Advisor.ca - Daily News: "According to the minister, the tax changes will eliminate the double taxation of dividends. The tax reduction will take the form of an enhanced dividend 'gross-up' and tax credit to make the total tax on dividends received from large Canadian corporations to make it more comparable to the tax paid on distributions of income trusts.
'Reducing the tax individuals pay on dividends will encourage savings and investment and will help establish a better balance between the tax treatment of large corporations and that of income trusts,' said Minister Goodale. 'This action will benefit Canadians and result in bottom-line tax savings for them.'
As a result of this surprise announcement the Canada Revenue Agency will resume providing advance tax rulings on flow-through entity structures"
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Time for a change!
Tue, November 29, 2005
Curtains for the Liberals
After 12 years, four governments and two prime ministers, it's not just time to boot the federal Liberals out of office. It's time to drive a stake through their hearts, before they rise up again and bleed this country dry.
After losing a historic non-confidence motion in the Commons last night by a vote of 171-133, Paul Martin and the Liberals must now be driven from power by Canadians.
They must be defeated -- and not just because of the Liberal venality, arrogance, greed and theft exposed in AdScam.
They must be defeated because our health-care system has failed too many Canadians while the Liberals boast of piling up record surpluses of our money.
Because Liberal corruption is directly responsible for the revival of the separatist threat in Quebec.
Because the Liberals' naive belief in mollycoddling criminals has left them paralysed and unable to respond to the ongoing gangs and guns crisis in Canadian cities.
Over the past 23 days, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the Liberals have made $24.5 billion in election promises -- more than $1 billion a day or $44 million per hour! They hope this brazen vote-buying will somehow make voters forget the brazen corruption of AdScam.
But does anyone really believe that any of that money is going to improve the lives of average working Canadians?
After all, the Liberals have made big promises and bribed us with our own money in election after election after election.
Ask yourself, after 12 years of Liberal rule, is our health-care system better or worse? Are waiting lists for surgery and diagnostic tests longer or shorter? Is our military stronger or weaker? Do our immigration and refugee system, and our criminal justice system, inspire more confidence, or less?
No wonder Martin launched his campaign last night with the same old tired fearmongering about Stephen Harper and the Conservatives taking the country "backward."
The Liberals have scarcely moved anything forward except spending your money.
Curtains for the Liberals
After 12 years, four governments and two prime ministers, it's not just time to boot the federal Liberals out of office. It's time to drive a stake through their hearts, before they rise up again and bleed this country dry.
After losing a historic non-confidence motion in the Commons last night by a vote of 171-133, Paul Martin and the Liberals must now be driven from power by Canadians.
They must be defeated -- and not just because of the Liberal venality, arrogance, greed and theft exposed in AdScam.
They must be defeated because our health-care system has failed too many Canadians while the Liberals boast of piling up record surpluses of our money.
Because Liberal corruption is directly responsible for the revival of the separatist threat in Quebec.
Because the Liberals' naive belief in mollycoddling criminals has left them paralysed and unable to respond to the ongoing gangs and guns crisis in Canadian cities.
Over the past 23 days, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the Liberals have made $24.5 billion in election promises -- more than $1 billion a day or $44 million per hour! They hope this brazen vote-buying will somehow make voters forget the brazen corruption of AdScam.
But does anyone really believe that any of that money is going to improve the lives of average working Canadians?
After all, the Liberals have made big promises and bribed us with our own money in election after election after election.
Ask yourself, after 12 years of Liberal rule, is our health-care system better or worse? Are waiting lists for surgery and diagnostic tests longer or shorter? Is our military stronger or weaker? Do our immigration and refugee system, and our criminal justice system, inspire more confidence, or less?
No wonder Martin launched his campaign last night with the same old tired fearmongering about Stephen Harper and the Conservatives taking the country "backward."
The Liberals have scarcely moved anything forward except spending your money.
Ont. doctors want health alternatives election debate
Ont. doctors want health alternatives election debate: "Flynn said Canada can no longer offer patients fast access to care compared with Great Britain, which has a private, parallel system alongside its public health system, and said we should look at elements of the British and French models.
'We need to consider in an unemotional way what works elsewhere,' he said. 'This should be about what works, not what used to work.'
Flynn noted there is already a lot of private delivery of health services in Canada, including most doctors' practices, and said politicians should stop trying to portray any private involvement in health care as a betrayal of medicare.
'I think actually the public is getting tired of that. I think they recognize that private health care is something that's a reality in Ontario, a reality in the rest of Canada,' he said. 'Let's try to be clear about what it is we're talking about.'
Flynn has just completed a tour of 26 Ontario cities and towns and said it's obvious 'that our current system is not providing timely access to quality health care' in any community. "
'We need to consider in an unemotional way what works elsewhere,' he said. 'This should be about what works, not what used to work.'
Flynn noted there is already a lot of private delivery of health services in Canada, including most doctors' practices, and said politicians should stop trying to portray any private involvement in health care as a betrayal of medicare.
'I think actually the public is getting tired of that. I think they recognize that private health care is something that's a reality in Ontario, a reality in the rest of Canada,' he said. 'Let's try to be clear about what it is we're talking about.'
Flynn has just completed a tour of 26 Ontario cities and towns and said it's obvious 'that our current system is not providing timely access to quality health care' in any community. "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "VOTERS CONFUSED BY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
By James Wallace"
What a great system - the more you improve your property -the more you pay the government. This is a dubious real incemtive for those that add real value, and have pride of ownership.
it would be interesting to apply the same rule to government services. In other words -if there was a reduction in value of the service -based on poor delivery or reduced service -the tax assessment would go down . It would be nice to get a tax rebate for services not delivered
By James Wallace"
What a great system - the more you improve your property -the more you pay the government. This is a dubious real incemtive for those that add real value, and have pride of ownership.
it would be interesting to apply the same rule to government services. In other words -if there was a reduction in value of the service -based on poor delivery or reduced service -the tax assessment would go down . It would be nice to get a tax rebate for services not delivered
Monday, November 28, 2005
How not to run a campaign
How not to run a campaign: "How not to run a campaign
comment"
A useful insight how not to defeat yourself . It is time for a change . Enough of the empty promises and poor delivery of "our" money. PR
comment"
A useful insight how not to defeat yourself . It is time for a change . Enough of the empty promises and poor delivery of "our" money. PR
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Peoples savings dwindle -thanks to bad governance
It is time that there is an accounting -there are a lot of people that are tired of having there Income trust dwindle in value through the actions of this Liberal federal government- ruling on income trust an unacceptable and indecent proposal PR
There's no doubt about it -- retirees are steaming mad over attack on income trusts by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and they are trying to make their voices heard in Ottawa. Unfortunately, so far the government hasn't even acknowledged their legitimate concerns.
I have today sent the following message to Mr. Martin and Mr. Goodale: You're playing Russian roulette with the life savings of thousands of Canadian retirees and seniors with your "indecision" on income trusts. We sit and watch the valuations of our trust portfolios dwindle every day because of the climate of fear you've created in the trust sector. Waiting until your February budget is cruel and unusual punishment for Canadians on fixed incomes trying to make ends meet and heat their homes this winter. The least you can do is make a statement that you will "grandfather" existing income trusts. We invested in good Canadian companies under the rules you created. We don't deserve this." – R.C.
"The problem with we peon Canadians responding to the Minister of Finance's disastrous musings on income trusts is that the federal government and its employees are too far removed from the life of ordinary risk-taking Canadians. With marvelous salaries, secure jobs, and pensions, the Ottawa Finance Department cannot possibly relate to our struggle for investment and retirement survival. So the idea that there could be any meaningful acceptance of our views must be purely fanciful. The so-called 'opportunity to be heard' plays us for the fools we Canadians are. What a lamentable and shameful situation!" – R.S.
"I depend on personal investments and the various income streams generated by them to provide retirement income. Much has been written about how this issue is being handled. There is no doubt that the Liberals have no clue what it is they are doing but they are going to do something to at least satisfy the egos of the upper echelon of government officials. (They now will end up with egg on their collective faces, and you can bet they will disburse the blame as far as possible).
"Instead of trying to convince the Liberals to change their minds on this issue by criticism of their policies and procedures, more has to be done to let them know directly that they work for the voters. There is very little written on the subject of the power of the voter. A huge sector of the population (Baby Boomers) is either in the stage of early retirement or saving and investing for retirement. These voters have a phenomenal ability to impact governments in terms of what they demand. The message needs to be put out to the Liberals that their future is in their own hands. The Liberals will brush off any criticism on this matter as they have in the past (Dingwall, Sponsorship, etc), but they do understand one thing Angry Voters". – E.S.
There's no doubt about it -- retirees are steaming mad over attack on income trusts by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and they are trying to make their voices heard in Ottawa. Unfortunately, so far the government hasn't even acknowledged their legitimate concerns.
I have today sent the following message to Mr. Martin and Mr. Goodale: You're playing Russian roulette with the life savings of thousands of Canadian retirees and seniors with your "indecision" on income trusts. We sit and watch the valuations of our trust portfolios dwindle every day because of the climate of fear you've created in the trust sector. Waiting until your February budget is cruel and unusual punishment for Canadians on fixed incomes trying to make ends meet and heat their homes this winter. The least you can do is make a statement that you will "grandfather" existing income trusts. We invested in good Canadian companies under the rules you created. We don't deserve this." – R.C.
"The problem with we peon Canadians responding to the Minister of Finance's disastrous musings on income trusts is that the federal government and its employees are too far removed from the life of ordinary risk-taking Canadians. With marvelous salaries, secure jobs, and pensions, the Ottawa Finance Department cannot possibly relate to our struggle for investment and retirement survival. So the idea that there could be any meaningful acceptance of our views must be purely fanciful. The so-called 'opportunity to be heard' plays us for the fools we Canadians are. What a lamentable and shameful situation!" – R.S.
"I depend on personal investments and the various income streams generated by them to provide retirement income. Much has been written about how this issue is being handled. There is no doubt that the Liberals have no clue what it is they are doing but they are going to do something to at least satisfy the egos of the upper echelon of government officials. (They now will end up with egg on their collective faces, and you can bet they will disburse the blame as far as possible).
"Instead of trying to convince the Liberals to change their minds on this issue by criticism of their policies and procedures, more has to be done to let them know directly that they work for the voters. There is very little written on the subject of the power of the voter. A huge sector of the population (Baby Boomers) is either in the stage of early retirement or saving and investing for retirement. These voters have a phenomenal ability to impact governments in terms of what they demand. The message needs to be put out to the Liberals that their future is in their own hands. The Liberals will brush off any criticism on this matter as they have in the past (Dingwall, Sponsorship, etc), but they do understand one thing Angry Voters". – E.S.
Friday, November 25, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Reverse racism continues
To be balanced about the people who came here under false government promises (see notcanada.com) how about white Canadians in Canada? Discrimination not based on personal merit should not be tolerated . PR
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Reverse racism continues: "How lovely that it only took three days worth of public backlash for the federal Public Works Department to rescind an utterly racist and discriminatory hiring policy that would have seen the department only hire, well, anyone but able-bodied white men for the next several months.
'It was misconstrued by some as being non-inclusive and this was not the intention,' said a spokesman earlier this week. 'So as a result of the concern expressed in this regard, the department is rescinding this special measure.'
So that's that, right? Hardly. "
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Reverse racism continues: "How lovely that it only took three days worth of public backlash for the federal Public Works Department to rescind an utterly racist and discriminatory hiring policy that would have seen the department only hire, well, anyone but able-bodied white men for the next several months.
'It was misconstrued by some as being non-inclusive and this was not the intention,' said a spokesman earlier this week. 'So as a result of the concern expressed in this regard, the department is rescinding this special measure.'
So that's that, right? Hardly. "
National Post Lord Black fights back
National Post: "Lord Black faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on all the charges.
Before he got into his car last night, he was asked whether he was worried about his own situation with former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers being sentenced to 25 years in jail for his role in an accounting scandal.
He brushed off the comparison.
'There was a colossal bankruptcy, 50,000 people lost their jobs, tens of billions of dollars were lost and there was a $4-billion accounting fraud. Keep a little perspective, guys,' he said.
'This isn't Enron. This isn't WorldCom. This was a magnificent company that the people who seized it used as a platform in which to persecute and defame the people who built it. [They] have torn it apart and destroyed it at the expense of the shareholders.... Those are my thoughts for the evening.'"
Before he got into his car last night, he was asked whether he was worried about his own situation with former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers being sentenced to 25 years in jail for his role in an accounting scandal.
He brushed off the comparison.
'There was a colossal bankruptcy, 50,000 people lost their jobs, tens of billions of dollars were lost and there was a $4-billion accounting fraud. Keep a little perspective, guys,' he said.
