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MY CANADA...FINAL ARTICLE

2/21/2014

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For readers following My Canada blog this will be a different and final article. As a rule I try not to write from a personal or opinionated point of view. For my followers, because statistics on my webpage indicates there are quite a few followers, I want to outline my qualifications for political blogging.  The outline will be at the end of this article for anyone interested.

Politics from municipal and provincial to federal was always a major part of my life. I follow all three levels and feel I am as knowledgeable as anyone except possibly those elected or assisting members of parliament. I always nurtured a strong desire to keep well informed on everything happening politically in my Canada.

I try to research all the subjects contained in my blogs and although I might refer to something said by others during a group gathering such as a Tim Horton’s morning coffee meeting, I always try to reference without making political statements. Undoubtedly as a human I have political leanings and opinions but try to be neutral.  I am a left leaning average Canadian which until recent years was the majority of voters. I do not follow or support any political party for the sake of being a member of that party. I have donated financially to all three major parties and will probably donate to the Green Party if only to keep the party active. If I disagree with a stand any party is taking on an issue, I will oppose the position with as much research as I can access but seldom if ever make reference to another party’s position on the subject.

The reason for the change of direction in this article is to express personal feelings about the frustration I feel, like so many Canadians, about politics. I wish to comment as fairly as possible on the methods used by all Federal Canadian parties but frustration tends to make my comments too partisan for my own liking. The following commentary will undoubtedly substantiate the contention.

The Harper Conservatives as they want to be called appear dictatorial and possibly disorganized.  The Liberals tend to wander trying to find the support lost during the Chrétien/Martin conflicts without much policy so far that isn’t designed for sensationalism. The New Democrats even with a leader that seems charismatic, intelligent and basically honest still reflects the same old NDP mired in third place. The party according to polls is sinking to traditional support numbers before the Jack Layton era lead to the astonishing increase in popularity and votes.

I will start with the New Democrats still at the bottom with respect to recent polls and work up from there to the Liberals and finally the Conservatives.  Many political followers at the pre-mentioned coffee clubs and other venues still identify the New Democratic Party with big labour. Most corporations in today’s world are positioned to close, downsize or shift operations. Many large resource companies operate under a corporate umbrella that allows a new type of business functioning where unions do not have the power and therefore the support of as many members.  The collapse of historic union support could be a reason the NDP for the electorate decline in the polls. The party has a strong Northern Ontario representation probably due to reaction from political neglect of the resource rich region. Who knows, Mulcair might have the intelligence and oration ability to lead the party to a revival of recent fortunes with voters. The party’s lack of depth together with maybe a few of the old guard holding to pre-Layton ideals could prove insurmountable to Tom Mulcair holding onto leader of opposition status. Aside from Nathan Cullen who has made mention of leaving the federal party to run provincially in BC and Olivia Chow deciding about running as Toronto mayoralty candidate the party might be shy of recognizable ministerial candidates. Exceptions that have taken the spotlight on media political programs would be Charlie Angus, Megan Leslie, Peggy Nash, Paul Dewar, David Christopherson, Joe Comartin, Jack Harris, Peter Julien, Pat Martin and Peter Stoffer. The group is impressive enough to fill the cabinet positions an elected leader must appoint. Conversely many of the current Federal government cabinet ministers are almost invisible since the party appears to discourage appointed ministers from appearing in the media. Most Harper government ministers are represented by assistants or deputies when a media appearance is necessary.

Tom Mulcair and the New Democrats have an uphill battle to retain the opposition title and a war to win if expecting to assume power. The one need for the NDP is an almost entirely new platform offering strong social programs without demanding corporate Canada succumb to high levels of taxation. The challenge might be too steep for the likeable Tom Mulcair and his team to overcome.

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are almost in some aspects comic relief for politics watchers. On the other hand his father Pierre is often considered one of the most colorful politicians ever elected to lead the nation. Pierre and now Justin are renowned for using humor and unorthodox methods to attract media attention. Justin dismissing Liberal appointed senators from caucus was certainly unexpected and who knows maybe an error or smart tactic. It will be interesting to watch developments with the Trudeau leadership.

First is how the man with the young followers that historically don’t take the time to vote or become involved in organizations will handle getting those young people involved nationwide. Secondly, it will be even more interesting to see how the party and its new leader handle the inevitable barrage Conservative attack ads prior to the next vote. Media reports indicate the Conservatives have already tried to muster people in an effort to disrupt Trudeau’s first policy convention.  If Trudeau learns to use the media with the same success as his father, the Conservatives with a reputation for blocking out the media might have a hard time competing.

