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Surging dollar likely to top meeting agenda

BRIAN LAGHI

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 1:07 AM EDT 04/01/08

Harper asks first ministers to his residence ...Read the full article

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  1. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    How many billions this time to try and buy Quebec seats, Harpercrite?
  2. Nom De Plume from Canada writes: Inflation will be controlled by the marketplace as project economics are measured against cost structure. The banks are pulling in horns and restricting credit due to the crunch. LOWER INTEREST RATES will soften the CDN$$ and keep Canada competitive with the only real competitor in the field - the USA. These central bankers who think higher interest rates are warranted need to look at the tightening effect of the currency and back off NOW before they push the $CDN to undesirable levels.
  3. The true Neil-conservative from The West, Canada writes: -eliminate the trade barriers between the provinces
    -work to establish a common or single securities regulator
    -harmonize sales taxes
    -don't pay out billions of dollars in subsidies to industries, regardless of region (let's call a spade a spade and refer to what the G&M described as 'support programs' as what they really are: socialist subsidies)
    -work to reduce and eliminate farming subsidies in Canada, US, and EU (not to mention Japan), which account for over $500B worldwide in 'support programs' each year. These subsidies are preventing African farmers from entering the market and are ever more unnecessary because of rising prices of different crops due to the biofuel craze.

    That last point should be attempted if and when a majority government is acheived.
  4. Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada writes: The Harper Conservatives are pushing on with the Bush agenda for the SPP and NAU. For that he needs the provinces (most of them) to come onside.
    He's got some provinces in his pocket so far, but the ones Harper doesn't are wildcards. The Harper Conservatives wish Harper didn't have to make this move at this time, but the rolling thunder from below has forced his hand. He's got to get it done within a year.
    Canadians in the wildcard provinces should be very wary of any promise made by Harper's Conservatives.
    Once burned, twice shy.
    Will Williams even show up?
  5. Mike Parker from Canada writes: Too many back seat drivers commenting.... 'Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada' if you were a prophet, you would be a false prophet.

    As for you Ricky for a Centrist Canada, where have you been? Did you miss the stuffed envelope story ala ADASCAM that happened under Jean da Chretien? If the politicians didn't work (or buy votes) why would vote for them? We only hope that it's done above board and for the benefits of all citizens. Find a community college, perhaps night school and study history. I suggest that you start with the Greeks the founders of democracy as we know it. There you will find that in a true democracy it's a give and take dance. I bet you would you rather be in Pakistan right now where those in power would care less if you were impressed by their actions or not.

    And as for you Bush bushers, I hope your bushing is directed to the actions of the actual man other than the USA itself. If you have doubts, just ask Dalton McGinty how integrated Canada is to the USA before you silly talk yourself to sleep.
  6. J Law from Canada writes: Let's see what comes out of this. I'm sure the usual suspects are getting their whinning tales together so after the meeting they can whine and complain that the feds didn't give them billions for their cause so the meeting was a failure -- any bets on who these whinners might be?

    On the other hand this might be just a brain storming session on how to work together to make a stronger country. The past has shown that I shouldn't expect too much because too many are concerned about their own little powerhouses and not enough about the whole.
  7. Allan Simonson from Canada writes: The struggling industries need less government, not more, in order to survive.
  8. Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada writes: I don't need to be a prophet: I've got the facts, ma'am. But you, Mike Parker, went looking for a prophet didn't you? Will you be disappointed when your idol turns out to have clay feet?
    Mike Parker, you never addressed my assertion that Harper and his Conservatives NEED to get it done ASAP. I'll take that as you know it in your heart what I said is true. The Harper Conservatives are desperate now, on the run because of the upheaval below. The Harper Conservatives made an under-the-table deal (i.e., one that was not shared with Canadians or the electorate) and Harper is now in the unenviable position to try to sell it to 6 or 7 provinces without giving away the farm. Good luck with that.
    The Harper Conservatives have burnt too many bridges to think that an invite to the hallowed halls of 24 Sussex will re-build those bridges.
    What Canadians want the Harper Conservatives to do is go after some openness, transparency and accountability in the Mulroney-Schreiber affair, and the white envelopes stuffed with cash, doled out in hotel rooms in three countries, and find out what exactly that was for, or about.
    Do you think Williams will show up?
    I hope so. Williams really sticks in the Harper party craw, and I like to see that. Will Williams be bought off?
    We'll see, won't we?
  9. Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada writes: Makes me wonder, will the Harper Conservatives have fake protesters attend this meeting? You know, give it a real dark feel. Make it look like an embattled government doing the 'right thing' in the face of all the rabble (read: ordinary Canadians) who want nothing more than to take a 'good government' down, and all?
    That would play well in the south...
    That would give the Premier's meeting with the PM a certain sheen that Harper is at least getting something done as per orders.
  10. Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada writes: Bob Durrant, it seems you and Flaherty have the same alma mater, and the same grasp of the geography of Canada. Were you home schooled too?
  11. jack black from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Mr. Harper has also promised to ask the opinions of the premiers regarding potentially contentious issues...' What's the matter? Is Harper having trouble setting priorities?
  12. Vern McPherson from writes: Another stevie set-up for an election gambit. He could are less about provinces and their concerns. Read this: ' “Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion… And whether Canada ends up with one national government or two governments or ten governments, the Canadian people will require less government no matter what the constitutional status or arrangement of any future country may be.” ' So, with the deliberate engineered failure of widespread agreement with the provinces on distribution of powers, shrinking the federal governemnt and spending issues he will introduce legislation anyway to restrict federal spending and increase devolution of powers to provinces in order to tell Canadians he has shrunk government and saved them money. All the while massive downloading will follow as in the GST cuts where he encourages provinces to increase THEIR taxes to compensate themselves and try and sell this in an election campaign. The new 'tax cut guys' LOL !! And we will end up with ten of something and very little of the whole of anything. That is stevie's view of Canada. A divided bickering ten of something. See above. Of course the opposition cannot accept this nor will Canadians buy it if they are well informed from the beginning. It's pure ideology. And why is this the first First Minister's meeting in 2 years ? It's just a cheap harper set-up designed to further his personal political and ideological destiny - as he sees it. Vote this dangerous bunch OUT !!!!!!
  13. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: Economically, there is nothing wrong headed about socialism, and obviously it is not failing, if one removes the navel glazing towards the US.

