its top 10 equity holdings. Bank stocks are popular holds in hundreds of equity mutual funds too, because banks are such a big part of the Canadian economy, and because the market performance of the financial sector has been nothing short of sizzling over the last few years. For example, the giant Investors Dividend fund — with $11.8 billion in assets — lists five banks as its top holdings.
After paying out their dividends, banks use the leftovers to invest in their own operations. And they like to point out that they paid $7.6 billion in taxes in 2004. So, if you're so inclined, criticize the big banks for branch closures, or for not paying more interest, or for their service charges, or because you think they're too big and impersonal. But if you're a holder of bank stock (and directly or indirectly, we all are), rising profits have also meant rising dividends and stock prices that have, on average, doubled in the last four years.
Money we can take to the bank.
So there you have it. Much of the strength of the CPP is based on investment returns from corporations such as banks. And banks are only a percentage of corporations the CPP is heavily invested in. Raising corporate taxes results in lower dividends paid to funds such as CPP. Many mutual funds, trusts, and other investments held by seniors make their cash frm divedend payments. Why does Michael Ignatieff want to damage these dividends? One would think when a party puts forth an election campaign platform, each plank would mesh with the others. In the case of corporate tax cuts, make that corporate tax increases, Ignatieff and the Liberal Party are actually hurting the very CPP plan they claim to want to improve.
Who benefits from bank profits?
"Canadians do." At least, that's the line from the bankers. But what actually happens to those billions in profits? It's tempting to think of Daddy Warbucks-like bank CEOs gleefully counting out their bonuses and stock options. But CEOs don't make billions. Only millions. Of the $13.3 billion in profit made by all of Canada's chartered banks in 2004, they paid out $4.5 billion in dividends to their stockholders. You're probably thinking about Daddy Warbucks again.
But some of the biggest shareholders in Canadian banks are the big public and private pension funds and the big mutual funds — in other words, most Canadians. Let's take the Canada Pension Plan, as an example. It owned $2.6 billion in stock of the Big Six banks as of March 31, 2006. That's about $150 in bank stock for every one of its members.
At the $41-billion Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System pension plan, banks occupy four of its top 10 equity holdings. Bank stocks are popular holds in hundreds of equity mutual funds too, because banks are such a big part of the Canadian economy, and because the market performance of the financial sector has been nothing short of sizzling over the last few years. For example, the giant Investors Dividend fund — with $11.8 billion in assets — lists five banks as its top holdings.
After paying out their dividends, banks use the leftovers to invest in their own operations. And they like to point out that they paid $7.6 billion in taxes in 2004. So, if you're so inclined, criticize the big banks for branch closures, or for not paying more interest, or for their service charges, or because you think they're too big and impersonal. But if you're a holder of bank stock (and directly or indirectly, we all are), rising profits have also meant rising dividends and stock prices that have, on average, doubled in the last four years.
Money we can take to the bank.
So there you have it. Much of the strength of the CPP is based on investment returns from corporations such as banks. And banks are only a percentage of corporations the CPP is heavily invested in. Raising corporate taxes results in lower dividends paid to funds such as CPP. Many mutual funds, trusts, and other investments held by seniors make their cash frm divedend payments. Why does Michael Ignatieff want to damage these dividends? One would think when a party puts forth an election campaign platform, each plank would mesh with the others. In the case of corporate tax cuts, make that corporate tax increases, Ignatieff and the Liberal Party are actually hurting the very CPP plan they claim to want to improve.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Question That Puts Talk Of A Coalition To Rest... And Yet No Journalist Wants To Ask
All this talk of coalitions is a moot point. If any journalist wants to really put all this to rest, they should ask the right question That being.
1. Mr. Harper, if the Liberals win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
2. Mr. Ignatieff, if the Conservatives win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
3. Mr. Layton, if the Conservatives win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
If journalists really want the coalition done with, they need to have each of the leaders, on camera, reply to the question with either a yes or no answer, with no wiggle room left post election. Canadians deserve this!
p.s. This is quite similar to a recent post I did. Hopefully someone in the media gets the hint this time and asks the question as posted and gets a yes or no answer.
1. Mr. Harper, if the Liberals win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
2. Mr. Ignatieff, if the Conservatives win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
3. Mr. Layton, if the Conservatives win a minority, will you respect the will of Canadians and support the throne speech and budget, and allow for stable government for a reasonable amount of time ( say 18 months) before seeking a vote of non-confidence?
If journalists really want the coalition done with, they need to have each of the leaders, on camera, reply to the question with either a yes or no answer, with no wiggle room left post election. Canadians deserve this!
p.s. This is quite similar to a recent post I did. Hopefully someone in the media gets the hint this time and asks the question as posted and gets a yes or no answer.
Does Ignatieff Even Know About University Education Programs In The Armed Forces?
I don't think so. Ignatieff brags today about his $1 billion dollar a year program for anyone attending a university. Of course it probably never dawned on Ignatieff, nor any media journalist that Ignatieff is prepared to give every person who attends a university a minimum of $4000 meaning those mega-buck CEO's children, those high income earning executives working in those large corporatuions Ignatieff likes to bash would also get $4000. Is that the Liberal plan. Raise corporate taxes and then give the rich cash they probably don't need?
