Canadian Politics: The Harper Era

[rockkid]

Re PM’s visit……………. As someone involved with the DND does it impress me……… nope.
We suffer through talking heads so often it seems common place.
Do I think we should be in Afghanistan? A hearty NO.
This is not a peace keeping mission by any stretch.
Perhaps its being air force & not being subjected to the grunt ¾’s brain washed mentality but we’ve no business there.

[Rit]

*in reference to Drum's post*

just impressed with your clear analyses of all things Canadian (and otherwise) in policy.

what 1 or 2 books out there would you recommend to someone who wanted to gain a relatively good understanding of Canadian foreign policy/ issues?

in other words, what's been your favourite CanCon books of recent years?

[Rit]

i think i like the fact that Canadians are there, supporting their NATO commitments.

[rockkid]

You need to read Ghosts of the Medak Pocket. Your eyes will pop I guarantee.

[rockkid]

Just IMO it’s always easy to either like or dislike that which will never have bearing on you.
Note* I’m not directing that sentiment directly at you R.i.t. rather populace in general.

[Dr. Drum]

Interesting comments, rockkid. And thanks, Rit.

The most recent book I’ve read on Canadian politics is The Polite Revolution by John Ibbitson. You might enjoy it – a sort of a state of the nation, circa 2005, and an examination of most of the major issues Canada faces in the 21st century – urbanization, immigration, aboriginal policy, health care, education, equalization, foreign policy, etc. etc. The guy’s a little right wing so at times I have my issues with him, but it is quite a thoughtful, well-written book.

[Rit]

oh yeah, Ibbitson. the Globe and Mail correspondant. i've seen it around in stores. I'll probably look into it now.

[rockkid]

Must share.........................

[tuneschick]

Haha... yup, seems about right. Love how the seal hunt is suddenly the pet cause du jour of the rich 'n' famous set... McCartney and his hag wife, Pammy, Brigitte Bardot...

But my favourite thus far: Morrissey refusing to tour Canada until the hunt is cancelled. Ho hum... sorry pal, perhaps that would have held water 20 years ago but don't know a whole lot of people rushing out to get Morrissey tickets these days, personally.

[rockkid]

My sentiments exactly upon hearing that one. Stadium crowds no doubt
Just proof that it all goes in cycles (the protests).
Note Bardot’s display of video from pre 74. “white coats” have been on the no no list for over a decade all ready.

[phil]

KILL'EM ALL !!

[rockkid]

savage

[Dr. Drum]

So nice to see another Con backbencher break training. ;D

Tory MP suggests jailing bad journalists

Canadian Press

Vernon, B.C. — A backbench Conservative MP, blasting the media for its testy relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has suggested reporters who write distorted articles be jailed.

In a brief column sent to several newspapers in his Okanagan-Shuswap riding, Colin Mayes said that might help the public “get accurate and true information.”

Mr. Mayes seemed to suggesting in his column that the media be covered by something like the Conservative government's proposed Federal Accountability Act, which would prosecute elected officials and senior public servants who break the public trust.

“Maybe it is time that we hauled off in handcuffs reporters that fabricate stories, or twist information and even falsely accuse citizens,” he writes.

The column was e-mailed Thursday to nine small Okanagan papers, as well as the Vernon Daily Courier, by Wayne McGrath, Mr. Mayes's executive assistant.

The Courier recently decided not to publish the MP's regular columns.

On Wednesday, David Wylie, the paper's managing editor, published an editorial saying Mr. Harper's media policies were “mimicking the ploys of an authoritarian state ...”

Mr. Harper has restricted access to ministers after cabinet meetings and barred reporters from observing photo opportunities.

Ministers are also required to restrict their public comments to the government's five key priorities and clear contacts with the media through the Prime Minister's office.

Mr. Mayes, a businessman and former mayor of Dawson City, Yukon and Salmon Arm, B.C., easily won the solidly Tory riding in the Jan. 23 election, replacing the retiring Darryl Stinson.

In his column, he writes that he was “perturbed” by the media's reaction to Mr. Harper's attitude to reporters.

“The media has blatantly painted a picture that our government is not open and transparent,” he writes. “We were elected just two months ago to run the affairs of the country for the people, not to accommodate the media.”

Along with business people, politicians and public servants, the media also has the public trust, he writes.

While not all media are bad, the Tory backbencher says, “boy, would the public get accurate and true information if a few reporters were hauled away to jail!”

But it will never happen “because the media would cry ‘censorship' and ‘authoritarian state' ... but the truth is we need ethical leadership from the media too.”

Mr. Mayes could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Mr. Wylie said he thought Mr. Mayes's comments were “a little over the top.

“If members of his government are trying not to paint themselves as extremists or fanatics, this is not the way to go about doing it.”

[Dr. Drum]

Oh, also wanted to point out that you can now officially start referring to Newfoundlanders as oil sheiks.

Newfoundland in black

Province books first definitive surplus on back of offshore oil revenue

JANE ARMSTRONG

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Canada's poorest province is projecting an unqualified budget surplus for the first time in history, thanks to new royalties and corporate taxes from Newfoundland and Labrador's thriving offshore oil industry.

This year alone, the province is expecting to reap $927-million in royalties and income taxes, giving it a $6.2-million surplus. The budget forecast is predicated on oil staying above $57 (U.S.) a barrel.

"I am pleased to report that for the first time in our history, the province is budgeting a surplus on a fully consolidated basis," Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan said in his budget speech.

"I think we have turned the corner," Mr. Sullivan said. "We have enormous potential."

The province has balanced its books prior to this budget, but in the past it didn't have to account for all of its liabilities. Newfoundland has an unfunded pension liability. Now, the province is pulling in money from three Grand banks oil projects and accounting for its pension commitments.

And in a display of optimism, the government announced that it will ban deficit financing. In the future, provincial budgets must be balanced, Mr. Sullivan said.

"We will not burden our grandchildren with the consequences of our own [actions]," Mr. Sullivan said.

Though flush now with oil money, the province has still has a staggering $11.9-billion (Canadian) debt, the highest per capita in the country, calculated at $23,000 per person.

Still, the first-ever surplus represents a dramatic turnaround for Newfoundland under the Conservative government of Premier Danny Williams.

Just two years ago, Mr. Williams faced a nearly $900-million deficit and was slashing programs and public sector jobs.

Last year's budget wasn't much better, with Mr. Sullivan predicting a crippling $492-million deficit for the province in 2005-06.

That projected deficit was also eradicated by new oil money, Mr. Sullivan said, adding that the province will end this current fiscal year with a $76.5-million surplus.

tinyurl.com/ksxbp

[phil]

So nice to see another Con backbencher break training.

I'd hate to see the Reform get a majority government ...

See how much damage they could do in 4 years !!