HST mud.

You just noticed gas is 10 cents more.  You’re probably pissed.  Maybe you’ve seen the list.  The list of what’s getting taxed and what’s not.   Gas realistically should cost way more anyway, because (almost always) the environmental costs are externalized.

Before you go on an Atlas Shrugged tirade, know some things.  Based on reductions in your income tax (which we probably didn’t notice), the nominal HST rebate cheques, and upcoming HSTness, the burden on the average consumer is minimal.  Rich people will pay more, boo hoo.  It’s true that some new costs are burdened on the consumer’s shoulders.  However, lower income status Ontarians will face the smallest brunt.

The thing that really rubs wrong is how Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak is vehemently opposing the HST.  This guy is supposed to be a pro-jobs, pro-business, economy-centric conservative.  When economists from around the world believe it’s the best way to maintain competitiveness and help Ontario businesses, completely inane politicization ensues.  Don’t tell me you’re an NDP man of the people Mr. Hudak.  He is disagreeing simply because political parties should never actually agree right?   The infuriating, terrible 2s, GOP method of NO.

I totally gave Hudak a chance.  If he was reasonable, this would be an interesting political race.  But this HST opposition is proof that he’s exactly the worst person for the job.  When you instantly contradict yourself right out of the gate, I’m out.  Read a great Globe article on the HST here .  This is your education.  Then if you want, read why economists like it here and here.   Happy wading.

eWaste.

[via CBC]

Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives are calling for a public inquiry into the province’s eHealth scandal.  There are too many unanswered questions left over after the provincial auditor general’s report last week into eHealth, PC Leader Tim Hudak said Tuesday at Queen’s Park.

Darn right.  Over $1 billion in supposed waste in modernizing our health care system.   How insanely and incomprehensibly disappointing.  The goal of the organization is to optimize health care spending and use technology and innovation to get there, so I think it’s fair to assume that both reds and blues would be a proponent of this general move.  The management of it however may have been better under a different political leash, we don’t know.  I know very little about Tim Hudak thus far, all I know is that he falls much further to the right than moderates like John Tory.   He does Bush-esque things, Harrisy things.  And that is that.

Canada is known to be one of the most decentralized federations in the world.  We are a very diverse country, so I’m all in favour of giving more resources and authority to the provinces.  So us Ontarians – do we have the Liberal waste and overspending, or concerning neocon ideology.  More worse and worse, undoubtedly more voter cynicism, and the downward spiral in Canadian politics continues.  So resolved, possibly naive, possibly exactly right.  But I’m still voting Green.

So it’s on ?

Don’t even bother watching the video.  You will want to scream at your monitor and proclaim, “Tell me something new before I pass out from boredom !”  Bored from hearing the same things you hear when you hear things.  I think it’s osmosis via border comparison, but I think especially this time around Canadians will feel even more disenfranchised.  With their petty politicians, their flawed political and electoral process, and the lack of motivation for partisanship and co-operation.  Even if Obama’s vote for change hasn’t fully actualized quite yet, he at least he got his country excited about politics and showed a genuine desire to harmonize rather than divide.  Face it babies, we will have minority governments for a long time.  Time to figure out how to make them work well.

So is this voter fatigue?  Effffff.   I’m too young for that.  I will be incredibly happy to queue and vote and support my party that won’t win, but I think it will be clear throughout the upcoming weeks that the electorate will show their distaste through polite and apathetic Canadian silence.  Democracy!  Getting strangled by selfish babies since 1945.

Happy belated 4th.

Happy 4th of July to my American friendlies.  I have to hand it to you guys, you are pretty awesome.  Especially compared to us saps the past five years.  And no, not saying that with partisan bifocals on.  Remember peacekeeping?  Remember an esteemed international reputation?  Remember some sense of  leadership and identity separate from US policy?  Remember distance  from exploitative Calgarians?  Give us something to feel good about sir, and no, increased military spending and a 2%  reduction in GST that I don’t even notice doesn’t count.  A reduction that you so desperately wish you had right now.

I find it so funny that the principles of political (neo)conservatism, so seemingly “steeped in realism”, interventionist foreign policy, and low taxes continues to shows its mug as a sham.  OK, perhaps a bit unfair as their whole point of view is trying to do more with less.  But what I can fairly say is that in the past 30 years they have been all bark and no bite.  I appreciate what they’re trying to do – reduce the government’s control on one’s rights and money.  But regardless of the party in power government has operated in the same way.  The conservative trophy so often goes to Reagan who cut taxes early, and years later realized he was so screwed that taxes went right back up.  I’m not saying high taxes and government inefficiency is the answer either, but when you’re already taxed so much how is a 1-2% reduction a massive victory at the cost of truly valuable investments for Canadians’ quality of life?  Obvious – Canadians feel so uninspired by their politics.  Maybe it’s relativity, no one can follow the  Obama show, understood.  But attack ads and the unrelenting rhetoric of division and bullying (to both the Bloc and the Liberals) makes for straight up disappointment and frustration.

