Ottawa weighs asset sale to avoid deficit

[cybercoma]

A road where people have to pay for its use is bad for the environment?

Meanwhile, the federal government taxes us all to build a Trans Canada Highway that we all can use freely, at any time, without paying a fee.

Free roads through taxation? That's like having free booze through provincial liquor commissions. "Let's tax everyone, use the money to buy booze and then let anyone come and take booze when they want it."

That's what we do with roads. We tax everyone, build them and then let anyone use them for free.

The idea is crazy.

Are you really comparing alcohol consumption to public roadways? Do roadways not benefit everyone, whereas alcohol consumption is a personal, often detrimental, choice? Sure you can argue that the damage to the environment and accidents make roadways detrimental. However, the benefits of publically funded roads outweighs the problems.

The economy would be dramatically affected if all roads were private and required a toll. The cost of living would be dramatically higher for Canadians because their commutes would be much more expensive. They could use public transportation but its cost would be raised to cover the costs of using the roadways. Transportation services would increase in price, which raises the cost of goods for the sellers. As if this cutting into the bottom line of businesses wasn't enough, people would be demanding higher wages to cover the increase price of goods and travel. Speaking of travel, people would stop taking short vacations around their province. This would affect small businesses dependent on casual travelers, such as fruit and vegetable stands.

Taxing everyone and providing alcohol for free is a terrible comparison because that would only lead to an increase in domestic violence, drunk driving and all the other problems associated with drinking. It would provide very little benefit to society. That's just a terrible comparison.

[Mr.Canada]

Nice going. Asset sales when the market is down is not exactly the best time to sell.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...y/politics/home

We don't need government to be business owners. This isn't a communist country where the state controls the assets. I want to see them all sold off and end the private sector bailouts, corporate welfare.

Put very strict controls onto how much can be imported and have the majority of our goods made in Canada. As there would be no other choice. Take care of Canadians first, this would ensure jobs if we had a more nationalist protectionist system like many other countries do.

[guyser]

Put very strict controls onto how much can be imported and have the majority of our goods made in Canada. As there would be no other choice. Take care of Canadians first, this would ensure jobs if we had a more nationalist protectionist system like many other countries do.

Protection = inflation.

That sounds like a union guy talking.

[Mr.Canada]

Protection = inflation.

That sounds like a union guy talking.

Thank you for agreeing with the rest of my post. I'm glad to see we've found some common ground. Welcome to the land of common sense.

[GostHacked]

Hell. we reduced Mulrooney's party to 2 seats for giving us the GST (which got rid of the deficit) and NAFTA, while we give Harper 143 seats for screwing us into deficit with his rash GST 2% cut and his constant abuse of the crown corporations and civil workers.

I never supported the GST cuts. People called me crazy, but since the cut, I have not noticed any significant savings from my spending habits. Lower taxes mean less income for the government. In turn, less money to be handed out for things. And I am sure that most have not even noticed how much they are saving from the GST cut.

[M.Dancer]

I'm not sure they would be any buyers but I can't help wishing they would put Canada Post on the auction block...

Who would buy it? Why? The only rason it exists is rehulation which forbids private enterprise from delivering a letter cheaper than Canada Post....

But in the day of evolving technology, what reason is there for a Government monopoly on a messanger service?

[guyser]

Thank you for agreeing with the rest of my post. I'm glad to see we've found some common ground. Welcome to the land of common sense.

Union guy does not = common sense.

It was a dumb idea , and not surprisingly coming from a guy who is paid from forced dues. Hey, if you want to say "buy Union" so I can get paid, go for it, I wont complain.

At least it would be honest.

[Mr.Canada]

Union guy does not = common sense.

It was a dumb idea , and not surprisingly coming from a guy who is paid from forced dues. Hey, if you want to say "buy Union" so I can get paid, go for it, I wont complain.

At least it would be honest.

We would be all be working. Buying and selling for Canada and Canadian owned industry. That's good, not bad. Kick out the foreign invaders. If Canada needs it, it is Canadians who should be making it. Not some child labor factory in China. Let's get to work and get Canadians working for Canada!

[guyser]

We would be all be working. Buying and selling for Canada and Canadian owned industry. That's good, not bad. Kick out the foreign invaders. If Canada needs it, it is Canadians who should be making it. Not some child labor factory in China. Let's get to work and get Canadians working for Canada!

You can peddle your union claptrap as much as you want, but we aint buying it. Raise your dues, give yourself a raise.

[Mr.Canada]

You can peddle your union claptrap as much as you want, but we aint buying it. Raise your dues, give yourself a raise.

We would be all be working. Buying and selling for Canada and Canadian owned industry. That's good, not bad. Kick out the foreign invaders. If Canada needs it, it is Canadians who should be making it. Not some child labor factory in China. Let's get to work and get Canadians working for Canada!