    As Linda McQuaig stated in her op-ed piece,
    'Our tight-fisted approach to meeting social needs takes its heaviest toll on the poor, but it has a huge impact on the middle class as well. The extensive benefits in the northern European countries include many that would make dramatic differences in the lives of just about all Canadians, including free university tuition, extensive in-home care of the elderly and the disabled, generous pensions, maternity and paternity leaves, job retraining and mandatory paid vacations (for all workers) of four, five or even six weeks.

    Many Canadians might be inclined to dismiss these sorts of benefits as unaffordable luxuries — luxuries that would risk diminishing our economic performance in the highly competitive global economy. After all, the U.S., with its low-tax, low-spending model, is the powerhouse of the global economy.'

    Americans aren't actually the towering economic giants we've made them out to be.

    TO BE CONTINUED....
  14. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: Continued from previous post: economics of US model not cracked up to what we should aspire to: 'To be sure, the U.S. is one of the most competitive countries in the global economy, but it shares that elevated status with the Nordic nations, which, along with the U.S., consistently rank at the top end of the scale of competitive nations, as measured by the World Economic Forum in Geneva. This suggests that both the U.S. and European models can work well economically, leaving it a matter of which model the electorate prefers.' Moreover, the Innocenti Report Card, a broad measure of physical and material child well-being in 21 OECD countries, shows the Netherlands tops the list, in a cluster with Sweden, Denmark and Finland. One has to go all the way down to the Number 20 spot to find the United States. (It narrowly edged out last-place Britain, which with the Thatcher revolution in the 1980s, joined the U.S. in adopting the low-tax model.) Canada, in keeping with its blended approach to the U.S. and European models, comes in at a middling Number 12. The strikingly strong performance of the northern Europeans and the dismal performance of the U.S. (and Britain) when it comes to child well-being would presumably set off alarm bells in any nation with aspirations for its future.' I'd rather aspire to the Northern Euro model, since it works the best for the most rather than for the few. And considering I am middle class, I'd rather my children and majority of the children in Canada have better well being. This is where the economy works for people and not the other way around. Isn't what the eco is suppose to be all about? To read full article go to: http://www.rabble.ca/columnists_full.shtml?x=65976
  15. BOB DURRANT from Calgary, writes: Longwinded Marxist flatulence (no not you Vern!).
    There has yet to be a long-term success when it comes to penalizing someone for striving to prosper. Rewarding mediocrity via the conduit of taxation is a sure-fire way to remove the incentive to succeed.
    You ultimately spawn a society of dullards who have a single goal of leeching off the host.
    This process is parasitic, which pretty much defines the NDP platform on a national level.
  16. Mei-Xing Xu from Canada writes: Perhaps there is a privately run ski resort in someones riding that did not get 47 million.
  17. I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Let's sweat the small stuff first on interprovincial trade. Start with a common drivers licence and common motor vehicle registration. Every time one changes a provincial address, huge amounts of time and money - read loss productivity - are spent changing drivers licences and insurance. Adopt a common medicare card/system. The current system encourages bureacracy and, again, loss productivity in the paper chase. Let's think common sense first.
  18. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: I just wonder how well this meeting will work out considering the attitude he has shown to Ontario and to Quebec and the rest of the Canada.
    Kick these guys out.
  19. Vern McPherson from writes: I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Let's sweat the small stuff first on interprovincial trade. Start with a common drivers licence and common motor vehicle registration. Every time one changes a provincial address, huge amounts of time and money - read loss productivity - are spent changing drivers licences and insurance. Adopt a common medicare card/system. The current system encourages bureacracy and, again, loss productivity in the paper chase. Let's think common sense first. ------------------------------------------------- I am wondering about DR point you make. Already provinces do not restrict new resident drivers form other provinces who move to theirs. Nor do they present a problem driving through or visiting for a while. There is a specified period whithin which the new permanent resident must acquire that provinces Licence and registration. But surely there is no problem with this ??? At least I see no problem with the current regime. As far as Health Cards go do we need a national bureaucracy to issue health care cards ? NO I say. Plus Provinces have specific practices that differ from each other and are specific to the level of coverage of that province. Not all services or drugs for example are covered in all provinces. Again I don't see a problem with the current system that amalgamation would solve. Lets think the matters through well enough prior to enacting quick action a la the Ontario/Toronto amalgamation debacle.
  20. I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: There is a specified period whithin which the new permanent resident must acquire that provinces Licence and registration. But surely there is no problem with this ???...... Well, Vern, if you don't see a problem, you've never tried to change alicence/registration. Ontario, for instance, has a real catch-22 involved in its licencing: one requires Ontario insurance before you can register a vehicle; the insurers require registration before registering! Alberta requires inspection of all out of province vehicles. Have you tried getting a vehicle inspected in service-strapped Alberta recently? My daughter recently went through the process with a new vehicle - 26,000 km - previously registered in Ontario. A slight-of-hand inspection cost $200 - the grease monkey did a walkaround! This was followed up by the wait in line at vehicle registration office. End result: two days of lost work, i.e. loss productivity. It took her a full 10 months to acquire an Alberta health card, during which time she had to prove she was not an alien. She was born and raised in Canada. And, the system works fine?
  21. Vern McPherson from writes: BOB DURRANT from Calgary, writes: Longwinded Marxist flatulence (no not you Vern!). There has yet to be a long-term success when it comes to penalizing someone for striving to prosper. Rewarding mediocrity via the conduit of taxation is a sure-fire way to remove the incentive to succeed. You ultimately spawn a society of dullards who have a single goal of leeching off the host. This process is parasitic, which pretty much defines the NDP platform on a national level. ----------------------------------------------- Morning Bob. A word needs to be added about why we live together in societies and share risks instead of existing as bickering tribal entities and one ideological belief set over another - gated community against the neighboring gated place. It's called civilization. We like to think we are civilized in this part of the planet because we care for the less fortunate and attempt make a level playing field for all in REAL WORLD circumstances not of these folks doing, not because we wish to invent utopia, to each according to needs and from each according to their ability and all that Marxist CRAP. But because we know that is the civilized way. Ideally we would not require the services of unions for example or indeed governemnts either. But we know that isn't real. So we need association, we need to share risk and we need taxation in order to support our living together in a manageable degree of peace and prosperity. It's when we lose site of these principles that we flounder. We cannot have too much of one view or the other. We cannot declare all co-operative activity is socialist and, therefore, wrong. Nor can we permit wild unfettered free enterprise in the interest of doggy competition as the great and only virtue. History proves that is not the case. We will always have entrepreneurs among the population. It's just that not everyone is such. The real world ain't that way.
  22. Vern McPherson from writes: BOB DURRANT from Calgary, writes: Let me look into my crystal ball and see how this will unfold:

