Thursday, April 24, 2014

Federal Conservatives Escape Again

The Elections Commissioner has halted any further probe into the 2011 federal election robocalls. Canada's elections investigator claims there is insufficient evidence regarding fraudulent robocalls during the 2011 election to warrant charges by the federal public prosecutor.

The long-awaited report from commissioner of elections Yves Cote indicated difficulties investigators faced in gathering evidence in ridings other than Guelph, Ontario, where a single junior Conservative staffer is facing charges.

This entire matter will now not be referred to the federal director of public prosecutions. Cote's decision in this matter is apparently supported by an independent review by a former Supreme Court justice.

So where is the justice when a political party is alleged to have breached election guidelines and there is no process to investigate with the authority necessary to lay charges and make them stick in a court of law?  There is apparently no process in place to compel potential witnesses and parties to fully cooperate with investigators.

The Harper Government is currently in the process of changing election rules in a new and highly controversial Fair Elections Act.  It is apparent the Harper conservatives want to have control over the next federal election.

Cote says Elections Canada needs the power to compel testimony.  This is something the Harper Conservatives have conveniently left out of their controversial new elections overhaul despite calls last year for increased investigative powers.

It is apparent Canada has problems within their own system of government and elections. Recent Senate scandals and election investigations are the proof.  And there is far more to the Harper Government's Fair Elections Act than simply proof of identification before casting a vote in a federal election.

Yesterday the Harper Government announced it is committing to support Ukraine during this important period of transition.  To this end, on April 23, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $11 million in support that could see up to 500 observers travel to Ukraine to monitor the upcoming presidential elections.  This support would be targeted towards three new initiatives that will promote democracy in Ukraine in the lead up to the country's presidential elections taking place on May 25, 2014.  How ironic is that?

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Senate Scandal

We learned today the RCMP have dropped the charges against the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff Nigel Wright for writing a $90,000 cheque to suspended Senator Mike Duffy. The RCMP concluded the evidence they gathered was insufficient to support criminal charges against Mr. Wright.

So one person alleged to be involved in the Conservative Senate scandal has been cleared. It will be interesting if the others named in the Senate scandal will be cleared as well. Was it all just a forgivable mistake? I am very interested in the final outcome and I suspect Canadians are too.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Jim Flaherty

You may express your comments and condolences on the passing of Jim Flaherty at the following link:

Express your Condolences

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Jim Flaherty

It is a sad day for Canadians as they learn former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty passed away. The Harper Government promised that the Minister of Finance had a balanced budget for Canadians in 2015. Sadly, Jim Flaherty passed away too early at the age of 64, having just resigned as Finance Minister only a few weeks ago.  He is now denied the opportunity to see the Harper Government deliver on their promise to bring in a balanced budget in 2015.

Jim Flaherty was the only finance minister to serve under Prime Minister Stephen Harper since 2006. It is hoped that the Harper Government, no matter how they juggle the books, will deliver on their promise of a balanced budget in 2015 and dedicate it in memory of former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

On a more personal note it is a tragic loss to Mr. Flaherty's family.  They will miss having him around for close family times in his retirement from the hectic life of politics.

It is hoped that Jim Flaherty will be remembered as a dedicated politician who served the public with passion and respect.  His role as Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Stephen Harper must have been difficult, but he prevailed right up to the end.  He is to be respected for his dedication and commitment.

May God Bless and comfort his family during this sad time in the passing of a husband and father.

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Income-Splitting

The issue of income-splitting is a divisive issue for the Harper Government. It may have caused former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to resign when he publicly crossed the line and Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the issue.

The Harper Government promised in the 2011 election to introduce income-splitting as a means of assisting families. Jim Flaherty believes the policy divides conservative MP's and he understands it will benefit mostly the rich and do little to assist low-income and middle-income families. Further, he understands it will come at a great expense to the Harper Government.

Flaherty was only a year away from introducing the Harper Governments' first balanced budget and understood income-splitting would take the Harper Government right back into debt with more deficit budgets.

According to the C.D. Howe Institute, 85 percent of Canadian households would gain nothing from the measure. Benefits for the remaining 15 percent of Canadian families are more likely to go to the more wealthy single-income households.

It is likely the Harper Government will partly backslide on their election promise as it is more costly now than when they made the promise. The Harper Government's income-spitting promise is projected to cost 2.7 billion and benefit mostly wealthy family households. It was only to come into effect when the government was able to balance their budget and that is expected to come in 2015 just before the next federal election.

The federal liberals are targeting the middle-class and may come up with a more effective policy that trumps the Harper Government's promise and provides benefits to more voters who are not considered the rich. The great divide between the rich and not so rich is a challenge to all political parties as the next federal election nears.

Whatever the Harper Government promises will be on borrowed money as Prime Minister Harper now reigns over the worst national debt in Canadian history. It is evident he has not managed our economy, but has indebted future generations for decades to come. It seems Prime Minister Stephen Harper has done a good job of driving young voters to Justin Trudeau and the liberals.

Who wins the middle-income voters may well win the next election.

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Weather Blues

Here is something to cheer up all you people who are fed up with winter and seeking just a hint of spring.