Fixing What Harper Broke: A to-do list

[Guest]

If you're talking about the US, I agree wholeheartedly. Compromise is another word they despise.

I will admit that the Harper government displayed some of these traits - which I did not approve of. But I don't think you can fairly ascribe the characteristics of the Harper government to all Canadian conservatives.

I agree. I wouldn't even say that all CPC MPs display the characteristics of the Harper government.

[PIK]

At least trudeau is getting rid of that stupid idea that the natives should have receipts, to show where all our money goes. But harper will have the last laugh. In time people will realize what a mistake they did by allowing trudeau/ butts to run the country.

[eyeball]

Where are all the receipts for the land we received from natives?

[PIK]

Are you stupid or just being funny. But really, you do not think that we should know if our money is being spent on the people that need it or are you happy with the chiefs keeping most of it?

[waldo]

SCOC... on a roll! Shooting down Harper Conservatives 'tough on crime' measures; specifically:

- mandatory minimums: 6-3 SCOC ruling that a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison for a drug offence violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

- credit for time served: unanimous SCOC ruling that a person who is denied bail because of prior convictions should be able to receive credit for time served before sentencing.

.

[eyeball]

Are you stupid or just being funny. But really, you do not think that we should know if our money is being spent on the people that need it or are you happy with the chiefs keeping most of it?

Are you being funny or just stupid? Everyone around here knows I don't cut a smidge of slack to anyone or thing with power and authority. Put the chiefs along with all the other the leaders and rulers of the world to the very same acid test.

[jacee]

Are you stupid or just being funny. But really, you do not think that we should know if our money is being spent on the people that need it or are you happy with the chiefs keeping most of it?

You will find this article informative, PIK.

On Oct. 23, a court stayed the federal governments application to compel five First Nations to comply with the act until other litigation determines its constitutional validity.

...

The Act didnt add to the financial information First Nations report to Ottawa or the ability of First Nations to compel their leaders to disclose their finances.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/the-myth-of-the-first-nations-financial-transparency-act/article27125271/?service=mobile

And why are there increasing and very serious problems with First Nations service levels?

UNDERFUNDING!

The federal government never has provided First Nations with the same level of services and funding that the rest of us receive.

Since 1996, a 2% cap on increases was in place.

Though up to 2.75% increase now, the 'increases' don't even keep up with the 4% increase in the First Nations population:

Each resident is getting less and less service/funding all the time.

And that does not account for inflation either.

Bad and getting worse ... unequal and getting more unequal all the time.

That's the reality.

Our governments need to be held accountable for that!

.

[Argus]

Shooting down Harper Conservatives 'tough on crime' measures; specifically:

Yes, I'm sure all the junkies here will be happy to find that repeat drug dealers will be spending more time on the streets dealing out heroin and crack. And hey, how can we keep our "fentanyl crisis" going without enough dealers to supply the stuff?

Way to go, supremes. The ivory tower speaks again, without regard to reality.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Argus

[Argus]

And why are there increasing and very serious problems with First Nations service levels?

UNDERFUNDING!

The federal government never has provided First Nations with the same level of services and funding that the rest of us receive.

You mean those of us who pay taxes?

You conveniently leave out that the cost of a lot of things is far lower out in the bushes than it is in downtown Toronto.

Whose welfare cheque goes further, someone in Toronto or someone in the boonies?

People who aren't on the far left are getting more and more fed up with the notion there are certain people who, because of some distant racial association with the far past deserve to never work in their lives and to have the rest of us foot the bill for their food, clothing and shelter in perpetuity. Oddly enough, the people who find this most bizarre are immigrants. As the immigrant population grows under the liberals you'll find the support for continued massive welfare payouts to natives shrinking even further.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Argus

[eyeball]

You mean those of us who pay taxes?

Don't cry for them until you've finished crying for those who avoid paying theirs.

You worked for the CRA you should know who I'm talking about.

[WestCanMan]

If Trudeau does everything shoe-flies like May want the deficit will be more like thirty billion and will grow ever larger year by year.

LOL, too funny.

Now can you predict that Trudeau steps down in a few months and lets someone with more experience take over? Like a full-time kindergarten teacher, or even a principal.

[waldo]

LOL, too funny.

Now can you predict that Trudeau steps down in a few months and lets someone with more experience take over? Like a full-time kindergarten teacher, or even a principal.

keep playing out that, "he's not ready" theme! It worked quite well for you and your favoured Harper Conservatives - yes?

.

[?Impact]

You conveniently leave out that the cost of a lot of things is far lower out in the bushes than it is in downtown Toronto.

I would assume that was left out because the exact opposite is true. Everything on these remote reserves is very expensive. Here are some real prices from a year ago:

• Frozen turkey - $200
• Bag of flour found in Repulse Bay, Nunavut - $44
• Jug of orange juice (Simply Orange, about 4l judging by the photo) - $26
• Diapers, one large box - $80

Electricity prices are astronomical, as many are diesel generators.

While land prices may not be an issue, everything else is, including building homes where the materials need to be shipped in.

[cybercoma]

Yes, I'm sure all the junkies here will be happy to find that repeat drug dealers will be spending more time on the streets dealing out heroin and crack.

