Canadian Media Failing: Canadians Socialism does not work

Our media, and opposition are no longer interested in talking about the economy. They are much more interested in talking about an ex-MP who did not win any contracts but may have had unfair access to lobby. They also like to talk about the treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan. Priorities are a strange thing for some political parties.

It has been a year since our media spent all their energy reporting on every aspect of the American President and his visit to Ottawa.

Has our press T.M.Z. talking heads dropped the ball in providing important relevant information to Canadians? Are Canadians too consumed with the Canadian media to replicate the American news coverage of Bubble Boy, Tiger Woods and Kate's Dancing with the Stars to be concerned about the financial status of Canada in relation to our Global trading partners?

Has the media reported how the estimated oil spill of between 1,000 - 5,000 barrels of oil for months will impact Canadians? (One of the worst environmental disasters in history Exxon Valdez spilled 250,000 barrels).



Has the media reported how the financial collapse in Greece and potential other socialist government is affecting the European Union and potential trade deals. Photos of riots are wonderful, not sure how they help explain the termination of jobs and social benefits. Does Mary Poppins explains things better than our media?

"Parliament and the government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation."  (Subsection 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982) -Government Website

Has the media explained how the equalization program works in Canada and how similar programs are delivered in other countries? Are you aware in 2010-2011 $ 14.4 Billion will be transferred in equalization funds to six provinces?

A more detailed explanation into what this program is available at Mapleleafweb here.

I have already raised the questions regarding equalization here, here and here.

Below is a table from a Political perspective included are my own seat projections. Crystal Ball available here.

The chess pieces have been moving for months and a speakers ruling will become a confidence motion unless the opposition parties back down from their reckless and repeated allegations.

Do the coalition parties in alliance with our Quebec separatists of November 2008 want to risk, ask the voters if their efforts on providing improved housing condition for Omar Khadr, Taliban prisoners is a worthwhile effort?



A rational person would not think so, so the logical step is to watch the strategists from the dysfunctional coalition retreat from a visit to the Polls with some wonderful spin.



As a partisan Conservative blogger I would gladly invite a trip to the Polls to retire the deadwood in the people's house. For Ontario and Alberta this program has not been a winner. Is it time to fix it, here is a Report from an expert Panel here.

I included two videos from history for perspective, the socialists are talking about the same transfer of the wealth, redistribution of the wealth failed theories. Nothing has changed for them.

Source Expert Panel
Has Quebec become more or less dependent on equalization payments for their standard of living and socialist policies?

If You Tax & Spend It: They Will Come

Federal Support to Provinces and Territories

In 2010-11, provinces and territories will receive $65 billion through major transfers (Canada Health Transfer, Canada Social Transfer, Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing), direct targeted support and trust funds – an increase of $976 million from the previous year.

Major Transfers

In 2009-10, provinces and territories received $53 billion in major transfers – an increase of $13.1 billion since 2005-06. These transfers were estimated to account for about 19 % of provincial and territorial revenues in that year.

Direct Targeted Support

Provinces and territories also benefit from significant investments in targeted areas such as labour market training, infrastructure and short-term policy priorities.Department of Finance

 

I have NOT graphed, highlighted any program or detail in spending. It is available on the website. In my recent drives from Toronto to Oakville via the 401, 403, QEW the amount of signs popping up for the beginning of the "construction" season makes me cringe in traffic jams!

The Economic Action Plan Website.

We have seen our opposition parties complain about our deficit in 2008 and within the same breath demand more spending. The opposition are upset the government has leaked no big changes planned for the budget in March 2010. EAP was a major shift to produce the largest deficit budget ever created in partnership with the Provinces and G20 to help us through this Global Recession. In the plan, the tap has not been shut off for stimulus until the recovery is well underway. 

Our opposition parties have suggested we have a "do-nothing" budget, will they introduce their alternatives to EAP in parliament? What specific program is underfunded and needs more Federal Support.

or 

Will the opposition champion the pensions of our Public Unions, we fund abortion in the third world as their priorities?  What is in the Field of Dreams for the opposition parties for Federal Spending in March 2010?

 Empty Suits - Reuters Photo Credit Ognen Teofilovski

Will Canada Survive Equalization Changes

Canada is a Federation and we have seen how small minded political players left to their own devices can wreak havoc on this beautiful country we call home. It is unfair to ask the western provinces to fund have-not provinces who refuse to fix their own balance sheets. How many years should a province be allowed to recieve equalization payments before an outside investigation in auditing the books is necessary?

As a resident of Ontario, I expect my Premier Dalton McGuinty to be responsible for his budget and stop blaming Ottawa for his priorities for his vision of Ontario. Our premier is making decisions regarding Green Jobs and our future but should look to the taxpayers in Ontario to sustain his vision. The same level playing field for those who live in in Toronto  should be required. Mayor David Miller is exporting his waste to the US and London, Ontario this is simply WRONG. Your lack of political will have shifted the burden to the Americans and residents in the London, Ontario for your garbage. Toronto residents should be held accountable for their production of garbage as their consumption of energy. Look no further in how a Union or Federation can be broken when some refuse to tackle their own problems.

Beginning this week, all Oakville households and businesses will receive a survey asking their opinion on the $200 million local share funding requested by Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) to build its proposed new Oakville hospital. The survey is also available online. A telephone survey of 600 residents begins the week of February 1, 2010, and a public meeting is scheduled at Town Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. on February 11, 2010. Staff will report to Council on the results of the public consultation on March 1, 2010.-Town of Oakville

If we take Oakville population at 180,000 by $ 200 M that would work out to be just over $ 1,100 per person for the additional 600 beds in 2018. 

The European Union may not survive with countries like Greece who have decided to not balance their books for a very long time. Jean Charest in his passion for the spotlight should look to his own province and balance his books and reduce the inflows of eight billion dollars in equalization.

If Greece is not the tipping point who is?

Legendary futures trader, Dennis Gartman, says the euro has had it, and has a long way to go before it finds a bottom. He is urging investors to short the European currency and go long Canadian and Australian dollars against it. They may resolve Greece, but not Portugal, Spain, or Italy. - Dennis Gartman

Is the province of Quebec our Greece?

To make it a little clearer with Tables How ugly is this?

The Federal Minister of Finance has established, at the request of the Prime Minister, an Expert Panel on Equalization and TFF to re-examine the operation of Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. Its detailed Terms of Reference are set out in Annex A. This Panel is to report to the Minister before the end of 2005, so that the Government of Canada can receive its advice before deciding on the new formulas that, from 2006-07 onward, will allocate Equalization and TFF among provinces and territories respectively.-Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing -  Website

Source: Expert Panel

Angry yet, how about 46% of Equalization is being diverted to one province, any guess?

Additional Reading:

Mapleleafweb Great site for detailed information and links.

Update Additional Table Added

Source Statistics Canada