CommPost

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

DOWN CAME THE AXE

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080116.wlunnmain0116/BNStory/National/home

So I guess its true. Canadian democracy is now in the same league as most third world countries. When an official disagrees with the government and does their job they get fired. So what about the safety of Canadians, so what about the importance of having strong arms lenght institutions to ensure proper enforcement of government regulations... to hell with all that.

I like Rick Mercer's take on the whole thing

http://www.rickmercer.com/blog/index.cfm/

This is what we'd get universally if these guys had a majority. Scary Scary Scary.

Cheers,

P

posted by Patrick at 10:47 AM

6 Comments:

  • It's amazing how they seem to run roughshod over arm's-length agencies: Elections Canada, this, and I'm sure there are others that I don't know about.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:54 AM  

  • Yeah next it will be the charter...

    At least Ms. Keen has the guts to stand up these guys. Because we all know whether she went quietly or the way she did, with loud professionalism, she was going.

    I think more of the suits in Ottawa need to grow a pair and stand up for this stuff when it happens.

    Cheers,

    P

    By Blogger Patrick, at 7:36 AM  

  • And Canadian tax payers are going to suffer.

    One course of action available to Ms. Keen, that I believe she will end up taking, is filing a wrongful dismissal suit, charging the federal government for compensation. Although she's still a board member of the Commission and collecting a pay cheque, I'm thinking she will sue in order to escalate things and create another forum to defend her name and character in court. Her testimony at the parliamentary committee will be important, and could very well indicate her next course of action. A legal challenge is one such action, and I wouldn’t blame her for pursuing it. Unfortunately, her legal bills, the government's legal bills, and what ever financial settlement is awarded...or settled...will be paid for by you, me and the pissed-off tax payer.

    Mark C

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:18 AM  

  • I think that is what you'd call Conservative Party fiscal responsibility.

    You'll also note the growing reports that the tory tax cuts might be putting us in a position to return to the bad old days of budget deficits.

    Not good!

    Cheers,

    P

    By Blogger Patrick, at 10:45 AM  

  • Absolutely. And the tax cuts they have provided (2 percentage points off the GST, some modest corporate tax cuts, and very minor personal income tax cuts) will do little to prompt economic growth.

    Economist after economist (including Finance Minister Flaherty himself) has advocated that if you are going to reduce taxes, do it at the income/revenue level, NOT the consumer level. Cuts to consumption taxes have no short or long-term benefit to the economy. But, it might please the voters. It is a clear example that good politics may not equal good public policy.

    Harper and the Tories are gambling with the balance sheet – surplus or deficit – with little to no gain for the country.

    Old news though. I think we saw this coming.

    Mark C

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:03 PM  

  • P.S.

    I could never understand why some people believe the Conservatives are the ideal party to deal with the economy. Just because they have the word ‘conservative’ in their name, doesn't mean they are fiscal conseratives.

    The Tories have a proven track record that they are not always fiscally conservative. All you have to do is look at the last 20 years and the last two Tory governments. Under Mulroney, the Tories where spending like mad, about $3 for every $2 the Canadian economy took in. The deficit spending TRIPLED under the Conservatives in the 80's to early '90s. It took a Liberal (Finance Minister Martin) to get things under control, and turn the nation to a surplus.

    While in opposition, Harper said the Liberals we money wasting, free-spenders. But just look at him now – Harper is spending more money than Martin and Chrétien ever did.

    You must not make the assumption that a "Conservative" party is a fiscal conservative. Or that a "Liberal" party is a liberal spender. Action speaks louder than words...just look at the facts.

    Mark C

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:06 PM  

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