Saskatory

Logging Off

2007-11-23T00:35:00.000-06:00

I set up this blog about a year and a half ago as a medium through which I could comment on Saskatchewan politics. In particular, it was set up to criticize and comment on the Calvert administration. Now that the Calvert era has ended, I have decided to throw in the towel and log off. Here's to hoping that Brad Wall will do great things for this province and that Saskatchewan will become the province that NDP rule has prevented it from becoming!

Hope WILL Beat Fear

2007-11-07T02:16:00.000-06:00

As Brad Wall has said, Hope Beats Fear. I suggest that if you have time, have a listen to Brad Wall's speech, which I witnessed Monday night.

I think we will see tomorrow night that hope does indeed beat fear. That 16 years of NDP rule will come to an end. This is a long day coming!

My prediction at the outset of the campaign was 39-18-1. I think Karwacki has lost his chance and that the outcome will be: 40-18-0. This will amount to a Saskatchewan Party landslide. I for one cannot wait until tomorrow night!

So long Calvert!

Hope WILL beat fear!!!

Another Testimony on Why NOT to vote for Calvert

2007-11-04T14:07:00.000-06:00

Dud of a Debate

2007-10-30T23:02:00.000-06:00

Like this election, the debate wasn't too exciting. There weren't really any explosive moments or revelations. I don't think any party really capitalized on swaying the undecided voters to their side.

Wall did not seem his usual, charming, charismatic self. He was much more serious and methodical in his approach. I think this was probably the safe approach for him, as he prevented himself from getting into trouble and came off as a statesman.

For all the complaining I do about Calvert I must admit that I was impressed by him tonight. He did much better than I thought. He by no means won the debate but he didn't crumble like I thought he might. However, I do think you could tell he knows he has lost this election and he is paining the loss.

Karwacki was aggressive and attention-grabbing. At the same time, he was a little absurd. I guess that pretty much describes an opposition leader though. After all, Karwacki is just hoping he wins a couple of seats to sit in the legislature.

I'd say that Karwacki garnered the most attention, Wall was slightly boring for those of us who have seen him speak on numerous occasions, and Calvert held his ground. That said, no one won the debate.

Contrary to what most people are saying in the Saskatchewan election blogosphere, I liked the debate format. I think it provided the opportunity for exciting and controversial debate. I mean, can you imagine how boring it would have been if the leaders had to be more restrained?

Calvert Delivers?

2007-10-30T00:37:00.000-06:00

The Sask Party has put a website together, which gives more than enough reason why voters should vote for anyone but Calvert and his calamitous lot.

www.calvertdelivers.com

Enjoy!

Leader's Debate : Tomorrow at 6:30pm

2007-10-29T22:18:00.000-06:00

The leader's debate will be tomorrow at 6:30pm. I'm very anxious to see how this goes. As I've said before, I fully expect Wall to shine tomorrow night. He's young, attractive, well-spoken, and quick on his feet. He will exude the new leadership and direction this province so badly needs. Lorne might be a seasoned political veteran who is no stranger to political debates, but he will represent the tired, old government that he leads. I guess we'll see what happens!

Election Incredibly Boring

2007-10-29T19:44:00.000-06:00

I think this is one of the least exciting elections I've ever seen. While some might contend that politics isn't all that interesting to begin with, I am a self-confessed political geek. In particular, I love elections and political behaviour so much that I would as far as to get my MA in it.

Despite my penchant for politics and elections, I have been thoroughly bored in the past few days by this election. By this point, we've heard what the Sask Party will do, we've heard the lame ideas of the NDP, and everyone has ignored whatever the Liberals might have said. We're now at the point where the NDP insists on painting Brad Wall and his team as a threat to the social fabric of the province. Personally I think it is hurting them more than helping them because they're coming off as desperate. One can hope that tomorrow's debate stirs things up and that the items up for debate can carry over into the public discourse. Otherwise, November 7th won't come soon enough.

Nothing Else to Do But Fear Monger?

2007-10-25T18:09:00.000-06:00

Does Calvert have nothing else to offer the electorate than to fear monger? It seems that is all he is doing these days. Sure, the NDP released their platform yesterday (don't worry if you missed it - few people paid attention). However, it seems the NDP is placing more effort on fear mongering than on new ideas or running on its record.

Two stories today reveal my accusations. The first is Calvert's blatant attempt to scare university students. I mean really, why would students want to ear up to $20,000 back in tuition tax credits when it can pay $1,000 less per year? The thing is, if someone needs a student loan or line of credit to pay their $5,000 per year tuition bill, they'll likely need one for a $4,000 per year bill. How many people do you really think WON'T need a loan because tuition is lower by $1,000. Really, if you can earn $20,000 back at the end, what will it matter that the tuition rate was $1,000 less per year? But Calvert would have you believe that the Saskatchewan Party is "a risk" for students. Nice try, Lorne.

The second story was on the CTV evening news showing Calvert lambaste Wall for preventing the Crowns from sponsoring community activities. Does Lorne actually catch on that it's getting old to fear monger about the Sask Party selling the crowns when they've repeatedly committed not to? Is that why he's putting a different spin on it? It won't work this time Lorne. Sorry to say, but the people of Saskatchewan know better than to trust a party with a record like your own.

Too bad all the NDP can do is run down the Sask Party. For Calvert and company, this campaign has turned into one against the NDP rather than one fought on the merit of their own ideas. That doesn't hold much promise for them.

Calvert is Kaput!

2007-10-24T22:25:00.000-06:00

Calvert released his party's platform today to little fanfare, minus the NDP hacks who would have you believe that Calvert might still be the premier after November 7th. Despite all of their spin and wishful thinking, it is becoming more and more evident that Calvert and company will have to start cleaning out their offices on November 8th (although I've heard rumblings that there is already a lot of paper shredding going on at the Marble Palace. Indeed, one must just ask a member of the cleaning staff how great the increase in shredded paper disposal has been in the past week).

Evidently the members of Calvert's government know that the Saskatchewan Party will form a resounding majority government in two weeks' time; they just don't want you, the voter, to know about it. It makes sense why they wouldn't; as soon as people start to realize, en mass, that the Calvert government is kaput, they will be taking their votes elsewhere or simply not voting for the losing team. Indeed, no one wants to be on the losing side and it is clearer each day which side that will be.

Online Ruckus

2007-10-22T23:04:00.000-06:00

The NDP candidate in Swift Current, Jeff Potts, was asked to resign by Calvert today. Apparently Potts was posting on Babble, a socialist sounding board, under the pseudonym "famous pipeliner". "Famous pipeliner" accused John Wall, Swift Current city councilor and father of Brad Wall, of renting out crack houses and forcing those residents to put up Sask Party signs. He also accuses Brad Wall of using $15,000 of taxpayer's money on alcohol at his wedding. As it turns out, neither of these accusation are founded. In fact, John Wall doesn't even own any rental properties.

This finding just goes to show the lows that the NDP lot will stoop to in order to defame their opponents. They have gotten so desperate that they are resorting to all time lows. Is this really the type of candidate the NDP wants to be running? Apparently not, since Calvert asked Potts to step aside. However, if they have nominated candidates like Potts, who's to say that the other candidates running in this election for that party aren't of the same character? Perhaps the NDP are just so desperate to have someone run for them that they'll take anyone.

The Douglas Legacy: Just Imagine How Great Saskatchewan COULD Be

2007-10-18T23:09:00.000-06:00

With Tommy Douglas Day coming up on October 20th, the NDP will surely attempt to capitalize on the supposed legacy of the NDP's Patron Saint of Socialism.

However, what they'll fail to reveal is the damage that Douglas has done to this province, the fact that him and his government actually advocated for eugenics in the province, that his medicare is, today, unsustainable, and that largely because of him the oil and gas reserves somehow stop right at the Alberta-Saskatchewan border (see photo).

Indeed, if it wasn't for Tommy Douglas, who fought off the oil industry and prevented drilling, Regina would have been the oil capital of Canada. Imagine what could have been?

If it wasn't for Douglas, we may have a health care system like that of most Western nations, such as Germany, France, and others. These systems ensure that patients are given care without having to pay for it yet have sustainable systems where wait times aren't atrociously long!

If it wasn't for Douglas, we might not have such a strong labour movement in the province, which discourages business investment and is breaking the health care system and other industries.

Before you buy into the propaganda that the NDP will undoubtedly spread this Saturday, please realize all that ails this province and where the roots lie. Please realize that Tommy Douglas wasn't the saint that the NDP make him out to be.

Calvert in Trouble

2007-10-18T09:08:00.000-06:00

Randy Burton's article in the Star Phoenix highlights the problems that Calvert is facing. He has a high-profile former NDP cabinet minister (Janice MacKinnon) working against him, panning his universal drug plan. He has another former cabinet minister running in this election who could face charges (Glenn Hagel).

Add to that the fact that he is finding it difficult to criticize the plans of the Saskatchewan Party. Take his quote as an example: "They would say to the family of a 15-year-old diabetic child that there is no help for you, unless of course, you want to buy a $74,000 used Mercedes and we'll take the tax off it."

First of all, few people buy used $74,000 car. The people who most often purchase used vehicles are the less well off in society. Secondly, the less well-off in society usually ALREADY receive relief from the government for prescription drugs. This information was given to me from a friend who is a pharmacy student at the U of S: "Special Support is an voluntary drug plan that is available to anyone in the province. Total family drug costs are compared to the total net family income. If drug costs exceed 3.4%, they only pay a percentage co-payment, determined to bring their overall drug cost to 3.4%. This percent discount is automatically applied to all benefit(Formulary)drugs purchased in any Saskatchewan pharmacy, and the government is the first payer. Insurance is then applied, and then if any cost remains,it is out-of-pocket. If they do not currently spend greater than 3.4%, a semi-annual deductible is given and in the event that this cost is reached, a percentage discount is applied (I believe they pay 33% of drug costs until the deductible period renews). This plan has been in place in this province for years."

Come on Lorne, can't you do better? I thought the NDP were master campaigners!

More Reason for Change

2007-10-17T23:11:00.000-06:00

On the news today that Saskatchewan has the highest crime rate in Canada for the ninth straight year and that Saskatchewan's two major cities have the highest (Regina) and third highest (Saskatoon) murder rates in Canada, I'm reminded that it is time for a change in provincial leadership. This is on the heels of yesterday's release that we have the longest surgical wait lists in Canada!

What else is it going to take for people to realize we need to change our government?

Lest We Forget...