"You're either with us or you're with the pedophiles."

[Argus]

I would assume that was left out because the exact opposite is true. Everything on these remote reserves is very expensive. Here are some real prices from a year ago:

• Frozen turkey - $200
• Bag of flour found in Repulse Bay, Nunavut - $44
• Jug of orange juice (Simply Orange, about 4l judging by the photo) - $26
• Diapers, one large box - $80

Electricity prices are astronomical, as many are diesel generators.

While land prices may not be an issue, everything else is, including building homes where the materials need to be shipped in.

I found the cite you took the above from. It is not from a reserve, but an article on the high cost of food in Nunuvat and the pictures taken are from Repulse Bay, which is a tiny hamlet in the arctic circle. How many of our native reserves are that far north? Most, in fact, are much, much further to the south, and so not only do they have no rent or taxes to pay but their grocery costs are virtually the same as that of other Canadians. The salaries of those who work on the reserves ought to be much lower, too, allowing tribal councils to fulfill their obligations with the money given them. You don't need to pay a teacher or police officer $90,000 if they live on a reserve and have no rent or taxes to pay, after all. No, the problem, for the most part, is not underfunding, but mismanagement.

[Smallc]

People who work and live on reserve generally pay rent. People who don't work and live off reserve generally don't. That's a false difference. Aboriginal people would be far better off if they could own their home.

[Smallc]

The salaries of those who work on the reserves ought to be much lower, too, allowing tribal councils to fulfill their obligations with the money given them.

Oh, and other than a few key positions, they are pretty low - Tim Horton's level, as they should be for those kinds of jobs.

[eyeball]

People who work and live on reserve generally pay rent. People who don't work and live off reserve generally don't. That's a false difference. Aboriginal people would be far better off if they could own their home.

They'd be even better off with the sort of jurisdictional authority a nation typically has over its territory. Then they'd be first in line for the royalties and licence fees etc that typically comes with a nation.

Until that changes you're wasting your time expecting anything else will change.

[?Impact]

... their grocery costs are virtually the same as that of other Canadians...

Where is you basis for that? Here is a year old article about the prices in Attawapiskat. There have been countless others that reflect the same findings. This one has a slide show at the bottom, the first half has the "reasonable" prices, and the second half has the unreasonable ones. Note that the "reasonable" prices are about 3-5 times that in southern Ontario.

"Reasonable" prices @3-5 times

Orange Juice ($11-$15) for 2-3 litres

Toilet paper, 30 rolls for $40

Small tin of salmon, $8.59

White bread, $5.35/loaf

Frozen pizza, $16-$17

Salad dressing Kraft, $7

1.4l of Crisco oil, $14

Unreasonable prices

Head cabbage (2kg), $28

24 bottles of Nestle water (500ml) - $105

500ml strawberry jam - $17

10 Janes frozen chicken burgers - $32

Lots more examples in the slide show, but you would need to zoom in to get the package size and make a comparison.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/02/14/attawapiskat-farmers-market-food-prices_n_6632526.html

[blueblood]

People who work and live on reserve generally pay rent. People who don't work and live off reserve generally don't. That's a false difference. Aboriginal people would be far better off if they could own their home.

Which is made hard by them not being able to obtain loans for said home. Quite the pickle when the canada bank act and the indian act dont jive.

A reserve is a prime example of why socialism is a complete and utter failure.

[square]

Get rid of mandatory minimums.

[The_Squid]

Get rid of mandatory minimums.

For everything? Including murder?

[square]

For everything? Including murder?

Just to be clear; for crimes like murder, and sexual assault than there is a niche for them. As for other "crimes" we don't need them; get rid of them. Judges should have the ability to look at the facts of the case as they exist. Judges are tackled with having to deal with cases and I don't see what is wrong to allow Judges to tailor an appropriate sentence to the individual before the court; Judges are in the best position to in sentencing, as to what constitutes an appropriate sentence instead of having a one size fits all approach. Keep in mind that mandatory minimums don't detour criminal behavior; mandatory minimums have failed in the United States and in Canada.

[The_Squid]

Just to be clear; for crimes like murder, and sexual assault than there is a niche for them. As for other "crimes" we don't need them; get rid of them. Judges should have the ability to look at the facts of the case as they exist. Judges are tackled with having to deal with cases and I don't see what is wrong to allow Judges to tailor an appropriate sentence to the individual before the court; Judges are in the best position to in sentencing, as to what constitutes an appropriate sentence instead of having a one size fits all approach. Keep in mind that mandatory minimums don't detour criminal behavior; mandatory minimums have failed in the United States and in Canada.

I knew that's what you meant, and I don't disagree for the most part. Certainly Harper's overreach should, and was, rolled back by the court. However, your statement wasn't very nuanced and some of the right wingers on the forum were about to pounce on you as a soft-on-crime liberal.

[Argus]

Just to be clear; for crimes like murder, and sexual assault than there is a niche for them. As for other "crimes" we don't need them; get rid of them. Judges should have the ability to look at the facts of the case as they exist.

What makes you think the opinion of judges as to what constitutes a fair and just sentence would approximate that of ordinary people? They are hardly a representative group of people.