madmax

School Boards trustees in Ontairo have NO input. They are a waste of time and money. A group of people elected to chickennod to government decisions. To pretend to be part of a process. Ontario Schools have been destroyed since the Mike Harris era. They have never found their way back to teaching. The input comes from higher ups, how decide that computers skills are more important then being able to spell or write. Cursive in newspeak. Kids are quick learners, pick up the technological gadgets faster then most adults. I have yet to find the "Principals' that Wild BIll speaks of where they don't know how to use a computer. I find that very very hard to believe. So little is not done without the computer in a school system. Schools believe that every student has a computer at home and internet. I find these assumptions disgusting and arrogant. It would be great if it were true. I have seen kids crying because a hand coloured document should have been done with a colour printer. The project was completed and the child had no access outside of school for such technology, let alone afford colour ink cartridges. What the hell is our education system thinking. Certainly not about the life situation of every student. Harris created a bunch of baby sitters instead of teachers, and McGuinty has given them the bottle. However, teaching "technology" is the least of our problems. Students coming in with Cell phones and text messaging throughout class is problematic. Yes, Technology brings many new problems. Today in Technology classes, Teachers cannot remove the cell phone from the students possession. They can ask them to turn it off. Isn't that nice. The Rules don't come from the Unions, they come top down from the Provincial Government. They need to come bottom up with parental input. Ain't gonna happen. The facilities in shools today are alot better then in my era. And When Wild Bill went to school, indoor toilets didn't exist yet. He was tipping outhouses

http://media.thestar.topscms.com/acrobat/6...25785f6f3bf.pdf Full Transcripts of the Star interview. I don't like her comments.

This has nothing to do with the Tories. The Tories are not responsible for the treatment these foreign nannies received. These Tories are not responsible for the underpayment handed off at a MacDonalds Restaraunt to one of the nannies. These Tories are not responsible for the Ontario Governments Failure to investigate. The Ontario Liberals had just run a forum on the abuses of nannies, immigrant workers and the Agencie employment system. The Ontario Liberal Minister dropped the ball. Do NOT blame the Tories for the actions of a LIBERAL MP and the failure to act of the Ontario Liberal MPP. The LPC and Dhalla are trying to put up a smoke and mirrors defence of a political order. There interest is in her holding her seat. Nothing more nothing less. The fact that Ignatieff has already discounted the nannies is disgraceful. The CPC are as involved in the actions of Dhalla, like the LPC were involved in that incompetence of Bernier and security documents and a nightcap.

The CPC are going to the well once to often. This is both a dumb idea, and too late. The CPC missed their chance to define Ignatieff because they were too busy proroguing parliment and lining up Patronage appointments to the Senate, while the LPC were dumping Dion. People are going to have to choose between Harper Blue and Harper Red, or Ignatieff Blue and Ignatieff Red, as there is little difference between the two leaders in policy. Harper isn't all that likeable. Ignatieff is an aloof professor.

So, just how "Right Wing" is Maple Leaf Web posters??? Or did many of the pundits put excessive beliefs on the "Left" Coast. The Campbell Government is the most Right Wing Government today in Canada, and it just received its 3rd Majority. MLW pundits were split, but BC voters where decisive. As for STV, I am totally shocked by the drop in support. 40%..... Perhaps this is due to a poor STV campaign, or perhaps people took a better look this time around at how it works. I do know that many of the rabid STV posters turned me off of STV, but even still, I did give it a nod over FPTP, although I never expected it to receive 60% support either here on MLW or in BC. I'd say STV is dead dead dead in BC. Once Again MLW was split on the issue and BC voters were more supportive of FPTP. Also in BC a number of voters went in and strictly supported STV but didn't vote for "ANY" candidate or party. At least they got halfway there, voting is a good thing, but I would suspect to hear some disbelief that Campbell got another Majority for those same people. The media came in hard and strong for the BC government on the final days, "that left wing media" All in all, a good wrap up. Kimmy gets the award (I CHOSE ) for best post in the thread. (Anyone surprised by that?) Because, I also get confused about BC politics. Loser of the election. It has to be Sterk and the Green Party. After hearing her speak, I would call her a "Bitter Green". High Hopes, but they stunk. She is probably going to get a job with the Campbell Liberals. 8% of the vote is HALF of what they were polling. Obviously many disgruntled Liberals were parking their votes with the Greens until it came time to mark the ballot. No seats, and really, a totally disgraceful performance when there are only 2 other parties to deal with. I figured they would be hurt by the economy, and the same for STV. If things are good, then people may have more time for other ideas. But this time, people circled the wagons around the current government. I don't think this will be good for BC in the long run, but what do I know

