scribblet

Extremely predictable, it's started allready... The current system is unsustainable considering the aging population and so on, but I doubt it will be as draconian as the usual culprits are speculating it will be. Certainly I hope it's not as draconian as Paul Martin's proposed Seniors' Benefit which went down in flames to major opposition. I can't imagine that PM Harper would go that far. So far we have no clue as to what wait happen, As far as the age 67 bit, I would expect maybe something similar to the CPP, or some incentives to delay taking the OAS - I'll reserve judgment until we get some facts.

Just read this, sounds like a good start. Our objective should be integration with Canada/Canadians as full and equal citizens, which will forge economic prosperity. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/01/23/reserves-no-longer-bound-by-indian-act-land-rules Two Manitoba reserves will soon begin a process to opt out of the land-related sections of the Indian Act, the federal government announced Monday. Opting out of the 34 sections will give the Long Plain and Buffalo Point reserves more control over their land and resources, the Tory government said in a news release.

Agree it's extortion, but but but... it's their treaty rights doncha know.

He will have one when he leaves office under the same rules as the others. This is nothing new to the conservative gov't you know. I wouldn't be surprised to see some minor tweaking but nothing major, he can't do anything without the committee I mentioned. One thing he should do is change the age they can be received, they should have to wait until they are 65 or the pension is actuarially reduced.

I doubt that you'll see much support from the NDP or the Liberals for major changes to their pensions, some have allready expressed support for the current system. http://www.hilltimes.com/news/2011/06/08/mps%E2%80%99-pension-plan-on-hook-for-$804-million-says-new-report/27884 and http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/985843--defeated-mps-turn-to-gold-plated-pensions Gatens said his organization, which annually lobbies the federal government for more equitable pensions, doesn’t begrudge people a comfortable retirement. Dosanjh said an MP’s pension is “absolutely deserved.” He said it’s one way of keeping the “best and brightest” if they know at the end their career “they are not going to face absolute poverty.” Dosanjh said when he started in B.C. provincial politics in 1991 he was making $250,000 a year as a lawyer. He gave that up to make $61,000 annually. “You don’t go into politics to get rich,” he said. Besides parliament can't do it on their own,the governing body for the House pensions is BOIE which is authorized to make by-laws pertaining to Members’ use of the funds etc. Members are, the Speaker, 2 members of the Privy Council, the Leader of the Opposition, and additional Members appointed in appropriate representative numbers to be equal to all parties. Winnipeg MP Shelly Glover is on the record telling the House Finance committee last October: "Some of us (MPs) actually, when we got elected, tried to waive the federal pension, but we're not allowed to." This is true as Chretien brought in some changes in 2000 requiring MPs to opt in.

or <grin> <wink>

Nathan Cullen wants it, not sure if he still does, Pat Martin supports it too.

Right, it could make a difference in an election, especially if it's out there at election time as being contrary to Layton's ideals. I have to admit I haven't read a lot about what these wannabe leaders would do or promise on the campaign trail. It would be interesting to see a point by point list of what each proposes. I know that at least one of them has the urge to merge with the Libs. Also admit to not being in Canada right now so am unable to watch Canadian news and debates.

Jack Layton wouldn't have liked it. Mr. Layton, in 2006, said he thought it inappropriate that Stéphane Dion hold dual French and Canadian citizenship as leader of the Liberal Party

They had to take 12 unpaid days off in a year and it was a nigthmare to administer as it didn't define a 'day'. We had 7, 7.5, 8 and 10 hour days, some with shift premiums and so on, in the end it was a straight 7 or 8 hours used. I don't have a problem with 3rd party advertising in between elections but IMO during an election they should be limited to the same as the candidates and parties. They are limited during an election, but IMO the laws must not be well defined, re: Avaaz. It's funny though, some people have no problem with foreigners using foreign money to intervene and speak out against a Canadian issue, or the likes of Avaaz as a third party interfering in a Canadian election campaign (John Baird) and our free speech, but when Canadians speak out against a Canadian interest, it's not okay !

