madmax

No, of course not. http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...04-6f470bf7b77e

Hope this helps

Some might call this a U turn by the Federal Conservatives. Some might call this Flaherty covering his butt in his own riding. This could turn into a positive development. However, I am curious about how firm GMs decision to close really is. It usually takes 1 to 2 years to plan a closure. Often this news is not released to the public, or the people inside the plant designated for closure until it is tooo late. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/05/gm-closure.html

OH? is this is handing it over to the RCMP? Because this is how it looks... Mop up operation .... Ouch! I think Bernier could have got out of this mess early on, and the government wouldn't be worse for wear. Everything would be cleaned up in a few months time or less with an RCMP investigation. I prefer that over what will turn out to be a 3 ring circus.

If Julie Appears, then the CPC would have to ask her tough questions which might lead to embarrassing answers. I could see the LPC/BQ asking soft questions which could lead to embarrassing answers. I would not like to be Bernier under any circumstance. I have even read on newpapers blogs that he hired her as a "travelling Companion" to hide the fact that he was gay. News to me, I think this is where peoples imaginations run wild and stories take a life of their own.

Seems he is not the only one questioning Harpers Competence on the file. http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...ca-07a2e628dc38

The irony being that when Nissan realized their 8 Cylinder Titan was not panning out they turned to Chrysler.

Sharks need a thicker skin. Relax. You can add to that the majority of manufacturers who based their profits on the comparative advantage provided by a lower dollar over the last 12 years. That is a product shift, which can be turned into an advantage. In the 70's they went from Large CORDOBAs with fine Corrinthian Leather, to small TC3s, Turismos, Charger 1.7s, Omnis, etc, and these vehicles breathed new life into Chrysler.(What will be in limbo is the location of the production facilities, suppliers and final assemby.) Even the Japanese will have to go back to smaller 4 cylinder trucks. Many places that are/ have closed, have nothing in common with the purchase of an SUV. What does a soup company, a chocolate factory, a beef packaging plant, a box manufacturer, White products, textiles, door manufacturers etc, have in common with consumer demand in North America for an SUV. People haven't stopped purchasing consumer goods in Canada. Job Losses have yet to exceed Job growth. New Housing and Realestate is still strong. That doesn't mean things are all rosey. But these are a few of the indicators that Canada could weather the storm south. On a side note, I don't have a crystal ball either. Time will tell.

I edited out part of my Reform comments because I thought it would confuse things. I am glad you brought it forward. I believe that the Reign of fiscally prudent Liberals occurred because of the Pressure put on by the Reform Party. I believe this (poor budgeting & flip flops)is a Flaherty problem. But I do believe CPC has moved away from its Reform Roots.

Quibbling point, is that most companies in Canada involved in Manufacturing are and were foreign owed from the beginning. Many profitable Canadian owed, or even foreign owed companies are purchased and shut down, with their assests and contracts redistributed around the globe. It is more then just the labour costs, lower energy costs are important. THe rising dollar can quickly eat up any lowered wages, and the same is true with rising energy costs. Agreed.

It is a no brainer that Bernier should appear. If the government does not wish to choose to participate in a circus of their own making, then the investigation should be handed over to the RCMP.

This is about relocating. Many of the suppliers go through boom and bust scenarios frequently. There are many things the federal government could do. From very minute to radical. I will start with the basics. 1) Acknowledge their is a problem.

Yes, isn't it ironic. But most of the Auto Pact was watered down with Free Trade and then the victorious challenge from other foreign firms (toyota) rendered the Auto Pact portion of NAFTA irrellavent.

I can get an Engineer for $300/ Month. I can have CNC done online, programmed offshore or programmed on shore with the goods produced offshore. You may not have a problem with $55/hour, but since time began, the goal of any manufacturing facility is to reduce the skills and wages of the skilled trades where ever possible. I value skilled trades, but like all new technologies, the skilled trades will only be used when their are assemblers and something to assemble. THis goes for all the bean counters, production planners, purchasers and all managerial, secretarial, salaried staff and inside and outsides sales. Most get dumped and look for jobs elsewhere. Skilled trades are necessary, but cost analysis and value added are not in your calculations, just your beliefs of what should be. Skilled trades are still in demand, but their wages are falling and many contractual Mechanical/Millwright firms are losing contracts with the relocation of each facility. Form a moving company, and get those millwrights queued up to do the move in Oshawa. That is good money.

I think we have come full circle. It is known that Organized Crime tries to infiltrate through all channels, including the police. Now seeing Biker and Mafia connections and a questionable "arrangement/business association" between a Cabinet Minister and a "Travelling Companion" with these ties, should make it clear that she needs to be investigated and the Government should reveal what it did and did not know about the "arrangement".

The hairdressors are always in the know. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...PStory/National

You are responding to this post One can always wander back on topic.

Call the RCMP.

Ok. Better I address JDobbin, Bryans, and Wild Bills all at once. Because all of you are correct now that I relook at your comments. Flaherty talks loudly (Thus Blowhard) like a fiscal conservative. It is hard core ideology he speaks. However his actions are questionable, and track record doesn't back the talk. The fiscally poor results are not because he is a closet Liberal (the last Liberals where fiscally Prudent for 13 years), but more because of his competency with the file. I have no problem seeing him replaced with a better qualified candidate. The current government should be hanging their hat on their ability to manage the budget. Tommy Douglas had balanced budgets and budget surpluses...... Must be something in the water out west....

I agree with your statement in it's entirety.

Just ignore this ......

Yes, read the 7th post (AGAIN) right after the posting by Jaysfan.

You would almost believe that only union facilities have been closing in Ontario with outlandish statements such as yours. THe unions have highlighted what non union workers also face. They also highlight issues on behalf of manufacturers who have faced ignorant/apathetic politicians who ignore their concerns in the market. (Toyota, Honda included). I have an office in a building where there are Toyota employees out of work, most likely not to be called back. Toyota makes more then just Autos...... That said, many non union plants in all facits of manufacturing have closed without a wimper or press clipping. Be it wages barely above minimum through to premium wages that would make a family comfortable with one income. I have no idea the future fate of GM in Oshawa other then what has been announced. But they are getting the press that many places wished to have received before there plant closed down. The concerns of manufacturers would be simple to resolve if it was only this simplistic opinion. But it is not that simple, and everyone involved knows this... Which is why we will see more value added closures and the manufacturing based whittled down to under 10% possibly within a few years.

Those are excellent points. I concur.

Toyota has lowcost production facilities offshore of Japan. They have production facilities in North America. They face the same market conditions as the other manufacturers. They are none to pleased with the current market conditions in Ontario and they are very concerned. The worker at Toyota makes an excellent wage, like other workers in Auto in North America. GM particularly is relocating. Plain and simple. Cheap hydro, (Yes China has Coal power plants within Cities), lower costs of supplies and market access.