    ---------------------------------------------------

    Bob the path out of your 'national' scenario is called leadership. At the moment we have none. Nation's leaders lead. Leaders do not divide and conquor for victory's sake. Watch for the outcome of this meeting when harper states there is no point attempting National agreement on any of these subjects. I bet you a sawbuck that will be in either the press release or come a little later from the PMO.

    The same tactic was used on Equaization. The big bucks will be welcomed by weak leaders NOW - but the long run leadership will see this government's policy as divisive and hurtful to our country. If there is 'long run leadership' ???
  23. Vern McPherson from writes: I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: There is a specified period whithin which the new permanent resident must acquire that provinces Licence and registration. But surely there is no problem with this ???...... Well, Vern, if you don't see a problem, you've never tried to change alicence/registration. Ontario, for instance, has a real catch-22 involved in its licencing: one requires Ontario insurance before you can register a vehicle; the insurers require registration before registering! Alberta requires inspection of all out of province vehicles. Have you tried getting a vehicle inspected in service-strapped Alberta recently? My daughter recently went through the process with a new vehicle - 26,000 km - previously registered in Ontario. A slight-of-hand inspection cost $200 - the grease monkey did a walkaround! This was followed up by the wait in line at vehicle registration office. End result: two days of lost work, i.e. loss productivity. It took her a full 10 months to acquire an Alberta health card, during which time she had to prove she was not an alien. She was born and raised in Canada. And, the system works fine? --------------------------------------------------------- You ought to use some of that common sense you mentioned. Interprovincial Insurance certificates ? Come on buddy. 10 months to get a Health Card. That's silly. What, ... no Birth Certificate. It took me 5 minutes to get a new picture card once I produced the required documentation. A simplr BC will ID a citizen as a non alien Really !! Alberta's regs relative to inspection appear to be stupid. Get them to change them. And why 2 days off for an inspection. I presume she made an appointment ????? Why wasn't all this planned for in advance ? That's common sense.
  24. BOB DURRANT from Calgary, writes: You see Vern, your entire argument (and many you have posted before) is premised on the need for a central government to remove the authority each and every province has protected in the constitution.
    Through taxation and trespassing on these provincial rights, all previous Liberal governments have hoisted their progressive beliefs on the rest of us who do not share these needless forms of thought control.
    The fact that you and your fellow Easterners cling to these cherished beliefs is really sad. The fact that you are willing for forfeit that much freedom to centralization explains why the two sides on this issue are so far apart, have been historically, and will continue to be into the foreseeable future.
  25. Vern McPherson from writes: A word on supposed restricive barriers to free trade among provinces. There are real concerns about this issue. It is not a simple as 'common sense'. I urge everyone to examine this issue carefully. Sure some aspects can be resolved pretty easily with a little committment and negotiation. But there are other serious local issues wherein local issues get turffed in favor of the 'entrepreneurial beings' from somewhere else desireing profit at any cost.

