Editor,
Even though the election is over, the debate about corporate tax cuts continues, as shown in recent letters to the editor (2011- 04-22, 2011-05-05) and news stories stating Flaherty is set to go ahead with corporate tax cuts. Aside from the fact that there is no clear link between corporate tax cuts and job creation (for example:http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/corporate-income-taxes-profit-and-employment-performance-canadas-largest-compa), a serious item has been almost totally ignored in the debate. Munir Sheikh, former head of Statistics Canada and of tax policy at Finance Canada, pointed out in a Globe and Mail column on April 20th (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/a-canada-us-tax-gap-means-a-canada-us-tax-transfer/article1991567/) that USA taxes US corporations on their world-wide income. If there’s a tax cut elsewhere, such as in Canada, US corporations are required to pay more American tax on their Canadian profits, since the US rate is about twice as high as ours is. This transfer from the Canada treasury to the US treasury amounts to between $4 and $6 billion a year. These missing billions will have to be made up with higher taxes paid by individuals or cuts to services—health care, the environment, food inspectors.
One wonders why the Conservatives plan to go full speed ahead on corporate tax cuts in light of these facts. Cutting taxes is the ideological mantra of conservative governments. Let’s hope ordinary Canadians tell Mr. Harper and Mr. Flaherty to govern with them in mind, not ideology or the best interests of large corporations.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Reality Check
REALITY CHECK: Will Harper withdraw his made-up ads?
Coming off a week where the Conservatives were pretty testy about misquotes in TV ads, Stephen Harper released ads that were full of made-up stuff.
Here is each attack on Jack Layton in the newly released Conservative ads, and the facts (citations are from the Ads themselves.)
HARPER SAYS: “Layton planned a coalition with the Bloc Quebecois before our votes were even counted (How we Almost Gave the Tories the Boot, Brian Topp, p. 46)”
HE MADE IT UP: The only mention of the Bloc on page 46 is a reference to the number of seats they won: “The campaign went well. We emerged with 37 seats, our second-largest result in our party's history. The Tories won 143 seats; the Liberals 76; the Bloc 48. We finally had a clean balance-of-power position in Parliament. As directed by Layton, I had re-activated our scenarios committee during the course of that 2008 campaign.... We reviewed party election proposals and reached roughly similar conclusions as we did in the 2006 exercise. We could see some areas of common ground with the Conservatives (consumer protection, crime). We could also see somewhat more common ground with the Liberals. On the other hand, we were now going to have to deal with a fundamental policy disagreement with the Liberals, passionately committed as they were to Mr. Ignatieff's tax-shift, carbon-tax plan.” – Brian Topp, How We (Almost) Gave the Tories the Boot, p. 46
HARPER SAYS: “Layton was willing to make Duceppe the “Driving Force” in the Coalition (Toronto Star, October 6, 2010)”
HE MADE IT UP: Full citation: “In a book released this week Duceppe casts himself as the driving force behind the Liberal-NDP coalition agreement.” – Chantal Hébert, Toronto Star, October 6, 2010
HARPER SAYS: “Layton didn’t tell you until after the election”
HE MADE IT UP: Jack Layton has been clear about his plans to work with other parties to get results for Canadian families.
Seamus O'Regan: Do you believe so strongly in that that you would entertain even the notion of entering a coalition with the liberals in order to keep the conservatives out of power?
Jack Layton: I have worked with any other party. Maybe it goes back to my days on municipal council. You role up your sleeves and you try to solve a problem. Right now the problem we have is Stephen Harper and his Conservatives.”
–Canada AM, September 22 2008 (22 days before the election)
Jack Layton: I have worked with any other party. Maybe it goes back to my days on municipal council. You role up your sleeves and you try to solve a problem. Right now the problem we have is Stephen Harper and his Conservatives.”
