Auditor General Warns "Hard Choices Ahead"

Dave_ON · May 26, 2011

So we have to wait until June 7th to get the Auditor Generals full report. But in the following article I find she raises some interesting points.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/05/25/pol-fraser-ag-report-speech.html

Specifically that she feels the independence of office of the auditor general is in danger. She sites specific examples of the much talked about military spending and how she was denied access to these records. Troubling considering this is supposed to be a transparent and accountable government. This is all old hat however, what I do like is she's not afraid to talk about the fiscal elephant in the room which is how will the government deal with budget shortfalls?

Cutting the per vote subsidy and scrapping the gun registry won't even scratch the surface, so what are they going to cut? It's unlikely they will raise taxes and in all liklihood will cut taxes further. That leaves only spending cuts which they also seem to be unwilling to do. I'm definitely a supporter of the increased military spending but honestly we cannot afford to similtaneously cut taxes and increase spending. Health care is one of our biggest bills and with an aging population, and shrinking work force it's only going to get worse. Clearly this will have to be cut back. I wonder if by the end of the 4-5 years term, if the CPC will be wishing they had the opposition to blame for the cuts that are to come. The long sought majority just might come back and bite them in the ass.

Michael Hardner · May 26, 2011

So we have to wait until June 7th to get the Auditor Generals full report. But in the following article I find she raises some interesting points.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/05/25/pol-fraser-ag-report-speech.html

Specifically that she feels the independence of office of the auditor general is in danger. She sites specific examples of the much talked about military spending and how she was denied access to these records. Troubling considering this is supposed to be a transparent and accountable government. This is all old hat however, what I do like is she's not afraid to talk about the fiscal elephant in the room which is how will the government deal with budget shortfalls?

Cutting the per vote subsidy and scrapping the gun registry won't even scratch the surface, so what are they going to cut? It's unlikely they will raise taxes and in all liklihood will cut taxes further. That leaves only spending cuts which they also seem to be unwilling to do. I'm definitely a supporter of the increased military spending but honestly we cannot afford to similtaneously cut taxes and increase spending. Health care is one of our biggest bills and with an aging population, and shrinking work force it's only going to get worse. Clearly this will have to be cut back. I wonder if by the end of the 4-5 years term, if the CPC will be wishing they had the opposition to blame for the cuts that are to come. The long sought majority just might come back and bite them in the ass.

Speaking of transparency and accountability - not one mention of Open Government, and publishing government operations statistics to the web. Canada is starting to look more and more like the dinosaur that it is, in this regard.

Shwa · May 26, 2011

Speaking of transparency and accountability - not one mention of Open Government, and publishing government operations statistics to the web. Canada is starting to look more and more like the dinosaur that it is, in this regard.

That is what you get when the ruling party has their caucus meetings in Drumheller.

Michael Hardner · May 26, 2011

That is what you get when the ruling party has their caucus meetings in Drumheller.

It's actually a problem that goes beyond the current federal government.

Shwa · May 26, 2011

It's actually a problem that goes beyond the current federal government.

Not in this thread it doesn't.

Dave_ON · May 26, 2011

Not in this thread it doesn't.

I would tend to agree with MH, it's not a new problem, but it's getting worse instead of better.

Topaz · May 26, 2011

One department to cut is the DND with 2100 job cuts over years. I think what he government will do is get rid of more workers who are unionized and only hire workers on contract, which is good for the government but not good for the workers. Being contract worker, you never know when your job is done, you may not get EI, or pensions. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/jobs+documents+show/4840558/story.html

Dave_ON · May 26, 2011

One department to cut is the DND with 2100 job cuts over years. I think what he government will do is get rid of more workers who are unionized and only hire workers on contract, which is good for the government but not good for the workers. Being contract worker, you never know when your job is done, you may not get EI, or pensions. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/jobs+documents+show/4840558/story.html

Oh that would be bad, we don't need any additional "patronage appointments". The civil service unions ensure continuity in the civil service regardless of the government of the day. I'm not a fan of unions as a general rule, but this is one very positive aspect they play in the case of civil servants.

