Ontario - What happened????

Everyday I am more amazed as to what is happening in Ontario politics. More and more I cannot believe that my hard earned money (as in taxes) is being spent on such idiotic governments. I think if I was not Canadian I would be protesting in the streets.

What a mess we are in. I have been engaged in politics for a couple of decades and it has just been getting worse every year. How can anyone possibly think the existing Ontario Provincial government is functional? I must admit I never liked McGuinty when he became premier and he pissed me off by lying about raising taxes and the day after he was elected did the exact opposite and imposed a health tax. But OMG! The shit just keeps on piling up. If this guy actually gets re-elected I will lose total faith in the Canadian democratic system.

Since he has been in office I have witnessed with great financial pain the following:
- new health tax but still mediocre health care
- excessive job losses to all other provinces
- implementation of a consumption tax (HST) which not only do I pay more but as a business owner I have to charge more
- ban on cell phones in cars (ever watch the other drivers on the 401 eating a burg or putting on makeup while driving?)
- scandal after scandal: eHealth/eScam, OLG, Hydro One and the list just continues to grow....
- daddy and mommy daycare at school this year (um lets see, pay for daycare or send your 3 year old to school for free???)
- implement a plant pay alternative energy suppliers to supply the grid and than roll it back?
- EAOQ (need I say more)
- the latest is let your kids use there smartphone in class

What does it take to get Ontarions to actually get mad and get rid of this bum?

Guelph Municipal Election 2010

Sunday April 25, 2010

Found out the other day that David Birtwistle is actually running for mayor.
OMG! Who in there right mind would vote for him?

Remember this is the same councillor who was part of the previous group whose sole economic strategy was to build more houses. And unless voters have an exceptional short term memory the previous council under Quate Quarry increased taxes significantly more than the existing council under Karen Farbridge.

Ontario Deficit

Its day 2 after the Provincial budget and exactly what was expected as happened (its very unfortunate when you can predict the outcome of something so serious) First I want readers to know that I am sick of all this #@$%^^&*&* partisan crap. When will people understand that things will not change and get better until we all stop pointing fingers and work together to solve some of these problems????

Who cares which party is in power? The system is broken and we need to fix it! The current system is wasteful, inefficient and way to political. (for those who do not know the difference between politics and governing, look it up)

At the end of the day we have to look at the government without the pretense of colour. (i.e. - Red/Blue/Orange/Green)and see how they address issues that affect all of us. This is not happening anymore, its now all about marketing and soundbites. We have a political system that supports this with out having to solve real world problems. It is time for Canadians to address this by making government accountable and the first step is tossing out the current ones albeit Federal, Provincial etc. but that is only the first step!

It was going to happen after the provincial government spent millions of tax money for so called stimulus and bail out. As of today (earlier then I anticipated) the Finance Minister - Dwight Duncan warned Ontarians that services will be cut and blamed it on the economy. So let me get this straight - we spent millions of our tax money on so called helping companies and people get through the recession and now we will pay for it because the economy is doing poorly????

Guess what folks? Next will be tax hikes and you can bet they will try desperately to hold off until the next election so that if they lose they can blame the new government or if they win (OMG) will have a new 4 year mandate and WILL RAISE TAXES!

Do not be fooled by any of this, the political system is very broken and needs to be fixed or we will be churning through this nonsense for years and maybe even worse. Unfortunately there are no checks and balances within the current system. Think about for a second: The Liberals under McGuinty lied directly to us just before his first term when he actually went on TV and signed a document saying he would not raise taxes. Holy Crap! immediately after winning he implemented a hefty health tax. What did we do? We rewarded the crook with another term???

If you have ever read any of my other postings you will know that I am not a member of any party and nor do I have any partisan views. What I truly believe based on observation is that all of the current political parties in Canada are to put it mildly not in it for the best interest of Canadians and need a rude awakening.

Provincial Budget - 2009

April 13, 2009
Liz Sandals declares that sport associations can benefit if they are a charitable organization.

