President Trump is definitely going to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, the head of his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transition team has confirmed.
At a press conference in London – the one where the media delegates’ heads all exploded – Myron Ebell told his appalled audience that Trump would certainly be honouring his campaign promise to pull out of the UN Paris agreement.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
WHEN $1.5 MILLION ISN'T ENOUGH...
Ontario Power Generation says salaries for its executives are expected to rise by up to $8 million in the next few years as the provincial government lifts a public-sector wage freeze.
OPG landed on a maximum salary of $3.8 million for its CEO — who currently earns $1.5 million — though it says it is setting the target significantly lower.
OPG landed on a maximum salary of $3.8 million for its CEO — who currently earns $1.5 million — though it says it is setting the target significantly lower.
TRUMP STILL FIRING & HIRING
President Donald Trump fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates Monday night for "refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said.
"(Yates) has betrayed the Department of Justice," the White House statement said.
President Donald Trump replaced the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday night, shortly after he fired the acting attorney general, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed.Monday, January 30, 2017
SCREWED UP? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
Several generating plants will be paid as they sit idle for up to a year or more because that’s a money-saving move in the province’s screwy electricity system.
PC MPP Vic Fedeli, who represents the North Bay area where one plant is located, said as many as 100 jobs could be lost in the province, while the Ontario government announces it’s buying more Quebec hydro power.
PC MPP Vic Fedeli, who represents the North Bay area where one plant is located, said as many as 100 jobs could be lost in the province, while the Ontario government announces it’s buying more Quebec hydro power.
ALL ABOARD THE BICYCULT BANDWAGON
Expect our civic leaders this week to throw their paunchy weight behind the National Cycling Strategy Act.
The what, you ask?
The National Cycling Strategy Act, Bill C-312, is currently before Parliament.
To the bicycult, Bill C-312 promises to be the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and Moses’ stone tablet combined.
The what, you ask?
The National Cycling Strategy Act, Bill C-312, is currently before Parliament.
To the bicycult, Bill C-312 promises to be the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and Moses’ stone tablet combined.
TRUMP PROTECTS USA, WORLD IS ENRAGED
President Trump’s executive orders to build a Mexican border wall and to place a temporary ban on immigration from seven hotbeds of jihad terror have the national and international Left -- and its jihadi allies -- in an uproar.
How dare he move to protect American citizens?
57% SUPPORT TRUMP'S TEMPORARY BAN
Nearly two-thirds of voters want the U.S. government to halt refugee resettlement until better controls to screen foreigners can be implemented, according to Rasmussen
While Europe’s socialist leaders predictably denounced President Trump’s recent temporary ban on new refugees from a list of countries, rising populist leaders praised him as a model for what Europe should be doing.
While Europe’s socialist leaders predictably denounced President Trump’s recent temporary ban on new refugees from a list of countries, rising populist leaders praised him as a model for what Europe should be doing.
NOTHING TO SEE HERE, MOVE ALONG
The mosque in the Quebec City shooting was originally formed by Muslim Student Association according to its own history. The Muslim Student Association was founded by adherents of the Muslim Brotherhood. The mosque donated money on a yearly basis (2001 to 2010) to the International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy (IRFAN). IRFAN, according to the Canada Revenue Agency, was set up to skirt Canadian law and send millions of dollars to HAMAS. The parent organization of HAMAS is the Muslim Brotherhood according to Article Two of the HAMAS charter. IRFAN is now listed as a terrorism entity. H/T SDA
STRUGGLING MAINSTREAM MEDIA
A call for government to aid struggling mainstream media: Report lays out practical but minimalist ways in which Ottawa could help newspapers escape the internet vampires.
TRUDEAU'S SUNNY WAYS WISHFUL THINKING
On NAFTA, Trump wants to end multi-lateralism so he can bully Mexico. To set it up, Trump sent his advisor Stephen Schwarzman to meet the Liberal cabinet.
Schwarzman – whose personal fortune is over $10 billion – was greeted with open arms. Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland hailed him as “my long-time good friend.”
He brought the Liberals a beautiful message – yes, Trump will be brutal to Mexico. But he thinks fondly of Canada. Don’t be “enormously worried” about NAFTA renegotiations, he said.
That’s all it took. The Liberals stood back. Canadians, the Liberals said chins a-tremble, shouldn’t become “collateral damage.”
Schwarzman – whose personal fortune is over $10 billion – was greeted with open arms. Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland hailed him as “my long-time good friend.”
He brought the Liberals a beautiful message – yes, Trump will be brutal to Mexico. But he thinks fondly of Canada. Don’t be “enormously worried” about NAFTA renegotiations, he said.
That’s all it took. The Liberals stood back. Canadians, the Liberals said chins a-tremble, shouldn’t become “collateral damage.”
NOTLEY'S EYE ON THE NEXT ELECTION
BANFF — Many Albertans will assure you, in vivid language, that the NDP can’t possibly win another election.
Premier Rachel Notley and her cabinet disagree. Tentatively, they glimpse a path to victory. The conservative opposition will find it delusional but there is some chance of success. A second victory for the Alberta New Democrats would be no stranger than the first one.
SHOOTING AT QUEBEC MOSQUE
According to Radio-Canada and LCN, the two suspects in Sunday’s terror attacks on a mosque in Quebec City are Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed Khadir.
One of the suspects was arrested at the scene, while a second called 911 himself and was arrested around 9 p.m., just over an hour after the first 911 calls came in at 7:55 p.m., police said Monday morning during a news conference involving the Sûreté du Québec, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Quebec City police and Montreal police.
One of the suspects was arrested at the scene, while a second called 911 himself and was arrested around 9 p.m., just over an hour after the first 911 calls came in at 7:55 p.m., police said Monday morning during a news conference involving the Sûreté du Québec, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Quebec City police and Montreal police.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
FAILED LEADERSHIP AT THE OMA
Ontario Medical Association executives have survived an attempted coup by some angry doctors who say job action may be on the table.
On Sunday, council delegates gathered for a non-confidence vote to oust the leaders, but the motion failed.
The members complained the leaders have failed in provincial negotiations to achieve binding arbitration with the province to deal with issues such as reductions to the Physicians Services Budget, which they say is underfunding medical care.
On Sunday, council delegates gathered for a non-confidence vote to oust the leaders, but the motion failed.
The members complained the leaders have failed in provincial negotiations to achieve binding arbitration with the province to deal with issues such as reductions to the Physicians Services Budget, which they say is underfunding medical care.
SPENDING BLAMED FOR ALBERTA DEFICIT
Alberta’s Budget Deficit: Why Spending Is To Blame, 2017 finds that the Alberta government could have posted a small budget surplus this year instead of a $10.8 billion deficit if successive governments had kept program spending increases in line with population growth and inflation.
PAY A FINE; SCREW THE RENEWABLES
Greens are outraged that ERM Power, an Australian electricity company, has chosen to pay a penalty for not buying green energy certificates, rather than “supporting” green energy companies.
ERM Power has been criticised for choosing $123m fine over renewable energy certificates
Company says it’s cheaper to pay the penalty, but the move is branded as ‘undermining of the objectives’ of the renewable energy target.
ERM Power has been criticised for choosing $123m fine over renewable energy certificates
Company says it’s cheaper to pay the penalty, but the move is branded as ‘undermining of the objectives’ of the renewable energy target.
DOES THAT INCLUDE THE RIGHT WING PRESS TOO?
Journalists are the last guardians of our democracy.
Tyrants always respect and fear an independent media, often more than journalism’s ordinary readers. They understand its power to reveal their agendas, to mock their follies, and to delegitimize them. That’s why they do their best to demonize and marginalize journalists. From Mussolini to Chavez to Putin and Erdogan, it is a tactic proven successful – at least in the short term – for tyrants everywhere. Trump has clearly been a student.
Tyrants always respect and fear an independent media, often more than journalism’s ordinary readers. They understand its power to reveal their agendas, to mock their follies, and to delegitimize them. That’s why they do their best to demonize and marginalize journalists. From Mussolini to Chavez to Putin and Erdogan, it is a tactic proven successful – at least in the short term – for tyrants everywhere. Trump has clearly been a student.
MONITORING TRAFFIC IN ARCTIC WATERS
An eight-year effort to develop year-round surveillance capability in Canada’s melting Arctic waters was only ever able to monitor marine traffic remotely twice for a few weeks during the hospitable northern summers.
