I think feeling smug and superior is, generally, a loathsome attribute but as someone who lives in a country where the money and influence of lobbyists, corporations, and unions has been curbed by both of our leading federal parties, it’s hard not to feel that way when you see the kind of money thrown around in the U.S. system to further corporate goals often at the expense of everyday, individual citizens. In this case, Continue reading AT&T lobbying excess in the U.S.: Surely Canada's way is the better way
Month: December 2011
David Dodge's predictions for nominal GDP growth
Yesterday, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced (too abruptly for some, mostly the finance ministers of provinces east of Saskatchewan) that the rate of annual increases of the federal-provincial social and health transfer will continue to be 6 per cent per year until 2016 and then, from that point until 2024, it will increase at the rate of inflation plus the rate of the growth of the economy, something economists call nominal Gross Domestic Product or nominal GDP.
So: Who’s got some predictions for nominal GDP going out 12 years? Continue reading David Dodge's predictions for nominal GDP growth
UN agency slams Canada on Attawapiskat
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples just released the following statement that began this way:
“I have been in communication with the Government of Canada to express my deep concern about the dire social and economic condition of the Attawapiskat First Nation, Continue reading UN agency slams Canada on Attawapiskat
More "reprehensible" tactics from the Conservatives?
[There is an important update at the bottom of this post]
A few weeks ago, Andrew Scheer, the Speaker of the House of Commons who, it happens, is also a Conservative MP, ruled on a point of privilege raised by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler. Cotler had been upset that the Conservative Party of Canada, in a telephone-based voter-identification drive, was, in his view, spreading the rumour in his riding that he was either retired or about to retire. While Scheer found that Cotler’s privilege had not been breached, Scheer scolded his own party, saying (my emphasis): “I am sure that all reasonable people would agree that attempting to sow confusion in the minds of voters as to whether or not their Member is about to resign is a reprehensible tactic.”
Speaker Scheer went on to say he was sympathetic to Cotler and almost sorry that he could not find the parliamentary jurisprudence to find in favour of Cotler, saying, “I can understand how [Cotler] and others are seeking relief from the climate of cynicism – not to say contempt – about parliamentary institutions and practice that seems to prevail.”
Well, if the Conservative Party of Canada engaged in “a reprehensible tactic” by “attempting to sow confusion in the minds of voters” when it comes to an MP’s employment status, I wonder what Speaker Scheer will say about this, Continue reading More "reprehensible" tactics from the Conservatives?
CBC blew more than $70,000 for a Strombo party
I’m with Wells when it comes to Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s hotel bill to attend an important security conference in Munich.
Nonetheless, despite the reasonable argument put forward by M. Wells, there has been much hyperventilating from the opposition (and from several news organizations) about this hotel bill.
Well, for those who were hyperventilating over Mackay’s $3,000 hotel bill, you’re gonna love this: CBC spent more than $72,000 to throw a B-list party for George Stroumboulopoulos to promote the late-night talk show he hosts on CBC. Continue reading CBC blew more than $70,000 for a Strombo party
From GlobalPost: Kim Jong Il: 10 weird facts, propaganda
Over at the CBS News web site, GlobalPost has compiled 10 “weird facts” about Kim Jong-Il. Here’s the propaganda about what a “High Achiever” Kim was:
Official records reportedly show that Kim learned to walk at the age of three weeks, and was talking at eight weeks. While at Kim Il Sung University, he apparently wrote 1,500 books over a period of three years, along with six full operas. According to his official biography, all of his operas are “better than any in the history of music.” Then there’s his sporting prowess. In 1994, Pyongyang media reported that the first time Kim picked up a golf club, he shot a 38-under par round on North Korea’s only golf course, including 11 holes-in-one. Reports say each of his 17 bodyguards verified the record-breaking feat. He then decided to retire from the sport forever.
Read ’em all at: Kim Jong Il: 10 weird facts, propaganda – World Watch – CBS News.
Angus Reid poll on premiers' popularity: Wall, Dunderdale tops
Polling firm Angus Reid releases today a ranking of the country’s premiers according to popularity among their respective electorates.
Brad Wall and Kathy Dunderdale continue to dominate the ranking of provincial premiers in Canada, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found. Continue reading Angus Reid poll on premiers' popularity: Wall, Dunderdale tops
Harper on the death of Kim Jong-Il: He "violated basic human rights"
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement this morning, on the death of North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il:
“Kim Jong-il will be remembered as the leader of a totalitarian regime who violated the basic rights of the North Korean people for nearly two decades. Continue reading Harper on the death of Kim Jong-Il: He "violated basic human rights"
Daily Brief Video: Conservative MP John Williamson defends the "reprehensible" Cotler calls
The Speaker of the House of Commons — and Conservative MP — Andrew Scheer says what his party was doing to Liberal MP Irwin Cotler was “reprensible.” Conservative MP John Williamson tells the Daily Brief he believes Scheer’s language was “over-the-top” and defends a controversial polling practice. Continue reading Daily Brief Video: Conservative MP John Williamson defends the "reprehensible" Cotler calls
From the U of T biz school: Dear Santa, Who's Your City?
A fun little seasonal data project from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto:
After the many years of commuting on Christmas Eve, jolly old St. Nicholas is reconsidering his home at the North Pole. Given his job description, extreme isolation has lost its appeal. In true Christmas spirit, the MPI is offering Santa a top 10 list of places Continue reading From the U of T biz school: Dear Santa, Who's Your City?