Submitted: 9:05am, 19 May '12
Andrew Coyne: There is a method to Thomas Mulcair’s ‘Dutch Disease’ madness
Andrew Coyne, National Post, May 18, 2012
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/05/18/andrew-coyne-there-is-a-method-to-thomas-mulcairs-dutch-disease-madness/#Comments
Coyne,
You suggest one advantage Ontario has for the higher dollar is - cheaper machinery.
However, what that really means is less machinery being made in Canada.
Also, no one seems to want to do an actual analysis of all this.
The big argument Harper and the Con's make is that the tar sands create jobs in Ontario as well. However, no one seems to volunteer just how many jobs.
What is the ratio of jobs lost in Ontario compared to jobs gained.
With Harper and the tar sands the only thing that flows outside Canada faster than the oil are the profits.
Harper and the Con's also talk of job creation in the West.
But, how many are highly specialized that Ontarians simply don't have the training or experience to fulfill - as compared to the US where they have been going around the world extracting other counties oil for 100 years.
It is the private oil companies that do the hiring.
They are international ventures that produce oil in many countries. They have their own skilled labour pools and you can betcha they will bring them in first. The Western Tar sands is a mega make work project for the US (and a hand full of other countries), but not Canada. We see this paradigm at work in the F-35's as well.
Another by Alberta is the transfer payments - but no one seems to volunteer how much transfer payments.
Or, more importantly in the 145 years of Confederation what's the net transfer payments out of Ontario compared to into Ontario, or how much into Western provinces compared to how much out of Ontario.
Harper, Flaherty and the other Con's are being very hypocritical about wanting to grow jobs.
The biggest stiffling factor in job creation and our economy (and most if the other developed economies) is the high cots of oil and gasoline at the pumps.
If Harper really were interested in the Canadian economy and not simply creating wealth outside Canada and very specific sector of the Canadian demographic, he would put his efforts into some way of reducing the cost of oil and gasoline for all Canadians.
Harper calls Canada an oil superpower - well, Harper, how about using some of that 'power' to help all of Canada.
Mulcair is right (morally) that the financial burden of cleaning up the environment is bing pushed off to our children and our children's children.
The profits are flowing outside Canada but the environmental damage isn't.
It's just that simple.
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
19 May, 2012
17 May, 2012
Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Hearts of Men - the Harper Knows!
Posted: 11:10 AM on 5/17/2012
RCMP conducted five-month national security probe into leaked F-35 story, Murray Brewster and Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press, 05/16/2012
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/rcmp-conducted-five-month-national-security-probe-into-leaked-f-35-story-151781025.html
He [ Wesley Wark] said it is also unusual in that the government would have known that media leak provisions of the legislation were struck down a few years ago in the aftermath of the case where Ottawa Citizen reporter Juliet O'Neill's home was raided following stories she wrote about the Maher Arar affair.
"There are a number of things at work here that are troubling, quite apart from what appears to be the silliness of the exercise in the first place and the waste of resources," said Wark.
"Even if they had a strong case, prudence would suggest this is not the kind of thing you would want to pursue. The Security of Information Act doesn't exist to be used for politically inspired chill."
It sounds like Wesley Wark is saying the legal basis for the investigation had been struck down prior to this incident - well that is curious.
"complaint was laid by Wayne Wouters, clerk of the Privy Council, the country's highest-ranking civil servant and adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, "
hummm, I wonder if Harper had any idea what his top adviser was up to - seems like everything points to not only did he know, but Harper was the motivating and inspirational force behind it
It also looks like Harper will go to any lengths to suppress opposition and hide any and all evidence of his mis-use of power to implement his agenda and abuse of the sacred trust Canadians have, albeit perhaps for all but 33% - 35% who don't care want Harper does as long as he implements their agenda, blindly, in him.
I wonder if there are any other examples in history where the leader of a country has abused his office to suppress criticism and hide what they are really up to.
And of course, the real question is, why - what is Harper really up to that he would go to such lengths to hide.
I would suggest just ask him,. However, we have come to realize one simply cannot rely on anything he, or any of his Cons', say.
I'm sure I've seen this paradigm before.