This was in response to Guelph Minor Hockey president saying the cost of minor hockey and rec will go up by 8% by 2010. Ummm! guess what none of these associations can benefit. This is how out of touch our local MPP is with real issues.

A local doctor who has been practicing since 1970s (Dr. Rosenthal) published a letter to the Guelph Mercury stating that the Ontario Health Care is in more of a dissaray than when Harris was in power. Which is one tall order.



Wow! Just when I thought McGuinty's government could not possibly get worse, this awful budget was announced today. Even though I have been repeatedly told by thought leaders and business leaders that our current governments are in a state of complete disarray and are not adapting to the rapid rate of change in the world, it still shocks me at this kind of behavior. Make no mistake this budget is nothing but a spending spree. There is absolutely no economic strategy behind this so called economic plan.
- The harmonization of taxes will end up costing consumers more money even if it saves some businesses the pain of administration. I own my own business and all this means is now instead of charging only GST I now will have to charge everyone 13%. Its also a myth that all businesses heavily supported the harmonization. In fact right here in Guelph the Chamber issued a survey and 53% do not support the HST.
- We are in the middle of the worst economic turmoil in our lifetime and there isn't any economic plan for creating sustainability and viable long-term jobs in growth industries.
- Make no mistake, this kind of deficit will equal a general increase in taxes (anyone that lived during the last 2 recessions and giant deficits also experienced incredibly high taxes.) This is no different then if you borrow money or extend your credit, at some point you have to pay it back. The irony is that this increase will only occur after the next election.
- There is nothing of significant benefit for the middle class in this budget and this group really does need to wake up and exert its influence.

Judging by the blogs and comments online - the majority of people are really disappointed with this budget. Maybe this is a turning point for Ontario?

Federal Budget and the Economy

April 14, 2009

Tax hike likely unavoidable, Liberal leader says

Here it comes! The bitter irony is that Ontarions will get a double whammy. For all this so called stimulus, Canadians need to understand that we will be paying much higher taxes for years to come to pay off all this government debt. Its would not be such a difficult pill to swallow if the actions (i.e. stimulus plans actually
benefited Canada)
Simple Question: Are you better off now?

January 28. 2009

As most of us know, a federal spend to stay in power budget was presented yesterday in Ottawa. I have created a chart that reflects some of the main differences between our new so called financial stimulus and the US one:

US	Canada
$275 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses.	Increased access to credit
$500 tax break per individual	$76 tax break
Focus is on a green economy	???
$12 billion for mass transit	Incentives to buy cars

Another interesting note, I contacted the so called Economic sustainability committee that is being managed by MPP Frank Valeriote and MPP Gerard Kennedy about why the focus for funding is on traditional manufacturing that is not only in trouble, but has been on the decline in Canada for at least 2 decades. Wanted to know why there isn't any focus on the SMB market (small to medium businesses) that has the following facts:

• Employs roughly 75% of the actual Canadian workforce
• Accounts for 40 - 50% of the Canadian GDP
• Contributes billions for infrastructure improvements (computers, phones etc.)

In my business, I here daily, that the govenment (at all levels)

is fixated on larhe manufacturing organizations

that simply put are become antiquated in Canada

and many may not survive transition from the industrialized

economy to post-industrialized one.



Many SMBs who are thriving would love to expand quicker

and hire more employees but try and get funding (fat chance!)

Why is this???????



Second Point:

Why isn't Canada heavily investing into R&D?  It great to

fill potholes and build roads, but the future suggests we

invest into innovation and yet we have been decreasing

R&D funding support.



According to Canadian Business Mag., finding for Canadian

companies is almost non-existent, we focus on University

research but barely on the commercialization of products and ideas.



Again, I deal with start-ups who are highly innovative with great

ideas and so much intelligence and yet I always see the same thing.

There is little to no support from the government.

Its quite sad when you see our brightest people have to go

abroad to get funding or struggle indefinitely back home.





Bottom line is that there is a significant sector with such high growth

potential that should be getting massive support from the government and

yet it is the antiquated industries that are getting your full attention.

