The Winding Road Ahead

RIP Romeo LeBlanc

2009-06-24T15:14:00.001-04:00

Romeo Leblanc dies at 81

My sympathies go out to Dominic Leblanc and his family.

Serious Crimes Down...Thanks to the Liberals!?

2009-04-21T09:32:00.004-04:00

wait...what? But Libs are soft on crime and we need to be saved by the tough on crime Tories /sarcasm

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090421.wcrime0421/BNStory/National/home

And so the attack ads start....

2009-01-29T12:53:00.002-05:00

from the NDP!?!

At Least We’ll Have Nice Shiny Labs

2009-01-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

I read this morning that there seems to be a hole in the budget where the Genome Canada funding used to be. This is just another budget issue that really gets my goat. At a time when I believe we need to build our “knowledge based economy”, the Tories seem to have taken away hundreds of millions of important funding dollars to Canadian researchers while at the same time sending money flowing to universities for upgrading labs.

In fairness, it should be noted that they have increased funding for NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC, to the tune of $87.5million, which is good. BUT, that increase is far less then has been lost by Genome Canada. The net effect being that researchers are going to fight even harder for money, money that isn’t exactly easy for even top researchers to get right now given that donations to universities and other funding agencies are drying up a fast pace.

Maybe its just me, but it seems counter-productive to fund new and spruced up labs while at the same time cutting funding for the people inside those labs. What’s the point of having new labs if researchers don’t have the funding to use them?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me - you can’t get fooled again

2009-01-28T13:15:00.001-05:00

Politically I can see where Iggy is coming from. By not proposing amendments, he's making this budget 100% Harper's. So WHEN it fails and we go back to the polls, Harper will have one less out, so Canada will be better in the long run.

Unfortunately, the long run doesn’t feed families or keep/put people back to work NOW, unless you’re a current and potential Liberal MP's that is. There are some issues that I would have felt acceptable to leave alone, tax cuts and university funding for example. Other aspects of the budget, like EI qualification and infrastructure funding matching requirements, are absolutely unacceptable and HAVE to be change.

Iggy needed to put policy over politics for the good of the country. His failure do so has convinced me where his loyalties lay, and they aren’t in the order I hoped. There’s an old saying in Ottawa - I know it’s in Toronto, probably in Ottawa - that says, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me - you can’t get fooled again. Well sir, I won’t be fooled again.

The Devil is in the Details

2009-01-28T07:31:00.000-05:00

On the surface, the budget isn't horrible. Infrastructure spending, money for home buyers & reno's, increasing the flow of credit to consumers, retraining funding, changes to EI are all good, but as usual, the devil is in the details.

The conditions attached to the infrastructure spending, ie funds need to be matched at provincial & municipal levels needs to modified, if not entirely removed as they simply don’t have the money, nor the ability to borrow, that the Federal government has.

EI rules need to be expanded so that more people qualify for it, because if you don’t’ qualify, the extra 2 weeks don’t make that big of a deal.

The lack of funding for Green initiatives, while a start, doesn’t go far enough. This is the best time to be spending money to “green” all area’s across the country, including our manufacturing sector. Ideally I’d like to see more money flow to companies transforming their factories so that they produce less pollution and produce green products, especially those building electric and other high efficiency “Made in Canada” vehicles as this is the perfect time to make our manufacturing sector a leader in what will inevitably become the biggest chunk of the automotive sector for years to come

I’d also like to see funding for NSERC and CIHR increased more then it was in the budget because these are the groups that will truly help drive a knowledge based economy. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council funds programs that lead to new technological innovations that we can build both a knowledge AND manufacturing industries from. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research funds important research into such area’s diseases associated with aging, which is becoming more and more important with the baby boomer’s entering retirement age.

I’m sure there are other things that I have missed but I feel what I’ve mentioned above would be a good starting point for recommending changes to the budget.

As an aside, I submitted these suggestions to Mr. Ignatieff’s website but it seems that while he wants our opinions, he doesn’t want them to be too long or in too much detail. I had to break this up into 4 sections because the word limit in the comment box is woefully low.

Iggy Announces Shadow Cabinet

2009-01-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

With yesterday’s announcement of the Liberal critics, I was quite happy to see Iggy came through and gave the two other former leadership contenders get prominent positions, Rae in Foreign Affairs and LeBlanc in Justice, and will give MacKay and Nicholson a good run for their money respectively. Scott Brison, whom I thoroughly enjoyed listening to call Deficit Jim to task each and every day was moved to International Trade so that John Mccallum could take over Finance, which I think are two smart moves.