2007-10-17T14:55:00.000-06:00

It seems with so many people deciding to vote NDP in this province that they have forgotten the fraud and wrong-doings of Calvert and his lot of incompetent socialists.

We're reminded today of Glenn Hagel and the fraud that occurred in the NDP's caucus office in the early 1990's. Apparently the RCMP has wrapped up its investigation.

God help us if enough people in this province have such short memories of what the NDP has done in recent years that we have to face four more years of socialist rule.

If that doesn't trigger a memory, how about:

- Spudco
- Murdoch Carriere
- Channel Lake
- Minds Eye Entertainment

Lorne Calvert and his crew continue to lambaste the Saskatchewan Party for the actions of some of Grant Devine's Progressive Conservative MLAs in the 1980s. They like to scare the Saskatchewan public that this will surely happen again if a right-of-centre government is elected in the province. However, people must realize that they aren't getting a scandal-free government with the NDP.

Indeed, the corruption in the Devine government wasn't revealed until they were defeated. I wonder what ELSE we'll find out when Calvert vacates the premier's office and Brad Wall moves in.

For a list of the NDP's scandalous record, visit:

http://www.saskparty.com/ndprecord.html

Calvert and Burns

2007-10-16T23:56:00.001-06:00

I've posted this before but thought I'd put it up for anyone who hasn't seen it, since it is timely. Do we really want Mr. Burns as our Premier?

Revealing the Lies of the NDP and its Union Workers

2007-10-16T11:05:00.000-06:00

I came across this blog, It is interesting how it depicts the deceitful tactics that the NDP and its union supporters will utilize to win this campaign.

http://ndpboogeyman.blogspot.com/

Wall's Prescription Drug Plan Makes Sense

2007-10-12T11:27:00.000-06:00

I was relieved to see Brad Wall's announcement that under a Saskatchewan Party government the Senior's drug Plan would only be available to those seniors that really need it rather than everyone in the entire province. It is also nice to see that young children will be covered.

What a change to see a policy on this file that makes good financial sense. As I've said before, drug costs are only going to increase. While that burden shouldn't be placed on those that can't afford it, it is irresponsible to extend coverage to every man, woman, and child in the province regardless of need.

I think the Saskatchewn Party's plan contrasts nicely with Calvert's poorly thought out alternative introduced yesterday. That contrast points out the difference we would see in a Brad Wall government - one that thinks through its policies before introducing them rather than promising popular items that are simply not feasible like Calvert's tired, old regime.

Calvert's Mixed Up Prescription

2007-10-11T21:51:00.000-06:00

Calvert and crew seem to think that the biggest issue facing our ailing health care system is the fact that not everyone in the province can get prescription drugs for $15 a pop. How out of touch is this tired, old Calvert regime? We need to be recruiting more health professionals, training more physicians, and improving working conditions for these people, not handing out cheap drugs to everyone whether they can afford the full cost or not.

I don't have the statistic for Saskatchewan specifically, but for Canada only 10-12% of people do not have their prescription drug costs covered because it is covered through one form or another. People are usually covered because they receive health benefits through work, but the federal government provides insurance to aboriginal peoples through the Non-insured Benefits Program, to war veterans through Veteran Affairs Canada, to the Canadians Forces and to the RCMP (and of course any dependents of these people). People on social assistance also receive prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to Lorne our seniors are already receiving $15 prescriptions whether they are multimillionaires or not.

Given these facts, wouldn't a plan that directly targets those that do not have prescription drug coverage be more of a feasible option? No, Calvert will just give everyone $15 drugs. After all, I've learned from talking to physicians that most of the drugs that Calvert will cover for seniors at only $15 a piece are those that can be received rather cheaply because they are on the provincial formulary.

The NDP says this will cost about $150 million a year, not because they've priced it out in detail but because they guess it's about in that ballpark. What they've failed to mention is that drug costs in Canada are soaring out of control. In the past decade, prescription drug costs per capita in Canada have increased by more than 50%. Indeed, pharmaceuticals are currently the most rapidly growing component of health care costs. Given THESE statistics, shouldn't there be a more coordinated approach to making sure that particular facets of society don't fall vulnerable rather than providing blanket coverage that will surely break the province as the baby boomers age? Why didn't Lorne look to BC where the deductible that patients must pay is a progressive cost based on three to four percent of a family's income?

It just really makes me wonder how much thought and research Calvert and crew put into their policies. Why haven't they thought to learn from best practices? If this is the best they can do to address the issues facing our health care system, the people of Saskatchewan should be very worried about the future of health care in this province.

Day 1: Analysis of Political Realm in Saskatchewan

2007-10-11T14:06:00.000-06:00

The long wait amongst political junkies like myself has ended. The proverbial bell has tolled, the writ’s been dropped, and Saskatchewanians are heading to the polls on November 7th. Indeed, this is an exciting time not just for political gurus but for all people of this fine province.

Saskatchewan is in the peculiar position of having a 16-year government that appears to be in its last days of office, while at the same time experiencing an unprecedented economic boom. In most cases, a government should feel extremely confident running a campaign when the economic times are positive, prosperity abounds, and life is generally good for its citizens. However, that is not the case for Lorne Calvert’s regime. Rather, instead of being happy that times are good, the people of Saskatchewan can’t help but feel that things could be better and a change in government might be just the ticket to achieve that.

In comes Brad Wall and the ideologically revamped Saskatchewan Party, which has appeared to much of the populace as the province’s government in waiting since Wall became leader. The scary right wing ideologues that ran against Calvert in 2003 have had their image softened, policies adjusted, and with Wall at the helm have taken on a more friendly, likeable, and dare I say sophisticated aura. It is no longer the party of rural Saskatchewan that it was in 1999 and 2003. It had to adjust if it ever wished to break into Saskatoon and Regina and adjust it has.

Meanwhile, the provincial Liberals sit at the sidelines, wondering which of the other parties will take office. David Karwacki has stated that he intends to keep the Saskatchewan Party and NDP accountable. Perhaps he has already resigned his party to that of an opposition. The people of Saskatchewan will likely have similar sentiment, resigning Karwacki and the Liberals to irrelevant status in the whole scheme of things.

As a voter, I am bringing to this campaign a hope that change will result and the Saskatchewan Party will emerge victorious. Truth be told, I am unabashedly partisan and an ardent supporter of the Saskatchewan Party. As a partisan supporter, my expectations for the upcoming election might be different than the average voter’s.

I expect that the shortage of health care professionals, managing the recent economic boom, growing our province, creating opportunities for young people, the environment and rural revitalization will dominate the campaign discourse in the weeks to come. As to where the parties will stand on each of these items is to be seen.

At the same time, it has been pointed out that the three parties running in this election all hug the centre. With its personal and corporate tax cuts, the NDP is perhaps not the socialist party that has been previously. And, with its assurances that it will not sell off Saskatchewan’s crown corporations or implement any private health care measures, the Saskatchewan Party is more centrist that its opponents would like you to believe. And the Liberals, who have always been more centrist / centre-right appear to have retained that placement on the spectrum.

Because of this, it is likely that the parties’ platforms will differ little on the main issues. Instead, I predict that the parties will resort to personal and emotional measures to differentiate themselves from one another. This will inevitably mean a dirty and messy campaign full of all the mud-slinging, fear mongering, and personal attacks one can hope for. And, while people often complain they are turned off by this, I for one cannot wait.

Indeed, while many people keeping a close on this election are wondering for whom that bell will be tolling when all is said and done, the answer might lie in who escapes with the least mud on his face. Meanwhile, I intend to revel in watching that mud being flung.

Let the Games Begin

2007-10-10T23:52:00.000-06:00

Well he finally mustered up enough gumption to call the election. It looks like we'll be heading to the polls on November 7th. I for one am excited to see the mud-slinging start. Let the games begin!

Election Fever

2007-07-27T14:44:00.000-06:00

It seems the record-setting weather isn't the only thing heating up in Saskatchewan as election fever sets in around the province.

The signs abound that we are approaching the day that Calvert will actually buck up and call an election. Indeed, he has even purchased a new set of teeth for the event. It is a good thing for him too because the way things are going, every little thing he can do to project a more positive image of himself and his government will be needed if he wishes to retain power.

If the spending spree that Calvert has been on is any indication, an election shouldn't be too far away, which is a relief for those of us whose worst fear is that he will try to hold on to power for another year. As Murray Mandryk says in the Leader Post this week: "Consider the mounting evidence. In the past seven days alone, the Calvert government has announced $4 million for the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon, $17.3 million for a 6,596-square-metre building at Regina's Innovation Place, $17.4 million for upgrades to Ipsco Place in Regina and $8.6 million for a new multi-purpose sports facility in Regina -- plus today's highway twinning announcement in North Battleford.It's more than coincidence this money is being aimed at the NDP's strongholds in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and The Battlefords."

Never mind that Calvert says the spending isn't about an impending election. I think by now those of us living in this fine province know better than to believe a word he says!

And, unfortunately for him, his efforts are all for naught. By this point not even a nice new pair of shiny veneers and eco-friendly ride will win over the people of this province. Enjoy your new ride while you can Lorne cause come fall you'll surely be relegated back to opposition seating.

Blakeney / McKinnon Show-Down

2007-06-05T09:16:00.000-06:00

I recently attended the Canadian Political Science Association Convention as part of the Congress for the Humanities and Social Sciences in Saskatoon, where I presented a paper. One of the sessions I took in during the convention was “Agrarian Socialism,” which was comprised of academics and politicians discussing Seymour Martin Lipset’s famous work, which examined the rise of the CCF in Saskatchewan in the 1940’s.

Among the panelists were Allan Blakeney and Janice McKinnon. It was interesting to see how two former politicians of the same party in different eras diverged so much on their political views. Indeed, while McKinnon was touting the importance of lower taxes and royalty rates for oil and gas, Blakeney was saying that the province should raise royalties and that if oil companies wanted our oil they would just have to pay it and if they wouldn’t pay it then the province could drill the oil itself through a crown entity. McKinnon countered that saying that lowering the royalty rates actually ended up bringing more money into the province and that having high rates is detrimental for investment in the province because it creates an anti-business perception. She also spoke of globalization and the knowledge economy and how an anti-business climate was not conducive to suceeding in such an economy. She also spoke about the jobs that would be created because of oil companies moving in. Blakeney countered this by saying that if the rates remained high, the province could create jobs from the profits. What jobs those would be he did not say, but I imagine expanding the bureaucracy or other such jobs where the workers of which would be predominantly socialist friendly is what he had in mind.

