madmax

How much are Alberta and Ontario getting to fight climate change? Since these provinces are the larger contributors to GHG I would expect to see them get alot more. Anyone know if Alb is getting anything?

Single employable person: N.B. - $3,427 /year If this isn't enough incentive to get a job in New Brunswick or rush off maybe hitchhike to Alberta, I don't know what is.

Well, I don't know what to say to you. I put my Ex through both University (Waterloo) and Law School at Windsor in Ontario. A lower grade University compared to others for law. Tuition was similar and Similar Pay at McCarthy Tetrault, or Tetrault and Tetrault today. But once she was accepted into Harvard, yes the cost was significant, the Pay increase was substantial. And she laughed at the quality of education, she claims to have not had to work nearly as hard. Just going to Harvards was all that was required. So "quality Education" is not an absolute in determining pay. You put too much trust in Merit and Markets, and these values are hampered by Human Kind, including networking, ass kissing, nepotism, and partnerships based upon income over talent. Your skills will get you so far, the rest is about running with the right pack when dealing with Post Secondary education and how much it will affect your income. There are many that believe that only those whom can afford to pay should be allowed a post secondary education. That the Government should have no bearing in it, even to the point of subsidizing the tuition fees as they do today, on top of the loans. Is it time Government gets out of the education business?

I call it Ideological Incompetence. A "belief" system vs a system of government. However, the problems faced by the government where not the fault of the Conservatives. They faced high deficits, and could have got these under better controls with continued fiscal management, vs the selling of all assests as the solution to government. The Liberals Federally, where not favourable towards Ontario, during either the Rae or Harris Government. The Fiscal Imbalance was very detrimental towards Ontario during this period, and Harris didn't have much to work with with regards to declining federal transfers. Well have to wait and see. He doesn't appear anything like Harper or Harris, or Manning for that matter. He does appear to be a Red Tory, and we have to find out if there is any room in Politics for Red Tories any more. Waiting for McGuinty to do something is getting tiresome. I think he is far to cushy as a Premier and perhaps it is time for him to work for a living, instead of just giving himself and others a big fat raise. This might be John Tories first mistake, but he is not government and it will be minor in the scheme. But with Job Loss becoming common, downward pressures on Wages, Benefits and Pensions for the Private Sector, I can't see this raise as creating any goodwill amongst the voters.

You are a decided voter. You haven't even suggested you might wait until the Conservatives release a platform, only that Tory hasn't announced anything. What is more troubling to me is that the Liberals have been in power for 4 years, and they haven't announced anything. The NDP may be irrellavent in your eyes, but they have taken seats held by Liberals whom have held 50 and 60% majorities in the riding and taken these ridings completely for granted. This would be like the Liberals stealing seats in Alberta in a riding in which the Conservatives have a 61% vote count over the opposition. I didn't see the Liberals Steal Burlington, or the Conservatives steal Markham, but the NDP have taken 4 seats in succession. If Liberal Strategists hold the same beliefs as you, then they may not be sitting with a Majority come October. As for John Tory, I think his time to announce their platform will come.

Good thing I didn't bet on it.

Hmm, Ever heard of Sir John A MacDonald and the National Policy? We have done just that in the past but Tariff Walls to create an internal market for domestic Products were eliminated in the Late 80s and early 90s with the FTA and then the globalized market has made it more attractive to invest in India and China. Banks do this as well with your accounts. (feel comfortable). But even with Free Trade and Fair competition (which just doesn't exist), Manufacturing is affected by Higher Hydro Rates/natural gas increases.In the 90s we had an excess of Hydro in Ontario. Hydro was affordable, and the costs were steady, which is what is required in the heavy consumption industries. The Dollar can cause tremendous pressures on profits. A small rise in the dollar and a re evalution by the purchaser can erase profits overnight and cause a deficit in operations. Diefenbaker once tied the dollar to the US dollar. It is our largest, and only significant trading partner. With the US dollar TANKING, ours is artificially higher then the market should dictate, regardless of the prosperity in Alberta/Sask oil sectors. China has an artificially low yuan which is fixed, and they will not float it. The US circles the wagons, once they realized they are getting hammered in trade, some governments more then others. I recall Ronald Reagan tariffing everything in Sight, to beat back the Japanese imports. Motorcycles where priced excessively high from Japan, and Harley Davidson rose from the Ashes of imcompetence, to become a force in the industry again. We used to have a Auto Pact with "Canadian Content" written into the agreement. Today with NAFTA that was watered down to "North American" content which included Mexico. I do not see an immediate solution on the horizon, while I agree with you on many points, the difference today is the scope and movement in the Global Economy. Ideas that worked in the past, are less likely when the economy is so open to foreign elements and investments. I do know that there is a problem, when Factories are taking the profits along with the intellectual property and investing this money and knowledge in China, to export the same goods here. These are North American Companies, using Capital as it is to be used. To take the money and invest it in the area of the best return. As a Nation or a worker whom is limited in movement in the global economy, it kinda sucks. So, when are you running for Election?