NEW BRUNSWICK ICE STORM
New Brunswick's premier said the Canadian Armed Forces have sent in a team to see how they can help the recovery effort after an ice storm ravaged parts of the province this week.
ENLISTING LOCAL POLICE IN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN
To build his highly touted deportation force, President Donald Trump is reviving a long-standing program that deputizes local officers to enforce federal immigration law.
The program could end up having a significant impact on immigration enforcement around the country, despite falling out of favor in recent years amid complaints that it promotes racial profiling.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
JUSTIN TRUDEAU'S TWEET
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
Update:
Update:
"Refugees In, Racists Out" Protestors Storm JFK, O'Hare Airports After Trump's 'Muslim Ban' -
TRUDEAU RECORD OF ALIENATING THE WEST
Alienating the West is not the first rodeo for the Trudeaus.
That blinkered horse has been ridden before.
It began in 1980 when Papa Pierre drew up the National Energy Program in a failed attempt to unilaterally take federal control of Canada’s largely Alberta-based petroleum industry.
Fast forward now some 37 years, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken over the alienation of the West where his late father left off, shooting off his own mouth recently with off-the-cuff comments about “phasing out the oilsands.”
That blinkered horse has been ridden before.
It began in 1980 when Papa Pierre drew up the National Energy Program in a failed attempt to unilaterally take federal control of Canada’s largely Alberta-based petroleum industry.
Fast forward now some 37 years, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken over the alienation of the West where his late father left off, shooting off his own mouth recently with off-the-cuff comments about “phasing out the oilsands.”
THE BOY SCOUT VS THE TITAN
Rex Murphy: Trump has thrown a huge and hungry cat into a basket of flightless pigeons, with his complete reversal of the Obama positions on North American oil, on regulations and hearings, and by placing the highest priority on jobs. Trump’s policies are diametrically in contrast with the boy-scoutism on global warming that is at the centre of Trudeau’s heart.
The Trudeau government has a Suzukian vision of apocalyptic climate change and Elizabeth May reveries on carbon taxes. These are not Trump compatible.
The Trudeau government has a Suzukian vision of apocalyptic climate change and Elizabeth May reveries on carbon taxes. These are not Trump compatible.
WE'RE A BIT CYNICAL PREMIER WYNNE
NP: At a quintessential Friday morning press conference at a bus terminal in Richmond Hill, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced she had spinelessly caved to her cabinet and caucus and reneged on a pledge to allow Toronto to toll the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, for fear that her hot shambles of a government might lose votes among commuters in the 2018 election.
Sorry, I mean she announced she’s a really excellent listener: “Any leader who doesn’t listen to those voices, doesn’t listen to the team, … isn’t actually leading.”
Sorry, I mean she announced she’s a really excellent listener: “Any leader who doesn’t listen to those voices, doesn’t listen to the team, … isn’t actually leading.”
LIBERALS KEEPING THEIR PLEDGE
The federal government ran a deficit of $12.7 billion over the first eight months of its 2016-17 fiscal year — compared with a $1-billion surplus during the same period a year earlier.
The shortfall was due to a $14-billion surge in expenses, including a $7.1-billion increase in direct program costs to the treasury, the Finance Department latest monthly fiscal monitor showed Friday.
The double-digit deficit figure wasn't a surprise since the Trudeau government has pledged to run deficits over the coming years as it tries to boost the economy through infrastructure investments and larger child benefits.
The shortfall was due to a $14-billion surge in expenses, including a $7.1-billion increase in direct program costs to the treasury, the Finance Department latest monthly fiscal monitor showed Friday.
The double-digit deficit figure wasn't a surprise since the Trudeau government has pledged to run deficits over the coming years as it tries to boost the economy through infrastructure investments and larger child benefits.
OLD LIBERAL HABITS DIE HARD
An Ottawa-based think tank is backtracking after telling potential backers they could have a private cocktail with the prime minister if they paid the top sponsorship amount for an event next month.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute posted a package on its website, which has since been changed, offering a one-hour private reception with MPs for the top sponsor of its Feb. 16 Confederation Dinner, a black-tie event to be held at the Museum of History. The "presenting sponsor" would provide $15,000 in return for a range of benefits, including a private reception featuring the evening's guest speakers -- and the prime minister.
Meanwhile, in B.C, . Premier Christy Clark, facing sustained criticism over a lack of political-fundraising limits in the province, says her government is watching the “interesting” federal move to restrict cash-for-access events. But she made no commitment to change the controversial status quo in her province.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute posted a package on its website, which has since been changed, offering a one-hour private reception with MPs for the top sponsor of its Feb. 16 Confederation Dinner, a black-tie event to be held at the Museum of History. The "presenting sponsor" would provide $15,000 in return for a range of benefits, including a private reception featuring the evening's guest speakers -- and the prime minister.
Meanwhile, in B.C, . Premier Christy Clark, facing sustained criticism over a lack of political-fundraising limits in the province, says her government is watching the “interesting” federal move to restrict cash-for-access events. But she made no commitment to change the controversial status quo in her province.
Friday, January 27, 2017
RESIGNATIONS/FIRINGS AT STATE DEPARTMENT
Update: according to a CNN report - so as always take with lots of salt - the story has shifted materially, because according to two senior administration officials, it wasn't a resignation by the State Department officials, but more of a termination: "the Trump administration told four top State Department management officials that their services were no longer needed as part of an effort to "clean house" at Foggy Bottom."
IMMEDIATE START TO BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION
President Trump signed a pair of executive orders today to start "immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border" -- to be paid by taxpayers first, with reimbursement by Mexico later, the White House said -- and to prioritize removal of illegal immigrants who have been convicted or charged with a criminal offense.
UNHINGED TEACHER IN TEXAS
When you send your child off to school in the morning, especially on a historic Inauguration Day, is there ever a moment when you imagine something like this could happen in front of the class? At W.H. Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas, art students were treated to an epic meltdown by their teacher, Payal Modi, who screamed "DIE!" and shot President Trump's image with a water gun while students watched his inauguration by video. Someone filmed it and Modi posted it to her Instagram account. She has since removed the video, but it is traveling around Twitter.
MAYBE ASK THE AGA KHAN WHERE IT IS
A report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) gave credence to reports of “ghost students, teachers and schools.” “Canada is currently undertaking the necessary due diligence to ensure that in the event that Canada’s funds have been misappropriated, that such funds are recovered and that the guilty parties are held to account,” said Jessica Séguin, a spokeswoman for Global Affairs Canada, in an email to the Citizen.
FORMER MONTREAL MAYOR FOUND GUILTY
Michael Applebaum, the former shoe salesman and real estate agent who ascended to the highest political post of Canada’s second largest city in November 2012, promising to erase the municipality’s “stain” of corruption, now faces a maximum of five years in prison.
Former Montreal mayor Applebaum was found guilty Thursday on eight corruption-related charges for extorting roughly $60,000 in bribes from developers.
Former Montreal mayor Applebaum was found guilty Thursday on eight corruption-related charges for extorting roughly $60,000 in bribes from developers.
MICHIGAN VS ONTARIO RE BUSINESS INVESTMENT
Ontario's cap-and-trade system is likely to push up the cost of doing business in the province, while the Trump administration's promise to cut corporate taxes could put the squeeze on Canada's efforts to attract outside investment.
But as things stand now, Ontario appears to be much more competitive than Michigan, with a more advantageous tax structure as well as other factors such as lower business costs, education and infrastructure.
But as things stand now, Ontario appears to be much more competitive than Michigan, with a more advantageous tax structure as well as other factors such as lower business costs, education and infrastructure.
TRUDEAU'S DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS
Several First Nations leaders are blasting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for comments he made during a town hall meeting in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
"He basically said chiefs do not know what the needs of First Nations are," said Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose.
"I thought that was disrespectful and he should learn to use his words more carefully."
"He basically said chiefs do not know what the needs of First Nations are," said Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose.
"I thought that was disrespectful and he should learn to use his words more carefully."
FIREARMS ENTHUSIASTS CONSIDERED A DEFECT
During the 2015 election campaign, the Liberals committed to changing the makeup of the committee's membership, which they had claimed the previous government had stacked with firearms enthusiasts who lobbied hard to loosen restrictions on guns.
"This is the defect that we identified in the committee in the course of the election campaign and explicitly put in the platform — that it needed to be a more balanced, more representative group going forward," said Goodale.
