Larry Hubich points to a good article in Planet S magazine where he and Rosalee Longmoore talk about Bill 5 and its sweeping powers over unions.
COPE397 also sounds the alarm on their site, with links to the complete text of both Bill 5 (Essential Services) and Bill 6 (Amendment to the Trade Union Act), and a preliminary analysis of both Bills by the SFL.
(h/t Orgie, Larry)
January 22, 2008
January 20, 2008
On Irony
Am I the only one who finds it funny that the Canadian Taxpayers Federation doesn't issue tax receipts for donations?
Of course, they do that so they won't have to release that their main funders are businesses and not the grassroots, private individuals they claim to speak for. But still, you'd think an organization with a mandate to reduce taxes would want to assist their donors in doing that.
Of course, they do that so they won't have to release that their main funders are businesses and not the grassroots, private individuals they claim to speak for. But still, you'd think an organization with a mandate to reduce taxes would want to assist their donors in doing that.
January 19, 2008
Burying the STC Debate
Lee's been gnawing on this particular bone ever since he was appointed to MacLean's old position, and I'm surprised he's still able to find some meat on it. Let me try to put it back into the ground where it belongs.
Yes, STC loses money on almost every route they run. But to say this is a huge burden on the taxpayer is a complete falsehood. Using the CTF's own statistics (page 15), let's consider a $35 million loss to STC since 1999. That works out to a grand total of $4.4 million per year, or an average of $4.40 per person per year for Saskatchewan residents. A little more than a penny per day per person to keep STC running. People drop that much change in the 7-11 parking lot.
Of course, we know the Sask Party wants to privatize STC. Fortunately, they can't risk turfing it and alienating their rural base. They're going to have to do enough damage control over school and hospital closures alone, let alone highways and infrastructure, that this is a front they won't want to fight on. I know people in rural Saskatchewan who live in one centre and are forced to bank and do shopping in another. They would not be able to do this without the support of STC. And while one could argue that they ought not to live in these communities, what does that say toward the idea of rural development and sustainability? Privitization will result in the lowest standards for everyone -- and that means reducing service to the three profitable routes of Saskatoon to Regina, Saskatoon to Prince Albert, and Regina to Moose Jaw, and sacrificing the mobility of our rural residents.
The icing on the cake is Harding's assertion that a poll showed 71% support for the privitization of STC. While this is stated in the document, it's important to emphasize that CTF supporters were the only group polled. Further, the sample size was omitted -- probably to hide the size of their base of support in Saskatchewan. Using their own bluster of 64,000 supporters nationwide -- about one fifth of one percent of Canadians -- and with the assumption that this percentage will hold as an average across Canada, we can posit a sample size of roughly 2100 people polled.
This is how the CTF bravely goes to bat for Saskatchewan people -- by polling people who would donate to their organization without the lure of tax receipts, taking the recommendation of 1500 of them as a mandate for change, then lobbying the government to enact said change, all in an effort to save people one stinking penny a day.
Lee, it's time for you to shut up about this issue. The only thing that's overtaxed here is your imagination, and you ought to consult with other CTF officials about that.
Yes, STC loses money on almost every route they run. But to say this is a huge burden on the taxpayer is a complete falsehood. Using the CTF's own statistics (page 15), let's consider a $35 million loss to STC since 1999. That works out to a grand total of $4.4 million per year, or an average of $4.40 per person per year for Saskatchewan residents. A little more than a penny per day per person to keep STC running. People drop that much change in the 7-11 parking lot.
Of course, we know the Sask Party wants to privatize STC. Fortunately, they can't risk turfing it and alienating their rural base. They're going to have to do enough damage control over school and hospital closures alone, let alone highways and infrastructure, that this is a front they won't want to fight on. I know people in rural Saskatchewan who live in one centre and are forced to bank and do shopping in another. They would not be able to do this without the support of STC. And while one could argue that they ought not to live in these communities, what does that say toward the idea of rural development and sustainability? Privitization will result in the lowest standards for everyone -- and that means reducing service to the three profitable routes of Saskatoon to Regina, Saskatoon to Prince Albert, and Regina to Moose Jaw, and sacrificing the mobility of our rural residents.
