Edmonton Expo 2017

[Topaz]

The Minister of Heritage Moore, has said no the Edmonton for the Feds sharing cost of Expo 2017. The Tories are running in the red financially and they are cutting spending, so they say. Moore said Edmonton is asking 700 mil but with security and other federal costs, it would be over 1 Bil. G20 must have been a reall headache for them. The only problem that the Tories could have is the MP's. All are Tories except one from Alberta. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Feds+withdraw+financial+support+Edmonton+host+Expo+2017/3868392/story.html

[capricorn]

The Minister of Heritage Moore, has said no the Edmonton for the Feds sharing cost of Expo 2017.

Good!

[jbg]

Excerpt from article encaptioned "Feds fizzle Edmonton's plan to host Expo 2017"(link):

By The Canadian Press

EDMONTON - The federal government will not support Edmonton's bid to host the world fair in 2017, prompting a stinging rebuke from the mayor, who charged the Tories are taking his city's electoral support for granted.

Federal Heritage Minister James Moore rejected the funding request in a letter to Mayor Stephen Mandel made public Monday.

Moore noted that the $706 million the city wanted from Ottawa didn't take the full cost of security into account and the true price tag to the federal government could easily have eclipsed $1 billion.

"That is a financial risk we are not prepared to take at this time," Moore wrote. "Particularly given our government's most recent budget, where we committed to 'aggressively review all spending to ensure value for money' with a goal of eliminating the federal deficit by 2015."

See also this link to CTV article if above link expires.

One question: Why is Montreal treated so differently? Does Quebec always win out on public projects?

[Smallc]

Yes, and we can see that with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the G8/G/20 both being in Quebec.

Edited November 23, 2010 by Smallc

[August1991]

Yes, and we can see that with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the G8/G/20 both being in Quebec.

Smallc, you are giving the traditional Canadian spin to this issue. In your view, "It's all about regions, specifically which region gets how much."

In fact, there's a far larger problem involved: Ottawa politicians are out of touch with ordinary Canadians.

Harper spent about $1 billion on "security" for "senior officials" at the recent G8/G20 summits in Ontario. He wants to spend billions on refurbishing Parliament buildings.

The question of pat-downs at airport security falls into the same pattern since Harper, Cabinet ministers and various aides and hangers-on fly in private jets and so avoid any security screening.

Once politicians and bureaucrats of a central government get hold of the money of the millions of taxpayers, it is only too easy to justify all kinds of nonsense.

----

As Ronald Reagan used to say, "We have a country with a government. Not the other way around."

[Alta4ever]

Smallc, you are giving the traditional Canadian spin to this issue. In your view, "It's all about regions, specifically which region gets how much."

In fact, there's a far larger problem involved: Ottawa politicians are out of touch with ordinary Canadians.

Harper spent about $1 billion on "security" for "senior officials" at the recent G8/G20 summits in Ontario. He wants to spend billions on refurbishing Parliament buildings.

The question of pat-downs at airport security falls into the same pattern since Harper, Cabinet ministers and various aides and hangers-on fly in private jets and so avoid any security screening.

Once politicians and bureaucrats of a central government get hold of the money of the millions of taxpayers, it is only too easy to justify all kinds of nonsense.

----

As Ronald Reagan used to say, "We have a country with a government. Not the other way around."

If Edmonton wants the Expo Edmonton can pay for the Expo.

[Alta4ever]

won't hurt them a bit. An Alberta Expo is a huge waste of money.

[August1991]

If Edmonton wants the Expo Edmonton can pay for the Expo.

Agreed. But it is rich for Harper to suddenly talk about cutting spending just after blowing a billion plus on a summit and announcing billions for refurbishing parliament.

And do we really need those fighter jets so that "senior officials" in DND can have expensive toys?

[guyser]

Agreed. But it is rich for Harper to suddenly talk about cutting spending just after blowing a billion plus on a summit and announcing billions for refurbishing parliament.