"This is the defect that we identified in the committee in the course of the election campaign and explicitly put in the platform — that it needed to be a more balanced, more representative group going forward," said Goodale.
WAITING FOR THE WOMEN'S MARCH AGAINST SHARIA LAW
It is ironic that some participating women in effect were fighting to exalt the hijab, refusing to acknowledge that it stands for subjugation. Not only do women suffer discrimination in countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under draconian sharia laws, but they are marginalized right here in North American homes.
Even more ironic is the role of Linda Sarsour, the national co-chair of the women’s march. She supports sharia law, the discriminatory effects of which are clear to anyone who dares to take an honest look at orthodox Muslim communities.
Even more ironic is the role of Linda Sarsour, the national co-chair of the women’s march. She supports sharia law, the discriminatory effects of which are clear to anyone who dares to take an honest look at orthodox Muslim communities.
THE HYPOCRACY OF WYNNE. AGAIN.
Premier Kathleen Wynne’s government requires all investment advisers across Ontario to account for every single dollar they make for managing their clients’ money.
The rationale is that customers should know how much they are paying their advisers.
So why doesn’t Wynne apply that same rationale to her own policies? Let’s look at two examples of Liberal hypocrisy: Hydro rates and the new cap-and-trade scheme
The rationale is that customers should know how much they are paying their advisers.
So why doesn’t Wynne apply that same rationale to her own policies? Let’s look at two examples of Liberal hypocrisy: Hydro rates and the new cap-and-trade scheme
WYNNE DITCHES TORONTO ROAD TOLLS
Mayor John Tory’s plan to toll the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway has been parked — permanently.
Sources tell the Toronto Sun that Premier Kathleen Wynne will reject Tory and Toronto city council’s request to toll the key arteries into and out of downtown.
Sources tell the Toronto Sun that Premier Kathleen Wynne will reject Tory and Toronto city council’s request to toll the key arteries into and out of downtown.
COLLEGE EXECUTIVES' TIME AT THE TROUGH
Ontario colleges have been ordered to come up with new salary proposals for their presidents and other executives, after some institutions proposed pay hikes of 50 per cent.
The memo from the Liberal government comes at the same time a report says Ontario’s 24 public colleges face a cumulative debt of $1.9 billion over 10 years in an age of declining enrolment.
The memo from the Liberal government comes at the same time a report says Ontario’s 24 public colleges face a cumulative debt of $1.9 billion over 10 years in an age of declining enrolment.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
SOROS NOW IN MACEDONIA's CROSSHAIRS
Co-founder of the movement, Nikola Srbov, called out Soros for hijacking civil society, in an effort force his own personal ideology upon others by monopolizing civil discourse through strategically funding certain organizations via his group Open Society Foundations.
MEANWHILE IN WYOMING
A group of Wyoming lawmakers is bucking the U.S. trend of stricter renewable energy requirements with a plan to do the opposite: Fine utilities if they provide energy produced by wind or the sun.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
IS ETHANOL IN POTUS TRUMP'S CROSSHAIRS?
Despite President Donald Trump’s campaign vows to support American ethanol producers, the $24 billion corn-based ethanol industry finds itself short on allies in the new administration.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS' FURY
After Trump's executive order to accelerate the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, angry environmental groups reacted quickly by denouncing Trump's actions, and promising legal action and White House protests. “Donald Trump has been in office for four days, and he’s already proving to be the dangerous threat to our climate we feared he would be,” said Michael Brune, the executive director of the Sierra Club. He added that "President Trump will live to regret his actions this morning," said Michael Brune of the Sierra Club, promising "a wall of resistance the likes of which he never imagined."
US TRADE ACTIONS AGAINST CHINA
Canada is in a solid position, because of its robust imports of U.S. manufactured goods, to fend off the waves of protectionism now beginning to ripple outward from President Donald Trump’s White House.
The same can’t be said for the follow-on effects of looming U.S. trade actions against China.
It boils down to this: Two superpowers possessed of the world’s largest economies, both nuclear-armed, and one of which is Canada’s immediate neighbour and closest partner, are about to clash — economically and strategically — as never before. Batten the hatches.
The same can’t be said for the follow-on effects of looming U.S. trade actions against China.
It boils down to this: Two superpowers possessed of the world’s largest economies, both nuclear-armed, and one of which is Canada’s immediate neighbour and closest partner, are about to clash — economically and strategically — as never before. Batten the hatches.
CHARGED WITH ASSAULT & UTTERING THREATS
The Edmonton "man" who assaulted Rebel Media's Sheila Gunn Reid has been charged.
CATHERINE MCKENNA'S SUNNY WAYS DREAM
Donald Trump is no environmental icon, but Catherine McKenna thinks she can win him over.
Canada’s environment minister is holding out hope the new U.S. administration won’t derail global efforts to cut emissions -- even amid jarring differences in approach.
Canada’s environment minister is holding out hope the new U.S. administration won’t derail global efforts to cut emissions -- even amid jarring differences in approach.
TRUDEAU EXCUSES HIMSELF: I MISSPOKE
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck an apologetic note on Tuesday afternoon as he explained his controversial remarks about the oilsands, but took a combative tone in defending his government’s record in the evening at a raucous town hall at the University of Calgary.
Trudeau sparked a storm of criticism in Alberta two weeks ago when, in Peterborough, Ont., he defended his government’s recent approvals of pipelines by noting that “we can’t shut down the oilsands tomorrow. We need to phase them out.”
Trudeau sparked a storm of criticism in Alberta two weeks ago when, in Peterborough, Ont., he defended his government’s recent approvals of pipelines by noting that “we can’t shut down the oilsands tomorrow. We need to phase them out.”
CORRIVEAU SENTENCED TO JAIL AND FINED
An ex-Liberal organizer convicted of fraud related to the federal sponsorship scandal has been given a four-year prison term.
Jacques Corriveau's sentence was handed down in a Montreal courtroom this morning.
He will also have 10 years to pay a fine of $1.4 million.
Jacques Corriveau's sentence was handed down in a Montreal courtroom this morning.
He will also have 10 years to pay a fine of $1.4 million.
IMPROVING ONTARIO'S CONTAMINATED SITE REMEDIATION SYSTEM
"Brownfields,” or building sites contaminated by past users, need to undergo some level of remediation prior to their redevelopment. Ontario’s brownfield remediation rules underwent a major revision in 2011. The new rules are much more standardized and prescriptive than they were before. While this has, theoretically, removed much of the uncertainty about what is required for an environmental assessment and site clean-up, the new rules are also slowing down approvals for construction projects. Some professionals in the property remediation and development field have expressed concerns that projects are being put at risk due to unnecessary costs and delays, which create a bottleneck for economic development.
INTERNATIONAL HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SURVEY
The index employs third-quarter data from 2016 to establish the affordability of middle-income housing in the large urban centres of nine countries: Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, and Great Britain. To compare “affordability,” the authors employ the “Median Multiple,” which divides the median housing prices by the median household income. This index ranks urban centres from Affordable to Severely Unaffordable.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
ONTARIO'S HYDRO CRISIS
It’s a pretty steep hydro bill, no matter which way you look at it.
In October it cost Cavan Monaghan Township almost 11 thousand dollars to keep the lights on at the Millbrook Arena.
The next month, just over 11 grand.
In October it cost Cavan Monaghan Township almost 11 thousand dollars to keep the lights on at the Millbrook Arena.
The next month, just over 11 grand.
EPA PRUITT ENCOURAGING CLIMATE SCIENCE DEBATE
Those with a vested interest in maintaining the green bullsh!t gravy train are attacking him for it.
THE HINTING WYNNE
Kathleen Wynne might tackle hydro delivery charges to cut electricity bills. But Wynne declined to offer details about the changes she's considering.
ADORABLE CRITTERS.....
The Ontario SPCA has teamed up with PetSmart for an adopt-a-thon for close to six hundred rescued domestic rats.
Gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs are the typical pets, popular with children. But the Ontario SPCA and PetSmart say rats can be cute and cuddly too.
Gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs are the typical pets, popular with children. But the Ontario SPCA and PetSmart say rats can be cute and cuddly too.
UK PARLIAMENT CONTROLS BREXIT DECISION
The government must consult Parliament in order to invoke Article 50 and take Britain out of the European Union, the Supreme Court has ruled.
