Proof We're #1

Global Recession: Recovery of Jobs

Canada has not outperformed the United States in the last three generations in creating an environment for positive employment conditions as noted in the graph. As a developed economy, member of the G7 Canada was the last to enter the Global Recession and exit first. Our largest trading partner has not been as successful.

The jobless rate has not fallen substantially this year, largely because employers have barely added enough workers to absorb the people just entering the labor force. And even if the economy suddenly expands and starts adding 208,000 jobs a month — as it did in its best year this decade — it would still take 12 years to close the gap between the growing number of American workers and the total available jobs, according to the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project.

Currency Valuation

The United States currency has been losing steam from 2002-2008 against the Canadian dollar.  The Euro has been relatively flat in comparison. The sovereign debt crisis in the European Union is pushing nations to end stimulus as negotiated at the Toronto G20 meetings. Canada has agreed to NOT extend the stimulus and will be able to tackle their deficit and national debt as the economic recovery continues. The decision by the United States to tackle the trade imbalance through dollar weakening is helping commodities rise because they are traded in American dollars. Canada has significant exposure in the export of commodities and will benefit from the American policy of QE2.

The Federal Government in Canada has permanently reduced personal and corporate taxes, eliminated tariffs for business to import equipment, increased the rate to 100% on capital cost allowance depreciation for business to upgrade their computers between  January 2009 to February 2011 which in turn that will help boost our productivity  as we exit the global recession.- Economic Action Plan

The Canadian Federal Government is in negotiations with the European Union on a Free Trade deal that is worth an estimated twelve billion on an annual basis to Canada. Trade with China and India have seen trade irritants be resolved with measurable improvements in the last few years in spite of the SPIN from the media and opposition parties.

Federal debt has grown rapidly during the past decade, in part because of the costs of two wars and a deep recession. In early 2002, the cap was roughly $6 trillion and it has more than doubled since then. In February, the House agreed to increase the ceiling by a 217-212 vote, with all Republicans and 37 Democrats voting against it. - American Debt WSJ

Economic Action Plan Premiers Two Year Plan

The Canadian Federal Government in cooperation with the Provincial governments in December 2008 negotiated the largest stimulus program in Canadian history. The same leaders have also decided to have the lowest corporate tax rates in order to spur foreign investment. 

The economy and jobs has been the highest priority and the messaging has been successful.

In contrast the American decision in quantitative easing last week will make those non American dollar investments increase in value and will our commodities. The auditor general has praised the efforts of our Federal Government and Civil Servants in executing the stimulus program. The United States did not find similar praise for their massive spending programs.

The Obama victory helped shine a light on Canada on his first foreign trip and our Prime Minister wasted no time in visiting the American media in the honeymoon phase of the Obama administration. Our PM shared our great story  on every stage on how we escaped the worst of the global recession and we were open for business and made it a priority to speak up against the buy American policy viewed by many as protectionism. 

Canada hosted the Winter Olympics and won the most Gold medal in Olympic history. Our PM hosted the G8-G20 meetings in Canada and publicized our unique story at every international meeting.

Just a few reasons why the business community and experts may have decided to push the United States to the number four spot and advance us to number one.
What do you think?


US Unemployment Rate  Source http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm

Related articles

• US Unemployment Rate  Source: http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.html
• Canada Unemployment Rate Source: http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=16
• Monthly and Annual Exchange Rate Average 1997-2009 Source: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/exchange_avg_pdf.html
• Broader U-6 Rate at 17%: The Long-Term Unemployed and the Dark Side of Jobs Report (blogs.wsj.com)
• Harper, G20 leaders meet to head off currency war (thestar.com)
• Europe's Debt Worries Return (online.wsj.com)
• Harper wants G20 focus on deficits, trade (cbc.ca)
• "Bernanke Delivers QE2 Last Rites for Dollar as Worlds Reserve Currency" and related posts (marketoracle.co.uk)
• Canadian dollar closes higher, closes near parity (ctv.ca)

Mainstream Media helping Opposition MP's Mislead the Public?

Open Parliament Oral Question June 10, 2010

Open Parliament Oral Questions June 15, 2010

Kevin Page Assessment of Planned Security Costs for the 2010 G8 and G20 Summits
Key Points June 23, 2010 Assessment

• The Government of Canada has been relatively transparent, when compared to other countries, on the costs of security related to the summits. The total cost of security for the 2010 G8 and G20 Summits amounts to $930M, which includes $507M for RCMP, $278M for Public Safety, $78M for National Defence and a $55M contingency reserve.

• The PBO found it difficult to find comparable data of past events to assess the security costs related to the 2010 Summits. This is largely due to the lack of disclosure by other jurisdictions, differences in key considerations and cost drivers of summit security and differences between base versus incremental funding.

Misleading Comparisons: Full Cost or Partial Cost

Did Media+Opposition call this a "Photo-op" in 2009?

An oft-quoted figure has been that the 2009 Pittsburgh G20 Summit spent $18M on security. During discussions with senior city officials in Pittsburgh, PBO learned that this figure accounted for overtime costs for local and state police as well as salary and expenses for visiting forces from other jurisdictions. However, this figure did not include the deployment of the Army, National Guard, nor preparations and deployment of any of the major intelligence agencies (CIA, FBI, USSS), or costs incurred by other federal agencies such as the State Department and their Diplomatic Security Service or the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Secret Service, Border Protection and US Coast Guard. 