Recent spiraling then sputtering polls and likely rising again polls at the expense of the Conservatives continue with the Liberal party setting out an agenda and platform acceptable to some media analysts. If the trend continues Trudeau could become a serious threat even with most media analysts prone to supporting the Conservatives after almost a decade of exposure to their type of government. If the Liberal platform sputters and the New Democrats get better organized using the media, Liberals might have a difficult time moving into opposition. The Liberal platform appears new and untried at this point. Trudeau has already displayed a lot of his father’s past charisma but that might not be enough to give the Liberals the majority needed to rule. Of course a minority mandate is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Finally there is the Conservative party that likes to be referred to as the Harper government. For anyone but committed supporters of the Conservative/Reform Party merger the Harper majority government is quite different from any past Canadian political administration although with some reflection on the former Ontario Mike Harris Conservative government. Harris ruled Ontario in the 1990’s and early 2000’s and a few more powerful current Harper government ministers served in both governments.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems to have an agenda aimed at changing the traditional socialistic character of Canada into a more or less Republican style government similar to those ruling the United States at times. The new Conservatives are proving to be a government that caters to the corporate world to stimulate the economy some believe at the expense of the benefits earned or won from government over the years. The agenda supports investors as indicated by the so far nonstop escalation of share prices on the Canadian stock market.  However a growing number of analysts point to the increasing debt load and decline of Canada’s living status for the middle class.

One key issue plaguing the Harper government drive for reelection is the Keystone Pipeline battle facing opposition from the US Democratic Party government of Barack Obama. The issue is creating a major hurdle due to Oilsands production environmental concerns expressed on both sides of the border. A major blow to Oilsands produced crude might result from American environmentalists. A well known American journalist, author and education environmentalist, Bill McKibben was asked recently in a national interview if new strict laws would lessen American resistance to the Keystone pipeline. McKibben was quoted in a recent Macleans news magazine article saying “No. The Harper government is a wholly owned subsidiary of the fossil fuel industry. And their endless attempts to pretty up what they are doing are pointless.”

The Pipeline debate is only one instance of the Harper government need to try controlling every project or program proposed without regard to opposing points of view. The Prime Minister has not met with provincial leaders almost since attaining majority status. It is a well known fact Federal/Provincial meetings are necessary to learn about provincial concerns and coordination of needed programs.  Harper’s government in my opinion is the most secretive and least respected in the world community than any other in recent history. Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s Liberal administration in the 1970’s and 80’s often irritated the opposition and voters by ignoring demands and enacted unilateral decisions based on the needs for the country at the time. The Trudeau approach was evidenced in one major instance by enacting the War Measures Act to quell a Quebec uprising by the FLQ. His widely opposed decision to visit China during the height of communist regime power was another case of a Canadian leader ignoring the wishes of Parliament if not the Canadian public. But Trudeau’s cabinet ministers and staff met with their provincial counterparts and the PM did not shy away from Federal/Provincial meetings as evidenced by the Meach Lake accord that in effect changed Canada and kept Quebec from separating.

The list of changes the Conservative government feels are needed and opposed by the opposition, and according to polls the majority of Canadians, could go on indefinitely. The methods used to attain the government’s goals seem indifferent to traditional Canadian politics and for some, me included, a reason to walk away from a lifelong hobby and career of commenting on and analyzing politics.

I would like to see an alternative to Canadian politics emerge since the system as practiced by every political party needs to change. I am aware that will not happen in the near future since the parties are too ingrained in the current system. All the parties are prone to fearing an upstart organization that might represent the people instead of the party. Remembering the inaugural speech of the esteemed American President John F Kennedy and his statement telling Americans to consider “it is not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”, the philosophy and practice is the need of Canadians. A new political entity springing up representing the wishes of the citizens rather than the needs of the party would be a step forward for Canada. 

It is unfortunate that Canadians are satisfied with our major political parties setting such a poor example for the next generation as the Conservative attack ads belittling opponents. Canadians it seems give lip service to the idea of raising honest intelligent, charitable and idealistic children  before allowing politicians to teach them the joys and benefit of all out greed and anger against those not sharing your views.  It reflects the truth to the biblical saying the love of money is the route of all evil.  

This will be the final MY CANADA blog article. Thank you for accessing my past blogs. I will probably still follow politics to a lesser degree and will definitely vote in every election. I believe voting is the only way to assure democracy continues. The system might have flaws but is still the best one on earth. Just maybe and the thought might be only a dream; Justin Trudeau will redesign politics with some of that important needed change given the current support his party is receiving in every poll since Justin’s selection as party leader.

This is the promised outline of the reasons I felt qualified to write this blog. I first began writing as a part-time young social columnist covering youth activity graduating to municipal political coverage for the Ajax Advertiser in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s and 70s I wrote volumes of reports for employers.  Writing was always a prerequisite for accomplishing assignments while working for almost a decade and a half as a career civil servant.

 Two of my “hobby writing” articles were published in two successive Northern Ontario Anthology publications by Northern College of Timmins in the late 1970’s. That initial success was followed by the publishing of my collection of fictional stories based on actual Northern Ontario events. The coffee table collection was published as a book titled Mines and Blazing Pines by a well known Northern Ontario publishing firm. Those milestones were followed by the publishing of my first two novels, The Place by a Victoria BC publisher and Disaster Legacy by A Calgary Alberta publisher.  At the time I had become editor and publisher of a Northern Ontario community newspaper that developed into a successful media publication now owned by a major media corporation and is still in existence. After selling the newspaper and retiring I wrote and published three more E book novels titled Merlin in Disguise available on Kobo, Vacation Inn and Marauder Woman  both available on Amazon Kindle.