Whether we like it or not, the GMs, Linimar's and WC Woods of the world

will not be the future of economic prosperity. Its those little companies

that start with a great idea that really need our attention.



I have yet to get a response.

Federal Election 2008

Tuesday October 21, 2008
I have waited a week to post any comments because I needed some downtime and to also reflect on the election results. Somewhere in my blog I had predicted that the Conservatives would get a minority government, and everyone else would be in a similar position. My reasoning was because none of the parties provided any proof that they deserve a majority of votes from Canadians. And I am not talking about the election because its nothing but very unfortunate noise and anyone who votes based on election marketing and polls I say you are doing a disservice to you your family and your country.
Should we not be looking at what a party has done for the past term? Its like a person who goes to confession but behaves differently when not in the pew (you Catholics will know what I mean lol) isn't the person outside of the confession booth the true behavior?
lets examine this:
Conservatives: for the past 2 years they have ignored the environment, reduced some taxes, attacked the other parties, ignored Ontario, ignored the plight of manufacturing, boosted the war in Afganistan, attempted to increase crime laws and zero action on the economy.
Liberals: Fought with the Conservatives, fought with each other, undermined their leader, forgot to raise money, and sat on their collective bottoms on pretty much everything.
NDP: Criticized anyone that is not an NDP supporter.

where are the real solutions from any of these groups? You got nothing and the vote was polarized by mostly partisan supporters. You have met those people I am sure. They support one party and no matter what thats the party who should be elected. You ask them why, and they all say because iot reflects my values. You say oh yah and what are those? Well Conservatives this and Liberalas that and NDP this. Or my parents and my family always votes this way etc. Does anyoone ever think for themselves?
From a real world here are some serious issues:
The Economy - what party actually had a real plan to address the downward moving economy in North America? Who and what would they do with the significant decrease in manufacturing with massive job layoffs and increased cost of living?
The Environment - Climate Change is supported by a majority of experts and what partyhad a plan that does have an impact on green house gases while balancing our economic stability?
Health Care - The baby boomers our all moving into the grey years and wil put an ever increasing demand and burden on our universal system - who had any ideas to address this?
Aboriginal Issues - nothing has been solved what soever

The list goes on but my point is that none of the 3 major parties offer any real leadership for real diffuclt issues and times. So they are where they should be but theydon't get it. The answer to them is unite the left or right for more members, but guess what that solves nothing for Canadians.




Sunday October 5, 2008
Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. Went golfing with a couple of colleagues and of course we all at some point talked about the debate. Each had mixed views on who won, but we all agreed that no one has any real economic plan. Which makes me even more concerned about this election. Another comment from all of my colleagues (and they all vote differently - lol) was that they felt Harper does not care one iota about Ontario.
Confession, I voted for Stephen Harper the last election because of the following:
1. wanted to get rid of the Liberals for obvious reasons at the time
2. Felt that Harper truly was different than the status quo and would make a positive difference.

I feel betrayed and angry since then. I had never voted Conservative but felt we needed a change. What I am seeing is a party that for some reason hates Ontario and is playing a lot of the same games that the Liberals played while in office. I am also realizing that my value system isn't aligned with the current Conservatives. Not sure about you, but I am scared about the state of the economy, environment and health care. Don't see any kind of plan to address either from the government. If you do, please tell me exactly what it is.

Monday September 22, 2008
Voted today at the election office - There were a lot of people there, this may end up being a heavy voter turn out.

Harris Poll Today has Conservatives at 38%
Does not matter which party you vote for, ask your self if 38% of voters should decide who elects your next government? That means that 62% of Canadian voters will not have elected this government! Seems undemocratic to me that less than half vote for a certain party and that party gets elected a majority?????

Do you think the systems needs to change? You figure it out.

Friday September 19, 2008
Latest polls suggest that the Conservatives and Liberals are losing some ground to the NDP and Greens. Don't figure, maybe people are starting to tire of the bull from these 2 parties?

