The Conservative Government announced yesterday $60 Billion in tax cuts. Here they are:
- Cut the GST to 5% effective Jan 1, 2008
- Cut the lowest personal tax rate to 15%, from 15.5%
- Increase the basic personal exemption to $9,600 and then $10,100 by 2009
- Cut the Corporate tax rate one point, to 19.5%
- Cut the Corporate tax rate to 15% by 2012
- Drop small business rate to 11%
- Pay off an additional $10 billion worth of debt
The result of these cuts helps everybody, so naturally, the NDP hate it. They'd prefer those who work were taxed to the teeth (so that they'll flee to the US faster) and that those who don't, get bigger handouts. Unfortunately for the NDP, the real world doesn't work that way. It's great to see money going toward the debt, which will save some more money in interest, I believe around $700 million a year, which can be reinvested in the debt. Harper is doing great things for the country, cutting everyone's taxes (right away, every gets an extra $671, since the exemption goes up from $8,929 to $9,600).
What does $671 buy you? Let's think about this. If you are a couple who both pay taxes, a trip to the Dominican Republic, from Toronto, costs $516, so essentially, everyone in Canada who earns more than $9,600 can now afford to go to the DR, and have $155 to spare. Another option is to use that saving to make a payment for your apartment. You could also buy a Sony PS3 with 80gb hard drive, which would set you back $499, before taxes. Of course, with the drop in the GST, you will save $5 on your purchase, so you can go to Starbucks and buy yourself a Latte to keep you company on your January (that's when the tax cuts will come into place) drive home.
The Liberals, naturally, don't like this plan, because it's another act by the Conservatives of fulfilling broken campaign promises by the Liberals. Remember in 1993 when Chrétien came to power? He claimed to be the knight in shining armour who would slay the evil GST in its crib... well, the GST is a teenager now, and the Conservatives are giving it a haircut.
Thankfully, we have sensible people in our government, as we can sit back and dream of how each and every one of us will spend our latest savings, savings that apply to every Canadian, and help everyone's bottom line.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
No more hiding in Canada!
Today, the Harper Gov't introduced a bill requiring visual identification of voters. Finally. I mean, religion can't trump certain things. While religious freedom is important, there is currently nothing hiding someone from lying about their identity. That is definitely a problem, especially if people from out of the country or other ineligible voters hide their faces and then vote NDP or something... the country would be in shambles!
"During the recent byelections in Quebec, the government made it clear that we disagreed with the decision by Elections Canada to allow people to vote while concealing their face," Van Loan said.Of course they weren't happy, the potential was there for the election to be turned into a circus! Let's just hope that one other party supports this bill, since every Canadian will benefit!
-Peter van Loan, CBC
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Trapped!
It would be almost music to the conservative government's ears to have an election now, but how can Harper truly engineer his own defeat, when he himself made fixed election dates law? It will be interesting how he handles slumping Liberals, and a shot at majority, let's just hope that whatever he does, it helps out the Canadian people, which I have full confidence in happening. Harper will lead us through even his own little mistakes, as even a great man has a weakness.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Throne Speech Lives to Die Another Day...
Amazingly, the NDP did something positive today. They helped defeat a Liberal motion, which when summed up said "Everything that the Liberals didn't do from 1993-2006 is actually the fault of the government that didn't exist until 2006, led by Stephen Harper. Even though we did nothing on the environment, it's because we knew we'd be gone before it was an issue. Your loss." Thankfully, the NDP and Bloc saw through the lies, which also reaffirmed the commitment to pull out of Afghanistan by 2009, and said that the Kyoto targets were still reachable, and joined the Conservatives in killing the motion, saving the Throne Speech once again. However, Wednesday will mark the final vote, and who knows what picture that will paint! With around 15 Liberal MPs not present/abstaining from the vote, it makes you wonder how committed they are to their own party. Maybe they're just waiting out the days to start collecting a pension? Unless the Liberals are ready to stand up for what they believe, the Conservative government will have to sit tight trying to pass motions that nobody's really against, but vote against them anyway so they look like they've done something. It's a dark era in Canadian politics. Maybe it will end this year.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
PEI drops deeper into the red
As some readers may have observed, the PEI Liberal Government now has 24 out of 27 seats in the provincial legislature. A scary proposition, seeing as only 4 of them have been involved with politics for more than 6 months. But what's even scarier is that instead of curbing spending to wrangle in the mounting provincial deficit, their first budget projects a $42 million loss, bringing the total provincial deficit up to somewhere around $1 billion. Ghiz promised to paint the Island Red, unfortunately, too many people thought he'd be a good premier.