That means Parliament must take a vote on whether to invoke Article 50, which triggers the process to take Britain out of the EU, before Prime Minister Theresa May, can do so.
That means Parliament must take a vote on whether to invoke Article 50, which triggers the process to take Britain out of the EU, before Prime Minister Theresa May, can do so.
THE FALLACY THAT IS IVANPAH
The BrightSource Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Facility, which uses 320,000 mirrors to create thermal energy, still qualifies under state rules as an alternative energy source, despite using about 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas a year, according to a report by the Press Telegram.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE WOMEN'S MARCH?
Delingpole: Still, when all is said and done I think we owe those women who took to the streets across the world in their various pod groups a massive favour. They have reminded us what a Hillary presidency would have looked like every single day for at least four years. And they have swept away any reservations we may have had about the absolute necessity of having voted for Donald Trump.
OBAMA'S FINAL SPIT IN THE FACE OF AMERICANS
The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that the Obama administration "defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority that GOP members of Congress had been blocking." And there's more.
CONFRONTING GORE & HIS TEN YEAR LIE
Al Gore had predicted, in his highly disproven Inconvenient Truth, that we had only ten years to figure out the climate change disaster, before the sea levels engulfed the coasts and the temperatures rose so much that we would all face annihilation. That was over ten years ago.
NOW HE'S THE VICTIM...
Edmonton police say they are investigating an alleged assault said to have occurred Saturday at a rally held at the Alberta legislature in support of the Women’s March on Washington.
The complainant is a reporter for The Rebel TV, an online outlet devoted to right-wing commentary, activism and reporting.
CTV Edmonton news video has the little puke denying the assault and whining about the negative fallout of his actions!
The complainant is a reporter for The Rebel TV, an online outlet devoted to right-wing commentary, activism and reporting.
CTV Edmonton news video has the little puke denying the assault and whining about the negative fallout of his actions!
TRUDEAU'S CRUMBLING ECONOMIC STRATEGY
Financial Post: The fundamental difference between then and now is the Liberal approach to spending, a function of failed ideology, untenable political promises and generational selfishness.
This ideology holds that government can solve most problems (proven false by a bitter history of socialist failures). That green technology can replace fossil fuels at reasonable cost (coal, oil and gas will represent 74 per cent of global energy in 2050 and Ontario’s catastrophic electricity fiasco is ample evidence that ignoring economics and science is doomed to be a costly failure). And that stimulus spending unfailingly produces a multiplier effect in the economy (apparently not, according to Finance forecasts).
This ideology holds that government can solve most problems (proven false by a bitter history of socialist failures). That green technology can replace fossil fuels at reasonable cost (coal, oil and gas will represent 74 per cent of global energy in 2050 and Ontario’s catastrophic electricity fiasco is ample evidence that ignoring economics and science is doomed to be a costly failure). And that stimulus spending unfailingly produces a multiplier effect in the economy (apparently not, according to Finance forecasts).
Monday, January 23, 2017
MEDIA BIAS AGAINST TRUMP WILL WORSEN
Furey: Will the over-the-top media bias calm down? You decide. Here’s a tweet issued on inauguration day by Doug Saunders, a staff columnist for The Globe & Mail:
“If you thought you'd never see anything on TV as frightening as 9/11, this was it. But the consequences of this are far more damaging”.
You can’t make this stuff up. A writer for Canada’s supposed paper of record considers Trump’s presidency as frightening as a terrorist attack that killed thousands. The bias is clear, to put it mildly
.
“If you thought you'd never see anything on TV as frightening as 9/11, this was it. But the consequences of this are far more damaging”.
You can’t make this stuff up. A writer for Canada’s supposed paper of record considers Trump’s presidency as frightening as a terrorist attack that killed thousands. The bias is clear, to put it mildly
.
HERDING ONTARIO'S CONSERVATIVES
The Tories are the obvious favourites in the 2018 campaign but they’ve been here before.
The Ontario Tories have lost and lost and lost again. Too mushy. Too right wing. Neglecting ground-level organizing. Advocating half-baked policies. Each time, people in each part of the party have complained that the party lost its way by not being more of what they wanted it to be.
CORRUPTION INQUIRY OF AFGHANISTAN FUNDING
The Canadian government is investigating whether aid funds intended to help Afghan children return to school in a post-Taliban era were embezzled, following recent allegations of corruption inside the country’s education department.
As one of the main contributors to the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP), Afghanistan’s largest national education program, Canada has provided $117.2 million since 2006 to increase equal access to quality education for Afghan students — especially girls.
As one of the main contributors to the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP), Afghanistan’s largest national education program, Canada has provided $117.2 million since 2006 to increase equal access to quality education for Afghan students — especially girls.
THE EYES AND EARS OF CANADA'S NORTH
The Rangers are part of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, but are not considered reservists. Generally they are part-time volunteers from the remote communities where they serve. Often called the "eyes and ears of Canada's North," they are responsible for reporting unusual activities, collecting data to support military operations and conducting surveillance when required in Canada's North.
The Canadian Rangers are not getting access to the health care services they deserve and lack sufficient support staff, according to the Canadian Forces ombudsman's initial investigation into Canada's northern patrol units.
The Canadian Rangers are not getting access to the health care services they deserve and lack sufficient support staff, according to the Canadian Forces ombudsman's initial investigation into Canada's northern patrol units.
CIA DOCUMENTS REVEAL CANADA'S LACK OF INFLUENCE
Last week, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency released nearly one million declassified documents online.
And every once in a while, the documents mention us. The National Post did a comprehensive search of all 2,000 documents mentioning “Canada.” The highlights are below, some of which are being published for the first time.
All in all, they’re a pretty sobering inoculation against any notion that Canada is an influential power. According to the CIA, we’re really more of an easily offended younger brother who happens to own a lot of oil.
And every once in a while, the documents mention us. The National Post did a comprehensive search of all 2,000 documents mentioning “Canada.” The highlights are below, some of which are being published for the first time.
All in all, they’re a pretty sobering inoculation against any notion that Canada is an influential power. According to the CIA, we’re really more of an easily offended younger brother who happens to own a lot of oil.
ADIOS U.N.
A Republican-proposed House Resolution has quietly slipped past the public radar – proposing that the United States withdraw its membership from the United Nations, just as another bill was being concocted to cut US funding to the body.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
CLARK SEES DISTRACTION; PUBLIC SEES CONFLICT
Premier Christy Clark will still be in a conflict of interest even though she’s rejected her party’s annual stipend, suggests a group that’s been critical of political fundraising in British Columbia.
Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch says Clark will still get the party’s money because she’s requested her stipend be replaced with a system where she will be reimbursed by the Liberal party for her expenses.
BUYING INFLUENCE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
The NDP have accused the Liberals of selling access to power, and have called on Premier Christy Clark to ban corporate and union donations.
Vancouver-Point Grey NDP MLA David Eby said it’s no surprise to him that real estate developers dominated the B.C. Liberal donor list in 2016.
He said the Liberals were slow to recognize and move on a housing “crisis” as prices rose beyond what regular people can afford. “It really explains everything to me — simply that the interest of their donors were different than everyday families and Metro Vancouver,” said Eby.
SOROS TIES TO WOMEN'S MARCH
Former WSJ reporter Asra Nomani asks in the NYT's "Women In the World" section what is the link between one of Hillary Clinton’s largest donors and the Women’s March? Her answer: "as it turns out, it’s quite significant."
FELONY CHARGES FOR INAUGURATION DAY RIOTERS
Most of the approximately 230 protesters arrested on Inauguration Day will be charged with felony rioting, federal prosecutors said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
HIGHS & LOWS OF 2016 FOR ONTARIO FARMERS
The 2016 farming season was a tough one for many Western Ontario farmers.
In a nutshell, Ontario farmers had to deal with higher hydro bills and low cash crop and livestock prices in 2016. Animal activists made their presence known again on farms and in the courtroom. Aquatic insects might stop the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds in Ontario. Honeybees are doing just fine, after all.
In a nutshell, Ontario farmers had to deal with higher hydro bills and low cash crop and livestock prices in 2016. Animal activists made their presence known again on farms and in the courtroom. Aquatic insects might stop the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds in Ontario. Honeybees are doing just fine, after all.