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
16 May, 2012
The 'Harper doesn't give a rat's a[redacted]s about Canada' paradigm
Submitted: 9:42am (PDT) 16 May '12
Chinese firm's Canadian contracts raise security fears, Barred by the U.S. and Australia, tech giant Huawei makes inroads in Canada By Greg Weston, CBC News, May 15, 2012 11:58 PM ET http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/05/15/pol-weston-huawei-china-telecom-security-canada.html
Perhaps Stephen Harper feels since he is able to successfully hide his secrets and what he is doing from the Canadian people that he will be able to hide Canada's secrets to from hackers.
Here's a new flash Stevo
It's just not the same thing.
You may be able to close the doors of Parliamentary Committees by declaring the meeting 'in camera'.
However, try as you might, declaring sensitive computer files as 'in camera' won't cut it Steve.
As Michel Juneau-Katsuya, security expert and former member of Canada's spy service, is quoted
"Unfortunately, the PMO is very nonchalant when it comes to security, . . . They have an agenda, a political agenda … and they disregard some of the warnings coming from the official agencies."
You've got that right Michel, morally and politically.
In fact, it is a very insightful observation, one obviously well foundationed, which makes one wonder if it doesn't reflect the CSIS profile on Harper - ie. The Harper doesn't give a rat's a[redacted]s about Canada paradigm.
The real problem here is that Harper has his own agenda and we gave him the keys to the vault by electing him.
Harper's attitude is he is going to implement his right wing extremist agenda and Canada and Canadian be dam[redacted]ed.
After all, we elected him with a majority as to the victor go the spoils and we must learn to live with that.
It's just that simple.
Harper simply doesn't care about the overall damaging effect that his policies will have in the long run to Canada not only our economy, and the environment but to the country as a nation, our Democracy and our social fabric, and that it is our children and our children's children that will be required shoulder this withering burdened,
Why would he give a rat's as[redacted] about something so cloudy as our national security and that of our closest and longest standing allies.
Mulcair and the NDP can do all they want
But unless:
Canadians decide to stand up for themselves and be counted and let it their opinions be known that this maybe Right but it is not right (morally).
that this is not what our forefathers gave their blood, sweat and tears building this great nation of our for.
that this is not what we want to leave for our children and our children's children.
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog comments
10 May, 2012
Are Mulcair and the NDP left to "fight the good fight"
Posted: 12:53 PM on May 10, 2012
Has NDP already lost the war over
Harper's omnibus bill?, John Ibbitson, May. 10, 2012 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/has-ndp-already-lost-the-war-over-harpers-omnibus-bill/article2428375/
This is not a "parliamentary war" where
Mulcair and the NDP are left to "fight the good fight" of true Canadian values.
This is true Canadian values teetering on the precipice.
There is no way Harper is going to back down on the Omnibus bill and it will get passed as such.
Whether the manner in which Harper is passing it is disrespectful of our Parliamentary Democracy, disrespectful of the 2/3 Canadians that didn't vote for him, is simply not a concern of his.
Harper's attitude is he is going to implement his right wing extremist agenda and Canada and Canadian be dam[redacted]ed.
After all, we elected him with a majority as to the victor go the spoils and we must learn to live with that.
It's just that simple.
Mulcair and the NDP can do all they want
But unless
Canadians decide to stand up for themselves and be counted and let it their opinions be known that this maybe Right but it is not right (morally).
that this is not what our forefathers gave their blood, sweat and tears building this great nation of our for.
that this is not what we want to leave for our children and our children's children.
If Canadians speak out about the overall damaging effect that Harper and the Con's policies will have in the long run to Canada not only our economy, and the environment but to the country as a nation, our Democracy and our social fabric, after all it is our children and our children's children that will be required shoulder this withering burdened,
Perhaps Canada can be saved from the Precipice
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
Mulcair and the NDP are left to "fight the good fight" of true Canadian values.
This is true Canadian values teetering on the precipice.
There is no way Harper is going to back down on the Omnibus bill and it will get passed as such.
Whether the manner in which Harper is passing it is disrespectful of our Parliamentary Democracy, disrespectful of the 2/3 Canadians that didn't vote for him, is simply not a concern of his.