Whats more interesting is the that only 36% of voters would choose the Conservatives if the election was held today.
Liberals 27%
NDP 16%
Green 11%

Doesn't any one find it disturbing that less than half of Canadians would vote for a party and they would still win? Hardly reflects the views of the majority of Canadians does it? Its 1/3 folks!
Should we not start considering more representational government of such an eclectic society?




Tuesday September 16, 2008
Very Interesting facts from from Stats Canada
Change in Productivity While in Office:
Diefendaker 9.7%
Pearson 18.6%
Trudeau(1) 30.4%
Clark 0.4%
Trudeau(2) 11.8%
Mulroney 6.4%
Chretien 18.3%
Martin 4.1%
Harper -0.6%
Source: CCPA calculations from Statistics Canada quarterly data.

Monday September 15, 2008
Quote of the Day (by Prime Minister Harper)
“My own belief is if we were gong to have some kind of big crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now,” Harper told reporters

Interesting poll today in the Star and Macleans (nearly identical question)
Do you agree with Stephen Harper that Stéphane Dion's Green Shift plan will threaten national unity?
Yes - 38%
No - 62%

The results for both were amazingly similar which begs the question: What really is at the root of the low perception that many have of Dion? Maybe its the Liberal party in question that is responsible for the current poll results.
I am sure that I am not the only person that keeps on questioning the status of the Liberal party that is suppose to have changed and learned from previous mistakes. However, do people like Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff leave you with that impression?

Sunday September 14, 2008
Hearing a lot about how Harper is such a great leader. The question I have is what has he done during the past tenure in parliament to be given this title? Pleas all you Harper supporters, tell me. Gloria?
I am reading a book right now about the British Empire and India (basically Churchill VS Gandhi) and even if I did do not agree with everything they did and believe, my God were they both what I would label great leaders (at polar opposites I might add)



Polls
Have always had mixed feelings about polls before an election. The company that I own, a portion of our business comes from Market Research. Quite frankly anyone that wants to initiate a poll typically has desired results in mind. What I am trying to say is that the questions from many polls/surveys are bias and skewed towards the desired results.

What concerns me even more is that the general public will take the results has gospel.

For example 2 important polls during the past few days stated the following:
- Conservatives clear majority
- NDP could be opposition

These polls who are most likely funded (might be indirectly) by the 2 parties that have the exposure so to speak. And that is serious because many regular Canadians can be influenced by the results of the polls.



Saturday September 13, 2008
Latest poll commissioned by the Star suggest that Layton is almost tied with Dion
Conservatives 39%
Liberals 23%
NDP 18%
Greens ?????

If you add it up its only 80% does that mean that 20% would vote Green?????????????

Doesn't anyone find it ironic that after all the posturing the Star did in the past 2 days about letting May in to the TV debates they don't include the Greens in this poll? Just goes to show you that they are only in the business of selling papers.

Tuesday September 9, 2008
Conservatives: still getting junk mail even though I asked both the Federal party and the local to stop sending me stuff. Got a real doozy today, its a so called hand written letter from Gloria Kovach (even though its a form letter, like we cannot figure that out)
Its a weird letter, it starts out very personal and then talks about her main values which are supposedly crime control (because we all know how rough it is in sleepy Guelph), product safety (ummm lets see - freed trade with places that don't have quality control, well didn't the Conservatives bring in free trade?) and the last is how much money we will save under a Conservative government.

NDP: Wow! what a day for Jack Layton. His mouth has finally caught up to him. He is getting pounded by the media and more importantly NDP supporters for refusing to allow the Greens in the National TV debates. You have to feel sorry for Tom King, since he has been earning kudos despite Mr. Layton.

Liberals: Kudos to Dion, he is not stooping to the level of Mr. Harper and is taken the high road. However, I am sure some of his colleagues would love to launch a counter- attack. What I find kind of interesting, is that Dion seems to be an anomaly in the Liberal party. The downfall is that he still has the same old cronies. A second kudo goes to Frank Valeriote who came out even before Dion to object that the Greens will not be in the debate.

