"..were it left to me to decide, whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." Thomas Jefferson
Yahoo Canada says: "While you're over on the West Coast and you're trying to get a sense of what the pulse of the nation is all about, we recommend a stop at the B.C. Free Press site. No fancy graphics or high-tech doodads, just plain old-fashioned political commentary that shows what the real power of the Net is all about. BC Free Press - opinionized for your protection."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and BC's Premier Gordon Campbell appear to be continuing to lose support due to their introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax. Harper's Conservatives have dropped three points to 37 per cent, while the NDP gained six points to 19 per cent, according to a recent Ipsos Reid poll.
In BC, a recent Angus Reid poll shows the NDP have 47 per cent support compared with 33 per cent for the Liberal govt. A common thread appears to be the HST. The federal and provincial NDP have both strongly opposed the HST, initiated by the federal Tories and BC Liberals.
Michael Ignatieff's federal Liberals also support the HST and they lost a point, dropping from 25 per cent to 24 per cent.
Ontario's Liberal government is concerned about the loss of voter support over their introduction of the HST, and recently exempted fast food and coffee under $4 to please the patrons of cafes, as well as small business owners.
The BC government announced an increase to their HST rebate on new housing, in response to strong protests from the development and real estate sector.
The polls were taken before these changes in HST policy, so their impact have yet to be determined. However, the Ontario and BC Liberals are starting to figure out they have been hurt badly by the HST.
Harper and Ignatieff still don't get it.
And the NDP are smiling all the way to the polls.
FIFA THE PROBLEM, NOT HENRY
International soccer fans and media have protested Thierry Henry's handball creating a scoring opportunity for France and knocking Ireland out of World Cup qualification. Some say Henry should have 'fessed up. Others say the match should be replayed.
First, it is not the player's reponsibility to call the game, nor should it be. That's why there are officials on the field.
Second, replaying the game would be an admission the existing system of officiating is inadequate in today's game. And that is the real issue. FIFA has ignored calls to use a video replay and Ireland has suffered greatly for this decision.
Tennis, North American football, and hockey all recognize the importance of getting it right by using the video replay. It's critical for the players, fans, and credibility of the sport.
Professional baseball and soccer continue to depend solely on officials. During the World Series, a pitcher threw very similar pitches in two games. In the first game, the ump called strikes. In the second game, a different ump called balls. That situation undermines the credibility of the sport and the championship.
It's time to focus on the problem, and it's not Henry nor the issue of "cheating." It is FIFA with its head in the sand, unable to see the benefits of using technology to ensure officials get it right the first time.
PITTSBURGH PENGUIN FANS LOVE GARY BETTMAN
In a recent Macleans Magazine interview, NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman says, "I was booed presenting the Stanley Cup in Detroit to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Had I been presenting it in Pittsburgh I probably wouldn’t have been booed."
You have to laugh out loud at the sheer audacity of his spin on being booed in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. He goes on to deny showing preferential treatment rescuing the bankrupt Phoenix franchise, after the NHL bailed on Winnipeg and Quebec City.
Bettman also denies a rift with former Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky regarding his financial claim against Phoenix, presently owned by the NHL. He says there are no issues with the Great Gretzky, "Other than the fact we haven’t offered to make a payment right now—on something that really isn’t our obligation..."
That's right....and they love Gary in Pittsburgh.
ONTARIO ROLLS BACK HST ON SNACKS
Ontario has announced additional HST exemptions for fast food and beverages costing $4 or less, and newspapers. However, the 5% GST will still apply. Still, it's a concession to consumers and small businesses not being offered by the BC government.
In addition, Ontario is giving a one-time grant of $1,000 to eligible families. The BC govt is offering families little except higher taxes, cuts in grants for school programs, and less medical care.
One BC patient reports three visits to the hospital in three weeks to deal with catheter issues while waiting for his prostate surgery. Somehow, postponing surgeries, but paying for multiple visits to the hospital, is supposed to save the govt money.
Of course, the surgery fund is separate from the almost $2 million allocated for private suites, tickets, receptions, and general partying for govt officials, their friends and insiders during the Olympics.
Will BC follow Ontario's lead and drop the tax on a donut and coffee? Unlikely, but stay tuned....hope springs eternal.
HARPER TORIES LOOK LIKE CAMPBELL LIBERALS TO BC VOTERS
The BC Liberal government lost the support of the public over the HST, but more importantly, the Liberals have also lost the support of small business people. Entrepreneurs running small cafes, retail stores, restaurants, providing goods and services at the street level have little good to say about Gordon Campbell's Liberals and their deceptive implementation of the HST.
The large resource and manufacturing companies that support the HST may represent campaign money, but not votes. Without support from small business, the Liberals are in serious trouble. But they have more than three years to gain back that support.
On the other hand, Stephen Harper's minority Conservative govt doesn't have that time. Harper's candidate was hammered on Monday by the NDP's Finn Donnelly in the by-election riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam. A national election is coming soon, probably when the HST bill is introduced...perhaps in spring taking advantage of the euphoria of the Olympics.
Harper has 22 seats in BC and he will be hard-pressed not to lose a number of them over the HST. Ignatieff's Liberals are in the same boat as Harper considering their support for the HST.
Only the NDP and Green Party have come out opposing the HST cash grab dropped on an unsuspecting BC public. Harper needs the small business vote and he won't get it, just as he didn't get it in the by-election. Ignatieff won't get it either, unless he smartens up and figures out which side his bread is buttered on.
The NDP will likely take a whack of seats when the small business community decides to stay home on voting day. Or...the beneficiaries may be Green Party candidates, like Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader running in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands.
