"As I've written in The Digest, the daily e-letter I send to subscribers, GM is already bankrupt. Over the last 10 years, General Motors has been unable to make a profit selling cars. Its gross profits have declined by 46%, from $40 billion in 1996 to only $22 billion in 2005. It hasn't been earning enough money to pay for its overhead, capital expenses (upkeep of factories), or dividend payments. The result? An exploding debt level. In 10 years, the company's total liabilities have grown from $199 billion to more than $450 billion.
GM has been burning the family furniture to keep the furnace running. It has gone past the point of no return. General Motors will never earn enough money selling cars to repay these debts. In fact, the company cannot make enough money to merely service these debts. The final nail in the coffin came in 2005, when GM's credit rating was first downgraded to 'junk' status. Since then, as its obligations have come due, the company has had to refinance at steadily increasing rates of interest. Its financing costs have soared. Over the last three years, GM's annual interest expense grew by 77%, from $9 billion to $16 billion.
GM can downsize, it can close factories, it can lay off union workers and renegotiate pensions. But its debts cannot be downsized. And its bondholders aren't going to settle for less than the full amount they are owed. GM cannot pay. Its shareholders will be wiped out, and its bondholders will end up owning the company. GM will be bankrupt within three years – or perhaps sooner if the economy slows.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Inquiry in Major need of all the facts
What infomation are they hiding and why ? So much for an open and visible government responsive to the people . PR
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Inquiry in Major need of all the facts: "Federal bureaucrats are insisting that if 'secret' documents are made public at the ongoing Air India inquiry, it could compromise Canada's security.
Surely the greater concern is that if civil servants are allowed to keep too many documents secret using the excuse of 'national security,' the inquiry will never get to the bottom of how Canada's intelligence agencies botched their investigation of the 1985 Air India bombings.
The point of Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling this inquiry was to ensure such blunders as the erasing of key evidence and damaging turf wars between CSIS and the RCMP never happen again.
John Major, a retired Supreme Court of Canada judge who heads the inquiry, has privately seen the disputed documents and does not believe all of them need to be secret. Based on his mandate, which is to oversee a public inquiry into the Air India disaster, Major has given the federal government until March 5 to address this issue, or he will shut down his probe. "
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Inquiry in Major need of all the facts: "Federal bureaucrats are insisting that if 'secret' documents are made public at the ongoing Air India inquiry, it could compromise Canada's security.
Surely the greater concern is that if civil servants are allowed to keep too many documents secret using the excuse of 'national security,' the inquiry will never get to the bottom of how Canada's intelligence agencies botched their investigation of the 1985 Air India bombings.
The point of Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling this inquiry was to ensure such blunders as the erasing of key evidence and damaging turf wars between CSIS and the RCMP never happen again.
John Major, a retired Supreme Court of Canada judge who heads the inquiry, has privately seen the disputed documents and does not believe all of them need to be secret. Based on his mandate, which is to oversee a public inquiry into the Air India disaster, Major has given the federal government until March 5 to address this issue, or he will shut down his probe. "
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Q-jumpers
Q-jumpers: "Lessons or the Moral of the story as we see it:
You are in charge of your health, vitality and life
o Be proactive and eventually you will succeed
o We have all experienced the new words in action.
This is particularly true if you need services or work in a government environment
o Have some fun- use the new words to make others accountable to you -point out 404 errors. Make the Adminisphere accountable and get rid of the seagulls through cropdusting. Reduce or avoid blamestorming before it gets started
Back to Eden-New Beginnings (Ridgetown) 23 Richards Street 519-674-3434
We are a community of like minded peers, with an environment that is cozy, caring and comfortable. We are not GENERICA. We are special designed community just for you . We are not institutional.
Community Updates:
1. We endorse the Carp position on No More waiting on Health Care. Be heard join the better health crusade. "
You are in charge of your health, vitality and life
o Be proactive and eventually you will succeed
o We have all experienced the new words in action.
This is particularly true if you need services or work in a government environment
o Have some fun- use the new words to make others accountable to you -point out 404 errors. Make the Adminisphere accountable and get rid of the seagulls through cropdusting. Reduce or avoid blamestorming before it gets started
Back to Eden-New Beginnings (Ridgetown) 23 Richards Street 519-674-3434
We are a community of like minded peers, with an environment that is cozy, caring and comfortable. We are not GENERICA. We are special designed community just for you . We are not institutional.