Harper's attitude is he is going to implement his right wing extremist agenda and Canada and Canadian be dam[redacted]ed.
After all, we elected him with a majority as to the victor go the spoils and we must learn to live with that.
It's just that simple.
Mulcair and the NDP can do all they want
But unless
Canadians decide to stand up for themselves and be counted and let it their opinions be known that this maybe Right but it is not right (morally).
that this is not what our forefathers gave their blood, sweat and tears building this great nation of our for.
that this is not what we want to leave for our children and our children's children.
If Canadians speak out about the overall damaging effect that Harper and the Con's policies will have in the long run to Canada not only our economy, and the environment but to the country as a nation, our Democracy and our social fabric, after all it is our children and our children's children that will be required shoulder this withering burdened,
Perhaps Canada can be saved from the Precipice
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
05 May, 2012
- What, Me Worried
See post below:
posted 12:07 PM on May 5, 2012
My Reply to Osiris:
Well, Osiris,
I also pride myself in not being naive about catastrophic impact the Harper policies will have on my children and my children's children, not just environmentally for which they will be left to make good and big time, but also the dismantles of our social programs including health Care.
I am also not naïve about how Harper policies on oil and gas, the F-35's, and just about everything else have the common thread of money flowing out of Canada, or into the Oil have provinces, causing a weakening of Canadian Federalism and a draining of the average Canadian's finances.
I am also not naïve about there being only one reason for building up a military in the fashion Harper is doing.
And judging from your comments suggesting that Canadians are hawks, I might infer that you will be at the front line, if I were so naive.
And, I am not naïve about you being the Egyptian god of death.
posted 12:07 PM on May 5, 2012
Osiris
wrote: 11:35 AM on May 4
[in reply to my post, 10:51 AM on May
4: "The
Only Thing That Will Fly Out Of Canada Faster Than the $30 Billion
And Counting To Buy Them, Are the F-35's Themselves"]
"Your naiveté is very evident
when you wax poetically about Canadian values such as health care and
education. . . . "
My Reply to Osiris:
Well, Osiris,
I pride myself in not being naïve
enough to trust anything Stephen Harper, Peter McKay have to say
about anything
and from what is coming out in the
media, what Canada's military has to say about the F-35's, which is
shocking and one is left wondering why
I also pride myself in not being naive about catastrophic impact the Harper policies will have on my children and my children's children, not just environmentally for which they will be left to make good and big time, but also the dismantles of our social programs including health Care.
I am also not naïve about how Harper policies on oil and gas, the F-35's, and just about everything else have the common thread of money flowing out of Canada, or into the Oil have provinces, causing a weakening of Canadian Federalism and a draining of the average Canadian's finances.
I am also not naïve about there being only one reason for building up a military in the fashion Harper is doing.
And judging from your comments suggesting that Canadians are hawks, I might infer that you will be at the front line, if I were so naive.
I am also not naïve about where
Harper's power base is and that as long as he has this support, and
the opposition is un-united, he will do pretty much whatever he wants
and Canada be dam[redacted]ed.
I am further not naïve about
perceiving the only thing Canadians can do is to stand up, be counted
and let it their opinion be known about Harper and his Con's.
And, I am not naïve about you being the Egyptian god of death.
And I and not naïve enough not to
wonder at your sincerity and motives, when apparently you don't even
have the conviction of your opinions that you would give your real
name.
How's that for not being naïve.
Lloyd MacILquham
cicblog.com/comments.html
-- The Only Thing That Will Fly Out Of Canada Faster Than the $30 Billion And Counting To Buy Them, Are the F-35's Themselves
Posted: 10:51 AM on May 4, 2012
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/global-needs-trump-domestic-concerns-on-f-35-dnd-says/article2422158/
It seems to me that that is the kind of "interoperability" that is important - at least we could be sure we're keeping up with the "enemy" and not throw billions away on something that doesn't perform to spec's, the price is grossly overinflated - I'll betcha, the Chinese don't have that problem - and may likely be outclassed and obsolete by the time it is employed.
