Canada is NOT doing the best of the G8

We KNOW that the Canadian economy has contracted. However, the harper reform/alliance gov't continue to tell Canadians that "we are the best of the G8".

Today, I heard a Canadian banker mention how the Canadian banks are succeeding because they operate in OTHER countries who's GDP's are between 6-8%!!

Wait . . . what? There are countries with GDP's at 6-8%?

I had to look this up and here's what I found . . .

With regard to harper's claim of "Canada is doing the best of the G8". Here's the G8 and their number in the world of 217 listed countries and their GDP. Seems he's lied again.

96   Russia 3.6
137 Japan 2.2
138 United States 2.2
147 Canada 1.9
166 Germany 0.9
184 France 0.1
188 United Kingdom 0.2
207 Italy -2.3

harper is failing Canadians.

Resource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_real_GDP_growth_rate_(latest_year)

Reasons to Oppose the Federal Budget Bill #C-38

via Douglas Connors home page:

"You only need to be concerned over one of these to come out and express your displeasure at the way ALL of these are being rammed down our throats without the slightest bit of examination, discussion, or negotiation. And almost none of it was in the election platform of a year ago.”"

There were those who heeded the call made above to visit Member of Parliament's offices to show opposition to what I call the O-B-B the Omnibus Budget Bill, Bill C-38 which wihen passed into law will make the changes listed below . I came across this just now on a Facebook site and thought I'd pass it on:

"Some pics from the BlackMark protests today." http://2012federalbudget.tumblr.com/

Anita Nickerson’s 'List of Reasons to Oppose the Federal Budget Bill'

Bill C-38 has something in it for everyone.

Concerned about the Environment? This bill:

- repeals The Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act;
- dismantles The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;
- excludes concerned citizens from assessments of major projects like the Enbridge pipeline;
- downloads responsibility for most environmental assessments to provinces;
- gives final say over pipeline projects to Conservative cabinet ministers­regardless of environmental impacts.
- lays off the entire Canadian scientific community looking at ocean contaminants. Did you know we have a lot of coastline?  Meaning there’s a lot of ocean not being examined, which will impact the worldwide science in this area.
- eliminates habitat protection from The Fisheries Act;
- limits the waterways protected by The Species at Risk Act and The Fisheries Act;
- dismantles the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, leaving natural areas vulnerable

Perhaps you are concerned about Health. This bill:

- shortchanges cash-strapped provinces of expected health transfers by $31 billion;
- weakens food and drug regulations at the discretion of the Minister of Health;
- ends vital Auditor General oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;
- paves the way for private contractors to perform food safety inspections.

Is it Employment that interests you? This bill:

- forces Canadians to work two years longer, to age 67, to qualify for Old Age Security;
- cuts workers off Employment Insurance if they don’t take any job the Minister of Human Resources deems “suitable”;
- repeals The Fair Wages and Hours of Labour Act;
- removes federal contractors from the protection of The Employment Equity Act.
brings in foreign workers and allows them to be paid 15% less than our minimum wage.

Is it Democracy that interests you? This bill:

- reduces the Auditor General’s powers to hold government accountable to Canadians;
- removes independent oversight from 12 key government agencies­including the - Northern Pipeline Agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Revenue Agency;
- eliminates organizations that produce independent policy research­including Rights & Democracy, the National Council of Welfare, and the First Nations Statistical Institute;
- dissolves the Public Appointments Commission designed to ensure key positions are assigned based on merit instead of insider connections;
- allows the FBI to come into Canada and arrest Canadians on Canadian soil.

You only need to be concerned over one of these to come out and express your displeasure at the way ALL of these are being rammed down our throats without the slightest bit of examination, discussion, or negotiation. And almost none of it was in the election platform of a year ago.”

This list was created by Anita Nickerson, who volunteered to lead the Kitchener-Waterloo Blackmark day of action. Additional thanks to Jennifer Ross for compiling this ever-growing list.

WE NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN SUCH OMNIBUS BILLS!

I WILL Vote Against Bill C-10 (Omnibus Crime Bill)

An ongoing campaign to encourage 'sober thought' on the Omnibus Crime Bill involved email letters to Canadian Senators & MP's. It was encouraging to receive a response back indicating a vote against this harmful Bill. Here's the Senator's Letter:



Feb 29, 2012


I would like thank you for your email regarding Bill C-10.

The government’s attitude towards crime fails to understand the fundamental connection between the challenges of addiction, mental illness, poverty, and that of crime. As a provincial judge wrote, “poverty is the first fuel that drives crime. It becomes mixed in with the destabilization of families, widespread substance abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence”

Instead of working towards programs that will help solve the root causes of crime, Bill C-10 targets those who need our help the most.

Currently, the bill is before the Senate and will be up for final reading this week. I will vote against C-10 because I remain committed to pursuing a crime and justice approach that is evidence-based, applies appropriate penalties, is cost-effective, and would tackle the root causes of crime like poverty.

Please continue to let all of the Conservative Party Senators know how you feel on this important issue before the final vote.

Yours sincerely,

Art Eggleton (Liberal Senator)