Dhalla won't quit. Nor will she lose her seat over this. I read the transcripts offered up by the Star. She is evasive. I don't believe a single word out of her mouth. It doesn't add up. I think that it is the Nanny's who tried to speak out that are going to pay the price. There is no "conspiracy". For Dhalla supporters to throw this bunk out there just shows how people are willing to defend those who have lost sight of treating people with decency and not use their political power and wealth as a means to exploit immigrant workers. The whole system makes me sick. A Liberal using it to their advantage doesn't surprise me. My question is SHOULD SHE RESIGN??? not will she...

My Prediction Liberal Majority Campbell 46% NDP 35% Green 14% Conservative 5% STV Yes 55% Get your last minute BC MLW STRAW VOTE IN TODAY!!!

One more day to go, and I have this feeling some MLW posters are either A) going out on a limb with and NDP prediction as it stands right now. (Pat yourself on the back if right on this longshot) or Feel some momentum for the Opposition party. Its still early and these figures can change by tommorrow. As for STV, the vote here is closer then I expected but likely it could be a very realistic reflection on the referendum results. Unfortuneately for the referendum, close won't be good enough. It requires a decisive victory to become law.

More people tend to vote for the "party" then the Representative. And quite frankly, IIRC the Ontario Ballots don't list the party and the Federal ones do. I prefer that they are listed. Particularly when you have two John Smiths.

Globe and Mail - ‎8 hours ago‎ OTTAWA and TORONTO -- The bleeding in Canada's job market has stopped, at least for now. Employment in April managed to grow by 35900 positions, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...PStory/Business 37,000 Self Employment .... These new figures are people that are making a go of it on their own. It is not a recovery driven by the corporate or banking sectors. Of these 37,000 , those that make it, are going to be the "Smart" business people. Self Employment is a tough go, and this figure would suggest that this is 37,000 new independent businesses of which the success rate in the first year is not that secure. And should they fail, there will be no EI for them. This is no different then in other recessions, many people go into self employment until things get better. Ironically many of my aquaintances had been heading west, yet one of my friends was lured to Quebec, and they are calling up for more Skilled Ontario Employees. The problem is that people are not uncomfortable to move to the west if they can do so, but there is always a hesitancy to move to Quebec. Guess I got ahead of the article

You had to dig back two years and go into the banking empires to find something.... Perhaps you miss the point. Our banks are the most protected industry in Canada. There isn't ANY sector more protected then our banking industry. It is why we have so few banks, so little competition, and why our banking institutions make a fortune. However, they are the same greedy bunch of bastards but are highly regulated here. However, you deregulated, and being the wolves that they are... they jumped in an took. So, How is YOUR banking empire in the US today.... some 2 years later. Pretty SCREWED, I'd say. Lined up on the Corporate Welfare Block. You are hardly making a defence in fact you merely show the rampant greed of unchecked capitalism. However, my one bank, the CIBC, loved to engage in the US and LOST BILLIONS and was corrupt and paid HUGE FINES or BLOOD MONEY not to go to jail with the rest of the Enron Thieves and World Com Thieves etc. Greed And Plundering... is not smart business. Our Banks jumping into the subprime was NOT smart business. Protected Canadian Banks being allowed to buy up US Banks and close them down is not Smart Politics for any government. What the hell are you guys thinking??? If we allowed our 5 banks to be purchased, the way that our Large Corporations and National Resources are purchased, with the same set of rules..... Canada would no longer exist as a country. Not even the Conservatives are that Looney as to allow our banks to be forsale on the Global market. Are your small banks still being purchased and closed??? No wonder your country had an economic banking collapse. It has always been one of the weakest links in the US economy. Our collapse is drivin by your banking collapse and the actions of global corporate pirates along with both incompetent corporate execs with their bellies up to the trough, bloodsucking the life out of companies. The amount of "Smart" business I see has been diminishing for many decades. Mergers and Aquistions may be a way to get rich, but it is not the way to a strong economy. In the meantime, I am waiting for Geoffreys reply. Don't see him around much anymore, but, I enjoy reading his answers and I wasn't going to let him mail this one in.