'This isn't Enron. This isn't WorldCom. This was a magnificent company that the people who seized it used as a platform in which to persecute and defame the people who built it. [They] have torn it apart and destroyed it at the expense of the shareholders.... Those are my thoughts for the evening.'"
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Free from the public trustee
The law should be changed . Good for the Winnipeg Sun expose of this freedom issue.
"It's too bad we had to go through all this trouble," said Grace Hanaway, Thomas' wife, adding she's relieved it's finally over. "Some people may need help but they (government) have got to sort it out properly and fairly."
And that's exactly the problem with the legislation and policies that govern the Public Trustee process.
There are almost no checks and balances in the system and no accessible appeal mechanisms. And once the Public Trustee takes over, it's very difficult to get them out of your life.
In fact, it's impossible without going to court and spending a few thousand dollars on lawyers' fees.
Hanaway, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, became ensnared in the system after he underwent a psychiatric assessment at a geriatric centre he was attending.
"It's too bad we had to go through all this trouble," said Grace Hanaway, Thomas' wife, adding she's relieved it's finally over. "Some people may need help but they (government) have got to sort it out properly and fairly."
And that's exactly the problem with the legislation and policies that govern the Public Trustee process.
There are almost no checks and balances in the system and no accessible appeal mechanisms. And once the Public Trustee takes over, it's very difficult to get them out of your life.
In fact, it's impossible without going to court and spending a few thousand dollars on lawyers' fees.
Hanaway, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, became ensnared in the system after he underwent a psychiatric assessment at a geriatric centre he was attending.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Sale passes buck Interesting Canada 2nd in health spending ,30th in delivery
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Sale passes buck: "The provincial government admits it can't stop private clinics from selling MRI scans to the public unless Ottawa decides the practice contravenes the Canada Health Act.
'We don't have any choice, they're the body that sanctions us,' Health Minister Tim Sale said when pressed by reporters in the legislature yesterday. '(The feds) are the ones that will levy fines if this machine contravenes the act and they're also the ones that won't levy fines if it doesn't.'
The legalities of selling elective MRI scans outside of a hospital became a hot-button issue in Manitoba when Maples Surgical Centre in Winnipeg purchased a scanner earlier this month.
'Growing by the day'
Once the private clinic receives its accreditation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, it will begin providing MRI scans at $695 to its list of patients that is 'growing by the day,' said Dwayne Venter, the general manager of the clinic.
'Hopefully it'll be within the next two weeks,' said Venter. 'I've got people contacting me, it's growing by the day. They're almost banging down the door.'
The Tories and Venter insist federal and provincial legislation does not prohibit private clinics from selling elective MRI scans."
'We don't have any choice, they're the body that sanctions us,' Health Minister Tim Sale said when pressed by reporters in the legislature yesterday. '(The feds) are the ones that will levy fines if this machine contravenes the act and they're also the ones that won't levy fines if it doesn't.'
The legalities of selling elective MRI scans outside of a hospital became a hot-button issue in Manitoba when Maples Surgical Centre in Winnipeg purchased a scanner earlier this month.
'Growing by the day'
Once the private clinic receives its accreditation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, it will begin providing MRI scans at $695 to its list of patients that is 'growing by the day,' said Dwayne Venter, the general manager of the clinic.
'Hopefully it'll be within the next two weeks,' said Venter. 'I've got people contacting me, it's growing by the day. They're almost banging down the door.'
The Tories and Venter insist federal and provincial legislation does not prohibit private clinics from selling elective MRI scans."
Hamilton may be notcanada.com and w5 expose made the difference
Ont. unveils new labour deal with feds
Canadian Press
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
CREDIT: Pat McGrath/Ottawa Citizen
Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources
ADVERTISEMENT
TORONTO -- Ontario and Ottawa have agreed two labour market deals that will put $1.3 billion in federal cash over the next six years into job training for the province's residents and recent immigrants.
The Canada-Ontario labour market development agreement will transfer millions of employment insurance dollars to the province, starting with $30 million in the first year and rising to $314 million in each of the fifth and sixth years.
The funds will go towards training, apprenticeships and helping immigrants enter the labour market.
A labour market deal between the province and federal government has been anticipated since late spring.
Business experts have said the agreement is important for addressing a shortage of skilled workers in the province, particularly in northern communities.
Federal Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach and Chris Bentley, Ontario's minister of training, colleges and universities, announced the deal in Toronto.
Canadian Press
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
CREDIT: Pat McGrath/Ottawa Citizen
Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources
ADVERTISEMENT
TORONTO -- Ontario and Ottawa have agreed two labour market deals that will put $1.3 billion in federal cash over the next six years into job training for the province's residents and recent immigrants.
The Canada-Ontario labour market development agreement will transfer millions of employment insurance dollars to the province, starting with $30 million in the first year and rising to $314 million in each of the fifth and sixth years.
The funds will go towards training, apprenticeships and helping immigrants enter the labour market.
A labour market deal between the province and federal government has been anticipated since late spring.
Business experts have said the agreement is important for addressing a shortage of skilled workers in the province, particularly in northern communities.
Federal Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach and Chris Bentley, Ontario's minister of training, colleges and universities, announced the deal in Toronto.
Monday, November 21, 2005
The high price all Canadians pay for federal 'pogey'
Isn't it amazing that the adminstration costs 86% of the total amount spent of the ui budget in the maratimes - who are these people helping other then themselves
The destruction wrought by federal Employment Insurance (EI, formerly UI) on eastern provinces has been widely documented for two decades. Yet the federal government keeps expanding the program.
Two years ago EI was extended to workers who quit their jobs for six weeks to care for terminally ill family members. How kind.
Trouble is, Conservative EI critic Lynne Yelich revealed last week, it cost Ottawa almost $70 million on administration to dole out $11 million in "compassionate care" claims.
Forgive me for being uncompassionate, but this is simply one more reason to abolish the whole program.
EI has an interesting if depressing history. It was Ottawa's first invasion of the provinces' responsibility for social spending and required a special amendment to Canada's constitution by the British Parliament in 1940.
UI started sensibly enough, but in 1971 it was ramped up into a gigantic vote-getter, especially in rural Quebec and the Atlantic.
The idea was to save small towns by using EI to subsidize "seasonal" jobs in fishing and forestry --jobs which hitherto had not qualified for benefits. This became known locally as "Lotto 10-42" -- work 10 weeks and loaf for the next 42.
In his excellent book "Retreat From Growth," maritime economist Fred McMahon documents the devastating effect UI inflicts on the Atlantic economy.
During the 1960s, before the feds showed up to "help," the region had almost caught up to the rest of the country. Unemployment was only slightly higher than the Canadian average, private job-creating investment was the same, and education and skill levels were rising.
Then came Lotto 10-42, along with a raft of bogus "job creation" grants to help people get their 10 weeks to qualify for benefits.
It didn't matter what the jobs were, and still doesn't -- fixing park benches, counting cars, making fibreglas caskets in Cape Breton. Atlantic political careers are won or lost on the delivery of EI make-work grants.
A maritimer who "hoards" a make-work job longer than the EI qualifying period is considered selfish. The wage rates of these bogus jobs are set exactly high enough to deliver the maximum EI benefit.
Meanwhile, real jobs frequently go begging for lack of anyone willing or skilled enough to do them, private investment lags, and Atlantic skill levels have dropped, because you can't collect pogey in school.
Ottawa might as well have handed out heroin. In some towns 90% of the people are addicted.
It got so ridiculous that in 1993 even the federal Liberals decided to scale it back. Resentment flared, and the Liberals dropped from 31 Atlantic seats to 11 in the 1997 election. Benefits were later significantly restored.
The question is, who will end this ridiculous program?
Well, not the federal Liberals. Nor the federal Conservatives. Nor the "have-not" provincial premiers. Politically they can't.
Only the premiers of the "have" provinces, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and B.C., have a motive to end it, because their workers are paying for it through higher-than-necessary EI premiums -- $800 annually per Albertan and $900 per Ontarian.
Until the "have" province premiers push for a constitutional amendment restoring EI responsibility to the provinces, nobody will fix the problem, and the whole country will go on paying the price.
The destruction wrought by federal Employment Insurance (EI, formerly UI) on eastern provinces has been widely documented for two decades. Yet the federal government keeps expanding the program.
Two years ago EI was extended to workers who quit their jobs for six weeks to care for terminally ill family members. How kind.
Trouble is, Conservative EI critic Lynne Yelich revealed last week, it cost Ottawa almost $70 million on administration to dole out $11 million in "compassionate care" claims.
Forgive me for being uncompassionate, but this is simply one more reason to abolish the whole program.
EI has an interesting if depressing history. It was Ottawa's first invasion of the provinces' responsibility for social spending and required a special amendment to Canada's constitution by the British Parliament in 1940.
UI started sensibly enough, but in 1971 it was ramped up into a gigantic vote-getter, especially in rural Quebec and the Atlantic.
The idea was to save small towns by using EI to subsidize "seasonal" jobs in fishing and forestry --jobs which hitherto had not qualified for benefits. This became known locally as "Lotto 10-42" -- work 10 weeks and loaf for the next 42.
In his excellent book "Retreat From Growth," maritime economist Fred McMahon documents the devastating effect UI inflicts on the Atlantic economy.
During the 1960s, before the feds showed up to "help," the region had almost caught up to the rest of the country. Unemployment was only slightly higher than the Canadian average, private job-creating investment was the same, and education and skill levels were rising.
Then came Lotto 10-42, along with a raft of bogus "job creation" grants to help people get their 10 weeks to qualify for benefits.
It didn't matter what the jobs were, and still doesn't -- fixing park benches, counting cars, making fibreglas caskets in Cape Breton. Atlantic political careers are won or lost on the delivery of EI make-work grants.
A maritimer who "hoards" a make-work job longer than the EI qualifying period is considered selfish. The wage rates of these bogus jobs are set exactly high enough to deliver the maximum EI benefit.
Meanwhile, real jobs frequently go begging for lack of anyone willing or skilled enough to do them, private investment lags, and Atlantic skill levels have dropped, because you can't collect pogey in school.
Ottawa might as well have handed out heroin. In some towns 90% of the people are addicted.
It got so ridiculous that in 1993 even the federal Liberals decided to scale it back. Resentment flared, and the Liberals dropped from 31 Atlantic seats to 11 in the 1997 election. Benefits were later significantly restored.
The question is, who will end this ridiculous program?
Well, not the federal Liberals. Nor the federal Conservatives. Nor the "have-not" provincial premiers. Politically they can't.
Only the premiers of the "have" provinces, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and B.C., have a motive to end it, because their workers are paying for it through higher-than-necessary EI premiums -- $800 annually per Albertan and $900 per Ontarian.
Until the "have" province premiers push for a constitutional amendment restoring EI responsibility to the provinces, nobody will fix the problem, and the whole country will go on paying the price.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Hamilton Amazing truth from the liberal finance minister himself
The tax system in Canada amounts to legalized stealing and looting from you. Imagine what you could do with your money if these parasites did not have it. PR
Hamilton: "Goodale admits Canadians overtaxed
But cutting GST not the answer, says Federal Finance Minister
Bruce Cheadle
Canadian Press
Friday, November 18, 2005
Finance Minister Ralph Goodale says that Canadians may be overtaxed but the Goods and Service taxes will remain in effect. (CP PHOTO/Fred Chartrand)
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA -- Canadians may be overtaxed, but cutting the goods and services tax is not the answer, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said Friday.
Goodale was responding to media reports that the Conservatives could pledge to cut the GST as part of their platform in the coming federal election. In a round-table discussion with The Canadian Press, Goodale said that would be one of the least effective and most costly tools for improving economic productivity and Canadian living standards. "
Hamilton: "Goodale admits Canadians overtaxed
But cutting GST not the answer, says Federal Finance Minister
Bruce Cheadle
Canadian Press
Friday, November 18, 2005
Finance Minister Ralph Goodale says that Canadians may be overtaxed but the Goods and Service taxes will remain in effect. (CP PHOTO/Fred Chartrand)
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA -- Canadians may be overtaxed, but cutting the goods and services tax is not the answer, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said Friday.
Goodale was responding to media reports that the Conservatives could pledge to cut the GST as part of their platform in the coming federal election. In a round-table discussion with The Canadian Press, Goodale said that would be one of the least effective and most costly tools for improving economic productivity and Canadian living standards. "
Saturday, November 19, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Liberals to the rescue after years of inaction
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Liberals to the rescue after years of inaction: "Gelinas says Indian Affairs found risks to drinking water quality on three-quarters of reserves in 2001, but there are still no laws or regulations governing their water supply.
She told the aboriginal affairs committee that some First Nation communities have been under boil-water advisories for years.
Hmmm.
And we have had a federal Liberal government for years ... 12 of them to be exact.