On a  generic tangent, I feel we all complain that government is too slow, too bureaucratic, too inefficient, which is absolutely true on a superficial level.  But compared to what?  Business?  Spread those eggs, Jack.  Democracy… a challenge.  Towards fairness, consensus, and co-operation amongst a host of competing interests.  How can this model be compared to a business model that is autocratically focused on the singluarity of profit?  Not fairness, not justice, not equity, and god forbid a few drops of compassion.  Fair is not fast friends, don’t assume that it is.  I’m ok with that.

Perpetuity.

We are going to have minority governments until the country finds a leader that cranks the chain harder than Christina Ricci.  Sorry, bad mediocre movie joke.  Or if the left finds some way to merge together like the Conservatives did.  Democracy! Choice!  Two party systems and true partisanship!  The hundredth horse of apocalypse!

Liberal or Green, she’s a toss up.  Or as Ben Gibbard frequently proclaims, head vs heart.

Nuclear hold offs.

[via Toronto Star]

Ontario is indefinitely postponing its much-touted plan to build new nuclear reactors at Darlington in part because the cost is “billions” of dollars too high, Energy Minister George Smitherman announced this morning.

I can completely understand how nuclear would not be a government’s first choice, especially in times of economic difficulty.  It has the most expensive startup costs of any source of energy and the public is forced to pay for insurance as well.  I just really take issue with some environmentalists hailing this as a major victory.  To me that’s plain old narrow minded thinking.  If environmentalists are serious about climate change and feel it’s a much graver issue than a few nuclear plants, then you simply can’t have it both ways.  As much as I would go crazy over it, I don’t believe it’s possible to run a growing country on renewables, hydro, and conservation quite yet.  The culture of consumption may change in the west over time, but don’t ever expect or think that emerging countries will behave in the same way.  Improving energy grid systems and incorporating new renewables (especially biomass like algae and wood waste) would be my first investment as Dalton McGuinty has $26B more to play with.

I’m still pro nuclear if all remains the same, given government finances are in a good state to support a nuclear energy program.  With new (Canadian borne) technologies, wastes are reduced even further and can provide a more flexible and reliable source of electricity.   I’m trying my best to be an optimist, but I really feel like we’re going to need everything to make real changes in the energy world.  Smart grid, renewables, nuclear for major carbon reductions,  and a need for even better technologies for coal and other hydrocarbons.  As much as I boil from the thought of (barf) “clean coal” (barf), we’ll need this along with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to increase efficiency and reduce emissions from existing plants.  We may even need Carbon Capture and Storage technologies if predictions are true.

Dear the Dude,

If only you had a few simple requests to be amended to the budget, we’d be in much better shape – revised EI, investment in Canada’s green economy and renewable energy infrastructure.  Turbines won’t do much good if they can’t be hooked up to the grid.  And think of all the unemployed people that would cheer your efforts, these are your voters that you could help and completely clinch your spot on top.  Thousands by the day!

But instead you say that they’re on “probation”.  I wouldn’t have rejected it either, but this budget has been quoted as a mishmash with little focus and no big moves.  This was your chance to show strength, vision, and your priorities with just a few changes.  The Conservatives need to co-operate with you anyway to stay alive!  Why not take one for the Big Red?  Weak.  You almost had me.

Back to Green.  Baby Layton is disappointing, especially lately.  The more he stubbornly stays in this coalition mode, the more he alienates himself from his electorate.

Too much politics.

I’ve been writing too much about this, but this past week has been historically interesting Canadian politics.  The good news is is that I’m tired of writing about it. So I will (try to) be brief:

1. Quebec election – I didn’t vote.  I arrived at home in Kingston on Friday, and the election was yesterday.  I do feel bad, this is the first of any vote that I didn’t participate in, but I’ve only been a Quebec resident for three months, and I will likely leave 2 years before the next election is even called, making my vote that much less valued.  I would have voted for the Greens (or maybe for Mr. Charest if his position looked compromised), but he won his majority.  Here’s a man I would love to see re-enter federal politics.  He’s a brilliant strategist and has done some decent things for Quebec.  He also can actually communicate.