COST OF GOVERNMENT DEBT IN CANADA 2017
Budget deficits and increasing debt are key fiscal issues as the federal and provincial governments prepare to release their budgets this year. Combined federal and provincial net debt has increased from $833 billion in 2007/08 to a projected $1.4 trillion in 2016/17. This combined debt equals 67.5% of the Canadian economy or $37,476 for every man, woman, and child living in Canada.
TRUMP GIVING WASHINGTON BACK TO THE PEOPLE
Rex Murphy: Donald John Trump delivered the starkest Inaugural Address of modern times. It was so far out of the mode as to be unique: unembroidered, direct, with little flourish, one message and brief. The government belongs to the citizens was the message.
It works for the citizens. It does not exist, is not for the benefit of, nor is it owned by those who practice politics, or who live off the administration, practices or management of politics.
It works for the citizens. It does not exist, is not for the benefit of, nor is it owned by those who practice politics, or who live off the administration, practices or management of politics.
FIXING ONTARIO'S HEALTH CARE
Today let’s look at some solutions.
First, there’s Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins failed leadership. Both are waging war with doctors, portraying them as swindlers out to make a quick buck. Since Wynne can’t fire herself, let’s do the next best thing and have Wynne shuffle Red out of the health ministry. His hostility towards doctors is palpable. Red has poisoned the well.
First, there’s Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins failed leadership. Both are waging war with doctors, portraying them as swindlers out to make a quick buck. Since Wynne can’t fire herself, let’s do the next best thing and have Wynne shuffle Red out of the health ministry. His hostility towards doctors is palpable. Red has poisoned the well.
THE GELDING OF LIBERALS
The first words out of Trump’s mouth as the 45th president of the United States laid waste to both the Washington establishment and Republican Party orthodoxy.
His speech was populist to the core, but it was also angry and confrontational.
If there was one takeaway, it was that Trump’s presidency would be like no other in American history.
Liberals were staring at their own worst nightmare.
They were about to be gelded.
His speech was populist to the core, but it was also angry and confrontational.
If there was one takeaway, it was that Trump’s presidency would be like no other in American history.
Liberals were staring at their own worst nightmare.
They were about to be gelded.
SPECIAL SNOWFLAKES STOPPED AT THE BORDER
The plan was simple. Montrealer Sasha Dyck and some friends would drive to Washington to join the Women’s March. But when the six Canadians and two French nationals reached the border at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in Quebec, they ran into trouble.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
THE PEOPLE OF THE WEST ARE AWAKENING
Germany (AP) — French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen declared Saturday that 2017 will be the “year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe” as she joined fellow nationalist leaders in Germany at the beginning of a year of high-stakes national elections.
The mood was celebratory a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president, following a campaign buoyed by anti-establishment and protectionist themes.
“Yesterday, a new America. Today, hello Koblenz, a new Europe!” Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders said as he opened his speech at a congress center on the banks of the Rhine river, under heavy security.
The mood was celebratory a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president, following a campaign buoyed by anti-establishment and protectionist themes.
“Yesterday, a new America. Today, hello Koblenz, a new Europe!” Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders said as he opened his speech at a congress center on the banks of the Rhine river, under heavy security.
RIOTERS AT THE INAUGURATION
Rioters objecting to the inauguration of President Donald Trump as America’s 45th chief executive have begun to burn waste canisters and newspaper dispensers, tossing the embers at police, according to a reporter on the ground.
Voice of America correspondent Steve Herman posted an image on Twitter showing rioters encircling a street fire, saying that he had witnessed rioters picking up embers and throwing them at police, prompting authorities to call for backup from the DC fire department.
Voice of America correspondent Steve Herman posted an image on Twitter showing rioters encircling a street fire, saying that he had witnessed rioters picking up embers and throwing them at police, prompting authorities to call for backup from the DC fire department.
$14 BILLION BILL FOR EL CHAPO
Saying they were bringing the world’s most notorious drug lord to justice, U.S. prosecutors on Friday described Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman as the murderous architect of a 3-decade-long web of violence, corruption and drug addiction and announced they were seeking a $14 billion forfeiture from him.
NO MEDALS FOR YOU!
It’s not every day that you see a politician make a policy decision that snubs thousands of community leaders in favour of a program that honours a handful of celebrities and elites.
But it seems that’s exactly what the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mélanie Joly has done.
But it seems that’s exactly what the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mélanie Joly has done.
Friday, January 20, 2017
UPGRADING BITUMEN IN ALBERTA
Politicians often speak of the need to “add value” to our oilsands bitumen. They advocate upgrading it here to create jobs in Alberta. Upgrading is the process by which very viscous raw bitumen is processed into a lighter “synthetic crude oil.”
Adding value to something is only a winning strategy if the value added exceeds the costs incurred. With partial upgrading we may have a value-added solution where the benefits actually outweigh the costs.
Adding value to something is only a winning strategy if the value added exceeds the costs incurred. With partial upgrading we may have a value-added solution where the benefits actually outweigh the costs.
A PLAN FOR DRAINING THE SWAMP
Donald Trump has said that he intends to “drain the swamp,” a laudable if formidable challenge given the resistance he is bound to meet. The left will throw everything it can at him: marches, fake news, uncorroborated allegations, hoaxes galore, borking tantrums, Twitter storms, unceasing volumes of calumny, character assassination, riots, “classic Soviet-style disinformation” -- every weapon in its copious arsenal of smear and malice. For the left is truly maniacal in its hatreds. Trump will have to be Trump to withstand the onslaught.
DONALD TRUMP NOW PRESIDENT OF USA
Supreme Court Chief Justice United States John Roberts administered the oath of office to Trump, as he vowed to "faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States." As he took the oath, Trump placed his hand on the Bible used by President Lincoln at his first inauguration
UNDER EN-DOWD
Ann Coulter: To celebrate Donald Trump's inauguration this week, I'm returning to my new favorite parlor game: quoting Republican consultants on the 2016 campaign.
It never gets old! Also, this exercise reminds us of the many things we are thankful for this week: Donald Trump, the cluelessness of his opponents, and Nexis transcripts.
Our featured GOP consultant this week is Matthew Dowd, chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney campaign and modern-day Mr. Magoo.
It never gets old! Also, this exercise reminds us of the many things we are thankful for this week: Donald Trump, the cluelessness of his opponents, and Nexis transcripts.
Our featured GOP consultant this week is Matthew Dowd, chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney campaign and modern-day Mr. Magoo.
YOU'D THINK THEY WOULD BE DELETING AND SHREDDING
AT 10 AM the Saturday before inauguration day, on the sixth floor of the Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania, roughly 60 hackers, scientists, archivists, and librarians were hunched over laptops, drawing flow charts on whiteboards, and shouting opinions on computer scripts across the room. They had hundreds of government web pages and data sets to get through before the end of the day—all strategically chosen from the pages of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—any of which, they felt, might be deleted, altered, or removed from the public domain by the incoming Trump administration.
RUSSIAN ICEBREAKERS STUCK IN ARCTIC GLOBAL WARMING
Two Russian icebreakers have become stuck in metre thick ice fields, on their return from a journey to escort supplies to Russia’s northernmost port.
The ease of the sailing is seen as a sign that climate warming in the Arctic can open up shopping lanes even in midwinter. But the climate remains unpredictable as the four vessels have discovered on their return route.
The ease of the sailing is seen as a sign that climate warming in the Arctic can open up shopping lanes even in midwinter. But the climate remains unpredictable as the four vessels have discovered on their return route.
PAUL RYAN "SEES THE LIGHT"
House Speaker Paul Ryan is warming up to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s ideology, a source close to the negotiations between the two camps tells Breitbart News.
In a recent meeting with Trump’s incoming Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon and other top Trump aides, Ryan called Trump’s plans for a border adjustment tax “responsible nationalism.”
In a recent meeting with Trump’s incoming Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon and other top Trump aides, Ryan called Trump’s plans for a border adjustment tax “responsible nationalism.”
MIGRANT SEX ATTACKS UP 133% IN AUSTRIA
The Interior Minister said the migrant criminal statistics had rapidly increased since 2014. “In 2014, we had 10,400 asylum seekers who were suspected and reported, 2015 were in 14,000, and 2016 were 22,000,” he said during an interview with Austrian television station ZiB 2. Mr. Sobotka then advocated a continuation of a limit on asylum applications per year
38% INCREASE IN ANTI-CHRISTIAN ATTACKS IN FRANCE
The Observatoire de la Christianophobie said instances of “Christianophobic” attacks in France rose from 273 in 2015 to 376 in 2016, with a significant number happening in December. These include attacks on churches, other places of worship, and threats on social media.