    Does a municipality in New Brunswick for example want to get sued by a company from Manitoba if the CO was denied a permit to set up a freak show next to a church in Restigouche ? That is a extreme eample I admit but the issue is far more complex than a lot of COns would have us think. Far more complex than Ralph Klein and Dooflickey Campbell decided it was. And far more complex than simple common sense.
  26. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: This will be a productive meeting when the premiers decide to stick to their knitting. However, what will likely happen is that they will whine and complain about not getting freebies from the feds, and then they will tell the feds how to run the national government. What would be appropriate is that the feds prepare a governance model for the provinces, and get them to sign up for it, and it would include a manual for fixing potholes and infra structure with provincial dollars,and being held accountable by provincial voters fopr how the provincial dillars are spent.
  27. B T from Lost in Cyberspace, Canada writes: Talk is good, but not threatening.

    Action is dangerous, and scares me.

    I am not worried.
  28. G len from Halifax, Canada writes: Sorry Vern, your really wrong on the licencing issue. I had the same problem moving to Halifax. Spent money getting a new licence then couldn't get insurance until the vehicles were registered. couldn't register a vehicle unless it was insured?? WTF! Then it needed an inspection, dispite the fact that I still had BC insurance. Nobody at the provincial office will tell you all this over the phone either, they don't have enough time apparently so you don't find out until about 2hrs after you get to the office (you see, no appointments, just a line up). I had to get a new vehicle inspected that was less than 1 year old, still under warranty and a lease. As for the health card issue, that was worse. I couldn't register my kids in b-ball or hockey until they had NS Health cards. No amount of pleading, begging, yelling or screaming (sorry, it escalated) would get the hockey NS or Baseball NS to change their minds as they couldn't allow kids to play sports until they had insurance. I had a job with full medical coverage and insurance and also had BC medical coverage which although remained valid until the NS coverage kicked in (3 months later) wasn't good enough for the sports beaurocracy. Tell your kids he can't play hockey for a year and see how that goes! I doubt he'll ever catch back up to where he was. A complete provincial fustercluck. we need federal governance on these issues. Anybody who thinks otherwise needs to move out of their mommy's basement and try living a real life with a family
  29. Steve D from St. John's, Canada writes: From the story: 'Mr. Harper is also likely to face significant opposition from a number of provinces on his plan to elect the Senate. Mr. McGuinty has suggested abolishing the chamber rather than electing its members. ' McGuinty understands that without an effective Senate to balance the rep-by-pop house, the high-population provinces Ontario and Quebec the seats effectively controls the whole country, and can continue to operate the country for the exclusive benefit of itself. Equalization would not have been started or would it continue to exist if the lions share did not go to Quebec. As well, the lion's share of federal transfers not including equalization is done on a population basis and effectively ignores the problem of low-population-density areas which, surprise!, mostly comes in low population, non-vote-rich provinces. For Canada to be viable in the long run, particular with several 'have' provinces with little influence in the federal governement, a triple E upper house is required. We will not agree to continue to have our pockets picked ad infinitum by Ontario and Quebec. The ignorant among you will jump all over equalization to NL but the fact is far more has been taken from NL than given. One final point--any guesses from whose desk (McGuinty's) the PM's letter 'obtained by the G&M' was leaked from?
  30. Vern McPherson from writes: Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: This will be a productive meeting when the premiers decide to stick to their knitting. However, what will likely happen is that they will whine and complain about not getting freebies from the feds, and then they will tell the feds how to run the national government. What would be appropriate is that the feds prepare a governance model for the provinces, and get them to sign up for it, and it would include a manual for fixing potholes and infra structure with provincial dollars,and being held accountable by provincial voters fopr how the provincial dillars are spent.

    --------------------------------------------------------------

    Stephen it's a known fact in Canada that provinces do not report to Ottawa. But for folks like you who apparently reside under rocks somewhere in the shield, ideas absent of such facts are a dime a dozen with attached solutions to invented problems available for around 3 for a cent.

    But you get an 'X' on your forehead for partz unknown.
  31. Vern McPherson from writes: G len from Halifax, Canada writes:

    ------------------------------------------

    Sorry Glen. But all you mentioned is of your own doing. We have internet these days as you are aware and a little reseach would have made a diff IMO. Nova Scotia has one of the finest on-line service offerings in the country. Besides how the flustercuck can we regulate local ball hockey leagues from Ottawa or in some treaty or other ?? HOW ???? It's madness.

    There are issues yes but these are not among the high sweat items.
  32. Vern McPherson from writes: Steve D from St. John's, Canada writes: ..................

