Chretien begins forming his fascist dictatorship

[- Groucho -]

The amount of emigration from the maritimes seems like pretty good evidence that people feel like they can't win if they stay. It also seems that the prevailing attitude among young maritimers is that generally you have to get out to get ahead (unless you're a ticketed underwater welder or have some other Hibernia-centric skill).

As for whether Harper was politically savvy in making the statement ... Well, I for one would rather politicians said what they thought, rather than, like Reagan, say all the things people want to hear and then run illegal Iran-contra style operations on the side.

[Tingkai]

But if there was a culture of defeatism, wouldn't people just stay put and say what's the point?

[- Groucho -]

That would be "utter-abject-ultra defeatism."

[Asher]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Yes, we're all quite aware that you were talking about the NEP. In any discussion about Canada, Albertans always whine and whine about this 20-year-old policy. Sometimes I think Alberta has a law that requires its residents to whine about the NEP on a daily basis.

The article was about how Chretien was using the same words that ignited the NEP years ago -- a government HE was a part of.

You're being quite hypocritical if you blame the CA for not knowing what they're saying if you can't figure out why this is a BadThing.

Asher: I believe you misunderstand how the equalization system works. The $8,500 per capita figure for Alberta represents how much the Albertan government can raise in taxes. It does not represent contributions to the equalization program.

The way I understood it, and the way the Canadian government explains it on their website, is on average, per capita, Albertans invested $8,500 in tax (much of this is obviously from Alberta's resource revenue, NOT direct income tax like you're trying to slant it to be). In order to make sure that every province has the same government revenue per capita, the average is found and all of the provinces making above that (now only Ontario and Alberta, Alberta by far) are basically giving $2600 per person away to other provinces. Far higher than any other province.

It was a neat trick how to tried to play this on only income tax, when you know a good portion of Alberta's revenue system is not based on income tax but rather resource revenue, which is why that $8500 figure is so high.

So Ontario does indeed pay the lion share of the equalization payment system.

The Canadian government's website clearly disagrees with you.

Feel free to find me figures and links that disagree with these...

One difference is that I don't complain about it. I agree with NYE. Some Albertans on the other hand...

I do mind sharing. Why should Alberta pay for Newfoundland's eqaulization for 52 years in a row? It's not a temporary measure, it's a constant money hole. Why did we even let Newfoundland in the country, anyway?

But looking at the big picture, Ontario pays 44 per cent of federal income tax. If that tax is diverted through equalization payments then Ontario finances $4.7 billion of the payments while Alberta only pays 11 per cent of the equalization payments, just $1.2 billion.

Your figures don't even add up to the total transfer payments paid...

[David James]

I've got an absolutely revolutionary idea ... let's try to stay on topic. I know it's difficult for some of us here

Who's going to win this one? Is Chretien going to survive the leadership review next February? If he does, what then? If he doesn't, who, other than Martin, will run for the Liberal leadership? Who will Chretien support?

[Asher]

Chretien is going to go down in flames in favor of Paul Martin, which will help the Liberals get another majority government in 2005. I won't be nearly as upset with this as when Chretien was leader.

However, if Chretien does stay in charge, I see a huge surge in CA and NDP votes. Mostly CA.

[David James]

Originally posted by Asher
Chretien is going to go down in flames in favor of Paul Martin, which will help the Liberals get another majority government in 2005. I won't be nearly as upset with this as when Chretien was leader.

I'm not so sure he will as I'm not convinced that Liberal party members have the intestinal fortitude to challenge a sitting PM (we're not talking British Conservatives or even CAs but Canadian Liberals). Even if Chretien is deposed, he might come back to support Manley or Rock and one can imagine his supporters doing pretty much what he tells them to do. I don't really think Martin's chances are all that good when all is said and done.

However, if Chretien does stay in charge, I see a huge surge in CA and NDP votes. Mostly CA.

I definitely agree there The internal destruction of the vaunted Liberal Party is ultimately good for the country

[monolith94]

Times are good for the canadian conservative youth party alliance…

God I love that song………

[Hobbes]

Go NDP!! Go NDP!!

Love that song too....

[Asher]

Did I miss something?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Hobbes
Go NDP!! Go NDP!!

Didn't the NDP's escapades in BC clue you in on how clueless they are?

[Sava]

Seriously, who gives a sh!t about Canada? It's not as if that country's going to do anything productive other than being the 51st State.

[Hobbes]

Stupid leaders, but good policies. More than what could be said the jolly ol' Alliance...

[Hobbes]

Seriously, who gives a sh!t about Canada? It's not as if that country's going to do anything productive other than being the 51st State.

Keep it down. Children are ment to be seen not heard.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Hobbes
Stupid leaders, but good policies. More than what could be said the jolly ol' Alliance...

I dunno, what policies were good with the NDP that worked for you?

The Alliance's policies tend to come from what are tried and true in Alberta economically speaking. Which seems to work pretty damn well.

The NDP's economic policies are...well, they're nonexistant last time I checked.

Their answer to everything is to jack up taxes and distribute the money into substandard, but universal, government care.