Higher wages allow people to buy more goods made in China. They drive the cost of Canadian produced goods and services up so that they are more expensive for anyone who doesn't benefit from the increased wage. Someone always pays and someone always benefits but it isn't always those who were intended to. Are you suggesting that a lower minimum wage would decrease imports from China? Are you suggesting that All Canadians start taking immediate wage decreases to compete against China? Clearly those people whom hire Minimum Wage Workers, would be one of the largest purchasers of consumer goods made in China because they have a Larger disposable income. I don't see any factors mentioned, that state that Canada is on a level playing field with China. I don't believe that driving others into poverty is a successful way to compete against imported goods. I don't believe the $10 is going to do anything with regards to creating a market shift towards imported goods. Do the math in various manufacturing and you might discover that Labour Costs could be erradicated to Zero in Ontario and the cost of doing business is still significantly higher then doing the same business in China and shipping it over. There are people whom run CNC machines here for $10. The finished goods from China cost less then the raw materials either purchased or imported. That is very difficult to compete against. OF course there are people whom operate CNC for significantly more money was well, and what may make the difference in their employment is the need for the product and delivery time frames. "Just in Time" has that effect. But Whether they are working for $8 $10 or $24, it isn't going to make a hill of beans difference to imported goods from China. If people need $10 an hour to live, then the minimum wage should be addressed. If we are going to create a national plan to compete in the global market, I am all ears. Otherwise, open up the warehouses and pay the people in them until that occurs.

Yes I do. While I like to speak freely with my own thoughts, I seek alot of information, to form these opinions. I wouldn't engage in such a complex discussion without some thorough background. I am pleased to hear you do the same.

Wow, things must be tough where you live. All the video stores used to be small ma and pa operations that where crushed by major chains, over a decade ago. I have 3 Libraries within spitting distance, offering all of the items you disdain they have. All around these libraries are very successful Used Book Stores and Pawn Shops offering more DVDs then you can catalog. I don't see any leaving, infact I see more growing. With regards to Tuition Fees. I returned to University in the Mid 90s. The Progressive Conservative Youth, made a very effective counter argument against Lower Tuition fees. They campaigned to have them raised, to provide better education. They were very vocal and very effective. And Tuitions soon started to float significantly higher then when I finally finished in 1996. So what's the problem, do they need to go higher?

Your sounding like a Euro Socialist Again! Here are some countries without minimum wage. So here are the other countries that have engaged in the "terrible" Choice. So here are some alternatives to minimum wage for 90% of the countries in the world. I tend to fall into this category Or I am for a minimum wage based on collective bargaining, not legislation. But until these style of changes are enacted, people can question the value of the minimum wage, but this is the system we have. And it is not out of line to debate an increase in the minimum wage and it's effects in the workplace and the marketplace. Here is a good article on a strong market place competitor. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/...ent_5723532.htm Perhaps $600 dollars a year in China goes alot further than $400 and less in Toronto a week. Can we afford to remove the minimum wage? Would this create more jobs, and drive up competition? I am not convinced, and no other Western Countrie has done so without a counterbalance in negotiating the price of labour. Would lowering the Minimum Wage in Nunavent from $8.75 create more jobs to that with Ontarios $8.00 create more jobs?

Yup, they could earn 5cents or 15 cents more. Even those working at 8.75cents or 9.15cents wouldn't benefit from a $10 minimum wage. Really? Ozzie and Harriet 2007 You accept that Large Business "could" take on the added costs. What is a "Large Business" ? Smaller Business are not in the market to compete with wages of large competitors. They provide better quality and service to attract business from the Home Depots and Wallmarts. Thus there prices are nominally higher. Like any other minimum wage hike, it is much ado about nothing. There are lots of other factors that are going to crush business. Seeing Hydro Costs in manufacturing double and triple in 5 years has done more to harm large enterprises then a hike in minimum wage. So if 200,000 jobs are affected by this action, why is there no one screaming bloody murder about the loss of high paying jobs. This also has detrimental effect on the economy. Small Business have always screamed at the cost of doing business, particularly with minimum wage. Then they raise their prices and life goes on. Their are other ways the government can address the costs to small business. Ways to make small business more attractive. Government has rarely been in tune with the needs of small business. Minimum wage is just one factor. It is not the deathnell. Nor will it be. The business will survive on its merits as an enterprise, not on whether pay is adjusted to afford an individual a living wage.

John Tory claims himself to be a Red Tory. He has distanced himself from the Harris Conservatives. The Liberals policies today are more in line with the Harris Policies, only without followup and indecisive. I am having a hard time, listing the Liberal Accomplishments in 4 years? I believe they are going to trot out a few fixes around the Province prior to the election. John Tory has been out there shopping the vision. Back in the day, the Progressive Conservatives were more moderate then there Liberal Counter Parts.