Yet this is same gang, from Martin on down, will go on the election trail -- either days or weeks from now -- and tell us with a straight face that it was the Opposition that disrupted plans to sort out the problems on reserves. That only a Liberal government can be trusted to put things right.
It would be amusing if the truth weren't so tragic. "
She told the aboriginal affairs committee that some First Nation communities have been under boil-water advisories for years.
Hmmm.
And we have had a federal Liberal government for years ... 12 of them to be exact.
Yet this is same gang, from Martin on down, will go on the election trail -- either days or weeks from now -- and tell us with a straight face that it was the Opposition that disrupted plans to sort out the problems on reserves. That only a Liberal government can be trusted to put things right.
It would be amusing if the truth weren't so tragic. "
National Post
It just keep getting better and better . Whatever happened to equality and merit in Canada - truly discusting . PR
National Post: "White males need not apply
Internal e-mail reveals hiring ban at Public Works
Tom Blackwell
National Post
Saturday, November 19, 2005
1 | 2 | NEXT >>
A major federal department has temporarily banned the hiring of able-bodied white men in an unusual move critics say could spark a backlash against the very disadvantaged groups it is meant to help."
National Post: "White males need not apply
Internal e-mail reveals hiring ban at Public Works
Tom Blackwell
National Post
Saturday, November 19, 2005
1 | 2 | NEXT >>
A major federal department has temporarily banned the hiring of able-bodied white men in an unusual move critics say could spark a backlash against the very disadvantaged groups it is meant to help."
Friday, November 18, 2005
CTV.ca | Black's career takes a further step into darkness
Too bad - lets see what happen to the warrior. It is amazing that the same legal targeting is not used against people of adscam fame. Are there different rules for different folks ? PR
CTV.ca | Black's career takes a further step into darkness: "Black's career takes a further step into darkness
TORONTO
'His astonishing career as well as the vagaries of his romantic and family life provide practically unlimited possibilities for dramatization.''"
CTV.ca | Black's career takes a further step into darkness: "Black's career takes a further step into darkness
TORONTO
'His astonishing career as well as the vagaries of his romantic and family life provide practically unlimited possibilities for dramatization.''"
Thursday, November 17, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Health-care hypocrisy
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Health-care hypocrisy: "Health-care hypocrisy
Why is Prime Minister Paul Martin silent on the growing moves to privatize health care in Quebec, which even his own party in that province now supports?
Quebec already has more private medical clinics than any other province in Canada -- including Martin's favourite whipping boy when it comes to medicare, Alberta.
Martin can't plead ignorance about the huge number of private clinics in Quebec. His own doctor runs one.
Last weekend, the Quebec wing of the federal Liberal party endorsed a resolution calling for the expansion of private health care in that province as a way of combating unacceptably long waiting lists for medical treatment. "
Why is Prime Minister Paul Martin silent on the growing moves to privatize health care in Quebec, which even his own party in that province now supports?
Quebec already has more private medical clinics than any other province in Canada -- including Martin's favourite whipping boy when it comes to medicare, Alberta.
Martin can't plead ignorance about the huge number of private clinics in Quebec. His own doctor runs one.
Last weekend, the Quebec wing of the federal Liberal party endorsed a resolution calling for the expansion of private health care in that province as a way of combating unacceptably long waiting lists for medical treatment. "
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
When will the bubble burst?
There is a natural financial correction every 25 years. Do you remember 18% interest rates in the 80's . Those in priveledged monopoly positions with their inflated wages -those normally protected from economic realities will feel the pain. Beware you are heading for a painful and rude awakening. Question your ability to sustain or survive your existing life style. The question to ask yourself is:
- Inflated salaries means inflated living costs- can you afford or sustain your 4000 sq ft house or palace for 2-if your real salary or personal revenue is reduced dramatically . (Conserve and save - lower your consumption habits and expectations.) CYA.
- Can we sustain inflated salaries and wages when we compete with the rest of the world?
- Check what a policeman, teacher, judge, jailgaurd, doctor, nurse,other workers are paid in China or India -the reality check .
- Are you worth the money when those in China produce the same products for 10% of what you produce?
Do you really believe that a corrupt and bloated "over tax it" government that has failed in economics 101 can help you? The fall of the " roman empire" is a economic reality. Greed and everyone for themselves will continue to prevail at great personal cost for those that pay for the misadventures of over inflated non performancers. If you can't compete you will perish.
Be aware , forearmed and forwarned - get ready for the unpleasantness of economic reality.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Hospital admits mistakes made
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Hospital admits mistakes made: "We need to have a health-care system that is held accountable,' said Gerrard, adding the bill would ensure measurable outcomes are in place and agreed-upon recommendations are implemented.
Another bereaved daughter was in the legislature gallery yesterday afternoon, also asking for accountability from the health minister.
Mimi Raglan's mom -- Frances Raglan -- was mistreated at Riverview Health Centre and died after being discharged in October 2001.
'It's outrageous there has been no apology to us. My mother was clearly put on the wrong treatment plan,' said Raglan.
Health Minister Tim Sale acknowledged the error and apologized for the family's grief but wouldn't commit to remedial action. "
Another bereaved daughter was in the legislature gallery yesterday afternoon, also asking for accountability from the health minister.
Mimi Raglan's mom -- Frances Raglan -- was mistreated at Riverview Health Centre and died after being discharged in October 2001.
'It's outrageous there has been no apology to us. My mother was clearly put on the wrong treatment plan,' said Raglan.
Health Minister Tim Sale acknowledged the error and apologized for the family's grief but wouldn't commit to remedial action. "
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - We've heard it before
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - We've heard it before: "What an insult to the intelligence of Canadian voters. For starters, to suggest that his party is the only one capable or caring enough to implement social policy change is arrogant in the extreme. Then there's the troubling fact that they have had well over a decade to make progress and in that time have managed to do very little to fix health care, or the conditions on reserves or day care or offshore revenue sharing. "
Sunday, November 06, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - End the immigration charade
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - End the immigration charade: "And while Volpe says a hike in immigration is needed to meet Canada's labour needs, the fact is we already have far too many foreign-trained doctors and engineers working as cab drivers because the feds, after 12 years, still haven't figured out a sensible way to recognize their credentials. "
Saturday, November 05, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Harper on right track
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Harper on right track: "That means keeping government at a reasonable size and acting as a catalyst, instead of an impediment, to business growth. It means a commitment to balancing the federal budget by learning to live within our means, not by taxing us half to death. It means tax breaks for individuals and corporations, in recognition of the fact that we'd like to make our own choices about how our money is spent. It means creative solutions to our health-care system instead of the kind of tinkering we have seen in recent years that has frustrated medical professionals and the general public alike. "
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
National Post quick facts on the gomery report
Can you believe that it took this long to discover that those in power have an absolute disregard for public funds? Do we have the right to be a country when such blatant "criminality" is permitted and condoned by our "leaders ". Trust be dammed PR
National Post: "Gomery Report
Mary Vallis
National Post"
National Post: "Gomery Report
Mary Vallis
National Post"
Hamilton
Water water everywhere and not a safe drop to drink! safe water should be a canadian right - why not fix it -enough meetings - why not just fix it .
PR We have lots of people with talent to do so- get rid of the administrators who do not have the will or brains to act.
Hamilton: "More water woes near Walkerton
Keith Leslie
Canadian Press"
PR We have lots of people with talent to do so- get rid of the administrators who do not have the will or brains to act.
Hamilton: "More water woes near Walkerton
Keith Leslie
Canadian Press"
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
People make the difference
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Father's wish of accessible home for disabled daughter comes true
Expositor Staff
By Vincent Ball
Local News - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 @ 01:00
What do you get when you mix more than 300 volunteers with national donors, corporate sponsors and about 80 local partners?
The fulfillment of a father�s dream.
�Every day for the last 15 years I�ve had a dream of building an accessible home for my daughter Amber,� Fred Pelzer said. �For the last three weeks, I�ve been living that dream.�
Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Brant, Fred, his wife Connie and their four children � Amber, Freddie, Matthew and Madison � will be able to live the dream for years to come.
They are the recipients of the first accessible home built by Habitat for Humanity Brant. It was constructed on land donated by Empire Communities in West Brant, with help from an army of volunteers backed by a lengthy list of corporate donors. "
Expositor Staff
By Vincent Ball
Local News - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 @ 01:00
What do you get when you mix more than 300 volunteers with national donors, corporate sponsors and about 80 local partners?
The fulfillment of a father�s dream.
�Every day for the last 15 years I�ve had a dream of building an accessible home for my daughter Amber,� Fred Pelzer said. �For the last three weeks, I�ve been living that dream.�
Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Brant, Fred, his wife Connie and their four children � Amber, Freddie, Matthew and Madison � will be able to live the dream for years to come.
They are the recipients of the first accessible home built by Habitat for Humanity Brant. It was constructed on land donated by Empire Communities in West Brant, with help from an army of volunteers backed by a lengthy list of corporate donors. "
innovation for health
Yahoo! Mail - respondfeedbacknow@yahoo.ca: "A Burst of Fresh Air
Deep-sea divers have long known the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) -- a method for efficient delivery of pure oxygen -- to treat those with the 'bends,' a condition that can occur as a diver rises to the surface and the changing pressure causes nitrogen gas bubbles to form in the lungs, tissues and bloodstream, leading to a potentially lethal blood flow blockage. Today, doctors use HBOT to treat a number of other conditions -- carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning, wounds that aren't healing properly, serious burns, soft tissue and bone infections and certain complications from radiation therapy. While everyone agrees about the usefulness of HBOT for these conditions, there is another usage that is generating much debate -- the practice of using HBOT to address neurological problems, including brain damage from strokes.
About HBOT
HBOT administers 100% oxygen (versus the 21% that is in the air we breathe) in a chamber with an air pressure considerably greater than the air around us. The pressure dramatically raises the number of oxygen molecules entering the bloodstream -- by as much as 2,000%. The vastly increased oxygen level allows the oxygen to reach bone and tissue that it normally can't reach, where it may accelerate healing. The oxygen also can enhance functioning of white blood cells, the infection fighters, which may improve aspects of immune system function. It is the ability to heal tissue that has neurologists evaluating HBO for use with stroke patients. Harry T. Whelan, MD, medical director of the Froedtert & Medical College Hyperbaric Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, is "
Deep-sea divers have long known the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) -- a method for efficient delivery of pure oxygen -- to treat those with the 'bends,' a condition that can occur as a diver rises to the surface and the changing pressure causes nitrogen gas bubbles to form in the lungs, tissues and bloodstream, leading to a potentially lethal blood flow blockage. Today, doctors use HBOT to treat a number of other conditions -- carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning, wounds that aren't healing properly, serious burns, soft tissue and bone infections and certain complications from radiation therapy. While everyone agrees about the usefulness of HBOT for these conditions, there is another usage that is generating much debate -- the practice of using HBOT to address neurological problems, including brain damage from strokes.
About HBOT
HBOT administers 100% oxygen (versus the 21% that is in the air we breathe) in a chamber with an air pressure considerably greater than the air around us. The pressure dramatically raises the number of oxygen molecules entering the bloodstream -- by as much as 2,000%. The vastly increased oxygen level allows the oxygen to reach bone and tissue that it normally can't reach, where it may accelerate healing. The oxygen also can enhance functioning of white blood cells, the infection fighters, which may improve aspects of immune system function. It is the ability to heal tissue that has neurologists evaluating HBO for use with stroke patients. Harry T. Whelan, MD, medical director of the Froedtert & Medical College Hyperbaric Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, is "
Friday, October 07, 2005
Citizens for an Alternative Tax System
Citizens for an Alternative Tax System: "Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations, sets forth four signs of a bad tax system:
1. A large bureaucracy for administration. Did you know that the IRS, with over 150,000 employees is the largest tax bureaucracy since ancient Rome? Its tentacles reach out and have hold on over 200 million people.
2. A system that puts taxpayers through 'odious examinations...and exposes them to much unnecessary trouble, vexation, and oppression.'
3. A system that encourages evasion.
4. A system that obstructs the industry of the people, and discourages enterprise which might otherwise give 'employment to great multitudes,' i.e. jobs. That obligates people to excessive payments and thereby takes away the funds that would promote commerce, industry and employment. "
1. A large bureaucracy for administration. Did you know that the IRS, with over 150,000 employees is the largest tax bureaucracy since ancient Rome? Its tentacles reach out and have hold on over 200 million people.
2. A system that puts taxpayers through 'odious examinations...and exposes them to much unnecessary trouble, vexation, and oppression.'
3. A system that encourages evasion.
4. A system that obstructs the industry of the people, and discourages enterprise which might otherwise give 'employment to great multitudes,' i.e. jobs. That obligates people to excessive payments and thereby takes away the funds that would promote commerce, industry and employment. "
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
National Post More consumer choice -more gov't revenue
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=3ff93967-ccc1-4421-967b-a1511a54e360
National Post: "The government of Alberta, which privatized its retail outlets a decage ago, profits more from provincial liquor sales than Ontario or Quebec, a new study has found.