Community Updates:
1. We endorse the Carp position on No More waiting on Health Care. Be heard join the better health crusade. "
The liberal credibility gap or hole widens
The Ontario Liberal Education minister excuses her dismal performance by blaming the deep hole of poor educational quality that was "of course " created by the conservatives in 2003. After filling in the "hole" with $2.75 billion dollars of our money, the results are marginal at best . In fact-only 18% of us according to the SES eductional poll-think that the level of Education has improved.
It seems to me that the liberals or performance Fiberals who are so very liberal with our money have a 82% credibility gap or performance hole of their own making to overcome in the upcomming election. A real Accounting is comming from the old school-those who are tired of the empty promises,high public cost and lack of performance of the existing hole fillers.
It seems to me that the liberals or performance Fiberals who are so very liberal with our money have a 82% credibility gap or performance hole of their own making to overcome in the upcomming election. A real Accounting is comming from the old school-those who are tired of the empty promises,high public cost and lack of performance of the existing hole fillers.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register
And this is what happens to your money when the P----S are in charge PR
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register: "future is in your hand,' says talking urinal
Well, quite
By Lester Haines → More by this authorPublished Wednesday 14th February 2007 11:55 GMTInterested in this story? Receive others like it on your desktop as they break. Back in July last year, we reported on the latest innovation in urinal technology: the 'Wizmark Urinal Communicator', designed to give forth whenever some unsuspecting bar customer points his pecker at the porcelain.
Specifically, the Wizmark is a 'waterproof, disposable drain cover embedded with electronics that senses a visitor and then relays an audio message'. It boasts a proximity sensor which detects someone approaching 'within about 30 to 60 centimetres'. After a suitable pause to allow the customer to position himself, the Communicator gives forth with a 'pre-recorded audio announcement'.
It also comes complete with 'nine-centimetre diameter display area containing a lenticular screen that features multiple images or text that, and as the person moves toward the urinal, they appear to change from one graphic to the other'.
Safety officials in Nassau County, New York, were suitably impressed and acquired 100 examples. They must have worked, because New Mexico has now ordered 500 at $21 a pop, due for deployment across the state.
According to Newmexican.com, the initiative is part of a local Department of Transportation drive (slogan 'You drink, you drive, you lose') to tackle drunk driving. TV ads and 'printed material' are to be backed by the vociferous bog cake in bars from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
How, though, does the Wizmark discourage sozzled boozers from getting behind the wheel? Well, it's rather inspired, as you can find out here:
In case you di"
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register: "future is in your hand,' says talking urinal
Well, quite
By Lester Haines → More by this authorPublished Wednesday 14th February 2007 11:55 GMTInterested in this story? Receive others like it on your desktop as they break. Back in July last year, we reported on the latest innovation in urinal technology: the 'Wizmark Urinal Communicator', designed to give forth whenever some unsuspecting bar customer points his pecker at the porcelain.
Specifically, the Wizmark is a 'waterproof, disposable drain cover embedded with electronics that senses a visitor and then relays an audio message'. It boasts a proximity sensor which detects someone approaching 'within about 30 to 60 centimetres'. After a suitable pause to allow the customer to position himself, the Communicator gives forth with a 'pre-recorded audio announcement'.
It also comes complete with 'nine-centimetre diameter display area containing a lenticular screen that features multiple images or text that, and as the person moves toward the urinal, they appear to change from one graphic to the other'.
Safety officials in Nassau County, New York, were suitably impressed and acquired 100 examples. They must have worked, because New Mexico has now ordered 500 at $21 a pop, due for deployment across the state.
According to Newmexican.com, the initiative is part of a local Department of Transportation drive (slogan 'You drink, you drive, you lose') to tackle drunk driving. TV ads and 'printed material' are to be backed by the vociferous bog cake in bars from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
How, though, does the Wizmark discourage sozzled boozers from getting behind the wheel? Well, it's rather inspired, as you can find out here:
In case you di"
Monday, February 12, 2007
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News
And the point is that by speaking up and making this visible -the banks and insurance ompanies changed their minds PR
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News: "Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages Sun Feb 11, 6:04 PM
By Alison Auld
HALIFAX (CP) - Widows of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are tied up in a confusing fight of their own with banks that have delayed payment of their mortgages or claim they're not covered by insurance at all because their husbands died in combat.