It is the persistence of thinkers like Blakeney in this province that continues to hold us back. His comments were not only out of touch with the realities of modern times but came across as absurd and lacking global vision. I would argue that a lot of the current NDP caucus that is sticking around to run in the next election is more of the Blakeney mindset than the McKinnon school. For instance, while we are losing more centrist members like Eric Cline and Andrew Thomson, we get to keep Pat Atkinson and good ole Lorne himself. In fact, McKinnon herself said that after 1999 the party had lost touch with the common people after losing nearly all of its rural seats and the effect of that was palpable in caucus meetings.

What was perhaps more interesting was the fact that Ms. McKinnon stated no less than four times that the NDP will lose the next election. She can see that the writing is on the wall for this tired NDP regime. I am not on the ins enough to know whether or not McKinnon even holds party membership in the provincial NDP at this time. However, I doubt that she does. Listening to her you would think she is a right of centre Liberal or maybe even Conservative. She would likely fit well within the Saskatchewan Party caucus and would be a definite asset to the new government. Also, with the emergence of Senate elections in Canada, she would be well-suited to run for a Senate seat representing Saskatchewan. One thing remains clear – the people of Saskatchewan would benefit from having her advocate on their behalf, no matter at which level of government it is.

Lautermilch Latest Not to Run

2007-05-24T10:54:00.000-06:00

According to the CBC, Eldon Lautermilch is the latest NDP cabinet minister to announce that he will not be seeking re-election when Calvert decides to call the next provincial election.

Lautermilch, who dismissed Saskatchewan's out-migration problem by saying that when people leave the province, "there's more left for the rest of us," has stated family reasons for not running for re-election after over 20 years in the legislature. However, his decision is also part of a trend which has seen a number of NDP cabinet ministers opt not to run in the upcoming election. Many of these are seasoned veterans of the party who surely can sense defeat on the horizon and would rather bow out than occupy the opposition seats in the provincial legislature. As well, the more this trend continues the worse it looks for Calvert and company.

Thomson Senses Imminent Defeat

2007-05-12T11:44:00.000-06:00

Andrew Thomson has announced that he will not be running in the next election, as I had suspected. I also suspect that he will make a bid for the leadership of the party after Lorne loses the Fall Election and resigns as leader (although that might not happen right away but a year or so down the road. Thomson could then run in a by-election in Lorne's safe seat.

Bill Hutchinson must be sleeping easy these days, as the Sask Party surely has Regina South locked up now!

Will Atkinson be next to opt out?

One NDP in, One Out

2007-05-04T13:30:00.000-06:00

As has been mentioned previously, Calvert has given his MLAs until May 17th to give notice as to whether or not they will seek re-election.

Today the Leader Post announced that Doreen Hamilton will not be seeking re-election. This is good news for the Saskatchewan Party; without the incumbant advantage, this seat, which Hamilton won by roughly 500 votes in 2003, will likely go to Christine Tell of the Sask Party. Of all the potential seats in Regina, this one was already most likely to be won by the Saskatchewan Party. With Tell's high profile and Hamilton's absence, it seems as close to a sure thing as a Regina seat can be for the Sask Party.

The Star Phoenix also reported today that Maynard Sonntag will be seeking the NDP nomination in Meadow Lake at the June nomination meeting. This was another very close riding and one that the Sask Party had had their eye on. However, the candidate they had originally nominated will not longer be running and they have yet to replace him. In any case, I'm sure it will be a very close fight, as it was in 2003.

It will be interesting to see what Andrew Thomson has to say in the next couple of weeks and even Pat Atkinson, who, after over 20 years in the legislature may decide to pack it in rather than sit on the opposition side again.

With Princess Anne's visit to Saskatchewan June 14, it is unlikely that Calvert will call a Spring election. Instead, it looks more like the fall. Would a summer election ever happen, though? It has happened elsewhere, like Nova Scotia in 2003 for instance. The last summer provincial election in Saskatchewan was on August 14, 1908 when Walter Scott won re-election over Frederick Haultain. For the next half a decade, elections were held every June until 1964, when it was held in April. Since then, elections have been in either the Spring or fall, with most popular months being June and October. It might be interesting to see a July election in Saskatchewan for the first time.

Spring Election?

2007-05-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

With all that is going on with scandals in the NDP and the low polling numbers they are posting, it seems unlikely that Calvert would want an election anytime soon. However, with the prospect of a likely fall federal election and the risk of total devastation if he waits too long, going this spring might be the best option available to him. After all, with NDP arrogance as prevalent as it is, not to mention potentially precipitous, Lorne may think himself invincible. After all, he does like to cite that the NDP came from behind to win in 2003.

Calvert has given all MLAs a May 17th deadline to let him know if they plan to run in the next election. If they don't, will that be enough time to put a candidate in place for a Spring election in June? I've heard word that May 24th might be the magic date that Lorne finally calls an election. Could this be true?

Writing on the Wall for Calvert's Tired Regime

2007-04-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

Headlines across news outlets (CBC, the Leader Post, Globe and Mail) in the province are announcing that the NDP caucus chief of staff has resigned amidst controversy that he provided "incomplete information" to a cabinet minister (Glenn Hegal, who has also admitted to misleading the legislature).

It is interesting that this revelation of corruption in the sanctimonious NDP regime dates back to a time when the NDP couldn't get enough of dragging the Devine PC's through the mud over their own corruption scandal. The NDP has played that scandal up for years, employing fear mongering techniques to paint the Saskatchewan Party as the reincarnation of the corrupt PC Party. Meanwhile, the NDP itself was operating unethically in its own conduct. Indeed, it will be interesting to see what else will be revealed when Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party finally bring down this tired Calvert administration.

Speaking of the Saskatchewan Party winning... The Leader Post reported on the weekend that a recent poll puts the Saskatchewan Party way ahead of Calvert if an election were called now. In fact, the Sask Party is so far ahead that it is doubtful that Calvert could ever catch up. Sure, the NDP are great campaigners and the final vote tally will likely not be that disparate, but the writing is on the wall nonetheless. After all, how convincing will Calvert's fear mongering be about impending "tory corruption" if the Sask Party takes office when the government of which he has been a part for the past number of years has its own skeletons lurking in its closet. First there was SPUDCO, recently there was Carriere, and now there is this Lord-Fodey-Hagel fiasco. Does the NDP have much credibility when it comes to making accusations that political corruption would be imminent under Sask Party rule?

Sorry Calvert, but your chances of re-election look slimmer with each passing week. If I were you, I'd bow out now and let your successor take the fall. However, as an ardent supporter of the Saskatchewan Party I hope that you call an election before that happens so that change can occur sooner rather than later.

Saskatchewan Dead Last in Economic Growth - Yet Another Reason Change is Needed!

2007-04-25T12:43:00.000-06:00

Today's Statistics Canada report places Saskatchewan's economic growth for 2006 dead last among Canadian provinces. Meanwhile, all other Western Provinces outpaced the national average.

It's not like the people of Saskatchewan really NEED another reason to be reminded of the fact that change is needed at the provincial government level. However, today's release proves to be yet another indication that Calvert & Co. are holding our province back.

At a time when oil and gas revenues increased, we still failed to capitalize. I may sound like a broken record, but with Sasksatchewan's plethora of resources, this simply should not be happening.

Please Mr. Calvert, call a provincial election already. This province is in dire need of change before it is too late!

Danny Williams Doesn't Speak For Me

2007-03-28T18:47:00.000-06:00

I've written on here before in support of Danny Williams. However, I cannot support his latest tirade. On Mike Duffy tonight, he sounded like a combination of an offensive loudmouth and a crying baby.

He stated that when Newfoundland and Labrador Conservative MP's voted for the budget last night, they voted against Newfoundland, Nova Scotia MPs voted against Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan MPs voted against Saskatchewan. As someone from Saskatchewan, I can say that I do not feel that way. I think that all three provinces got more than a fair deal in getting equalization payments. I don't agree with the whole concept of equalization and feel that if a province has resources at its disposal, why should those resources be excluded from equalization payments? Do they not generate wealth? Equalization discourages self-reliance and provides a disincentive for provinces to become "have provinces".

Mr. Williams, perhaps you should focus more on the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador so that the province can generate its own wealth instead of crying about the fact that Stephen Harper isn't giving you enough of someone else's.

Amazingly Boring Pre-Election Budget

2007-03-22T18:55:00.000-06:00

If the people of Saskatchewan weren't sure that we need a change of government at the provincial level, they damn well should be after the release of today's budget.

In the time of an unprecedented economic boom (which they have still failed to fully capitalize on) Calvert's government has posted a DEFICIT BUDGET!! Despite what radicals such as Buckdog have to say about it actually being a surplus, the numbers don't lie. It's simple math: the revenues do not keep pace with the spending for this given year. That sounds like a deficit to me! This type of budgeting is not sustainable because that "rainy day fund" will not last much longer. My theory is that the NDP knows that it is bound to lose the next election and wants to get rid of that rainy day fund so that none of it is left when the power changes hands.

Other announcements, according to canada.com:

— A $15 cap on the cost of each drug prescription for every senior in the province.

Really? Because seniors add so much to our tax base that they obviously require more of the major spending (regardless of whether they are hard done by financially or ridiculously well off). Or could it be that Seniors in this province are most likely to vote for the NDP, many of whom still being hold-outs from the Douglas era?

— A $10,000 tax exemption for post-secondary school graduates for the first five years after graduation.

I'll give them this. I don't mind it. However, if a healthy business climate existed in Saskatchewan, young people might want to be here all on their own...

— Continuation of a tuition freeze that began in 2004.

Tuition freezes suck. This is bad public policy and doesn't help students. The money used to fund this would better be directed towards improving student financial assistance, then people really in need would benefit, instead of everyone who attends university. Thinking of it this way might require too much thought for Calvert to handle, hence the seniors drug plan... Yes, these two policies are excruciatingly similar in that they cost a lot of money but the assistance is really only needed by a few.

— Continuation of the eight per cent cut to the education portion of property tax for residential and commercial property. Cut will be deepened to 10 per cent if the federal budget passes and the province gets its equalization money.

Good move. It's about time. The best way that the Saskatchewan Government can offer tax relief to the people of Saskatchewan is through property tax reductions.

— Funding for 3,117 additional MRI scans and 5,455 bone mineral density scans to shorten waiting lists.

This is an announcement? Shouldn't it just be happening?

— Creating a dental sealant program for students in Grades 1 to 7 at community schools.