The Montreal Economic Institute compared the three provinces' liquor industries and concluded Alberta's private retail system not only racks up greater profits for the government, but has also spawned more outlets and a greater number of products for consumers to choose from."
National Post: "The government of Alberta, which privatized its retail outlets a decage ago, profits more from provincial liquor sales than Ontario or Quebec, a new study has found.
The Montreal Economic Institute compared the three provinces' liquor industries and concluded Alberta's private retail system not only racks up greater profits for the government, but has also spawned more outlets and a greater number of products for consumers to choose from."
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Hamilton Post Will government greed kill Stelco jobs ?
http://www.canada.com/hamilton/news/story.html?id=493c2a17-a647-4d1e-98d6-1e0825b44adc&page=2
"The province has at the very least been extremely opportunistic in delivering this blow to Stelco," apparently hoping that in all the confusion surrounding Stelco no one would notice the province dealt "a death blow" to Stelco and is "playing chicken with the lives of Stelco's employees and others . . . to cover up its own regulatory failures," the bondholders allege.
The group also outlines a series of complaints it has with Stelco's restructuring process and plan, including:
-an "excessive" downpayment of $400 million into the pension deficiency
-a $100 million convertible not issue, which is "extremely expensive, to the benefit of Tricap alone"
-a failure to search for competing financing proposals
-the intentional exclusion of Stelco's creditors from negotiations on the restructuring plan
-Stelco's attempt to boost the fee it will pay to UBS as a financial advisor, and a request to hire BMO Nesbitt Burns for further services
Also on Friday, Alex Morrison of Ernst & Young, the court-appointed monitor in the case, said voting creditors which "likely represent over 50 per cent, by dollar value, of the claims . . . have all indicated that, if a vote were to be held today, they would vote against the plan."
"The province has at the very least been extremely opportunistic in delivering this blow to Stelco," apparently hoping that in all the confusion surrounding Stelco no one would notice the province dealt "a death blow" to Stelco and is "playing chicken with the lives of Stelco's employees and others . . . to cover up its own regulatory failures," the bondholders allege.
The group also outlines a series of complaints it has with Stelco's restructuring process and plan, including:
-an "excessive" downpayment of $400 million into the pension deficiency
-a $100 million convertible not issue, which is "extremely expensive, to the benefit of Tricap alone"
-a failure to search for competing financing proposals
-the intentional exclusion of Stelco's creditors from negotiations on the restructuring plan
-Stelco's attempt to boost the fee it will pay to UBS as a financial advisor, and a request to hire BMO Nesbitt Burns for further services
Also on Friday, Alex Morrison of Ernst & Young, the court-appointed monitor in the case, said voting creditors which "likely represent over 50 per cent, by dollar value, of the claims . . . have all indicated that, if a vote were to be held today, they would vote against the plan."
Thursday, September 29, 2005
News | canada.com network
News | canada.com network: "Dingwall to resign, wants to clear his name
Alexander Panetta
Canadian Press
September 28, 2005
CREDIT: CP, Tom Hanson
David Dingwall, president and CEO of the Canadian Mint and former Public Works minister.
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA -- The head of the Royal Canadian Mint has resigned amid allegations of ethical misdeeds, making him the fifth Crown corporation boss to leave in controversy since Paul Martin became prime minister"
Alexander Panetta
Canadian Press
September 28, 2005
CREDIT: CP, Tom Hanson
David Dingwall, president and CEO of the Canadian Mint and former Public Works minister.
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA -- The head of the Royal Canadian Mint has resigned amid allegations of ethical misdeeds, making him the fifth Crown corporation boss to leave in controversy since Paul Martin became prime minister"
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
National Post
National Post: "Canada taxes business investment more heavily than any other competing nation except China -- and taxes on Canadians' personal investment income can reach 80%, according to a study released yesterday"
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | Politics | Federal health minister tiptoes around Alberta's study of private insurance
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | Politics | Federal health minister tiptoes around Alberta's study of private insurance: "Federal health minister tiptoes around Alberta's study of private insurance
JUDY MONCHUK
CALGARY (CP) - Canada's health minister refused Monday to be drawn into a debate over Alberta's examination of private health-care insurance.
'Alberta has basically said they are reviewing the situation and I don't think it's appropriate for me to make any pre-emptory comments,' Ujjal Dosanjh said Monday. Dosanjh - buoyed by a new poll which shows Liberal fortunes soaring over Stephen Harper's Tories federally and even rising in traditionally anti-Liberal Alberta - did not seem to want to say anything that might rock that boat."
JUDY MONCHUK
CALGARY (CP) - Canada's health minister refused Monday to be drawn into a debate over Alberta's examination of private health-care insurance.
'Alberta has basically said they are reviewing the situation and I don't think it's appropriate for me to make any pre-emptory comments,' Ujjal Dosanjh said Monday. Dosanjh - buoyed by a new poll which shows Liberal fortunes soaring over Stephen Harper's Tories federally and even rising in traditionally anti-Liberal Alberta - did not seem to want to say anything that might rock that boat."
Sunday, September 18, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Registry shooting blanks
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Registry shooting blanks: "In late 1994, when then-justice minister Allan Rock unveiled the gun-control program, he declared, 'this tough new gun-control program will improve public safety and send a strong message that the criminal misuse of guns will not be tolerated.' Eleven years later, the Liberals are suddenly worried about gun crime because their electoral heartland has been blitzed by gun violence.
In a more sane country, Toronto would realize the gun registry has been exposed as an expensive waste of money and would punish the Liberals for lying to them by voting them out. And the Grits would shut down their useless registry and put the money into actual police officers fighting crime.
Sadly, neither of these things is going to happen. These lessons will go unlearned."
In a more sane country, Toronto would realize the gun registry has been exposed as an expensive waste of money and would punish the Liberals for lying to them by voting them out. And the Grits would shut down their useless registry and put the money into actual police officers fighting crime.
Sadly, neither of these things is going to happen. These lessons will go unlearned."
Saturday, September 17, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - A miserable failure
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - A miserable failure: " political wag once described former federal Conservative leader Robert Stanfield as the 'greatest prime minister Canada never had.' It was an acknowledgement that, while the quiet Nova Scotian possessed the intelligence and the acumen to lead the country, he was done in by political manoeuvring and never had the chance to prove himself. "
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Hamilton
TORONTO -- The dozen years an Ontario man has languished in jail for raping and killing a four-year-old girl is just one more painful reason Canada needs a better system to deal with wrongful convictions, his supporters said Tuesday
"It's very upsetting after the number of wrongful convictions that have happened in this country," Dalton said.
"The list is getting very long."
Lockyer said Canada needs an independent tribunal to review claims of wrongful convictions such as one set up in the U.K. eight years ago.
It has already found more than 50 murder convictions were unjustified.
"All we have now is a sort of a piecemeal examination of a case here and case there primarily brought forward by our organization," said Lockyer. "It's just not good enough."
Lockyer said Ontario has been "the worst province" when it comes to dealing with such cases and that promises made after the notorious wrongful murder prosecution of Guy Paul Morin have gone unkept.
© Canadian Press 2005
"It's very upsetting after the number of wrongful convictions that have happened in this country," Dalton said.
"The list is getting very long."
Lockyer said Canada needs an independent tribunal to review claims of wrongful convictions such as one set up in the U.K. eight years ago.
It has already found more than 50 murder convictions were unjustified.
"All we have now is a sort of a piecemeal examination of a case here and case there primarily brought forward by our organization," said Lockyer. "It's just not good enough."
Lockyer said Ontario has been "the worst province" when it comes to dealing with such cases and that promises made after the notorious wrongful murder prosecution of Guy Paul Morin have gone unkept.
© Canadian Press 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - About that gas tax ...
Sometimes it's just plain sickening to watch how the oil and gas industry works. It will be weeks or months before the full devastation of Hurricane Katrina is felt and oil production in the ruined Gulf of Mexico area can begin to get back on track.
But the resulting gas price hike? It happened instantly, hitting us here in Canada faster than Katrina did -- and harder. This, even though the gas being sold was refined and distributed long before Katrina developed.
True, in light of the horrendous human misery in New Orleans and throughout southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, gas prices may seem a small matter, and griping about them rather unseemly.
No more unseemly, however, than the fact that the tragedy of Katrina has been a bonanza for gas companies -- and government coffers.
There's little we can do about the market forces now driving the price of oil. But the sudden windfall in taxes -- particularly for Ottawa -- is another story.
As Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director John Williamson noted this week, one-third of the price of a litre of gas is taxes -- and the GST is charged on top of all the other taxes, meaning a sudden spike like this is highly profitable for the feds.
The CTF has repeatedly called on Ottawa to reduce fuel taxes three ways:
1. End the GST tax-on-tax -- a savings to the consumer of, on average, 1.5 cent/litre.
2. Scrap the dishonest "deficit elimination" tax (the government hasn't had a deficit in eight years, so why are we still paying this?), for another 1.5-cent reduction.
3. Cut the federal gas tax itself by 2 cents, bringing the total price reduction to 5 cents/litre.
Cynics argue, of course, that a nickel per litre either way won't make much difference. Finance Minister Ralph Goodale himself has refused to cut gas taxes, suggesting gas companies would just hike their prices accordingly anyway (which they deny). Meanwhile, the feds now portray their gas gouging as noble, saying big cities need their new gas tax transfer (only a fraction of the billions raised).
Nonsense. The CTF is right on this. It's blatant overtaxation, and the feds' excuses don't wash anymore. Our roads and infrastructure may be crumbling, but the feds are rolling in gas tax revenues -- up 18% over a decade ago. Small wonder they have no intention of helping consumers fight high gas prices.
Talk about sickening.
But the resulting gas price hike? It happened instantly, hitting us here in Canada faster than Katrina did -- and harder. This, even though the gas being sold was refined and distributed long before Katrina developed.
True, in light of the horrendous human misery in New Orleans and throughout southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, gas prices may seem a small matter, and griping about them rather unseemly.
No more unseemly, however, than the fact that the tragedy of Katrina has been a bonanza for gas companies -- and government coffers.
There's little we can do about the market forces now driving the price of oil. But the sudden windfall in taxes -- particularly for Ottawa -- is another story.
As Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director John Williamson noted this week, one-third of the price of a litre of gas is taxes -- and the GST is charged on top of all the other taxes, meaning a sudden spike like this is highly profitable for the feds.
The CTF has repeatedly called on Ottawa to reduce fuel taxes three ways:
1. End the GST tax-on-tax -- a savings to the consumer of, on average, 1.5 cent/litre.
2. Scrap the dishonest "deficit elimination" tax (the government hasn't had a deficit in eight years, so why are we still paying this?), for another 1.5-cent reduction.
3. Cut the federal gas tax itself by 2 cents, bringing the total price reduction to 5 cents/litre.
Cynics argue, of course, that a nickel per litre either way won't make much difference. Finance Minister Ralph Goodale himself has refused to cut gas taxes, suggesting gas companies would just hike their prices accordingly anyway (which they deny). Meanwhile, the feds now portray their gas gouging as noble, saying big cities need their new gas tax transfer (only a fraction of the billions raised).
Nonsense. The CTF is right on this. It's blatant overtaxation, and the feds' excuses don't wash anymore. Our roads and infrastructure may be crumbling, but the feds are rolling in gas tax revenues -- up 18% over a decade ago. Small wonder they have no intention of helping consumers fight high gas prices.
Talk about sickening.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Injustice continues
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Injustice continues: "It's been almost three months since the government took over the life of Thomas Hanaway, 80, and there's still no sign it's prepared to give the Second World War veteran his freedom back.
Manitoba's Public Trustee, who took over Hanaway's life on June 6, continues to confiscate Hanaway's pension cheques, open his mail and pay his bills. "
Manitoba's Public Trustee, who took over Hanaway's life on June 6, continues to confiscate Hanaway's pension cheques, open his mail and pay his bills. "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
What a waste - work is king - PR
Immigrants at work
By Amanda Pratt
Local News - Saturday, August 20, 2005 @ 01:00
He came to Canada with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, four years experience working for a manufacturing company and three for the government. She had a bachelor’s degree in public administration and sociology, with a combined seven years experience as a teacher and an office manager.