Whoa, Geoffrey, you usually make alot of sense and a good case. The problems in the US are definitely related to both Living beyond means, Greed, Deregulation and yes outsourcing. Many similar problems in Canada have to do with selling to a country living beyond its means, Greed, and our path to deregulation. Luckily we didn't get that far. It happens all the time. The US gets a neat idea to deregulate something and entire empires collapse. Big Labour??? What country do you live in? Big Labour is more a myth in Canada then a reality. While those in certain Labour groups have received "alot" of attention it just so happens that these are the places that are still around, while many of the NON union places close down quickly and silently. There may be a thread of organized Labour left, but it is not "big". However, Organized Labour is NOT responsible for Job creation or Job Losses. It is perhaps the absolute smallest variable with regards to either outsourcing, rellocation or insolvency. If I didn't see so god damn many places closing, and I only saw union or high wage employment leaving, then I might agree with you. Except that you are wrong. When a Place that pays minimum wage and has 700 employees, and a 100 year old company, decides to cut open the roof of the building and remove all the equipment by Crane to move to Asia, then that is outsourcing. This company has been in the hands of Americans for less then 1 year and the decision has been made. Did it make money? Yes. This would be greed. Job Creation is pretty broad and includes all part time jobs. It isn't happening. But what is happening is where the wages are decent, the Temp Agencies not the Unions are skimming off the top and there take is HUGE. This keeps people poor and unable to pay for items such as insurance, house, Car, or even bus fare. People living beyond there means, is called trying to pay the rent, but can't because there isn't a job to be had and the Rent still has to be paid. People downsizing because there "Means of Employment" has diminished, occurs frequently and in some cases they downsize twice. Today, I was just informed of another OFFICE for a non Automotive related company, closing up its Canadian Branch and moving all office facilities to the US. This company has NO production in Canada and never did. However, its recently been purchased 2 months ago and will close in June of 2010. This closure has nothing to do with these office staff living beyond there means. But if I wanted to be mean and rotten to a White Collar Employees, I might say that. An interesting piece in NewFoundland. Abiti paid more in Bonuses to the CEO of the Bankrupt Company, on a 2 to 1 margin, then what was OWED and Never paid to the workers and salaried staff combined. Greed. And alot of corporate plundering.

I expected her to launch a full out defence. But I am leary of someone who is accused of abuse, suggesting that they want to help those affected by the illegal activity they are accused of. I would not be surprised if there are other factors involved. I would not be surprised to see the accused get off. But this needs to be about doing what is right... and I am troubled by all those who think that the immigrant workers are lying, because likely it has taken this long for their voices to be heard. It isn't like the CPC are responsible for the handling of the file by the Ontario Liberals. The Ontario Liberals dropped the ball on this on their own.

Got my fire extinguisher handy when you need it Heh, heh heh, I smell something ... Is there a kettle around and a pot.... ? I was with you till here. I Think even if it was cultural it was a conscious act. Puts fire extinguisher down.... save it for a rainy day. No Wild Bill, I don't think you will get flamed for those comments....

LOL

That is probably more accurate..

If someone is laid off and looking for work they should be entitled to EI. As it is, EI does not pay enough to live on, particularly if you are working in a minimum wage position and find your self laid off. Unless you think $4.60 cents is an amount that people can live off of? Which is about $730 that is still taxed. What is your solution??? The fact is, I recall being raised in an area of high unemployment during a cyclical downturn and EI was available after 9 weeks. I also recall then, how difficult it was for people to find 9 weeks of employment. Things turned around after a few years, and the 9 weeks became a non issue because people were working again. About 13 years later, the Liberal government changed EI. Today, and each day I go on, friends of mine from across the Province of Ontario are being walked out the door. I know of many office staff today that cannot find work and I know of alot more scheduled to be out of work in 1 years time, and they aren't involved in Auto. I also am very aware of people who held employment for 20 to 25 years until 2007 and then found NEW employment, only to findthemselves out of work once again. I am also aware of people less then 25 hours away from collecting EI and have been since January of this year. It means they have not received any income in 2009. Perhaps you think that is good. As much of the workforce in the past two years is now located through temporary employment agencies, the agencie would prefer not to release any ROC and keep those people poor and dangling on a string when needed, if needed and that could be 13 months before being awarded a temp job maybe longer. What I tend to find is that those people who love to trash the unemployed, and EI bums, are now singing a new tune as they have discovered just how much of EI has been Stolen, and how little they receive and how few qualify.