All students? Or those most in need? As it turns out, only for high risk students. So I guess Calvert's realized that young people with families aren't the people who would vote for the NDP unless they are high risk, unlike the senior drug program, which is just for everyone, because most seniors vote for the NDP.

— Social assistance increases of $10 a month for Saskatchewan Assistance Plan and Transitional Employment Allowance recipients and $5 a month increase in the personal living allowance.

Another continuation of the same old programs, just increasing funding. More evidence of a lack of forward thinking on the part of this tired government.

— Fully funding the provincial share of the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization program.

If it is the provincial share, why wasn't it fully funded before? That should be the question.

Now, what about what wasn't in the budget?
- Review of our increasingly expensive health care system
- Addressing the burgeoning bureaucracy
- Some sort of tax incentives for environmentally friendly consumers (isn't the environment the biggest issue on people's minds these days?)

What is surprising, however, is that this is a pre-election budget. Has there been a less inspiring budget? Shouldn't a pre-election budget be full of pizazz and big ticket items? Drugs for seniors and a tuition freeze for PSE students? Those are the big items?

I really can't wait until the next provincial budget when the Saskatchewan Party reintroduces financial prudence and releases some ideas that inspire the people of this fine province.

Even Socialist Sweden Gets It: "Governing and Running Businesses Don't Mix"

2007-03-09T09:33:00.000-06:00

I came across an interesting article in the Financial Post. It is available here.

It seems that even Sweden, renowned for its socialism, is getting out of the business of running government corporations.

It really is a shame that the people of Saskatchewan are such cowards when it comes to change. It is actually incredible that the Saskatchewan Party was defeated in 2003 because the pusillanimous people of this province feared that they would sell off the crowns. This should have been something that the people embraced. Because of that, the Saskatchewan Party has no intention of selling off our crowns, even though it makes the best sense to do so.

As the article states: "A World Bank study found privatized firms increase profit by 45%, output by 27%, efficiency by 11%, capital spending by 44%, and jobs by 6%." How would this not benefit our province?

It also states: "Meanwhile, back in booming, resource-rich Saskatchewan, Finance Minister Andrew Thomson has said he will have to dip into a rainy day fund to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to balance the budget. He should instead sell many of the province's businesses, which account for about 12% of GDP, twice the national rate."

I wholeheartedly agree. Why, in the time of an economic boom, is the Calvert government dipping into a slush fund? If the province really needs the money, it should be selling off some of the many crown corporations that it runs.

Sadly, Saskatchewan is plagued by a people who fear change and despise progress. We are so crippled by socialism that we can't even fathom the idea of private companies providing our utilities, despite the fact that competition would improve service and economic output for the province as whole. And, with even the most right-leaning party in the province committing to leave the crowns alone, what is best for the economy of the province may never come to fruition. We can only hope that they do get elected in the next election. For if they don't, we may be sentenced to another generation of NDP rule and the further "publicization" of corporation and services in this socialist republic.

News Flash: Dion Can't Speak English!

2007-03-06T12:58:00.000-06:00

John Murney had a link up to this article from Larry Zolf about Dion's poor English language skills. In it, Zolf makes a good point about Dion: "a unilingual francophone who in over 10 years in federal office did not save the environment nor bother to learn the English language."

I, as someone who can speak very little French, understand that it is likely quite difficult for someone of Dion's age to pick up English when he became a cabinet minister. However, he was just that: a cabinet minister in the federal government. Was there not opportunity during this time for Dion to learn English? I think that all of our federal cabinet ministers should be taking language training in whichever offical language they are not fluent. In fact, that should probably apply to any MP. The story in Zolf's article about Jean Chretien is one that current MPs should take to heart.

Perhaps people were reluctant to criticize Dion at first about his language skills, fearing that it would be politically incorrect or something to do so. I do not think that it is inappropriate at all. Anyone who wishes to lead the country should be able to speak both official languages fluently. They should also be comfortable in both languages so that they can demonstrate charm, wit and charisma. Not only that, but from a politically advantageous angle, if there is one language that one should be able to grasp at a higher level, it should be English. After all, a heck of a lot more people in Canada speak English, amounting to more anglophone seats that francophone seats to be won.

I predict that come this Spring, or fall or next Spring, that Dion's polling numbers will continue to fall as the campaign progresses and people see him in the limelight struggling to communicate his ideas. But honestly, how many Canadians are really going to vote for someone that they can't understand?

Landslide in Martensville

2007-03-06T09:09:00.000-06:00

Nancy Heppner won a stunning landslide victory in Martensville last night! The margin by which she won far surpassed my prediction of 58%, as she won with nearly 77% of the vote while Tzupa took 10% and the Liberals 8%.

I think everyone knew that this would be a very comfortable victory for the Saskatchewan Party. However, I don't know how many people expected a landslide of this proportion. This definitely bodes well for the Sask Party going into a provincial election. The same cannot be said for the Calvert government.

Unfortunately, this might mean that a Spring vote is out of the question now if Calvert uses the results as any sort of gauge of how the provincial vote might go.

Looks like we'll be going to the polls this fall with a scared government that will no doubt be campaigning via spending announcements for the next six months or so.

Martensville By-Election Today

2007-03-05T10:06:00.000-06:00

The Martensville By-Election is today. This will be a good guage to see how the provincial parties will fare in the next provincial election expected sometime this year. No, the Sask Party can't expect the landslide that they'll see today. However, it will be interesting to see if the NDP ends up in third place. If they do, it could spell trouble for them in the next provincial election. It might be that left-leaning voters opt for the Liberals rather than the NDP in the next election and in that case, Calvert and Co. could suffer a defeat in the provincial election far worse than the one that even they are anticipating right now.

My prediction:

Saskatchewan Party: 58%
Liberals: 22%
NDP: 20%

Priority Issues or Spending Spree?

2007-02-28T10:18:00.000-06:00

Andrew Thomson says, "Saskatchewan's strong economy is enabling us to address priority issues and build a better future." However, how many of these so called priority issues are actually priorities for the people of Saskatchewan?

It seems to me like the Calvert Government is taking advantage of fairly good economic times to spend on everything and anything that might buy them the next election.

Thomson says that the period of spending this year comes as the result of tight fiscal times in the past. However, he cannot possibly be talking about any periods of restraint during the Calvert years. Certainly, Calvert’s latest spending spree contrasts with Romanow’s spending in the 1990s. As Murray Mandryk notes in his column today: “The $5.26-billion operating budget (costs of running the departments, not including debt-servicing costs) that Calvert inherited from Romanow in 2001 had only increased by $238.2 million from the $5.02-billion operating budget Romanow inherited from Devine in 1991. That's less than $24-million, or half a percentage point a year -- a remarkable feat of fiscal discipline. Now, contrast that with Monday's third-quarter update for the 2006-07 budget, showing that Calvert has increased government operational spending almost as much in the last three months ($206.3 million) as Roy Romanow did in 10 years ($238.2 million).”

What is even more remarkable is that during Calvert’s tenure, his average annual increase in spending has even trumped that of Devine’s! However, at least the population of Saskatchewan was growing during the Devine years, and we all know the same cannot be said of Calvert! Thanks to high oil prices, Calvert has been able to get away with it!

So where does the $597 million that Calvert’s Government is set to take in compared to their predictions a year ago? Well $531 has already been spent!

It seems most days there is an announcement of new spending, whether it be funding for Northern Communities or its most recent announcement – that Saskatchewan’s four largest cities would have free wireless internet in the downtowns and certain areas, such as post secondary institutions. This is a priority area? No, this is a clear election grab to maintain support in certain areas where Calvert and Co. think they might be vulnerable. Nevermind the rural places where the outcome is a foregone conclusion regardless of when the election is finally called. Most downtown offices and university spaces already have wireless internet and definitely not the most in need of free wireless coverage! However, to the naïve voter this might create the image that the Calvert Government is embracing technology and is forward-thinking. This is no doubt a move to counter the stale, tired image it currently has with voters.

Meanwhile, while this spending increases, so does our debt, to 7.3 billion by year’s end. Yes, the debt-to-GDP ratio is down from 16.8% to 16.1% but given the fact that we’re experiencing economic good times, shouldn’t our overall debt actually reduce as well?

It was announced yesterday that Alberta would see a $7 billion surplus this year, due in large part to oil and gas revenues and increased tax revenues, the same items pushing Saskatchewan’s comparatively meagre surplus up. However, the government there, having already paid off their debt, plans to save the money for the inevitable day when oil and gas revenues no longer produce such surpluses. With the PC Party destined to win the next election in a couple of years, the Alberta government is not so desperate to improve its image and buy votes. Instead, it will resist the temptation to go on a spending spree like its Saskatchewan counterpart.

Perhaps if the Saskatchewan Government could resist free for all spending and pay down some of our provincial debt we could see a government that really is forward-thinking rather than one who attempts to create that image by providing free internet service.

I hope "people wants" to know Dion more!

2007-02-25T22:58:00.000-06:00

If anyone saw the brief interview of Stephane Dion by Craig Oliver today, they, like I, witnessed the scripted, boring Dion in action. The fact that the Liberals actually chose this man to lead them baffles me. He is the least prime ministerial party leader in recent memory.

I found it interesting that before going on a rant about Harper wanting to select judges on an ideological basis (what? So no one under the Liberals was ever appointed based on their ideology or political connections?), Dion accused Stephen Harper of being “unfair” towards the Liberals on the anti-terrorism laws issue. He actually used that exact word! Has he not caught the Conservative attack ads? Poor Stephane, someone always seems to be “unfair”ly picking on him. If it’s not fellow Liberals such as Michael Ignatieff, it’s the Prime Minister.

I also thought it was interesting that Dion mentioned in the interview: “People wants to know me more.” To that I say, I hope so! I hope that they wants to know him more so they can really consider him being our Prime Minister and representing us on the national stage. That, I think, is a prospect that would surely scare them away from voting Liberal in the next election.

Tzupa Admits Calvert's Leadership Hasn't Always Been Stellar

2007-02-13T09:38:00.002-06:00

In his nomination speech on February 4th in Martensville, John Tzupa, NDP candidate in the Martensville by-election expectedly criticized his competitor, Saskatchewan Party candidate Nancy Heppner. However, he also openly criticized Calvert’s performance in office.

He stated: “I was wondering if any of you have seen our Conservative candidate's advertisement that she ran in the Country Press yet?

In the ad she says, ‘While other provinces boom, we continue to fall behind and watch friends and family move to other provinces in search of work and better opportunities.’

There you have the very definition of Saskatchewan Party negativity. Sometimes I have to wonder if they even like Saskatchewan.