RNG · May 26, 2011

I am really hoping that Harper will have the courage to make big cuts right now. Hopefully, between our debt/deficit situation improving along with improvement in the world's economy, things won't be so bad for them come the next election.

Battletoads · May 26, 2011

It's likely Harper will take the republican route, massive spending raises coupled with massive tax cuts for the rich. I'd bet the federal debt figure will sit around 800 billion to 1 trillion five years from now.

bloodyminded · May 26, 2011

He could always try to initiate "massive spending cuts" on health care....but everyone, including most of his base, would be angry, and he does have an election at some point to worry about....

RNG · May 26, 2011

He could always try to initiate "massive spending cuts" on health care....but everyone, including most of his base, would be angry, and he does have an election at some point to worry about....

I've often said, there are many disadvantages to giving a government a 7 year mandate, but this is one advantage IMO. More safety in doing unpopular things in that there is more time for their worth to show. We are on a 4/5 year cycle here and the US effectively are on a two year cycle.

Tilter · May 26, 2011

So we have to wait until June 7th to get the Auditor Generals full report. But in the following article I find she raises some interesting points.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/05/25/pol-fraser-ag-report-speech.html

Specifically that she feels the independence of office of the auditor general is in danger. She sites specific examples of the much talked about military spending and how she was denied access to these records. Troubling considering this is supposed to be a transparent and accountable government. This is all old hat however, what I do like is she's not afraid to talk about the fiscal elephant in the room which is how will the government deal with budget shortfalls?

Cutting the per vote subsidy and scrapping the gun registry won't even scratch the surface, so what are they going to cut? It's unlikely they will raise taxes and in all liklihood will cut taxes further. That leaves only spending cuts which they also seem to be unwilling to do. I'm definitely a supporter of the increased military spending but honestly we cannot afford to similtaneously cut taxes and increase spending. Health care is one of our biggest bills and with an aging population, and shrinking work force it's only going to get worse. Clearly this will have to be cut back. I wonder if by the end of the 4-5 years term, if the CPC will be wishing they had the opposition to blame for the cuts that are to come. The long sought majority just might come back and bite them in the ass.

PM Harper is counting on an increase in revenue from increased business taxes-- in volume, not increased tax rates. He could also cut cultural funding, for example make sure that no more tax es go to "artists" whose medium is truly SHIT (not the normal shit as the line art the taxpayer paid millions or the "artistic" monstrosity spider in Ottawa ). Why would any money go to projects like that one or teh dried meat posing as art. Anyone could take a package of Beef Jerky or Spam, spread it out & frame it & call it art and receive money from the department of cultural.

Gotta go now, I've got a batch of KD that's ready for framing

CPCFTW · May 26, 2011

PM Harper is counting on an increase in revenue from increased business taxes-- in volume, not increased tax rates. He could also cut cultural funding, for example make sure that no more tax es go to "artists" whose medium is truly SHIT (not the normal shit as the line art the taxpayer paid millions or the "artistic" monstrosity spider in Ottawa ). Why would any money go to projects like that one or teh dried meat posing as art. Anyone could take a package of Beef Jerky or Spam, spread it out & frame it & call it art and receive money from the department of cultural.

Gotta go now, I've got a batch of KD that's ready for framing

Good post. All the money being spent on "culture" and "the arts" is a waste. No one other than hippies cares about the arts and culture of a country unless they are a global superpower. The paradox is that if Canada wants to be a source of culture and arts, it has to stop funding that crap and start funding the generation of wealth. Maybe after 50 years of unmitigated growth, the world will start to care about our culture. Culture and arts should be a by-product of a successful society, not a burden on it.

Edited May 26, 2011 by CPCFTW

Michael Hardner · May 26, 2011

Good post. All the money being spent on "culture" and "the arts" is a waste. No one other than hippies cares about the arts and culture of a country unless they are a global superpower.