2. Liberal party – It’s truly amazing to see how quickly governments can work when they actually want to.  It makes the rest of the public service look a bit shameful after witnessing how quickly this whole thing went from a “strong coalition government” to a floundering opposition to 3 Liberal leader candidates fizzle to 1.  In the matter of days.  The party made the right decision in my mind – Ignatieff is the clear choice, and the right man to take on Harper.  Let’s just see how the Conservative machine spins this over the next few weeks, and how the Liberal machine responds.

3.  Two reasons why Canada is a small and insiginficant international power – (i) I saw next to zero press coverage internationally on the biggest political week in decades, and (ii) the leaders of our parties are never elected democratically.  Does that bother you?  Ignatieff is now the leader more or less, and we have no say in if we wanted him to lead the party or not.  Maybe it’s a good thing – we’re saving millions of dollars on campaigning and elections, time on learning about all the various candidates and their platforms.  However I feel like the parties would benefit from our choices, and things like the Dion catastrophe would never have happened.  All in all, being small and unmighty has its clear upsides – we’re much less responsible for destroying the world.

4. I feel bad for Stephane Dion – If this man was a tween, he would be calling Kids Help Phone every bloody night.  He must be crying himself to sleep, he gets picked on every day and his own (Liberal) family doesn’t even want him around.  And although it’s big, there’s really only one thing wrong with him – he just doesn’t know how to get his ideas across.  Stephane, go back to Université de Montréal, I’m sure people will love you there as you were loved before.

The proroguees.

Ewwwwww dad joke!  No not a food post.

Parliament will be prorogued (delayed, “reset”) until January 26th. I’m mixed about it but overall I’m happy – I’m glad the coalition wasn’t fully embraced, and I’m glad the confidence vote won’t happen on Monday.  What I don’t know yet is will it happen on January 26th?  Are we delaying the inevitable? Will this make things worse?  Are the Cons working hard to get a sound and supported budget during this break or will they just worry about campaignesque ads and more division of the country?  I was sick of the division south of the border, we’re just getting a slapback of it right now.

Another common concern is that Dion isn’t the leader to convince Canadians that a coalition is the right idea, and the video last night was a perfect example of this.  Here it is in case you didn’t see it:

Was anyone convinced from this?  The language itself seemed stronger than Harper’s, but how he came across was clearly weaker.  And albeit petty, was there anyone in your caucus that knows how to rent and turn on a decent video camera?  Come on guys.

Here’s Harper’s:

I love the stock intro, hilarious.  But let’s face it, he looks like the PM and carries himself and his rhetoric that way.

I genuinely like the coalition on paper – NDP-Liberal marriage, a great test drive for a proportional representation governing style, and an ethos of co-operation in tough times.  But something needs to happen first – a country that’s behind PR is one thing, less whining and more collaboration is another.  Finally, we want a government in power that’s been elected as Canadians understand it.  In theory we have done this – we elect a group of MPs, not a Prime Minister.  But the way we conceptualize the Canadian political system and how it’s actually carried out is very different – and we really just learned that this week.

Maybe it’s naive of me, but I don’t know think we will be too set back from this delay in parliament, it may be a blessing in disguise so Harper actually listens to his house to avoid another firestorm.  Really, if he includes a stimulus package in the budget for a number of sectors, the opposition should technically shut their mouths, since you know.. this isn’t a grab for power or anything.  It was their supposed reason for forming a coalition (even though Mr. Jack Layton was planning a Bloc partnership right after the election), we’ll just have to wait and see if they are slimier than the electorate even expect.

Politicktock.

Lots of things are happening, and I don’t know if it’s just drama.  And I’m also confused.

But what this is sounding like is that the NDP and the Liberals are teaming up to form a coalition government with some form of support from the Bloc.  I don’t know a lot about politics, but this just seems wrong.  Unless this was over a war, a highly warranted coup, complete corruption, then sure.   Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud lefty, but this sounds completely undemocratic.

Now it seems the Conservatives have dropped this funding issue due to the ensuing crapstorm, but the thirst for power hasn’t changed.  Now it seems they are arguing that the Conservatives have no plan for economic stimulus or recovery.  But what astounds me is that they haven’t even seen the bloody budget yet!!  Let’s try and keep some civility and hear their plan first – then think about taking action if the opposition has legitimate concerns.

Regardless, if we wake up next week and it’s Prime Minister Dion or Prime Minister Ignatieff, who will actually be happy?  Either a person everyone hates or a person noone has voted for.  How wouldn’t this be a complete PR disaster for the left, destroying any shred of integrity they have left?  Yes these coalition parties would represent about 63% of the popular vote, and yes the Conservatives received less votes than in the last election (yet with more seats) along with the lowest voter turnout in history.  The fact still remains is that they were democratically elected.  This coalition still seems to supercede our entire democratic and election process.