GORE'S LATEST SCIENTIFIC MONSTROSITY
The founder of the Weather Channel has predicted that Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Sequel will be another ‘scientific monstrosity’ on a par with his first global warming docu-drama An Inconvenient Truth.
“Thousands of scientists have debunked the horrid science fiction in his first film, An Inconvenient Truth. Gore keeps making billions and mis-educating millions and the media keeps spreading wild science-fiction claims on a daily basis,” said John Coleman, who founded the Weather Channel in 1980.
“Thousands of scientists have debunked the horrid science fiction in his first film, An Inconvenient Truth. Gore keeps making billions and mis-educating millions and the media keeps spreading wild science-fiction claims on a daily basis,” said John Coleman, who founded the Weather Channel in 1980.
THE TOLERANT, CLASSY, SUPERIOR LEFTIES
Protesters from the DisruptJ20 coalition set fires, hollered obscene anti-Trump chants, chased Trump supporters, set off smoke bombs, and fought with police Thursday night outside the National Press Club, where the pro-Trump “Deploraball” was being held.
WYNNE STILL HAS NO PLAN TO LOWER HYDRO BILLS
Rant about your hydro bills on Facebook; score an audience with the Premier in her office. Kathleen Wynne is going to be awfully busy if Libby Keenan’s experience sets precedent.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
BALANCING THE BOOKS TRUMP STYLE
According to a report from The Hill this morning, President-elect Trump's transition team is already working with career staff at the White House on plans to slash federal spending. The Hill reports that significant cuts are expected to the budgets of the Department of Commerce, Energy, Transportation, Justice and State, among others, and would total $10.5 trillion over 10 years.
CALIFORNIA'S $1.9 BILLION ACCOUNTING MISTAKE
People who work for the government are, generally speaking, not the brightest bulbs in the room.
It pains me to point this out because I'm a sympathetic person and I hate seeing unqualified and incompetent people put in a position where they are likely to fail. But what other conclusion can you draw from the catastrophic accounting mistake by the California government that added fully $1.9 billion to the state's Medicaid bill?
OBAMA PARDONS CONVICTED CRIMINALS
Four family members who ran one of the largest cartel smuggling operations in south Texas had their life in prison sentences commuted and will likely be returning to this border city from where they ran their criminal empire. One of the main destinations that the criminal organizations delivered drugs to was Chicago, Illinois.
This week, outgoing President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 209 convicted criminals and pardoned 64 others. The majority of the convictions were from drug trafficking or production offenses.
MONEY IN < MONEY SPENT
An alarming report this month from the U.S. government accountability office to Congress says “action is needed to address the federal government’s fiscal failure.”
The 49 page report, entitled “The Nation’s Fiscal Health” says, among other things, that “Congress and the incoming administration face serious economic, security, and social challenges” and “an unsustainable long-term fiscal path caused by a structural imbalance between revenue and spending.”
The 49 page report, entitled “The Nation’s Fiscal Health” says, among other things, that “Congress and the incoming administration face serious economic, security, and social challenges” and “an unsustainable long-term fiscal path caused by a structural imbalance between revenue and spending.”
COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST PM
Formal complaints have been filed against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the Commissioner of Official Languages for refusing to speak English to a Quebec anglophone Tuesday in Sherbrooke.
TRUMP'S NAFTA DEMANDS
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, chosen by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to reshape U.S. trade policy, has informed Canada that rules of origin and independent dispute tribunals will be central to talks aimed at resetting the North American free-trade agreement.
Mr. Ross said Canada would not have a “lot to fear” from a Trump presidency.
“You don’t hear him voice huge complaints about Canada, and there’s a good reason for that,” he said. “In the case of the trade between the U.S. and Canada, it is relatively much better-balanced than is the trade between the U.S. and Mexico.”
MORE PROVINCES SIGN HEALTH DEALS WITH FEDS.
Bilateral health care deals are not new. In the 1950s, most health deals were bilateral arrangements between Ottawa and specific provinces, with the federal government retaining the right to determine how its money was spent.
These bilateral arrangements were largely replaced in the 1960s by a more hands-off system in which Ottawa transferred money to the provinces under a general understanding that it would be used for health-related purposes .But now there seems to be a feeling in Ottawa that the provinces are botching medicare — that they are using federal money simply to prop up a wasteful status quo instead of transforming the system.
FREELAND MANAGING TRUMP
Chrystia Freeland has a great new job as Canada’s top diplomat, but in case anyone has forgotten, it’s not the job she was expected to do when she left journalism for politics a few years ago.
On the heels of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s big cabinet shuffle last week, Oxfam has delivered a report that reminds us of the burning issue that brought Freeland into public life: income inequality and the wealth gap.
“Soaring income inequality has become an undeniable political fact,” Freeland wrote in her 2013 best-seller, Plutocrats. According to Oxfam, that gap has been growing since Freeland’s book came out. Here in Canada, the wealth of just two billionaires — David Thomson and Galen Weston Sr. — is equal to that of about 11 million Canadians.
Canadian billionaires aren’t Freeland’s problem these days; a single American billionaire, president-elect Donald Trump, is going to be taking up most of the minister’s time. The irony hasn’t been lost on observers: The author of Plutocrats now has a full-time job managing one of them.
On the heels of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s big cabinet shuffle last week, Oxfam has delivered a report that reminds us of the burning issue that brought Freeland into public life: income inequality and the wealth gap.
“Soaring income inequality has become an undeniable political fact,” Freeland wrote in her 2013 best-seller, Plutocrats. According to Oxfam, that gap has been growing since Freeland’s book came out. Here in Canada, the wealth of just two billionaires — David Thomson and Galen Weston Sr. — is equal to that of about 11 million Canadians.
Canadian billionaires aren’t Freeland’s problem these days; a single American billionaire, president-elect Donald Trump, is going to be taking up most of the minister’s time. The irony hasn’t been lost on observers: The author of Plutocrats now has a full-time job managing one of them.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
SO IT BEGINS
Trade wars and protectionism. Chinese buyers have cancelled up to seven cargoes of ethanol due to arrive by the end of March, sources said, the first sign that a likely hike in import duties is threatening to stall demand from the world's fastest-growing market.
MORE DISGUSTING ACTIONS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD
A new video produced by the pro-life group Live Action strongly suggests that Planned Parenthood lied to the media after being exposed by a video sting.
In 2011, eight Planned Parenthood employees were caught on camera at seven different facilities attempting to aid and abet Live Action investigators posing as sex traffickers prostituting 14- and 15-year-old girls. After the sting, Planned Parenthood vowed to "retrain" its employees so that they would be able to identify child sex traffickers.
STOMPING OUT MASCULINITY ON CAMPUS
It's not easy being a man on today's college campuses. As the new year kicks off, several schools have apparently made it part of their New Year's resolutions to stomp out anything that might be identified with traditional definitions of masculinity, also known as masculinity.
At the University of Oregon, for instance, students are invited to attend a “healthy masculinities conference” where they will “engage in collective imagining to construct new futures for masculinities, unrestricted by power, privilege, and oppression.”
ANTI-TRUMPERS' TEMPER TANTRUMS
Hysteria tends to feed on itself, so it is no surprise that the #NeverTrump/#AntiTrump brigades have been vying to outdo one another in histrionics. Hundreds of thousands of protestors are about to descend upon Washington, D.C., to dispute the results of an open, democratic election. In many cases, the antics remind one of nothing so much as a distraught toddler who follows his mother around the house and falls down in a tantrum whenever he has her attention. It’s funny when it’s a two-year-old. When the source of the tantrums are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, it is still funny, but also pathetic.
PM PLANK'S SUNNY WAYS TOUR
In Dartmouth, N.S., Monday, Justin Trudeau said that because his maternal grandfather was born in Scotland, he understands the immigrant experience. And, of course, in Peterborough, Ont., he forced his aides into some damage control when he blurted out that the oilsands ought to be phased out.
Have a laugh; read the tweets at the end of the article.
Have a laugh; read the tweets at the end of the article.
PM PLANK
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused Tuesday to respond in English to several questions put to him in English in Sherbrooke, Que., telling the town hall meeting that because he was in Quebec he would speak French.
