If anyone lost it was oddly enough Dalton McGuinty. He lost 18 seats to his opposition; 11 to the P.C.'s, and 7 to the N.D.P. He ended up one torturous seat short of a majority government. What makes it a Canadian result is the fact Andrea Horwath- the third place party ended up the most powerful, squarely in the position of being the balance of power.
This means the Liberals don't make a move now without either the P.C.'s or the N.D.P. on side with them. I hope everyone sees the wisdom in this. The fact is McGuinty needed a slap on the wrist- and the electorate gave it to him. After having near total power for 8 years the knowledge you have to work with your opponents might be more humbling than a loss. With the lower voter turnout it could be said we voted en masse with our feet.
The results are by no means a ringing endorsement for McGuinty. If anything they're a passive aggressive way of saying we want a change, but the choices we have before us aren't that great. So we'll stick with the guy we had before. It's as if we've put him on notice- we're wising up to your tricks, and your lies. We're putting him in a two-year penalty box, if he minds his manners we may let him back on the ice.
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The opposition as well has a tough road ahead of them. How they oppose will say a lot for the government's stability. They have to act as a government-in-waiting, and offer alternatives, instead of just going against the McGuinty government for the sake of opposing them. Hudak, and Horwath each have to act as future Premier.
The new government could mean a lot for Milton. Right before the writ dropped, it was announced the Liberals would fund the expansion for Milton Hospital. A minority government could mean the Liberals actually keep that promise. The man tasked with making sure that happens is Ted Chudleigh- returned by the voters in Halton for another term. It could also make Milton Education Village a reality a lot sooner than anyone can hope for.
I don't know how long this will last- but the average life of a minority parliament is 18 months. It's not starting off well- N.D.P. leader Horwath has requested a meeting with McGuinty and Hudak- McGuinty has said no. If McGuinty acts the tiniest bit humble there's nothing to say this can't last four years. However long it lasts, it should be entertaining.
Showing posts with label provincial election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label provincial election. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
How Will It end?
I'm not going to make a prediction- instead I'm going to make a best guess. We will wake up Friday morning to a Progressive Conservative (P.C.) minority government. I started the campaign with this opinion, and nothing has happened to change it much.
The P.C.'s and Liberal platforms are fairly equal. On the Liberal side, if you scratch below the surface- and take a good look at what the ideas are, you'll find them wanting. on the P.C. side there is some more substance. Both are vague in different areas; the Liberals on how they plan to pay for new hospitals, and the P.C.'s on how their platform would benefit cities.
The two parties are matched with mistakes. McGuinty made one with an ill-timed jobs platform and Hudak in the way he responded to it. McGuinty made another one, when he cancelled the power plant in Mississauga; something that is clearly politically motivated. Hudak made one when he released the sex-ed pamphlet with homophobic content. Everyone hates the HST, and nobody will do anything to if not get rid of it outright or at the very least trim the provincial portion. Nobody has taken McGuinty on about Caledonia.
In the end, a government of any stripe has to stand on its record. As unfair as it may seem for McGuinty this means the full eight years. And for all his successes in health care and education; his attempts to get Ontario to buy into Green energy, it's the scandals and broken promises people will remember. In two previous elections he said he wouldn't raise taxes- we now have the health premium and the HST- which even though it could be good for business; sucks for the consumer. Nobody likes paying more.
Hudak isn't perfect. He's hasn't run the best election campaign. He's spent a more time telling us what the NDP, and Liberals won't do for us and not enough telling what a P.C. government would do for us. Even after one year of campaigning, we really don't know him that well; and that's why Ontario voters will only give him a minority.
Andrea Horwath will end up the kingmaker, and I suspect do very well with that role. Her party has run a campaign based on clearly expressed ideas. They've stuck with the positive message of voting for hope, and not fear; and that will ring true with some voters. Bob Rae casts a long shadow over his former party; and there will be those who will remember what it was like when Ontario last had an N.D.P. Premier. That could be enough to keep her from the Premier's chair.
Eight years is a long time for a government to last in power. It's time for change; Hudak is the best placed to deliver that change. Let's give Hudak a chance.
The P.C.'s and Liberal platforms are fairly equal. On the Liberal side, if you scratch below the surface- and take a good look at what the ideas are, you'll find them wanting. on the P.C. side there is some more substance. Both are vague in different areas; the Liberals on how they plan to pay for new hospitals, and the P.C.'s on how their platform would benefit cities.