Auditor General Sheila Fraser is conducting an audit of summit spending and Miguel Lanthier, a spokesperson in her office, said the report is expected to be released in the spring of 2011.

“It will focus on whether costs reported were budgeted, accounted for, and expensed as intended,” he said, adding that it will also consider whether the money was well spent.

So we have the opposition and media refusing to accept the key points by Kevin Page, PBO released in June 2010 and additional Report due in the spring of 2011 by Sheila Fraser AG.

The facts are not that important, the fairytale and misleading comparisons will be given support by the mainstream media. Is this fair and balanced reporting?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Cost breakdown of G8 and G20 revealed (nationalpost.com)
• ACLU to file lawsuit over Pittsburgh police actions during G-20 summit (pennlive.com)

Conservatives vs Establishment Crowd

Outsider vs Establishment

Sir William Thatcher/Sir Ulrich Von Lichtenstein of Gelderland - He is the hero with a goal, he sees something he wants and he goes after it. He wants to reach for the stars. 

Accountable Federal Government, lowering federal taxes, free trade, competition, aid to poor

He is a visionary and he sees beyond what everyone else sees. He also has great compassion. He uses his resources and at times it showed. Because he has desires and loves a specific sport, he understands other people's desires.

 Party of Entitlement, bigger government, mandatory census, more taxes, LGR, weak military

Count Adhemar of Anjou - He is superior and pompous. Things are entitled to him because he is who he is because of stature. He doesn't care about the peasants; in fact the peasants get what they deserve. No one can rise above their class. For him everything is for the taking. 

An unfair comparison with the two main characters in A Knight's Tale. (Possibly)

CBC bias: Holy Host, H1N1, Fake Lake, Omar Khadr, Census, LGR, Global Warming? What side are they on?

Who do you trust to lead Canada? Are the issues of the Liberals and CBC intertwined?


What political ideology does our tax funded broadcaster support? 

 

More competition or bigger federal government?

Does the CBC provide a fair and balanced view of all sides or do they defend Liberalism and their entitlement to  the subsidy paid by taxpayers?

Bernard Généreux 1 - Bloc 0

In spite of all opposition parties opposing the budget vote on March 4, 2010, the Government of Canada is delivering. An Ekos Poll found only 19% of Quebecers share a negative view of the impact of the budget, tough times for the Bloc.
Bernard Généreux was elected in November 2009 at the expense of the Bloc!

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, some $45 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Quebec to address immediate housing needs. -Marketwire

Hey Joe, Harper Does Have Demographics on His Side.

Mr. Harper is trying to balance the budget in the next three to four years without derailing a fragile recovery. But many have noted that unlike the deficit-slaying era when Paul Martin was finance minister in the mid-1990s, Mr. Harper doesn't have demographics on his side. - Joe Friesen

In the last few months we have read, heard, watched numerous articles raising doubts about our retirement options in Canada. The recommendation by some in the left is to raise taxes, so our government can return our money when we retire in ten or fifteen years.

We have Canadian comedian Ron James  tell his audience he started eating cat food in preparation for the bleak future that await our senior years.

Instead of continually growing the government through inefficient taxes, civil service appointments, new regulation, more administration, why not examine, debate reduction in spending of government programs that are NOT critical?

Will Canadian voters support deep across the board cuts?

Source: Ekos Poll

Will voters continue to support strategic cuts into agenda driven NGO's, junk science and pet projects protected by the opposition parties?

Background

The Liberals in the 1990's cut $ 25 Billion in transfers to provinces in Healthcare, Education and Social Services. They raised the requirements for eligibility for employment insurance and lost two seats out east while raising taxes. The Liberals were found guilty of illegally raising those taxes by the Supreme Court of Canada in a ruling of 7-0.

Canadian voters sent a message to the Liberals in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Growing government to return our money is not going to win many seats. Below is a small list of promises in 2008 from the government regarding the 'demographic time-bomb' and how they were rewarded at the Polls for getting it right.

Tax relief for seniors

• Will increase the Senior Age Credit Amount by an additional $1,000, on top of already planned increases.

• The age credit is available to Canadians aged 65 or older – approx. 4.4 million Canadians – subject to an eligibility phase-out based on income.

• By the fourth year of our government's term, this measure will raise the Senior Age Credit Amount from $5,177 to about $6,750, reducing seniors' tax bills by over $400-million per year. A senior receiving the full value of the credit will save more than $400 per year.

• Once the new increase is fully implemented, the cumulative effect of Conservative changes will be to raise from $12,627 to $17,673 the amount that a senior is able to earn tax-free.

• Will restore the 50% inclusion rate on U.S. Social Security payments to Canadian seniors.

• This lower inclusion rate will apply only to individuals who were receiving U.S. Social Security payments prior to January 1, 1996. It will apply on a go-forward basis only.

• Conservatives estimate this will return $20-million per year to affected seniors, based on testimony before the Standing Committee on Finance.

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=805078#ixzz0geF8DJ2E
EKOS Poll February 25, 2010 Highlights
Q. All things considered, would you say the Government of Canada is moving in the right direction (National)

• 54% of 65+ demographic a gap of 21%
• 83% CPC voters
• 35% LPC voters
• 26% NDP voters
• 28% Green voters

 Sevice Canada , Service Canada Seniors, New Horizons For Seniors