Ironically, one of the English questions put to Trudeau was about the availability of English-language mental health services.
Ironically, one of the English questions put to Trudeau was about the availability of English-language mental health services.
TEARS OF A CLOWN
However, after 146 years of entertainment, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will permanently close. Animal activists are rejoicing world-wide.
SOROS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
Hungarian NGOs have long felt the heat under strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- but they now fear that, emboldened by Donald Trump's victory, the right-wing premier will turn the screws even tighter.
First in line may be groups backed by Hungarian-born billionaire financier George Soros, whose foundation once funded the Oxford studies of a young Orban more than 25 years ago.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
WEST KELOWNA ATTEMPTS LAND GRAB
The property, with a sweeping view of Okanagan Lake, has never been farmed, according to the owners, who’ve had it for more than 60 years.
It’s relatively small, access is difficult, and steep banks make the prospect of any farming in the future unlikely, the owners say.
It’s relatively small, access is difficult, and steep banks make the prospect of any farming in the future unlikely, the owners say.
PHASE OUT COAL, RAISE ELECTRICITY RATES
Ontario’s hell-bent determination to phase out coal-fired generation raised electricity rates without significantly improving air pollution levels, a new Fraser Institute report says.
Ontario closed its last coal plant in 2014, and made it illegal to open any more.
The most significant closures were the Lambton and Nanticoke stations which represented 25% of the province’s total supply of electricity.
Ontario closed its last coal plant in 2014, and made it illegal to open any more.
The most significant closures were the Lambton and Nanticoke stations which represented 25% of the province’s total supply of electricity.
KINDER MORGAN/ BC REVENUE SHARING
The agreement with Kinder Morgan gives the province as much as $1 billion over 20 years but a resource policy expert says the agreement could make Canada less competitive and set off feuds between provinces.
Kinder Morgan spokeswoman Ali Hounsell said the company is aware of concerns the B.C. deal could cause ripples nationally, but believes the pipeline provides Canada-wide benefits.
MEANWHILE IN CALIFORNIA
Despite tax collection increasing by 50 percent in the last 9 years, California’s public pension insolvency is forcing Gov. Jerry Brown to propose a dangerously unpopular 42 percent increase in gasoline taxes and a 141 percent increase in vehicle registration fees.
ANOTHER CUNNING PLAN FROM LIBERALS
The Liberal government is mulling whether to enforce sales taxes on foreign digital vendors such as Netflix
The lack of sales-tax collection "not only represents a significant loss of potential tax revenue for government, but it can also place domestic digital suppliers at an unfair competitive disadvantage," says a briefing note for Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
The lack of sales-tax collection "not only represents a significant loss of potential tax revenue for government, but it can also place domestic digital suppliers at an unfair competitive disadvantage," says a briefing note for Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
Monday, January 16, 2017
OPEC CUTS; USA OPENS TAPS
It's been a few weeks since members of OPEC started cutting production. Saudi Arabia said last Wednesday that its production is the lowest it's been in two years, Iraq said that it had made cuts, as did Kuwait.
However, that might not matter much to the worldwide glut of oil, because as OPEC members ramp down, U.S. producers, who are governed by nothing but the market, are ramping up
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However, that might not matter much to the worldwide glut of oil, because as OPEC members ramp down, U.S. producers, who are governed by nothing but the market, are ramping up
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NOW SHE'S GETTING ONLINE THREATS
The woman who told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau she could barely afford to eat after paying her carbon tax and hydro bills now says she’s been receiving threats online.
Kathy Katula, the 54-year-old mother of four and grandma of three, said after she was featured in the Toronto Sun about her Peterborough townhall appearance with Trudeau on Friday, trolls and haters have been flooding her Facebook wall with negative comments.
Kathy Katula, the 54-year-old mother of four and grandma of three, said after she was featured in the Toronto Sun about her Peterborough townhall appearance with Trudeau on Friday, trolls and haters have been flooding her Facebook wall with negative comments.
SENATE SEATS FOR SALE?
Kevin O’Leary is continuing to float unconventional ideas as he mulls a bid for the Conservative leadership -- including allowing people to buy Senate seats.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
OTTAWA ENDS PROGRAM REUNITING SYRIAN REFUGEES
The federal government has quietly cancelled a program that matched private Canadian sponsors with Syrian refugees abroad who have relatives in Canada because of low sponsor turnout.
The Syrian Family Links Initiative was discontinued on Dec. 31. While families in Canada had registered more than 8,000 people for the program, only 36 private sponsors applied, for a total of 127 refugees.
FYI A SNEAKY TAX CHANGE
I wonder how many Canadians know that, as of the taxation year 2016, if they conduct self-employment activities from their principal residence, they may have to report the sale of their principal residence to Revenue Canada.
LOOSE LIPS SINKING LIBERAL SHIPS
Alberta politicians are blasting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after he talked of phasing out the oilsands on Friday.
PROTESTERS GREET WYNNE IN OAKVILLE
"Number three in the polls, number one in corruption" they chanted.
Friday, January 13, 2017
TRUDEAU'S ENDLESSLY FLAPPING LIPS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was pressed to justify the implementation of a federal price on carbon during a town hall forum on the second day of his whirlwind outreach tour on Friday.
At a public meeting in Peterborough, Ont., Trudeau was asked by a woman struggling to pay her bills, amid high hydro costs in the province, why he was proceeding with a carbon price.
"I'm asking you, Mr. Trudeau, how do you justify to a mother of four children, three grandchildren, with physical disabilities, and working up to 15 hours a day, how is it justified for you to ask me to pay a carbon tax when I only have $65 left in my paycheque every two weeks to feed my family," she said to applause.
Defending his policy on climate change, Trudeau said Canada needs to make a transition away from fossil fuels, but that governments need to ensure that the most vulnerable are taken into account.
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At a public meeting in Peterborough, Ont., Trudeau was asked by a woman struggling to pay her bills, amid high hydro costs in the province, why he was proceeding with a carbon price.
"I'm asking you, Mr. Trudeau, how do you justify to a mother of four children, three grandchildren, with physical disabilities, and working up to 15 hours a day, how is it justified for you to ask me to pay a carbon tax when I only have $65 left in my paycheque every two weeks to feed my family," she said to applause.
Defending his policy on climate change, Trudeau said Canada needs to make a transition away from fossil fuels, but that governments need to ensure that the most vulnerable are taken into account.
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SAVING $BILLIONS ON DRUG PRICES FOR CANADIANS
Canadians forced to pay some of the highest drug prices in the world could save billions through changes promised by Health Minister Jane Philpott. Canada is the only developed country with universal health care that doesn't have some form of universal pharmacare.
CHINESE TAKEOVER OF MONTREAL HIGH-TECH FIRM
The Montreal high-tech firm at the centre of a foreign takeover by a Chinese investor that triggered national security concerns in Ottawa once participated in a research project with a Canadian spy agency and has sold equipment to the Department of National Defence.
However, records show ITF Technologies has collaborated in cutting-edge university-level research on the science behind making messages more resistant to hacking – with affiliated partners that included Canada’s eavesdropping spy agency, the Communications Security Establishment, as well as the National Research Council, Ottawa’s chief research arm, and the Department of National Defence.
Nothing to see here, move along.
However, records show ITF Technologies has collaborated in cutting-edge university-level research on the science behind making messages more resistant to hacking – with affiliated partners that included Canada’s eavesdropping spy agency, the Communications Security Establishment, as well as the National Research Council, Ottawa’s chief research arm, and the Department of National Defence.
Nothing to see here, move along.
REMPEL VS NENSHI CONTINUES
Calgary’s mayor says he was horrified upon realizing how his “math is challenging” retort to MP Michelle Rempel sounded, but he says her behaviour since his apology has been “odd.”
Thursday, January 12, 2017
LIBERALS BEING LIBERALS
Two former executives with the government-created Ontario Tire Stewardship are facing provincial charges for the alleged theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in “eco fees” paid by Ontario drivers on each tire purchased.
FYI CARBON TAXES APPLY EVEN IN DEATH
Cameron Davis, chairman of Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board, said all Canadians will soon pay more for funeral services — although he can't say how much — when other provinces start their own carbon-reduction policies.
"You're going to see it in cremation, you're going to see it in burial," he said.