The two parties are matched with mistakes. McGuinty made one with an ill-timed jobs platform and Hudak in the way he responded to it. McGuinty made another one, when he cancelled the power plant in Mississauga; something that is clearly politically motivated. Hudak made one when he released the sex-ed pamphlet with homophobic content. Everyone hates the HST, and nobody will do anything to if not get rid of it outright or at the very least trim the provincial portion. Nobody has taken McGuinty on about Caledonia.
In the end, a government of any stripe has to stand on its record. As unfair as it may seem for McGuinty this means the full eight years. And for all his successes in health care and education; his attempts to get Ontario to buy into Green energy, it's the scandals and broken promises people will remember. In two previous elections he said he wouldn't raise taxes- we now have the health premium and the HST- which even though it could be good for business; sucks for the consumer. Nobody likes paying more.
Hudak isn't perfect. He's hasn't run the best election campaign. He's spent a more time telling us what the NDP, and Liberals won't do for us and not enough telling what a P.C. government would do for us. Even after one year of campaigning, we really don't know him that well; and that's why Ontario voters will only give him a minority.
Andrea Horwath will end up the kingmaker, and I suspect do very well with that role. Her party has run a campaign based on clearly expressed ideas. They've stuck with the positive message of voting for hope, and not fear; and that will ring true with some voters. Bob Rae casts a long shadow over his former party; and there will be those who will remember what it was like when Ontario last had an N.D.P. Premier. That could be enough to keep her from the Premier's chair.
Eight years is a long time for a government to last in power. It's time for change; Hudak is the best placed to deliver that change. Let's give Hudak a chance.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Embrace the Conservative Hat Trick
Premier Dalton McGuinty is bringing up the idea of a Conservative Hat Trick. That's a Conservative majority in Ottawa under Harper, a P.C. government at Queen's Park, and a P.C. in the Mayor's seat in Toronto. I don't really find that too scary.
Harper for his part has been a steady hand on the tiller for the economy. We started off not knowing what he was like on a personal level and gave him a minority government; and then slow but steady increased the minority. The N.D.P. is strong enough to stand up to his majority; they've already done it when they filibustered the postal-workers back to work legislation. Even though it's a transitional period as they prepare to choose a new leader I think they'll still find ways to make their message heard.
Toronto Voters chose Rob Ford last October; and they need him. David Miller says he left a $350 million surplus, but so far there are no signs of it. Surplus or not, the city is still in a pretty big hole and something has to give. The cuts will be painful, but if the result is a more prosperous Ontario capital, then isn't it worth it? Toronto voters also chose more federal Conservatives to represent them in Ottawa showing that fear of Conservatives in Toronto might be on the decline.
I don't find anything scary about a possible "Premier Hudak." Polls show a minority with Andrea Horwath in a king-maker role. I think she'd be a strong enough influence at Queen's Park. Polls show a minority mostly because even after months of campaigning we still don't know Tim Hudak that well. Why couldn't we treat Hudak, the same way we treated Harper? Give him a minority for a while, and see what he can do
The whole idea of a "Conservative hat trick" seems more a reaction of a Premier desperate to hold on. His platform is in tatters, and all he has left is a record in which the scandals outweigh the successes. Fear is basically the last tactic open to him. Well I say, embrace the fear- let's give Hudak a try. If we find electing him wasn't the best idea we ever had we can always switch it up in a year or so.
Harper for his part has been a steady hand on the tiller for the economy. We started off not knowing what he was like on a personal level and gave him a minority government; and then slow but steady increased the minority. The N.D.P. is strong enough to stand up to his majority; they've already done it when they filibustered the postal-workers back to work legislation. Even though it's a transitional period as they prepare to choose a new leader I think they'll still find ways to make their message heard.
Toronto Voters chose Rob Ford last October; and they need him. David Miller says he left a $350 million surplus, but so far there are no signs of it. Surplus or not, the city is still in a pretty big hole and something has to give. The cuts will be painful, but if the result is a more prosperous Ontario capital, then isn't it worth it? Toronto voters also chose more federal Conservatives to represent them in Ottawa showing that fear of Conservatives in Toronto might be on the decline.
I don't find anything scary about a possible "Premier Hudak." Polls show a minority with Andrea Horwath in a king-maker role. I think she'd be a strong enough influence at Queen's Park. Polls show a minority mostly because even after months of campaigning we still don't know Tim Hudak that well. Why couldn't we treat Hudak, the same way we treated Harper? Give him a minority for a while, and see what he can do
The whole idea of a "Conservative hat trick" seems more a reaction of a Premier desperate to hold on. His platform is in tatters, and all he has left is a record in which the scandals outweigh the successes. Fear is basically the last tactic open to him. Well I say, embrace the fear- let's give Hudak a try. If we find electing him wasn't the best idea we ever had we can always switch it up in a year or so.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Leaders Debate Analyisis
I think Andrea Horwath won the leaders debate last night. She got her policy out the clearest, and seemed at times refreshingly blunt on issues such as health care. She also got in a few good lines; most notably: "Isn't that guy your leader now?" referring to Bob Rae as leader of the federal Liberal Party. Rae I think still casts a long shadow over the Ontario NDP for some voters, and it was important for her to put some distance between them, and she did that using humour.
