Volpe-gate gets even bigger

h/t to BBS.

The Globe & Mail has done some futher digging... you can now almost DOUBLE the figures for Apotex's donations to Joe Volpe... to $108,000, roughly 70% of all his campaign donations. All $152,700 for his campaign was donated on the same date, April 20. Did he have some fundraiser on that day, or could it be that all 29 donations are connected?

The new rules make it illegal for a group to act in collusion to bypass the existing financing rules. Let's see... 20 people, all connected to one company, each making the maximum donation possible.

Sounds like collusion to me. But then again, I'm just a novice at such things. The Liberal Party of Canada, the "pros" say they have no intention of investigating.

The Liberal Party insisted yesterday that all of the donations to Mr. Volpe's campaign followed the rules.

"These were clearly reported by everyone and that's because they were within the rules," said interim Liberal leader Bill Graham.

The party's national director, Steven MacKinnon, agreed.

"We have absolutely every procedure possible in place to both catch and correct any provisions of the Elections Act that appear to have been contravened, and we don't see any in this case," he said.

Volpe-gate?

Looks like I was right... this could indeed be the end of the road for Joe Volpe's leadership run.

Even if he doesn't just withdraw, even this most remote whiff of a scandal will likely scuttle his chances.

h/t Civitatensis.

I love Greenpeace...

...they're sometimes great comedy troop.

Sample of an inadvertantly released pre-canned Greenpeace news release...

"In the twenty years since the Chernobyl tragedy, the world's worst nuclear accident, there have been nearly [FILL IN ALARMIST AND ARMAGEDDONIST FACTOID HERE]."

No jokes, that's what was inadvertantly released!

h/t to Politcal Staples.

CUPE is Anti-Israel

h/t to Warren. CUPE has decided to publicly call for the destruction of the nation of Israel. From the National Post:

Katherine Nastovski, chair of the CUPE Ontario international solidarity committee, is quoted in the release as saying, "Boycott, divestment and sanction worked to end apartheid in South Africa.

"We believe the same strategy will work to enforce the rights of Palestinian people, including the right of refugees to return to their homes and properties."

News flash to CUPE... the much touted "Right of Return" is nothing more than a call for the total destruction of the nation of Israel itself. Can you imagine opening the flood gates to thousands of armed and angry militants, who have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel, living within the borders of Israel?

Neither can the Israelis. Therefore, THEY AIN'T GONNA LET IT HAPPEN.

Some may make the argument that "the Palestinians where there first". Not prior to 1920 they weren't... and the people of Israel had been there long before that, but had been expelled by Muslims and Christians, alternately, for over a thousand years.

What about THEIR "Right of Return"? Problem is, their true right of return would include all of Gaza and the West Bank.

So, within the framework of the existing borders, can't we find a way to just all get along?

End of Volpe's Leadership Bid?

Liberal leadership hopeful Joe Volpe has apparently received $54,000 in donations from two drug manufacturers.

The new electoral financing laws prevent corporations from making political donations. So it appears that the corporate execs channelled the monies to Volpe by donating them in their children's names. One question... when was the last time you knew a teenager who had the cash to donate $5400 to a political campaign? Better question... when was the last time you met a kid who would even want to make such a donation?

This is not "technically" illegal, but I'm sure the other leadership candidates are already trying to figure out how to best use this to their advantage. My prediction is that one of the other candidates will paint Volpe as being part of the old-school Liberal crew, where corruption was rampant, and that Volpe should not be the one to lead them into the next election, lest Canadians still view the Liberals as corrupt.

Ontario - Smoke Free next week

Ontario's new anti-smoking law takes affect NEXT WEEK. I have two things to say about it...

#1 - WOO HOO! By far, my FAVORITE move by Dalton & Co. since they came to power. This is one thing they did right by me. It's a good move in regards to the health of Ontarians, as well as financially, in that we're helping to reduce future health expenses.

#2 - BUT, even though they did something right, I think they got one aspect of it wrong. I've been hearing a lot on the news about cigar shops/clubs, and how they requested an exemption, as it's the foundation of their business. The request was denied. The government has said they won't make any exceptions. And I think this was a bad move which puts the legislation at serious risk in the future.

Why do I think it was a dumb move not to grant an exemption? Because we're going to have to spend millions in some upcoming legal challenges to the new legislation. If the Ontario government had found a way to specify these clubs in some form of an exemption clause, it would have prevented a costly legal case. And if the new law is challenged in this way, and is found to be unconstitutional, it may result in the law being further weakened. And I actually want this law to stick. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime, I give you my thanks Mr. McGuinty, for making the air around Ontario a little more breathable.

Ask and ye shall receive... re: Kyoto

Wow, that was fast! I asked a few questions about climate change... and the National Post responds with a front page story today!

Kidding... but it is really weird timing. The author (Joseph Brean) addressed many of the very things I was thinking/asking about, regarding my skepticism about "global warming". In it, he discusses the theory of "solar forcing" with Tim Patterson, professor of earth sciences at Carleton University.

"Solar forcing" refers to an atmospheric process which may begin a cycle of global cooling in the early 2020's, Prof. Patterson says, in accordance with the Gleissberg cycle's long term projections. I've never even heard any of this before... so I guess I have some more reading to do.

This quote at the end of the article caught my eye...

It will not be long before the debate is forced to a crisis.

The theory of solar forcing predicts that, starting in the early 2020s, an inactive 11-year cycle in solar activity will coincide with a low point in the longer-term Gleissberg cycle. According to this theory, the world is about to get colder, not warmer.

"Cover up your magnolias," is how Prof. Patterson puts it.

This will be a crucial short-term test for both believers and skeptics.

I've always been a believer that the majority of what we see happening around us could be better attributed to normal earth cycles, and not any man-made interference.

Not to say that we shouldn't be making some changes to how we do things. Remember "Acid Rain"? It was something we caused, and we had to make changes to correct it. Smog? Still a major problem in major cities, and I think that needs to be tackled as well. Deforestation? We're hacking away at the lungs of our planet... let's figure out how to end it. (which will mean actually dealing with the issues of poverty in South America, not just preventing them from burning the Amazon) We are still doing a lot of damage to this planet, and the way I view it, God gave us stewardship of it... and we're not doing a good job of it, and will have to answer for it. So let's get with it.

But spending billions on Kyoto and this yet unproven "global warming" junk? I think our money can be much better spent elsewhere. THAT's why I don't like Kyoto. I think we're spending all our resources on a problem that is still as of yet undefined, whereas we're ignoring other issues that have ample evidence and we can tackle, and still have not as of yet.

And that's why I still support Rona as our Minister of Environment.

I can hear them screaming already...

Statement from the PMO...

Prime Minister to meet with President Bush
May 26, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be in Washington on July 6, 2006 for a working meeting with President Bush. This will be the second meeting between the two leaders; following on productive discussions that began in Cancun, Mexico on March 30-31. The two leaders will discuss a range of bilateral and global issues, and explore areas where there are opportunities to deepen our bilateral ties and advance our shared global agenda.

Oh man, I can hear the critics screaming about that last line already... "advance our shared global agenda"?

Not the best choice of words guys! While I agree with the statement, I just have a BAD feeling critics will latch on to it IMMEDIATELY.

Let's just wait and see what happens!

Ignatieff and Kyoto

via Warren.

Here's a comment on Kyoto that Iggy made just around the corner from me...

On the environment, he said the Liberal party should push environmental policies beyond the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions. Ignatieff said he supports the protocol but it has become a problem for Liberals.

"I think our party has got into a mess on the environment," he said. "As a practical matter of politics, nobody knows what (Kyoto) is or what it commits us to."

He said the Conservatives are having a field day with the record of protocol targets missed by the previous Liberal government.

"We [the Liberal Party] think Kyoto has been an asset for us. It's actually been a huge political liability."

He's partly right on his last point... Kyoto IS a liability, but not for the same reasons you think Iggy. I've been saying that for a while now. With I partially agree with some of his conclusions, I disagree on his initial position.