Immigrants at work
By Amanda Pratt
Local News - Saturday, August 20, 2005 @ 01:00
He came to Canada with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, four years experience working for a manufacturing company and three for the government. She had a bachelor’s degree in public administration and sociology, with a combined seven years experience as a teacher and an office manager.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Paid more, doing less
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Paid more, doing less: "Senior staff at Manitoba's Office of the Public Trustee have been hauling in some pretty fat salary increases over the past few years -- money that comes from fees they charge clients. "
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - CBC should get real
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - CBC should get real: "So what's all the fuss? Much of the dispute is rooted in whether the government-funded CBC should operate like a private business. Management wants to be able to use contract workers where feasible, largely to keep costs under control. Workers -- despite being assured that no one who holds a permanent job will end up a contractor -- want limitations placed on the use of short-term workers. "
Monday, August 15, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Too good to be true
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Too good to be true: "So it would seem that Ottawa will continue on as 'normal,' spending tax dollars with wild abandon. But the talk of big civil service cuts was a sweet dream, if only for a moment. "
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Friday, July 29, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg - Trustee's death grip
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg - Trustee's death grip: "They want to know all about your assets, including a house if you have one, a vehicle and even jewelry. They may want to sell it down the road, which you have no control over. It's called 'calling in the assets.' I know, I sat through one of these things.
They take the money, pay your bills, give you an allowance and charge you fees for their so-called work.
For example, they take a 3% cut of your income, charge 3% to disperse income and levy a 0.9% annual asset management fee. "
They take the money, pay your bills, give you an allowance and charge you fees for their so-called work.
For example, they take a 3% cut of your income, charge 3% to disperse income and levy a 0.9% annual asset management fee. "
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Another horror story
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Another horror story: "John Sienkiewicz was floored when the Office of the Public Trustee took over his mother's life, including seizing her pension cheques and selling her house against her will.
And he couldn't believe his eyes when the Public Trustee informed him in writing that he should reduce the number of visits to his mother, Jean Sienkiewicz -- who was in hospital at the time -- to two or three times a week.
The story of Jean Sienkiewicz -- who died earlier this year at the age of 77 -- is another Public Trustee horror story and part of an investigative series by The Sun that has triggered a legislative review of the office by the Doer government.
Sienkiewicz was taken over by the Public Trustee in 2003 after the province's director of psychiatric services appointed them committee while Sienkiewicz was in hospital suffering from leg ulcers. "
And he couldn't believe his eyes when the Public Trustee informed him in writing that he should reduce the number of visits to his mother, Jean Sienkiewicz -- who was in hospital at the time -- to two or three times a week.
The story of Jean Sienkiewicz -- who died earlier this year at the age of 77 -- is another Public Trustee horror story and part of an investigative series by The Sun that has triggered a legislative review of the office by the Doer government.
Sienkiewicz was taken over by the Public Trustee in 2003 after the province's director of psychiatric services appointed them committee while Sienkiewicz was in hospital suffering from leg ulcers. "
National Post The cost of security mismanaged?
National Post: "Currently, 44 government departments in Canada and the United States, in the name of security, have added myriad regulations governing border crossings that hurt the economy.
The most telling example, according to the report, is in the auto industry. The coalition estimates that costs related to border delays, and auto makers' reporting and compliance requirements, have added $800 to the price of a North American-made car.
'Simply hardening the border, simply layering further layers of costly bureaucracy on the border, does not make you safer. What it does do is drive up cost,' said Perrin Beatty, president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
'It damages your economy, and you are misallocating your security resources.'"
The most telling example, according to the report, is in the auto industry. The coalition estimates that costs related to border delays, and auto makers' reporting and compliance requirements, have added $800 to the price of a North American-made car.
'Simply hardening the border, simply layering further layers of costly bureaucracy on the border, does not make you safer. What it does do is drive up cost,' said Perrin Beatty, president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
'It damages your economy, and you are misallocating your security resources.'"
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Canadian gov't is dumbest
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Canadian gov't is dumbest: "Canadians often feel we're in the shadow of the U.S., especially when it comes to stupidity, but now we're proving we're world class,' said Robert Spence, spokesman of the awards handed out during the Just for Laughs comedy festival. "
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Audit fails to clear air for some councillors Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Animosity boiled over among city councillors in a special meeting Wednesday when they were handed a one-page report from an accountant saying that there was no point investing the downtown grants program any further.
James Balfe, a Windsor chartered accountant, wrote in a brief six-paragraph letter that a forensic audit wouldn�t likely yield results �due to lack of evidence, so the city cannot justify proceeding to a full-scale investigation,� James Balfe, a Windsor chartered account, wrote in a brief six-paragraph letter.
He also recommended that the city hire a consulting accountant to direct staff as it processes the last claims of a program that has committed nearly $5 million in performance grants toward about 20 projects worth a total $20 million to renovate or construct new buildings in the core. "
James Balfe, a Windsor chartered accountant, wrote in a brief six-paragraph letter that a forensic audit wouldn�t likely yield results �due to lack of evidence, so the city cannot justify proceeding to a full-scale investigation,� James Balfe, a Windsor chartered account, wrote in a brief six-paragraph letter.
He also recommended that the city hire a consulting accountant to direct staff as it processes the last claims of a program that has committed nearly $5 million in performance grants toward about 20 projects worth a total $20 million to renovate or construct new buildings in the core. "
Monday, July 18, 2005
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | World | Might really can be right
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | World | Might really can be right: "Might really can be right
A controversial 'responsibility to protect' doctrine is gaining ground at the UN
LUIZA CH. SAVAGE
It isn't often that Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's former foreign minister and lion of the political left, has an idea that could appeal to American neo-conservatives and evangelical Christians. But the Paul Martin government is now promoting an Axworthy-generated plan to prevent genocide and atrocities that is slowly gaining adherents -- and some of the Liberals' most powerful allies could prove to be pro-war American conservatives such as former House speaker Newt Gingrich -- if both sides can overcome the divisions and suspicions engendered by the Iraq conflict."
A controversial 'responsibility to protect' doctrine is gaining ground at the UN
LUIZA CH. SAVAGE
It isn't often that Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's former foreign minister and lion of the political left, has an idea that could appeal to American neo-conservatives and evangelical Christians. But the Paul Martin government is now promoting an Axworthy-generated plan to prevent genocide and atrocities that is slowly gaining adherents -- and some of the Liberals' most powerful allies could prove to be pro-war American conservatives such as former House speaker Newt Gingrich -- if both sides can overcome the divisions and suspicions engendered by the Iraq conflict."
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Smoke ban challenged
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Smoke ban challenged: "Smoke ban challenged
Manitoba, Sask. courts to hear charter cases
By STEVE LAMBERT, Canadian Press
Courts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan will be asked this week to decide whether provincial smoking laws are a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "
Manitoba, Sask. courts to hear charter cases
By STEVE LAMBERT, Canadian Press
Courts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan will be asked this week to decide whether provincial smoking laws are a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Motorcyclist battling for right to ride on his property
By John Paul Zronik, expositor staff
Local News - Wednesday, July 13, 2005 @ 01:00
Peter Venczel�s legal battle with Brant County over the right to ride his motorcycle has cost him more than $10,000. "
By John Paul Zronik, expositor staff
Local News - Wednesday, July 13, 2005 @ 01:00
Peter Venczel�s legal battle with Brant County over the right to ride his motorcycle has cost him more than $10,000. "
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Resistance is futile
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Resistance is futile: "It's one of those sad situations where, as the law stands, you are at the mercy of the bureaucracy,' said Gary Burnside, a Swan River lawyer with experience fighting Public Trustee orders. 'If they say 'Yea' or 'Nay,' there's not much one can do -- it's a very frustrating and difficult situation.' "
Friday, July 01, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Mackintosh orders Public Trustee reviews
Heat in the Kitchen -good about time . PR will keep you posted
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Mackintosh orders Public Trustee reviews: "Mackintosh orders Public Trustee reviews
By FRANK LANDRY, LEGISLATURE REPORTER"
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Mackintosh orders Public Trustee reviews: "Mackintosh orders Public Trustee reviews
By FRANK LANDRY, LEGISLATURE REPORTER"
Thursday, June 30, 2005
FCPP Publications :: Ruth Richardson, NZ Finance Minister 1990-93
Lets improve the debate - great food for thought
FCPP Publications :: Ruth Richardson, NZ Finance Minister 1990-93: "'All monopolies are destructive of consumer and public interest whether they are public or private . . .'"
FCPP Publications :: Ruth Richardson, NZ Finance Minister 1990-93: "'All monopolies are destructive of consumer and public interest whether they are public or private . . .'"
FCPP Publications :: A Win for Healthcare Consumers
FCPP Publications :: A Win for Healthcare Consumers: "A Win for Healthcare Consumers
Court takes over from frightened politicians
In Brief:
Canada�s Supreme Court has affirmed the right of healthcare consumers to seek private alternatives when Medicare fails to perform.
The ruling brings Canada in line with all other developed countries who already allow private insurance and providers.
The direction in universal access systems is towards structural reforms that expand patient guarantees and choice.
It embodies the principle that governments should mandate services, not provide them direct"
Court takes over from frightened politicians
In Brief:
Canada�s Supreme Court has affirmed the right of healthcare consumers to seek private alternatives when Medicare fails to perform.
The ruling brings Canada in line with all other developed countries who already allow private insurance and providers.
The direction in universal access systems is towards structural reforms that expand patient guarantees and choice.
It embodies the principle that governments should mandate services, not provide them direct"
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
National Post
What are our new values - and who establishes them ? PR
National Post: "Charles McVety, one of the most prominent and outspoken leaders of a religious coalition against same-sex marriage, compared the measure to support for drugs and prostitution, describing gay marriage as 'the slippery slope of the moral degradation of our society.'"
National Post: "Charles McVety, one of the most prominent and outspoken leaders of a religious coalition against same-sex marriage, compared the measure to support for drugs and prostitution, describing gay marriage as 'the slippery slope of the moral degradation of our society.'"
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharines Standard
Lets have an honest debate- not propaganda by those that fear service competition- QJ
Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharines Standard: "But Thorold resident Barrett Smith dismissed the poll, calling it �the most ridiculous thing � as phoney as a $9 bill.�
Smith voted twice, at two different locations, to prove the poll was invalid, and he voted �no� both times because he�s in favour of private investment.
�Private is not as bad as they paint it,� said Smith, and the current model for funding health care �isn�t working.
�People are dying waiting, and there has to be something better, whether it�s two-tier or 10-tier, I don�t care. But it�s got to be better than what we�ve got now.�
Smith mistrusts the strong union backing of the Ontario and Niagara health coalitions, and he also objects to public libraries being used as poll locations.
The Niagara vote is the first of many the Ontario Health Coalition plans to hold across the province, said Natalie Mehra of Toronto, a spokeswoman for the coalition.
In May, the Ontario government introduced a five-year infrastructure plan that uses the term �innovative alternative financing� to describe the private funding of public infrastructure, including up to 23 new hospitals, said Mehra. "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharines Standard: "But Thorold resident Barrett Smith dismissed the poll, calling it �the most ridiculous thing � as phoney as a $9 bill.�
Smith voted twice, at two different locations, to prove the poll was invalid, and he voted �no� both times because he�s in favour of private investment.
�Private is not as bad as they paint it,� said Smith, and the current model for funding health care �isn�t working.
�People are dying waiting, and there has to be something better, whether it�s two-tier or 10-tier, I don�t care. But it�s got to be better than what we�ve got now.�
Smith mistrusts the strong union backing of the Ontario and Niagara health coalitions, and he also objects to public libraries being used as poll locations.
The Niagara vote is the first of many the Ontario Health Coalition plans to hold across the province, said Natalie Mehra of Toronto, a spokeswoman for the coalition.
In May, the Ontario government introduced a five-year infrastructure plan that uses the term �innovative alternative financing� to describe the private funding of public infrastructure, including up to 23 new hospitals, said Mehra. "
Monday, June 27, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - This can't continue
Government abuse in its most arrogant and intrusive from - disgusting PR
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - This can't continue: "Criminals have more rights than someone being taken over by the Public Trustee.
At least they're presumed innocent until proven guilty and they eventually have their day in court where all the facts come out in front of a judge.
Not so with the totalitarian, communist-state approach of the Office of the Public Trustee. They just take over and that's the end of it. "
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - This can't continue: "Criminals have more rights than someone being taken over by the Public Trustee.
At least they're presumed innocent until proven guilty and they eventually have their day in court where all the facts come out in front of a judge.