On a personal note, as LeBlanc supporter in the Leadership race, I’m happy to see him put in position where he can make up for his biggest perceived flaw, lack of experience and exposure.

Who Is the President?

2009-01-21T13:18:00.002-05:00

As we all know by now, Roberts and Obama messed up the Oath of Office. Now this probably means nothing, and might have already been taken care of with a do over, or maybe not. Which would mean we should all be talking about Acting President Biden.

Let me clarify why, according to the 20th Amendment, Bush's term ended at noon on Jan 20th. According to the same amendment (section 3), the VP shall act as pres if the President-elect doesn't qualify. Since Obama cannot execute the Office of President until he has recited the oath, properly, (which I assume is one qualification to be President), that would mean that as of right now, Joe Biden, the VP, should be the acting president.

Regardless of who is president, isn't it amazing how a few little words can cause such a shit storm?

Note: I really don't care either way, I just like to stir the pot haha

A New Day Has Dawned

2009-01-21T09:57:00.003-05:00

Whether or not the new administration can truly deliver on the promises of Hope and Change is up to history, but things are starting off on a good foot. This morning its being reported Obama has begun the process of shutting down Gitmo by halting all trials so a review can be done. Next on the agenda will hopefully be to get funding back to important area’s such as Embryonic Stem Cell research and international family planning programs

Admittedly I was was skeptical of Obama’s rhetoric during the campaign, though now I am starting to buy in and am getting that positive feeling I did back when I first heard him speak at the DNC in 2004 when many of us got the feeling he would be the first black president. Even if he can’t fulfill the many lofty promises he has made, the new attitudes of positivity and belief that seem be affecting me and in general, sweeping the US, if not the world, will be a force for good not only on the global stage, but on the local stage, where it is that we must start if we are to make real changes.

So Much For Those Tax Cuts

2008-12-30T13:13:00.002-05:00

According the CBC and the CTF, even with the record EI surplus, EI premiums have gone up, and when combined with CPP deductions, we're going to see the biggest rise in payroll taxes, $188, in 7 years.

I guess members of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission went to the deficit Jim School of Economics.

Monday Morning 2'fer

2008-12-22T13:37:00.002-05:00

With all the fun everybody is having over Harper’s Senate appointments today, here’s another bit of Harpocrisy to point out.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has officially named Thomas Cromwell of Nova Scotia to the Supreme Court of Canada, forgoing a public hearing that had been promised into his appointment.

He’s going to need to call another election soon cause he’s running out of promises, let alone Conservative policies to break.

On a related note, Preston Manning heating bills have gone down now that he is using the steam coming out of his ears to heat his house.

2008-12-17T07:22:00.002-05:00

Dymaxion mentions in his blog that Iggy’s poll numbers aren’t as good as Dion’s.

Those numbers are definitely food for though, but to get a better idea of what they mean, I think it is important to compare them to a poll taken before their selection.

The first article quoted shows that the Liberals gained 9% after Iggy took over. A quick search netted me two polls, the first one
said Dion's election only gave the Liberals a 5.4% boost. The other one was from a bit earlier, Aug 06, gave Dion a 7 point bounce.

So looking at the before and after we see that
Iggy +9%
Dion +6-7%

This show to me that Iggy is actually out performing Dion post-selection.

One final thing I’d like mention is that the circumstances regarding the selection and the general political atmosphere right now with the strong feelings about the coalition and prorogation will skew the results somewhat, so we aren’t exactly comparing apples to apples here.

Absoutely Disgusting

2008-12-16T09:44:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately is officer's like this that give the police in general such a bad name. I hope the Ottawa police force comes down hard, though I have a feeling the police union will keep appropriate punishment from being handed out

An Open Letter Regarding Our Party’s Leadership

2008-12-08T10:33:00.005-05:00

We are in a time of great political flux, both outside the Liberal Party and in. It seems apparent that we all agree that something needs to be done and soon. The Constitution states currently states how the leadership must be chosen, via delegates and a convention, but we must all realize that we are in odd times and sometimes the rules can and should be bent to accommodate them.

We cannot trust that Mr. Harper will for once honour his word and try to work with the opposition parties for the betterment of Canada. So we must be ready for an election any time after Parliament resumes on January 27th. I feel we cannot go into the Parliament with an interim leader, because if an election is called, I don’t believe an interim leader will be able to garner the support that a permanent leader would. Voter’s want to know the direction in which the party is going, and if the leadership campaign is still ongoing, that questions won’t be answered, which might make some otherwise Liberal voters stay home, or worse yet, vote for another party.