Kyoto, as has always been my opinion, is more of a liability than a benefit to us, OR THE WORLD for that matter. I'll have to look for the link, but another blogger I read yesterday (UPDATE: it was Xavier R. Dubé) made some really good points that concur with my accusations that Kyoto is about wealth re-distribution, NOT actually reducing greenhouse gases.

A commenter replied to my "Rona shouldn't resign" post the other week that he supports the idea that we should be paying to assist third world nations reduce their greenhouse gases. But Xavier pointed out that most of those nations ALREADY HAVE VERY LOW EMISSIONS, so reducing further them takes little effort on their part. Those nations are then free to trade their extra emission credits to the polluters of the first world... AT A PRICE.

Our government is right, I think, to pull out of Kyoto altogether. We have NO PLAN, and the kind of nation that we have handicaps us RIGHT FROM THE GET GO! We are a HUGE nation, the second largest on earth... our present means of transportation kills our chances for emission reductions. Since the 1990's, the target date from which we're to reduce our emissions, we've significantly increased the number of vehicles on our roads. Also, we're a COLD WEATHER nation... we have to generate massive amounts of heat each winter, which again kills us. Sure, our industry could seek to reduce emissions, and I'm all for that... but a "made in Canada" solution could tackle that.

Thirdly, the Kyoto Protocol itself points out that there are huge amounts of emissions from NATURALLY OCCURING "SINKS", which are calculated out of each countries emissions totals so as to reflect an accurate total of man-made emissions. How much greenhouse gases is our planet naturally emitting? Can anyone point me to a good reference for this data? (Speaking of which, have you heard the any of the Kyoto supporters discuss that fact? I know I haven't, and I'd like to know that information, so if anyone knows, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction) What percentage of the total emissions is man-made? If it turns out to be a mere 10%, then WHAT GOOD WILL OUR TOKEN EMISSION REDUCTIONS DO? And if that's the case, other than providing employment to the environmental lobby, what's the point of Kyoto?

Iggy also pointed this out... "As a practical matter of politics, nobody knows what (Kyoto) is or what it commits us to." The details of how enforcement will work STILL AREN'T SET YET... what if they come back and say it will cost $10 million dollars for every percent that we're over our target by? WE'D BE SCREWED! Better to pull out NOW, when we KNOW we don't have a chance of meeting our targets, than remain and get nailed by yet to be determined punishments!

And I really (genuinely!) appreciate his honesty here... "We [the Liberal Party] think Kyoto has been an asset for us. It's actually been a huge political liability."

Kyoto itself is a liability Iggy, but not just politically for your party.


ps to commenters - this post is NOT meant to be "anti-Liberal" or "anti-Iggy", I'm just pointing out the comments that Iggy made that raised some more questions in my head. Just trying to raise some legit Kyoto questions, not trying to attack the Liberals... today... ;-)

UPDATE: Thanks for your help Xavier, I went looking for your post, but didn't have a clue who it was, and I'd likely have never found the article again.

Will Caledonia ever be resolved?

BBS has some, I think, valid questions to ask regarding the climbing costs of this conflict. (do you think it can still be classified as a protest? Just asking)

Costs to the trashed transformer? $15,000,000. Now, I had made a comment some time ago that I thought the natives should have to pay for the burned out bridge, which will cost about $1.2 million, instead of taxpayers... and someone responded asking "Where do you think that money will come? Do you think they have that kind of money lying around?" Good and valid points... no, they likely don't have that kind of money, and it will end up coming from taxpayer regardless.

So, I won't even bother asking about the $15 million for repairs. But I do have a question for all to consider...

BBS had a link at the bottom of his post regarding insurance claims that some residents will want to make, mostly due to the blackout. Most residents will end up taking a hit, some more than others, due to spoiled meat, ruined stock for stores, lost business, etc. And we saw how angry many of these residents are last Friday when they set up their own mini-blockade, and fights broke out.

We know that Hydro, taxpayers, or insurance will have to pay for the transformer. So, ultimately, either via taxes, or hydro rates, or insurance premiums, we, including the residents of Caledonia, will be on the hook for it.

So, I have a question for all to consider. With the level of anger that the residents of this area are feeling, if no one is charged for the damage to the transformer, do you think there will ever be any chance of healing the wounds that have been inflicted? I've heard, and I may be wrong here, but I've heard that native negoiators are trying to ensure a blanket amnesty is provided to all those who took part in the protests, regarding any damage incured.

I don't think that there will be any real chance at peace until someone, at least those who destroyed the transformer, are held accountable for it in accordance with the law.

Now, mind you, I do think that SOME leeway should be granted to the protesters, so some kind of amnesty could be part of any agreement, but I think that torching the transformer was going way to far. (then again, I think torching the bridge was going to far too, mind you, but I'll leave that out of the mix)

So, I make a request to the native leaders in Caledonia... IF it turns out that natives protesters were responsible for destroying the transformer, please ensure that they give themselves up, and when they are charged and come before the courts, that they enter a plea of "Guilty" to the charges. I think a gesture like that would go a long way to ensure that healing can begin in Caledonia.

And if it's done NOW, before any agreement is hammered out, I think it would make an even better olive branch to local residents.


Let the comments begin...

Treating MP's with R-E-S-P-E-C-T

LOL! Steve Janke has a pretty funny (sarcastic) post about electoral reform. How dare those Conservatives treat other MP's with respect!

A great big "D'OH!"

Yea yea yea... my "Aldo Martino and the Ontario Libs?" story got TRASHED... I had been looking up the Elections Ontario financial sheets for the Ontario Libs during my lunch, and thought I was on to something... and then a couple of people came right back at me with an equal (or greater) dollar value of donations from the Martino's to the Ontario PC Party.

Consider this post MY RETRACTION.

Learn the lesson of the lunchtime blogger... hit "SAVE AS DRAFT" if working on things during lunch, and come back to it at the end of the day when you've got more time to check things out... ;-)

Thanks again to my correctors/readers/fans/nemisises (nemisii?)

ps - next commenter is #1600...

Aldo Martino and the Ontario Libs?

TITLE UPDATE: Martino supported BOTH the Ontario Libs and Tories
- - See bottom for update - -

Small Dead Animals is asking if the current Ontario government quietly buried the file regarding the "Royal Crest" Retirement Homes fiasco, reported by CTV's W5 several years ago.

Let's have some fun and follow the money... from CTV

"But dispersed to whom? In Royal Crest's final year of business under the Martinos, John and Aldo each paid themselves $300,000. But right after Royal Crest went under, the brothers both declared personal bankruptcy, stating they were only worth $10,000 each. But for a couple of guys claiming to be almost broke, they are actually living pretty well. John Martino lives in a waterfront mansion in Burlington, Ontario and Aldo lives in a million dollar home in Ancaster. John has a fleet of expensive cars, including a Hummer and two Mercedes Benzes, and the whole family enjoyed Aldo's Prowler, a boat worth an estimated $300,000. But not one of those assets – or any of the brothers' other properties – is in either brother's name."

Ancaster, Ontario. Right?

POLITICAL DONATIONS TO THE ONTARIO LIBERAL PARTY, 1996-2002
(from the Elections Ontario Website)

2002 - MARTINO A - 150.00
Riding #295 - ANCASTER-DUNDAS-FLAMBOROUGH-ALDERSHOT
Doesn't he have a house there? See above...

2001
MARTINO A - 229 - 875.00 (Riding 229 is HAMILTON EAST)
(see 1998 record for connection to Aldo)

2000
MARTINO AL (Aldo?) - 231 HAMILTON WEST - 542.15
(This one I can't verify 100% that it's Aldo, but we know he was connected to the area due to the 2001 and the 1998 donations)

1998
MARTINO ALDO - 229 - 750.00
(Riding 229 is HAMILTON EAST, connection to Aldo and the Hamilton East riding, see 2001 donation)

1997
MARTINO ALDO - 118 - 225.00
(old Riding numbers, can't trace too well)

1996
MARTINO ALDO - 41 - 750.00
- 76 - 238.00
- 118 - 174.66
(old Riding numbers, can't trace too well)

Total contributions to the Ontario Liberal Party = $3704.81 ($3162.66 if you don't count the questionable 2000 record)

Funny what you can find in the Elections Ontario databases...