Not so with the totalitarian, communist-state approach of the Office of the Public Trustee. They just take over and that's the end of it. "
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Cordial, but icy cold
Disgusting - citizens beware continued -PR
I didn't know what to expect when the Hanaway family invited me to sit in on their first face-to-face meeting with the government, who had just taken over the life of Thomas Hanaway, 80, for no apparent good reason
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Cordial, but icy cold: "
Sun, June 26, 2005
Cordial, but icy cold
Sun columnist sees rights being stolen
By Tom Brodbeck
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View alldisclaimer
I didn't know what to expect when the Hanaway family invited me to sit in on their first face-to-face meeting with the government, who had just taken over the life of Thomas Hanaway, 80, for no apparent good reason. "
I didn't know what to expect when the Hanaway family invited me to sit in on their first face-to-face meeting with the government, who had just taken over the life of Thomas Hanaway, 80, for no apparent good reason
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Cordial, but icy cold: "
Sun, June 26, 2005
Cordial, but icy cold
Sun columnist sees rights being stolen
By Tom Brodbeck
NEW NIKE ZOOM AIR Mens Golf Shoes Black 6W
C $60.451h 51m
NEW NIKE ZOOM AIR Mens Golf Shoes Brown 9W
C $60.451h 51m
NEW NIKE ZOOM AIR Mens Golf Shoes Brown 8W
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View alldisclaimer
I didn't know what to expect when the Hanaway family invited me to sit in on their first face-to-face meeting with the government, who had just taken over the life of Thomas Hanaway, 80, for no apparent good reason. "
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Stripped of rights
Elders beware -this is frightening / PR
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Stripped of rights: "Stripped of rights
Public trustee takes control of man's life without consent
By TOM BRODBECK
Thomas Hanaway, 80, never asked the government to take over his life. "
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Stripped of rights: "Stripped of rights
Public trustee takes control of man's life without consent
By TOM BRODBECK
Thomas Hanaway, 80, never asked the government to take over his life. "
National Post
National Post: "'It was probably the most undemocratic display we have ever had in the Canadian Parliament,' Mr. Harper said. 'The three parties got together and decided to ram a budget bill through without even allowing the other party, the Official Opposition, even speak to it.'"
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Identity Theft Emergency - Sympatico / MSN Finance
Identity Theft Emergency - Sympatico / MSN Finance: "Identity Theft Emergency
Posted 6/13/2005
How to stop identity theft in 30 minutes
Your credit card bill just arrived in the mail and you notice a $500 charge for a lawnmower. But you live in an apartment, don't have a lawn and certainly did not purchase this item. You start to realize that this could be identity theft. Quick! What do you do next?
Your first 10 minutes should be used to call the creditor to notify them of the fraud, reverse the fraudulent charges and lock the account. Go over all the current and pending charges on this account with the creditor to see if there are any other fraudulent purchases that need to be reversed. Request new credit cards along with an official written notification to keep for your records.
Your next 10 minutes should be spent calling the credit bureaus to have fraud warnings placed on your credit profiles. TransUnion and Equifax can also help you look for other signs of identity theft on your credit files and restore accuracy. A fraud victim statement will remain on your credit profile for 5 years and can be removed earlier by request. This statement warns creditors that you have been a victim of identity theft and requests that they confirm your identity before granting new credit.
Your last 10 minutes should be spent contacting PhoneBusters (www.phonebusters.com) to report your fraud incident and fill out an Identity Theft Statement. If the identity theft situation goes beyond basic credit card fraud, you should also contact your local law enforcement agency to file a police report. Keep copies of all your identity theft documents along with a log of your communications in a safe place. If your identity theft situation continues, you may need these documents to prove your case.
How quickly you spot and report identity theft can"
Posted 6/13/2005
How to stop identity theft in 30 minutes
Your credit card bill just arrived in the mail and you notice a $500 charge for a lawnmower. But you live in an apartment, don't have a lawn and certainly did not purchase this item. You start to realize that this could be identity theft. Quick! What do you do next?
Your first 10 minutes should be used to call the creditor to notify them of the fraud, reverse the fraudulent charges and lock the account. Go over all the current and pending charges on this account with the creditor to see if there are any other fraudulent purchases that need to be reversed. Request new credit cards along with an official written notification to keep for your records.
Your next 10 minutes should be spent calling the credit bureaus to have fraud warnings placed on your credit profiles. TransUnion and Equifax can also help you look for other signs of identity theft on your credit files and restore accuracy. A fraud victim statement will remain on your credit profile for 5 years and can be removed earlier by request. This statement warns creditors that you have been a victim of identity theft and requests that they confirm your identity before granting new credit.
Your last 10 minutes should be spent contacting PhoneBusters (www.phonebusters.com) to report your fraud incident and fill out an Identity Theft Statement. If the identity theft situation goes beyond basic credit card fraud, you should also contact your local law enforcement agency to file a police report. Keep copies of all your identity theft documents along with a log of your communications in a safe place. If your identity theft situation continues, you may need these documents to prove your case.
How quickly you spot and report identity theft can"
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Lawyers tout kinder, cheaper way to settle family disputes
Expositor Staff "
Expositor Staff "
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
FCPP Publications :: The Real Problem With Corruption
FCPP Publications :: The Real Problem With Corruption: "The Real Problem With Corruption
�Those who do not take an interest in politics will be ruled by those who do.�
Robert Sopuck
The recent revelations from the Gomery Inquiry are causing me great concern, but not for the usual reasons. We should all feel outraged at the waste of taxpayers� money for dubious purposes but, hey, governments are always wasting money. The real problem is the disengagement of the political process from democratic ideals.
Although it�s not the money that�s the main problem, when I think about what the Adscam money could have provided in real services to real people I do get a bit upset. For example, did you know that Canada Customs agents on the St. Lawrence River have no boats to patrol a crucial border region? The poor saps have to rent boats just like the rest of us. So much for controlling drugs, firearms, and tobacco smuggling into Canada. But I digress.
The important consideration? Corruption strikes at the very heart of a decent and just society. If citizens believe that public institutions are rife with corruption, Canadians will become corrupt themselves, as in, �Hey if everybody does it, then I�d better, too, in self-defence.� Even worse, honest citizens will become cynical and disengage from the political process, thereby leaving the field wide open by default to even more corruption.
Widespread and pervasive corruption creates institutions that become increasingly arbitrary and hence unfair. Canadians have a right to demand fairness from their public institutions. In fact �fairness� can be equated with �justice,� which in turn can be equated with democracy itself. Wasn�t it Pierre Elliot Trudeau who campaigned once on the slogan, �The Just Society?� Whether it�s figh"
�Those who do not take an interest in politics will be ruled by those who do.�
Robert Sopuck
The recent revelations from the Gomery Inquiry are causing me great concern, but not for the usual reasons. We should all feel outraged at the waste of taxpayers� money for dubious purposes but, hey, governments are always wasting money. The real problem is the disengagement of the political process from democratic ideals.
Although it�s not the money that�s the main problem, when I think about what the Adscam money could have provided in real services to real people I do get a bit upset. For example, did you know that Canada Customs agents on the St. Lawrence River have no boats to patrol a crucial border region? The poor saps have to rent boats just like the rest of us. So much for controlling drugs, firearms, and tobacco smuggling into Canada. But I digress.
The important consideration? Corruption strikes at the very heart of a decent and just society. If citizens believe that public institutions are rife with corruption, Canadians will become corrupt themselves, as in, �Hey if everybody does it, then I�d better, too, in self-defence.� Even worse, honest citizens will become cynical and disengage from the political process, thereby leaving the field wide open by default to even more corruption.
Widespread and pervasive corruption creates institutions that become increasingly arbitrary and hence unfair. Canadians have a right to demand fairness from their public institutions. In fact �fairness� can be equated with �justice,� which in turn can be equated with democracy itself. Wasn�t it Pierre Elliot Trudeau who campaigned once on the slogan, �The Just Society?� Whether it�s figh"
FCPP Publications :: Hon. Bob Rae, Premier of Ontario, 1990-95
Interesting food for thought -a political leader who has been there actually believes in substance -how refreshing . Q-JFCPP Publications :: Hon. Bob Rae, Premier of Ontario, 1990-95: "Bob Rae: I mean we�re right now in a period of deep partisanship. There is an absence of long-term thinking. I think one of the real problems in public policy is that so much of the formulations by the politicians is short-term. I think you've got to have a much longer term where you want policy to go and that�s one of the real problems. Things are too partisan at the moment and there�s too much of a fixation on scandal and not enough of a focus on what�s going to be good for the country in the long run. That�s a real problem we face right now."
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Sympatico/MSN News - CBC.ca The private vs public Healt Care debate
This is a must backgrounder on the private vs public Health debate . QJ
Sympatico/MSN News - CBC.ca: "Awaiting decision that could change health care in Canada
Last Updated Wed, 08 Jun 2005 22:23:59 EDT
CBC News
The Supreme Court of Canada will rule Thursday on whether it's unconstitutional to prevent someone from paying for private medical care � a case that could change the face of Canadian health care.
INDEPTH: Health Care
The plaintiffs � a Montreal patient and a doctor � want the court to strike down sections of the Quebec Hospital Insurance Act that prevent people from buying health insurance for medical procedures covered by the public health plan.
The two men have separate complaints, but the court decided to hear their court challenges together.
INDEPTH: Public vs. private health care - FAQs
In 1996, Montreal businessman George Zeliotis waited a year for hip replacement surgery. While waiting, he asked whether he could purchase insurance that would allow him to skip the public queue and pay directly for the surgery.
When he learned it was against the law, he took his case to court.
Canadians can buy private health insurance for things outside of public medicare such as prescriptions, physiotherapy or private hospital rooms.
The 73-year-old Zeliotis argued the year-long wait for surgery was unreasonable, endangered his life and infringed on the charter's guarantee of right to life, liberty and security.
The second plaintiff, Dr. Jacques Chaoulli, wants the court to overturn a Quebec provision preventing doctors who don't operate within the medicare plan from charging for services in public hospitals.
Chaoulli, who had tried but failed to set up a private hospital, represented himself before the court.
Observers believe there are three likely outcomes: keep health-care delivery as it is; all"
Sympatico/MSN News - CBC.ca: "Awaiting decision that could change health care in Canada
Last Updated Wed, 08 Jun 2005 22:23:59 EDT
CBC News
The Supreme Court of Canada will rule Thursday on whether it's unconstitutional to prevent someone from paying for private medical care � a case that could change the face of Canadian health care.
INDEPTH: Health Care
The plaintiffs � a Montreal patient and a doctor � want the court to strike down sections of the Quebec Hospital Insurance Act that prevent people from buying health insurance for medical procedures covered by the public health plan.
The two men have separate complaints, but the court decided to hear their court challenges together.
INDEPTH: Public vs. private health care - FAQs
In 1996, Montreal businessman George Zeliotis waited a year for hip replacement surgery. While waiting, he asked whether he could purchase insurance that would allow him to skip the public queue and pay directly for the surgery.
When he learned it was against the law, he took his case to court.
Canadians can buy private health insurance for things outside of public medicare such as prescriptions, physiotherapy or private hospital rooms.
The 73-year-old Zeliotis argued the year-long wait for surgery was unreasonable, endangered his life and infringed on the charter's guarantee of right to life, liberty and security.
The second plaintiff, Dr. Jacques Chaoulli, wants the court to overturn a Quebec provision preventing doctors who don't operate within the medicare plan from charging for services in public hospitals.
Chaoulli, who had tried but failed to set up a private hospital, represented himself before the court.
Observers believe there are three likely outcomes: keep health-care delivery as it is; all"
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Media loves its Liberals
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Media loves its Liberals: "Welcome to media 'objectivity,' Canadian-style. "
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Courts for all Canadians
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Courts for all Canadians: "But we either have open courts or we don't. And open courts should include more than reporters with notepads and the occasional pencil-and-pastel artist furiously scribbling a rendition of what a prisoner or an accused looks like. Open courts mean that all members of the public should be able to see what's going on. It's part of having an accountable justice system.
Which, maybe, is why everyone in the legal system seems to be so scared to death of the idea. "
Which, maybe, is why everyone in the legal system seems to be so scared to death of the idea. "
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Twisted tale of the tape
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Twisted tale of the tape: "That's for police and courts to decide. But the tapes do indicate the original Liberal claims that they simply rejected all overtures from Grewal were nonsense -- and lies. Crime or no crime, are Martin and his Grits now suggesting that this kind of sleaze is acceptable behaviour for the most senior members of our government? What's more, is it any worse than the deal they evidently did make with Belinda Stronach? How much lower can they go? "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Thats a lot of Taxes -$10000 a month
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Hotel deal for downtown scuttled by lack of city funding: developer
Expositor Staff
By Michelle Ruby
Local News - Thursday, June 02, 2005 @ 01:00 "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Hotel deal for downtown scuttled by lack of city funding: developer
Expositor Staff
By Michelle Ruby
Local News - Thursday, June 02, 2005 @ 01:00 "
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: It's highway robbery
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: It's highway robbery: "It's highway robbery
The federal government collected $4.5 billion in gas taxes last year. Of that, only $324 million -- or 7.2% -- was ploughed back into Canada's highways, roads and bridges. "
The federal government collected $4.5 billion in gas taxes last year. Of that, only $324 million -- or 7.2% -- was ploughed back into Canada's highways, roads and bridges. "
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Lawsuit futile, defence lawyers say
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Lawsuit futile, defence lawyers say: "Lawsuit futile, defence lawyers say
By NATALIE PONA, COURTS REPORTER"
By NATALIE PONA, COURTS REPORTER"
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Pressure on senator
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Pressure on senator: "OTTAWA -- A Liberal Senator from Quebec is under pressure to resign or give up his corporate interests linked to a lucrative government lease deal.