I wonder where the Tim Hudak shown to us last night was a month ago? He was clear, and more confident on his policies than he ever has been to-date. If he was like that a month ago, this election would be a walk in the park for him. He had the oft-quoted line "Nobody trusts you anymore Mr. McGuinty." I think that's going to turn into a ballot question, and really resonates with voters. Because the fact is- few people do trust him anymore.
The Dalton McGuinty I watched last night was at times tentative. The hand gestures were sometimes stiff, and at others elaborate, and defensive. It's natural to use hand gestures at times to use for all of us- when we're excited or just to illustrate a point. But in McGuinty's case it came across as nervous and defensive. And it was distracting from what he was saying. I wondered if he was trying to flag down Steve Paikin for the cheque or something... maybe reflecting on a past career as a rap artist nobody knows about??
In terms of substance McGuinty was weak. Where the others managed to answer the question, and get in their policy, McGuinty made a habit of answering the question he wished had been asked. The debate was full of issues it seemed he didn't want to talk about. Green Energy- the gas-fired plant he cancelled over the weekend, and the Samsung deal. Jobs: the contentious plan to give 10 thousand to companies who hire foreign workers. The Economy? How to get rid of the $14-16 billion deficit he's racked up. Taxes- the introduction of the HST, and the past broken promises on that subject. He seemed to fall back on his record, which, is so laden with broken promises and scandal it blots out anything he's achieved on the positive side like reducing surgical wait times, and expanding the use of the Primecare Family Health teams.
I don't think this debate makes much difference in terms of voting preferences. But it did crystallise where the parties stand on the issues, and helped differentiate Hudak from McGuinty a little bit more. It made Horwath a legitimate third option, and cemented this election as a three-way contest come October 6, 2011. It's going to be a wild finish.
I wonder where the Tim Hudak shown to us last night was a month ago? He was clear, and more confident on his policies than he ever has been to-date. If he was like that a month ago, this election would be a walk in the park for him. He had the oft-quoted line "Nobody trusts you anymore Mr. McGuinty." I think that's going to turn into a ballot question, and really resonates with voters. Because the fact is- few people do trust him anymore.
The Dalton McGuinty I watched last night was at times tentative. The hand gestures were sometimes stiff, and at others elaborate, and defensive. It's natural to use hand gestures at times to use for all of us- when we're excited or just to illustrate a point. But in McGuinty's case it came across as nervous and defensive. And it was distracting from what he was saying. I wondered if he was trying to flag down Steve Paikin for the cheque or something... maybe reflecting on a past career as a rap artist nobody knows about??
In terms of substance McGuinty was weak. Where the others managed to answer the question, and get in their policy, McGuinty made a habit of answering the question he wished had been asked. The debate was full of issues it seemed he didn't want to talk about. Green Energy- the gas-fired plant he cancelled over the weekend, and the Samsung deal. Jobs: the contentious plan to give 10 thousand to companies who hire foreign workers. The Economy? How to get rid of the $14-16 billion deficit he's racked up. Taxes- the introduction of the HST, and the past broken promises on that subject. He seemed to fall back on his record, which, is so laden with broken promises and scandal it blots out anything he's achieved on the positive side like reducing surgical wait times, and expanding the use of the Primecare Family Health teams.
I don't think this debate makes much difference in terms of voting preferences. But it did crystallise where the parties stand on the issues, and helped differentiate Hudak from McGuinty a little bit more. It made Horwath a legitimate third option, and cemented this election as a three-way contest come October 6, 2011. It's going to be a wild finish.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Why don't they talk about...
With less than two weeks to go before we enter the voting booth, there are still some things that haven't been talked about this campaign. Here are what I think some of them are:
1. Caledonia: It's still a stalemate over five years later. Hudak, and Horwath could really hammer McGuinty on this one. In my opinion- McGuinty failed in his duty to protect his people. History has a bad habit of repeating itself; fear of a repeat of what happened at Ipperwash probably caused the inaction. It goes to leadership; you see a problem and solve it.