UPDATE: Oops... looks like during my quick lookup over lunch, I missed some rather important details. Some other bloggers pointed out that corporately, it seems the brothers supported the Ontario PC Party as well...

1997
MARTINO RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTRE LTD 500.00
Martino Residential Care Centre Ltd 1,000.00

1996
MARTINO RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTRE LTD 500.00
MARTINO RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTRE LTD 500.00

Did they corporately support the government of the day, yet personally support the challengers, the Ontario Liberals? Was there actually some family disagreement on which political party they supported? (I doubt that, as one would think that Aldo would also be signing off on the corportate donations) Was their support faltering during those years, and they made the switch to the Liberals in 1998? Or were they your typical business fence sitters who wanted to support the people they thought would be making policy? Who knows.

Bottom line? It looks like there may be nothing to see here folks, other than me and a few dozen eggs... :-(

Thanks to jDave and Dirk for the information.

UPDATE II: Throw out my "personal vs. corporate" donation idea...
PC PARTY ONTARIO
2000 - MARTINO ALDO - 210 BURLINGTON - 600.00
2001 - MARTINO A - 210 BURLINGTON - 896.00

Looks like the guy was working both sides... PC Total was around $4000.00 as well.

BBS Calling the Libs out on Hypocricy

Blue Blogging Soapbox has a nice post on Liberal hypocricy. The Ontario Libs got all uppity when the PM referred to John Tory as "The next Premier of Ontario", saying Federal politicians shouldn't interfere with provincial politics.

Then a bunch of Federal Liberals show up at various rallies in Nova Scotia... provincial POLITICAL rallies, as they're right in the middle of a provincial election.

Mr. Pot? Meet Mr. Kettle!

Oilers vs. Ducks... Man oh man

I've never seen a team fall apart so completely as the Ducks have in the last 5 minutes.

It's 1-0 Oilers... Peca has a beautiful breakaway goal, 2-0.

About two minutes later, a real pretty 2 on 1, Oilers drop the puck back for the third guy that came outta nowhere... 3-0.

Ducks are just DEMORALIZED on the ice. Crowd in Edmonton IS JUST GOING NUTS! A dumb duck picks a fight with LaRoque... who takes him down with one punch. Both get two minutes.

Another Duck then shoves an Oiler in the face, RIGHT INFRONT OF TWO REFS. Two minutes for roughing.

THEN no more than 30 seconds later, another Duck gets a tripping penalty. DOWN THREE GOALS, AND DOWN TWO PLAYERS! You guessed it... another Oilers goal, 4-0!

UPDATE: Okay, now, in the time it took to write this, the Ducks have gotten things together, and the Oilers for sloppy... they've scored two in the last five minutes. 4-2... crowd is a little more quiet now, starting to chant "OILERS! OILERS!", trying to keep the team on a roll.

So, I guess most of the reason for posting this, the total blowout of the Ducks, is gone now... wow, that went fast. 10 mins to go.

9:20 left - WOAH... the Oilers goalie BARELY pulled a trickler from going over the line... this is one good game...

8:50 left - DUCKS SCORE AGAIN... man, this went from being a BLOWOUT to a NAIL-BITER IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES!!! What did I say at the top of this post about never having seen a team fall apart so fast? Well, twice in one game... twice in one period no less!

The Oilers are now the ones who have totally fallen apart! They look like they're trying to kill a penalty, while at full strength! They just can't keep the puck out of there end! The Ducks just keep coming and coming... they got the wind back in their sails. How many more metaphors can I come up with?

5:49 left... no nails left...

5:38 - OILERS SCORE!!! 5-3!!! Ducks won a face off in their own zone, and an Oiler went and picked the defenceman's pocket, and shot it in with barely a challenge from the goalie! Went right around him!

4:00 left...

3:30...

3:00...

2:00... Ducks coming... off the mesh behind the Oilers goal...

1:45... WHAT? Did the Ducks just score?!?!? MAN! It looked like it went in, then it looked like it didn't, but it clearly hit the camera inside the net and came right out, so it looked like it hit the crossbar and hadn't gone in... but it was in. 5-4! NO!!!

1:23... THAT ONE WAS WAY TO CLOSE!!! Ducks almost scored again! DUCKS HAVE PULLED THE GOALIE... 6 attackers!

1:01... Faceoff to come in Oilers zone... Edmonton crowd is ralling behind their guys!

0:40 - OILERS GET IT OUT!!!

0:30 - DUCKS ARE BACK IN!

0:20 - CLOSE ONE!!! Duck missed the backander with a clear shot at the almost open net!

0:00!!! GAME!!! OILERS WIN!!!

Man oh man oh man... that has got to be the most intense period of hockey I've ever seen... I don't know if I'm going to be able to get to sleep after that one!!!

That "Potted Plant"... shows up everywhere

This time, he's signed a petition to revoke the tax credit for kids sports. The signatories say that the new credit discriminates against kids who don't like sports. Amm, part of the motivation was to encourage parents to get their kids more active.

Another reason was to appeal to the average Joe and Jane with kids, who's votes aren't already parked to the left.



My thanks to the PQ supported who came up with the "Potted Plant"... a source of endless hours of fun...

Media Walkout on PM

In their latest salvo against the Prime Minister, the media staged a walkout of a news conference today, just prior to his announcement on aid for Darfur.

Funny, I thought the media cared about the whole Darfur issue.

On this whole media war... maybe if there was some real desire amongst the media to actually report the news, instead of spinning the news, this fight wouldn't exist?

I'm glad that PM Harper sticking it to them. No, I DON'T want the media to be all soft on the government, but I've said FOR YEARS that the MSM is overtly opposed to all things Conservative. Now that they ARE the Government, they're just carrying on with their overt bias.

Don't believe me on the bias issue? Read "BIAS" by Bernard Goldberg (28 year veteran of CBS), or view the Jane Taber little tirade on CTV's Question Period this past Sunday...

500th post!

Thanks to all the readership for the last 15 months... makes posting more enjoyable when you know people are reading!

Some news updates on the day...

Sorbara is back at the Ontario Cabinet table.

The Caledonia barricade is finally coming down. As some may be aware, power to most of the city (I think the entire city) was disrupted due to "vandalism".

"Hydro One spokeswoman Laura Cooke told CTV News that the cause of the outage was clearly vandalism to the local power transformer and it will likely be days before service is fully restored."

Vandals... any idea of who did it? Will the MSM tell us? I have no idea who did it, to be honest; no one is saying. I have my suspicions, and I'd like the MSM to either confirm or refute them. I'd like to hear that charges at least have been laid, or that the police are investigating the crime. Has anyone heard anything on this?

If it was one or two of the natives, I'd like to see them charged. If it was some non-natives... I'd like to see them charged.

I'm betting someone still wants to call me a racist for saying that. No, I would simply like to see the law upheld. If I see some kids knocking over a mailbox, I call it like I see it... I call them a bunch of immature hooligans, and if I've got my cell with me, I'll call the cops on them. And I'll expect them to be charged with mischief... after all, SOMEONE has to pay for the repairs... and I'd prefer it NOT be me via another postage stamp increase! White, black, native, or non, I don't care... and I've done it before. Yes, I've called the cops on a bunch of white kids! Twice even... some punks were having a rumble up the street, and another bunch having a bush party out behind my house. And I called the cops on a couple of Indians (from INDIA folks, not natives) who were beating the heck out of some cabbie in Toronto, for a car accident that was THEIR FAULT. (morons)

Ahem... okay, rant over, and so's the news update. You can return to your regularly scheduled day...

ps - I'm open to commentary! Is there something you see that I've said where we don't see eye to eye? Then say so! I'm always open to learning how others view things... especially regarding native affairs, as I'm a non-native, and often don't understand the nuances of the issues. I can see things from the resident's side of things, so please, feel free to educate me! As always, please keep the language to a "PG" rating.