Several women say they've been told by their financial institutions the mortgage insurance they've spent years paying into does not apply because their spouses died while at war. "
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News: "Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages Sun Feb 11, 6:04 PM
By Alison Auld
HALIFAX (CP) - Widows of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are tied up in a confusing fight of their own with banks that have delayed payment of their mortgages or claim they're not covered by insurance at all because their husbands died in combat.
Several women say they've been told by their financial institutions the mortgage insurance they've spent years paying into does not apply because their spouses died while at war. "
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Travellers face 2-month wait for passports - Yahoo! Canada News
Travellers face 2-month wait for passports - Yahoo! Canada News: "Travellers face 2-month wait for passports
Fri Feb 9, 11:53 PM
Canadians scrambling to obtain passports before a March break holiday may be out of luck, with waiting times now stretching to 60 days, Passport Canada says.
ADVERTISEMENT
Passport Canada spokeswoman Francine Charbonneau said the agency is receiving high volumes of applications, averaging about 21,000 a day. On a busy day last year, the office would have received about 13,000 applications
'At this point your only chance if you want to travel for March break is to apply in person and even that's not a guarantee because of these backlogs,' she said.
If an application has recently been submitted by mail, people can call a 1-800 number to have their passport application returned to them.
In the case of an emergency such as a death in the family, illness or a last-minute business trip, passport officers can fast-track applications.
'It's up to the discretion of the passport officer,' Charbonneau said, noting that a last-minute flight to Florida would not qualify as an urgent situation.
Print centres running round-the-clock
While the office hired 200 new officers in November to help with the deluge, they're still having trouble meeting the demand.
'We're doing everything we can,' she said, noting that the office's print centres in Mississauga, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., have boosted their production.
'We are running our print centres on 24-hour clocks, which is something that's never been done before,' Charbonneau said.
A U.S. law that took effect on Jan. 23, 2007, requires that all Canadians flying to the U.S. have a valid passport."
Fri Feb 9, 11:53 PM
Canadians scrambling to obtain passports before a March break holiday may be out of luck, with waiting times now stretching to 60 days, Passport Canada says.
ADVERTISEMENT
Passport Canada spokeswoman Francine Charbonneau said the agency is receiving high volumes of applications, averaging about 21,000 a day. On a busy day last year, the office would have received about 13,000 applications
'At this point your only chance if you want to travel for March break is to apply in person and even that's not a guarantee because of these backlogs,' she said.
If an application has recently been submitted by mail, people can call a 1-800 number to have their passport application returned to them.
In the case of an emergency such as a death in the family, illness or a last-minute business trip, passport officers can fast-track applications.
'It's up to the discretion of the passport officer,' Charbonneau said, noting that a last-minute flight to Florida would not qualify as an urgent situation.
Print centres running round-the-clock
While the office hired 200 new officers in November to help with the deluge, they're still having trouble meeting the demand.
'We're doing everything we can,' she said, noting that the office's print centres in Mississauga, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., have boosted their production.
'We are running our print centres on 24-hour clocks, which is something that's never been done before,' Charbonneau said.
A U.S. law that took effect on Jan. 23, 2007, requires that all Canadians flying to the U.S. have a valid passport."
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Amazing - so why not hire more Justice of the Peaces or lay less frivolous or vexatious charges or reduce the number of laws which serve no purpose other then gouging more money from the victims who are trapped in the speedy justice system . PR
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Justice of the peace shortage causing backlog in Norfolk court
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 9:25:12 AM
A provincewide shortage of justices of the peace is creating a backlog of cases in Norfolk's provincial offences court and costing the county money.
Council learned Tuesday that the local POA court is only staffed by justices of the peace once a week, on Thursday. When the responsibility for POA courts was first transferred from the province in 2001, justices of the peace were provided on other days when a lengthy or multi-day trial was scheduled.
But that changed in 2006 because there weren't enough JPs to go around. As a result, these matters were added to the schedule of regular trial matters, which has overloaded the docket.
Frank Gelinas, the county's general manager of corporate services, said some trial matters - including serious highway traffic offences - may have to be adjourned or withdrawn if the county can't schedule a trial within a reasonable time frame. 'Norfolk County loses its ability to administer justice in a fair and equitable manner and loses revenue as a result,' he said in his report to council. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Justice of the peace shortage causing backlog in Norfolk court
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 9:25:12 AM
A provincewide shortage of justices of the peace is creating a backlog of cases in Norfolk's provincial offences court and costing the county money.