–Canada AM, September 22 2008 (22 days before the election)
Making stuff up in TV ads is more proof that Ottawa is broken.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Campaign Update
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
We have completed 3 weeks of this election – with 2 more to go. Here are some observations from this point in the race:
We have completed 3 weeks of this election – with 2 more to go. Here are some observations from this point in the race:
- WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT CAMPAIGN TEAM! About a dozen men, women and youth make up the core of my Election Team. They have:
- good skills
- great team cohesion,
- intense moments of problem solving,
- also times of laughter.
- NATIONALLY – this has been a good three weeks for New Democrats.
- Jack Layton has proclaimed the vision and message very clearly:
- Solid issues on environment, health care and government ethics support the NDP platform.
- The Conservatives, nationally, have stumbled through one glitch after another,
- Most recently, the ugly Helena Guergis publicity;
- The barring of potential dissenters from Tory rallies;
- Edmonton Strathcona Conservative candidate, Ryan Hastman, confessing he is "losing";
- and many more.
- LOCALLY – there is lots to celebrate
- An energetic phone canvas 4 nights a week, with cell phones we have purchased;
- Coffee parties just now in full swing;
- A sign campaign we are winning!
- My own solid track record on the environment and social issues that wins support from many wavering voters;
- A fluid mood out there (which we hear repeatedly through the phone canvas) that many voters are considering other options besides the standard Conservative one for this riding.
- LOOKING AHEAD – We look forward to the round of all candidate forums, which will give us a chance to speak clearly to local voters, and challenge other candidates. We will also be reminding the many undecided voters that NDP candidates have run second in the last two federal elections in Lethbridge, and in this riding are the obvious choice for those who have had enough of Harper’s domineering, controlling style, shabby ethics, outrageous environmental stance, tenuous support for health care and more.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Prison Farm issue is still alive.
I've recently received information from Prison Farm supporters in Kingston: Here's the message:
Hello, prison farm supporters,
Next Wednesday, Feb. 2, MPs will be voting on the Public Safety Committee's motion to halt dismantling the prison farm program, conduct an independent review of the program and report back to Parliament.
Leading up to the vote and in order to witness the vote, we are planning events and actions described below. Please participate in as many of these actions as possible to keep up the pressure on the Conservative government to reverse its wrong-headed prison agenda.
We hope a strong show of support for the prison farms will result in a victory on this vote.
Remember, we live in hope...
Four of the things they're planning are:
- Write to MPs (particularly your own MP), and ask friends and family across Canada to write to their MP (especially if the MP is Conservative);
- Monday, Jan. 31, at 9 am -- demonstration at the entrance to Frontenac Institution;
- Monday night vigil at Frontenac Institution;
- Wednesday, Feb. 2 -- bus trip to Ottawa to witness the vote on the prison farm motion.
Now, unless you live in Kingston, the last three will be difficult, but you can write to your MP. Given the timeframe, a fax or a phone call would be better.
For Lethbridge people, here's the information for Rick Casson:
| Ottawa: Tel: (613) 996-0633 Fax: (613) 995-5752 Lethbridge Tel: (403) 320-0070 Fax: (403) 380-4026 255 - 8th Street South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4Y1 For other MPs: http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsAddressList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E Here's a sample letter: To my Honourable Member of Parliament, On February 2, you will be asked to vote on the prison farm issue. A favourable vote will place a moratorium on further dismantling of Canada's six internationally-recognized prison farms, until an independent study researching the value of the farm program is completed and communicated to Parliament, allowing for a constructive dialogue on the provision of rehabilitation for inmates. I believe that the prison farm program operated by Correctional Service of Canada offered an effective rehabilitation and training program for inmates (in addition to providing food for the prison system). In polls conducted by the CBC and the Globe and Mail, over 90 percent of Canadians voted to retain the prison farm program. I understand that this will be a free vote, and trust that you will vote for Canadian values of democracy and rehabilitation, and endorse the value of farming in Canada. As my representative, I ask that you vote as you should — representing your constituents. On February 2, please vote to save Canada’s prison farms -- and demonstrate that you are listening to the vast majority of Canadians that believe that providing constructive rehabilitation for inmates increases public safety. It is time to be smart on crime. In peace, respect and friendship, FInally, here are some links to articles about the issue:
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Sunday, January 2, 2011
Why doesn't PM work to bring about good legislation?