How I Lead: Stephane Dion
"How do you lead?" one may ask Stephane Dion, he will answer, "Very well," I predict. However, the facts show a different story. It has been almost 11 months since Dion was first blindsided by those brilliant "election style" "Stephane Dion is not a leader" advertisements courtesy of the Conservative Party. With the public laughing away, his credibility slid toward the gutter. Now what does he do?
Well, as the evidence continues to suggest, Stéphane Dion is NOT a leader.
"Dion said he will introduce amendments to the throne speech and if those are rejected, he will ask his party to abstain from voting on the speech, leaving the Conservatives with enough votes to pass the motion in support of the speech on their own."It seems, he will shy away from making a decision. Terrified at what would happen if Canada went to the polls courtesy of him, (making for 3 rounds in 4 short years) Dion will ask his party to sit by and watch. Yielding to the Conservatives won't get the Liberals anywhere, but that's just great. An election wouldn't be too bad though, since the likely Conservative majority would make Parliament flow a lot more smoothly.
-CBC
Well, as the evidence continues to suggest, Stéphane Dion is NOT a leader.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Throne Speech Speculation
Well, as most politically-oriented people know, tonight, Governor General Michaëlle Jean will open the session of Parliament with a throne speech. With the Conservatives showing strong support, and the Liberals scattered about, the only parties who'd really show anything to gain would be the Conservatives and NDP. However, there is evidence to suggest that all three opposition parties want an election. The evidence for the Liberals isn't so convincing, however.
Harper seems poised to crack the Liberals right down the middle, grabbing the Centre-straddling Liberals as his own, (they're basically Red Tories anyway) and feed the rest to Layton's NDP, who are closing from the left. How will he do it?
1. Accept Harpers Throne Speech, which will likely include a definite Kyoto killer (a big no-no for the guy who won the leadership of the Liberals with his supporters sporting green outfits and scarves), as well as many other things that are just un-Liberal. It's even possible that the speech could say that the decision on Afghanistan won't be made until the commission (headed by John Manley, one of those Centrist Liberals) gives its recommendations. The Harper government has indicated that they're in there for the long run.
2. Vote against the Speech (kind of obvious, I know) but this means that Canadians will go to the polls again, and with 7 provinces and territories (PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and the North West Territories) going to the polls already in 2007 (well, Saskatchewan next month) and most of the others last year, it looks suspiciously like Canadians just don't want another election. So ground could be won by anyone just by convincing people that someone else is the bad guy.
3. The third option is for Dion to allow his party to vote their minds, which will definitely split them down the middle, the ones in provinces who have recently had an election (especially Ontario, their precious fortress) will likely try to avoid an election, and the result of this could be spectacular. Already unable to raise enough money, fighting publicly every day, and doing whatever they can do discredit any other party, the Liberals are well set up for a fall almost as large as the Conservative defeat in 1993. There is even speculation that no Liberal party would emerge from such a defeat, with the NDP and Conservatives splitting the spoils of victory. That leaves the possibility of an NDP Government in the future (shudder...)
Whatever one of these poisonous pills the Liberals swallow, the result could be spectacular.