Council learned Tuesday that the local POA court is only staffed by justices of the peace once a week, on Thursday. When the responsibility for POA courts was first transferred from the province in 2001, justices of the peace were provided on other days when a lengthy or multi-day trial was scheduled.
But that changed in 2006 because there weren't enough JPs to go around. As a result, these matters were added to the schedule of regular trial matters, which has overloaded the docket.
Frank Gelinas, the county's general manager of corporate services, said some trial matters - including serious highway traffic offences - may have to be adjourned or withdrawn if the county can't schedule a trial within a reasonable time frame. 'Norfolk County loses its ability to administer justice in a fair and equitable manner and loses revenue as a result,' he said in his report to council. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Disaster strikes again - more for less - why not get rid of the redundant staff PR
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Brant homeowners face 3.2 per cent tax increase
By John Paul Zronik
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 11:43:50 PM
Brant County homeowners will receive a 3.2 per cent tax increase this year, about $75 on a home assessed at $211,000.
Politicians passed the county’s 2007 budget during a meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Councillors approved an operating budget of about $48 million for 2007. Almost $29.5 million of that money will be raised through taxes, the rest through grants and other sources of revenue. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Brant homeowners face 3.2 per cent tax increase
By John Paul Zronik
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 11:43:50 PM
Brant County homeowners will receive a 3.2 per cent tax increase this year, about $75 on a home assessed at $211,000.
Politicians passed the county’s 2007 budget during a meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Councillors approved an operating budget of about $48 million for 2007. Almost $29.5 million of that money will be raised through taxes, the rest through grants and other sources of revenue. "
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
News & Features - Rights activists urged to get serious - ArcaMax Publishing
News & Features - Rights activists urged to get serious - ArcaMax Publishing: "Rights activists urged to get serious
KASARANI, Kenya (UPI) -- Social justice groups must finally learn to take themselves seriously, a delegate to the anti-globalization World Social Forum in Kenya says.
They must realize how important their role is in a world in which the rich countries are increasingly withdrawing their financial support for public services, while the public sector in poor countries often fails, Filippo Addarii, an Italian professional from London, tells the German publication Der Spiegel.
The forum challenges global policies and assumptions that it says undermine the environment, labor rights, national sovereignty, the Third World and other concerns. "
KASARANI, Kenya (UPI) -- Social justice groups must finally learn to take themselves seriously, a delegate to the anti-globalization World Social Forum in Kenya says.
They must realize how important their role is in a world in which the rich countries are increasingly withdrawing their financial support for public services, while the public sector in poor countries often fails, Filippo Addarii, an Italian professional from London, tells the German publication Der Spiegel.
The forum challenges global policies and assumptions that it says undermine the environment, labor rights, national sovereignty, the Third World and other concerns. "
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?
Amazing!! Great integrity from the Tax collectors -at least they caught it -PR
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Taxes skimmed?: " Sun, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?Winnipeg employee faces fraud charges
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, NATIONAL BUREAU
Canada Revenue Agency's Winnipeg Tax Centre. Documents reveal an employee was able to pocket fraudulent refunds. (JON SCHLEDEWITZ, SUN)
OTTAWA -- A Canada Revenue Agency employee is accused of bilking taxpayers of more than $100,000, Sun Media has learned.
Documents obtained under Access to Information refer to a 'sensitive file' involving the 'fraudulent reassessment of client tax returns' by an employee at the Winnipeg Tax Centre.
According to one 2005 memorandum to then-CRA Commissioner Michel Dorais, adjustments of 18 client accounts resulted in $131,871 in fraudulent refunds being deposited into the employee's bank account.
Another document shows affected individuals were to be advised their records were corrected and that an investigation was underway.
'They will be advised that they may be contacted by a CRA investigator, and will be asked to monitor their tax records and contact CRA if they notice anything that appears unusual,' it reads.
The documents were requested by Sun Media last fall after the federal government's Public Accounts listed a loss of $119,399 due to 'theft of taxpayer remittance.'
The records listed $27,322 as recovered in 2005-2006, and another $92,077 that was to expected to be recovered in subsequent years.
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
Emilia Kotris, a spokesman for the Winnipeg Tax Centre, would not provide details on the case because it is before the courts. But she stressed breaches by employees are few and far between.
"It's a very rare occurrence and in no way reflects on the integrity and professionalism of the thousands of other employees we have working with us," she said.
Kotris would not say if the employee is still employed with the CRA, but offered a general comment on potential repercussions for staff who break the rules.