Perhaps he now realizes he has run out of money to spend?

Kinda like a household budget where you bought the giant tv and now that the washer is on the blink you dont have funds to fix.

[Alta4ever]

Agreed. But it is rich for Harper to suddenly talk about cutting spending just after blowing a billion plus on a summit and announcing billions for refurbishing parliament.

And do we really need those fighter jets so that "senior officials" in DND can have expensive toys?

The CF-18 is nearing the end of the service life of the airframe they need to be replaced. We Just had another hit the turf in Alberta, luckily the pilot was able to eject. The G-20 was a waste, just as the expo is. As for parliament I don't care, the buildings need to be maintained.

[bill_barilko]

won't hurt them a bit. An Alberta Expo is a huge waste of money.

How about the Visit Alberta signs on the boards in NHL hockey rinks in the USA?

Now that's a laugher!

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Thanks for all the support ROC !

[Smallc]

Smallc, you are giving the traditional Canadian spin to this issue. In your view, "It's all about regions, specifically which region gets how much."

Actually, I was saying the exact opposite.

[Smallc]

The CF-18 is nearing the end of the service life of the airframe they need to be replaced. We Just had another hit the turf in Alberta, luckily the pilot was able to eject.

You can't really say that's because of the age of the aircraft. We don't know what caused that. The aircraft, after all, just underwent a massive modernization and is extremely well maintained.

[Alta4ever]

You can't really say that's because of the age of the aircraft. We don't know what caused that. The aircraft, after all, just underwent a massive modernization and is extremely well maintained.

Smallc military aircraft go through immense stress and strain and point hits when you can no longer service the airframe no matter how good the maintenance. The modernization is an upgrade package (weapon systems, avionics, engines ect) they don't rebuild the who aircraft.

The term airframe refers to the mechanical structure of an aircraft,[1] and as generally used does not include the propulsion system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airframe

At certain point the main-body(airframe) of the aircraft wears out and it loses its serviceablity.

Edited November 24, 2010 by Alta4ever

[Keepitsimple]

Smallc military aircraft go through immense stress and strain and point hits when you can no longer service the airframe no matter how good the maintenance. The modernization is an upgrade package (weapon systems, avionics, engines ect) they don't rebuild the who aircraft.

The term airframe refers to the mechanical structure of an aircraft,[1] and as generally used does not include the propulsion system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airframe

At certain point the main-body(airframe) of the aircraft wears out and it loses its serviceablity.

Lets not forget that they'll be flying for another 10 years before they are totally replaced - maybe longer.

[Shwa]

Oh my...tell us how you really feel Colby,

The implosion of Expo ’17

A World’s Fair? Really? Edmonton’s latest bright idea for crashing through the scenery onto the world stage…was a concept that was already moth-eaten a hundred years ago? Are we talking about the kind of World’s Fair that attracts public debt, corruption, ethnic folk dances, and tractor displays? The kind that indulges everything from phony science to junk food to dictators? The kind that’s essentially an Olympics without the fun? That kind of World’s Fair?

Yeah, that kind of World’s Fair—the kind that, nowadays, comes with a tagline like “Harmony of Energy and Our Future Planet”, which was the proposed slogan of the aborted Edmonton proto-bid. (Presumably it sounds better in the original Mandarin.) To senior citizens and nostalgia freaks, the idea of the Expo carries a certain cachet; you must be a person whose pulse was once capable of being quickened by words like “progress” and “modernity” to feel the allure. I’m not immune myself, but a professional brand manager would surely suggest that Edmonton ought to get involved with something more hip, current, and relevant. Like the Boy Scouts or the League of Nations.

[Smallc]

Smallc military aircraft go through immense stress and strain and point hits when you can no longer service the airframe no matter how good the maintenance. The modernization is an upgrade package (weapon systems, avionics, engines ect) they don't rebuild the who aircraft.