Greens: If yesterday was a bad day, today quite frankly was bittersweet. Yes the Greens are getting more support via a backlash from the pompous and arrogant decisions of the current elite. BUT, it seems that supporting the Liberals during the last election will be a thorn for quite some time. Also not sure that Elizabeth is correct in saying that part of the decision was because she is a woman. On the upside, 54% of Canadians (according to Angus Reid Poll) think she should be in the debates.

Monday September 8, 2008

Wow! Judging by the reaction to today's events, there is life after the existing systems! I have never seen so many comments online at the Star or Globe and Mail about the exclusion of the Green party.


And the fun begins!
GREENS have been barred from the National TV Debates!
Wow, can you believe that in a so called democracy like Canada that 3 major parties have stonewalled a new and emerging party?
Why would the TV consortium ask the other parties if the Greens should participate?
Well lets see, money, um influence and lobbying are only a few things I can think of :-)
Anyone else care to comment?


Curious poll today:
Do election campaigns influence your vote?
An overwhelming 78% say no

Don't you find the results interesting? Maybe even questionable?

Conservatives: Harper's strategy is clearly 2fold
1. Attack Dion's character
2. Highlight is track record


Sunday September 7, 2008

Its Official - Election on October 14!

First Poll (source - The Toronto Star)
Conservatives 35%
Liberals 34%
NDP 11%
Greens 10%
Undecided 11%

Cost of Waste: Yesterday I inquired about what it will cost us if the bi-elections are canceled and it turns out to be $3.5 million dollars!!!!!

September 5th, 2008

The Prime Minister's Office has released Stephen Harper's weekend itinerary.

It reads as follows:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday September 7 at 8:05 am will leave 24 Sussex en route to Rideau Hall to meet with Governor Michaelle Jean to ask her to dissolve the 39th Parliament for an election call October 14 2008.

September 4, 2008
Well its almost a forgone conclusion that we will have yet another election this fall. Since none of the current elected MPs can seem to work together to get anything done. Which begs the question: Why would we re-elect any of them?

Another interesting observation: How much money would be wasted if the bi-elections are canceled? and Why are people so complacent about it? There has been more of an uproar and media frenzy about political sign vandalism. Heck the Mercury even had a poll over it!

Political Mailings: I have never received so much quite frankly junk mail from one political party. I don't like getting junk mail in general and the reason why I call political party mail junk is because there is never any real substance to what they print. Its all marketing with soundbites in the form of bullet points. You know the stuff! Vote for me because of these 3 reasons etc.

In this particular case I am talking about the Conservatives (sorry Gloria) but I have been receiving mail almost daily from the Harper Clan. I even emailed Gloria and the marketing department for the Conservatives and didn't even get a response. Do the parties actually think this kind of stuff works? If it wasn't so annoying it would be hilarious! I guess this means we will probably be getting a lot more junk mail over the next few weeks. If any of the parties read this - It doesn't work, mass mailers are very ineffective and cost intensive.

September 2008, Federal Bi-Election Called

September 4, 2008

This was released by the Green Party yesterday - to bad the bi-election may be cancelled

Poll Shows Guelph By-Election a Green-Liberal Contest

September 3, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Poll results released today show that the Guelph by-election is a two-way race between Mike Nagy of the Green Party and Frank Valeriote of the Liberals. The poll, conducted September 1 and 2 by Oraclepoll Research, shows Green Party support is now almost twice as high as the Conservatives’ and three times the level of the NDP.

The standings are:
Frank Valeriote, Liberals 38.4%;
Mike Nagy Green Party 24.2%;
Gloria Kovach, Conservatives 12.6%;
Tom King, NDP 8.0%.
A further 16.7% of voters are undecided.

September 2, 2008

Wow! a lot has happened since the last time I was on the blog.
1. The Green Party now has an official MP in the house of commons
2. The Prime Minister is going to call an election making the current bi-election null and void

There are 2 major issues that have not been addressed during the bi-election which I am sure will still not be addressed now.
- Will anyone actually have a real strategy for the environment?
- and all though many voters do not connect this with the earth/environment, what if any strategy does each party have for the economy?

