Canada Election 2015

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by geotag277

[Citation needed]

I can only be anecdotal, based on my own experience of many years. Contracting out is not unusual in government, but it is not cheap.

[O-tacular]

I was at a client's today who happens to work at an Immigration Society. We had a really interesting chat for over an hour regarding the refugee crisis in the middle east. He told me their workload has exploded over the last year. I really enjoyed hearing his perspective on this whole thing.

He was not a fan of Harper's. He also was not a fan of Canada participating in bombings as he said that painted a target on our backs. His description of it was that the US and Allies go in and bomb all this infrastructure, leave everything in ruin, then ISIS rolls in after the fact like the gangs in Mad Max and wipes out the people living in these areas. He also told me from his first hand work in Syria, Iraq and Jordan that when talking to people there none of them actually know who ISIS is. That is to say they are aware of the entity known as ISIS, but they don't know anyone who's joined it. Most of this organization is made up of foreign nationals who join the cause. He went a little conspiracy theory and insinuated the US has planted them there, or at least aided them to destabilize the region. As much as that is impossible to prove, their history of propping up dictatorships and drug lords is well known. It wouldn't surprise me. They did it with Pinochet. The CIA even helped cocaine get trafficked into the US to help fund him.

Anyways, taking off my tinfoil hat now. In the end it was just nice to talk to someone who is affected first hand every day by the refugee crisis and to get their opinion on it.

[Nelju]

Mulcair just never stops promising the "moon" to everybody. Tommy's higher corporate taxes are going to destroy jobs.

One of Canada’s most important positive policy reforms over the past 15 years has been on corporate taxes. Federal and provincial governments of all political stripes realized the economically damaging effect of corporate income taxes and lowered rates to make the business tax regime more competitive. As a result, from 2000 to 2015, Canada’s combined federal-provincial corporate income tax rate fell dramatically from 42.4 per cent to 26.3 per cent

Jurisdictions that lower business taxes increase the after-tax rate of return on investment. And increased returns improve the incentives for investment.

When businesses invest in machinery, equipment and technology, workers have more capital to work with and can produce more and higher valued output for each hour they work, making them more productive. Because increased productivity leads to higher wages, workers, in the end, benefit greatly from corporate tax reductions. And increased investment can also lead to more jobs and a faster growing economy.

The reality of the global economy is that countries compete with one another for investment, so any advantage is critical. And the corporate income tax rate is an important component of a positive economic environment.

The evidence is clear: raising corporate taxes is bad economic policy.

- See more at: http://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/rai...bad-economic-policy#sthash.rY3COosU.dpuf

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Migs

Facepalm is right. You're the one whining about capitalism when in truth we are a successful country because of capitalism. Your computer, phone, TV, car, etc is all from capitalism. Even the biggest of socialist talking heads are wealthy because of capitalism, ie Gore, Suzuki, Sanders, etc. frickin hypocrites.

I was mocking your unquestioning allegiance to the tenets of Neo-Con Capitalism. Things like "Rich people work the hardest" and the Trickle Down Effect which have been proven to not be true. Your straw man arguments are starting to get tiresome.

[SignalHillHiker]

What a great start! From the STJs South-MtP debate:

"Our scientists have been muzzled... muzzled from saying what, exactly?" - Ryan Cleary, NDP. He goes on to cite federal mismanagement of the fishery as being a death knell for the province, and notes the cod is recovering and the federation is still set up in such a way as to 🞵🞵🞵🞵 it up again.

He speaks with lines of the old national anthem. "I stand on guard always." Talks about being the only Newfoundlander on whatever governs the fisheries in Ottawa. Speaks about nationalism, hits all the right notes without coming out and saying, "🞵🞵🞵🞵 Ottawa".

Seamus speaks next... $150 million in new annual funding for CBC, which is hugely important to Newfoundland and Labrador. Says NDP preys upon the fears of national unity, capitalize on the despair and struggle of many who are trying to pay their bills, says Liberals offer a clear alternative with a simple and costed plan. Main point is they're honest.