You see, our Conservative candidate moved to Ottawa 5 years ago and she seems to be unaware of what is going on in Saskatchewan today. What she is saying may have been a true statement 5 years ago when she left the province but that is no longer the case today.”

You know it’s bad when someone as die-hard as Tzupa readily admits that Calvert’s leadership has been less than stellar. Indeed, he acknowledges that under Calvert’s leadership, Saskatchewan fell behind while other provinces boomed.

My question then is this: if NDP candidates believe that Calvert’s leadership is lacking, what are the rest of us to think? If, as Tzupa confesses, Calvert will allow Saskatchewan to fall behind as other provinces boom, what will happen when our resource economy isn’t so hot? (The real reason we are seeing any growth – coupled with the fact that the NDP started implementing Saskatchewan Party ideas) Are we set to flounder once again? Based on Tzupa’s statements, he might just agree. But that’s ok, isn’t it? As long as Calvert and his incompetent lot are in power, it doesn’t matter how much the rest of the province suffers. That has, after all, been their mantra for the past 16 years.

Sask Youth Summit, John Tzupa, and Typical NDP Hypocrisy

2007-02-12T00:25:00.000-06:00

I have been meaning to post this all week but haven’t had the time. Nevertheless, I felt it was worth mentioning. The first weekend in February, I attended the Saskatchewan Youth Summit in Saskatoon. It was a blatant NDP love-in. The final resolutions that were hurriedly thrown together on the last day by NDP hacks were presented on orange and black PowerPoint slides. The resolutions were socialist solutions to the province’s problems. It is ironic that much of the reason that we have the problems we do in this province is due to the socialism that has plagued this province for decades. So when looking for an obvious solution to them, it’s obviously more socialism, right? It is sad that the socialism is so ingrained in our society that the youth of today know no other answer but to rely on government if problems need to be fixed. Following this waste of time, the youth were wined and dined as Pat Atkinson bragged to them about the great things that the government of Saskatchewan are doing. After being lied to by the Honourable Minister, they were treated to a dance to the music of Saskatchewan bands with lovely Orange lighting to subliminally influence their impressionable minds.

What perhaps is of even greater interest is the fact that one of the principle organizers of the summit, John Tzupa, was conveniently nominated Sunday night – once the summit was over – as the candidate in the Martensville by-election. It is convenient for Tzupa that the campaign didn’t start until the organization for the summit was complete. It is typical of the NDP that they would take care of their own first. It is perhaps even more typical that they would unabashedly try to pass off what is a clear election tactic organized by the President of the Young Dippers who will later run for them in a subsequent by-election as a non-partisan event so that it can be paid for by tax payers rather than the party coffers.

It should also be noted that sacrificial lamb, Tzupa, is on record criticizing the fact that the Saskatchewan Party ran Dustin Duncan in the Weyburn-Big Muddy by-election because he didn’t live in the riding at the time of the election, despite having been born and raised there. Now, Tzupa is hypocritically running as a parachute candidate in Martensville. This is yet another demonstration of NDP hypocrisy and arrogance.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Election Season...

2007-02-01T19:01:00.000-06:00

SGI announced today that it would be issuing rebate cheques to most SGI customers mid-April and will be adjusting its rates effective July 1st. The conspicuous timing of this announcement raises obvious questions about the imminence of a provincial election.

Isn’t it convenient that the government-controlled crown corporation will be issuing cheques to the Saskatchewan public (who have no other choice but to insure their vehicles with the socialist arm of the provincial government) just in time for what seems likely to be election season? It seems the spending spree that the government has been on is set to continue until the NDP’s plight dissipates and its polling numbers precipitate favourably. I do hope that the people of Saskatchewan are smarter than that and see that the NDP is conveniently using the crown at its disposal for political benefit.

Prime Minister Harper, Heed Mulroney's Advice on the Environment

2006-12-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

In a recent interview with the CBC, Brian Mulroney stated that it is important that the Conservative Party of Canada strengthen its Clean Air Act in order to court middle class voters. I couldn't agree with Mr. Mulroney more.

I know that I, a supporter of the Conservatives, felt extremely disappointed with the Harper Government's highly touted Clean Air Act. I feel that it failed to recognize the pressing nature of climate change. Indeed, action needs to come soon to address this potentially disastrous threat to our world and Canada can't be sitting on the sidelines.

However, I was not only disappointed by the Conservatives' failure to really take bold steps in addressing this issue, but also that they seemingly missed the boat on an opportunity to capture voters that might sit somewhere in the middle ideologically and realize the importance of environmental concern. To me, this is a large portion of the voting public, particularly among young Canadians, and could just represent the voters needed to form a majority after the next election.

With the election of Stephane Dion as the leader of the Liberal Party, the candidate who perhaps placed the most emphasis on the environment in his bid for the leadership, the time for the Conservatives to act is even more vital. After all, despite Dion's rhetoric, he was the most recent Minister of the Environment under the Liberal regime, a government that, in true Liberal fashion, dithered and failed to take any substantial action to address environmental issues. It is a sham that the Liberals present themselves as more environmentally friendly than the Conservatives, but Harper and Co. must devote adequate energy to proving this to Canadians and, through action, demonstrate that they are THE choice if voters want action taken on this issue.

A Wilted Weed By Any Other Name...

2006-11-04T14:23:00.000-06:00

This post comes a little late but I have been unable to comment any sooner and felt that this recent development with the Saskatchewan NDP warranted commentary.

According to the CBC, our inept governing party is considering a name change.

At their annual convention November 17-19, the NDP will consider changing their name to the Social Democratic Party. It seems that even the NDP themselves is realizing that they are no longer NEW! Indeed, this is a tired government with outdated policies and a lack of original ideas for the province. Everyone else, but for a few socialists in Regina and Saskatoon, has realized this. It is about time that the party realized it as well.

In fact, I think Brad Wall put it best when in the legislature on Thursday, he stated:
“Mr. Speaker, we understand the NDP’s problem in terms of their name. They’re not new; they’re not very democratic; and based on the grim look from the member for Regina Dewdney, it’s not much of a party over there either”

In fact, after hearing the NDP referred to by so many interesting names by Saskatchewanians over the past few years, the Saskatchewan Party has decided to hold a competition for the public to rename the Calvert’s hapless party. I encourage you all to participate by going to: http://www.skcaucus.com/npdname.html.

Alberta's New Tuition Policy: End to the Tuition Freeze a Good Thing

2006-11-04T14:21:00.000-06:00

Alberta’s government has announced that the unofficial two-year tuition freeze in the province has ended. Instead, tuition increases will now be linked to inflation . Of course, student leaders have been balking at this prospect.

What student leaders are failing to grasp is that this is a good thing. This limits the amount by which universities can increase tuition fees so that any increases are in line with increases in the costs of other goods and services. At the same time, the government has committed to increase funding to universities each year so that any shortfalls the universities might experience due to this limitation can be achieved.

It really is not a surprise that student leaders oppose this development. Indeed, most blindly support tuition freezes as a credible way to deal with the cost of financing a university education. However, this view is shortsighted, naïve, and, in the long run, detrimental to the quality of education that future generations will receive.

While tuition freeze, to students, sounds like a good idea, there is reason for students to be concerned about such legislation.

Because tuition freezes limit the ways in which universities can make up for financial shortfalls, they are forced to make cutbacks to their budgets that are potentially damaging. Indeed, as facilities degrade and faculty salaries increase, the costs of providing quality post-secondary education will inevitably increase as well. If the provincial government does not commit to funding these increased costs, the quality of education that students receive will be compromised. This has happened in the province of Quebec where tuition has been frozen for years. While tuition fees remain low, infrastructure is crumbling, faculty members are leaving in droves due to uncompetitive salaries and class sizes are growing.

The situation that this presents is one where universities will ultimately have to find some way around the tuition freeze. Whether this is by increasing auxiliary fees or otherwise, tuition fees might not necessarily increase but the burden placed on students would. Again, I will point to Quebec. Universities in that province exploit a loophole in the provincially legislated tuition freeze. Although Quebec students pay the lowest fees in the country (if you are a resident of Quebec), they are hit with the highest auxiliary fees.

Tuition freezes are a short-term solution to the problem that universities face. It is a catchphrase that certain political parties, namely the NDP, have thrown around. I will again point to another province in Canada where a tuition freeze was implemented: BC. The NDP government in BC was inconsistent in the funding it granted to universities. While students faced low tuition fee levels for a time, it all came to a crashing halt when the BC Liberals took office and lifted the tuition freeze, as they rightly should have. Rather than facing increases similar to those of other goods and services, as will be the case in Alberta, students saw their tuition fees skyrocketed as universities in the province sought to recuperate the losses that they had faced under the previous system.

Of course I understand that it is the job of student leaders to criticize and find fault with government decisions concerning post-secondary education, it would be nice if they acknowledged the realities that governments face and the long-term consequences of the policies that they are promoting. The Government of Alberta has done a good thing when it comes to addressing the increased cost of Post-Secondary Education and other provinces should be following suit.

Time for Sask NDP to be Euthanized?

2006-09-27T22:52:00.000-06:00

Two different news headlines caught my attention today. However, they are essentially linked.

First, it was noted that Saskatchewan is considering whether or not to join a Western Canadian trade deal. While Alberta and British Columbia signed an agreement earlier this year that eliminated many barriers for businesses and workers between the two provinces, Saskatchewan was notably absent from the agreement. This agreement allows professionals with professional designations to work freely between provinces and lessens restrictions on companies doing business in both provinces. This would be a good thing for all of Western Canada. In particular, easing the restrictions that Alberta oil and gas companies might face when doing business in Saskatchewan would boost our economy and likely create jobs in the province. However, it is clearly a pro-business scheme and by know we’ve realized that Lorne Calvert and company are decidedly anti-business. After all, this could unfavourably affect unions and that just couldn’t happen in our socialist society. And, even if Saskatchewan is to join the deal, it won't be until next year. We should have been in on the agreement from the get-go, let alone waiting another year to contemplate the decision! We obvious lack vision, leadership and direction!

Second, Saskatchewan lost over 4,000 people last year! Big surprise! The lowest population in 24 years and the 9th year in the past 10 that the population has decreased. Yes, it is understandable that Alberta is an appealing lure for people of the province. I will give the NDP that. However, given the plethora of natural resources we have in this province, there should be some sort of vision for this province so that we can hold our own. After all, Manitoba still manages to grow its population – what does it have that Saskatchewan does not? I’m not saying there should necessarily be a population boom when we’re next door to Alberta but we should not be leading population declines either.