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/global-needs-trump-domestic-concerns-on-f-35-dnd-says/article2422158/
(Day Late and a Dollar Short - no, not
the F-35's - that one's in terms of years and billions - this post is a day late and I'm always a dollar short with these gas prices.)
When assessing what Canada's military
has to say on the need to purchase the F-35's,
Read these two very recent articles:
canada.com/
By Jeff Davis, Postmedia News May 3, 2012
"OTTAWA — The general responsible for NATO's military hardware says it's not important that countries buy the same fighter jets, punching a hole in the government's argument that it must buy the F-35 for the sake of 'interoperability.' . . . "
Well, that doesn't sound like what we've been told for the last number of years.
And
hilltimes.com
By TIM NAUMETZ |
Thursday, 05/03/2012 9:13 am EDT
" PARLIAMENT HILL—The department of National Defence last month retroactively amended a key phrase in a report it submitted for tabling in Parliament last year on the government’s planned F-35 fighter jet acquisition after Auditor General Michael Ferguson issued a scathing report on the controversial project's costs. . . ."
hummmm.
Seems like there's something rotten in the state of Denmark, Horatio. (and, no, I have nothing against Denmark, and am not suggesting that they have anything to do with our purchasing the F-35's - it;'s just a Shakespeare quote that seems appropriate).
Here's a suggestion.
How about letting Canadians know just what it is that our military has planned in the future that we need these first strike fighter jets so badly that we would pay $30 billion and counting for them, where pretty much all the money would fly out of Canada faster than the F-35's.
As opposed to say, child care, education, health care, you know things that reflect true Canadian values and not the hawkish foreign one, and where the money would not only stay in Canada but benefit Canadians.
On the other hand, if we're all going to be given a ride in one of these eye watering technological marvels - hay, perhaps we will need 65 of them, but I'd like to have it within my lifetime.
The Canadian military is here to serve Canadians and not the other way around. It is also not here to service the US or other foreign countries military objectives and world domination.
And, hey did anyone ask the Russians or Chinese about purchasing their planes - hey everything else we buy is made in China, why not our jets,
Read these two very recent articles:
canada.com/
By Jeff Davis, Postmedia News May 3, 2012
"OTTAWA — The general responsible for NATO's military hardware says it's not important that countries buy the same fighter jets, punching a hole in the government's argument that it must buy the F-35 for the sake of 'interoperability.' . . . "
Well, that doesn't sound like what we've been told for the last number of years.
And
hilltimes.com
By TIM NAUMETZ |
Thursday, 05/03/2012 9:13 am EDT
" PARLIAMENT HILL—The department of National Defence last month retroactively amended a key phrase in a report it submitted for tabling in Parliament last year on the government’s planned F-35 fighter jet acquisition after Auditor General Michael Ferguson issued a scathing report on the controversial project's costs. . . ."
hummmm.
Seems like there's something rotten in the state of Denmark, Horatio. (and, no, I have nothing against Denmark, and am not suggesting that they have anything to do with our purchasing the F-35's - it;'s just a Shakespeare quote that seems appropriate).
Here's a suggestion.
How about letting Canadians know just what it is that our military has planned in the future that we need these first strike fighter jets so badly that we would pay $30 billion and counting for them, where pretty much all the money would fly out of Canada faster than the F-35's.
As opposed to say, child care, education, health care, you know things that reflect true Canadian values and not the hawkish foreign one, and where the money would not only stay in Canada but benefit Canadians.
On the other hand, if we're all going to be given a ride in one of these eye watering technological marvels - hay, perhaps we will need 65 of them, but I'd like to have it within my lifetime.
The Canadian military is here to serve Canadians and not the other way around. It is also not here to service the US or other foreign countries military objectives and world domination.
And, hey did anyone ask the Russians or Chinese about purchasing their planes - hey everything else we buy is made in China, why not our jets,
It seems to me that that is the kind of "interoperability" that is important - at least we could be sure we're keeping up with the "enemy" and not throw billions away on something that doesn't perform to spec's, the price is grossly overinflated - I'll betcha, the Chinese don't have that problem - and may likely be outclassed and obsolete by the time it is employed.
Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html
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