August 13, 2008

Well we have finally come to an issue that is relevant and fairly important to Guelph and even the country and that is the sputtering economy.
The Mercury asked each candidate about their strategy/views on how to stimulate the economy:
Liberals: Frank Valeriote states we have to partner with industry by investing in diversification (but does not elaborate as to what that means) Talks about innovation as well. I am sorry Frank but I am tired of hearing that from most politicians. It reminds us to much of the Provincial strategy (or lack of) in that they keep on saying we have to be more innovative and that's how we will save manufacturing. Have I missed something here? Is there some kind of magic formula called innovation that will compete against ludicrously cheap labour from Asia and South America???????????

NDP: Tom King seems to actually understand that a significant reason why manufacturing is shrinking in Guelph/Canada is because "Certainly we have been losing manufacturing jobs, and I think mostly because large corporations can take those jobs to other countries -- other places in the world where the wages are cheaper and the environmental controls are much more lax than they are up here," King said. Although light on suggestions he does state we should be looking and investing into research and jobs for green technologies.

Green: Mike Nagy seems to understand the impact of globalization as well. "Many local companies face unfair competition from imports from countries that have lax labour, safety and environmental laws." As a few good ideas that all governments should be considering:

Investment from government in the form of loans and financial incentives is needed to create jobs and stimulate enterprises, he said. Guelph would qualify for funding under the Green party's Small Cities Venture Capital Fund. The fund is designed to stimulate economies in smaller communities that are located near large urban centres.

"There has to be government programs to help balance the economic growth throughout the country," he said.

Conservative: Gloria Kovach was one of the first to campaign on the economy (kudos) but her platform as to how we solve this serious issue of job loss is awful. Its the same old same old- reduce taxes and that will magically stimulate growth. Ummmm history has not shown that. No I am not suggesting that reduced taxes is a bad hing what I am suggesting is that simply reducing taxes does not solve the problem of manufacturing job losses and off shoring.

Here is one of my pet peeves: Can someone tell me why none of the candidates want to address the real reasons as to why we are having job losses? A couple of them touch on it and others simply ignore the reality of our existing market. The simple fact is that it is very cheap to manufacture goods in Asia, India, Mexico and even some parts of the States. Period! Until we accept this simple fact, there can be no real solution. And we can blame this on corporations except that we have also grown very accustomed to relatively cheap energy and goods. Right or wrong, we have to acknowledge that manufacturing jobs will continue to be displaced offshore based on our lifestyle. I am not advocating a change or not to change what I am trying to say is that those are the main reasons as to why manufacturing is changing and will continue to change as long as we keep the status quo. And thats my peeve as to none of the parties will come and honestly state this.



August 8, 2008

Read a great editorial today from the Mercury by E.J. Leslie - Vote for those who want to move forward and put honour back into politics. Let's put leadership back into politics locally and federally; the kind of leadership that we saw in all three parties, elected or in opposition, before the 1980s shift from politicians serving their country to serving themselves.
Can you name one?

Tom King (NDP) came to my door this week. Guess what? Out of all the politicians that I have met, I was very impressed with his behavior. I asked him some very pointed questions and he did not do the same old same old as in tow the party line. It appeared that he genuinely thought for himself. Does not appear to have allegences to one special interest group (including the unions)

Gloria Kovach (Conservative) is getting a lot of support from the existing government. Peter McKay was in town to suggest that the main issues in this bi-election are taxes, crime and Afganistan? Again I am perplexed as to where this party is getting its information. If its from Gloria well I am sorry to say she is unfortunately out of touch with Guelphites in general. There are several issues that certainly trump what McKay mentioned. (not nec. in order of priority)

• environment
• economy
• health care
• transportation
  
• water
• increasing division between Ontario and Alberta
• rising energy cost
  

Frank Valeriote (Liberal)has appointed Brenda Chamberlain co-campaign chair. This isn't a bad strategy since even though Brenda was a very weak MP in the house of commons, she one 2 majorities in Wellington County. I always liked Brenda, but could never get over thefact that she wasn't a strong or willing advocate to stand out when it came to politics. I voted for her when she first ran for office to topple the Mulroney era because back then she was so fiery and expressive. However for watever reasons that flame dimmed afterwards. BUt heck the people of Guelph still voted for her didn't they?