"The “Canadian Learning Passport” will offer $4,000 tax-free grants to every high school student who chooses to go to university, college or CEGEP, according to a news release given to reporters covering the Ignatieff campaign."
You know, Ignatieff has been talking for some time about how us Canadians need better access to university educations. You know, all those hard-working factory workers could be doing so much better. Small business owners too. But you know what really shows Ignatieff's ignorance on Canada, the country he spent most of his life away from? While he continues to rail against jets, citing we shouldn't be spending money on such things as new fighter jets, despite the fact our current jets are now 30 years old he never once mentions the fantastic educational programs any Canadian can get by joining our armed forces. Read this and tell me again how the Liberal plan is just so fantastic. Ignatieff offers $1000 a year, and the average university tuition is $6000+. And why doesn't Ignattieff ever mention this info.
PAID UNIVERSITY Enrol in the Canadian Forces through the Regular Force Officer Training Plan (ROTP) and you will receive free university tuition, books and academic equipment in addition to a salary with benefits. You can attend the Royal Military College or an approved Canadian university. Finally, you will have a guaranteed job upon graduation. In return for having your university education paid for, you will have to serve between 36 and 48 months, calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of subsidized education.
PAID COLLEGE Enrol in the Canadian Forces through the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan (NCM SEP), and you will receive free college tuition, books and academic equipment in addition to a salary with benefits. Finally, you will have a guaranteed job upon graduation. In return for having your college education paid for, you will have to serve a number of years calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of subsidized education. For example, if you receive paid college education over the course of 4 semesters, you will have to serve in the military for at least 32 months upon completing the program (each semester is four months long).
Reserve Force UNIVERSITY REIMBURSEMENT + PART-TIME JOB Enrol as an Officer in the Canadian Forces through the Reserve Entry Training Plan (RETP), and you will attend the Royal Military College. You will receive an officer cadet’s salary when doing military training but you must pay for your own tuition and books. You will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $2,000 per year to a maximum of $8,000. It is also possible to sign up first as an officer or a non-commissioned member in the Primary Reserve and set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to attend courses leading to a college or university degree related to your trade; upon successful completion of such courses, you will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of tuition and other mandatory costs. Reservists can leave the Canadian Forces at any time with no obligation. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
"The “Canadian Learning Passport” will offer $4,000 tax-free grants to every high school student who chooses to go to university, college or CEGEP, according to a news release given to reporters covering the Ignatieff campaign."
You know, Ignatieff has been talking for some time about how us Canadians need better access to university educations. You know, all those hard-working factory workers could be doing so much better. Small business owners too. But you know what really shows Ignatieff's ignorance on Canada, the country he spent most of his life away from? While he continues to rail against jets, citing we shouldn't be spending money on such things as new fighter jets, despite the fact our current jets are now 30 years old he never once mentions the fantastic educational programs any Canadian can get by joining our armed forces. Read this and tell me again how the Liberal plan is just so fantastic. Ignatieff offers $1000 a year, and the average university tuition is $6000+. And why doesn't Ignattieff ever mention this info.
PAID UNIVERSITY Enrol in the Canadian Forces through the Regular Force Officer Training Plan (ROTP) and you will receive free university tuition, books and academic equipment in addition to a salary with benefits. You can attend the Royal Military College or an approved Canadian university. Finally, you will have a guaranteed job upon graduation. In return for having your university education paid for, you will have to serve between 36 and 48 months, calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of subsidized education.
PAID COLLEGE Enrol in the Canadian Forces through the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan (NCM SEP), and you will receive free college tuition, books and academic equipment in addition to a salary with benefits. Finally, you will have a guaranteed job upon graduation. In return for having your college education paid for, you will have to serve a number of years calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of subsidized education. For example, if you receive paid college education over the course of 4 semesters, you will have to serve in the military for at least 32 months upon completing the program (each semester is four months long).
Reserve Force UNIVERSITY REIMBURSEMENT + PART-TIME JOB Enrol as an Officer in the Canadian Forces through the Reserve Entry Training Plan (RETP), and you will attend the Royal Military College. You will receive an officer cadet’s salary when doing military training but you must pay for your own tuition and books. You will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $2,000 per year to a maximum of $8,000. It is also possible to sign up first as an officer or a non-commissioned member in the Primary Reserve and set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to attend courses leading to a college or university degree related to your trade; upon successful completion of such courses, you will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of tuition and other mandatory costs. Reservists can leave the Canadian Forces at any time with no obligation. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
Ignatieff's Education Plan Will Cost In Excess Of $30 Billion...Or Is It $200 Billion?
Let's see, $1 billion a year. Now multiply by 30 years. That's the mathematical formula the opposition uses for the F-35's. Of course if history is any indication, we should use the gun registry cost formula, which is the Liberal estimated cost X 200%
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