The common link between these two stories is that both illustrate that Calvert’s government lacks vision and leadership. They are a tired government that is in need of a good mercy killing. Indeed, next year’s provincial election cannot come too soon.

Another Promise Kept!

2006-09-25T23:58:00.000-06:00

Upon release of the budget this Spring, Jim Flaherty stated that he would find $1 billion in savings for 2006-07 and 2007-08. Today that promise was fulfilled.

As John Baird stated, the government "trimmed the fat" today. So what was the fat? The Leader Post listed the following cuts:
- End to visitor-rebate program that gave tax refunds to tourists: savings, $78.8 million.
- Smaller cabinet announced last February: $46.8 million.
- Administrative reductions to Status of Women: $5 million.
- End to medical marijuana science funding: $4 million.
- Cuts to museums assistance: $4.6 million.
- `Efficiencies’ in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.: $45 million.
- Removal of unused funds for mountain pine beetle initiative: $11.7 million
- Elimination of of Court Challenges Program: $5.6 million.
- Cancellation of National Defence radar project: $13.9 million.
- Consolidation of foreign missions: $4.5 million.
- Cuts to Law Commission of Canada: $4.2 million.

Yes, these cuts are small, roughly 1% of government spending, but they are symbolic. They symbolize that this government is catering to the average Canadian, their base of support, most of whom would either agree that many of the programs affected are not something for which they are getting their money's worth or support the tightening of the fiscal belt where savings were made. In particular, although it represents a relatively small saving of $46.8 million, the creation of a smaller cabinet means less money going to politicians and that money going to paying off our debt instead. I think one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees with that redirection of funds!

The $13.2 billion dollar surplus that has been redirected towards the federal debt marks the largest single debt reduction in history, also symbolic of the Conservatives' fiscal prudence. This also shows that the Conservatives are looking forward to a time when this payment will pay off by lessening the amount that is paid in interest to service the debt in the future. And, while hefty tax cuts would be great this is a trend that should continue.

Corporate Tax Cuts Paying Off?

2006-09-09T01:49:00.000-06:00

Saskatchewan’s job numbers are increasing! Statistics Canada confirms that Saskatchewan has added 9,600 people to the labour force since one year ago. This pales in comparison to the nearly 100,000 added in Alberta but does out-do our neighbor to the East by almost 2,000.

It appears that the corporate tax cuts introduced in the last provincial budget may be paying off. It’s too bad they came years after the Saskatchewan Party began advocating for such cuts. Maybe if this had been done earlier, we wouldn’t have lost thousands of people to Alberta in the last year.

The Vanderhaeghe Prophesy

2006-09-06T22:34:00.000-06:00

I was reading this week’s issue of Maclean’s Magazine and came across an article on Noah Richler’s (Modecai’s son) new book, This is My Country, What’s Yours?. For the book, Richler traveled across the country, interviewing 100 Canadian writers to create a “literary atlas” of Canada.

Among the authors that Richler interviewed is Saskatchewan’s own, Governor General’s Medal-winning Guy Vanderhaeghe. When asked why so much “great historical fiction has come out of Saskatchewan,” he replied: “Because we’ve got no f--cking future, that’s why.”

When I read Vanderhaeghe’s comments, my initial reaction was uncharacteristically taciturn. Then I wondered: do I agree with his statement? During the five years that I lived outside Saskatchewan, I spent considerable time and energy defending Saskatchewan as a great place to live with a formidable future. However, given my humdrum reaction to the obvious slight at the province, I’ve realized that I, like so many Saskatchewanians (perhaps Vanderhaeghe included) have already, may be falling victim to accepting mediocrity and not expecting more out of the province.

Have I really become disillusioned with the state of our province? Rather than holding out for better times ahead if the government changes, have I written off the possibility that even if the people if the people of Saskatchewan come to their senses and toss out Calvert and Company, there is just too much lost time to make up; so much so that we never could? Do I feel that the socialism that is so ingrained in our culture too much to overcome?

If my attitude has changed, it is not difficult to understand why. After traveling back to Calgary for the Labour Day long weekend and being reminded of the prosperity that abounds there, it is depressing for a young person to return to this slow and seemingly uninspired province. Sadly, years of socialist rule has crippled Saskatchewan’s ability to compete with the kind of entrepreneurial voracity that exists in Alberta. It is this edge that our neighbour to the West has over us that could interminably inhibit our potential growth unless a fundamental culture shift takes place in Saskatchewan; even the parts that profess to be unwaveringly supportive of free enterprise are inherently socialist. I fear that unless this radical shift happens, Mr. Vanderhaeghe’s prediction is destined for consummation. Sadly, at this point it seems more likely than not.

How Sweet It Is!

2006-08-30T00:11:00.000-06:00

I attended a BBQ this evening where the Right Honourable Stephen Harper was the guest of honour. The PM was in Regina to, among other things, film a cameo on Corner Gas and tour the RCMP training academy. This was the first time I had ever seen the Prime Minister in person and the first time I’d ever spoken to him and shaken his hand.

I will admit, I wasn’t always a Harper fan. I thought he lacked charisma and didn’t seem like a real “man of the people.” Well, while virtually all of my hesitations about Harper have long ago disappeared, tonight they were swept away for good. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Going into the 2006 Federal Election I still wasn’t completely sold on Harper. However, he was the leader of my party, so I got behind him for the greater good of the Conservative Party of Canada. That said, I thought that he proved himself in the campaign and by the time he became our Prime Minister I was in full support of his leadership. After taking office he has impressed me time and time again by keeping his promises and taking firm stances on issues. In particular, I was impressed by the way that he responded to the situation in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon; it was so refreshing that we had a leader with resolve after being led by the Dithering Paul Martin!

Tonight, though, Harper showed that he was a skilled speaker and is, most definitely, a man of the people. No, he does not exude charisma, nor does he fill one’s belly with fire. And, he does not emanate qualities of grandeur. Instead, he has a gifted ability to connect with the common man, for he is one himself. In fact, after delivering his speech (which lacked the grandiose rhetoric that is often synonymous with political speeches), Harper stayed around to personally meet and greet attendees for nearly two hours while others ate dinner. (Plus, I must say that these were not people whose votes Harper was trying to win, but people who were almost exclusively party supporters.) Finally, once it was dark outside, Harper made his way back into the city.

This made me think of all the criticism Harper received when he chose to travel to the North to meet with residents of Nunavut rather than speak at the AIDS Conference in Toronto. After meeting him, it was clear why he would make such a choice. It was not, as people have alleged, because Harper doesn’t consider AIDS to be an important enough issue or because he is homophobic, but because he places a higher value on opportunities to connect with real Canadians than to hob-knob with international dignitaries and celebrities. Is this so wrong?

Canadians should be proud that they find in their Prime Minister a man who isn’t afraid to take a stance, follows through on campaign promises, and knows how to connect with real people. After years of leaders who nary have exhibited even one of these traits, how sweet is it to have a leader so adept at all three.

Polarize, Polarize, Polarize!

2006-08-28T20:47:00.000-06:00

I recently traveled to the capital of our socialist republic to catch a flight out of the city. I hadn’t been there long before I came across an issue of The Prairie Dog, a bi-monthly free publication targeted towards the X and Y generations crowd. I found it to be quite a good publication, focusing on arts and culture. Like most publications of its genre, it had a noticeably leftist slant. This didn’t both me; I’m open to different viewpoints and, in fact, encourage them.

However, I did come across one column that prompted me to want to comment on its content. The column: “Divide and Conquer: Calvert’s Road to Victory: Polarize, Polarize, Polarize” by John Conway, a sociology professor at the University of Regina and an ardent left-winger. In the piece, Conway explains that if the NDP are to be successful in the next provincial election, they must not hug the centre, but move further to the left. This, he says, will prevent a “ho-hum campaign” that focuses on the tiredness of the current NDP regime. By moving to the left, Calvert will force Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party to reveal their true stripes, which Conway asserts are not the centrist positions that they allude to espouse. Rather, Wall is a “closet right-winger.”

Conway then outlines the ways in which Calvert is to distinguish his party from Wall’s.
1. A new energy strategy that will include a doubling of resource rents and the re-establishment of a crown oil company.
2. An agricultural relief program targeted at the bottom two-thirds of farmers.
3. A major restructuring of rural governance by replacing rural municipalities with large counties.
4. Restructuring medicare with a move to public or cooperative clinics with salaried physicians.
5. The introduction of labour laws that would ban the use of scabs during lockouts and jail time for “nasty” employers that violate the now stricter labour laws.

Well, Conway is right, a platform such as this would surely differentiate the NDP from the Saskatchewan Party and yes, and it would force voters to make a real choice. However, he is most likely wrong in his assertion that this would result in a Saskatchewan Party loss. Contrary to Conway’s skewed perception of reality, extreme left-wing propositions such as these would not appeal to most Saskatchewanians. Putting forward a campaign such as this would not force Wall to “reveal his real ideological orientation and intentions.” Rather, it would paint Calvert as the extremist in the eyes of most Saskatchewanians.

However, leaving commonsense aside and forgetting for a moment that these measures would effectively run the province’s economy into the ground, why would these measures be popular with the voting public?

First, most people in Saskatchewan realize that the favourable economic conditions we are experiencing right now are due in large part to the oil and gas industry. Why mess with it? If its not broke, don’t fix it, right? (This question is especially pertinent when one considers the fact that the province’s oil and gas industry really took off when rents were decreased.)

Second, the creation of yet another crown corporation does not strike me as a particularly sexy campaign promise. I would expect that few people, minus those employed in the industry or at the furthest ends of the spectrum would really care.

Third, an agricultural relief program of any kind would be viewed as too little, too late. Conway’s suggestion of this idea speaks to his ignorance of rural Saskatchewan and the people who live there. For them, the NDP is no longer an option – that was clear in the two previous federal and provincial elections and will be all that more apparent in the next election.

Fourth, the abolition of rural municipalities would represent a further downsizing of services to the people of rural Saskatchewan and further entrench their sentiments that the NDP government has abandoned them. Indeed, it would surely negate any favour the party might gain through the announcement of their agricultural relief program.

Fifth, being heavy handed with the physicians in the province is not a wise way to win popularity among the public. It is my prediction that if physicians are forced into going on salary instead of the currently more popular fee for service payment method, they will leave to practice elsewhere. The recruitment and retention of physicians to the province, particularly to rural areas, is already a perilous task. It would not be difficult for the voting public to see that aggravating the situation would risk the quality of health care of those in Saskatchewan.

