Failed government policies ultimate cause of Ontario’s dismal fiscal, economic performance
The roots of Ontario’s decline from economic powerhouse to economic laggard can be found in a decade of failed government policies, concludes a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “For decades, Ontario was the economic engine of Canada with workers...
Sometimes breaking up can be a good thing, but never for the taxpayer
Neil Sedaka is right breaking up is hard to do. It's also expensive. On September 15, residents of Vancouver learned that former chief administrator officer (CAO) Penny Ballem's services had been “concluded” that day by Mayor Gregor Robertson. Ballem, 65, will receive $556,000 as a parting gift for the hastily arranged exit....
The long story of Partnerships BC
There are those who execute contracts and those who award them. In B.C., when it comes to provincially-funded infrastructure projects, valued at more than $50 million, there's a gatekeeper: Partnerships BC. Tough to keep track of all the comings and goings at the Crown corporation. In 2007, there were 26 senior employees at...
LETTER: Federal Conservative candidate weighs in on international issues
Daily there are thousands of migrants fleeing to Europe from Syria and Iraq. This year there have been over 300,000 refugees arriving on European shores. People are fleeing the savage rule of ISIS in parts of Iraq and Syria and the ongoing civil war in Syria. We continue to read headlines that ISIS has fired […]
From More to Enough
“We need things consumed, burned up, replaced, and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”– Victor Lebow, Journal of Retailing, 1955 Come, gather round, and let’s write a new story. This story will be about nurturant change and provide you with physical and emotional care and nourishment. It will also alter the way you live...
LETTER: Top two federal parties suppressing and oppressing working class Canada
Is The US Dollar Collapsing, or is it Not? There are three schools of thought on where the US dollar is headed, some say it will be dead before Sept. 2015 is over. Some believe it is business as usual, while a third group points to the US dollar as deflating. Now I’m a Canadian, and personally, I do not care who is right, ...
River Talk — Water still has enormous value
Eileen Delehanty Pearkes has been researching and writing about the history and politics of water in the upper Columbia Basin since 2005. Her book on the Columbia River Treaty, A River Captured, is forthcoming in 2016. Recently, her travelling exhibit on the Columbia River Treaty, curated for Touchstones Nelson, won a...
Robusters shift to different winning approach
This season, the Kootenay Robusters decided to try a different strategy for their paddling season - one that should be especially helpful to new recruits, and enjoyable for experienced team members as well. Two early season festivals were planned, the first in Lethbridge at the end of June and the second at the end of July ...
LETTER: Canadian election system fundamentally undemocratic
What good can come of an election, where a fraudulent, discriminatory disconnection exists between the Canadian voter, and those who Rule? Canada, and its working class, at this moment are held in a death grip by traitorous political powers. Powers, which cannot be seen to be serving the interests of Canada’s popular majority,...
OUT OF LEFT FIELD: An ode to my son
You just turned 17, and I gave you the stuff and the cash you wanted – as is right and proper for a 17-year-old to want – but I wanted to give you something more, something bigger, in honour of the small child I miss so much, and the spectacular young man who has taken his place, and of whom I am so very proud. A trip to...