"All CRA employees are subject to very strict standards of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines and any employee who violates those guidelines faces severe consequences up to and including dismissal and prosecution," she said.
The federal government documents state that CRA planned to "fully examine" existing procedures, access profiles and mainframe systems to improve and augment existing safeguards.
Michelle Mariano faces 28 charges under the Income Tax Act and the Criminal Code, including breach of trust by a public officer, fraud over $5,000 and making false or deceptive statements, for alleged offences between 2002-2005.
The next court date is scheduled for March 19.
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Taxes skimmed?: " Sun, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?Winnipeg employee faces fraud charges
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, NATIONAL BUREAU
Canada Revenue Agency's Winnipeg Tax Centre. Documents reveal an employee was able to pocket fraudulent refunds. (JON SCHLEDEWITZ, SUN)
OTTAWA -- A Canada Revenue Agency employee is accused of bilking taxpayers of more than $100,000, Sun Media has learned.
Documents obtained under Access to Information refer to a 'sensitive file' involving the 'fraudulent reassessment of client tax returns' by an employee at the Winnipeg Tax Centre.
According to one 2005 memorandum to then-CRA Commissioner Michel Dorais, adjustments of 18 client accounts resulted in $131,871 in fraudulent refunds being deposited into the employee's bank account.
Another document shows affected individuals were to be advised their records were corrected and that an investigation was underway.
'They will be advised that they may be contacted by a CRA investigator, and will be asked to monitor their tax records and contact CRA if they notice anything that appears unusual,' it reads.
The documents were requested by Sun Media last fall after the federal government's Public Accounts listed a loss of $119,399 due to 'theft of taxpayer remittance.'
The records listed $27,322 as recovered in 2005-2006, and another $92,077 that was to expected to be recovered in subsequent years.
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
Emilia Kotris, a spokesman for the Winnipeg Tax Centre, would not provide details on the case because it is before the courts. But she stressed breaches by employees are few and far between.
"It's a very rare occurrence and in no way reflects on the integrity and professionalism of the thousands of other employees we have working with us," she said.
Kotris would not say if the employee is still employed with the CRA, but offered a general comment on potential repercussions for staff who break the rules.
"All CRA employees are subject to very strict standards of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines and any employee who violates those guidelines faces severe consequences up to and including dismissal and prosecution," she said.
The federal government documents state that CRA planned to "fully examine" existing procedures, access profiles and mainframe systems to improve and augment existing safeguards.
Michelle Mariano faces 28 charges under the Income Tax Act and the Criminal Code, including breach of trust by a public officer, fraud over $5,000 and making false or deceptive statements, for alleged offences between 2002-2005.
The next court date is scheduled for March 19.
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News
Loose lips sink ships - tell that to the Gomery commission .
The public has the right to know how their money is being spent. PR
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News: "Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information
Sat Jan 27, 3:16 PM
By Dean Beeby
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA (CP) - The Public Works Department has launched at least four 'loose lips' investigations in the last two years, as it tries to staunch leaks of government information to opposition politicians, lobby groups and journalists.
Records released under the Access to Information Act show investigators have pounced on even minor cases, mirroring the tight control of information that characterizes the current Conservative administration.
In June last year, for example, Liberal MPs Denis Coderre and Ujjal Dosanjh held a news conference complaining that the government's proposed purchase of four Boeing C-17 transport aircraft for the military would also give the maintenance contract to U.S. firms.
The two politicians released parts of a confidential April 10 briefing note, created to help ministers respond to Opposition attacks during question period in the House of Commons.
The incident triggered an internal investigation at Public Works, which determined that the document had not been previously released under the Access to Information Act and was therefore improperly leaked.
Censored records of the investigation do not indicate who made the complaint. A Public Works spokesman said only that it came from 'someone who works in the department.'
The inquiry was eventually abandoned when a senior official said the leak was 'minor' and 'mentioned that the information supplied during the news conference had been known by most members of Parliament as it was in the Conservative electoral platform.'
Considered far more serious was an anonymous fax sent to New Democrat MP Pa"
The public has the right to know how their money is being spent. PR
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News: "Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information
Sat Jan 27, 3:16 PM
By Dean Beeby
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA (CP) - The Public Works Department has launched at least four 'loose lips' investigations in the last two years, as it tries to staunch leaks of government information to opposition politicians, lobby groups and journalists.
Records released under the Access to Information Act show investigators have pounced on even minor cases, mirroring the tight control of information that characterizes the current Conservative administration.