2. The Self-employed: Surveys have shown that although unemployment is growing, so too are the self-employed. The federal government has responded to this, extending maternity/paternity benefits, as well as some health benefits to them. All provincial parties aren't looking at this, and it should be discussed.
3. Affordable Housing: Someone in a recent interview I did pointed out that even though many parts of the province have the same issues, they look different. Homelessness for example looks different in Grimsby than it does in Toronto or even Milton. For example it costs around $700/ month in Grimsby to rent an apartment- expensive; especially when you're a homeless youth with limited job prospects. Even the acknowledgement there is a problem, and it can't be solved with one blanket solution would be a step in the right direction.
4. The "Single" Person: Believe me, I understand the focus on family. It's the core of society- we all start off members of a family. But here's the thing; we all grow up and become fine upstanding tax-paying citizens. Some marry, and have kids of their own. Some choose to remain single. And yet despite all this the "Single person is being ignored. Elections can come down to single vote victories, so remember the single person.
These are just four issues not being discussed. If there's an issue you feel strongly our leaders should tackle, then feel free to leave a comment. Who knows? maybe with a little over week to go, maybe a couple of them will get attention.
1. Caledonia: It's still a stalemate over five years later. Hudak, and Horwath could really hammer McGuinty on this one. In my opinion- McGuinty failed in his duty to protect his people. History has a bad habit of repeating itself; fear of a repeat of what happened at Ipperwash probably caused the inaction. It goes to leadership; you see a problem and solve it.
2. The Self-employed: Surveys have shown that although unemployment is growing, so too are the self-employed. The federal government has responded to this, extending maternity/paternity benefits, as well as some health benefits to them. All provincial parties aren't looking at this, and it should be discussed.
3. Affordable Housing: Someone in a recent interview I did pointed out that even though many parts of the province have the same issues, they look different. Homelessness for example looks different in Grimsby than it does in Toronto or even Milton. For example it costs around $700/ month in Grimsby to rent an apartment- expensive; especially when you're a homeless youth with limited job prospects. Even the acknowledgement there is a problem, and it can't be solved with one blanket solution would be a step in the right direction.
4. The "Single" Person: Believe me, I understand the focus on family. It's the core of society- we all start off members of a family. But here's the thing; we all grow up and become fine upstanding tax-paying citizens. Some marry, and have kids of their own. Some choose to remain single. And yet despite all this the "Single person is being ignored. Elections can come down to single vote victories, so remember the single person.
These are just four issues not being discussed. If there's an issue you feel strongly our leaders should tackle, then feel free to leave a comment. Who knows? maybe with a little over week to go, maybe a couple of them will get attention.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Progressive Conservative Platform: A detailed critique
The Progressive Conservatives platform is very oriented around the pocketbook- consistent with some of their core fiscal beliefs you would traditionally associate with the Conservatives. They make several promises around cutting income taxes by 5% on the first $70 thousand per family; putting an estimated $258 into the pocket of a family of four. Who wouldn't want extra money back from the government? But I find myself repeating my criticism of earlier this year: What about the single person? What about the families earning less than $70 thousand; there are a few of those around you know.
Add this one up with the fact HST would be eliminated from hydro bills under a Hudak government and you've got some serious savings. I'm a huge fan of tax breaks- especially when it benefits me. And I can see the logic- give people more of their money back; and they'll spend more, which, will increase the economy and likely produce jobs. But what if this economy remains in its current "iffy" status? Always on the edge of another recession, but not quite prosperous either. This might cause people to pocket the additional savings, and that could freeze the consumer side of the economy.
There is some debate as to whether Hudak can legally exit the Samsung deal; he might have to let that one slide. It's not readily obvious in the platform what the P.C.'s would do in its place. What I would do, is to make it easier for companies dedicated to Green energy a bit of a tax break- developing that kind of technology could be expensive. I'd look for a way to make it a bit more affordable for the consumer as well.
It becomes obvious that Ontario will need more post-secondary spots. The P.C.'s like their Liberal counterparts have plans for 60 thousand new post-secondary spots over the next four years. Their plan is to have schools compete for them- Will there be some kind of criteria the schools have to meet? If so, then what? Will it be in the form of new campuses as the Liberals have promised, or based on program, scattered across the province? Sub question to this; a fair number of high school students around age 17 find themselves heading back to school for what's termed a "victory lap." How do you guys plan to deal with this trend?
The P.C.'s are proposing to give more of a say to municipalities. They seem to be the only party dealing with this particular issue; and it's something definitely pertinent to Milton. The only thing I can see on there is they would end the provincial tinkering with the official plans. What does "increased say" mean? Does it mean municipalities can say "no" to developers and for a change have it actually mean "no? Taking Milton for example again- does it mean municipalities have a bit of a say as to what can go on development charges- like say a hospital?