BC APPROVES KINDER MORGAN PIPELINE
The Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline project cleared one of its last hurdles Wednesday, picking up both environmental and political support from the B.C. government in exchange for a share of company profits shipping more oil from Alberta to Burnaby.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
TRUMP'S DEEP TIES TO RUSSIA REPORT IS BULLSH!T
In a story that is getting more surreal by the minute, a post on 4Chan now claims that the infamous "golden showers" scene in the unverified 35-page dossier, allegedly compiled by a British intelligence officer, was a hoax and fabricated by a member of the chatboard as "fanfiction", then sent to Rick Wilson, who proceeded to send it to the CIA, which then put it in their official classified intelligence report on the election.
KEEPING THE TEACHERS HAPPY
The Ontario government has reached tentative labour agreements with unions representing school support workers and teachers in French-language school boards this week, far in advance of their current contracts’ expirations.
Strikes and work-to-rule campaigns in provincially funded schools would explode the Liberal government’s hopes for re-election in 2018. Those hopes are wobbly as it is but a war with teachers’ unions would ruin them utterly. Such a war could still come; three big unions still have negotiations outstanding.
Strikes and work-to-rule campaigns in provincially funded schools would explode the Liberal government’s hopes for re-election in 2018. Those hopes are wobbly as it is but a war with teachers’ unions would ruin them utterly. Such a war could still come; three big unions still have negotiations outstanding.
THE CONDESCENDING NAHEED NENSHI
On social media Sunday, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel blasted Calgary’s property tax system, which has many business owners outside the core bracing for major tax hikes this year, amid a vacancy rate never before seen in the city’s downtown.
Asked what Rempel was confused about, Nenshi said the MP simply “didn’t understand what was going on.”
“Apparently, math is challenging, but hopefully, she’ll figure that out,” the mayor said.
Rempel, who has a degree in economics, said she’s fully aware of how math works and called Nenshi’s remarks condescending.
Asked what Rempel was confused about, Nenshi said the MP simply “didn’t understand what was going on.”
“Apparently, math is challenging, but hopefully, she’ll figure that out,” the mayor said.
Rempel, who has a degree in economics, said she’s fully aware of how math works and called Nenshi’s remarks condescending.
TEAM SUNNY WAYS VS THE USA PROS
Justin Trudeau’s cabinet makeover establishes a front line of key cabinet ministers tasked with stickhandling the vital Canada-U.S. relationship in the Donald Trump era.
Job No. 1 for these ministers will be to quickly get to know their counterparts on Team Trump, while seeking common ground on a range of potentially fractious files, including refugees, climate change and the fate of the North American free-trade agreement. They’ll be dealing with individuals who are generally older, more conservative and have much longer government résumés.
LIBERALS TROLLING FOR DONORS
Canadians who want to attend events on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau so-called “church basements” tour this week are being asked to submit their names, phone numbers and email addresses to the Liberal Party of Canada.
Kinda tempting, eh?
Kinda tempting, eh?
CONSERVATION AUTHORITY LOOKING TO GRAB MORE LAND
Randy Hillier, Conservative MPP, Ontario:
Below is a copy of my response to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority’s request for public feedback relating new policy proposals surrounding unregulated and unprotected insignificant wetlands.
Below is a copy of my response to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority’s request for public feedback relating new policy proposals surrounding unregulated and unprotected insignificant wetlands.
It is important to remind ourselves that these new policies are not a provincial requirement or the result of any new provincial legislation or mandates, but a desire to expand their authority, and originates with the staff of the MVCA. Further, the only means for these new policies to become lawful and have effect is through municipal concurrence and adoption.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
IRAN CLAIMS TO HAVE RECEIVED $10BILLION FROM USA
Bribery is not unknown in the Middle East. In fact, it's considered just another cost of doing business.
For the Obama administration, it was the price they paid to keep Iran at the negotiating table so that a deal on their nuclear program could be hammered out.
An Iranian official has confirmed that the U.S. has sent the Iranian central bank more than $10 billion in cash, gold, and other assets since 2013. Since the nuclear agreement, we have been sending Iran $700 million a month. That money includes the $1.7 billion paid in ransom for U.S. sailors being held hostage by the regime.
CLOCK BOY LOSES IN COURT
During the hearing, AFLC co-founder and senior counsel David Yerushalmi explained to Judge Moore that the purpose of the lawfare-driven lawsuit was to intimidate into silence those who might comment publicly on the connection between jihad, terrorism, sharia, and Islam. As such, Yerushalmi argued, "this case is a classic Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation or ‘SLAPP’ case and should be dismissed.”
10.5 % INCREASE IN NUMBER OF FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANTS
The number of federal civil servants employed in the national capital area is at its highest since 2010, when the previous Conservative government began slashing public service jobs.
According to Statistics Canada, the total number of federal government employees working in the National Capital Region in 2016 jumped by 14,000 to 145,000, representing a 10.5 per cent increase over the previous year.
According to Statistics Canada, the total number of federal government employees working in the National Capital Region in 2016 jumped by 14,000 to 145,000, representing a 10.5 per cent increase over the previous year.
BEET JUICE ON SNOWY ROADS
This winter, the Citizen’s Tom Spears looks at what makes our coldest season tick. It’s a series we call The Science of Winter, and today we hear from an expert what to do with a truckload of waste beet juice on a snowy day, in case you have one and were wondering.
Each year, the salt trucks in the Niagara Region are sprinkling sticky brown salt on their roads, melting the snow better than plain salt by mixing it with waste from a refinery that turns beets into sugar.
Each year, the salt trucks in the Niagara Region are sprinkling sticky brown salt on their roads, melting the snow better than plain salt by mixing it with waste from a refinery that turns beets into sugar.
SUNNY WAYS FOREIGN INVESTMENT POLICY
That’s not to blame the Liberals for trying to find ways to market Canada as an attractive investment destination in the new Trump era. But they’d have better luck with improving things investors really value, like lower red tape and taxes. As Trump prepares to use those very things to make the U.S. more alluring — with plans to slash tax rates for businesses and high earners, eviscerate burdensome regulations, and unleash an oil and gas bonanza unshackled from obligations to the globalist climate crusade — the response of the Canadian government has been to assure the world that what we lack in attractiveness, we make up for in personality.
LIBERALS REVERSE HARPER CABINET ORDER
The Trudeau government has cancelled a cabinet order by the previous Harper government that would have forced a Chinese electronics company to abandon its takeover of a Montreal-based high-tech firm because of concerns the deal could harm national security.
Instead, in a decision that suggests a different approach to Chinese investment, the Liberal government has said federal officials will undertake a “fresh review” of this transaction.
NEW FACES IN TRUDEAU'S CABINET
Justin Trudeau made cabinet cornerstone Chrystia Freeland his new foreign affairs minister and promoted a trio of up-and-coming MPs on Tuesday as part of an inner-circle shakeup aimed in part at preparing for a Donald Trump presidency. Freeland, a former economics journalist with extensive contacts in the United States, leaves the trade portfolio to replace veteran Liberal MP Stephane Dion, who announced Tuesday that he plans to leave active politics.
US NAVY SHIP FIRES WARNING SHOTS AT IRANIAN VESSELS
A U.S. Navy destroyer fired three warning shots at four Iranian fast-attack vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after they closed in at high speed and disregarded repeated requests to slow down, U.S. officials said on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday and was first reported by Reuters, comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20. In September, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessels that harassed the U.S. Navy in the Gulf would be "shot out of the water."
The incident, which occurred on Sunday and was first reported by Reuters, comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20. In September, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessels that harassed the U.S. Navy in the Gulf would be "shot out of the water."
TRUDEAU'S 99% TOUR
Mr. Trudeau’s listening tour, hastily announced last week, is damage control for the revelation that he and his family enjoyed a secret winter getaway at the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas. I don’t know why anybody in the PMO thought they could keep it secret. Their attempts to do so (they cited privacy concerns) simply aroused the slumbering jackals of the media, who sniffed out the story within hours.
Monday, January 9, 2017
JUDITH CURRY RESIGNS, MAINTAINING HER SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
A climatologist at Georgia Institute of Technology resigned from her post because she could no longer navigate the stifling political orthodoxy on climate change.
Former chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech Judith Curry announced her resignation in a blog post on Tuesday. While her resignation is technically "a retirement event," and she is "cashing out" to get her pension, Curry explained that "the deeper reasons have to do with my growing disenchantment with universities, the academic field of climate science and scientists."
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