Paul Massicotte will be called before the Commons government operations committee to explain his role in a rent contract that swallowed $575,000 a month for an office building that sat vacant for nearly a year.
The former Liberal fundraiser was appointed to the Senate by former prime minister Jean Chretien in 2003.
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre hopes Massicotte's appearance, expected in early June, will lend more public scrutiny to the agreement and help hold the government to account. "
Paul Massicotte will be called before the Commons government operations committee to explain his role in a rent contract that swallowed $575,000 a month for an office building that sat vacant for nearly a year.
The former Liberal fundraiser was appointed to the Senate by former prime minister Jean Chretien in 2003.
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre hopes Massicotte's appearance, expected in early June, will lend more public scrutiny to the agreement and help hold the government to account. "
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Online Extra: Turning the Tide of Spam
Fantastic for yhe little guy - now if we could get rid of government scams or spam we would really be winners PR
Online Extra: Turning the Tide of Spam
Online Extra: Turning the Tide of Spam
Friday, May 20, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Grits & scandal live on
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Grits & scandal live on: "We now face many more months of unprincipled, sleazy government by a scandal-tainted party that has shown it cares about nothing more than staying in power, ruled by a PM whom 63% of Canadians reportedly believe is the most dishonest of all the party leaders. "
National Post Amazing -everything is for sale in Canada - the reckoning will come
National Post: "With the votes even at 152-152, it took Speaker Peter Milliken's tie-breaking ballot to give the result to the Liberals -- the first time in history "
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
- Brantford Expositor-You can buy anyone in Canada-including Stronach
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "I�ve never heard of a rat jumping to a sinking ship,� Finley said over the phone from Ottawa a few hours after Stronach and Martin made their announcement together"
Monday, May 16, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Mayor Mike Hancock said the sheer size of the surplus and the fact that they have been getting larger in the past few years suggests the city is having a problem calculating how much tax it is really taking from ratepayers when it sets the rates"
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Hamilton Maybe Officials will be held accountable
Hamilton: "Students who allege abuse permitted to launch lawsuit against government"
Friday, May 13, 2005
Round five - Developer goes to the Court of Appeal
On Wednesday, May 11,2005, Adam Stelmasynski was sentenced and jailed in Brantford by Judge Milanetti. His Appeal lawyer was successful in launching an Appeal at the Court of Appeal in Toronto. Justice Sharpe ordered the conditional release of the developer and for the Appeal to be heard on September 13,2005. On Thursday , Mr. Stelmasynski ,was conditionally released to pursue and perfect his Appeal .
We would like to comment on the Expositor Article "City man lands in prison for GST fraud" that is posted on this blog for your reference and review. It is my firm belief and that of others that Judge Milanetti tried to be fair and even handed in the sentencing of Adam Stelmaszynski, having watched most of the proceedings first hand. One could visibly see the intellectual struggle that she faced on certain issues or new information presented by defense council or on what she felt that she could hear within her jurisdictional bounds. She indicated that many issues presented were out of her jurisdiction and could only be answered by the higher authority of the Court of Appeal
Her comments are empazied and quoted from the May 12 Expositor article. Her decision raises many issues for the higher court to adjudicate.The article leads me to ask the following questions that many would like answers too
We feel that at best this sentence seems to be a marginal victory for the public. A Pyrrhic victory for which fraudster?
What exactly has been accomplished for the public? It appears that we have consumed limited public resources, tied up the existing court, the tax court and the appeal court in a 7.5 year process and struggle, that could potentially have been avoided if the normal procedure had been followed. At this time it appears that the public has no likelihood of collecting any money back- because the revenue Canada people did not secure the tangible assets that the funds were used for. We now have the privilege of paying for the developer to be in jail, and at the court of Appeal, rather then to create projects to make money to pay back his acknowledged debt or create new income. Somehow -this seems like a pyrrhic victory or as you indicated in your previous article and many agree -this is indeed a public fraud.
Was justice served? We do not know yet –as it is before the court of appeal
However, she said the defense counsel’s request for a conditional sentence of two years was also inappropriate, given the “significant” amount of money involved.
1. Why is it inappropriate to allow the developer at least the opportunity to repay the money by working on projects -he is no risk to the community?
2. Why is it appropriate to jail the developer and incur the further public cost of incaceration which is significant?
Elaborate scheme involving 12 sole proprietorships (The basic rights Issue -to be tried by your knowledgeable peers)
i. What is her knowledge of the development process? How many projects in the cumulative 20 million dollar range has she been successful at? Why did she not allow the information or categories as established by the Industry at the trial? The industry standard as given by Quantity survey information could have shed lots of light on this. Was it a elaborate scheme or just basic and common practice for this industry? Mastermind or basic industry practice of profit or cost centres?
That he believed he could apply for GST rebates before a project was complete.
i. Where did he get the information from? The information or reliance of GST procedure must have come from somewhere. Why did it take 3 years for the CST authority to change their minds, particularly after an official audit that said everything was okay and that he was following the right procedure?
ii. It was acknowledged that the money went into the project and not into a lavish lifestyle. In other words, the funds were secured by the development project. If Revenue Canada felt that they were defrauded or that the Taxpayers in general were defrauded, why did they not secure or place a security lien on the tangible project ( land and buildings) to protect their or everyone’s interest? GST and tax liens have a priority claim in Canada.
Milanetti said she was troubled by Stelmaszynski failure to own up to his crime.
i. How can you feel remorse for something that you feel is not wrong because you where following the instructions of the GST people in good faith, or because it has not been heard at the next higher level of adjudication- the court of Appeal
ii. Why did the judge not hear the officially induced error argument? Why did she defer it to the court of Appeals?
iii. Why did she not wait to see how the Federal tax court ruled on the process and get their assessment of the appropriate penalties if any?
iv. Stelmaszynski showed his respect for the law and belief in the fairness or integrity of the Justice system by giving facts and asking for redress and answers in his sentencing. It is still the fundamental right of an accused to seek redress from the presiding judge prior to going to appeal.
Milanetti noted that the new projects are “not unlike” the type of ventures that got Stelmaszynski into trouble in the first place.
i. If the man is a professional developer and a professional -trained with the required skill to do that type of work- just what type of projects or jobs is he supposed to apply for/?
ii. Why is the developer being penalized or censored for his courage, creative skill to innovate and try new projects? This statement is almost derisively UN Canadian and an anti entrepreneurial put down. Innovation is usually a highly prized sought after skill and norm used by most progressive enterprises to generate growth, or revenue stability.
iii. We do agree that innovation is troublesome and difficult to do in Canada in its current state of flux as demonstrated by the Gomley commission.
The judge said she was “saddened” to sentence the father of two to penitentiary time for a first offence. But Stelmaszynski behavior cannot be sanctioned, she said.
i. How can she then sanction the behavior of those that gave him the money, audited him and gave him more money? Where is the fairness and accountability in this? Are there any standards at all –or do we make them up as we go along?
ii. How can you sanction the inadvertence and breach of procedures displayed by Revenue Canada? How can criminal proceedings be used to thwart the internal revenue Canada appeal process? Is there an abuse of power and overstepping of authority in this case? We will see what the Appeal court says.
What could the public learn from this? The other side of the coin
The case was made that the Canadian taxation system is based on trust. This argument works both ways and should not be interpreted in a one sided manner. If the taxpayer gets information from the authority -in this case Revenue Canada – should he not be able to trust the information to be correct without having to interpret its correctness?
i. The message is clear “ Do not trust government information, do not trust government officials in authority or you do so at your risk “
ii. Internal government departments do not appear to communicate with each other and accept no responsibility or accountability for each other or their actions
iii. Government officials are exempted from normal rules of ethical business conduct, communication and good business practice. There are minimal quality assurance programs in place and when in place are often ignored with impunity. Government officials appear to be above the law.
What flaws were exposed in the process? The Cost/ benefit issues
a. Complexity, official irregularities and a lack of timeliness
i. Why did it take 5 years and potentially another 2.5 years in the court of appeals to get a final ruling on this case?
ii. What was the cost of the process? Manpower, court costs, lost productivity etc.
iii. Why was the fraud or “mistake” not found before or sooner? Who is in charge or accountable for this? What system has been put in place to ensure that this does not happen again?
iv. Why was the internal RC appeal process not followed? Why does the criminal charge –stop all other means of adjudication?
v. Why did revenue Canada not secure the publics interest by placing a claim on the development project- the land and building?
Multiple jurisdictions with no central governing authority that are often in conflict with the stated law
i. How can they charge interest on the interest? it appears that the civil penalties and interest were still being charged ,although the normal appeal procedure could not be used to resolve the issue because of the criminal charges. This appears to be blatantly unfair and an unwarranted double dipping or churning strategy. There is a law in Canada against charging criminal interest-. (The law should apply to government organizations too- no matter what their apparent good intentions are )
Out matched in resources –the court is not an equal playing or fair sport field
i. Let any citizen or individual beware of the public resources that will be used against him.-rightly or wrongly. It was interesting to watch as an intelligent individual with limited legal aid resources took on the unlimited resources of the crown. This remains a true David vs. Goliath situation with final outcome still to be determined at the court of appeals.
We would like to comment on the Expositor Article "City man lands in prison for GST fraud" that is posted on this blog for your reference and review. It is my firm belief and that of others that Judge Milanetti tried to be fair and even handed in the sentencing of Adam Stelmaszynski, having watched most of the proceedings first hand. One could visibly see the intellectual struggle that she faced on certain issues or new information presented by defense council or on what she felt that she could hear within her jurisdictional bounds. She indicated that many issues presented were out of her jurisdiction and could only be answered by the higher authority of the Court of Appeal
Her comments are empazied and quoted from the May 12 Expositor article. Her decision raises many issues for the higher court to adjudicate.The article leads me to ask the following questions that many would like answers too
We feel that at best this sentence seems to be a marginal victory for the public. A Pyrrhic victory for which fraudster?
What exactly has been accomplished for the public? It appears that we have consumed limited public resources, tied up the existing court, the tax court and the appeal court in a 7.5 year process and struggle, that could potentially have been avoided if the normal procedure had been followed. At this time it appears that the public has no likelihood of collecting any money back- because the revenue Canada people did not secure the tangible assets that the funds were used for. We now have the privilege of paying for the developer to be in jail, and at the court of Appeal, rather then to create projects to make money to pay back his acknowledged debt or create new income. Somehow -this seems like a pyrrhic victory or as you indicated in your previous article and many agree -this is indeed a public fraud.
Was justice served? We do not know yet –as it is before the court of appeal
However, she said the defense counsel’s request for a conditional sentence of two years was also inappropriate, given the “significant” amount of money involved.
1. Why is it inappropriate to allow the developer at least the opportunity to repay the money by working on projects -he is no risk to the community?
2. Why is it appropriate to jail the developer and incur the further public cost of incaceration which is significant?
Elaborate scheme involving 12 sole proprietorships (The basic rights Issue -to be tried by your knowledgeable peers)
i. What is her knowledge of the development process? How many projects in the cumulative 20 million dollar range has she been successful at? Why did she not allow the information or categories as established by the Industry at the trial? The industry standard as given by Quantity survey information could have shed lots of light on this. Was it a elaborate scheme or just basic and common practice for this industry? Mastermind or basic industry practice of profit or cost centres?
That he believed he could apply for GST rebates before a project was complete.
i. Where did he get the information from? The information or reliance of GST procedure must have come from somewhere. Why did it take 3 years for the CST authority to change their minds, particularly after an official audit that said everything was okay and that he was following the right procedure?
ii. It was acknowledged that the money went into the project and not into a lavish lifestyle. In other words, the funds were secured by the development project. If Revenue Canada felt that they were defrauded or that the Taxpayers in general were defrauded, why did they not secure or place a security lien on the tangible project ( land and buildings) to protect their or everyone’s interest? GST and tax liens have a priority claim in Canada.
Milanetti said she was troubled by Stelmaszynski failure to own up to his crime.
i. How can you feel remorse for something that you feel is not wrong because you where following the instructions of the GST people in good faith, or because it has not been heard at the next higher level of adjudication- the court of Appeal
ii. Why did the judge not hear the officially induced error argument? Why did she defer it to the court of Appeals?
iii. Why did she not wait to see how the Federal tax court ruled on the process and get their assessment of the appropriate penalties if any?
iv. Stelmaszynski showed his respect for the law and belief in the fairness or integrity of the Justice system by giving facts and asking for redress and answers in his sentencing. It is still the fundamental right of an accused to seek redress from the presiding judge prior to going to appeal.