The CBC continually is saying that there is so much “going on behind closed doors”.  Way to go democracy.  It seems like after this week, it’s up to the GG to allow this coalition government to take shape.  That’s a tough job, but I wouldn’t accept anything short of Johnny Cochrane to try and convince me.

Maybe this video will change your mind, it didn’t really change mine:

Why I’m voting Green.

You’re judging already aren’t you.  I probably would too, and then subsequently think I’m a spacy, anti-establishment, granola cruncher.  Most of that is true too, but hey, I’m allowed to have my ideals.

Really this isn’t an active choice, more of a process of elimination.  So here we go:

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party – first of all, misnomer.   Try Alliance Reform we like Ross Perot party.  I kid, no name calling necessary.  They simply don’t align with my values, straight up.  Proponents of private health care, irresponsibly accelerated rates of oil extraction in the Tar Sands, cuts to the arts, and have less foresight than Sarah Palin’s pitbull/lipstick joke.  Not to mention his Bush-like refusals to have meaningful conversations with the media for the past few years.  And oh yeah, where’s your bloody platform?  Don’t worry, I know it’s not under your sweater.

Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party – Stephane, I like you enough, really I do.  But it’s because I really want to like you and I’m trying my damndest to like you.  You’re making it bloody difficult.  I want you to show us the fierce strong guy that brought us the Clarity Act.  But now you rely on your “team” of Bob fucking Rae and all the guys that couldn’t beat you in the leadership convention?!?  Come on.  This team now fully means that you and everyone else believe that you can’t lead on your own.  You seem like a great guy, and I even don’t mind your Green Shift plan, but you’re just not the right person to take on Mr. Harper and take back the country to the Canadian Redbook middle.  I want Ignatieff, and quick.

Jack Layton and the NDP – JACK.  You were my guy!  We were all tight, I talked to you on the Danforth about water quality and your trip to Gros Morne and your trip with Olivia to the caves!  Your numbers are increasing in the polls, and I am happy for you.  Overall, you’re fighting a good fight, you’re just not going to get my vote while I live here in Montreal, QC.  You want to know why?  Because I’m getting worried that this “integrity” you preach is bullshit.  You are selling out Anglophone Quebecers by supporting Bill 101 in order to gain more Francophone votes.  Among many other things, Bill 101 helps strengthen the use of the French language in Quebec, implicity discouraging anglophones from moving and residing in Quebec.  Although I can see where this bill is coming from (in a separatist kind of way), as an English speaker in Montreal (and trying my damndest to learn your impossible dialect), my life here would be much more difficult if 101 was fully implemented.  Thus I can’t support you this time.  And after witnessing you dodging too many questions, spinning answers like a typical untrustworthy politician, your cap and trade climate change solution, and being vehemently pro-union, I’m wondering about my future support.

Elizabeth May and the Greens – Well missy May.  Sorry, Mz. May.  You got my vote, I want to ride your bandwagon.  Or should I say Via trainwagon.  I secretly want to think your cross Canada tour on the train was exactly like Festival Express.  Please tell me you’re Janis.  Anyway, this is a woman that not only impressed me but many other Canadians in the televised national debate.  She supports the OECD recommended income tax cut/carbon tax plan, even supported by neo-con idols (read: head economists).  For me, she offers answers with honesty, integrity, and foresight.  This is what I see lacking in virtually all parties.  Stephen Harper’s eyes cannot see past 4 years into the future, as do most politicians.  The economy will always take some sort of hit when shifting to more environmental policies, but this impact won’t be far reaching, especially if the country invests intelligently in developing green energy and related industries. Quick tip boys and girls – do you know where oil comes from?  how about those precious automobiles and the rest of the manufacturing sector?  Even the computers you’re typing on?  Yes, it all comes from the EARTH.  Having weak environmental policy is having weak long term economic policy, plain and simple.  Do we want to be a short term thinking kind of society?  We are way smarter than that.  We can only go on ignoring weak environmental policy for so long.  Let’s actually be proactive here.  You know what reactive politics gets you?  THIS.  I could rant forever, but Elizabeth May believes in fostering local food production (a huge issue for me), punishing polluters, investing in national rail, and getting troops out of Afghanistan in a respectable period of time.  Sign me up.

The awesome and hilarious irony of this overly long post is that yours truly, a left wing anglophone living in Montreal resides in a little riding called Laurier-Sainte Marie.  Do you know who has been running in this riding the past decade or so?

Isn’t irony a bitch?  Gilles, you’re a good guy, and I hear this is your last campaign.  I’m glad this is the last time an anglophone’s vote won’t count in your lovely riding.   Allez Vert!