In June last year, for example, Liberal MPs Denis Coderre and Ujjal Dosanjh held a news conference complaining that the government's proposed purchase of four Boeing C-17 transport aircraft for the military would also give the maintenance contract to U.S. firms.
The two politicians released parts of a confidential April 10 briefing note, created to help ministers respond to Opposition attacks during question period in the House of Commons.
The incident triggered an internal investigation at Public Works, which determined that the document had not been previously released under the Access to Information Act and was therefore improperly leaked.
Censored records of the investigation do not indicate who made the complaint. A Public Works spokesman said only that it came from 'someone who works in the department.'
The inquiry was eventually abandoned when a senior official said the leak was 'minor' and 'mentioned that the information supplied during the news conference had been known by most members of Parliament as it was in the Conservative electoral platform.'
Considered far more serious was an anonymous fax sent to New Democrat MP Pa"
Nothing is free!
Buyer beware
Nothing is free!: "Nothing is free!
Investors warned about seminars
View Larger Image
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, regulators said.
Photograph by : Getty
Canadian Press
Published: Friday, January 26, 2007 Article tools
Printer friendly
E-mail
Font: * * * * VANCOUVER -- The British Columbia Securities Commission and the Alberta Securities Commission warned investors yesterday to beware of a 'suspicious' investment scheme offered at free seminars that involves moving money offshore to avoid taxes.
The regulators said they have received reports about a scheme being offered at free public seminars, in which investors are told they can participate in 'extraordinary investment returns' by joining an organization that allows them to learn about and access a system to become 'portfolio account managers' and restructure their assets.
These investors are told they can do so through a variety of methods, including investments in the precious metals industry, consumer debt or capital markets and international mutual funds, the regulators said.
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, the regulators said."
Nothing is free!: "Nothing is free!
Investors warned about seminars
View Larger Image
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, regulators said.
Photograph by : Getty
Canadian Press
Published: Friday, January 26, 2007 Article tools
Printer friendly
Font: * * * * VANCOUVER -- The British Columbia Securities Commission and the Alberta Securities Commission warned investors yesterday to beware of a 'suspicious' investment scheme offered at free seminars that involves moving money offshore to avoid taxes.
The regulators said they have received reports about a scheme being offered at free public seminars, in which investors are told they can participate in 'extraordinary investment returns' by joining an organization that allows them to learn about and access a system to become 'portfolio account managers' and restructure their assets.
These investors are told they can do so through a variety of methods, including investments in the precious metals industry, consumer debt or capital markets and international mutual funds, the regulators said.
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, the regulators said."
Thursday, January 25, 2007
You can smoke at the Casino because it is a factory
More Hypocracy and broken promises
It is interesting to note that whenever the government "take " grap or revenue is threatened "new self-serving rules' can be applied to protect their own money making monopoly. It is okay to smoke in government cash making Casinos but not private bars or places that would cater to smokers . Casinos are " legal " factories to make money for the government.
Therefore , I suggest that everyone who wants to cater to these customers declare themselves a factory and make the whole area a smoker's designated meeting place. Lets learn from the hypocrites and use their same rationale against them. Fight fire with fire. or better yet just fire them in the next election and bring back reasonable laws of conduct that apply equally to everyone - people and businesses .
It is interesting to note that whenever the government "take " grap or revenue is threatened "new self-serving rules' can be applied to protect their own money making monopoly. It is okay to smoke in government cash making Casinos but not private bars or places that would cater to smokers . Casinos are " legal " factories to make money for the government.
Therefore , I suggest that everyone who wants to cater to these customers declare themselves a factory and make the whole area a smoker's designated meeting place. Lets learn from the hypocrites and use their same rationale against them. Fight fire with fire. or better yet just fire them in the next election and bring back reasonable laws of conduct that apply equally to everyone - people and businesses .
Poker - the government rules
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "OPP warns about poker events
Local News - Thursday, January 25, 2007 Updated @ 11:10:29 AM
Thinking about holding a poker event to raise money for some worthy cause?
If so, the OPP is advising you to think again and check with legal counsel because such an event could be illegal.
Casino nights run by charitable groups with games including blackjack and Crown and Anchor are exempt with a licence for gambling issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
However, there are no such exemptions for poker-type events. Therefore, it is illegal under the Criminal Code to hold such events, the OPP said in a statement released Thursday.