 

 


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MY CANADA

2/7/2014

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HOW TO BECOME A COUNCIL CANDIDATE AND WIN

If you are even considering attempting to become a candidate for election in the October 2014 elections it is time to let your supporters know your reasons for running. Some municipal candidates especially in larger municipalities were quick to declare their candidacy when nominations opened on January 2nd. Waiting until the election is closer is not a good idea. A candidate that says there is still plenty of time or I am still considering whether to run is losing valuable campaign time. Voters might even feel the late arriving candidate is simply running for the money offered or for the prestige attached to become a community leader.

There is a great deal of prestige that comes to those elected to council but at a cost. The cost is family time, personal freedom and the need to study is much like going back to school. The learning process is long and hard and although the perk of travel on an expense account might seem attractive those travel miles and the meal cost coverage is worth the compensation when a councillor needs to learn an entire new language.

Aside from becoming part of a team it is important to keep abreast of legislation enacted by the province that will impact your community. Learning legislation demanded by the province also includes learning the individual municipality’s operation. Whether a first term or longstanding council members learning never stops.

The Clerk Treasurer or CEO of the community is every councillor’s greatest source for learning and keeping updated on everything that is happening or has happened in the past. Communication with all department heads is something that should be a priority especially if the municipality deals with departments as a committee of the whole. Contact with department heads is also important if the mayor or reeve assigns councillors to departmental committees. Councillors have a responsibility to work with the department that he or she is assigned to work with, but a good council member will also be aware of the needs and direction of all departments. That is the job a councillor is elected to perform.

Learning to cooperate with others on council and the art of compromise to accomplish your ideas and the needs is important. Passing motions requires a majority of votes to pass. Getting motions passed reflect a councillor’s degree of success. Lashing out angrily or deciding to seek revenge when a fellow councillor wants to pass a constructive motion he sometimes leads to others on council reacting negatively. Disagreements over personal favoritisms and agendas can affect council adversely. 

The reason for declaring your candidacy as soon as possible is to allow voters to know what you stand for if elected. You must let voters know the positive legislation you intend to try to accomplish during the four years council members are assured of being in office. Convincing electors that you intend to hold taxation at an acceptable level and serve their interests is of utmost importance.

 To criticize past council actions for a perceived wrong doing is usually the result of uniformed and unfair comments from some of the public. While serving it is incumbent upon an elected official to voice his or her concern when an issue becomes a public issue that cannot be resolved through a negotiated agreement of council. Any councillor with the support of a majority of council can demand a public review of circumstance considered illegal or even unethical. However the issue needs a personal investigation of all  the circumstances surrounding the problem.

Communication with the electorate on a regular basis is essential to a smooth running municipal council. When accusations of administration running the town for the benefit of an individual department or group becomes a public issue councillors must communicate with the public until the complaint or supposition is overcome. Municipal employees are responsible to the administration but ultimately owe their existence to the electorate.

A good election platform is not criticizing what the last or any previous council did or did not do for the municipality. Declaring initiatives you would like to accomplish as a council member in concert with everyone else allows voters decide on the person most desired to be elected. For instance if the previous council announced it overspent budgets or wants to buy equipment that the public when  hearing of the intention opposes criticizing the issue for the sensation it might cause as a reason for your election is not wise. Instead include the issue in your platform without making reference to the past. Speak personally to past councillors and the administration explaining you are running as a candidate and need to know the history of contentious issues. You can then make the issues part of your campaign with respect to solving the problems. Commenting on any issue just for the sake of agreeing with uniformed critics or friends on council or administration is not conducive to a strong council member if elected.

The most positive method to construct a positive campaign that will almost certainly be successful is to choose a list of four to six issues are known to be contentious and talked about by the electorate then fully research the real reasons for the items becoming a talking issue. There is always more than one side to every problem and learning the facts will make you a strong well liked council member by both other council members and the public. Most of all it will make your new career more effective and satisfying. Be prepared for a great deal of work, and personal sacrifice. The money earned will be minimal for the work and pressure the post will mean.

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MY CANADA

2/2/2014

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     CONSERVATIVE POLITICS ARE CHANGING CANADA 

    There is little doubt world democracies have changed. It is possible the change is simply evolution since human nature expects individual rewards and politicians now find it a simple matter to use tax dollars to build a political advantage. History is explicit in recording turmoil over the centuries when the financially elite of any culture stops listening to supporters. In Canada there seems to be an age old trend allowing politicians to assume unbridled power as long as it appears to benefit the general population together with those in a position to reap higher than average rewards. That is how democracy works and although stretched by governments lucky enough to gain an election majority it is the world’s best system.

The Harper government appears to believe a majority government through winning thirty five percent of the vote more or less is sufficient to enact laws destined to change many traditional programs and projects. Much of the legislation facing change or elimination was put in place by minority governments where negotiating compromise was often the reason it was enacted. Other programs were passed by a majority government unopposed to appease supporters in some instances. Changes demanded by the opposition when the Conservative party is in power are often deemed corporate unfriendly from a profit standpoint and rejected without explanation.

