Knoss

Alcohol tax should be removed as evidence has shown health benefits to consuming one or two drinks daily: responsible drinking should be encouraged.

I never thought of that, but the spike occurs in 2001. Wasn't Alberta in the grips of a big drought then? Oh yeah the drought. Saskatchewan hay growers made a lot of money that year.

I thought this is why we have tobacco tax. introduce two tier healthcare first.

If the spike occurred between 2003 and 2005 it is due to beef subsidisation programs resulting from BSE border closures, ironically beef is under CAIS so any at hawk subsidisation offset stabilisation payments.

I thought Devine was defeated over corruption and incompetence; and I thought that the sealing industry saved Saskatchewan fiscally Are there river seals in the north? lol Corrpution charges arrose after the PC's were out of office.

Interesting to note that Ontario and Alberta have the lowest corporate taxes, with economical and manageable public services and the least amount of subsidies to private business of all the provinces in Canada. In other words, half the problem with the 'poor' Provincial governments is government incompetence in those Provinces with their noted passions for high corporate taxes and public services beyond their own means and high levels of political patronage and subsidies to private business. This fits the maritimes to a 't'. Why should Alberta and Ontario taxpayers be forced to subsidize such ill-governance in a way that penalises themselves? And wiping out provincial debts is the worst possible policy proscription since it creates a 'moral hazard' of govenment's getting out of responsibility for their own acts. They will then have every incentive to load up on debt and try to spend their way out of their problems with other poeple's money - again. I'm sure the Maritime provinces would love it. Look at Saskatchewan, we had not a surplus since the CCF came to power, but then the PC's come to power and first off, reorganise our debt so that it is apperent then looked for solutions. The biggest thing was lowering resoouce revenue and corperate tax in favour of consumption taxes, aslo selling off crown corperations to reduce losses. Two reasons Saskatchewan has a surplus are oil, which came inot being after Devine, and PST, wich the PC's were defeated over but the NDP introduced (breaking a major campagin promise).

A truly effective Senate, both equal and elected is preferable to abolishment. Equal? Do you really think that the chameleon-like Harper, who supported an "equal" Senate as a Reform MP and Leader of the Canadian Alliance, would now dare propose that PEI should have as many Senators as Quebec? Do you really think that the hypocrite who promised Quebec more than an additional four billion dollars next year, ensuring that the BQ supported the 2007 federal budget and allowing Charest to deliver a tax cut to Quebecers at the expense of the rest of us, has sufficient gonads to deliver additional Senate seats to British Columbia and Alberta at the cost of Quebec Senate seats? Do you really think that the man who said "As a religion, bilingualism is the god that failed" maintains the same principles as the man who appointed his former campaign manager and Quebec Conservative party fundraiser to the unelected Senate? Of course then he wouldn't have to appease the BQ as the senate would turn over any non -confedence motion.

True charter schools do follow a lot of the curriculum, all of the neccesary curriculum. A voucher system could include puiblic schools whch are designed so that they charge one voucher both governemtne run and charter. Charter schools could work in other areas such as local schools which would simply be one room where students study via satalie and internet classes.

School vouchers are scholarships given to parents in place of funding to public schools. Parents can use these vouchers to buy public school education or private school education. Multiculturalism benefit as parents may ensure children are educated in the language of there choice and be involved with religious involvement in education as they would not offend the faith of their neighbour. Market Education and the Public Good Even with secular education parents would have control over the school their child attends as they receive funding. Schools can be run by corporations, cooperatives or the government as a department or crown corporation. School vouchers in Sweden Alberta implemented a charter school system by which public schools can be started at the grass roots. Charter schools are secular schools funded by the government but they are not part of school boards. Since they are not part of school board they can have a unique curriculum, and must compete to receive parents. Since they are government funded the government maintains quality standards. Governemtn of Alberta -- School Choice Governors General Award Winning Documentary Charter Schools : Alberta's Best Kept Secret In this system religious schools are not funded by government but all secular schools are. This could be combined with vouchers by allowing all public schools run by government, co-operatives or corporations, but excluding religious schools.

Not sure about judges but Iwould like to see the GG as head of state elected every 4 or 5 years.

This is the stronger one, if the CPC can get a reform bill passed as a minority it will increase their chances of forming a majority. If a senator retires the government should refuse appointment and call for a bi-election, of corse by doing so they are taking the of not getting a torry in that seat.

I'm glad you are satisfied with it. How about Harper ask the premiers now what they think about it? Is he is going to force elections on a province that would rather have the the upper house shut down? As i understand all of the provinces are open to Senate reform even if some would prefer abolishment of the upper house. I thinkt the government is limited being in a minority and this will be a small step.

With increased school closures the greater burden of mill rates it appears that our current education system is in need of an overhaul. Here is what I propose. 1. One school board funded by PST responsible for licensing teachers and schools 2. Do not require licenses for supervision of students who are taught via distance education. 3. Eliminate school and health portion of land taxes 4. Privatize urban schools, create a crown corporation to manage rural schools 5. Issuing of education vouchers to all students except Status Indians living on reserve This model I believe would give choice to urban school residents would allow rural parents to choose between local schools with combined classes even one room schools, as well as other school models such as boarding schools. In areas where rural schools are impractical parents and community players can create co-operative schools or schools can be run by local companies such as mines. By having rural public schools run by a crown corporation private persons and corporations are able to invest in schools. Although reserve schools are funded by the federal government reserves would have the option to purchase vouchers and aborigenal schools would be allowed to accept vouchers to educate non-aborigenal children.

While some licensing could be made federal, such as making it easier to packing plants to get a federal license to sell meat to hospitals or for export, primarily we need provincial action. Not just inter-provincial agreements but also cut to license requirements and yes to eliminate licenses for many trades.

I think the big problem is provincial licenses which are not just a problem for immigrants as well as Canadians moving from province to province. For some trades I think the license requirement should be eliminated and for many other requirements for education should be reduced, we also need to do more to ensure licenses are transferable between provinces and even between nations.