Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Roy Nelson

The passing of Roy Nelson is the loss of a kind and respectful man. He served his country, province, and community with enthusiasm and dedication. He served his family and friends with love, loyalty, and commitment.

Roy and I were elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in the same year. I was elected as a Progressive Conservative and Mr. Nelson as a liberal. Regardless, he was easy to respect. I always considered him one of the best people I was privileged to serve with in the legislature. Roy and I would occasionally run into each other at a coffee shop or a mall. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. I will miss him.

My condolences go out to his wife Kay and their family. My prayers and thoughts are with them.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Guilty or Not Guilty

The accused found not guilty. I am a non-drinker and I ride a motorcycle. I am a taxpayer and I have to pay an ever-increasing cost charged by SGI to ride my motorcycle. I have never had an accident while riding my motorcycle. A bad driver of both automobiles and motorcycles causes SGI to increase charges to the operators of vehicles due to accidents. We also pay court costs to sort these matter out and determine who is at fault. In this case, the motorcycle operator was in the wrong place at the wrong time and guilty of nothing. What am I missing?

Now you be the judge! How would you find? Guilty or Not Guilty! Read more...

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Saskatchewan 2012 Budget

The Brad Wall SaskParty government introduced a so-called austerity budget. The problem is they missed the mark as total spending increased. They are not different from any other government. They just cannot stop spending and they rely on unreliable income forecasts. Total debt is increasing and the government is paying down less this year than last.

I would reduce the size of government, slow spending, introduce a plan to eliminate the total debt in someone's lifetime, and reduce the size of the legislature by at least ten MLA's. Do these things all incrementally and consistently in less than ten years and you have a plan I can support.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Harper Government in Retreat

The Harper Government is finding itself in retreat on a number of issues lately. They have finally come to their senses, as have other countries, regarding the purchase of F-35 fighter jets. The costs of these jets over recent months kept going up. The Harper Government mocked the opposition whenever they opposed the purchase of these expensive fighter jets.

The government in retreat on this issue will save taxpayers a lot of money. There is no question Canada must consider the purchase of new fighter jets if we are to assist our allies in war missions around the world. The question to be considered is how many jets we need, what supplier and at what cost.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Takeover Bid of Viterra Inc.

With the threat of a takeover bid of Viterra Inc. we have to wonder how much the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board played in this takeover bid. Viterra is a Saskatchewan based company and vital to our economy. Viterra is Canada’s largest grain company based right here in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Premier, Brad Wall does not see Viterra in the same light as BHP Billiton. We have no definitive position from the Premier other than to say it has to be a net benefit to Canada and Saskatchewan. Well, that is not hard to figure!

We have even less knowledge of where Prime Minister Harper will come down on this issue. The Harper Government rejected the BHP Billiton takeover bid of Saskatchewan’s potash industry after a lot of pressure from Saskatchewan. Will Prime Minister Harper show leadership this time or do we have to turn again to Premier Brad Wall.

It seems to me our land and resources and the management and handling of our resources is best left in Canadian hands. It is hard to believe that foreign companies, regardless of whom they are, will have the best interests of Canadians at the top of their management agenda.

Not to put too fine a point on this issue, I do not want to wake up some morning and wonder where my shredded wheat is for breakfast.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Infrastructure Improvements

Here in Saskatchewan many of our main roads are in need of repair. The Trans-Canada highway needs work. Travel from Regina to Moose Jaw and back is a good example. Our cities have potholes that cost motorists thousands of dollars on tie rod ends, cracked boots, and suspension repairs. I have the receipts to prove it. We are in need of infrastructure repair for sewer mains, reliable drinking water, and lagoon expansions throughout the province. In many smaller communities, their recent population growth requires them to expand and improve their infrastructure system, but they have no funds for the improvements.

In Toronto, the federal government announced a project to build a pedestrian tunnel under ground and water. It will connect the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to the mainland at the foot of Bathurst Street. The Airport Improvement fee will apparently largely fund the project. Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty and the Toronto City Mayor, Rob Ford and the Toronto Port Authority Chairman, Mark McQueen announced the project. That would suggest the federal government and the City of Toronto invested in the pedestrian tunnel.

Prime Minister, Stephen Harper in his announcement of the pedestrian tunnel said, “Our Government is committed to building strong, prosperous communities that are engines of economic growth.” Well, we agree with that here in Saskatchewan. So, what is the problem? Is it because there are no more votes to gain in Saskatchewan and our conservative MP’s are failing to push for improvements to our infrastructure system?

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada works seven days a week.  I received a phone call from Statistics Canada on a Sunday and was informed they work seven days a week.  Maybe we should freeze government salaries and make them work six days a week.  Now what should we do with our politicians?

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

MP's Sleep on the Job

Well, we always thought many politicians must be sleeping on the job.  Rob Anders, MP for Calgary West has proven the point.  Recent news reports and video show him sleeping like a baby in the House of Commons and in Committee.  One has to wonder what he is doing in the night that has him sleeping during the day.  The Prime Minister is known not to like early mornings, but he has made the adjustment.  He has a busy schedule flying all over the world and then keeping his members awake when he is home.  You can be sure of one thing.  The Prime Minister will rightfully not be pleased over the sleepy antics of Rob Anders.  What action will the Prime Minister take to get his MP's working hard for Canadian taxpayers and what is the penalty for sleeping on the job?

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Wheat Research Funding

A recent announcement by the Saskatchewan government will invest $10 million into new funding for wheat related research over the next five years. That is good news for Saskatchewan farmers and for the entire province. Recent reports indicate food production will have to increase by 45% by 2030. It is a great decision for Saskatchewan by the Brad Wall SaskParty government. What is not to like about this announcement? The western Canadian Wheat Growers Association supports the announcement. The funding will help prairie farmers stay competitive.

However, hold on just a moment. The NDP say they support the decision, but feel the Saskatchewan government should spend research dollars on the impact of the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board and to study how to sustain the small family farm. Now you know why the NDP is a small opposition party. They just have no idea of how to drag themselves out of the past. The future is today and tomorrow. The NDP is yesterday and part of our history. Their policies are destined to keep them there for a long time. Is there a liberal party in Saskatchewan? If there is then maybe they and the NDP could get together and have a conference on the future. They could have Brad Wall as their guest speaker.