    'One final point--any guesses from whose desk (McGuinty's) the PM's letter 'obtained by the G&M' was leaked from? '

    -------------------------------------------------

    Steve why do you think the letter was secret in the first place and why use the term 'leaked' ?
  33. P Martin from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: Harper does not seem to have any idea of priorities for his government. He appears to have run out of ideas. Now, after all the vote-buying in certain provinces and fighting with others, he is going to try and be a leader. That is not going to work. Who would believe this liar now, after the promises he has broken. Even if he was to do something that was for all provinces, rather than a couple, would anyone seriously think he will keep his word. Even in writing it means nothing to him. So long as Harper is in power, there will never be a belief in his integrity, honesty or moral compass. Frankly, he is missing all three.
  34. c rob from Canada writes: I would think that a plan to elect a senate would require more than a nod from the provinces.
  35. Dan Green from Palm Beach Gardens Florida, United States writes: An economy structure, based on a .70 cent US exchange, paved the way for many taxes to be charged, without wiping out the exchange advantage. That was in place for many many years, will take some time, and a re-alignmnet of Industry, to find balance. Many who will never be able to lower their cost, by that magnitude, will dissapear. Petro based economies, are tricky to run. Getting the wealth to the commoner is difficult, save full blown socialism. Rim will make it, high margin, high tech. Suncor and Petro Canada will make it, high oil prices.
  36. Dave Medich from Windsor, Canada writes: janfromthe bruce from Canada writes:' Economically, there is nothing wrong headed about socialism, and obviously it is not failing, if one removes the navel glazing towards the US.

    As Linda McQuaig stated in her op-ed piece, ......................'

    Oops! You lost me right there.

    .
  37. P Scott from Canada writes: MORE Corporate tax cuts?!?

    With a $13 billion surplus?

    I love the CONS!
  38. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: From La Presse:

    Stephen Harper souhaite que la résolution qui reconnaît les Québécois comme une nation soit incluse dans la Constitution canadienne dès que « le terrain sera fertile ». Dans une entrevue exclusive accordée à La Presse, le premier ministre invite donc à se raviser ceux qui croyaient que cette résolution serait sans lendemain.
    PM Harper may want to explain this quote, from over the holidays, to the rest of Canada.
  39. One Eye Open from Calgary, Canada writes: Vancouver-Kingsway Antics-Shy Voter from Canada writes: The Harper Conservatives are pushing on with the Bush agenda for the SPP and NAU.

    I'm a Harper supporter and I don't have a clue what the SPP and NAU are... Please enlighten me.
  40. One Eye Open from Calgary, Canada writes: B T from Lost in Cyberspace, Canada writes: Talk is good, but not threatening.

    Action is dangerous, and scares me

    BT, let me guess...you're a liberal supporter?
  41. Hugh Albert from Canada writes: Mr. Harper has always been ridged when dealing with Provincial relationships, the one exception being La Belle Province. I wonder how agile he will be with the coming changes in the USA and the rest of the World. These changes will have a pronounced impact on all Provinces, particularly in the area of Free Trade.
  42. Scream Jerry from Canada writes: One Eye Open from Calgary, Canada writes: I'm a Harper supporter and I don't have a clue what the SPP and NAU are... Please enlighten me.

    ___________
    The wacko, moonbat leftie squad believes it is some space alien/George Bush/Bildeberger/Illuminati/World Bank/Jewish/Stepen Harper/Cheney/Big Oil conspiracy to build a 25 lane highway from Texas to Moose Jaw in order to import childrens vital organs to be sold on the planet Vulcan to Elvis. Chemtrails is part of it in there too probably.

    Or something like that. Who really listens to these clowns anyways?
  43. Dick Hertz from Canada writes: Scream Jerry 'The wacko, moonbat leftie squad believes it is some space alien/George Bush/Bildeberger/Illuminati/World Bank/Jewish/Stepen Harper/Cheney/Big Oil conspiracy to build a 25 lane highway from Texas to Moose Jaw in order to import childrens vital organs to be sold on the planet Vulcan to Elvis. Or something like that. Who really listens to these clowns anyways?. '

    Don`t forget the penatverate - the queen, the getty`s , the rothschilds, the pope and Colonel Harland Sanders before he went tets up - and the WTC7 conspiracy!
  44. Jim Shaw from Alberta, Canada writes: Scream Jerry 'The wacko, moonbat leftie squad believes it is some space alien/George Bush/Bildeberger/Illuminati/World Bank/Jewish/Stepen Harper/Cheney/Big Oil conspiracy to build a 25 lane highway.......

    Now this posting made me laugh, unlike most postings here that just make me shake my head and wonder ' Are these people really that stupid?'
  45. Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: OTTAWA — Canadian taxpayers are footing the bill for a $650,000 ad campaign that boasts about a one-cent cut to the GST &8211; a campaign that opposition members say is nothing more than pre-election advertising for the Conservatives.

    Radio spots that began airing on Dec. 28 and newspaper advertisements that will soon appear in small weeklies inform Canadians of the benefits they will reap as a result of the sales-tax cut that came into effect on Jan. 1.

    &8220;The government of Canada is ringing in the New Year with another tax cut. Starting January 1st, the GST will be reduced to five per cent, the second cut in less than two years,&8221; says the radio ad.

