sideshow

That may be true-as is the fact that the per capita income has risen, per capita wealth has risen, etc. But what the statistics dont lay out is that these are not REAL terms. There is more wealth-pooled at the top of the economic food chain. In terms of REAL figures, the average Canadian is not making gains that they could/should what with the increases in technology (read greater efficiency to manufacture, transport, etc). Technological increases should mean that society works LESS, and receives MORE. Yet we seem to be travelling back to the future. As people slowly made gains in Canada, they worked less and less for more and more-until the elite pushed back, the people became complacent with their new found wealth, and now the trend is to work more for less. I do agree that education is important-be it formal, on the job, or personal. No argument there whatsoever. In fact in real terms, EVERYONE should be educating themselves in some form or another. And people should be compensated for the relative educational status of their employment (or for that matter the danger, or whatever). But education should not be the end all be all. And there are a lot of highly educated people in low paid jobs. And the 25-35 buck an hour jobs remain unfilled. So i say bring in the people that want them.

If "thousands upon thousands of unspoiled young people" are thinking they can live the dream working McDonalds or picking fruit they truly are living in a dream world, and its time to burst their bubble. Unless people get the education and skills to differentiate themselves from an uneducated, unskilled worker, they will deserve the wage rates of the uneducated and unskilled (read poverty rates). The days of being able to get a great job, afford a house and one spouse at home, all with barely a high-school education are long gone. Everyone needs to get used to it. I was speaking tongue in cheek of course. But we must ask ourselves, WHY are the days of one income, moderate education, and well paying jobs gone? The power of unions has diminished. This has directly affected the standard of living of the "average" worker in Canada. Free Trade has increased. With the change from GATTS to FTA, NAFTA, FTAA, etc. the flow of work without respect to national boundries and citizens of individual countries has increased. This system is fantastically successfull-for corporations. They can farm the work to the cheapest labour, countries with the least environmental restrictions, and lowest taxes. This has cost us jobs. Well paying jobs. Unemployment may be lower, but mcjobs just dont buy new ford explorers. The list goes on and on, but you get the point.

Thats a good point. So here is the question (s). If Alberta is the Mecca of Happiness in Canada (and as some have alluded to, the world), and if hard work is rewarded with proper financial compensation in Ralphtown, why are employers needing to look overseas? With 25-35 dollar an hour jobs (roughly 60k per year-above national average-about an autoworker in Ontario equivalent-wages), why are people not snapping these jobs up? Is McDonalds so appealing? Immigrants are win win in this kind of situation (as they are in the low wage industries). Employers get the workers they need. Immigrants have an opportunity (in most cases) to have a better employment situation than in their native countries. And we all get to whine about how they are "stealing" our jobs (we all remember, the jobs employers cant find enough workers to fill-including the high paying ones).

Did you know that the Criminal Code of Canada makes it completely legal for a 14 year old to have a sexual relationship with a 50 year old (as long as the 50 year old is not in a position of trust over the 14 year old)? Gotta love them "Canadian" values. I would never presume to impose my values upon others. And I would never be so arrogant to think my beliefs are the right ones, the only ones, the most positive ones, etc. I think that allowing people to be "multi cultural" allows freedom of expression-which I believe forms part of the "Canadian" constitution, does it not?

No because of privacy issues. Othewise Yes. I am proud of my beliefs.

The Alberta government has obviously done some things that are good for the citizens of that province. But there are other factors that make Alberta attractive and/or prosperous. Alberta, compared to the other prairie provinces does not have quite so severe of winter weather. Alberta has beautiful landscape and natural attractions. Skiing is fantastic. Parks are beautiful. And for a non environmental friendly province, it does have some beautiful wildlife and a very clean countryside. Alberta does not have to contend (to as great a degree) with social issues such as the aboriginal problems of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, or the immigration problems that plague B.C. and Ontario. I think that if Alberta used some of its wealth to be more socially responsible, even if it was just within its own borders, it could stand up and be counted as one of the best places to live in the world. But with the absence of a social conscience, unfortunately, he moral highground is lost..

I dont think we should have such a program. These people will think they can just come to Canada, work for less than minimum (read poverty) wage, have no rights, and just drive any taxi, work at any 7-11, McDonalds or temporary agency that they please. Its everybodys dream, so why should they take it from our own citizens. And with our thousands upon thousands of unspoiled young people dying to have these professions as their chosen occupation, and what with unemployment at the rate that it is, this would be highly unacceptable.

Oh of course. And this is why Alberta "changes" its surplus estimates so eratically. much like saudi princes that state that their wealth has nothing to do with the price of oil. Manitoba had the same problem when wheat was the product of wealth. Ontario had the auto sector. Please try to follow along my apprentice. Oil=money. If you have it, you create wealth. If you dont, well, you may still appease Michelin when the fish are all gone. I do not reside in Ontario, nor Alberta. Ive lived and worked all over the Country young grasshopper. My opinions come from neither the Toronto Star nor the Edmonton Journal. And Fox doesnt grace my tv screen.

And a buck a litre isnt helping King Ralph write $400.00 cheques.

I would hate to wake up and have everyone the same as me. Imagine eating nothing but lobster every day. It sounds great at first, but you will want steak soon enough.

maybe ralphie can pay a private health practitioner to heal his wounds.

Me Economic Left/Right: -7.75 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.87

quebec city, 2001

This is where the youth vote lies. As you can see, a very different Canada. http://www.studentvote.ca/federal/index.php

I dont think that CPP is meant to be a full retirement plan. I would think that it is meant to be a part of the persons retirement plan. If you add a company pension, cpp, and then your personal RRSP contributions to make your overall retirement investment, this should suffice. The 5% that you lose off of your paycheck is really peanuts-you should contribute twice that to your savings anyways. From what i understand, the CPP is solvent and is funded at a rate of 5 years in advance-meaning that if contributions were to cease today, then payments would be made for the next 5 years without worry. The old method was a 2 year buffer. I would think if anything happens (recession, etc.), this 5 year buffer would provide ample buffer to make adjustments to the plan. The real adversion to the plan, is the forced group approach-taking away the individuals right to investment, and forcing employers to pay their portion. But death and taxes my friends.

Oops, I thought this was about the Communist Party of Canada.