The icing on the cake is Harding's assertion that a poll showed 71% support for the privitization of STC. While this is stated in the document, it's important to emphasize that CTF supporters were the only group polled. Further, the sample size was omitted -- probably to hide the size of their base of support in Saskatchewan. Using their own bluster of 64,000 supporters nationwide -- about one fifth of one percent of Canadians -- and with the assumption that this percentage will hold as an average across Canada, we can posit a sample size of roughly 2100 people polled.
This is how the CTF bravely goes to bat for Saskatchewan people -- by polling people who would donate to their organization without the lure of tax receipts, taking the recommendation of 1500 of them as a mandate for change, then lobbying the government to enact said change, all in an effort to save people one stinking penny a day.
Lee, it's time for you to shut up about this issue. The only thing that's overtaxed here is your imagination, and you ought to consult with other CTF officials about that.
January 18, 2008
Mandryk Drops the Bomb
In today's column, Mandryk sounds like he's almost as pissed off about equalization as I am. Which is awesome, because it's moved him to expose the elephant in the room: Harper now has a lot of control over our provincial government. First he gets Wall to drop the equalization challenge (which Cathie from Canada has more on), then he gets him to support tying the $1 billion trust fund to the next federal budget, and now he's got the whole government doing backflips over this paltry $36 million payout.
I don't know why Wall finds himself so deep in Harper's pocket. Danny Williams certainly doesn't have any trouble speaking up.
And while I'm at it, I'm sick to death of Wall trotting out his pet line of turning this current boom into a lasting prosperity. You what would help with that, Brad? $800 million a year.
I don't know why Wall finds himself so deep in Harper's pocket. Danny Williams certainly doesn't have any trouble speaking up.
And while I'm at it, I'm sick to death of Wall trotting out his pet line of turning this current boom into a lasting prosperity. You what would help with that, Brad? $800 million a year.
January 17, 2008
Federal Largess
So there it is. With much hoopla, Harper announces Saskatchewan's chunk of the $1 billion in Federal money. Brad Wall was on hand to let people know how happy he was to get some juice from the federal lemon squeezed into the province. But money's money, and I think everyone was pretty happy about it -- with the notable exception of the Jurist, who informs us that the $1 billion comes on the heels of $14 billion in tax cuts for industry; and Wheatsheaf, who points out that Saskatchewan is due only $36 million of the proposed funds. But I guess it's the thought that counts.
The only problem is, the money is just that: a thought. The premier's pipe dream. Why? Forget for a moment that Quebec alone dumped $1.4 billion into forestry and that this is chump change with respect to a national industry. The real issue is that Wall and Stelmach made the foolish fucking decision to back Harper's desire to tie this money to the coming federal budget, while McGuinty and Charest rightly came out against the idea.
Harper is playing politics with this money instead of moving immediately to put it where it's needed. But as for poor old Brad, it seems his lips only move when Harper's doing the talking.
As much as I dislike him, I have to admit Harper's a smart man. And he's played this minority government the way Satriani plays guitar. So a huge stumble like this, open to such deep criticism from all corners, can only mean one thing: he's getting ready to let his government fall.
The only problem is, the money is just that: a thought. The premier's pipe dream. Why? Forget for a moment that Quebec alone dumped $1.4 billion into forestry and that this is chump change with respect to a national industry. The real issue is that Wall and Stelmach made the foolish fucking decision to back Harper's desire to tie this money to the coming federal budget, while McGuinty and Charest rightly came out against the idea.
Harper is playing politics with this money instead of moving immediately to put it where it's needed. But as for poor old Brad, it seems his lips only move when Harper's doing the talking.
As much as I dislike him, I have to admit Harper's a smart man. And he's played this minority government the way Satriani plays guitar. So a huge stumble like this, open to such deep criticism from all corners, can only mean one thing: he's getting ready to let his government fall.