Howard Hampton has toughed out some pretty tough years, and poor election results. I am not certain that the Progressive Conservatives looked pathetic. I believe they showed their strength in Burlington. When Election time comes around, will see how many of these seats the NDP can retain. How secure are the 4 of the 7 bi election seats the NDP have won?

The NDP had won 3 bi elections in a row, then took 1 of the current 3 bi elections in a riding the liberals have technically held for 20 years. That is 4 of 7 Bi Elections in which the NDP had held only one of those seats going in...Marylin Churleys riding. The Conservatives held there stronghold in Burlington, with a strong Liberal Challenge, and no NDP challenge. In Markham I thought the PCs should have been able to take a riding away from the Liberals. But it remained in Liberal Hands. The the working class ridings are in play for the NDP. However, by years end, as the aloofness of the Liberal Industrial policy comes to fruition, and even more job losses and industrial relocation occurrs, you will see a split (IMHO) to both the left and the right. John Tory and Howard Hampton are both campaigning on Industrial Job Loss. But right now, the only party that has made Gains in Bi Elections has been the NDP. The election will be a new kettle of fish.

I disagree with this comment. I have this documentary in my personal library. Dostum is a war criminal. Nothing new there. Also the Taliban used such barbaric practices.

Solution: Reduce GHG=Stone Age Failure to Reduce GHG= Waterworld Hmm.... Sounds like the Green Party again. Policies are great, unless your people. Well, if you are truly worried about "how" to operate in Stone Age conditions, the Taliban created such an environment and they are "Right Wing, Social Conservative extremists". But I don't think they were motivated by the Environment in the sense of GHG, just the Environment given to them by GOD. Just threw in some Radical talk because you have allied the Environmental movement with the Khmer Rouge. Not a bad comparision, although like the Taliban, their motives weren't for the benefit of the environment, it just happened to be a by product of their radical beliefs. Back to the West......

And the magic answer comes from whom? The current government. I think it is obvious to anyone that Canada won't meet its targets. The answer comes from the CPC and whomever supports their solution, whatever that solution may be. I have wondered why the CPC didn't just KILL KYOTO, since so many people seem opposed to the concept and they had the opportunity to do just that. They could have stepped down at the conference and let others that believe in the treaty continue on. Obviously the CPC didn't reneg on the treaty, so the magic bullet comes from them.

I know where you are coming from. Unfortunately there are about 6 Global Warming, Kyoto, Kyoto II, Climate Change, and other threads going on it is difficult not to cross over discusions. One part is understanding or accepting the science. Certain Capital Markets want the cash of Kyoto to aid their investment in clean tech, in the cheaper 3rd world, such as China.

I realise the Provinces would be a hard sell, and even with the Public Awareness, the Provinces will address the bread and butter issues first. I see Ontario and Alberta resisting the issue. Particularly with Ontario sinking into the abyss... Jobs will soon move Environment out of the picture Provincially. The way the Environment rushed to #1 and with all parties jumping on the "me too" wagon, the Green Party has lost alot of media exposure as the other 3 rush to the Cameras with the latest photo of a polar bear. I fully expect the CPC to do just as you suggest with the effects you predict. Yup. But it will be done. Usually the NDP gets something through in a Minority Parliment, and then are wiped out. But it gets done and for those whom the issue is a concern, which appears to be alot of people polled today, it is only the result that matters. Imagine if the CPC drops the ball on this? They will lose any momentum they believe they have.

Different governments react differently to issues at hand. Mike Harris fits the mold above. Brian Mulroney Spoke up on Canadas behalf and position to fight acid Rain. Liberal Governments can be just as aloof to the environment. And ofcourse the Federal Provincial split, and what makes the economy roll are all factors in the governments response to the environment.

I agree, only other party hacks get all ticked off over the abuse of the system. Especially when caught. :angry:

I just fell off my chair Unwarranted attacks upon Alberta, and belief that the Liberals were addressing the environment in a pro-active way. I don't have to imagine anything. The Liberals signed and ratified a treaty, and then did very little to meet any prescribed targets. The only target I can see was a chequebook courtesy of the Taxpayers to the third world. And then to suggest that "Right Wingers" make up 35% of the population, because 65% of the population is environmentally concious is ridiculous. Lots of people won't "voluntarily" do things to lower greenhouse gasses. We just get dragged along anyways as the laws are changed. I am not going to implement new Vehicle emission technology voluntarily. I may or may not pay more on my electric bill if I know it is being generated by wind vs coal. But that doesn't determine my views in a right to left political spectrum.

Yup!

What Part of this quote is directed at WDW? I don't need to ask you for $ information. I can read the thread, I can follow what Geoffrey Posted. I think it is pretty clear. Damn Accountants I never could figure them out I suggest you find a little "decorum" in the near future.