Bryan

It absolutely is. Have you ever been to Cuba? Talked to Cubans living on the island? Leaving Cuba (and returning) is surprisingly common. I have several Cuban friends who have been travelling back and forth between Cuba and Canada to visit family for many years. I also know a couple who have residences in both countries and split the year between each. My parents hosted a Cuban family in their home for several months, then went back to Cuba with them, and stayed at their house in Cuba for several months. Getting permission for doing all that was not difficult at all from the Cuban side, it was Canada that threw up all manner of hoops to jump through. Many Cubans travel overseas for education and employment purposes as well. And none of that includes the really big one: marry a foreigner, and both of them now get virtually automatic passage between Cuba and the spouse's home country.

Historically, continuously, and currently, governments in this country have given billions upon billions of dollars more than was ever agreed to.

They are, exponentially so.

That isn't true. It's always been possible to leave, it's just been difficult to get through the red tape. For several years now, that process has been simplified. The real sticking point now is other countries' willingness to grant them a visa. If they have that, it's no more difficult than it is for us to leave Canada.

It seems that would be the obvious scenario, but Cuba already has a better standard of living than most of the countries in that region that the US does trade with. Overall, things were far worse for the average Cuban when the US was running the place.

They're usually a cluster-F that doesn't even come close to resembling a debate. Too many people involved just makes it a circus. Even three is pushing it if you want a real debate. I think anyone who is serious about including more voices needs to first come up with a way to make that work without everything breaking down. I'm not saying it can't be done, only that it doesn't work within the formats that we've seen so far. Also, I think Rex is right. Trudeau wants May in there for one reason only: to protect him from Mulcair.

I said none of those things, and I not once made any excuse for the perpetrator. His responsibility for his actions remains, and I did not imply otherwise in any way.

No. He ordered that the senators expenses be made public, and that inappropriate expenses be repaid, even if they were technically legal. He made a stand that puts him on much higher ethical ground than any previous PM.

No matter how this goes, it still looks good on this government: they were the ones who forced the senators to make their spending claims public, they are the ones who made people pay their over-billing back, they are the ones who are trying to fix this systemic problem.

Which is exactly what I've been saying in this thread the whole time: Feelings and perceptions are not reality. You do not become something that you are not just because you feel like it.

See, you're still doing it.

As usual, you're the only one here who is not having an honest discussion.

I already addressed that earlier in tis thread. You know, the one that prompted you to launch into ridiculous hyperbole, and give another glaring example of your inability to have a rational discussion about just about any topic.

Or, don't fight the police in the first place.

That practice only exists because governments are already bending over backwards to accommodate, doing far more than is required. That good will only goes so far if indigenous group keep saying that is not enough.

Mr. Bellegarde doesn't seem to understand that no partnership is required. Courts have ruled that governments have a duty to consult, not a duty to get an agreement.

The cop getting fired won't bring him back. He's still dead. Being right is not relevant if you're dead. Don't fight or run from the police.

Lucky, and only looking at the low end, where a $200 difference is still 30%. I never check Westjet anymore -- they don't fly anywhere I usually to go.

Right now? Maybe Mexico discounts more heavily in the off season. If you compare hotels with similar amenities and available attractions during the peak season, Mexico is a lot more. A LOT more. Every winter I try to book a trip to the eastern coast of Mexico to see the ruins. Every year I end up going back to Cuba because the total bill is $2000-3000 less. Looking at Jan/Feb prices that are already posted, my regular places in Cuba are coming in at almost $1000 less per person compared to similarly appointed and reviewed places in eastern Mexico.

If $500-$1000 per person isn't a lot to you SmallC, I guess all I can say is congratulations on your business doing so well!

They can "feel" whatever they want, that doesn't make it true.

You're the one who thinks that musical tastes are relevant to the discussion. If anyone is racist here, it's you.

For your analogy to work, that black person would have to insist that he's really caucasian, because he just "feels white". I "feel" a lot younger than my actual age, can I change the date on my birth certificate?

No. You worrying about "perception" is the problem. What you perceive is irrelevant. Stick with facts instead of feelings, and maybe you won't get so confused.

Only if the individual is mentally ill.