Canadians need good paying jobs. We can all agree on that. If we limit imports and boost domestic product, that forces people to buy Canadian. It also allows Canada to advance in technologies and industries we haven't been able to before because items were made overseas or in the US. Buying Canadian would infuse money into these industries.

Creating jobs on the street level(factory workers, truck drivers, etc) as well as white collar office jobs and in r & d(research and development) as well. This sounds like a positive thing to me. Unfortunately governments rarely do what is best for the country and do what is best for themselves and their friends.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Mr.Canada

[M.Dancer]

Canadians need good paying jobs. We can all agree on that. If we limit imports and boost domestic product, that forces people to buy Canadian.

except we can make much much more than we can buy so that leaves us with exports....and since you have capped imports you can expect foreign markets to be reticent from buyiong our goods....hello unemployment lines...

[Mr.Canada]

except we can make much much more than we can buy so that leaves us with exports....and since you have capped imports you can expect foreign markets to be reticent from buyiong our goods....hello unemployment lines...

Really? We haven't capped Japanese exports when they have capped our imports...sorry doesn't really hold water.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Mr.Canada

[Sir Bandelot]

except we can make much much more than we can buy so that leaves us with exports....and since you have capped imports you can expect foreign markets to be reticent from buyiong our goods....hello unemployment lines...

But then so can everybody, right? Is there anybody who can buy more than they make? How would they even do that?

Since everyone is in the same boat. Even huge countries like China and India need to have jobs, they make way more than they can ever buy, cause they really can't buy nuthin. Problem is they make it for so cheap, sell to us and we can't compete with that. Hello unemployment lines...

[MisterForensic]

New here. My first post.

Assets? What assets? I saw the CN Tower mentioned. Really? How about Tunney's pasture? Why not the Centre Block (or should that be Blocq)? Why not the Sudbury Tax Processing Centre? Why don't we just sell the CPP to a hedge fund?

If the feds have any assets worth selling that even come close to their current needs, I'd be bloody surprised. Maybe Russia wants to buy Ellesmere Island?

I say we see what we can get for Flaherty. I'll wager it won't be much.

[M.Dancer]

Really? We haven't capped Japanese exports when they have capped our imports...sorry doesn't really hold water.

You think we really buy a lot of Japanese made goods?

[Mr.Canada]

Canadians need good paying jobs. We can all agree on that. If we limit imports and boost domestic product, that forces people to buy Canadian. It also allows Canada to advance in technologies and industries we haven't been able to before because items were made overseas or in the US. Buying Canadian would infuse money into these industries.

Creating jobs on the street level(factory workers, truck drivers, etc) as well as white collar office jobs and in r & d(research and development) as well. This sounds like a positive thing to me. Unfortunately governments rarely do what is best for the country and do what is best for themselves and their friends.

Self preservation is a good thing. The alternative is what we have now. Unlimited imports and limited exports, free enterprise isn't working for Canadians but it's working great for the foreign dictators and industry heads. With their high profit margins driven by child labor, low wages and unabated exports.

Canadians need to go back to work. Not at a fast food restaurant but at a honest job for an honest wage that pays enough to raise good Canadian, hardworking families with Canadian ideals.

[guyser]

The alternative is what we have now. Unlimited imports and limited exports, free enterprise isn't working for Canadians but it's working great for the foreign dictators and industry heads. With their high profit margins driven by child labor, low wages and unabated exports.

Spoken like a true union man.

Thats what unions want. But most people dont want to pay the inflated prices that unions provide.

Unions, along w poor management are sinking GM et al.

Canadians need to go back to work. Not at a fast food restaurant but at a honest job for an honest wage that pays enough to raise good Canadian, hardworking families with Canadian ideals.

More of the same.

Maybe we could get rid of unions and the bloated bureacracy they have, that way earners could hold on to more of their own money and be able to spend it when they want.

How does that sound.....apart from the fact that you would be out of a job.

It would, if nothing else, be done for the betterment of our country. You're a patriot arent you?

[Mr.Canada]

Spoken like a true union man.

Thats what unions want. But most people dont want to pay the inflated prices that unions provide.

Unions, along w poor management are sinking GM et al.

More of the same.

Maybe we could get rid of unions and the bloated bureacracy they have, that way earners could hold on to more of their own money and be able to spend it when they want.

How does that sound.....apart from the fact that you would be out of a job.

It would, if nothing else, be done for the betterment of our country. You're a patriot arent you?

Like all things there are good and bad unions and not every company needs to have a union.

I don't care if all the people would work in union shops or not. Unions raise wages across the board for everyone, members and non members alike.

FACT Unions are the reason that we aren't all working for slave wages right now and 14 hr. days with no breaks. Before the unions wages were very very low for everyone. Unions changed all that. If we had no unions there'd be no one to stand up for workers like we had in the pre 1800's and wages across the board would fall. One exception being the Ford Motor Company who always paid more than most with no union.