Reverse Blockade in Caledonia

The natives in Caledonia have finally taken down their blockade... but a new blockade has been put up, by non-natives, angered at how this whole situation has been dealt with.

No charges have been laid against any of the native protesters, and as a result, these non-natives are angry with the OPP and various government agencies, as they feel people ought to be held accountable for the havoc that this protest has caused over the last month.

I just finished watching a report on CBC Today, and a fist-fight or two had broken out, but other than that, things are contained. Since Friday, residents have been blocking the road to native traffic, preventing other natives from reaching their blockade. Residents are angry with how this entire situation has, in their view, NOT been dealt with.

From CBC.

Zerb retracts... thanks

I was referred to the other day, remotely, by the Toronto Star's "Zerb"... but in a not nice way. Today, she linked to me directly when she posted a retraction...

3. Some right-wing bloggers have complained that I unfairly maligned them by saying that I did not note that they had updated their posts to reflect that doubts had been cast on the original Post story by Chris Wattie. (...) They are correct. I should have noted that.

Appology accepted... and appreciated.

Though I still don't agree with the majority of your views, Zerb. ;-)

An Intro for my new found readership

Well hello there! It seems I've been getting a fair bit of traffic lately over the Iran/National Post controversy, (thanks in part to Canadian Cynic, and, in a roundabout way, Antonia Zerb from the Toronto Star) so as a result, I figured I should at least give a brief intro...

As you can tell by my blog name, I am a Bible believing Christian, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. Despite what you may have read in various lefty blogs and the main stream media (referred to here affectionately as "the MSM"), we don't run the Party... and all plans for our imminent take-over have been put on indefinite hold, due to the exposure of our "vast right-wing conspiracy". We were hoping to keep it under wraps, but, since that didn't pan out, we've relegated ourselves mainly to the blogosphere, and to various late night after-church meetings... kidding.

Seriously, I've become involved in political commentary over the last few years due to a dissatisfaction with how various groups, including the MSM, have treated issues that people of faith, like myself, care about. For some time now, many on the left of the political spectrum (which would include many in the media) have been trying to make anyone who has faith related concerns with various policies as bigoted, intolerant, racist, and just plain wrong.

Well, we do live in a free country, and I may have opinions on issues that you disagree with... and you're free to disagree with me. I may think that certain issues that the left care about are wrong, and if you're interested, I'll tell you why I think they're wrong. And then there are many issues that I'm sure we can find some, if not complete, agreement on.

You see, I to want to make the nation of Canada a better place to live... I live here too, after all. I don't want to turn Canada into a police state, or have policy dictated to us from the White House, which many lefties seem to think is our goal. What I would like is to see a nation where people can choose to live their lives as they see fit, and not have the government, or the media, telling them what to think.

I support the Conservative Party of Canada because I believe that they alone hold to this vision. The other parties on the left of the political spectrum would prefer to have the government dictate to us how we ought to live... a proposition I reject wholeheartedly. The Liberals advocate a "Stateist" mentality, and the NDP as "Socialist" agenda... both of which I have problems with.

An example of this is the Liberal "Child Care" program. The Liberals say "you can have government paid daycare, or none at all", whereas the Conservatives say "you can choose registered daycare, or use the money to support your family at home". Now, the availability of spaces for those who chose the Liberal way is another matter altogether...

As for my faith, I do indeed believe that "God created the heavens and the earth". I do believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He came to earth, God incarnate, 2000 years ago to die for the sins of mankind, and that He rose to life again three days later. I believe that He offers forgiveness from sin TO ALL through the acceptance of His sacrifice in your place. I also believe that the Bible is God's revelation to mankind for this life and the one beyond. I believe that He is returning to earth again, perhaps tomorrow, and will one day rule this earth from the eternal city of Jerusalem, in a redeemed nation of Israel.

So what? Why does it matter to you that I believe that? You don't believe in God? You're an atheist? You don't believe the Bible? Well then, you're just an ignorant bigot who doesn't have a clue what he/she is talking about... now, wouldn't it be much better if I just say that I disagree with your views, and we talk about it more if you want to? ;-)

If you want to know how a Christian views thing here in Canada, then I hope I can be a good example for you. If you want to disagree with anything I say, please feel free... but I do ask that you keep the language to a "PG" level. ;-) (I have been known to toast a comment or two, but only once or twice... right jDave?)

And yes, I do have an agenda... to convert the world to Christ. Considering the "Golden Rule", is that really such a bad thing?

UPDATE: National Post story may be inaccurate

As there is now some debate on the veracity of this story, I retract my comments regarding Iran from earlier today.

Stay tuned for more information... I'll post it as it comes in. As I get the National Post at home, I'm interested in seeing how they deal with it, or what sources they used for the original story. (I was getting suspious about half way through the day...)

Thanks to Canadian Cynic for the update.

UPDATE: According to the National Post, (on the front page) they are standing by their story. I, for one, want to see more sources before I hedge any more bets. If it's true, it's deplorable... if it's not, then a head or two oughta roll over the story.

UPDATE II: I got a round-about mention in Zerb's blog for the Toronto Star over this... and I'll have you know, Zerb, that I HAVE INDEED RETRACTED my previous post... so there! (Cool! I get to join Warren's anti-Zerb club!!!) Now, since she's accusing me of not retracting something that was incorrect, can I expect a retraction from her, since she is incorrect? Here's her comments: (near bottom of May 20 post)

"UPPITY DATE: Canadian Cynic is tracking how the right wingnuts (which includes "yours screwly", to quote Warren) who jumped all over this are not backing off it, (care to retract that Zerb? I have backed off...)even though it's not true."

In fact, my retraction was posted BEFORE she published her post. Funny... she accuses me of something, then does the exact same thing! LOL

GIVE...IT...A...REST...ALREADY

You gotta love, or not love, these child care "advocates".

It seems there was a protest in front of the B.C. Legislature on Tuesday, calling for "a national child care program".

A quote from the SaanichNews...

"The Harper plan is no plan at all," B.C. Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Angela Schira told the crowd. "It's about eliminating the right for women to choose quality child care for their children."

Amm, no it's not... it's about thousands of other women's right to choose the child care arrangements they want, if they choose not to use institutionalized program.

How about this quote?

"The national child-care program, promised during the dying weeks of Paul Martin's minority Liberal regime, was applauded by parents and daycare providers from coast to coast."

Amm, can you say "selective memory"? NOT EVERYONE APPLAUDED IT!!! Sure, lots of child care "advocates" did, (where would their "industry" be without being able to siphon millions from the Government?) but it was NOT "universally applauded" by parents, as your article suggests. Again, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CHOICE HERE, RIGHT? Why can't we have the choice that we want? Oh, right... it's your way, or the highway... sorry, I forgot. My mistake.

Then I saw the ad at the bottom of the article... "Click here to save 50% on the TORONTO STAR". It all makes sense to me now.

"There's nothing to see here, move along..."

Iran, and the silence of the MSM and the Left

Yes, I know... I said "the MSM and the Left". I know, they're one and the same...

A commenter here on my blog made this astute observation...

Funny how comparisions to Hitler are so freely leveled at George Bush. But when Iran does something so reminiscent of the Nazi regime; silence.

Right on! Well lefties? Anyone want to comment? Anyone care to disprove that theory? Anyone from the MSM? (other than the National Post, who ran it as THEIR LEAD STORY, AS IT SHOULD BE)

How about the CBC? NOTHING ON IRAN, but funny, they have a lead story on the UN calling on the US to close Gimto.

CTV? Nothing on Iran, but again, this is one of their TOP STORIES... I think you're point has just been proven there Ryan about the silence of the leftist MSM...

Toronto Star? NOPE, but the anti-US story is there also... funny that...