January 11, 2008
The Enterprise Saskatchewan List
Joe Kuchta at Owls and Roosters has the full list of organizations receiving letters soliciting nominations for Enterprise Saskatchewan, as well as a breakdown by industry. It's interesting to note that the government's press release is misleading: 55 organizations received more than one of the 303 letters sent.
It'll be interesting to see how the SaskParty makes its appointments to the Enterprise Saskatchewan Board. Although the press release says that the SaskParty wants to "ensure we have a transparent, open and accountable process in place," in the Leader-Post Lyle Stewart says that "he and another minister, along with some deputy ministers, will be part of the committee that selects the final board members," and "as candidates for the board are narrowed down, the government may conduct interviews." He also says that the committee will select the "best" candidates (emphasis mine) who "also seem to have a willing and collaborative attitude to work with the other sectors of the economy." (Source: Leader-Post, Jan. 5/08)
Clearly, there are enough wiggle words here to drive a truck through. While Stewart claims the details are still being worked out, let's not forget that Enterprise Saskatchewan has been Brad Wall's baby since 2004. I would be flabbergasted if an appointment process had not been developed in those three years. If it truly hasn't, it's a horrible omission in the development process and speaks more to the secret agenda of Enterprise Saskatchewan than to the incompetence of the SaskParty (though it speaks to that, too).
As Stewart promised, it's vital that the SaskParty gives us a transparent, open, and most of all, accountable appointment process, and that we hold them to their word.
Bernadette at The Regina Mom has another perspective on the organizations receiving invitations.
It'll be interesting to see how the SaskParty makes its appointments to the Enterprise Saskatchewan Board. Although the press release says that the SaskParty wants to "ensure we have a transparent, open and accountable process in place," in the Leader-Post Lyle Stewart says that "he and another minister, along with some deputy ministers, will be part of the committee that selects the final board members," and "as candidates for the board are narrowed down, the government may conduct interviews." He also says that the committee will select the "best" candidates (emphasis mine) who "also seem to have a willing and collaborative attitude to work with the other sectors of the economy." (Source: Leader-Post, Jan. 5/08)
Clearly, there are enough wiggle words here to drive a truck through. While Stewart claims the details are still being worked out, let's not forget that Enterprise Saskatchewan has been Brad Wall's baby since 2004. I would be flabbergasted if an appointment process had not been developed in those three years. If it truly hasn't, it's a horrible omission in the development process and speaks more to the secret agenda of Enterprise Saskatchewan than to the incompetence of the SaskParty (though it speaks to that, too).
As Stewart promised, it's vital that the SaskParty gives us a transparent, open, and most of all, accountable appointment process, and that we hold them to their word.
Bernadette at The Regina Mom has another perspective on the organizations receiving invitations.
January 10, 2008
Word on the Street
A number of NDP constituency assistants I've spoken to are fed up with the Saskatchewan Party government. Apparently it's impossible to get casework done: phone calls are not being returned, there's little communication within the Ministries, and even the Deputy Ministers are having trouble communicating with the Ministers.
This was not the case when the NDP were in government. When SaskParty MLAs came to the Ministers with a genuine concern and not just some flaming bullshit, the work was handled as judiciously as possible. Now it seems that the works are gummed up, and the CAs are frustrated.
I think this points to one of five scenarios:
This was not the case when the NDP were in government. When SaskParty MLAs came to the Ministers with a genuine concern and not just some flaming bullshit, the work was handled as judiciously as possible. Now it seems that the works are gummed up, and the CAs are frustrated.
I think this points to one of five scenarios:
- The SaskParty is deliberately trying to shaft the NDP
- Brad Wall is attempting to pull a Stephen Harper, with expected results
- The SaskParty is incompetent and doesn't know what the hell they're supposed to be doing
- The SaskParty is inexperienced in the role of government, and the machinery just isn't working properly
- This doesn't have anything to do with lowering taxes, busting unions, or selling Crowns, so it's not a priority
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