Cite ? How many people don't care about the arts and culture in Canada ?

bloodyminded · May 26, 2011

I've often said, there are many disadvantages to giving a government a 7 year mandate, but this is one advantage IMO. More safety in doing unpopular things in that there is more time for their worth to show. We are on a 4/5 year cycle here and the US effectively are on a two year cycle.

That's a good point, but we're talking health care here, not prisons, jets, or interventions under a placating UN or NATO shield. Screwing in any heavy-handed way with universal health care would be political suicide. That's why Harper, who spoke openly against it years ago, has remained silent since his PM-ship.

He could conceivably perform a slow, incremental abortion...but that's counter to your thesis here, and still politically dangerous.

Edited May 26, 2011 by bloodyminded

Michael Hardner · May 26, 2011

I also hasten to point out that our arts program cost pennies on the dollar. ( I admit this is from memory - I took 15 minutes to try to find actual numbers on this and failed somehow. Please feel free to help. )

CPCFTW · May 26, 2011

Cite ? How many people don't care about the arts and culture in Canada ?

No one other than hippies cares about the arts and culture of a country unless they are a global superpower.

Try reading the complete sentence.

Remiel · May 26, 2011

No one other than hippies cares about the arts and culture of a country unless they are a global superpower.

Try reading the complete sentence.

Do you have any talents other than making completely baseless assertions?

RNG · May 26, 2011

That's a good point, but we're talking health care here, not prisons, jets, or interventions under a placating UN or NATO shield. Screwing in any heavy-handed way with universal health care would be political suicide. That's why Harper, who spoke openly against it years ago, has remained silent since his PM-ship.

He could conceivably perform a slow, incremental abortion...but that's counter to your thesis here, and still politically dangerous.

My comment was related to any and all entitlement programs, but yes, it would include health care. It always amazes me both on this forum and on the US one I frequent how entrenched and closed-minded so many people are if anyone suggests even looking at the prevailing health care system, let alone modifying it in any way. I should buy more tinfoil stock.

Michael Hardner · May 26, 2011

No one other than hippies cares about the arts and culture of a country unless they are a global superpower.

Try reading the complete sentence.

Misplaced modifier perhaps ? I took it to mean that nobody in Canada cares because Canada isn't a global superpower. So you're saying we only care about American culture ? It's too simple.

I don't check out the warhead count of a country before I go to see a film - maybe you're different.

CPCFTW · May 26, 2011

Do you have any talents other than making completely baseless assertions?

It's called an opinion.

My opinion is that very few in the world care about taxpayer funded arts like little mosque on the prairie or heartland. You may have your own opinion.

It's ok, I know that when you lefties are taking a break from smelling your own farts, you love to point out that any opinion that differs from yours is stupid and uneducated.

CPCFTW · May 26, 2011

Misplaced modifier perhaps ? I took it to mean that nobody in Canada cares because Canada isn't a global superpower. So you're saying we only care about American culture ? It's too simple.

I don't check out the warhead count of a country before I go to see a film - maybe you're different.

All the revered arts and cultures of the world originated from global superpowers, and yes, most of the world currently only cares about American (current superpower) and European culture (previous superpowers).

I'm sorry, I don't have a citation for my opinion that people in China are more interested in Transformers and Inception than Little Mosque on the Prairie and Men with Brooms.

Edited May 26, 2011 by CPCFTW

Remiel · May 26, 2011

...you love to point out that any opinion that differs from yours is stupid...

No, I love to point out that stupid opinions are stupid.

Here is a simple argument the truth of which is obvious to everyone except you, apparently.

1) The United States is the World's only superpower.

2) The United States's culture is not the only culture people foreign to that culture care about.

3) Therefore it is false that no one cares about foreign cultures other than those of world superpowers.

MiddleClassCentrist · May 26, 2011

I am really hoping that Harper will have the courage to make big cuts right now. Hopefully, between our debt/deficit situation improving along with improvement in the world's economy, things won't be so bad for them come the next election.

Yeah, he needs to scrap the jet purchase until we can afford it.