Globe & Mail? No Iran, but Gimto strikes again.

Funny... TorStar, CTV/G&M, and the CBC... all calling on Gimto to be closed, but silence on Iran... all three of the left leaning media groups... imagine that...

If this story is indeed true, IT OUGHT TO BE WORLD HEADLINES.

Iran following in Hitler's footsteps

THIS is unbelieveable.

This is shocking, sickening, revolting, disgusting, disturbing, insane, immoral, infuriating... I'm so bent out of shape over it that I can't think of any more words to use. Feel free to contribute more words... (but please keep it to a "PG" rating, you never know who's watching)

There's a Biblical rule that applies here, that has proven itself over and over again throughout history... if you ever go up against the people of Israel, you're screwed. Ahmadinejad, back down. The Most High God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, made a promise to Abraham regarding his desendants...

Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Adolf Hitler tried... and died. The Six Day war? It only lasted six days, with Israel winning. One tiny nation, one people, and no one, NO ONE, has been able to, or will ever be able to, wipe them out.

Take heed, lest you and your nation perish.

"The Morgan Six"

Don Martin from the National Post has some choice words for the MP's involved in the Morgan fiasco.

"The Morgan Six" is what David Asper is calling them. (subscription required)

They are: Raymond Bonin (Liberal); Joe Volpe (Liberal); Omar Alghabra (Liberal); Caroline St. Hilaire (Bloc); Louise Thibault (Bloc); Peggy Nash (NDP).

Don't let them forget it.

"La Motion ADOPTE"

Okay, so my french sucks... BUT THE AFGHAN MISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED INTO 2009, by a vote in the House of Commons tonight of 149 to 145. This is GOOD NEWS for Canada.

I noticed a few things during tonight's vote. The Right. Hon. Paul Martin was absent, as were a number of other Liberals. And about 25 supported the motion. My guess is the Liberals did a count during caucus today, and left themselves a few votes short on purpose.

A few noteables who voted in FAVOUR of the motion... Bill Graham, who I have a new respect for tonight. Having been the former Minister of Defence, he couldn't well vote against it, but he had the guts to stand in favour of it. Good for him. Also, leadership contenders Scott Brison and Michael Ignatieff supported it as well. Good for them, I respect them for it.

My MP, however, did not support it. She can expect a call from me tomorrow.

Sponsorship... a link to the old PMO?

This might be interesting... "A key witness at Chuck Guite's fraud trial says former prime minister Jean Chretien's office was at the centre of the sponsorship fiasco."

Jean Lambert is the first witness at Chuck Guite's fraud trial to corroborate Guite's allegations that the PMO of JC was involved in directing contracts.

Stay tuned kiddies...

The Gun Registry, NOW UPDATED

Stockwell Day makes the long expected announement.

To all the nay-sayers, here are some highlights that should please...

The Handgun Registry - STILL IN PLACE

List of Restricted Weapons - STILL IN PLACE

Requirement for License in order to Obtain a Firearm (including background checks) - STILL IN PLACE

All of these measures, I support.

Support the Afghan Mission? CALL YOUR MP NOW!

There will be a non-binding vote on extending the Afghan mission TONIGHT in the House of Commons... AND MY MP HAS STATED THAT SHE IS VOTING AGAINST IT!!!

Do you care about the Afghan people, and the rebuilding of their nation? THEN CLICK ON THIS LINK AND CALL YOUR MP NOW, ASKING THEM TO VOTE TO EXTEND THE MISSION!!!

What kind of nation do we live in? One where we ABANDON people when they need our help? That's right... when people need our help, and we get a bloody nose helping them, WE TUCK TAIL AND RUN.

That's NOT my Canada. I hope it's not yours either.

Partisan Politics Backfires on the Opposition

Uncommon Truths has a great post on the partisan games being played by the Opposition. So Prime Minister Stephen Harper one uped them... he postponed the creation of the Office of Appointments, until his next mandate.

Mr. Harper didn't "take his ball and go home" as the Opposition claims he did, he sent them a message... "Quit playing partisan political games, there's serious work to be done. And by the way... I plan to screw you during the next election with this partisan blunder of yours."

The NDP is trying to say "We said this candidate is unsuitable due to comments he made in a speech." All he did in that speech was to expose part of our recent crime problem which the MSM has shied away from... that part (not all) of Toronto's gun problem is tied to the Jamaican, NOT the entire black, community. Like it or not, many seem to think that it's a black problem... when in reality, it's not.

So he's being discriminated for stating the truth. Actually, he sounds like the kinda guy I'd like to have in a job like that.

Gun Registry and Liberal Mantras

Just finished watching Global National. It's kinda funny, but sad, how I kept hearing the same lines, over and over again, in support of the Registry.

"The police make over 5000 searches a day on the registry". I saw one Lib blogger's site who made the statement, "If we keep repeating that mantra, we'll win!" (Yea, and if the public falls for it, then we really are idiots who deserve to have your Party to rule over us)

"This is a great law enforcement tool". The LIBERAL Ont. Attorney General said this over and over and over and over... He was also going on about how "it has been an invaluable tool for the Judicial system as well, in building court cases against the accused." I wonder how many of those cases would have never occured had the Registry never existed... because the only info they could possibly be using from it would be against people who lawfully registered their firearms.

David Miller's line was the best... "They shouldn't be srapping it, they should be expanding it... they should ban all handguns." (News flash David... Jan. 23rd killed that idea) Yep, Toronto Mayor David Miller... a Liberal.

I like this quote I once saw... "When you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns."

Most of the gun problem in Toronto is due to unregistered weapons. And for those crimes committed with registered weapons... shows how ineffective the Registry is, because it didn't prevent those crimes. Right?

We need to deal with the USERS of these guns... that's where the problem lies. A gun is not a problem until someone picks it up WITH INTENT TO USE IT. (or a kid is playing with it, but that's an issue of proper gun storage, which I strongly support) Root out those with intent, and a large part of the problem is dealt with.

Stand up for... Stats Can?

Well, I took a look at the website of this nutbar. After that, I promptly went filled out my 2006 Census online. Properly.

Don't forget... today's the due date.

Caledonia: the barricade comes down

Finally.

To the native protesters... thank you for your show of good faith.

Let's keep looking for an equitable settlement.

UPDATE: According to the CBC, they have only partially opened it, and you can only get by if you have a native issued pass.

Guys, that's NOT good enough.

Political Fundraising... OUCH

The newest numbers are out. A friend of mine sent this to me from the Hill Times.

First Quarter Contributions to Political Parties, 2006
Tories - $5.6 million via 37,000 donors
Liberals - $1.3 million, via 6493 donors

OUCH. That's gotta hurt, especially when you're party is in serious debt.

But, I choose to look on the bright side... if we're serious about killing the Liberal Party of Canada once and for all, look for a Fall 2006 or Spring 2007 election!

Rona shouldn't resign

Those lefty environmental groups are calling on Rona Ambrose to resign from her post as chair of an international climate change meeting in Germany next week because "she's not committed to Kyoto". They think that Kyoto is the be-all and end-all of climate change.

It's not. This upcoming meeting in Germany is on climate change, and Canada is committed to preventing climate change... however, Kyoto is not the ONLY means out there. From CTV: "The first two days of the meetings in Germany will be focused on implementing the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, which was the precursor to Kyoto."

And how's this for a ludicrous line...

"This party that's in power now campaigned about the dishonesty of other parties and on this issue of Kyoto, they couldn't be more dishonest than they're behaving right now," John Bennett, the chair of the Climate Action Network told a news conference Wednesday.

"An honourable minister doesn't continue to participate in something they disagree with."

Dishonest? Far from it. She's never said we aren't committed to climate change... she has CLEARLY stated that Kyoto is not the way to go.

And the REASON we can't keep our Kyoto commitments is because the Liberals signed the document, THEN DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT. If we're going to assign blame, let's put the blame where it belongs.