So, what will happen? Harper's likely going to push through a lot of his crime bills that the other parties couldn't stomach last time around, and try and reintroduce some other bills, as well as launch another new environmental plan, to try and appease the other parties, setting himself up for a gradual increase in popularity until the guaranteed election in October 2009, when he risks losing support if the economy slows between now and then. So, I'll leave you with a little humor before you grab your popcorn, beer, and tv remote and settle in for a night watching men and women mindlessly clapping away in a big, stuffy old building...
Harper seems poised to crack the Liberals right down the middle, grabbing the Centre-straddling Liberals as his own, (they're basically Red Tories anyway) and feed the rest to Layton's NDP, who are closing from the left. How will he do it?
"The same leader who is such an enthusiastic advocate of the climate-change treaty that he named his dog Kyoto, could face one of two extremely difficult choices."Here are the choices:
-CBC
1. Accept Harpers Throne Speech, which will likely include a definite Kyoto killer (a big no-no for the guy who won the leadership of the Liberals with his supporters sporting green outfits and scarves), as well as many other things that are just un-Liberal. It's even possible that the speech could say that the decision on Afghanistan won't be made until the commission (headed by John Manley, one of those Centrist Liberals) gives its recommendations. The Harper government has indicated that they're in there for the long run.
2. Vote against the Speech (kind of obvious, I know) but this means that Canadians will go to the polls again, and with 7 provinces and territories (PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and the North West Territories) going to the polls already in 2007 (well, Saskatchewan next month) and most of the others last year, it looks suspiciously like Canadians just don't want another election. So ground could be won by anyone just by convincing people that someone else is the bad guy.
3. The third option is for Dion to allow his party to vote their minds, which will definitely split them down the middle, the ones in provinces who have recently had an election (especially Ontario, their precious fortress) will likely try to avoid an election, and the result of this could be spectacular. Already unable to raise enough money, fighting publicly every day, and doing whatever they can do discredit any other party, the Liberals are well set up for a fall almost as large as the Conservative defeat in 1993. There is even speculation that no Liberal party would emerge from such a defeat, with the NDP and Conservatives splitting the spoils of victory. That leaves the possibility of an NDP Government in the future (shudder...)
Whatever one of these poisonous pills the Liberals swallow, the result could be spectacular.
"Van Dusen said whether the Liberals choose to accept the speech or not, Harper has set himself up for victory.
"In many ways it's a win-win situation for Stephen Harper," she said. "If the speech passes, he gets the agenda he wants. If the Liberals, in particular, bring [the government] down, he gets the election he thinks he can win."
-CBC
With criticism abound, it could be an interesting few weeks as we see what comes of this throne speech. Harper surely doesn't want to look like a cynic, but everything on his side looks rosy. Dion, on the other hand likely doesn't want to lose his leadership yet, so his decision will be an important one. The NDP and Bloc, who seem to be attempting to hide widespread illiteracy amongst their ranks, have decided to vote against it. Before the speculation about it even started.. Even Dion isn't that crazy."The Liberals -- losing public support and trying to quell internal dissent about the patchy performance of leader Stephane Dion -- are not enthusiastic about an election. Insiders say the party organization is in calamitous shape."
-Reuters
So, what will happen? Harper's likely going to push through a lot of his crime bills that the other parties couldn't stomach last time around, and try and reintroduce some other bills, as well as launch another new environmental plan, to try and appease the other parties, setting himself up for a gradual increase in popularity until the guaranteed election in October 2009, when he risks losing support if the economy slows between now and then. So, I'll leave you with a little humor before you grab your popcorn, beer, and tv remote and settle in for a night watching men and women mindlessly clapping away in a big, stuffy old building...
"The young Stephane Dion may never have suffered the indignity of an atomic wedgie at the hands of the school bully. If not, Tuesday's Throne Speech might give him some sense of the impotence and eye-popping pain."
-National Post
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Le Français, nous avons déja assez!