    &8220;This means significant tax savings on most everything you buy, like a coffee, a new home, a computer or a new car. To learn more about the GST reduction, visit Canada.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada. 2008 will be a less taxing year for Canadians.&8221;
  46. mike sty from Canada writes: 'Mr. Harper has also promised ..............'
    -------------------

    Promises made ..........promises broke

    Can We Really Trust ALIAR???
  47. Anne Peterson from Canada writes: What you term long winded Marxist flatulence (the comments about Northern European countries) happens to be true. Canada will never solve its problems until it acts based on the truth instead of ideologies. You can tell an ideology because facts and truth contrary to what it expounds, don't change it at all. The believers just get louder and nastier when confronted with actual facts. Research more, read more, learn more, listen more, go on line and look up more about Europe, don't just keep repeating what comes out of your own head.
  48. c rob from Canada writes: Scream Jerry from Canada

    Humour me though will you sir. Tell me what the NAU and SPP actually stand for, and enlighten me as to the workings and intent of the SPP. Since the left appear to be full of fools, I await your enlightenment from the right.
  49. Crusty Curmudgeon from Ottawa, Canada writes:

    I often wonder why Vern is not Prime Minister -- he has all the solutions.

    Hey, maybe Mr. Harper will see fit to invite Vern and his all seeing, all knowing wisdom to the conference.
  50. G len from Halifax, Canada writes: Mike, you forgot to say 'Bushlite' and 'Harpercrite' in you previous intelligence. Come on, your propoganda is lacking any real left wing(nut) ideology. If you don't use the term 'Neocon' why did you even get out of bed today?
  51. Darcy Meyer from Canada writes: There is no doubt interprovincial barriers need to be addressed. Some of the issues mentioned (insurance) above are restrictive to workforce mobility, which hurts productivity. There are also certain trade issues that are completely ridiculous. There needs to be improvements made while limiting the effect on provincial autonmy.

    Similarily, a single national securities regulator is needed.
    Just a couple of issues that I think should be addressed at a meeting like this.
  52. P Martin from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: GST is, in many way, a consumption tax. It has more to do with the wealthy than it will ever do for the poorer people in our society. Many of the items that the poor would buy or pay for are already tax free. The wealthy, on the other hand, will enjoy the cut. It was the major reason for it. Like many of Harper's decisions, it is either short-sighted, political or stupid. It is not about Canada, regular people or viability. And no, I am not a Liberal supporter.
  53. c rob from Canada writes: Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada
    A $650,000 ad campaign? Most people read or listen to the news or talk to other people at some point in their lives. No money needed to have been spent to begin with. Just add this latest stunt to the list. No need to select it as a cause for battle.
    Yet.
  54. True North from Canada writes: Harper must bow to his US masters.
  55. Scream Jerry from Canada writes: c rob from Canada writes: Humour me though will you sir. Tell me what the NAU and SPP actually stand for, and enlighten me as to the workings and intent of the SPP. Since the left appear to be full of fools, I await your enlightenment from the right.

    ________
    They don't have google where you live? Do your own research and quit relying on asssclowns on the internet. The ONLY people who bring up the SPP are the same softheaded oafs who gather at G8 conferences to throw their own feces at the police. Let that serve as your first clue on the path to elightenment about the SPP.
  56. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Whyyyyyyy has the G&M closed comments on the $650K GST election ad story? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Globe and Mail, whyyyyyyyyyy are you protecting the Harper gov't from criticism???? LOL. Sorry, I was channelling the emotions and thought processes of a whiny Harper supporter for a moment....

    Stephen Harper is NOT a leader.
  57. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Whyyyyyyy has the G&M closed comments on the $650K GST election ad story? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Globe and Mail, whyyyyyyyyyy are you protecting the Harper gov't from criticism???? LOL. Sorry, I was channelling the emotions and thought processes of a whiny Harper supporter for a moment....

    Stephen Harper is NOT a leader.

    The fact is.. none of the other leaders are nearly as competent. Mr. Dion has shown over and over again he is not capable of leading this country.Harper is the most competent of a bad lot of political leaders which is probably why he will get re-elected as PM.
  58. c rob from Canada writes: Scream Jerry from Canada

    Thank you for your sincere, well thought out, and incredibly reasoned reply.
  59. Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: scream jerry - you set aside time to humiliate yourself. nice.

    Montebello - what would our government send in disguised police provocateurs to start a violent riot - if not to document the peaceful protestors?

    Stock Day - at SPP meating in Bnaff - when asked by Canadians whaat was on the agenda - day replied - a private meeting which I will not comment on - WHY?

    SPP is real. Manifestations everyday - from US/CANADIAN harmonization of refugee status/no fly list/foreign policy . . .