I keep telling people this, and they never listen. The engines were (and are) replaced as required, and during the refit, the actual centre barrel of the body was replaced. Besides that, there are aircraft far older flying. Oh, and the wings were also replaced as required. Basically, some very new aircraft came out of the program. The NORAD commander called them his most modern aircraft other than the F-22.

Edited November 24, 2010 by Smallc

[Alta4ever]

I keep telling people this, and they never listen. The engines were (and are) replaced as required, and during the refit, the actual centre barrel of the body was replaced. Besides that, there are aircraft far older flying. Oh, and the wings were also replaced as required. Basically, some very new aircraft came out of the program. The NORAD commander called them his most modern aircraft other than the F-22.

I don't think you get it.

Sept 1/10: The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office announces that the government has extended its CF-18 Systems Engineering Support Contract to L-3 Communications MAS of Mirabel, Quebec until at least 2017. This 7-year contract extension is valued at C$ 467 million, with 3 additional 1-year extension options that could add another C$ 86 million (C$ 553 million total), and stretch the contract until the end of the fleet’s estimated service life in 2020.

The contractor’s primary responsibility for the CF-18 Hornet fleet is development and maintenance work that includes mission software, structural testing, depot-level inspections and repairs, technical support teams, and other engineering services. In addition to their Canadian maintenance work, they’ve also been involved in Australia’s HUG [PDF] Hornet upgrade and life-extension program. Canadian PMO | L-3 MAS [PDF] | CBC | National Post.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/f18-hornets-keeping-em-flying-02816/

[Smallc]

And since it's currently 2010 (10 years before the expected end of service life), I'm definitely not sure what you're saying, especially since I support the purchase of the F-35.

[Alta4ever]

And since it's currently 2010 (10 years before the expected end of service life), I'm definitely not sure what you're saying, especially since I support the purchase of the F-35.

Its going to take ten years to get a replacement.

[Smallc]

Its going to take ten years to get a replacement.

Yes, and? That doesn't mean the the aircraft is bad now, which is something that you implied.

[DFCaper]

won't hurt them a bit. An Alberta Expo is a huge waste of money.

I think it would only hurt them if Harper goes forward with building the Quebec Area. Otherwise, this is the first time in a long time that I think he has done something right. We need to get the finacial books in order first.

[Alta4ever]

Yes, and? That doesn't mean the the aircraft is bad now, which is something that you implied.

I implied that they were wearing out, I've never said they were bad. It's like the Sea King probably the best helicopter for its use with us, but we have wore them out.

[August1991]

Actually, I was saying the exact opposite.

Smallc, you stated that the Vancouver Olympics and the G8/20 Summits were not in Quebec - but they were in BC and Ontario.

I know that in some quarters "regional politics" is code for Quebec but in Canada, it's all regional politics.

My point is that this is not about regional politics. Harper seems to get the "old time religion" when it's a question of cutting spending for ordinary folk. But for the federal bureaucracy, or international summits, or toys for DND types, Harper has a different tune.

Are you saving $14,180 a year for your pension? That is how much you would have needed to save – every year for the last 35 years – to pay yourself a pension equal to that of a federal public servant retiring today. That’s a lot of money and precisely why taxpayers are on the hook for an unfunded federal pension liability of $208 billion, according to a recent C.D. Howe Institute report.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Do I blame Harper? Not really. IMV, Harper and the Conservatives are neophytes who have brought knives to a gunfight. The central bureaucracy is running the show. Harper does not have the gumption or courage to rein in the spending. And like all human beings, Harper and his government enjoy the perks.

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People are tired of what the Toronto mayor referred to as "the gravy train". Stephen Harper has paid lip service to this frustration and he seems complicit with it or incapable of controlling it.

The aircraft is not bad operationally, it is no doubt airworthy.

No offense intended but would you guys take your "my toy is better than your toy" discussion to another thread. Edited November 25, 2010 by August1991