Well, the MLW straw poll is currently within the margins of error that the major polling companies are producing. B.C. Liberals hold 9-point lead over NDP: poll http://www.cbc.ca/canada/bcvotes2009/story...ustel-poll.html Liberals, NDP in dead heat as James gains momentum with voters http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...PStory/National STV has been neck and neck, and currently it is not enough to break the arbitrary 60% threshold, which may be the case come EDAY. Some polls have support for STV at around 53% however, STV finished at 58% in 2005. Plenty of time left....

Essentially Bill Bennet ran an add that said, vote for me, I am a white guy like you, I pay taxes, and I am not an Indian who doesn't. Essentially the NDP candidate who was unlikely to defeat him is an Aboriginal. Anyways the add is going over like a lead balloon. Good for his base.... but this could turn into a bust.

Those are good articles Scribblett. Who knows, one day you may even find a way to dig up dirt on the Conservatives instead of being an apologist for them. Jump right in when the LPC in trouble....... and they are .... OR certainly Ruby is along with those two MPPs.

Then you haven't spent alot of time dealing with the media. I would also consider you a good Canadian taking everything openly and honestly as reported. In the meantime, the thread is on EI, and I was actually trying to get the thread back on track. People have their own little grudge matches, and turn an issue such as EI and its need to be reformed into a discussion about the CBC. Ignatieff will not call an election on the basis of EI. What is it? 72 Confidence votes in a row? If Ignatieff wanted to do something about EI, he had the opportunity to address it in the Budget. He didn't, because he didn't care then anymore then he does now. He reads polls.

Yeah... it's nothing. All is good in the house of Harper

As a publicly owned institution, a leftist bias would have existed from the start. However this was supported by multiple Liberal and Conservative Governments since the dawn of television and radio. Many Conservatives of that early era believed in public television and radio. I do not see a "leftist" bias at the CBC. I see a "Liberal Bias" that has shifted to alot of government pandering of the current CPC government. More to the point, as governments change so does the direction of the CBC. The CBC is not one to promote "real left wing" issues or causes, let alone Centre Left parties like the NDP that left wingers love to bash as being to "right wing". I am not really a believer in the rightwing leftwing concept, but it is used enough that that is the way we communicate ideology, although at a certain point it seems to reflect a circle. Regardless, the CBC is overtly bias to the Liberals , lukewarm to the CPC and generally hostile to the NDP, which fits in with most media coverage that is private. The CBC was designed to work in remote areas of Canada that the private sector couldn't afford to expand towards. Much like the railways, hydro and many other things that needed to be advanced by the public good over the delays of waiting for a "private sector solution". Television has taken a dramatic change in the past 15 years, and the CBC having burned most of its socialist bridges, actually never having built one, will fall prey to both the LPC and CPC funding cuts. The LPC will bleed the CBC, long and slow while maintaining some sort of "public televison". The CPC is unlikely to cut the CBC dead on any occassion. Besides, as I personally know a ton of actors, directors, writers who cut there teeth at the CBC and that's how they managed to get there skills to turn private television stations into producing good Canadian Shows. Prior to just recently, private television couldn't produce a half decent Canadian show. People like to bash the CBC. I don't. In the meantime, the CBC news loves to take issues such as EI and its problems, problems with EI today that are the direct result of Liberals punishing those who lose their jobs, and only reporting that Ignatieff is going to "fix EI" whereas there has been alot of action from various groups and of course the NDP on this issue. But when Ignatieff says it, the CBC promotes it, and that could become problematic in the future with the broadcaster. And just to add to the debate...... I do believe the working time to collect EI needs to be reduced, as it is becoming very apparent that employees will not be steadily employed in the new Temp agency economy.

I don't expect the Conservatives to be honest or to answer a question without diversion. What this has done is ruined their credibility at a time when they need to deal with a serious matter. Losing her critics role merely means she gets to do less then she already does.