Sixth, unless you’re a union member (which likely indicates you already have a predilection for the NDP anyway), you’re most likely sick and tired of hearing about unions and the inconvenience that strikes pose to the general public. It’s not like untapped support for the NDP is really going to be pulled in by giving unions more power.

Ultimately, what Conway fails to recognize is that most people are not strictly left or right wing, but fall somewhere in the middle. This is basic knowledge to any student of politics, let alone someone with a PhD in political sociology. If one candidate is presenting himself as a centrist option and the main competition is an extremist, which is the general public going to choose? Those of us who truly care about the future of our province can only hope that Calvert and his cronies heed Conway’s advice, for this would surely secure that Brad Wall would be our next Premier. Given the Calvert government’s track record, they just might be absurd enough to do it!

Flip Flopping and Backpeddling - Typical Liberal fodder?

2006-08-21T22:52:00.000-06:00

So yesterday Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj and NDP MP Peggy Nash called for the de-listing of Hezbollah from Canada’s terror list . This followed their visit to Lebanon, along with Bloc counterpart, Maria Mourani. The three were on a fact-finding mission arranged by the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations.

However, the loose-lipped comments calling for Hezbollah’s removal by both Wrzesnewskyj and Nash, were evidently made in jest, for it didn’t take long for the MPs’ offices in Canada to either retract or deny their comments. For Wrzesnewskyj, it’s a full out denial of his comments. Although he in on record on CBC Radio and other sources as stating that Hezbollah should no longer be on Canada’s terrorist list, he now says, “I’ve said all along that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and will continue to be.” (CTV Website) Sorry Borys, but that’s not what you said yesterday! Can this confusion be attributed to typical Liberal waffling or to an incompetent novice MP?

Some, such as the B’Nai Brith, have expressed their outrage that Canadian MPs would express support of such a notion. But does it really come as a shock? First, you have a Liberal that’s served in Parliament for just over two years. Not only should we expect that he’d flip flop on an issue but it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that he might not be entirely informed on the issue – it was the Liberals who placed Hezbollah on Canada’s terrorist listing in the first place! Second, you have a bleeding heart rookie NDP Member. Need I say more? Even Jack Layton won’t pin down where his party really stands on Hezbollah, how should his Members be expected to demonstrate a coherent position?

What is interesting, however, is that while Bloc Member, Maria Mourani attended the same fact-finding mission, she was not suckered in to making the same controversial comments that her Liberal and NDP counterparts made. Perhaps the Bloc has it more together than the yahoos in the other two opposition parties. It’s sad when the separatists are the voice of reason in the opposition!

Support Democracy. Support Israel

2006-07-26T22:19:00.000-06:00

A Rare Foreign Policy Posting

2006-07-24T23:23:00.000-06:00

First off, I usually reserve postings on this blog to commentary relating to Saskatchewan Politics. However, because there have been so few interesting developments on that front lately (unless of course you consider which highways Lorne Calvert is going to travel this summer interesting), I'm going to veer off the usual path and comment on something that I typically would not.

While I am a graduate student in political science, my area of study is Canadian Politics, specifically electoral behaviour. I have very little interest in foreign policy. In fact, I have only ever taken one foreign policy class: Military Security, in the summer of 2004 during which I think I fell asleep each and every day.

That being said, I have been following the situation in Lebanon / Israel quite closely and read numerous commentaries on the conflict. I wouldn't say that I'm usually indifferent when it comes to foreign policy; I'm not. It's just that I, for some reason, have a stronger opinion in this case. There is no clearly obvious reason why I should. Yes, I'm decidedly pro-Israel and have been since traveling there in 2000. However, despite this I am not usually stirred by events in the Middle East.

Perhaps the reason for my interest is because what is essentially a foreign policy concern has intruded into the domain of Canadian politics. Harper has faced criticism for both his pro-Israel stance and his government's evacuation response. This criticism appears to lend further credence to the belief that many people (including much of the media) are out to criticize Harper no matter what he does. However, many of these criticisms are unfair at best and simply wrong at worst.

First, I for one am in full agreement with Harper's stance on the conflict. Hezbollah is a terrorist group with the aim to eradicate the Israeli population and annihilate the state. Why shouldn't Israel defend its sovereignty against a group that poses such a serious threat to its existence? Yes, it is sad that so many innocent people in Lebanon have died as a result of Israel's attacks but it is Hezbollah that is to blame, not Israel; they did start this fight after all. It's not Israel's fault that its military packs more of a punch than does its terrorist group opponent. In fact, Israel has made efforts to warn Lebanese civilians and limit civilian deaths. On the contrary, Hezbollah has made no such attempts, indiscriminately firing rockets into the most populated areas of Israel with the goal of killing as many Israelis as possible.

Second, even if you don't agree with what I've just said and are opposed to the position Harper has taken, isn't it nice that the leader of our country has taken a firm position on the issue. This is a welcome change from years of Liberal fluidity. Indeed, we are so used to being led by fence sitters that when our leader actually takes a position, we are shocked and baffled that our Prime Minister would threaten Canada's reputation as a peace broker. I actually think that its refreshing that we have a decisive leader rather than one who would rather pussyfoot around an issue than take a stance.

Third, evacuating thirty to fifty thousand Canadians from Lebanon is not as simple as so many thoughtless critics might believe. The fact that Canada had more foreign nationals in Lebanon than any other country only exacerbates the problem and most surely does not mean that Canada should have had its citizens out sooner than everyone else, as some people have suggested. A more complicated plan would clearly require more planning time. That's just common sense. Not only has Canada not had to evacuate such a large proportion of its foreign nationals before, it must also be considered that cutbacks to our foreign presence in countries such as Lebanon took place during the 1990s when the Liberals were in power. The Liberal Party of Canada and its ardent supporters have seemed to overlook this fact and its implications for the evacuation effort.

Fourth, those that have been rescued and returned to Canada who turn around and bash the government, complaining about the process piss me off the most. Many of you don't even live in Canada anymore! You have decided to move to or visit a country that has a long history of instability. Canadian taxpayers paid thousands of dollars to have you brought back to Canada. Can't you be grateful for a moment? Now I realize that most of these people that have returned to Canada are grateful, but for those of you who aren't, take a minute to shut up and be happy that you're back in a stable, peaceful country.

Fifth, of all the concerns surrounding this recent conflict in the middle east, why has such a debate about Harper deciding to divert his chartered plane to Cyprus from France become such a concern? He's been accused of just doing this as a photo opportunity. Whether it was or wasn't is immaterial. Because he decided to fly to Cyprus, over 100 Canadians arrived back to Canada far sooner than would have otherwise been the case. Is it so hard to believe that he had good intentions or do that many people really still buy the Liberal rhetoric that Harper is a creepy radical incapable of compassion and humanity?

All of this being said, I don't support a ceasefire. No, the conflict between Israel and the Arab World won't be solved by this crisis. To be realistic, it will likely never be solved. However, it wouldn't hurt for Israel to give those terrorist bastards a little more of the ass-kicking that they so rightly deserve.

60% Conservative?

2006-06-25T20:42:00.000-06:00

So I took this test today that a friend of mine had on her blog to determine how Conservative / Liberal I was (by American standards). To test yourself, go to: http://www.blogthings.com/howliberalorconservativeareyouquiz/

As for my results....

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 60% Conservative, 40% Liberal

Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Rise of Provincial PC Party Might Be Good for Sask Party

2006-05-29T23:22:00.000-06:00

Ridiculous. That's the thought that first comes to mind when hearing that the provincial Progressive Conservatives are really resurfacing. The second thought is: what other than self-motivation on the part of the members involved in the revival can explain this foolish political move?

Since the Saskatchewan Party was formed in 1997, I've wondered why the Saskatchewan Liberal Party continues to exist. As the prominence of the party has consistently declined since that time, it seems that I am not alone in that thought. Really though, what is the point of having two right of centre parties in a small province like Saskatchewan? Obviously the two will simply split the vote among right of centre voters. I mean, the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives realized that on the federal scene, shouldn't it be time that it is realized provincially? It's no wonder that we seem poised to succumb to more generations of NDP rule.

Now, one's first instinct is to think that this latest move has made matters worse; the provincial PC Party has resurfaced and plans to run a full slate of candidates in the next provincial election. Now there are not only two parties cleaving the right of centre vote but three.

But is it really for the worse? Perhaps the Saskatchewan Party could actually benefit from this blatant move of self-interest. It might actually cast the Saskatchewan Party is a positive light when compared to the PC Party, particularly among fence-sitters who want a change from the current tired government but are apprehensive given the Sask Party's current perception as the heir of what many consider to be "those scandalous Tories of the 80's."

In a similar vein, Calvert and his calamitous cronies will be hard pressed to paint the Sask Party with the same brush as the provincial Tories when the said party is actually running AGAINST the Sask Party.

Finally, compared to the provincial PC Party, the Saskatchewan Party can actually resonate with voters as the centre-right party that it now is. Even Calvert said today that the provincial PC Party can, "provide a right-wing alternative."

It will be interesting to see how the rise of the Tories in Saskatchewan will affect the fortunes of all three of Saskatchewan's current parties. However, what will be more interesting will be how each decides to deal with the party's presence.

Sask Budget Not So Bad

2006-04-06T20:35:00.000-06:00

It pains me to say it, but I do believe in giving credit when it is due, the NDP's budget wasn't so bad. Of course it wasn't without it faults, but I am definately a fan of the big ticket item: corporate tax cuts. Minister Thomson hinted at a corporate tax cut, but I must admit that this is more than expected (I've come to have low expectations of the NDP due to their track record). This is definitely a move in the right direction (no pun intended). We can now hope that the lower tax rate for businesses will lure investment and create jobs for our young people. If the corporate tax rate does indeed reach 12% by 2008, it will be a very good for Saskatchewan.

I am also a fan of the idea to lower the capital tax rate and eventually scrap it by 2008. As well, I'm glad that money is going to servicing our debt, but is it enough? Will the spending spree that the NDP is going on limiting the amount we could be paying? More money being thrown into the black hole that is public health care? Really?

It is also good to see a commitment to post-secondary education by committing to increasing seats in our institutions, particularly the technical colleges, which are in desperate need of more spaces. However, I am not a fan of a tuition freeze; the $18 million that is going towards keeping the freeze until 2008 is not the best use of money for post-secondary education. It is a band-aid solution to the problem of escalating tuition fees. By implementing a grants program or revamping the student loans program with that money, students would be better served.