Besides... if these enviro guys are serious about Kyoto, they should be scrapping all their cars immediately. And they should stop using those helicopters they use to shoot all their nature documentaries, as they emit greenhouse gases. Tie up the "Rainbow Warrior", and quit travelling from coast to coast calling on the government to restrict greenhouse gases.

Funny thing is, they want to start looking "Beyond Kyoto". I agree. Let's get beyond the failed Kyoto agreement, and start working on real solutions.

PM Harper... stand-up comic

This is not the first time that our PM has had a good one-liner... get a load of this one... from the Hansard, no less...

Mr. Mark Holland (Ajax—Pickering, Lib.): "Mr. Speaker, the point that the minister misses is very simple. There is a difference between expressing an opinion about the judiciary and launching a personal attack on the independence of Canada's chief justice and to put words in her mouth. There is a huge difference.

Canadians want to know are the comments from the member for Halton and the Prime Minister's close association with the ultra right wing Civitas Society part of their real agenda, an agenda to destroy the independence of our judiciary?"

Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I cannot resist answering a question about the vast right wing conspiracy. What I will say is that I will speak to the Minister of National Defence and see if there is any possibility in the budget of a black helicopter, so we can fly the hon. member around to investigate his concerns.

ZING!

h/t Stephen Taylor

Original quote from the Hansard.

Of Warren, Rae, and Nazis

Warren Kinsella, my favorite Liberal (Dan McTeauge is a close second) has confirmed the rumours... Liberal leadership candidate, Bob Rae, this weekend at the LPC(O) shin-dig, did indeed liken the Harper/Bush softwood lumber deal to the Chamberlian/Hitler deal, the "Munich Pact", prior to World War II. The question is, who is Bob's pick for the role of Hitler...

And it was Warren that gave this piece of advice sometime last year... "In politics, whenever you liken someone to Hitler or the Nazis, you lose... guarenteed."

CBC: Conservatives Banned from Commenting

Michael Coren had a GREAT piece in the National Post today, on his "cancelled" appearence on CBC News Sunday this week. His title was "Blacklisted by the CBC". He reports that his scheduled panel apperance was canned at the very last minute, for no explained reason. For the record, I like Michael Coren, and I have called into his show on CFRB 1010 once or twice. He tells it like it is, and I wish I had the chance to listen to him more often.

Why is this continually allowed to happen? If you don't fall into line with the thinking of the powers that be at the CBC, and your voice simply won't be heard... to them, it doesn't even count. When was the last time you heard a truely conservative voice on the CBC, who wasn't there to be ridiculed? Granted, there are one or two... what's-his-names "Cross Country Checkup" comes to mind... and I'd call him more balanced, but not "conservative". They are indeed few and far between.

To quote Michael, quoting a CBC employee, "there are people here who simply hate you."

It's not just you they seem to hate Michael.

Gun Crime... lock 'em up!

Dissonance & Disrespect has a good post on the new proposed gun laws... and some lefty has this to say in his comments...

"crime rates in this country have been declining. i suppose the rural vote, which rarely sees toronto, will be happy that gun crimes are tougher. it won't take a single gun off the streets"

So, I replied, "Right... so if crime rates have been declining, why are you getting all upity about gun crime in Toronto? According to your logic, it'll all just go away... eventually."

Anyway, they way I see it, you can take one of two approaches to gun crime... you can either try to take the guns away from the criminals, or you can lock the gun criminals away.

In approach number one, a gun gets taken away from a gun toter. He then talks to his gun running buddies to get another one, since he's back out on the street in no time, since he got a conditional sentance. However, since there are fewer guns around now becaues they've been "banned", the street price has gone up... therefore, he'll have to beat and rob a couple more old ladies before he can get a new piece.

However, using the second approach, he's not on the street to get humself a new piece... and the one the cops took away from him has been melted down already. The number of buyers for the remaining guns will drop sharply, because so-and-so heard about his buddy's cousin's brother who just went up the river for five whole years cause he got caught with a gun... and he decides the price isn't worth it, so he doesn't buy one himself.

THAT's how you get things done... not with airy-fairy promises to "ban guns", which are already restricted. (a true Liberal approach... promise something that's already in place, and make it look like a new idea)

So, if you really want to curb gun crime, call your local MP and ensure they support these new measures.

On tax "increases"

Here's my take on the Federal Budget 2006, and the Liberal claims that my taxes were "raised".

The Liberals cut it to 15% only because they were going into an election... a regular Liberal promise. The Tories changed that change to 15.5%. This, for me, equals an "increase" of $200 over the course of the year. However, with the new $500 employment credit, and the GST reduction, and the regular increase of the Basic Personal Amount, I'm still going to see an overall tax savings, as the GST will be reduced on all of my bills, my non-food purchaces, my gas, etc.

I'm happy.

Budget 06 - Aboriginal Issues

The media is screaming that "this budget isn't addressing the deal we made in Kelowna". They're saying it as if the Conservatives are taking away all the Liberal funding promises. Let's examine that, and take a real look at the numbers.

The Liberals are saying that we're scrapping the $5.1 billion dollar deal. Remember, the deal was $5.1 billion... OVER 5 YEARS. This budget?

The Government is committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. The way forward will require a joint commitment by all parties to deal with the root causes and structural issues causing these socio-economic gaps.

Folks, THIS IS A ONE TO TWO YEAR BUDGET!!! The Conservatives have said that they don't make airy-fairy promises over huge periods of time like the Liberals do. Sure, billions and billions of dollars sounds great... but spread over years and years fudges the numbers! A more prudent approach is to set a shorter term agenda, then fund those projects... which will produce a lower dollar amount, right?

Don't forget... with the way the Liberals budget stuff, WE'RE STILL PAYING FOR LIBERAL PROMISES MADE 4-5 BUDGETS AGO!!! (talk about downloading!!!) The Conservatives recognize that promises made today should be paid for within a reasonable timeframe, not spread over the next decade or so!

THAT'S why the Liberals could make their child care and Kelwona "deals"... if they'd won the last election, they could bury the numbers over the next few years. If they lost, which they did, they could stick it to the Tories for "draconian neo-conservative cutbacks to desperately needed social programs"... which is EXACTLY what they're doing via the media today!!!

The details in this budget are dealing with just a couple of the priority areas, as defined in the Kelowna agreement. The money mentioned here is ON TOP of all the other regular funding. This money, $450 million, is soley directed at urgent priorties. And they have stated our clear intention to discover and rectify the root causes of the ongoing issues... not just promising more money with no strings attached, which has always been the Liberal approach.

We've also proposed stronger auditing practices, to weed out those who are squandering the money, and at what level. I'm not talking about the band level here... I'm talking about the Federal level. Ever wonder why there are some reserves have lots of money, and others are in appaling conditions? Some have suggested Ad-scam like reasons... so let's find out and fix it!!!

So, since the MSM likes to only shed light on how they view things... I've posted the ENTIRE budget section on Aboriginal issues...

Helping Aboriginal Communities

A New Approach
Government of Canada spending on programs directed towards Aboriginal people, including claims, has increased to $9.1 billion in 2005–06 from $7.4 billion in 2000–01, an average annual increase of 4.3 per cent. While federal programs targeted to Aboriginal Canadians have reduced disparities between Aboriginal people and other Canadians, unacceptable gaps remain.

Federal Spending on Aboriginal People
The Government spends approximately $9.1 billion each year to fund programs directed towards Aboriginal people.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provides about $6.1 billion, of which about 80 per cent is for basic, province-type services for First Nations on reserve (e.g. education, social services, income assistance), where the Government has primary responsibility.

Fifteen other federal departments and agencies, the largest of which is Health Canada, also provide about $3.0 billion for a wide variety of programs for First Nations on reserve, Inuit, Métis and off-reserve Aboriginal people.

Over the last five years spending has grown by about 4.3 per cent or $350 million per year.


The Government is committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. The way forward will require a joint commitment by all parties to deal with the root causes and structural issues causing these socio-economic gaps.