The Green Party has taken a sensible position on the HST and there may be enough "green" voters combined with disenchanted small business people to elect the first Green Party candidate to Parliament.
Why not? It's not like Stephen Harper's govt has done BC voters any favours by doing the HST deal with Gordon Campbell behind closed doors. Despite their denials, Campbell and BC Finance Minister Hansen knew, Harper and federal Finance Minister Flaherty knew, and they kept quiet through the BC election.
Hell hath no fury like BC voters scorned.
TORIES THUMPED ON HST IN BY-ELECTION
Stephen Harper's Conservatives were thumped on the HST issue in the by-election riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam.
Campaigning on an anti-HST platform, the NDP's Fin Donnelly captured more than 50 per cent of the vote over Tory candidate Diana Dilworth. Donnelly said he spoke to thousands of voters since the summer and their biggest concern is the HST.
It's a signal British Columbians don't believe Harper's line that the HST is soley the decision of the BC Liberal government.
There are indications Harper is avoiding introduction of the HST bill fearing it will become the focus of the election in both Ontario and British Columbia. This latest by-election result is more evidence for those concerns.
QUICKEST VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR PHYSICALLY FIT
The eyesight of Canadians may be failing, because what they are seeing isn't happening.
Dr. David Butler Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada says, in a full colour Globe and Mail ad (at what cost?) that the H1N1 flu vaccination progam is the "largest and quickest mass immunization campaign in Canadian history."
The fact that you are seeing 4 - 5 hour line-ups created by a bottleneck delivery system is not happening. Do not be concerned that the vaccine is trickling in and that most vaccinations will be available after the flu's peak. This is the "quickest" immunization in history. An immunization using a small number of govt health clinics rather than the countless medical walk-in clinics across the country.
Never mind that this highly-controlled govt delivery system is ensuring NHL hockey teams and Olympic torch bearers are getting vaccinated well ahead of those most in need.
Perhaps Dr. Butler Jones meant to say it is the largest and quickest mass immunization campaign for the most physically fit in Canadian history.
Regardless, take the word of Canada's Chief Public Health Officer. Those bottlenecks and line-ups aren't happening. Better get your eyes checked.
GOVT SPENDING IRRESPONSIBLE, OUT OF CONTROL
Nov, 2009 - The bad news just keeps coming. A report released today says BC Ferries CEO David Hahn's $1 million annual salary is more than double his peers in the public sector. In addition, the ferry corporation's directors pay themselves retainers that are five times higher than comparable levels at Crown corporations.
Plus, a report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reveals BC municipalities' spending is out of control, increasing by 44%, while population and inflation grew by only 25%. One hundred and twenty nine out of 153 municipalities spent beyond their means.
Both reports are indicators that the BC government's policy of self-determination in the form of independent community charters for municipalities is an abject failure, resulting in uncontrollable costs to taxpayers.
The BC Ferries debacle highlights the gold-plated compensation offered employees of the provincial govt, including Crown corporations.
The BC govt's deficit this year is $2.8 billion, and the debt is $34 billion , $4 billion higher than under the NDP when they were booted from office in 2001 for fiscal incompetence. Despite a decade of a strong economy in North America, the Liberal govt did nothing to pay down the debt, and actually increased it.
In light of these reports, the reason becomes obvious - misguided policies and administrative mismanagement by BC's elected representatives.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING FOR YOU
Nov, 2009 - Apart from earning wages significantly exceeding the wages of average working stiffs in the private sector, you can look forward to the following benefits should you decide to join BC's privileged class in the govt - the people working for YOU!
The question is why would anyone retire? And if they did, how would they know?
Overview of Benefits for Regular Employees, Legislative Assembly of B.C.
• Vacation - regular employees receive 140 hours vacation to start. • Statutory holidays - gives you the equivalent of 11 days (77 hours) off each year to recognize special days. • Special leaves - allows you to take time away from work for urgent personal matters including bereavement leave, household emergency or care for a sick child. • Maternity, Parental and Pre-Adoption Leave - pays you an allowance when you are caring for your newborn or preparing for an adoption. • Sick Leave - covers your pay when you’re ill and unable to work. • Long Term Disability - pays a substantial portion of your salary when you’ve been ill or injured for an extended time. • Medical Services Plan – covers your family’s BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) costs. • Fitness Incentive – 75% reimbursement of fitness membership or classes fees, up to a maximum of $250 per annum per employee. • Extended Health – pays a significant portion of your family’s healthcare costs not covered by MSP such as prescriptions, eye care etc. • Dental – pays a significant portion of your family’s dental care. • Employee & Family Assistance – counseling services to help you and your family when the need arises. • Life Insurance – personal life insurance equal to three times your annual salary. • Spouse and Dependent Insurance – optional life coverage for your family members. • Workers’ Compensation – provides replacement income and covers health care costs when you’ve had an accident or injury at work. • Employment Insurance- provides replacement income for the birth or adoption of a child, or an illness or injury that doesn’t qualify for sick pay. • Public Service Pension – income for when you retire. • Canada Pension – income for when you retire or if you become disabled. • Employee Recognition – recognizes employee ideas and initiatives that improve operations or service. • Environment Committee – a staff committee meets regularly and actively assesses opportunities to improve practices and play an active role in the greening of our workplace and to practice stewardship both at home and work. • Safety Committee – a staff committee meets monthly to ensure that occupational and health initiatives and programs are effective in every worksite. • Training and development - our staff stays current with emerging practices, trends and technology by branch or corporate sponsored training across a wide range of topics.
The British Columbia Free Press is an independent news/opinion webzine. Copyright 1998 - 2009, All rights reserved. Contact: editor@bcfreepress.bc.ca