The Justice side of things is a little thin. Making inmates work on so-called "chain gangs" and the sex registry are both good ideas. But they also seem like populist ideas; things that can be done easier if Hudak is elected to a majority government. What about ways to clear the backlog of the court system? Or looking at tougher sentencing for provincial crimes?
They're planning to eliminate the L.H.I.N.S (Local Health Integration Network), and invest the money in front-line health care. Great- there is no need of an extra layer of bureaucracy that really doesn't help health care much. But how do you do define front line health care- hiring more nurses and doctors? Maybe building and expanding more hospitals? Or implementing more of the Prime-care Family health teams? Or maybe on.. dare I say it, electronic health records? There's lots of ways to spend that money.
Potentially this platform could find the P.C.'s on the government side of the house come October 6. But some of these ideas need a little more thought put into them for it to be fully workable. To read more check out the issues section of their website.
Add this one up with the fact HST would be eliminated from hydro bills under a Hudak government and you've got some serious savings. I'm a huge fan of tax breaks- especially when it benefits me. And I can see the logic- give people more of their money back; and they'll spend more, which, will increase the economy and likely produce jobs. But what if this economy remains in its current "iffy" status? Always on the edge of another recession, but not quite prosperous either. This might cause people to pocket the additional savings, and that could freeze the consumer side of the economy.
There is some debate as to whether Hudak can legally exit the Samsung deal; he might have to let that one slide. It's not readily obvious in the platform what the P.C.'s would do in its place. What I would do, is to make it easier for companies dedicated to Green energy a bit of a tax break- developing that kind of technology could be expensive. I'd look for a way to make it a bit more affordable for the consumer as well.
It becomes obvious that Ontario will need more post-secondary spots. The P.C.'s like their Liberal counterparts have plans for 60 thousand new post-secondary spots over the next four years. Their plan is to have schools compete for them- Will there be some kind of criteria the schools have to meet? If so, then what? Will it be in the form of new campuses as the Liberals have promised, or based on program, scattered across the province? Sub question to this; a fair number of high school students around age 17 find themselves heading back to school for what's termed a "victory lap." How do you guys plan to deal with this trend?
The P.C.'s are proposing to give more of a say to municipalities. They seem to be the only party dealing with this particular issue; and it's something definitely pertinent to Milton. The only thing I can see on there is they would end the provincial tinkering with the official plans. What does "increased say" mean? Does it mean municipalities can say "no" to developers and for a change have it actually mean "no? Taking Milton for example again- does it mean municipalities have a bit of a say as to what can go on development charges- like say a hospital?
The Justice side of things is a little thin. Making inmates work on so-called "chain gangs" and the sex registry are both good ideas. But they also seem like populist ideas; things that can be done easier if Hudak is elected to a majority government. What about ways to clear the backlog of the court system? Or looking at tougher sentencing for provincial crimes?
They're planning to eliminate the L.H.I.N.S (Local Health Integration Network), and invest the money in front-line health care. Great- there is no need of an extra layer of bureaucracy that really doesn't help health care much. But how do you do define front line health care- hiring more nurses and doctors? Maybe building and expanding more hospitals? Or implementing more of the Prime-care Family health teams? Or maybe on.. dare I say it, electronic health records? There's lots of ways to spend that money.
Potentially this platform could find the P.C.'s on the government side of the house come October 6. But some of these ideas need a little more thought put into them for it to be fully workable. To read more check out the issues section of their website.
The N.D. P. Platform critique
The N.D.P. have always had great ideas. But when you ask how much it would cost... that's when it falls apart. This platform is no exception. They have the most realistic approach to the HST; they'd scrap it on home heating oils, and gas for cars- two places where it would save people the most. But the revenue has to be replaced somewhere.
Setting weekly gas prices is in theory a good idea. Nobody else has even tried to solve this problem, and it seems the instant there's an increase on the markets, within hours there's an increase at our local gas stations. There has to be something we can do. But the question I have here is: how do you manage the market increases?
Becoming equal partners in transit development with municipalities is a good idea as well. It is pretty much our collective faults for not developing our transit as we built our roads- this kind of spreads the burden of solving the problem. Where the weakness with their transit plan is in the freeze on fares for four years. Again- a good idea; who doesn't want to pay less for something? The problem is what happens when/ if you take the freeze off? After four years the increase could be a huge deciding factor in whether some people continue to use transit. A better idea might be to somehow tie the increase to the rate of inflation maybe.