July 30, 2008
Environment:
The question was asked by the Guelph Mecury, "What is your party strategy for reducing our Carbon Footprint"?
Greens: Mike Nagy suggests that everyone does their part, but that we have to legislate the big polluters such as the tar sands development in Alberta.

Liberals: Frank Valeriote obviously support Dion's Cap & Trade strategy and also says we have to do our part.

Conservatives: Gloria Kovach argues that the existing Harper plan is the way to go.

NDP: Tom King (who I am liking more and more - to bad he is with Layton) talks about attitude and behavioral changes will be the true answer.

July 31, 2008
He said, She Said
Here we go, and its only the first week :-)
Gloria Kovach (Conservatives) accuses Frank Valeriote (Liberals) of name calling and dirty tactics.

The best statement came from Mr. Tom King (NDP)

"When I was growing up, a friend of mine, Douglas Crook, his father ran a garage and a gas station. He would take in all sorts of cars that are in states of disrepair," King said.

"One of the cars he had was a big old Cadillac and it was a great car but the only gear it had was reverse, so if you wanted to drive it around you had to go backwards. And he had another car that was a really flashy sports car, but the gears had been stripped and all it had left was neutral.

"I gotta admit when I look at the Conservatives and Liberals, I think about those two cars -- the Conservatives just in reverse and the Liberals in neutral. If they're getting upset with each other it might make for an interesting demolition derby."

Mr. Nagy (Greens) summed it up best:"minority governments are the new reality and we all have to learn to get along."

However, the Conservatives and Liberals are sill in denial about that reality even though the polls have consistently proved other wise.

Bi-Election Called
In case you have not heard, the acting Prime Minister, Stephen Harper called a bi-election for Guelph for September 8th.

I will try to cover as much as possible the issues and local candidates following up to the election.

Whats strange is that the Conservatives are ignoring most major issues and focusing on some fairly obscure things. For example the top 3 issues according to them are the following:
1. Product Safety
2. Crime
3. Reduce taxes for families

- Okay, we are losing manufacturing jobs like crazy
- Climate change is on everyone's mind
- consumer confidence is at an all time low
- health care is eroding
- Energy prices are increasing exponentially

What world do the Conservatives live in? I read an article in the Globe and Mail last week that said Guelph is a mixed semi urban and rural riding which is ideal for the Conservatives. Ummm! the majority of Guelphites live in an urban setting and the city is very ethnically diverse, engaged and educated. Seems to me they have not done their homework.

NDP - Tom King who is a CBC host seems like a good candidate, except that his leader is Jack Layton. Mr. Layton is a trow back to the Buzz Hardgrove ideology in which unions rule and nothing else matters. His platform is a Hodge Podge of contradictions.
Example - he states he wants to fight climate change but wants government bailout for the gas guzzling auto industry and a reduction in gas cost at the pump. See the problem?
- They use a lot of bullet points but no real substance behind it

Liberals - Local lawyer Frank Valeriote is a favourite in the early days of this election. No I am not endorsing him I am just stating the obvious. Frank owns a long time law practice hear in Guelph and is very well liked. Name recognition is another advantage. I have met Frank on several occasions and he is a likable and sensible guy. The negative is that his party lacks credibility. I even like Mr. Dion but the Liberal party is great at telling what you want to hear and believe but doing the opposite or nothing. We are hearing the right things from Mr. Dion and you genuinely want to believe him, except that the track record has never been there. (Kyoto, GST, Healthcare etc.)

Greens - This is an interesting party for Guelph since it has continuously increased in popularity. The dilemma for Mr. Nagy is that they are not a recognized party and have a very steep hill to climb. However, out of all the parties this is still the most refreshing because it is relatively new and its mandate squarely tackles climate change which according to polls is the number one concern of Canadians (proof is the pudding though)