Any gambling in a licensed establishment is illegal under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario. An establishment that directly or indirectly charges a fee or is paid by players for the privilege of playing or participating in a poker game including donations, is also considered illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Even in the event the entry fees are returned to the players as prizes doesn’t make the event legal.
Any organization should consult with legal counsel prior to holding any poker gaming event to ensure it won’t violate the criminal code.
Licensing information can be obtained by calling 1-800-522-2876. "
Local News - Thursday, January 25, 2007 Updated @ 11:10:29 AM
Thinking about holding a poker event to raise money for some worthy cause?
If so, the OPP is advising you to think again and check with legal counsel because such an event could be illegal.
Casino nights run by charitable groups with games including blackjack and Crown and Anchor are exempt with a licence for gambling issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
However, there are no such exemptions for poker-type events. Therefore, it is illegal under the Criminal Code to hold such events, the OPP said in a statement released Thursday.
Any gambling in a licensed establishment is illegal under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario. An establishment that directly or indirectly charges a fee or is paid by players for the privilege of playing or participating in a poker game including donations, is also considered illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Even in the event the entry fees are returned to the players as prizes doesn’t make the event legal.
Any organization should consult with legal counsel prior to holding any poker gaming event to ensure it won’t violate the criminal code.
Licensing information can be obtained by calling 1-800-522-2876. "
Sunday, January 14, 2007
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Corporate welfare in the billions
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Corporate welfare in the billions: "
Sun, January 14, 2007
Corporate welfare in the billions
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation put out a report last week that should curl the hair of any taxpayer who hates government waste.
The CTF has compiled a list of financial assistance paid out by Industry Canada to private companies covering a period from 1982 to 2005.
You may want to sit down for this:
The CTF report notes that between 1982 and 2005, 'Ottawa authorized $18.4 billion in grants and loans to various companies and organizations. Of this, only $7.1 billion is repayable. However, to date, less than $1.3 billion has been repaid to taxpayers.'
The CTF found that almost $10 billion of the $18 billion paid out was basically free money -- grants and contribution that never had to be repaid.
That's scary enough, but the report notes that 'these numbers do not include handouts and loans made through Ottawa's regional development agencies' such as Western Economic Diversification.
So the actual amount of corporate welfare in this country is even higher than $18.4 billion.
The top 50 recipients of cash from Industry Canada comprise a who's who of corporate Canada, and those companies are not only highly profitable, but they account for one-third of all assistance.
Why on Earth major major manufacturers, huge electronics firms, and giant computer companies need money from the government of Canada is beyond us. But it's all there in black and white. (For the full details, see the CTF's website: www.taxpayer.com.)
In the report, the CTF correctly identifies why corporate welfare is bad policy: market decisions end up being made by bureaucrats and politicians, not investors; the decision"
Sun, January 14, 2007
Corporate welfare in the billions
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation put out a report last week that should curl the hair of any taxpayer who hates government waste.
The CTF has compiled a list of financial assistance paid out by Industry Canada to private companies covering a period from 1982 to 2005.
You may want to sit down for this:
The CTF report notes that between 1982 and 2005, 'Ottawa authorized $18.4 billion in grants and loans to various companies and organizations. Of this, only $7.1 billion is repayable. However, to date, less than $1.3 billion has been repaid to taxpayers.'
The CTF found that almost $10 billion of the $18 billion paid out was basically free money -- grants and contribution that never had to be repaid.
That's scary enough, but the report notes that 'these numbers do not include handouts and loans made through Ottawa's regional development agencies' such as Western Economic Diversification.
So the actual amount of corporate welfare in this country is even higher than $18.4 billion.
The top 50 recipients of cash from Industry Canada comprise a who's who of corporate Canada, and those companies are not only highly profitable, but they account for one-third of all assistance.
Why on Earth major major manufacturers, huge electronics firms, and giant computer companies need money from the government of Canada is beyond us. But it's all there in black and white. (For the full details, see the CTF's website: www.taxpayer.com.)
In the report, the CTF correctly identifies why corporate welfare is bad policy: market decisions end up being made by bureaucrats and politicians, not investors; the decision"
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Delhi family can stay in country
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, January 12, 2007 Updated @ 11:40:41 PM
A Delhi family of seven won’t be deported to its native Holland after a flurry of phone calls and letters straightened out a mix-up over paperwork.
“We are very happy,” Jo Geven said Thursday, only a few hours after getting a call from an Immigration Canada official.