With a myriad of social programs sometimes enacted by unions for their membership and adopted by governments the stage is set for dramatic change. After decades of prosperous social services, universal healthcare and pensions each program is a natural target to keep corporate profits at a level conducive to investment. With all levels of government in deficit and both company and government pension plans oversubscribed the fact lifespan is increasing means traditional government programs are slated for rapid change by the Harper Conservative government. Liberals on the other hand increasingly acknowledge the problem while suggesting the change should be less severe and phased in while searching for a solution. The New Democrats will be hard pressed supporting any changes while satisfying their labour union base and having to acknowledge new programs are needed due to the seriousness of deficit situations.

The Harper Conservatives have a monumental task ahead with an election scheduled in less than two years. It is noteworthy to find some Stephen Harper top ministers experienced a similar crisis as Ontario ministers in power under then Conservative Premier Mike Harris. The Harris government eliminated many mostly union won social programs during seven years in power. Ontario voters reacted by electing a Liberal majority after Harris successor Conservative Ernie Eves held the Premier’s post for a little over half a year.  John Baird, Tony Clement and Jim Flaherty to mention three high profile Harper Conservatives have used similar methods to those being touted by the Harper Conservatives to strip Ontarians of social programs accumulated through years of balanced budgets and manufacturing prosperity.

Aside from eliminating traditional programs Harper has changed the way Canadian’s were treated by most past prime ministers. He apparently disagrees more or less with an American style state of the country address every year. Most political leaders use the media to advantage unafraid of offering a chance to criticize their programs. Harper rarely meets the media to explain his government’s actions. He reportedly bans reporters at meetings important to the electorate and often tries unsuccessfully to orchestrate press conferences. The party uses American style Republican attack ads in an effort, sometimes successfully in the past, to discredit opposition leaders. Again history indicates hurtful methods such as the ads will eventually come back to haunt those using them for short term gain.

Indications are Harper is the person responsible for all the new direction mostly new to Canadians. Most of his major foreign affairs announcements regarding funding and other initiates are made in other countries as if Canadians will either agree with the direction of the commitments or completely trust his inner circle to make the best decisions. There is a great deal of indication that Harper appointed Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) employees often make decisions even the inner circle of ministers including others in cabinet and possibly even Harper seems unaware of  as attested to  by the Duffy-Wright Senate fiasco.

Justin Trudeau’s election as leader of the Liberal Party has so far created several problems for the aging Harper Conservatives. Attracting a cross section of young voters and recently doing some campaigning reminiscent of his father Pierre’s unexpected actions has changed polling numbers previously held by both the Conservatives and New Democrats. Most observers probably wonder how closely the son will follow the father’s sometime unorthodox or at least unexpected actions.

Tom Mulcair is so far an anomaly.  Apparently not a sweetheart of organized labour or the traditional base of the party, the leader ascended only after a difficult campaign. A strong Quebecker many appear to believe his Liberal provincial minister background might be a deterrent to acquiring full party solidarity. Although a strong force in Quebec, an excellent orator with the ability to hold Harper’s Conservatives to account during daily question period in the House of Commons, New Democrat poll numbers returned to traditional levels. Voters apparently feel it was Jack Layton’s charisma not the New Democratic Party platform that brought the party to opposition status.

The next two years will be interesting for political watchers since the entire Harper situation and failing poll numbers could reverse if American President Barack Obama approves the Keystone pipeline bringing Alberta Oilsand crude to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. On the other side of the issue it is possible the anti transporting oil south of the border could gain momentum turning Canadian protests more like those observed in other parts of the world creating another new dynamic.  The scenario is especially possible if the New Democrat Mulcair suggestion of a west to east oil pipeline using current pipeline capacity to refine Canadian crude oil in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces gains momentum.      


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MY CANADA

1/23/2014

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THE FUTURE...FINANCIAL COLLAPSE OR WORLD WAR?

The future? The most difficult article to write is about what the future holds. It's difficult for the layman or often even knowledgeable people to comprehend. Investors are still making huge profits as the stock markets escalate to record highs. Professional managers are demanding and being paid millions to manage and administer corporations often leaving the company with huge payouts after being unable to improve the bottom line to the satisfaction of shareholders. It's also difficult to believe the corporations these people are directing could be less than successful when shareholders earn millions while workers are cut and struggling after losing high paying jobs.

But those are some of the issues appearing to challenge reason, logic or even accountability. Governments are no longer representative of the people. At least individual elected members of all the parties realize getting a cabinet post or even funding for future elections depends on party agenda loyalty at every level. Changing government at election time never makes an appreciable difference. Once installed into power whether as a majority or even a minority the rule becomes political survival at all costs. When voters have only the current rather than originally structure government representation the party has become the reason for the continued existence of all members. Like everything else in the world the only way for change to happen is either financial collapse or worldwide armed conflict. Both scenarios are beyond frightening to people living in the most affluence nations. The situation is much more dire and immediate in the poorer or less financially and politically stable countries.

Both scenarios are within the realm of possibility. Newscasts by every western media regularly send confusing information from interviews with media analysts, political party faithful, corporate pitch people, political party attackers and partisan so-called journalists. Every broadcast although claiming fairness and balance send out less than non partisan information. In most nations the lost art of negotiating to solve problems is leading to a great deal of bloodshed and discontent reported by those same media outlets.