That being said, we should not short-circuit the process too much because I feel there are valuable things to be learned along the way. The debates between candidates are important because give the opportunity for different viewpoints to be aired publically which gives the membership the chance to gain insight from different viewpoints and produce good starting points for discussions to better the party by the all the membership. Not only that, but it would invite interest from outside the party, possibly attracting new members.

This is why I support an open fast-tracked process in which all the candidates release full platforms as soon as possible and the party executive schedule debates in major cities across the country leading to an “One Member, One Vote” online/phone vote sometime in mid to late January.

In the end, whatever process is decided on, we cannot continue to be seen as a closed door party whose primary concern is fighting for the leadership. We need to come together and unite, and while the options we are faced with might not be palatable to us in one way or another, we have to do what is best for the party, and by extension the country, in a way that Mr. Harper seems incapable of, by coming together, cooperating and compromising in an open, inviting way.

Tory, Not Bloc, Veto

2008-12-04T10:15:00.001-05:00

Harper is saying that the Bloc have a veto over the budgets, which is wrong. The Tories, if they really did care about making Parliament work, could support the Budget, assuming it was good for Canada which is a reasonable assumption, eliminating any Bloc influence.

To me, by saying the Bloc has a veto is basically saying that under no circumstances would the Tory's, even a few, would support a Budget that would be good for Canada which goes to show what is really important to them, power, not the interests of Canada

On a different, non-partisan note

2008-12-02T08:24:00.002-05:00

I think this is something I think all of us, Tory, Liberal, NDP, whatever, can be proud of.

Honestly brings a tear to my eye and pride to my heart watching this.

Things Just Got a Whole Lot More Real

2008-12-01T19:44:00.002-05:00

No longer are we voting for somebody that may eventually become PM, we are voting for the next Prime Minister of Canada

Hypocrisy At Its Best

2008-12-01T14:04:00.003-05:00

We've all heard the Tory talking points about how the Liberals and NDP are trying to back door their way into government. Are they right? Well, one thing is for certain, they are experts in the field.

There's been tons of talk in the blogosphere about the letter Harper et al wrote to the Govenor-General back in 2004

Lets not forget this was but the latest in a long line of backrooming deal that Harper and his Conservatives have been a part off. Back in 2003 we had not one but TWO backroom deals, the second of which went totally against the first one I might add, that lead to the formation of the Conservative Party as we know it and put Harper in power.

I look forward to watching Mr. Harper finally get a dose of his own medicine.

Make Parliament Work

2008-12-01T12:19:00.003-05:00

Make Parliament Work Rally

As you can see, plans are underway to beat the Conservatives to the punch to show the support that the proposed Liberal-NDP Coalition has.

As the Grumpy Voter said, "Canadians aren't generally known for taking to the streets unless there's drunken young women baring their breasts and the Calgary Flames are Stanley Cup bound, but like the saying goes, there's no better time time then right now to start

Tell Me If You've Heard This One Before

2008-11-29T11:38:00.004-05:00

I'll give them credit, the Tory Propaganda machine is quick.

Which is just another reason that we can't let up. If you can, call in to these show, contact your MP's, hell, contact other people's MP's, sign the petition, just get the word out.

You're All Invited

2008-11-28T23:31:00.003-05:00

To Steven Harper's House Cooling Party!

Where: 24 Sussex
When: Sometime after Dec 8

So long Steve. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!

Is Business About To Pick Up?

2008-11-28T14:48:00.003-05:00

Who said politics was boring?

The federal Liberals plan to bring down the Conservative government in a confidence motion on Monday, saying they have a viable alternative, the Canadian Press reported Friday.

"In light of the government's failure to recognize the seriousness of Canada's economic situation and its failure in particular to present any credible plan to stimulate the Canadian economy and to help workers and businesses in hard-pressed sectors such as manufacturing, the automotive industry and forestry, this House has lost confidence in this government and is of the opinion that a viable alternative government can be formed within the present House of Commons."

If reports are true, Dion won't go down as the second Liberal leader to not be PM. Supposedly the parties have agreed he would be PM.

Will they or Won't they?

2008-11-28T14:44:00.002-05:00

I'm confused

"Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says the government will “stay on track” and leave the cuts to political party subsidies in the financial package to be introduced in Parliament next week."

The Fight Isn’t Over Yet

2008-11-28T13:11:00.001-05:00

The Opposition might have won the battle over public funding, but it can’t stop there. The fact is that there are still a number of provisions in yesterday’s Economic Statement that are still intolerable. First of all, the lack of any kind of real stimulus package for the economy is unconscionable. Our economy can’t wait till Budget is brought done. By then it could very well be too late to save the auto and forestry sectors, amongst others.