I do have a concern about China owning so much but my question is, are they breaking any laws, or do we need to write new legislation limiting foreign ownership more than it is limited now. Legislation was changed to enable the gov't to stop a take over it it was a threat to national security, otherwise I'm not clear on what our foreign ownership rules are, and if they have been broken. So rhetoric and partisanship aside - is this legal and if so can we stop any of it. I do wonder if some of the negativity surrounding this is a lot of hype and rhetoric, if not, then how do we stop it now. I understand China has been buying up land in Africa and other places as they will need more agricultural land in order to feed their own people.

Indeed but I don't get the title, it doesn't fit. I mean heck, the Tories just rained on the left's perfectly good bout of paranoia and hysteria on Friday. LOL

The media should be ashamed of themselves for creating a phony crisis without fact checking - but when did they ever care about facts when it comes to Harper bashing.... At least the star has come out and retracted it's weird story about Putin and Harper playing hockey, another example of shoddy and unethical reporting. http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/01/13/andrew-coyne-on-gay-marriage-shoddy-reporting-and-cheap-politics-create-a-phony-crisis/

Working quickly to fix it No problem for tourists to wed or divorce in Canada... much ado over nothing, just pushing the 'secret agenda' onto gullible as usual.

It is being presented in some areas as a 'rescinding of gay marriage', yet I don't see that. To me it's about divorce and residential requirements only. I would also think that gay foreigners coming here to get married would take the time to research their legal status for both marriage and divorce before entering into it. Obviously though, it's not clear, but this is the perfect opportunity for the conspiracy theorists and the sky is falling crowd to push their 'hidden agenda' narrative and blame it all on Harper.

I don't see why we should change our divorce laws or residency requirements for foreigners. The only legitimate point IMO is that it would be nice if they were told about residency requirements re divorce ahead of their marriage. This will be turned into an anti Harper thread and gay marriage thread no doubt I also notice that this was a provincial issue the the province kicked it up to the feds

I suppose malicious comments would beat wishing them well.

I'm not clear on that either, I think you are correct, the tax breaks were for all companies, how would the gov't know to exempt Greenbriar (Electro-Motive) would sell to Caterpillar. While I agree that the gov't can't step in here, a 50% reduction in compensation is too much to ask, but I doubt that Caterpillar cares, my guess is they are moving anyway. Maybe the strike will provide the momentum to pack it up more quickly.

Maybe we should revisit Trudeau's words Why should we continue with race based preferential treatment. http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Trudeau+words+about+aboriginals+resonate/5938345/story.html

Toto - I'm not in Kansas anymore Who pay you anyway LOL

While I don't like the idea of another gov't office even though the budget is pretty small, this office is not about domestic freedoms, it's about promoting religious tolerance in other countries, why don't people understand that. I would think achieved by promoting Canadian values and freedoms through votes and actions via the U.N. and other arenas. There is no talk of promoting war etc. that's just hysterical hyperbole.

I think that's part of it, but according to this story, it may not have been Rob Ford who was doing the drinking, and as usual there are always 3 sides to every story, maybe it's not Ford who's the alcoholic.. . The Sun has it right about this being a vicious smear campaign and that Blair needs to investigate the source of these leaks, then fire the butts. http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/30/ford-says-911-caller-had-story-wrong http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1109136--mayor-s-christmas-domestic-dispute-blown-out-of-proportion-says-doug-ford . The only other domestic incident publicly reported occurred in March 2008, when Ford was a councillor. At the time, Ford was charged with assault and uttering a death threat. Those charges were dropped two months later because of inconsistencies in Renata’s story. and as the article says: At the time authorities felt it best the children remain the custody of the father as well

Sure sounds like you are promoting and condoning physical violence and murder !!!

When the company received the tax breaks it wasn't owned by Caterpillar, it was owned by Greenbriar Investments, who bought it from GM. If there was anything untoward with the sale and tax breaks, the time to look into that would've been at that time,I don't recall reading anything about it being a problem then. I don't recall the union complaining about the boost to the company either. So how is it Harper's fault that Greenbriar sold? I don't condone Caterpillar's too low wage offer, but can the Federal gov't stop Caterpillar legally and should they?

Kudos to Kenney !!!