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.' "
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)