Milanetti noted that the new projects are “not unlike” the type of ventures that got Stelmaszynski into trouble in the first place.
i. If the man is a professional developer and a professional -trained with the required skill to do that type of work- just what type of projects or jobs is he supposed to apply for/?
ii. Why is the developer being penalized or censored for his courage, creative skill to innovate and try new projects? This statement is almost derisively UN Canadian and an anti entrepreneurial put down. Innovation is usually a highly prized sought after skill and norm used by most progressive enterprises to generate growth, or revenue stability.
iii. We do agree that innovation is troublesome and difficult to do in Canada in its current state of flux as demonstrated by the Gomley commission.
The judge said she was “saddened” to sentence the father of two to penitentiary time for a first offence. But Stelmaszynski behavior cannot be sanctioned, she said.
i. How can she then sanction the behavior of those that gave him the money, audited him and gave him more money? Where is the fairness and accountability in this? Are there any standards at all –or do we make them up as we go along?
ii. How can you sanction the inadvertence and breach of procedures displayed by Revenue Canada? How can criminal proceedings be used to thwart the internal revenue Canada appeal process? Is there an abuse of power and overstepping of authority in this case? We will see what the Appeal court says.
What could the public learn from this? The other side of the coin
The case was made that the Canadian taxation system is based on trust. This argument works both ways and should not be interpreted in a one sided manner. If the taxpayer gets information from the authority -in this case Revenue Canada – should he not be able to trust the information to be correct without having to interpret its correctness?
i. The message is clear “ Do not trust government information, do not trust government officials in authority or you do so at your risk “
ii. Internal government departments do not appear to communicate with each other and accept no responsibility or accountability for each other or their actions
iii. Government officials are exempted from normal rules of ethical business conduct, communication and good business practice. There are minimal quality assurance programs in place and when in place are often ignored with impunity. Government officials appear to be above the law.
What flaws were exposed in the process? The Cost/ benefit issues
a. Complexity, official irregularities and a lack of timeliness
i. Why did it take 5 years and potentially another 2.5 years in the court of appeals to get a final ruling on this case?
ii. What was the cost of the process? Manpower, court costs, lost productivity etc.
iii. Why was the fraud or “mistake” not found before or sooner? Who is in charge or accountable for this? What system has been put in place to ensure that this does not happen again?
iv. Why was the internal RC appeal process not followed? Why does the criminal charge –stop all other means of adjudication?
v. Why did revenue Canada not secure the publics interest by placing a claim on the development project- the land and building?
Multiple jurisdictions with no central governing authority that are often in conflict with the stated law
i. How can they charge interest on the interest? it appears that the civil penalties and interest were still being charged ,although the normal appeal procedure could not be used to resolve the issue because of the criminal charges. This appears to be blatantly unfair and an unwarranted double dipping or churning strategy. There is a law in Canada against charging criminal interest-. (The law should apply to government organizations too- no matter what their apparent good intentions are )
Out matched in resources –the court is not an equal playing or fair sport field
i. Let any citizen or individual beware of the public resources that will be used against him.-rightly or wrongly. It was interesting to watch as an intelligent individual with limited legal aid resources took on the unlimited resources of the crown. This remains a true David vs. Goliath situation with final outcome still to be determined at the court of appeals.
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Land of the banana
Great credentials to lead a great country!- let's clear the air soon PR
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Land of the banana: "* A Strategic Counsel poll released Tuesday found a majority of Canadians surveyed believe Martin is the federal leader most likely to lie if he thinks it will be to his advantage (61%), the most hypocritical (54%) and the most dishonest (63%). The respective numbers for Harper were 26%, 29% and 20%. "
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Land of the banana: "* A Strategic Counsel poll released Tuesday found a majority of Canadians surveyed believe Martin is the federal leader most likely to lie if he thinks it will be to his advantage (61%), the most hypocritical (54%) and the most dishonest (63%). The respective numbers for Harper were 26%, 29% and 20%. "
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor get ready for the Appeal
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "City man lands in prison for GST fraud
By Cheryl Bauslaugh
Local News - Thursday, May 12, 2005 @ 01:00
A 54-year-old city man who bilked the government out of more than $700,000 in GST rebates was sentenced Wednesday in Superior Court to 30 months in a federal penitentiary.
Adam Stelmaszynski, of Applegate Drive, was also fined $702,646.59 � the same amount the former developer claimed in GST rebates for three failed condominium projects.
Justice Jane Milanetti rejected a bid by federal prosecutor Gerry Smits to have Stelmaszynski spend four years in jail, noting that the maximum sentence for this type of crime is five years.
�Four years would be excessive,� she said.
However, she said the defence counsel�s request for a conditional sentence of two years was also inappropriate, given the �significant� amount of money involved.
�He was leveraging government money in hopes of making his own,� she said.
Stelmaszynski was found guilty last October of two counts of fraud and two counts of attempted fraud, following a 3-1/2 week trial.
From December 1996 to January 1999, Stelmaszynski operated two companies � Alexander Street Lofts Development Corp. Inc. and Dundurn Street Lofts Inc. � with the idea of converting unused warehouse space in Hamilton, Welland and St. Catharines into loft-style apartments and condominiums.
He also set up a dozen sole proprietorships which billed his corporations for $10 million in work. Yet, only one of three projects � Dundurn Lofts � was ever owned by Stelmaszynski and it was not completed, the judge said.
�Mr. Stelmaszynski had developed a"
By Cheryl Bauslaugh
Local News - Thursday, May 12, 2005 @ 01:00
A 54-year-old city man who bilked the government out of more than $700,000 in GST rebates was sentenced Wednesday in Superior Court to 30 months in a federal penitentiary.
Adam Stelmaszynski, of Applegate Drive, was also fined $702,646.59 � the same amount the former developer claimed in GST rebates for three failed condominium projects.
Justice Jane Milanetti rejected a bid by federal prosecutor Gerry Smits to have Stelmaszynski spend four years in jail, noting that the maximum sentence for this type of crime is five years.
�Four years would be excessive,� she said.
However, she said the defence counsel�s request for a conditional sentence of two years was also inappropriate, given the �significant� amount of money involved.
�He was leveraging government money in hopes of making his own,� she said.
Stelmaszynski was found guilty last October of two counts of fraud and two counts of attempted fraud, following a 3-1/2 week trial.
From December 1996 to January 1999, Stelmaszynski operated two companies � Alexander Street Lofts Development Corp. Inc. and Dundurn Street Lofts Inc. � with the idea of converting unused warehouse space in Hamilton, Welland and St. Catharines into loft-style apartments and condominiums.
He also set up a dozen sole proprietorships which billed his corporations for $10 million in work. Yet, only one of three projects � Dundurn Lofts � was ever owned by Stelmaszynski and it was not completed, the judge said.
�Mr. Stelmaszynski had developed a"
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Liberals cling to power
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Liberals cling to power: "Two things became clear as a result of yesterday's shenanigans in the House of Commons: The government has lost the confidence of a majority of MPs and the Liberals are going to cling to power as long as humanly possible. "
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | Politics | Meet the real Stephen Harper
An interesting profile of Steve Harper - he had passion and intellect it seems . PR
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | Politics | Meet the real Stephen Harper: "The real Harper is instinctively strategic, occasionally volatile, and always passionately partisan. Don't assume those eyes are icy. The hottest flames are blue, too."
Macleans.ca | Top Stories | Politics | Meet the real Stephen Harper: "The real Harper is instinctively strategic, occasionally volatile, and always passionately partisan. Don't assume those eyes are icy. The hottest flames are blue, too."
News | canada.com network What did we get -no one knows-
News | canada.com network: "We're left today with a somewhat sketchy list of details the premier has outlined, combined with some curious words from the prime minister about how just about all of this money was included in their existing plans and budgets anyway,' said Conservative Leader John Tory. "
Monday, May 09, 2005
HamiltonFed deal improves Ontario's finances
A repreive -but what happens next -is there a plan or more seat of the pants giveaways ro the liberals special interest groups? Pr
Hamilton
Hamilton
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Mulroney and the Liberals
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Mulroney and the Liberals: "Watching Paul Martin and the Liberals trying to bribe Canadians -- with their own money -- into voting for them yet again, reminds us of P.J. O'Rourke's famous line from Parliament of Whores that 'giving money and power to government is like giving whisky and car keys to teenage boys.' "
Saturday, May 07, 2005
David versus Goliath - Round four Report
On Monday , Adam , the developer convicted of GST fraud ,will face the sentencing hearing to determine his short term fate. No matter what happens - the decision will be instantly appealed . There are many issues that still need to be resolved to ensure that the fair trial by ones peers precedent is honored.
The fact that the issue has not been heard at the Tax court of Canada, or that the internal administrative appeal procedures at Revenue Canada have been completed , " because they cannot until the criminal procedure ends, adds to the suspense.
The sentencing hearing will be at Brantford Court house at 10:00 P.m on May 9. We will keep you posted.
The fact that the issue has not been heard at the Tax court of Canada, or that the internal administrative appeal procedures at Revenue Canada have been completed , " because they cannot until the criminal procedure ends, adds to the suspense.
The sentencing hearing will be at Brantford Court house at 10:00 P.m on May 9. We will keep you posted.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Outrage after outrage
It has got to stop -no accountablitiy- arrogance and the lack of spending equity! Why don't we get rid of the parasites that infest our government or give them the same treatment that they so "Generously bestow " on those that deserve it. PRWinnipeg Sun Editorial: Outrage after outrage: "Outrage after outrage"
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Living in Paul's world
Read Kafka and you will get a good understanding of the Liberals' Canada.PR
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Living in Paul's world: "Living in Paul's world
A few years back, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote about what it was like, from a liberal perspective, to live in George Bush's world. For her, at least, it wasn't a pretty picture. "
Winnipeg Sun Editorial: Living in Paul's world: "Living in Paul's world
A few years back, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote about what it was like, from a liberal perspective, to live in George Bush's world. For her, at least, it wasn't a pretty picture. "
Sunday, May 01, 2005
London Free Press - Opinion/Columnists Ian Gillespie: Astonishing unprofessionalism
The GM isease is evrywhere and seems to gave infected all our essential services. Educations without report cards -nmmm. PR
London Free Press - Opinion/Columnists Ian Gillespie: Astonishing unprofessionalism: "If they were children, I'd give them a time out and ban TV watching for a week.
If they were a business, I'd take my money elsewhere and never, ever again slide a single nickel in their direction.
If they were hockey players, I'd start rooting for a different team.
But they're none of those things. They're a powerful mix of school board officials, administrators and union leaders. And they're virtually untouchable and apparently unaccountable. "
London Free Press - Opinion/Columnists Ian Gillespie: Astonishing unprofessionalism: "If they were children, I'd give them a time out and ban TV watching for a week.
If they were a business, I'd take my money elsewhere and never, ever again slide a single nickel in their direction.
If they were hockey players, I'd start rooting for a different team.
But they're none of those things. They're a powerful mix of school board officials, administrators and union leaders. And they're virtually untouchable and apparently unaccountable. "
Winnipeg Sun Letters: Letters Great reason to change- summary of events
Winnipeg Sun Letters: Letters: "Liberals betrayed trust
Paul Martin a champion of truth? I hardly think so.
I spent a good deal of the past couple of days reading opinions on and listening to debates respecting the timing of a federal election. There was a wide variety of opinion expressed as to whether an election should be now or later and why.
The debate made me uneasy although at the time I could not understand exactly why.
Reviewing some of the commentary, I think I have the answer.
Several participants referred to something called 'voter fatigue,' citing concurrent provincial elections and suggesting that people did not want to be bothered with another election, having just been subjected to a provincial and or municipal election. "
Paul Martin a champion of truth? I hardly think so.
I spent a good deal of the past couple of days reading opinions on and listening to debates respecting the timing of a federal election. There was a wide variety of opinion expressed as to whether an election should be now or later and why.
The debate made me uneasy although at the time I could not understand exactly why.
Reviewing some of the commentary, I think I have the answer.
Several participants referred to something called 'voter fatigue,' citing concurrent provincial elections and suggesting that people did not want to be bothered with another election, having just been subjected to a provincial and or municipal election. "
HamiltonPrivate-public partnerships flawed: Health watchdog
Watch dog for whom - the existing status quo and the special interest members that they represent- why are they so afraid of competition or innovation to a system which should allow consumer choice for better services ? -QJ
Hamilton: "SUDBURY, Ont. -- The head of a health-care watchdog group is urging the provincial government not to be misled by offers from private companies to build new hospitals. "
Hamilton: "SUDBURY, Ont. -- The head of a health-care watchdog group is urging the provincial government not to be misled by offers from private companies to build new hospitals. "
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