A couple of quick observations this A.M. First, I heard last night Fed. Finance Minister Flaherty say “absolutely not” in an emphatic voice when asked about a ‘side deal’ with New Brunswick to make up for the perceived lack of…
Continue ReadingInteresting article on econ. development spending
Canada’s Aboriginals are not happy with the recent Federal budget: “As sure as spring follows winter, Stephen Harper’s Budget 2007 shall trigger a summer of Aboriginal protests from one end of this country to the other,” predicted Grand Chief Stewart…
Continue ReadingSavoie Speaks
You know I have the utmost respect for Donald Savoie. He has thought about the issues related to regional develpment and the intersection with government more than – most likely – any other person in Canada. So, I tend to…
Continue ReadingOn Mrs. Volpe, Al Hogan’s Hummer and financing tax cuts with Equalization
Just a couple of points this A.M. two of which were pointed out to me by my ‘sources’. You remember when Jeannot Volpe was discussed in the Globe & Mail as Mrs. Volpe? That had to hurt. But I digress.…
Continue ReadingIt’s about votes, duh
I have finally taken a few minutes this evening to scan a dozen or so articles and commentaries about the new Fed budget. Essentially, it boils down to this: Alberta and Ontario are more or less happy with the budget…
Continue ReadingPer Capita Woes
Have any of the New Brunswick media outlets, pundits or bloggers discussed the issue of making health and other social transfers to the provinces move to a ‘per capita’ basis? Here’s a mention in one Canadian Press story: Ontario and…
Continue ReadingThe Prime Minister has posted his letter to Premier Graham and announced this by issuing a press release. I can tell you there are mandarins reaching for their Zantac after reading this. They are moving their health and social transfer…
Continue ReadingFeds phasing out largest economic development tax incentive in history
Forget about auto sector grants or aerospace grants, by far the largest corporate tax break (or government incentive to stimulate economic development) in Canadian history has been the tax break to develop the oil sands*. In the new Federal budget,…
Continue ReadingDispatches from the road: Lake Tahoe, NV
I am finishing up a few days visit with my brother in Nevada. I have mentioned him before in the blog. I have gotten a chance to get to know this state a lot better – this time around. Here’s…
Continue ReadingDispatches from the road: On political opposition
Some have said that I am advocating that the opposition not ‘oppose’ and that insituation is troubling – mainly because I railed against the lack of opposition (opposing voices) during the Tory administration. It is vitally important for opposition parties…
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