Then there is the removal of the right to strike of civil servants, the removal of the ability for women to fight for their rights and these imaginary asset sales to “balance the budget”. Thanks, but no thanks Mr. Harper. As an Ontarian I’ve been there before, and ya know what, I never wanna go back.

Thank You Mr. Harper

2008-11-28T09:06:00.001-05:00

Everybody outside the Conservative Party and its supporters are deriding the move my the Finance Minister to slash public funding of the parties. While I’m against this move, I think we all owe Mr. Harper a big loud, boisterous THANKS!

Not only has this move helped to mobilize the members of the party to financially support the party, a support which is desperately needed, but it has served as a rallying cry for members of all the opposition parties that enough is enough and its time for a change, building REAL momentum for a coalition government that would finally see Mr. Harper and his neo-con ideologues thrown out of the government.

So once again, thank you Mr. Harper, thank you very much.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

2008-11-28T08:24:00.006-05:00

Today there is news that the Ignatieff camp sent out an email asking for donations to his campaign to “Save Canadian Democracy”. Regardless of the leadership candidate I support, this smells rotten to me and it should to you too. This is NOT a time for partisan leadership politics. We need to come together and support the Liberal Party as a whole.

So I say forgot the leadership race for the time being, there will be plenty of time for that later. Be it via a one time donation or signing up for the Victory Fund or Laurier Club, donate to the party and show that while we might disagree on who we believe to be the best candidate for the leadership, in the end, we stand together as a party united.

What a Day To Get On the Road.

2008-11-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

Mr. Harper has a funny idea of being less aggressive and playing nice it seems. Not even two weeks into the new session of Parliament ant he’s making one of the worst partisan attacks in memory.

I’ve heard and read a lot form people who support this, and you know what, I can understand why they do, and can even see find myself agreeing with some of their points. But the rightness or wrongness of the subsidy isn’t the prime issue to me. My main problem with this is that the method and timing of the cut is wrong and unfair. It has come out of the blue with no consultation and obvious disagreement from the opposition parties, opposition parties who all agreed to this new plan back in 2003.

Today there have been calls to vote this down to bring us to another election, which I feel is wrong. The average voter who is worried about their job won’t see this for what it is, a fight for fairness, they will perceive it as greedy political parties not willing to take a hit, which would, in my opinion, lead to more Conservative seats, probably even a majority which to many of us would be hell on Earth. I personally like the idea of the 3 parties in Opposition agreeing to form the government, but realistically, I doubt the Bloc would ever go for this, and if for some reason they would, it would end up costing more then I think we should give them. So what should we do? I wish I could come up with a suggestion for Mr. Dion, I really do, but I don’t. I’ll leave that up to smarter, more political savvy people to decide.

What I DO know we can do help is to donate to the party (https://www.liberal.ca/donate_e.aspx), because whether or not this goes through, the party needs as much financial help as it can get from us to win the war against Harper and his neo-con ideologists.

We Can’t Know Where We Are Going Until We Know Where We’ve Been

2008-11-27T11:53:00.000-05:00

So I figured I’d do a little introduction so we can all get acquainted. I was born and raised in a single-parent (my father died of cancer when I was quite young) middle class family in the 905, well, the 416 for the first 16 years (I’ll let you guys do the math on my age ;) ). I spent the next 7 years in London getting my degree in Engineering at Western and, scary as it was, entering the work force. Over the course of my career, I’ve also spent time in Barrie and a few years ago moved back to the 416.

Like all of you, I’ve faced many hardships along the way, many of which I’ll probably bring up over the course of time, which have shaped my view of the world. I’ve realized that political ideology can be a good guide, but we have to be pragmatic in many of our decisions. We might not like the choices we have infront of us, but sometimes we have to pick and even support something that might go against our idiocy because in that moment in time, it is the right thing to do.

I’ve associated myself with the Liberal Party and their idea’s for as long as I can remember. Though from time to time, I’ll admit, I found myself agreeing with the Tories (the red one’s at least) and have voted for other, smaller, parties I felt deserved my support during the times when a Liberal majority was assured.

Ever since the Dark (Blue) Ages set in, I’ve found myself coming back home and have recently begun being more active in the political process.

Now that you’ve got a little idea about where I’ve come from, I hope you come back to see where my thoughts go, hopefully giving you some insight from a POV you previously hadn’t considered, and maybe even an occasional chuckle.