Editor:
Re Harper vows no election (Dec. 18, 2010). Although your story says Stephen Harper will not call or provoke an election in 2011, he clearly wants to set the stage to blame opposition parties for this kind of speculation as it said later on in your article.
This news story, however, caused me to pause and think: If Stephen Harper does not want an election, why doesn’t he work with the opposition parties to bring good legislation to Canadians?
Consider: although Harper has been Prime Minister for almost five years, he and his government have not accomplished a whole lot in that time. For example, they have brought approximately 60 bills into the House of Commons since it reconvened last March. But about half were leftovers from the previous session--they had to be brought up again because Harper prorogued parliament (for a second time!) in December 2009 to avoid the questions about Afghan detainees. According to the Québec newspaper, Le Devoir, of the 60, only 11 bills have been passed, which is why Le Devoir concluded that “2010 was a total waste on the legislative front.”
Looking deeper, if Harper wants to keep governing with a minority, why does he keep offending the opposition parties and the sensibilities of over 60% of Canadians? Canceling the long-form census? Closing prison farms? Abusing Veterans and only giving in when the Veterans take to the streets? Publishing a handbook for Conservatives to disrupt parliamentary committees? Continuously assaulting women’s rights? Canceling anti-smoking messages recommended by Health Canada? Bringing in an Omnibus budget bill with irrelevant, environment-threatening sections? Ignoring police advice on firearms? And this is a shortened list. Further, most of these actions have been taken without debate in Parliament. If he wants to continue it’s because he can continue to do things outside parliament especially now that he controls the Senate.
Harper is, according to a recent book about him (Harperland, by Lawrence Martin), the consummate political strategist whose choice is always to smash the opposition rather than bring good policy to Canadians. Let’s hope an election can rid Canada of this style of leadership!
________
Mark Sandilands
NDP Candidate, Lethbridge Federal Riding
Re Harper vows no election (Dec. 18, 2010). Although your story says Stephen Harper will not call or provoke an election in 2011, he clearly wants to set the stage to blame opposition parties for this kind of speculation as it said later on in your article.
This news story, however, caused me to pause and think: If Stephen Harper does not want an election, why doesn’t he work with the opposition parties to bring good legislation to Canadians?
Consider: although Harper has been Prime Minister for almost five years, he and his government have not accomplished a whole lot in that time. For example, they have brought approximately 60 bills into the House of Commons since it reconvened last March. But about half were leftovers from the previous session--they had to be brought up again because Harper prorogued parliament (for a second time!) in December 2009 to avoid the questions about Afghan detainees. According to the Québec newspaper, Le Devoir, of the 60, only 11 bills have been passed, which is why Le Devoir concluded that “2010 was a total waste on the legislative front.”
Looking deeper, if Harper wants to keep governing with a minority, why does he keep offending the opposition parties and the sensibilities of over 60% of Canadians? Canceling the long-form census? Closing prison farms? Abusing Veterans and only giving in when the Veterans take to the streets? Publishing a handbook for Conservatives to disrupt parliamentary committees? Continuously assaulting women’s rights? Canceling anti-smoking messages recommended by Health Canada? Bringing in an Omnibus budget bill with irrelevant, environment-threatening sections? Ignoring police advice on firearms? And this is a shortened list. Further, most of these actions have been taken without debate in Parliament. If he wants to continue it’s because he can continue to do things outside parliament especially now that he controls the Senate.
Harper is, according to a recent book about him (Harperland, by Lawrence Martin), the consummate political strategist whose choice is always to smash the opposition rather than bring good policy to Canadians. Let’s hope an election can rid Canada of this style of leadership!
________
Mark Sandilands
NDP Candidate, Lethbridge Federal Riding
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Prison farms would be ideal for rehabilitation
TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2010 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/letters-to-the-editor/prison-farms-would-be-ideal-for-rehabilitation-112310.html
Re " Prison climate needs changing " (editorial, Nov. 10). Clearly, the Harper government places rehabilitation way down the list of priorities as stated by Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers. The majority of prisoners will return to society, so it's in our best interest that they return able to fit in.