    Canada is being fast tracked to be a US state with a loss to all Canadian heritage, social programs and all things that make us a seperate nation.
  60. New ID b/c I Don't Appreciate Another Poster Doing Internet Research On Me from And Posting Previously Undisclosed Info Here And On Top Of That I'm Not Gonna Shorten My Moniker Even Though It Was The Ever Gracious Diane Marie's New Year Wish That I Do So, Canada writes: Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'SPP - it is real and another sell out from the CONs? NAFTA be very, very good to multinationals and the US - Canadians - not so mush. Who was NAFTA's architech - bbrown envelope man - mulroooney - harper's mentor.' Are you refering to the SPP signed by Paul 'I'll Defend Everything and Anything Canadian' Martin who would drape himself in the Canadian flag (probably the one meant for his shipping lines) and screech 'America is our neighbor, not our nation'? Are you refering to the same NAFTA that Jean Chretien promised to renegotiate with something better, but yet went ahead and ratified anyway? Perhaps while you're spluttering a defence of why it was necessary for the aforementioned gentlemen to do so but pure evil when Harper does it as seems to be the trait amongst the anti-Harperites you can also explain why it is the LPC has no trouble railing against and criticising Conservative economic policies and spreading the kool-aid amongst their supporters about how such policies will mean nothing but gloom & doom and economic ruination - but yet either keep them in place (GST, NAFTA and no doubt IT taxation when that time comes) or implement them themselves (wage & price controls, gas tax hikes).
  61. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Harper expects everyone he deals with domestically to act like his neutered caucus. He doesn't realize that outside of his obedient and subservient gang of trained seals, he will be dealing with adults who will not enter the door on their knees or leave walking backwards and bowing. So if this meeting doesn't go as Harper plans (i.e. every Premier lining up tongue ready to clean his nether regions) - I expect he will do what he does best - divide, insult, blame. If he surprises and negotiates openly and honestly without the pettiness and divisive tactics then maybe something constructive will emerge from these meetings.

    Harper has the goods to be a half decent PM, but his lack of character always trips him up. It's too bad he doesn't have a healthier self esteem, or a less fragile ego, then he might amount to something.
  62. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: mike sty from Canada writes: 'Mr. Harper has also promised ..............'
    -------------------

    Promises made ..........promises broke

    Can We Really Trust ALIAR???

    Name one PM that hasn't broken promises. I guess you're looking for perfection. The only politician that kept his promises that I'm aware of was Mike Harris and people really loved him(sarcasm).
  63. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: '
    The fact is.. none of the other leaders are nearly as competent. Mr. Dion has shown over and over again he is not capable of leading this country.Harper is the most competent of a bad lot of political leaders which is probably why he will get re-elected as PM. '

    Sadly, I agree with you. He'll get another minority by default because of the lack of any decent choices.
  64. Scream Jerry from Canada writes: Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: SPP is real. Manifestations everyday - from US/CANADIAN harmonization of refugee status/no fly list/foreign policy. Canada is being fast tracked to be a US state with a loss to all Canadian heritage, social programs and all things that make us a seperate nation.

    ____________
    See what I am saying? You forgot to mention the part where Hillary Clinton's alien baby was in cahoots with Menachem Begin to keep the price of tin foil artificially high so that it would cost you a fortune to wrap your head and your entire house to keep out the signals coming from Major League Baseball and Burger King.
  65. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: 'Name one PM that hasn't broken promises. I guess you're looking for perfection. The only politician that kept his promises that I'm aware of was Mike Harris and people really loved him(sarcasm). '

    The problem for Harper is that he built up the expectations with his finger pointing and 'holier than thou' campaign in the last election. So if people are disappointed, it's only because he misled from the beginning. Yes, most PM's break promises, but Harper leads the pack in hypocrisy.
  66. Blue Magic 2007 from Canada writes: Inter provincial trade and a single regulator please.

    Now to the libtards....A meeting with the premiers turns into spp and Bush bashing. You Harper hater are nuts. I have never read sunch idiotic uniformed statement in my life. Where can I get those tin foil hats.

    janfromthe bruce from Canada writes

    As Linda McQuaig stated in her op-ed piece,
    Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha what more would ever quate that nuto. Man lefties are just too funny.

    Linda McQuid ha,ha,ha,ha, what next elvis told you.
  67. Vote NDP in the next federal/provincial election from Toronto, Canada writes: What Harper can do right now is:
    -force the currency markets to devalue the loonie immediately (but not too much) to 70 to 80 US cents per loonie
    -force the oil markets to reduce oil prices immediately to $70 to $80 per barrel
    -reduce CO2 emmissions immediately
    -reinstate the child care agreement, programs meant to help women and Kelowna Accord
    -reduce EI and CPP premiums immediately
    -more funding to cities for transit, affordable housing, infrastructure etc...

    and more.
  68. Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: Pete Kauchak, Green Tory

    come on man - the PLEDGE - open, honest and transparent government - remember?? really - it was his election mantra - open, honest and transparent government

    - harpers platform was to end the lies - get it?

    then there is the nasty fact - he lies - on purpose - directly contradictin the promice and platform. ADSCAM, Allan Riddel, Chaulk River, Tiger Team Military purification for 'public consumption'.

    harper openly wonders 'if CANADIANS get it' honestly I don't think so . . .wtf! Is that not imperialistic??

    harper leads where we do not want to go for our own good - we don't understand the realities of the world. we are stupid. we need to be sleepwalked into the fascist US alliance.
  69. mike sty from Canada writes:

    Harper would win gold..........

    If lying were a Olympic event.