The other scenario of a major war happening is more than a remote possibility if anyone with an ability to comprehend news reports follows the news. A recent media report revealed that China and Japan are at odds and flexing military might muscles over a group of neighboring islands with America siding with the Japanese. The article stated the Chinese still considers Japan an enemy of sorts remembering the 1930’s invasion and subsequent occupation.

On the other side of the world the Russians are often difficult from the Western Alliance standpoint while Eastern Europeans remembering the Soviet years of occupation and influence are demonstrating and building opposition parties in several countries. India and Pakistan have been a state of semi war since the Pakistani’s declared independence while Central Africa is reportedly a cauldron of revolutionary wars.

All the scenarios play into the fluctuating economic well being of almost every nation large or small. The fact that so many countries owe or are owed so much money by other countries and such a small percentage of people in all those countries control so much of the nation’s wealth is reason to wonder about the future.  

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MY CANADA 

1/12/2014

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MORE  2014/15 CHANGES INEVITABLE FOR CANADA

Much has changed recently in Canada’s relations with other Group of 20 and even Group of 7 industrial countries. Many Canadians if not a majority probably feel the country’s recent political change is not traditional. Canada was nearly always a nation known at least in western society for diplomacy. There were of course times when diplomacy did not work such as during wars, some other armed conflicts and when faced with aggressive behavior by another country. However for most of its history Canada did not flex its miniscule muscular power when dealing with adversity or even threats. The country was usually able to depend upon friendly neighbours, founding societies and western alliance organizations to solve almost any world political issue or crisis. Maybe every crisis was not satisfactorily dealt with but at least Canada was usually part of the solution not the problem. All the goodwill or as some might think smaller nation status has changed since the beginning of the 21st century.

An example of how much that change has become ingrained is to watch the recently elected reconstructed Conservative Party of Canada designated Foreign Minister John Baird practice a different brand of diplomacy. The country’s leading diplomat seems to operate with an attitude of superiority based on the nation’s largely undeveloped world envied natural resources. Future challenges to Canadian sovereignty such as Russia’s Arctic resource claims will undoubtedly create increased military tensions. The drive by rapidly growing Asian nations such as China and even India to capitalize and possibly overpower the ownership of the vast supply of Canada’s natural resources through what might be considered unacceptable investment tactics is a long term worry to some think tanks. In those aspects the change in diplomatic direction might prove detrimental in the long run.

The solution to such issues is only naturally to become a cooperative nation rather than taking sides on issues that are usually of limited concern. The political estrangement with Canada’s traditional largest trading partner America due to political differences might not be conducive to long term Canadian prosperity. The present government has regularly stated a political party preference well to the political right of the present US elected regime.

American corporations traditionally protect the Canada/US relationship by investing heavily in Canadian natural resource industries and in the past manufacturing projects, although the sector is currently reportedly in serious decline. To begin allowing other nations to establish an economic foothold because the country’s neighbor and traditional partner is undergoing a financial crisis might result in a less secure Canada. This nation always depended upon the military world power to the south to protect its massive borders because of the close proximity of the two countries. The protection was always welcomed but recently seems to have been taken for granted.

If the United States needs to belt tighten due to the current financial crisis a decline in military spending would undoubtedly affect its military might leaving Canada more vulnerable to outside military influences. Canadian armed forces are one of the smallest and according to media reports traditionally underfunded.

Traditions change and whether Canada will continue to turn away from supporting the UN while siding with Israel’s current prime minister when the electorate is so divided on his longevity as leader might influence future decisions. America could possibly reduce military presence in Canada but the huge amount of American funding in the nation’s natural resources and many other sectors probably means the decline will only be belt tightening. Canadians realize the nation’s financial status as an independent nation is dependent on increased resource development funded by other nations. Traditions and alliances might change due to world conditions and issues but without a doubt Canadian politics always have been ingrained in any change and that will continue. The British influence that was so strong over the centuries is in steep decline except possibly for the pomp and circumstances surrounding the Crown. America is still Canada’s closest ally and the country will undoubtedly remain a strong part of the Canadian economy in concert to a great degree with the United States. So traditions might fluctuate to accommodate politics but the basis of a strong independent Canada will remain the envy of most world citizens.

The next Canadian federal election in 2015 will dictate how much of the change experienced in the past decade or more will remain in effect. If Canadians decide to extend the Conservative Party mandate as a majority government the changes will undoubtedly remain and expand. If on the other hand the opposition New Democratic Party or the recently politically crushed Liberal Party should win a majority or more likely garner enough votes to form another minority government the changes would still happen but at a different scale and direction.

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My Canada...My home

1/7/2014

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So you want to run for municipal council !

Changes will happen if the Canadian or at least Ontario municipal government system is to survive the current problem affecting most city, town and more rural councils. That change must come quickly after half a century or more observing the decline of voter concerns in most situations in favour of elected representative desires. People considering running for elected office in any municipality must do some homework to learn the legal and expected aspect of serving on council. In the past it was acceptable to ignore the wishes of some of the electorate, especially if those people opposed a candidate’s election or reelection. With the recent surge of ratepayer and information dispensing groups, legal challenges to the authority of elected representatives is happening ever more frequently. The advent of social media such as Twitter and Facebook replaces the former news media analysis of council activities and like everything else is having a decided effect on the way council must represent citizens.