Well, if you've read the news, Gilles Duceppe wants to build a wall around Québec and keep the English people out. Okay, I'm kidding. But he does want to force everyone to speak French, all the time:
Yep. That's the latest from the Bloc. But what will the consequences be for Canada? Some of the largest Canadian (or partially Canadian) companies I know of are based in Montréal, or somewhere in Québec. Let's do the short list: Air Canada, Bombardier, Royal Bank, Alcan, and several others. I have a good feeling they do their business in English. There was a recent MacLean's article (I can't find the exact reference. It was sometime over the summer) stating that the corner offices in Québec are occupied by Francophones, who are speaking English at the job. I have a good feeling that a lot of those businesses would get up and leave if they had to become French, since many of their employees are likely English speaking. McGill University would be essentially forced out of business too, with about 80% of its students being English, there goes a big chunk of educated people from Québec!
This is really starting to look like an attempt at ethnic cleansing, trying to force the English people out of Québec, it would be like telling the French to leave Toronto or Calgary or anywhere, really, it just doesn't work that way. If we leave it to the people, they will find their own happy medium, and speak the language they want. There's no need to force anything upon anyone, and luckily, our Prime Minister, Mr. Harper, will stand up to him, telling Québecers (I use this instead of Québécois, which is a group comprising essentially whoever wants to be called that) that they can have whatever language they want. Deregulating the languages will only make our country stronger, by encouraging everyone to choose their own path. English people should feel equal to the French in Québec, and any other French-speaking part of Canada, such as New Brunswick (where they do, in fact, tend to feel equal), and in return, French speakers can expect equal treatment in English communities.
It's time to end the racism within our borders. No more handouts to Québec, and they'll earn more respect from the rest of the country, and hopefully, want to stay aboard (most Québecers now want to stay on board, according to a few surveys) hopefully our strong Conservative Government will do what it takes. No more sponsorship scandals, and no more standing idly by, throwing money at Québec. They need equal treatment to get equal respect, and thank god it's going to happen. If we go to the polls over this language issue, so be it. Duceppe will emerge with his tail between his legs if he has to fight an election on that note.
"Duceppe told a student audience in Montreal Wednesday he wants the Official Languages Act amended to recognize French as Quebec's official language.He said he also wants Parliament to amend the federal labour code to acknowledge French as the official language of work in Quebec."
-CBC
Yep. That's the latest from the Bloc. But what will the consequences be for Canada? Some of the largest Canadian (or partially Canadian) companies I know of are based in Montréal, or somewhere in Québec. Let's do the short list: Air Canada, Bombardier, Royal Bank, Alcan, and several others. I have a good feeling they do their business in English. There was a recent MacLean's article (I can't find the exact reference. It was sometime over the summer) stating that the corner offices in Québec are occupied by Francophones, who are speaking English at the job. I have a good feeling that a lot of those businesses would get up and leave if they had to become French, since many of their employees are likely English speaking. McGill University would be essentially forced out of business too, with about 80% of its students being English, there goes a big chunk of educated people from Québec!
This is really starting to look like an attempt at ethnic cleansing, trying to force the English people out of Québec, it would be like telling the French to leave Toronto or Calgary or anywhere, really, it just doesn't work that way. If we leave it to the people, they will find their own happy medium, and speak the language they want. There's no need to force anything upon anyone, and luckily, our Prime Minister, Mr. Harper, will stand up to him, telling Québecers (I use this instead of Québécois, which is a group comprising essentially whoever wants to be called that) that they can have whatever language they want. Deregulating the languages will only make our country stronger, by encouraging everyone to choose their own path. English people should feel equal to the French in Québec, and any other French-speaking part of Canada, such as New Brunswick (where they do, in fact, tend to feel equal), and in return, French speakers can expect equal treatment in English communities.