"Economic policy should be based on the greater good, not economic gain." Lauds evidence-based policies. Says Harper has starved federal government of good fisheries information. "He isn't good for our economy."

Wants to grow the middle class.

First question is how do we feel included in Canada. Seamus speaks first... to feel included, we have to be included. Segues weakly into middle class needs. Ties it back in linking fishery and resource management. Mentions working in Tobin government. "It wasn't always pretty behind closed doors, but at the end of the day, we worked together to solve problems. And we haven't had that in an awfully long time. We need a strong federal government as a partner."

NDP: "Real change for Newfoundland and Labrador... federal government policy simply doesn't work for us. They tell us... too bad. Shut up and take it. Real change means a change in how we're treated. Tom Mulcair talks about FIXING something. Not just funding, but FIXING policies that work against Newfoundland and Labrador, like LIFO."

Goes into senior citizens wish lists... guaranteed income, Canada Pension Plan reform, etc.

This is going to be a great debate.

****

Seamus starts speaking in lines from the old national anthem. "We all stand on guard for Newfoundland and Labrador". Says perception of Canada has changed because ambitious, talented Newfoundlanders have taken over certain fields. And this is what we need to do. Pressed to discuss his 15 years living away and working in TO, says, "I never really left. And Newfoundlanders and Labradorians across this country would RESENT having their patriotism questioned base on how many weeks they spent on the mainland. My commitment to Newfoundland is greater than ever, because of the time I've spent away not just advocating for it, but representing it."

Ryan Cleary defends Seamus against the line of inquiry. "I don't question Seamus' patriotism. He is a good Newfoundlander. I made a commitment not to take shots at you, and I will not this evening. We did a feature on you when I was editor of The Independent. We know you're one of us."

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I was mocking your unquestioning allegiance to the tenets of Neo-Con Capitalism. Things like "Rich people work the hardest" and the Trickle Down Effect which have been proven to not be true. Your straw man arguments are starting to get tiresome.

O-tacular. Migs is the "Canada Election 2015" equivalent of suburbia on the Calgary forum

[lio45]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

In fact, I believe Duceppe raised the idea of using the "notwithstanding" clause of the Constitution to ban the niqab. Fascist.

"Il y a quelques jours, le mouvement «Le 19 octobre, je vote voilée» a été lancé sur Facebook par une citoyenne de Longueuil, Catherine Leclerc. Cette dernière a créé la page en réaction à la décision de la Cour d’appel fédérale, qui a confirmé la semaine dernière le port du niqab lors des cérémonies de citoyenneté.
Déjà, près de 5000 abonnés Facebook ont indiqué qu’ils prendraient part au mouvement «Je vote voilée», qui semble prendre de l’ampleur.
Jeudi dernier sur sa page Facebook, l’électeur André Landry a même mis une photo de lui avec un sac de patates sur la tête, indiquant qu’il irait voter le visage ainsi voilé. En date de lundi, sa photo avait été partagée près de 11 000 fois."

Full news article here:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/09/21/le-vote-a-visage-couvert-tolere-de-toutes-les-facons

5,000 already!
Sounds like I'm going to need a club-size pasta box with two holes in it for the eyes...

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

What a great start! From the STJs South-MtP debate:

"Our scientists have been muzzled... muzzled from saying what, exactly?" - Ryan Cleary, NDP. He goes on to cite federal mismanagement of the fishery as being a death knell for the province, and notes the cod is recovering and the federation is still set up in such a way as to 🞵🞵🞵🞵 it up again.

He speaks with lines of the old national anthem. "I stand on guard always." Talks about being the only Newfoundlander on whatever governs the fisheries in Ottawa. Speaks about nationalism, hits all the right notes without coming out and saying, "🞵🞵🞵🞵 Ottawa".

Seamus speaks next... $150 million in new annual funding for CBC, which is hugely important to Newfoundland and Labrador. Says NDP preys upon the fears of national unity, capitalize on the despair and struggle of many who are trying to pay their bills, says Liberals offer a clear alternative with a simple and costed plan. Main point is they're honest.