    Can We Really Trust ALIAR?
  70. c rob from Canada writes: Scream Jerry from Canada

    Scream Jerry, I think you're actually a Liberal troll who just pretends to be a Harper supporter. That way, when someone reads your silliness, he or she would rather be caught dead than vote for the party you propose to support. C'mon, admit it, you really are a DION lover after all. The jig is up.
  71. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Vote NDP in the next federal/provincial election from Toronto, Canada writes: What Harper can do right now is:
    -force the currency markets to devalue the loonie immediately (but not too much) to 70 to 80 US cents per loonie
    -force the oil markets to reduce oil prices immediately to $70 to $80 per barrel

    Would be very interested in the mechanisms you propose that Harper uses to make this happen?? If he had this much power, even I would bow down before him....
  72. Nom De Plume from Victoria, Canada writes: A single regulator definitely. No trade barriers obviously. Harmonized sales taxes unquestionably. Unfortunately the people we have sent to deal with these issues are underpaid under performers. It would be nice if we paid our leaders the way we pay pro hockey players. After all, the game they play really counts for all of us in the end. We might even require they have some qualifications that render them more likely to succeed. And we could have them establish clear objectives and be measured against those objectives at regular intervals, with consequences. We should have a system that attracts the best and the brightest and most qualified to these very important executive positions. This is serious business - let's run it that way.
  73. Scream Jerry from Canada writes: c rob from Canada writes: Scream Jerry, I think you're actually a Liberal troll who just pretends to be a Harper supporter. That way, when someone reads your silliness, he or she would rather be caught dead than vote for the party you propose to support. C'mon, admit it, you really are a DION lover after all. The jig is up.

    _________
    Really? You sit back and dream about me and what motivates me and then write some long post? That's flattering. You should get a dog or something.
  74. mike sty from Canada writes: Scream Jerry from Canada writes: This is why we have a whole system set up to keep lunatics like you far, far away from power.
    -------------------

    Obvious to real Canadian's, the 'systems' broken.

    We now have a lyin lunatic in power.

    Can WE Really Trust Harper??

    Can We Really Trust ALIAR>
  75. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Nom De Plume from Victoria, Canada writes: ' We should have a system that attracts the best and the brightest and most qualified to these very important executive positions. This is serious business - let's run it that way. '

    If the motivation was money, nobody would enter politics. You could NEVER pay a politician the equivalent of a private sector position. There will always have to be some other motivation to enter - power, a true desire to serve, etc. Money would be a poor motivator in my opinion, because the business of gov't is not the same as a profit making enterprise. The only measure of success is at the polls - and we can all see what happens when one party screws up. Can you imagine paying Stockwell Day, Baird, Clements, Flaherty, Oda, Ambrose, et al top dollars because they were fortunate enough to benefit from the liberals screw ups?
  76. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes:

    The problem for Harper is that he built up the expectations with his finger pointing and 'holier than thou' campaign in the last election. So if people are disappointed, it's only because he misled from the beginning. Yes, most PM's break promises, but Harper leads the pack in hypocrisy.

    I thought that award was reserved for Trudeau and his no wage and price control pledge which he broke right after he was elected in 74 AFTER he got his majority.
  77. Scream Jerry from Canada writes: mike sty from Canada writes: Obvious to real Canadian's, the 'systems' broken. We now have a lyin lunatic in power. Can WE Really Trust Harper??
    Can We Really Trust ALIAR>

    _________-
    OK, your act is getting old. You should have used the New Year to dream up some resolution to post new things and think new thoughts. No one here is interested in your sad, old tales about how you lost imaginary money in the stock market or whatever. I can't imagine the despair you feel knowing this PM will be the PM after the next election and the one after that.
  78. The Oracle from Caiman Islands, Canada writes: Lunatics meet. Figure how to run the asylum.
  79. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: I look at these posts everyday and is this is indicative of the state of Canada and any way a reflective of our House Of Commons,
    We better start learning to be receptive of other's views and start working together for the betterment of our country.

    NDP that, Con this, Lib Fibs.

    This all gets tiring and stupid Got all lets work together.
  80. Nom De Plume from Victoria, Canada writes: Not the Alliance - why do you think that seeking financial reward is somehow exclusive from a desire to help your country or having power ?
    And what caused Mr. Mulroney to take envelopes full of cash ? We wouldn't have these clowns in office if we attracted better people in the first place. You might see people like Gwyn Morgan or Murray Edwards or countless other highly capable canadians in office instead of these clowns who repeatedly make errors that more capable people would not make. This is a capitalist democracy - don't try to somehow kid yourself into thinking that public service should be 'different'. It's no different than anything else - if you want to get the best people you're going to have to pay them as much as they can earn in the private sector. Think of how much this could save us in the end. How many billions are pissed away by these clowns every year.
    THINK about it.
  81. Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: scream jerry - I don't know what makes you such a worthless poster, but it really works!

    Keep typing. Maybe, someday, you'll randomly type something semi-intelligent. It's truly amazing the way you never let an idea interrupt the flow of your typing, but then, making sense isn't your area of expertise, is it??

    scream jerry: 'Doesn't know much, but leads the league in nostril hair.'
  82. The Oracle from Caiman Islands, Canada writes: That pain Harper is feeling is a boot coming to kick his butt out of office.
  83. jamie yavis from New West, Canada writes: I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Let's sweat the small stuff first ...

    I agree 100% your basic issues of auto licensing, insurance, registration, and health care would be logical things to look at; but some how I have the feeling that easy is not good for politicians! If it's not convoluted they, for some reason, cannot understand it!

    My biggest pet peeve is the senate! That wallowing, pork-barrel of an institution has got to go! I would look forward to paying my taxes if they ever changed that Canadian ball-and-chain.
  84. J Law from Canada writes: Can We Really Trust ALIAR?