If people think that groups like OCAP have the clout and power to raise yours and my wage, you're sorrily overestimating them. Trust me OCAP is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum, if you leave them alone they cry themselves to sleep.

Unions don't run GM, the unions run the labor inside GM. Without the union/labor there'd be no cars produced.

If I lost my job, I'd go lobby for someone else, there are tons of opportunities for people who like to speak a lot...lol.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Mr.Canada

[jdobbin]

Maybe we could get rid of unions and the bloated bureacracy they have, that way earners could hold on to more of their own money and be able to spend it when they want.

Do you think the Tories should ban organized labour unions?

[guyser]

I don't care if all the people would work in union shops or not. Unions raise wages across the board for everyone, members and non members alike.

Not to mention keeping people on the payroll who shouldnt be there.

FACT Unions are the reason that we aren't all working for slave wages right now and 14 hr. days with no breaks. Before the unions wages were very very low for everyone. Unions changed all that. If we had no unions there'd be no one to stand up for workers like we had in the pre 1800's and wages across the board would fall. One exception being the Ford Motor Company who always paid more than most with no union.

FACT....congrats. You learned about the history and rise of unions. Good for you.

FACT we used to do a lot of things but dont because technology and innovations have replaced the old. Unions dont like that, might remove some union dues that pay your wages.

Unions don't run GM, the unions run the labor inside GM. Without the union/labor there'd be no cars produced.

True on the first part, absolute bullshit on the second.

I suspect if I advertised jobs for $15 per hour to assemble cars, the line up would be enormous.Of course you would be in trouble.

If I lost my job, I'd go lobby for someone else, there are tons of opportunities for people who like to speak a lot...lol.

Not if they complete their due diligence you wouldnt.

[guyser]

Do you think the Tories should ban organized labour unions?

Nope.

Ask me if the City of Toronto should ban them? Yes, tomorrow in fact. Unions cost this city a fortune, not just in salaries, but in how and who does a job. We all know about this.

Example: CNE building, I need an extension cord for my booth- go grab me one.

Sorry, can t do it. You must get an electrician (unionized) to do that. $145 later and the extension cord arrives.

I only need to rent it not buy it for F sakes!

That is the rental price for the show. Oh, and you cant plug it in, we have to do that.

Any $6 an hour monkey could have done it. But nooo........

[Smallc]

I'm not sure they would be any buyers but I can't help wishing they would put Canada Post on the auction block...

Who would buy it? Why? The only reason it exists is regulations which forbids private enterprise from delivering a letter cheaper than Canada Post....

But in the day of evolving technology, what reason is there for a Government monopoly on a messenger service?

Canada Post provides service to everyone. The same is not true of private companies. They don't deliver to many rural areas. Unless a private company was willing to take on the loss caused by that, a private mail carrier wouldn't work.

On top of all of that, Canada post is usually profitable.

[Mr.Canada]

Not to mention keeping people on the payroll who shouldnt be there.

FACT....congrats. You learned about the history and rise of unions. Good for you.

FACT we used to do a lot of things but dont because technology and innovations have replaced the old. Unions dont like that, might remove some union dues that pay your wages.

True on the first part, absolute bullshit on the second.

I suspect if I advertised jobs for $15 per hour to assemble cars, the line up would be enormous.Of course you would be in trouble.

Not if they complete their due diligence you wouldnt.

This is utter tripe...lol.

If GM could pay people $15/hr they would've done it by now but they cannot do that. Without the union no cars would roll out of the big 3. Not bs, FACT. There is some corruption in the unions and not everyone involved in labor is law abiding like you and me. There are some rough chars. believe it.

There will always be a need for someone like myself. Everything you can imagine has a lobby group somewhere and many of them are well funded, don't kid yourself.

It's tough being me. Brains, body and charm. I'm a triple threat guy

[guyser]

Canada Post provides service to everyone.

If only that were true

"Tens of thousands of Canadians have already had service to their rural mail boxes cut off, including 200 in Ottawa. The number nationally could reach the hundreds of thousands if Canada Post has its way.

CP is spending a half billion dollars to alleviate what amounts to 400 complaints, most of them ergonomic problems, but they dress it up as potential accidents.

CP is BS'ing us on this.

[M.Dancer]

Canada Post provides service to everyone. The same is not true of private companies. They don't deliver to many rural areas. Unless a private company was willing to take on the loss caused by that, a private mail carrier wouldn't work.

On top of all of that, Canada post is usually profitable.

I beg to differ. UPS will deliver to your door....even on Saturday. There are many places in Canada where you have to drive to get your junk mail.

Now if Canada Post makes money....maybe there would be buyers and maybe we could get some real money from it.....

Let it go to the nhighest bidder.