Successful candidates must realize being elected only means a majority of people taking the time to attend a voting place put them in office. A winning candidate often, if not usually, garners below the 50% plus one that an election win should signify. For that reason sometime up to 60% or 70% of the people in the municipality a candidate is trying to represent did not vote for any winning candidate. That large majority of people an elected person represents still wants elected council members to deal with their issues and concerns. That might not be the issues you or the administration feels are important. However it does mean it is up to you to explore everyone’s issues to be certain the role you volunteered to assume as a representative is fulfilled. It is neither legal nor ethical for an elected representative to fail to represent any member of the electorate because of an indication the person requesting answers was not a supporter. Citizens must accept that a winning candidate is their representative. Conversely elected representatives must accept that even those that might have expressed opposition to his or her election must be served. Saying if you are not satisfied vote differently in the next election is not an answer when such a large percentage of people do not take the time to register an official vote. Elections only happen every four years and situations can change drastically in the interim meaning council members must go with the flow of change.

The need for people to fight for council information through access to information laws because some group or individual disagrees with a council action, or for that matter any direction of appointed or a hired municipal employees, reflects a terrible weakness. Forcing citizens seeking council information to use municipal access to information laws reflects badly on both the level of competence of elected councillors and the caliber of management administrators. Elected officials are not there to please the administration if disputes arise. Administration and other employees are hired to serve the public under the direction of council. The administration not council are responsible for employee work ethic and direction. Council on the other hand is responsible for making certain administration is serving every aspect of the needs and desires of the electorate. Above all councillors are expected to keep promises made during election campaigns that often led to an election victory.

Council is in affect the board of directors of a multimillion dollar corporation. The citizens of the municipality are the shareholders. Every council decision must be approved by a majority and although maybe challenged cannot be legally changed by any individual councillor, the mayor or reeve. When passed a motion becomes a decision of the whole council not just those that voted in favour. When council passes a motion it is also incumbent on every citizen to accept the verdict. Procedure or legality can and should be questioned if in doubt, but disregarding an approved and voted upon motion of council is not an option. The only way a person that vehemently disagrees with the direction of any council must be to stand for election in an effort to affect change.

With the 2013 municipal elections just months away people considering becoming candidates and those preparing to seek reelection should seriously think about the reason they are running. Is it anger at what the present council is planning, usually without having full knowledge of all the circumstances around some of the decisions that might seem wrong? Is it the extra money that successful candidates will realize? Is it because municipal employees appear to be slacking off or doing work that could be done better if they were working somewhere else? Is it because the staff seems to be in control of council? If the reason is any of these or a myriad of similar reasons then the prospective candidate should decide not to stand for election or reelection.

Any person considering a council run must be prepared to study the municipal act and all its ramifications, seek advice on what to expect from past council members that have the experience, and/or attend one of the seminars in many cities organized to teach people what it will be like to become and what is expected from council members. Added to those reasons if the person is ready to learn, endure criticism, often unjustly, and sacrifice a great deal of family time and hours with a spouse, then by all means consider becoming a candidate. But remember the really good candidates will have an agenda of items that he or she will try to accomplish and use those items as a platform in all advertising and public meetings so the electorate whether someone that actually votes or one that simply follows council is prepared to be a supporter. Becoming a councillor is a job that tends to make a person more professional adding to their effectiveness as a person and should not be attempted by someone just because they want to be a councillor for any selfish or monetary reason.  

  

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MY CANADA

12/14/2013

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Some thoughts; Mandela and Moses, severe weather, politics trumps political direction,Trade/ support/ protection from the USA/ Ford embarrassment.

So much is happening everywhere in the world from the Nelson Mandela situation, Canadian and American political upheavals, the northern hemisphere in an early winter deep freeze, with snow battering some areas worldwide. It is difficult to find a single subject that is not filling the media with news reports and analyzing by every pundit from every nation.

Starting with the Nelson Mandela celebrations or mourning depending on the point of view, the man’s life virtually parallels the bible story of Moses. Beginning life as a rebel and changing Moses purportedly lead the Israelites out of Jordan across the parted water of the Red Sea. The Lord hasn’t enacted anything that dramatic for the recently departed Mandela but history has a habit of recording events long after they actually happen. The bible after all was supposedly written a minimum of 400 years after the actual events. It will be interesting for future generations to reflect back to the 21st century to observe what is documented. Thousands trying to see Mandela’s body lying in state before the upcoming Sunday burial is an unbelievable event and leads to wondering if mankind has really advanced that much over the past 5000 years give or take a millennium or two.

The weather temperatures and storms are something that not much can be done to change. The financial markets and people with control of all the world’s economy are the only sector that can change treatment of the atmosphere and reverse storm patterns if that is the reason for the different weather phenomena the world seems to be encountering. History tells mankind the people in control of the economy will not change direction until something is defined that could create uncontrollable havoc. The same historical writings also point to the fact that change is inevitable and usually driven by people in control not listening to the needs of the majority. Is it the need for oil or the uncontrollable desire for individual wealth that will eventually lead to future changes?