The Government will work with Aboriginal leaders and provinces and territories to develop a new approach with workable solutions to meet the established targets. Strong accountability and governance structures will be essential to ensure concrete improvements in outcomes and to ensure programs are effective. This budget provides $150 million in 2006–07 and $300 million in 2007–08 for the following priority areas:

Education: Although Aboriginal students have made significant gains in educational attainment over the past two decades, the Government is committed to improving Aboriginal education outcomes as this is key to eliminating the socio-economic gap.

Women, Children and Families: The Government recognizes the pivotal roles that Aboriginal women play within their families and their communities and in improving socio-economic outcomes.

Water and Housing: Aboriginal Canadians living on reserve suffer from a severe housing shortage and a backlog in the renovation of current units. Many do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. To properly address these fundamental needs, it is essential to consider innovative solutions that could help address this chronic situation over the longer term.

Details concerning initiatives will be provided by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in the coming months.

Addressing the Legacy of Residential Schools
The Government is committed to honouring the Agreement-in-Principle reached on November 20, 2005, with the legal counsel for former Indian residential school students, the churches, the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations.

In anticipation of a final agreement, $2.2 billion has been set aside for the common experience payments and for other programmatic elements such as healing and commemoration. In addition, provision has been made in anticipation of an improved Independent Assessment Process to address claims of serious abuse in the Indian residential school system, which would replace the current Dispute Resolution Framework. Compensation through the Independent Assessment Process would in all cases be paid by the Government following validation by an independent adjudicator.

The Government believes that this financial recognition of the often negative impact of the residential school experience, buttressed by support programs and compensation for those who suffered harm, will help former students to build a better future for themselves and their families in communities across Canada. Programs and activities devoted to truth and reconciliation and commemoration of the residential school experience should lead to a broader understanding among all Canadians of the impacts of the Indian residential school system.

Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing
In order to help provinces address short-term pressures with regard to the housing needs of Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve, the Government is providing a one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. The Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust will support investments to increase the supply of rental housing and enhance home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve.

Pending confirmation in fall 2006 of the Government of Canada's financial results for 2005–06, funding will be distributed to provinces based on their share of the Aboriginal population living off reserve and notionally allocated over three years.

Affordable Housing in the Territories
The pressures on housing in the territories, where many Aboriginal Canadians live, are particularly acute. In order to help the territories address short-term affordable housing pressures, the Government is providing a one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. The Northern Housing Trust will support investments to increase the supply of affordable housing, including rental, transitional and supportive housing in the territories.

Pending confirmation in fall 2006 of the Government of Canada's financial results for 2005–06, funding will be notionally allocated over three years and distributed among the three territories as follows: $50 million each for the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, plus an additional $150 million for urgent needs in Nunavut.

More details on the two trusts can be found in the section entitled "Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada."

In total, Budget 2006 confirms funding of over $3 billion in support of Aboriginal Canadians.

Aboriginal Communities - A new approach: priorities - $450 million
Education
Women, children and families
Water and housing

Addressing the legacy of residential schools - $2.2 billion
Off-reserve Aboriginal housing - $300 million

Affordable housing in the territories - $300 million
___________
Total $3.25 billion

Budget 06 - Aboriginal Issues

The media is screaming that "this budget isn't addressing the deal we made in Kelowna". They're saying it as if the Conservatives are taking away all the Liberal funding promises. Let's examine that, and take a real look at the numbers.

The Liberals are saying that we're scrapping the $5.1 billion dollar deal. Remember, the deal was $5.1 billion... OVER 5 YEARS. This budget?

The Government is committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. The way forward will require a joint commitment by all parties to deal with the root causes and structural issues causing these socio-economic gaps.

Folks, THIS IS A ONE TO TWO YEAR BUDGET!!! The Conservatives have said that they don't make airy-fairy promises over huge periods of time like the Liberals do. Sure, billions and billions of dollars sounds great... but spread over years and years fudges the numbers! A more prudent approach is to set a shorter term agenda, then fund those projects... which will produce a lower dollar amount, right?

Don't forget... with the way the Liberals budget stuff, WE'RE STILL PAYING FOR LIBERAL PROMISES MADE 4-5 BUDGETS AGO!!! (talk about your downloading!!!) The Conservatives recognize that promises made today should be paid for within a reasonable timeframe, not spread over the next decade or so!

THAT'S why the Liberals could make their child care and Kelwona "deals" RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION... if they'd won the last election, they could bury the numbers over the next few years. If they lost (which they did), they could stick it to the Tories for "draconian neo-conservative cutbacks to desperately needed social programs!!!"... which is EXACTLY what they're doing via the media today!!!

The details in this budget are dealing with just a couple of the priority areas, as defined in the Kelowna agreement. The money mentioned here is ON TOP of all the other regular funding. This money, $450 million, is soley directed at urgent priorties. And they have stated our clear intention to discover and rectify the root causes of the ongoing issues... not just promising more money with no strings attached, which has always been the Liberal approach.

We've also proposed stronger auditing practices, to weed out those who are squandering the money, and at what level. I'm not talking about the band level here... I'm talking about the Federal level. Ever wonder why there are some reserves have lots of money, and others are in appaling conditions? Some have suggested Ad-scam like reasons... so let's find out and fix it!!!

So, since the MSM likes to only shed light on how they view things... I've posted the ENTIRE budget section on Aboriginal issues...

Helping Aboriginal Communities

A New Approach
Government of Canada spending on programs directed towards Aboriginal people, including claims, has increased to $9.1 billion in 2005–06 from $7.4 billion in 2000–01, an average annual increase of 4.3 per cent. While federal programs targeted to Aboriginal Canadians have reduced disparities between Aboriginal people and other Canadians, unacceptable gaps remain.

Federal Spending on Aboriginal People
The Government spends approximately $9.1 billion each year to fund programs directed towards Aboriginal people.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provides about $6.1 billion, of which about 80 per cent is for basic, province-type services for First Nations on reserve (e.g. education, social services, income assistance), where the Government has primary responsibility.

Fifteen other federal departments and agencies, the largest of which is Health Canada, also provide about $3.0 billion for a wide variety of programs for First Nations on reserve, Inuit, Métis and off-reserve Aboriginal people.

Over the last five years spending has grown by about 4.3 per cent or $350 million per year.


The Government is committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. The way forward will require a joint commitment by all parties to deal with the root causes and structural issues causing these socio-economic gaps.

The Government will work with Aboriginal leaders and provinces and territories to develop a new approach with workable solutions to meet the established targets. Strong accountability and governance structures will be essential to ensure concrete improvements in outcomes and to ensure programs are effective. This budget provides $150 million in 2006–07 and $300 million in 2007–08 for the following priority areas:

Education: Although Aboriginal students have made significant gains in educational attainment over the past two decades, the Government is committed to improving Aboriginal education outcomes as this is key to eliminating the socio-economic gap.

Women, Children and Families: The Government recognizes the pivotal roles that Aboriginal women play within their families and their communities and in improving socio-economic outcomes.

Water and Housing: Aboriginal Canadians living on reserve suffer from a severe housing shortage and a backlog in the renovation of current units. Many do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. To properly address these fundamental needs, it is essential to consider innovative solutions that could help address this chronic situation over the longer term.

Details concerning initiatives will be provided by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in the coming months.

Addressing the Legacy of Residential Schools
The Government is committed to honouring the Agreement-in-Principle reached on November 20, 2005, with the legal counsel for former Indian residential school students, the churches, the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations.

In anticipation of a final agreement, $2.2 billion has been set aside for the common experience payments and for other programmatic elements such as healing and commemoration. In addition, provision has been made in anticipation of an improved Independent Assessment Process to address claims of serious abuse in the Indian residential school system, which would replace the current Dispute Resolution Framework. Compensation through the Independent Assessment Process would in all cases be paid by the Government following validation by an independent adjudicator.