Further, you might think that, with the majority of his caucus from rural Canada, Harper would be more receptive to the idea that working on a farm is good rehabilitation. Sadly, not. Last February, Harper announced the closure of all six of Canada's prison farms, one of which is in Alberta; others are across Canada. This decision and associated comments about farming should anger southern Albertans, particularly farmers.
Activists have been protesting the closure, arguing that the farms act as a necessary and successful method of rehabilitation for low-risk criminal offenders. According to NDP MP Alex Atamanenko, these farm programs "have received support from local police and municipalities as well as trade unions, farm groups and food security advocates." There's even a website devoted to opposing the closure: www.saveourfarms.ca/about.html .
The decision surprisingly resulted in a column in the National Post (Aug. 11, 2010), a paper that regularly supports the Conservatives. The Post said the government's main arguments in favour of closing the farms are lack of benefits and costs to taxpayers. However, the Post stated that neither justification holds up to scrutiny. They asked how much will it cost to replace the food they produce, what other rehabilitative programs will replace the program, and what will they cost?
"Minister Van Loan has made various claims in an attempt to support the farm closures," said John Edmunds, National President of the Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE). "Claims that the farms lose approximately $4M per year is an unsubstantiated number. We've asked for a forensic audit to be performed, but have yet to receive a reply to our request."
Small farms, local businesses and charities all rely on their local prison farms to provide them with quality food at fair prices, as well as persons willing and wanting to be trained.
Canada's prison farms sit on some of the most desirable agricultural land in their regions. What's most upsetting is that the Conservatives plan to build more prisons on this prime agricultural land perhaps to house Stockwell Day's "perpetrators of crimes"?
Mark Sandilands
NDP candidate, Lethbridge Federal Riding
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/letters-to-the-editor/prison-farms-would-be-ideal-for-rehabilitation-112310.html
Re " Prison climate needs changing " (editorial, Nov. 10). Clearly, the Harper government places rehabilitation way down the list of priorities as stated by Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers. The majority of prisoners will return to society, so it's in our best interest that they return able to fit in.
Further, you might think that, with the majority of his caucus from rural Canada, Harper would be more receptive to the idea that working on a farm is good rehabilitation. Sadly, not. Last February, Harper announced the closure of all six of Canada's prison farms, one of which is in Alberta; others are across Canada. This decision and associated comments about farming should anger southern Albertans, particularly farmers.
Activists have been protesting the closure, arguing that the farms act as a necessary and successful method of rehabilitation for low-risk criminal offenders. According to NDP MP Alex Atamanenko, these farm programs "have received support from local police and municipalities as well as trade unions, farm groups and food security advocates." There's even a website devoted to opposing the closure: www.saveourfarms.ca/about.html .
The decision surprisingly resulted in a column in the National Post (Aug. 11, 2010), a paper that regularly supports the Conservatives. The Post said the government's main arguments in favour of closing the farms are lack of benefits and costs to taxpayers. However, the Post stated that neither justification holds up to scrutiny. They asked how much will it cost to replace the food they produce, what other rehabilitative programs will replace the program, and what will they cost?
"Minister Van Loan has made various claims in an attempt to support the farm closures," said John Edmunds, National President of the Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE). "Claims that the farms lose approximately $4M per year is an unsubstantiated number. We've asked for a forensic audit to be performed, but have yet to receive a reply to our request."
Small farms, local businesses and charities all rely on their local prison farms to provide them with quality food at fair prices, as well as persons willing and wanting to be trained.
Canada's prison farms sit on some of the most desirable agricultural land in their regions. What's most upsetting is that the Conservatives plan to build more prisons on this prime agricultural land perhaps to house Stockwell Day's "perpetrators of crimes"?
Mark Sandilands
NDP candidate, Lethbridge Federal Riding
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