More locally there is a strong indication that Canada’s governing party might be contemplating major changes in an attempt to recoup some of the lost voter support reported daily in the media. With the upstart new Liberal leader Trudeau gaining momentum while the surprising election surge by the NDP seems to be fizzling the Conservatives should be languishing in the realization of another majority government mandate in a couple of years. However, most Canadians are more than reluctant to allow the changes the current administration is enacting as swiftly as the party can make those changes take place. The country has gone almost entirely political with future planning and the ability to boast about significant major accomplishments almost nonexistent. There is a great deal of boasting about insignificant legislation but very little with respect to any substantial new initiatives that would gain at least partial support from opposition parties. There is little doubt politics today trumps anything of substance that might appeal to the majority.

Is Canada at some sort of crossroads? The Americans that we need so desperately as trading partners, since recently 95% of our manufactured goods were USA bound, are having economic troubles that are crossing the border and affecting our present and future economy. Canada’s political leaders that in the past were pro American seem to be attempting to be more independent at a time of great upheaval in America and the world. With the most recent announcement from Russia regarding Arctic resources and the need for China to establish a wider resource base it might better serve Canadians to stay in close proximity to our neighboring super power rather than ignoring their plight while pressing for inter nation change. We need their military power to protect our borders since it has been traditional for the Americans to place a significant part of their military spending for defending Canadian boarders to protect their own country. However technology has changed a great deal of that tradition will change the relationship between the two countries in the future. Canada could be in serious trouble with respect to sovereignty if the situation changes dramatically.

Then to end this Mercer type rant a mention of the Rob Ford fiasco, or whatever, must be mentioned. The entire situation that the major media seems to think is a great news story is rather embarrassing to Canadians. Embarrassment is the right word if the international media circus created is considered. Until recently Canadians were considered some of the most solid, friendly and intelligent people in the entire world. Since the mayor of the largest city began to reflect that all was not as suggested when meeting and dealing with travelers from Canada, the image is apparently less favorable. Of course deserting some of the United Nations committees and taking sides in some Mid East situations that did not even require a declaration certainly did not help the country’s image abroad or for that matter on this side of the ocean.

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MY CANADA

12/5/2013

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Is Canadian media changing the country

The Canadian political scene hasn't improved for the better recently. Observers, as a matter of fact, even casual news watchers are expressing discontent bordering on concern. The ongoing senate scandal together with the Toronto mayor Rob Ford fiasco are  both occupying the media far more than should be the case. The major changes in the country's world stature relating to the United Nations and some friendly countries with suspect or recorded human rights violations, the treatment of our native population and the list goes on are added concerns.

Are either the Senate of Ford issues really news or happenings that can be assigned to keep reporters, editors and issue analyzing journalists busy with issues that can be reported and commented upon? Another question might be asked is whether the unimportant issues are a manipulation to keep the media away from asking questions and writing about more important matters. Subjects that will undoubtedly have an effect on the short and long term future of the country.

Sensationalism seems to have replaced common sense media attention to the everyday items that should be reported to the public. It is difficult to determine if news editors are under pressure from publishers and maybe even owners and their corporate boards to control the reporting on the issues or that the competence level of the media has simply declined.

The sensational Senate shenanigans and the idiotic Rob Ford adventures would formerly have been items reported upon to fill space in newspapers or air time on television. Today for some reason the important things such as dogging the government with regard to enacted or pending legislation, new trade issues, dealings involving Federal/Provincial needs desires and direction need to advance the country in the world seems to be a thing of the past.

It is difficult to establish where the fault lies. Have the newly graduated journalists been taught to avoid anything that might embarrass superiors. Not just the news editor but the publisher and corporate board members that might have important connections to the government? That is one scenario. Are the publishers and corporate owners the people responsible for news direction? That idea might be worth exploring if someone wanted to get back to real news reporting.

Although Canada appears to be the nation most dedicated to the new direction of reporting news it is possible the world or at least the country has changed. Possibly news reporting is now meant to be controlled by the corporate sector that can dictate almost any change and manipulate any situation might affect the bottom line. The idea is similar to the George Orwell novel 1984 published in 1949 that predicted six corporations would be powerful enough to control the finances and direction of the entire world. Change is inevitable. Maybe that change is now established in the Canadian news media and will spread to every sector of society. Gas, oil, financial programs, lotteries, taxation, food and housing costs are all pretty well controlled by corporations and government. Citizens can still vote for change but even that function, making democracy the world's best system to date, is under attack with a lack of cooperation between the various levels of government as was normal in the past..  

 

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MY CANADA

11/22/2013

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Do the present parliamentary problems put Canada's future in peril 

The House of Commons Question Period is suddenly worth watching except for the usual childish cheering after every speaker presents or answers a question. Although the members from all sides act like schoolchildren such action by kids would probably result in disciplinary action. The tradition is almost as old as parliament and would take a new act or regulation to change.