The education plank is fairly non-existent. The N.D.P. is looking at tuition freezes, and forgiving the interest on student loans. Both good ideas, but it fails to address the system as a whole. The P.C.'s and Liberals both have grand plans of funding 60 thousand post-secondary spots.
Buying Ontario may be a great soundbite but in practical terms won't work. The provinces are too interdependent on each other. And Ontario is still a powerful part of the overall Canadian economy- Ontarians start buying exclusively Ontario, and the rest of Canada might fail.
Scrapping the LHIN's (Local Health Integrated Network), is something the N.D.P. and their P.C. counterparts agree on. The money saved here (I think around $200 million) would probably offset some of the fees on medical exams, and ambulance fees they plan on getting rid of.
These are some decent ideas there, but is it enough to form a government on? It might be. The N.D.P. have so far been fairly clear on what they will do if elected, and the clarity might be enough to break through the clatter of the other two fighting it out on the negative end of things.
Setting weekly gas prices is in theory a good idea. Nobody else has even tried to solve this problem, and it seems the instant there's an increase on the markets, within hours there's an increase at our local gas stations. There has to be something we can do. But the question I have here is: how do you manage the market increases?
Becoming equal partners in transit development with municipalities is a good idea as well. It is pretty much our collective faults for not developing our transit as we built our roads- this kind of spreads the burden of solving the problem. Where the weakness with their transit plan is in the freeze on fares for four years. Again- a good idea; who doesn't want to pay less for something? The problem is what happens when/ if you take the freeze off? After four years the increase could be a huge deciding factor in whether some people continue to use transit. A better idea might be to somehow tie the increase to the rate of inflation maybe.
The education plank is fairly non-existent. The N.D.P. is looking at tuition freezes, and forgiving the interest on student loans. Both good ideas, but it fails to address the system as a whole. The P.C.'s and Liberals both have grand plans of funding 60 thousand post-secondary spots.
Buying Ontario may be a great soundbite but in practical terms won't work. The provinces are too interdependent on each other. And Ontario is still a powerful part of the overall Canadian economy- Ontarians start buying exclusively Ontario, and the rest of Canada might fail.
Scrapping the LHIN's (Local Health Integrated Network), is something the N.D.P. and their P.C. counterparts agree on. The money saved here (I think around $200 million) would probably offset some of the fees on medical exams, and ambulance fees they plan on getting rid of.
These are some decent ideas there, but is it enough to form a government on? It might be. The N.D.P. have so far been fairly clear on what they will do if elected, and the clarity might be enough to break through the clatter of the other two fighting it out on the negative end of things.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Liberal Platform Critique
I've read the Liberal platform. It flushes out the ideas on their website The Ontario Way," and adds some new ones. For me it comes down to money; there's some pretty good ideas in there. But how do you afford them?
Tuition money for middle-class families? Great idea; post-secondary schools are expensive enough. But how do you qualify "middle class?" Is it through parents' income level? Is it some kind of social definition? Or perhaps its a mixture of the two; some kind of socio-economic definition- "Parents income comes up to this level, and have more than two kids in the family."
Three post-secondary campuses promised for the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.). That's a great idea that would help address the problem of needed post-secondary spaces. It goes with their latest statement that a Liberal Government would decide where future campuses would go. It takes away the institution's ability to make decisions; who would know better about their own needs, than the institutions themselves? For example Laurier definitely needs a new campus- the campus at Waterloo, is tapped out for expansion.
They cover themselves when it comes to hospitals in their "Build Ontario"" document. The phrase "subject to fiscal capacity" is bandied about a lot. If they can't afford it, they won't do it. As I've increasingly blogged- that's not good enough for this community- or any other communities that have been promised hospital expansion.
Their job creation strategy leaves a lot to be desired. I understand how a $10 thousand credit for companies who hire them might benefit the economy. In theory the money is given to these companies who hire the foreign-trained workers and maybe will eventually pass on the savings to the customers, or invest in it back in their business. In reality, it's divisive and could create a really negative environment for immigrants. Speaking as a job-searcher for a moment; it's hard enough to find a job as it is for the rest of us. In my industry everyone wants experience, and yet few are willing to give you a chance at it. Imagine an engineer who gets let go after working for the same company for five years. He's got an incomparable resume; experience, management skills, sterling references. He won't get the job because he's up against a foreign-trained engineer who brings with them the $10 thousand tax credit.