Geven said he was told that the paperwork surrounding his application for an extension of his work permit has been processed and the family won’t have to leave.
“He told me, ‘don’t worry',' he said. 'All the papers will be sent to their office in London and put in order.
“We had talked a lot of times on the phone over the past few days, but hearing those words was so good.”
After getting the news, the family had a party, said Geven. "
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, January 12, 2007 Updated @ 11:40:41 PM
A Delhi family of seven won’t be deported to its native Holland after a flurry of phone calls and letters straightened out a mix-up over paperwork.
“We are very happy,” Jo Geven said Thursday, only a few hours after getting a call from an Immigration Canada official.
Geven said he was told that the paperwork surrounding his application for an extension of his work permit has been processed and the family won’t have to leave.
“He told me, ‘don’t worry',' he said. 'All the papers will be sent to their office in London and put in order.
“We had talked a lot of times on the phone over the past few days, but hearing those words was so good.”
After getting the news, the family had a party, said Geven. "
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it
Wouldn't it be nice if we actually got some results for what we pay for ?
OspreyBlogs » Blog Archive » It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it: "“Being an MP is a vast subsidized ego-trip. It’s a job that needs no qualifications, it has no compulsory hours of work, no performance standards, and provides a warm room, a telephone and subsidized meals to a bunch of self-important windbags and busybodies who suddenly find people taking them seriously because they’ve go the letters ‘MP’ after their name.”
The best comedy does strike close to home, don’t you think?
Politicians claim they deserve respect. They want us to believe they work hard and earn their money. Yet why must they pull these strokes, and always in between elections? Why must they dodge and weave and duck and fudge the truth and in some cases just outright lie? I don’t think it’s necessarily the money that voters resent (although that surely is a contentious issue for many), but the way politicians go about getting it.
They want more money? Fine. Bring it up during a campaign. Tell us what they want to do. Show us how hard they work. Justify the pay. Hold public hearings.
Let the public have input into what it will pay its representatives. Quit being so sneaky. Quit behaving like, well, like politicians.
Maybe that’s asking too much.
To see the Coulter Osborne report on MPP salaries is at http://oico.on.ca/oic/oicweb2.nsf/(CommReports)/35/$FILE/report.pdf?OpenElement"
OspreyBlogs » Blog Archive » It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it: "“Being an MP is a vast subsidized ego-trip. It’s a job that needs no qualifications, it has no compulsory hours of work, no performance standards, and provides a warm room, a telephone and subsidized meals to a bunch of self-important windbags and busybodies who suddenly find people taking them seriously because they’ve go the letters ‘MP’ after their name.”
The best comedy does strike close to home, don’t you think?
Politicians claim they deserve respect. They want us to believe they work hard and earn their money. Yet why must they pull these strokes, and always in between elections? Why must they dodge and weave and duck and fudge the truth and in some cases just outright lie? I don’t think it’s necessarily the money that voters resent (although that surely is a contentious issue for many), but the way politicians go about getting it.
They want more money? Fine. Bring it up during a campaign. Tell us what they want to do. Show us how hard they work. Justify the pay. Hold public hearings.
Let the public have input into what it will pay its representatives. Quit being so sneaky. Quit behaving like, well, like politicians.
Maybe that’s asking too much.
To see the Coulter Osborne report on MPP salaries is at http://oico.on.ca/oic/oicweb2.nsf/(CommReports)/35/$FILE/report.pdf?OpenElement"
Retirement Gordon Powers - Sympatico / MSN Finance - Seven tax breaks you've been missing
Retirement Gordon Powers - Sympatico / MSN Finance - Seven tax breaks you've been missing: "Seven tax breaks you've been missing By Gordon Powers December 05, 2006
Although April is traditionally when people think of taxes, there's actually very little you can do after December 31st to reduce your tax bite. Making some smart moves before the end of the year – particularly after some recent rule changes – can make a difference though." (check it out )
Although April is traditionally when people think of taxes, there's actually very little you can do after December 31st to reduce your tax bite. Making some smart moves before the end of the year – particularly after some recent rule changes – can make a difference though." (check it out )
Iraq to hang two Saddam aides Thursday - Yahoo! Canada News
Iraq to hang two Saddam aides Thursday - Yahoo! Canada News: "Saddam's half-brother and former head of intelligence, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, and Awad Ahmed al-Bandar, the former chief judge of revolutionary court, will be hanged at dawn on Thursday, the official said Wednesday."
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