It’s difficult to decide at this point in mid-November 2013 whether the Senate scandal combined with the RCMP investigation of the Duffy/Wright affair will fade into obscurity. Maybe Canadians can look forward to another Rob Ford type of fiasco that the media will chase to report as newsworthy while keeping parliament from serving the country’s real needs. Listen to the conversation in any Tim Horton’s or for that matter any other meeting place and everyone reflects being fed up with every level of government. The Federal Conservatives are acting like spoiled kids refusing to answer questions or offer parliamentary programs. Every question from the opposition is avoided or answered with an attack based on another subject usually mired in the past. The provinces are rudderless since most depend on Federal funding to initiate needed programs and the government is not prone to meeting the Premiers to discuss anything that isn’t aimed at the politics that might lead to another majority government. Canada seems to have arrived at the pinnacle of good government and economic prosperity and can probably only look forward to a sharp decline in the standard of living in the near future.

The fault is the voters for electing a majority government based on promises the ruling party apparently never intended to keep. Maybe in principle Harper intended to follow a path more idealistic that the one that transpired. Canadians throughout history trust statements that our leaders make but are not traditionally forgiving if promises are not kept. A good example was the Kim Campbell Conservative government that suffered the most humiliating defeat ever witnessed in Canada after the Mulroney government failed to live up to voter expectation. The Chretien Liberal government had to face investigations and accusations of misusing taxpayer money. The Liberals also suffered the greatest defeat the party ever likely endured by losing even opposition status in the House.

Senators connected to every party are continuously accused of misdeeds. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford feeding the international media with regard to a misadventure to say the least and the ongoing list of Montreal mayors on trial for stealing and influence pedaling is reason for a closer look at the Canadian political scene. Many politicians of every stripe it seems are prone to feeling election success translates into a license to improve one’s personal financial stability at the expense of the taxpayer. Sooner or later change is inevitable.

New Democrat Thomas Mulcair is without a doubt an accomplished orator and deserves the mantle of Opposition Leader. Whether the New Democratic Party is strong enough to retain the seats needed to remain the official opposition is questionable in most quarters. Justin Trudeau currently riding a wave of popularity from young people and older voters still loyal to the Trudeau Liberal dynasty seems to be stumbling politically. That could lead to demise in popularity when combined with the tradition of young people neglecting to vote. It appears the crown prince of Trudeauism in the last century needs some guidance and possibly a team of experienced and possibly more mature advisers. With the 2015 Federal election on the fairly distant horizon it will be interesting to see if the traditional Conservative constant attack ads and avoiding answers to pertinent political questions will affect the polls and actual voting numbers for every party.


  

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Canada's oil and ore needs new manufacturing.

11/17/2013

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MY CANADA

As mentioned in previous blogs “My Canada” is changing rapidly.  It is not the titled blog that is changing but the country certainly is changing. On the other hand maybe it is the fact current changes are simply difficult to watch let alone absorb. Most seniors find it a comfort to reminisce and reflect on how things used to be before this or that political party came to power. However change is inevitable and whether the fast pace of the recent changes are for the good and will undoubtedly need adjusting in the immediate future.

Ontario and Quebec were previously the manufacturing center of the nation and the government income generated by the two provinces helped build the world envied nation making it a ‘have’ country. The change to Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan becoming the income generating regions of Canada has created new scenarios such as a shift in population and political power. To an extent the change has led to Canada becoming less of a world influence. Refraining from partisan political remarks the issue is actually the result of a great many factors. The world population is less ready to accept Canada and the rest of the western alliance countries as world leaders. With the rapid rise of China and India as world powers catering to dictatorships that often cruelly crush opponents must be tolerated to further trade needed to keep western economies strong.

The solution is probably not trying to recapture Canada of the past but to rework the country’s political and commercial direction. Canada is one of the world’s strongest nations in undeveloped and probably undiscovered resources. New initiatives are essential in the provinces with declining manufacturing together with expansion in territories and provinces with similar stagnant or declining prosperity.

Politicians and financial institutes are apparently satisfied with shipping Canada’s crude oil to other countries for refining. The offshore refined crude oil is then offered for Canadian distribution at grossly higher prices. Canada profits well from practice but the fact that oil could be refined in Canada should be a future consideration. Funding for crude oil pipelines to the United States, British Columbia and even the Canadian Arctic to facilitate easier, less expensive shipping could be replaced with similar funding to Canadian refineries. All it would take is political will and direction to convince the financial community to build new refineries in Canada.

The question arising from traditional resources going off shore for processing; is the same thing about to take place with the extreme wealth contained in Canada’s mining sector? With the discovery of the rich Ring of Fire ore deposit in Ontario that analysts claim will equal the economic impact of the Alberta Oil sands politicians should kick start Canadian resource manufacturing.

Change is inevitable. The relentless onslaught of technology embraced by every generation now using cell phones, tablets, and wireless internet connections points to the fact time is of an essence to begin seriously pursuing manufacturing of resources within Canada. The obvious alternative is the collapse of the country as it is known probably shifting to the type of separate country scenario in Europe as the provinces become possessive of the resources within their borders.


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    Author

    Robert Gordon is a published author, essayist and political blogger. Owner editor and publisher of Espanola's Mid-North Monitor from 1978 through 1997 Robert "Bob" Gordon is also a former Northern Affairs Officer, Ontario Ministry of Labour Employment Standards and Conciliation Officer. I am also author of six published books highlighted on this site.

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