The Government believes that this financial recognition of the often negative impact of the residential school experience, buttressed by support programs and compensation for those who suffered harm, will help former students to build a better future for themselves and their families in communities across Canada. Programs and activities devoted to truth and reconciliation and commemoration of the residential school experience should lead to a broader understanding among all Canadians of the impacts of the Indian residential school system.

Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing
In order to help provinces address short-term pressures with regard to the housing needs of Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve, the Government is providing a one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. The Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust will support investments to increase the supply of rental housing and enhance home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve.

Pending confirmation in fall 2006 of the Government of Canada's financial results for 2005–06, funding will be distributed to provinces based on their share of the Aboriginal population living off reserve and notionally allocated over three years.

Affordable Housing in the Territories
The pressures on housing in the territories, where many Aboriginal Canadians live, are particularly acute. In order to help the territories address short-term affordable housing pressures, the Government is providing a one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. The Northern Housing Trust will support investments to increase the supply of affordable housing, including rental, transitional and supportive housing in the territories.

Pending confirmation in fall 2006 of the Government of Canada's financial results for 2005–06, funding will be notionally allocated over three years and distributed among the three territories as follows: $50 million each for the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, plus an additional $150 million for urgent needs in Nunavut.

More details on the two trusts can be found in the section entitled "Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In total, Budget 2006 confirms funding of over $3 billion in support of Aboriginal Canadians.

Aboriginal Communities - A new approach: priorities - $450 million
Education
Women, children and families
Water and housing

Addressing the legacy of residential schools - $2.2 billion
Off-reserve Aboriginal housing - $300 million

Affordable housing in the territories - $300 million
___________
Total $3.25 billion

Scott Reid... a voice rises from the grave

Just when you thought it was safe... the voice of Paul Martin's Scott Reid has risen from the ashes of their Jan. 23 loss... in an article in today's Toronto Star. It's title? "Five priorities for the Liberal party", and it contains his "blueprint" for the Liberals return to power in Ottawa.

A good sub-title? "Forget about 'renewal'... it's all about winning power back!!!" And it pretty much goes against every suggestion that Warren Kinsella has made thus for the federal Liberals.

My take? I really, REALLY, hope they listen to good old Scotty-boy... he helped them lose once... why not let him help them lose again and again and again!!!

WARNING - The previous post has been a purely partisan one... no Liberals or lefties were harmed in the creation of this post... at least I don't think I hurt any...

Budget 06 - my thoughts

Just a quick set of thoughts on the Conservative's first budget.

For me, the one thing I need from my government is tax relief. So right off the bat...

The new Canada Employment Credit a tax credit on
employment income of up to $500, effective July 1, 2006, to
help working Canadians. The eligible amount will double to
$1,000 as of January 1, 2007.

That equals about an extra $100, IN MY POCKET, right off the bat.

Increases in the basic personal amount the amount that all
Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax above
its currently legislated level for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

That means more money IN MY POCKET, though this one is harder to quantify.

This, I like, since if I have kids, my wife will be staying at home...

CHILDCARE
$3.7 billion over two years for the Universal Child Care Benefit
(UCCB), which will provide all families with $100 per month
for each child under age 6. The UCCB will not affect federal
income-tested benefits and will be provided as of July 1, 2006.

That means $1800 in my buddy's pocket this year, as his wife is a stay-at-home-mom... and $3600 next year! (yes, it's TAXABLE INCOME... so knock about 20% off those totals)

I like this too, I haven't heard anyone mention it yet...

Assistance for persons with disabilities will be enhanced by:

– Increasing the maximum annual Child Disability Benefit
(CDB) to $2,300 from $2,044, effective July 2006.

– Extending eligibility for the CDB to middle- and higherincome
families caring for a child who is eligible for the
disability tax credit, effective July 2006.

– Boosting the maximum amount of the refundable medical
expense supplement to $1,000 from $767, effective 2006.

For seniors...

Increasing to $2,000 the maximum amount eligible for the
pension income credit, effective 2006. This will benefit nearly
2.7 million taxpayers with pension income and will remove
approximately 85,000 pensioners from the tax rolls.

Seniors make up a good chunk of the poor in our nation... so taking 85,000 of them off the tax rolls is a step in the right direction.

Many on the left, that I've heard, are saying that we need more social programs to help the poor. Yes, we certainly do, but ensuring that they don't have to pay taxes on their monthly income is a good idea, don't you think?

And for these measures, it's about time...

Cracking Down on Crime
- $161 million for 1,000 more RCMP officers and federal
prosecutors to focus on such law-enforcement priorities as drugs,
corruption and border security (including gun smuggling).
- $37 million for the RCMP to expand its National Training
Academy (Depot) to accommodate these new officers and build
the capacity to train more officers in the future.
- Set aside funds to expand Canada’s correctional facilities to
house the expected increase in inmates as a result of changes
in sentencing rules.
- $20 million for communities to prevent youth crime with a focus
on guns, gangs and drugs.
- $26 million to give victims a more effective voice in the federal
corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access
to services (such as travel to appear at parole hearings).

We need the money for programs to prevent youth from turning to crime, so this is a good move... but I want the thugs who have already turned to crime OFF OUR STREETS. So the funding for more prisons is also welcome.

Also...

A tax credit for the purchase of monthly public transit passes,
effective July 1, 2006.

Won't affect me, but might just be enough to get the fence sitters to "Ride the Rocket", as we say in T.O.

As for Kyoto... zip. Nilch. Nada. AS IT SHOULD BE. Have you even read the Kyoto Protocol? To silence the nay-sayers, I HAVE. Got a copy of it on my PDA, just so I can refer its supporters to the offending passages. It's a MASSIVE black-hole money pit... and WON'T address our international needs. And, thanks to the inaction of the previous Liberal government, (I love saying that... "previous") we've ALREADY missed several of the deadlines. THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN MEET OUR COMMITMENTS, and it has NOTHING to do with the Conservatives. If you want to lay any kind of blame for Canada not sticking with Kyoto, TALK TO YOUR LOCAL LIBERAL MP.

And they have to gall to claim that they alone "are the defenders of the enviornment"??? I'm 100% in favour of reducing our emissions... but let's do it in a reasonable way, eh guys? Let's fund alternative fuels, get the prices on hybrid cars down, and start sticking it to major polluters, instead of jumping on the bandwagon of an "agreement" that will cost us BILLIONS will little or no return.

Did I mention that I liked "Star Trek II"?

A commenter left a "Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan" reference here on my blog last week, and now the Phantom Observer uses another good one! It's gotta be one of my favorite flicks... Khan was the BEST villain character in Star Trek history.

The Star Trek reference is actually well used... he's referring to the "No-win-scenario" that Bill Graham faces, should the budget prove to be a popular one.

Unfortunately, with the MSM mostly on the Liberal's side, he'll like do what Kirk did as his final solution... "I changed the conditions of the test so that it was possible to save the ship... I don't like to lose".

A budget chat on MSN

Just had a 10 second chat with a friend about today's budget. Here's the entire thing:

"(Him) says:
Am I the only one or do you agree with me that tax cuts will boost the economy?

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
I agree

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
Stimulate spending

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
More staff required to handle more spending

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
more people working

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
more tax revenue for the gov

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
less people on social assistance

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
win win win win situation

(Him) says:
Exactly...more staff means, more jobs, less unemployed. More tax payers, more money for governement spending.

(Me) Budget TODAY says:
Duh

(Him) says:
Why is it so hard for the liberals to understand?

Commenters, go at it/me.

It's a really simplistic look at things I know, but as we've been talking here about the "evils of capitalism" (in comments), I just thought I'd share.

The reason I support tax cuts is for this exact reason... to stimulate the economy, thus creating jobs, thus increasing government revenues, thus allowing for a better social spending, etc. It's a cyclical beast, and it has to start somewhere... cutting taxes is one way to do this.

Increasing social spending (ie. NDP budget, 2005) may help solve problems in the near term, but to really work on solving our long term issues, we need to strengthen our economic engine.

I, for one, am really glad we've got an economist for a PM.

New book on my wish list

This is gonna be a whole load of fun...