It's time to end the racism within our borders. No more handouts to Québec, and they'll earn more respect from the rest of the country, and hopefully, want to stay aboard (most Québecers now want to stay on board, according to a few surveys) hopefully our strong Conservative Government will do what it takes. No more sponsorship scandals, and no more standing idly by, throwing money at Québec. They need equal treatment to get equal respect, and thank god it's going to happen. If we go to the polls over this language issue, so be it. Duceppe will emerge with his tail between his legs if he has to fight an election on that note.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The State of Affairs
Well, this is the first post for the blog. The state of affairs in Government right now isn't looking very good. Stephan Dion is trying to force an election, and trying to make it look like it's the Conservatives' fault. I mean, Harper is right. You can't vote for the Speech from the Throne and then vote down every associated bill. It's like asking someone to marry you, and they agree, and then at the wedding, they decide, "Gee, when I said I'd like to marry you, I didn't realise that we had to GET MARRIED." The hypocritical nature of the party is rearing its head. Unfortunately, there seems to be enough people supporting the Liberals to have a potential turnaround in the next election. It's going to be tough, but a Conservative majority is still within our grasp!
The war in Afghanistan is really becoming an issue. It shouldn't. There is enough popular support to keep the mission in place. There are three good ways to figure this one out. One is to have a referendum. The other is an election (although, if the Liberals win solely on account of the war ending, then we'll have to suffer for four years while they bask in glory, and kill our economy), and the third would be to include a referendum if an election is triggered. Seeing as how Dion is intent on showing how spectacularly he can lose a fall/winter election, it'd be a great time to slap on a referendum, and say "Gee, we're going to run an election based on everything but the war." Of course, the Conservative party needs to be clear that they will follow the wishes of the referendum, since all the other parties will cut and run regardless, killing NATO, and handing Afghanistan back to the Taliban on a silver platter.
It's not enough that Dion just wants to cut and run, but the fact that he's bold enough to stand around and tell the world, I don't care about you. I don't care about the military. Sure, if he cuts down the military, it'd make for some interesting times the next time his precious province has an ice storm or flood. Lets be clear, I've nothing against Québec. But if you don't support the military, you don't deserve assistance in time of need. We are going to provide the assistance, of course, because it would be inhumane to watch anyone struggle. So, back to the original point, maybe Dion, if he somehow wins the next election, after cutting and running from a war his party started, will order a publication ban on all things Afghanistan, so that he doesn't get any reminders of the hardships the people are facing, and doesn't have to know the atrocities the Taliban are committing.
Well, I think that's a good start. I'll comment on more diverse issues later on.
The war in Afghanistan is really becoming an issue. It shouldn't. There is enough popular support to keep the mission in place. There are three good ways to figure this one out. One is to have a referendum. The other is an election (although, if the Liberals win solely on account of the war ending, then we'll have to suffer for four years while they bask in glory, and kill our economy), and the third would be to include a referendum if an election is triggered. Seeing as how Dion is intent on showing how spectacularly he can lose a fall/winter election, it'd be a great time to slap on a referendum, and say "Gee, we're going to run an election based on everything but the war." Of course, the Conservative party needs to be clear that they will follow the wishes of the referendum, since all the other parties will cut and run regardless, killing NATO, and handing Afghanistan back to the Taliban on a silver platter.
It's not enough that Dion just wants to cut and run, but the fact that he's bold enough to stand around and tell the world, I don't care about you. I don't care about the military. Sure, if he cuts down the military, it'd make for some interesting times the next time his precious province has an ice storm or flood. Lets be clear, I've nothing against Québec. But if you don't support the military, you don't deserve assistance in time of need. We are going to provide the assistance, of course, because it would be inhumane to watch anyone struggle. So, back to the original point, maybe Dion, if he somehow wins the next election, after cutting and running from a war his party started, will order a publication ban on all things Afghanistan, so that he doesn't get any reminders of the hardships the people are facing, and doesn't have to know the atrocities the Taliban are committing.
Well, I think that's a good start. I'll comment on more diverse issues later on.
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