"Economic policy should be based on the greater good, not economic gain." Lauds evidence-based policies. Says Harper has starved federal government of good fisheries information. "He isn't good for our economy."

Wants to grow the middle class.

First question is how do we feel included in Canada. Seamus speaks first... to feel included, we have to be included. Segues weakly into middle class needs. Ties it back in linking fishery and resource management. Mentions working in Tobin government. "It wasn't always pretty behind closed doors, but at the end of the day, we worked together to solve problems. And we haven't had that in an awfully long time. We need a strong federal government as a partner."

NDP: "Real change for Newfoundland and Labrador... federal government policy simply doesn't work for us. They tell us... too bad. Shut up and take it. Real change means a change in how we're treated. Tom Mulcair talks about FIXING something. Not just funding, but FIXING policies that work against Newfoundland and Labrador, like LIFO."

Goes into senior citizens wish lists... guaranteed income, Canada Pension Plan reform, etc.

This is going to be a great debate.

Is the Conservative candidate there?

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by lio45

"Il y a quelques jours, le mouvement «Le 19 octobre, je vote voilée» a été lancé sur Facebook par une citoyenne de Longueuil, Catherine Leclerc. Cette dernière a créé la page en réaction à la décision de la Cour d’appel fédérale, qui a confirmé la semaine dernière le port du niqab lors des cérémonies de citoyenneté.
Déjà, près de 5000 abonnés Facebook ont indiqué qu’ils prendraient part au mouvement «Je vote voilée», qui semble prendre de l’ampleur.
Jeudi dernier sur sa page Facebook, l’électeur André Landry a même mis une photo de lui avec un sac de patates sur la tête, indiquant qu’il irait voter le visage ainsi voilé. En date de lundi, sa photo avait été partagée près de 11 000 fois."

Full news article here:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/09/21/le-vote-a-visage-couvert-tolere-de-toutes-les-facons

5,000 already!
Sounds like I'm going to need a club-size pasta box with two holes in it for the eyes...

I remain unclear as to what they are expecting to achieve, since there is no prohibition against voting with ones' face veiled. I could see voting delayed if too many showed up at the same time at a particular voting booth, because of the need to swear an identity oath if the face is to remain covered, but the political point they think they're making eludes me.

[SignalHillHiker]

Who?

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Who?

Is there not one? I just wondered if the trend to absent Conservative candidates at riding debates extends to your locale.

[geotag277]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I was at a client's today who happens to work at an Immigration Society. We had a really interesting chat for over an hour regarding the refugee crisis in the middle east. He told me their workload has exploded over the last year. I really enjoyed hearing his perspective on this whole thing.

He was not a fan of Harper's. He also was not a fan of Canada participating in bombings as he said that painted a target on our backs. His description of it was that the US and Allies go in and bomb all this infrastructure, leave everything in ruin, then ISIS rolls in after the fact like the gangs in Mad Max and wipes out the people living in these areas. He also told me from his first hand work in Syria, Iraq and Jordan that when talking to people there none of them actually know who ISIS is. That is to say they are aware of the entity known as ISIS, but they don't know anyone who's joined it. Most of this organization is made up of foreign nationals who join the cause. He went a little conspiracy theory and insinuated the US has planted them there, or at least aided them to destabilize the region. As much as that is impossible to prove, their history of propping up dictatorships and drug lords is well known. It wouldn't surprise me. They did it with Pinochet. The CIA even helped cocaine get trafficked into the US to help fund him.

Anyways, taking off my tinfoil hat now. In the end it was just nice to talk to someone who is affected first hand every day by the refugee crisis and to get their opinion on it.

Some random dude who happens to work for Immigration is probably not the best source for this kind of information.

The fact is, the CIA is defined by it's worst failures. For every Mordad Coup or Pinochet there are hundreds of Bin Laden and Lackawanna Six and Najibullah Zazi. People only look at the instability, but never recognize the alternative instability as well. Sometimes history is a matter of the lesser of two evils.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Is there not one? I just wondered if the trend to absent Conservative candidates at riding debates extends to your locale.