What I've seen of the costing is fairly weak. Program expenditures, and interest on the debt outweigh net revenues. Even after the next four years; in t he event they a) win, and b) win with a majority the deficit will still be $7.8 billion. The full deficit won't be at 0 until 2017-2018- and that's assuming the economy continues any kind of growth.
The platform manages to mention the Progressive Conservatives, and N.DP every few pages. The Platform document isn't a place to tell me what your opponents won't do for me, it's a place to tell me what you will... I can't stand that kind of negativity.
To read the Liberal Platform for yourself click the link. Make an informed choice this provincial election.
Tuition money for middle-class families? Great idea; post-secondary schools are expensive enough. But how do you qualify "middle class?" Is it through parents' income level? Is it some kind of social definition? Or perhaps its a mixture of the two; some kind of socio-economic definition- "Parents income comes up to this level, and have more than two kids in the family."
Three post-secondary campuses promised for the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.). That's a great idea that would help address the problem of needed post-secondary spaces. It goes with their latest statement that a Liberal Government would decide where future campuses would go. It takes away the institution's ability to make decisions; who would know better about their own needs, than the institutions themselves? For example Laurier definitely needs a new campus- the campus at Waterloo, is tapped out for expansion.
They cover themselves when it comes to hospitals in their "Build Ontario"" document. The phrase "subject to fiscal capacity" is bandied about a lot. If they can't afford it, they won't do it. As I've increasingly blogged- that's not good enough for this community- or any other communities that have been promised hospital expansion.
Their job creation strategy leaves a lot to be desired. I understand how a $10 thousand credit for companies who hire them might benefit the economy. In theory the money is given to these companies who hire the foreign-trained workers and maybe will eventually pass on the savings to the customers, or invest in it back in their business. In reality, it's divisive and could create a really negative environment for immigrants. Speaking as a job-searcher for a moment; it's hard enough to find a job as it is for the rest of us. In my industry everyone wants experience, and yet few are willing to give you a chance at it. Imagine an engineer who gets let go after working for the same company for five years. He's got an incomparable resume; experience, management skills, sterling references. He won't get the job because he's up against a foreign-trained engineer who brings with them the $10 thousand tax credit.
What I've seen of the costing is fairly weak. Program expenditures, and interest on the debt outweigh net revenues. Even after the next four years; in t he event they a) win, and b) win with a majority the deficit will still be $7.8 billion. The full deficit won't be at 0 until 2017-2018- and that's assuming the economy continues any kind of growth.
The platform manages to mention the Progressive Conservatives, and N.DP every few pages. The Platform document isn't a place to tell me what your opponents won't do for me, it's a place to tell me what you will... I can't stand that kind of negativity.
To read the Liberal Platform for yourself click the link. Make an informed choice this provincial election.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Ready for A Change
I've struggled for the last week trying to think of some lasting way to remember Jack Layton, and one word keeps popping into my head: Change. Change the way you behave; change the way you think about things; change your attitudes- all of it for the better. And that's what I take away from Layton's death, and his final message to Canadians.
I've been writing a couple of pieces on the provincial election and I've come to the realization that I'm ready for change; probably not in my voting preferences- but in the way this election is conducted. I'm ready for a change to a civil election campaign based on ideas. I'm ready for the P.C.'s to drop that "Taxman" Label for McGuinty, and I'm ready for the Liberals to drop the "Mike Harris" label for Tim Hudak. I'm ready for McGuinty to stand on his record, admit that yes he's messed up, but he intends to improve. And I'm ready for Mr. Hudak, and Ms. Horwath, and Mr. Schreiner, to present well-thought out alternatives to Mr. McGuinty's ideas.
I'm ready for the party leaders to knock my socks off with their visions for Ontario. The province is facing some serious challenges over the next few years; it's up to you to apply creativity to them. It's up to you to come up with new ideas. I'm ready for a government that realizes the right thing, isn't necessarily the popular thing but does it anyway. I'm ready for a government that realizes it might not have all the answers; one that works with its opposition sometimes in the name of a better Ontario.
The sad thing is I know I'm likely dreaming about all this. It's the easy way out to label someone a promise-breaker; to sling mud, and cast someone in his disliked predecessor's image. But I am hopeful, that it can change. I'm optimistic that if I write these thoughts down; other people who perhaps agree with me will read them, and maybe just maybe we can make change. Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for it.
I've been writing a couple of pieces on the provincial election and I've come to the realization that I'm ready for change; probably not in my voting preferences- but in the way this election is conducted. I'm ready for a change to a civil election campaign based on ideas. I'm ready for the P.C.'s to drop that "Taxman" Label for McGuinty, and I'm ready for the Liberals to drop the "Mike Harris" label for Tim Hudak. I'm ready for McGuinty to stand on his record, admit that yes he's messed up, but he intends to improve. And I'm ready for Mr. Hudak, and Ms. Horwath, and Mr. Schreiner, to present well-thought out alternatives to Mr. McGuinty's ideas.