I think the Conservative candidate for this riding is a reality TV star parachuted in from Ontario. I don't think he's ever been here. And he's not tonight.

[geotag277]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I can only be anecdotal, based on my own experience of many years. Contracting out is not unusual in government, but it is not cheap.

I certainly agree the government has a nasty habit of overpaying for everything.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

O-tacular. Migs is the "Canada Election 2015" equivalent of suburbia on the Calgary forum

YES!!!

[SignalHillHiker]

Marijuana legalization comes up. Seamus: "We've outsourced marijuana distribution to the criminal element. We have in this province one of the highest abuses of marijuana amongst young people. Legalization gives us the ability to control it and talk more openly about it. It is an issue, but hiding it isn't serving us."

Ryan (NDP): "I have no problem with pot what soever. Our position is decriminalization, and we all know that'll lead to legalization eventually."

Turns question around into Liberal support of CETA deal. "You screwed Newfoundland and Labrador once again. Talk about leadership? Your leader endorsed it without seeing a thing. He just endorsed it."

Moderator: "So, Seamus, he brought up CETA, even though it has NOTHING to do with marijuana... so I'll give you a moment to respond."

Moderator: We have almost 6% of the seats in the senate. You want to abolish it? How do you replicate that representation?

Both candidates agree it's irrelevant. We don't have representation now so it'll be no worse and still bad.

"Our voices are for the political parties of Canada. They DO NOT represent the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are just representation for the parties that put them there."

Seamus: "There is no option. There is no abolition. It's not happening. The Supreme Court decided that. We need to deal with the facts as they are. If somebody thinks they can get every province in this country to agree unanimously on anything... it's a wasted effort. A lot of gnashing of the teeth over something that, honestly, doesn't affect the quality of life of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We need to remove partisan politics from the Senate."

****



"Bastards! Bastards!"

"Jesus, b'y, Seamus. Are you representing Newfoundland in Ottawa or Ottawa in Newfoundland? You spent too many years on the mainland. I'm sorry, buddy, but you earned that one."

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by geotag277

Some random dude who happens to work for Immigration is probably not the best source for this kind of information.

The fact is, the CIA is defined by it's worst failures. For every Mordad Coup or Pinochet there are hundreds of Bin Laden and Lackawanna Six and Najibullah Zazi. People only look at the instability, but never recognize the alternative instability as well. Sometimes history is a matter of the lesser of two evils.

He's not some dude. Prior to working in this office he was actually facilitating refugee claims on the front lines of the Middle East. He's a well educated, born Canadian of Palestinian descent who has more first hand knowledge than you or I or probably anyone else on this forum arguing about this stuff. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle but found it very enlightening to hear his perspective on things.

Yes the CIA has done some good as well, but would it honestly surprise you if 40 years down the road documents revealed they had a hand in poking the hornets nest that is ISIS and helping it along. The mere fact that Russia and China are also at play in this area propping up Assad should be an indicator in itself.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I was mocking your unquestioning allegiance to the tenets of Neo-Con Capitalism. Things like "Rich people work the hardest" and the Trickle Down Effect which have been proven to not be true. Your straw man arguments are starting to get tiresome.

...and your poor hard done by incessant whining is getting tiresome. My advice, take care of yourself & your family & quit worrying so much about your first world problems. Face the facts, Harper has done a great job as PM & is likely going to win this election as well.


http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-top-20-countries-ranked-by-reputation-2015-7

[SignalHillHiker]

So, this may be a new Liberal thing. Seamus is saying everyone needs to take everything an NDP politician says with an asterisk because the promises are dependent on "balancing the budget in the first six months based on Stephen Harper's numbers."

He keeps shouting ASTERISK! ASTERISK! over Ryan.

Seamus... responding to a question about Syrian refugees: "I remember at St. Bon's, suddenly we had Vietnamese students." Cracks a joke about Protestants around being "diversity". #SuddenlyVietnamese needs to become a thing here. Fingers crossed.

[Migs]

A message from Hon Jason Kenney.

http://robertlibman.conservateur.ca/en/2...ge-from-minister-jason-kenney/#pq=cfjS1R