I'm ready for the party leaders to knock my socks off with their visions for Ontario. The province is facing some serious challenges over the next few years; it's up to you to apply creativity to them. It's up to you to come up with new ideas. I'm ready for a government that realizes the right thing, isn't necessarily the popular thing but does it anyway. I'm ready for a government that realizes it might not have all the answers; one that works with its opposition sometimes in the name of a better Ontario.
The sad thing is I know I'm likely dreaming about all this. It's the easy way out to label someone a promise-breaker; to sling mud, and cast someone in his disliked predecessor's image. But I am hopeful, that it can change. I'm optimistic that if I write these thoughts down; other people who perhaps agree with me will read them, and maybe just maybe we can make change. Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for it.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Milton gets a Hospital Expansion, or Will it?
So we've got our badly needed expansion. I know, I should be jumping for joy- so happy I should be bursting. But I'm not; instead I'm in the cynical camp on this one. I've often used the saying: Be ware of politicians making promises for it is election time. Promises are meant to be broken.
I know I'm being such a Debbie Downer. I know I'm bursting the balloons of many friends on Council, and involved with the Friends of Milton Hospital. But all I can see here are political ramifications that beg the question: Will we really get the hospital expansion?
A couple of months ago I would've predicted Ted Chudleigh had this one in the bag. On name recognition alone he'd win. Couple that with the fact he was positioning himself as a man of action on the Hospital- probably the #1 campaign issue, and I would say victory was a sure thing. Thursday's funding announcement made it an even race. Now Chudleigh gets to take partial credit and say he, along with numerous councilors, and the Friends of Milton Hospital fought hard for it, and got it done. Flip it over, Liberal candidate Indira Naidoo-Harris gets to go out and take credit saying it was a Liberal government who gave permission for it, and a Liberal government who will help fund it if re-elected. It can be viewed as vote-buying.
And I don't trust it. I think all these promises of hospital expansions are linked to polling numbers. Do a poll in any of the ridings, and I bet you'll find the Liberals running second or lower to one of the other parties prior to the announcement. Do one afterwards and you'd see a surge of support.
Right now it's great- we've got exactly what we wanted- what we've been fighting for for years. But what happens if the Liberals are re-elected and Milton gets lost in the shuffle of all the other expansions/new facilities/ and new funding? What happens if Hudak is elected and finds there's little left in the cupboards for hospitals? Will we really see an expansion at Milton Hospital?
I hope so. I don't know if there's another community more deserving- I don't know if there's another community where it's more justified. But I have to wonder if the funding announcement on Thursday was a little more opportunistic than good policy; that maybe this was more about getting elected than giving a badly-needed expansion to a community.
I know I'm being such a Debbie Downer. I know I'm bursting the balloons of many friends on Council, and involved with the Friends of Milton Hospital. But all I can see here are political ramifications that beg the question: Will we really get the hospital expansion?
A couple of months ago I would've predicted Ted Chudleigh had this one in the bag. On name recognition alone he'd win. Couple that with the fact he was positioning himself as a man of action on the Hospital- probably the #1 campaign issue, and I would say victory was a sure thing. Thursday's funding announcement made it an even race. Now Chudleigh gets to take partial credit and say he, along with numerous councilors, and the Friends of Milton Hospital fought hard for it, and got it done. Flip it over, Liberal candidate Indira Naidoo-Harris gets to go out and take credit saying it was a Liberal government who gave permission for it, and a Liberal government who will help fund it if re-elected. It can be viewed as vote-buying.
And I don't trust it. I think all these promises of hospital expansions are linked to polling numbers. Do a poll in any of the ridings, and I bet you'll find the Liberals running second or lower to one of the other parties prior to the announcement. Do one afterwards and you'd see a surge of support.
Right now it's great- we've got exactly what we wanted- what we've been fighting for for years. But what happens if the Liberals are re-elected and Milton gets lost in the shuffle of all the other expansions/new facilities/ and new funding? What happens if Hudak is elected and finds there's little left in the cupboards for hospitals? Will we really see an expansion at Milton Hospital?
I hope so. I don't know if there's another community more deserving- I don't know if there's another community where it's more justified. But I have to wonder if the funding announcement on Thursday was a little more opportunistic than good policy; that maybe this was more about getting elected than giving a badly-needed expansion to a community.
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