Another point of criticism is the fact that amid a time of farm crisis not one red cent went towards greater farm aid. This is a slight to the people of rural Saskatchewan, who all suffer when the farming industry is in peril. But the NDP's disregard for rural Saskatchewan has come to be expected. It seems that they are no longer trying to hide their intentions to ruin rural Saskatchewan so that more power moves to the cities where they find their core support.

All in all, the budget wasn't bad. Perhaps with so much support showing for the Sask Party recently, the NDP has opted to swing to the right and recoup some support that they have lost in Saskatoon and Regina. How long this rightward swing will last is yet to be seen.

No PST Cut Not Such a Bad Thing

2006-04-06T01:15:00.000-06:00

Andrew Thomson, the Minister of Learning, stated today that the NDP government is not considering lowering the PST in the upcoming Provincial budget due out tomorrow. While it is rare for me to agree with the NDP, on this issue I must reluctantly admit that I am in agreement with them.

Seven percent is a pretty standard rate across the country, with many provinces charging more than that and only Alberta, which has no provincial sales tax, charging less. The sales tax may seem like a burden to some, due to Saskatchewan's proximity to the oil-laden province to the West, but Saskatchewanians face no greater burden that the citizens of other provinces in terms of the amount of sales tax we pay.

On the contrary, Saskatchewanians are overburdened by the highest effective corporate tax rates in the country. This has had the effect of scaring away businesses from the provinces, inhibiting new businesses to be created, and adding to the well-held perception that Saskatchewan is an anti-business province. It should be noted that the fact that Saskatchewan has been ruled for 46 of the last 62 years by a socialist government hasn't helped the situation, but I digress...

I should be clear that I am not opposed to a reduction in the provincial sales tax, as I generally believe that any reduction in taxes is a good thing in principle. However, Saskatchewan might not be able to afford to do all of this at once and priorities must be made. And as far as tax priorities go, I see addressing consumption taxes as low on the priority list compared to corporate taxes (first priority) and personal income taxes (second priority).

That being said, I do like Mr. Vicq's recommendation of lowering the PST to 5% and harmonizing it with the GST. I lived in Nova Scotia for four years where the sales tax was harmonized and I would be hard-pressed to tell you which goods and services were taxed in Nova Scotia that hadn't been taxed in Saskatchewan. It is a simple enough thing to do I imagine, as three other provinces have already done it. It would allow us to lower the tax rate, making us more competitive with our provincial neighbors, to whom we do lose business in some areas, while not restricting our sales tax revenues to a great extent.

Based on the current situation, the best tax relief that can be offered right now to citizens of Saskatchewan is a reduction in the corporate tax rate so that business can not only be maintained but expanded, providing jobs to the thousands of young people that face the prospect of leaving the province each year. For once, the NDP seems to be on the right track in committing to reduce the corporate tax rate, as per Mr. Thomson's comments today. However, how much the NDP, with their shady record on taking any sort of risk that might actually benefit the province, will actually commit to lowering business taxes is yet to be seen; when it comes to the provincial government in Saskatchewan, I've come to expect disappointment.

Burns and Calvert - You Be the Judge

2006-03-31T01:13:00.000-06:00

It was recently brought to my attention that Lorne Calvert bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Burns of The Simpsons fame. I guess I ask that you be the judge. I, however, found the comparison quite amusing. All considered, both are, uninteresting hunch-backed scoundrals with obviously hideous overbites. How could I have never noticed this before?

Oh the Irony...

2006-03-28T17:22:00.000-06:00

I couldn’t help but note the irony when reading two of Saskatchewan’s top news headlines today. First, I read that the Roughriders would be losing their top receiver to the Stampeders. I’m not a huge sports fan so, initially, this didn’t get to me all that much. Then I came across another headline, which indicated that Saskatchewan lost 2,000 people in the last quarter of 2005. It seems that Elijah Thurman is not the only one who thinks the grass is greener on the other side of the 110th meridian.

Sure, Saskatchewan’s depopulation has come to be expected under Lorne Calvert’s tutelage, but it still stings every time we lose another chunk of our residents to Alberta and other areas of the country. It might not be so bad if it hadn’t been happening for so many consistent quarterly reports from Statistics Canada. However, the situation seems to be getting worse.

Saskatchewan lost exactly 2,065 people between October 1 and December 31 of last year. This is more that twice the amount that we lost during the same period the year before and even bests the amount lost during the rest of the entire year in 2005, as we only lost 1,692 between January and October. And I thought things were bad before!

In fact, Saskatchewan lost more people than any other jurisdiction in the entire country. As a percentage of our population, the only province to outpace us was Newfoundland and Labrador, whose unemployment rate is three times that of our own. They have no other choice but to leave!

But do Saskatchewanians really have much of a choice anymore? The business sector in our province has grown stagnate, the agricultural sector is perhaps in disrepair, and new ideas for economic growth have not come out of the provincial government in over a decade. What are the fine people of this province to do? Oh wait, isn’t Saskatchewan in the middle of an oil boom? This is what the NDP keeps touting, but to look around one might wonder where the effects of such a boom are being realized other than in the government’s coffers.

As it stands, Saskatchewan’s future prospects are about as promising as the Roughriders winning the Grey Cup next year. Like the Riders, if we keep losing our brightest and best to Alberta, there’s little hope for our success.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier faces off against Lunatic Wife of Famous Rock Star

2006-03-04T03:38:00.000-06:00

I'll admit, I spent a portion of my Friday night watching Larry King Live. But how often can you witness a celebrity billionaire British rock star face off against one of the premiers of a Canadian province? And, over, of all things, the Canadian seal hunt?!

It is my perception that the following things are true: 1. Paul McCartney's wife, Heather Mills McCartney, is a nutjob on a mission to rid the earth of inhumanities and barbarism. 2. Paul McCartney is a pawn in his wife's plan because of his celebrity status. 3. Danny Williams is an incredibly patient person, as demonstrated by the fact that he was able to withstand the ludicrous assertions that Mrs. McCartney espoused on the show.

In all honesty, I have never had any sort of interest in the Canadian seal hunt. I've never paid attention to the debate. The most interested I have been in the past was when I attended a presentation by the Honourable John Crosbie last fall, during which he referred to mother seals as licentious, but that's enough to pique anyone's interest. Up until this point I have held no opinion on the seal hunt and, instead, chose to remain ignorant on the issue. However, my opinion was changed tonight and it was as much the result of Danny Williams' calm and rational commentary on the subject, supported by reasonable facts as it was due to Heather Mills McCartney's bewildering disregard for lucidity and rant about Danny Williams' opposition to "peace talks." Who does she think she is anyway to come to a country about which she obviously exhibits little knowledge and demand that its citizens end a several hundred year tradition that has become part of its culture? And, while I'm at it, it was clear that Paul obviously has an even lesser understanding of our country when he mistakenly thought that PEI was a region of Newfoundland.

Overall, I think that Danny Williams is a good premier and a devout advocate for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Not only is he a successful businessman and a competent leader, but he also exhibits a charismatic quality that so many Canadian politicians lack, particularly many of his counterparts in other provinces (the most obvious of which is our own dear Mr. Calvert). You impressed me tonight, Premier Williams. I wish that the people of Saskatchewan could have a Premier of your competency and character.

Mr. McGuinty, do you really need to give the rest of Canada more reason to dislike Ontarians?

2006-03-02T23:46:00.000-06:00

So Dalton McGuinty wants the Senate abolished. Fair enough. I don't like it either. I wouldn't advocate abolition. It needs to be reformed and I personally would like to see Triple E. That likely won't happen, but it is good to see that Mr. Harper is moving towards at least one of the E's.

Another E that I particularly like in the triple E concept is that of Equal. As in the US model where each province would have an equal number of Senators. This would provide equal provincial representation, which is one of the original purposes of the Senate: regional representation. This would only be fair, as representation in the House of Commons is based on representation by population.

Apparently Mr. McGuinty doesn't agree. He was quoted today as stating that: "We're 40 per cent of the country by way of population and at least 40 per cent by way of contribution to the GDP," McGuinty said. "But we only have 22 per cent of the Senate seats." Poor Ontario. Always overlooked. They don't already run things enough in Canada so obviously they should have a greater proportion of the Senate seats. And, should this not be feasible, just abolish the whole damn thing.

Mr. McGuinty, you're giving your residents a bad name. And you wonder why no one else on the playground wants to play with them?

Alberta's Third Way

2006-03-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

A few weeks following BC's speech from the throne, which stated that the province would be examining alternative methods for health care delivery, Alberta has released its "Third Way" for health care. The 10 point plan outlines an overhaul of the Alberta system. The fact that private health care provision will be introduced for certain procedures is the key aspect of the plan, but what is gaining criticism is the fact that physicians and other health care professionals will be able to practice in both the public and the private systems, a practice that does not occur in most other jurisdictions with dual public/private provision.

The usual suspects: Friends of Medicare, the Alberta Federation of Labour and opposition NDP and Liberals, are not in favour of such a plan, arguing that the "Third Way" will steal professionals away from the public system. Same old rhetoric... However, the Liberals and NDP also argue that this will result in longer wait times. This, in my opinion, is the most bizarre argument put forth by those opposed to the introduction of private medicine. How will wait times increase exactly? I highly doubt that if physicians should leave the public system (which I'm not convinced they will) that wait times in the public system would automatically increase. Is the opposition forgetting that the burden on the public system would be lessened by a dual private option? I would hazard to guess that most people who can afford to pay for these procedures (namely cataract surgery and hip and knee replacements) would opt to have the procedure done as soon as possible, thus freeing up the wait times for those that cannot afford to pay - would this not mean that less doctors are required in the public system?

The introduction of the "Third Way" likely has implications for the Canada Health Act if these procedures can be considered medically necessary. I'm interested to see how the new Harper government approaches these reforms. I would imagine that the majority of the members of the new federal government actually support the reforms in principle, but are they willing to turn a blind eye when Harper promised the defend the Canada Health Act?

Other implications will present themselves for the rest of the provinces should these reforms go forward. The proposed system would be attractive to physicians, possibly luring them from other jurisdictions. Saskatchewan, the province that has lost the most physicians in recent years, might feel the repercussions of these changes the most. This has the potential to seriously hurt the Saskatchewan Health Care system if Lorne Calvert and his socialist cronies continue to support the status quo in the province.

While Klein was quoted yesterday as stating: "The Health System must change to survive, and all premiers agree on that." It's unfortunate that some premiers (namely Campbell and Klein) agree with that concept more than others, such as our own hapless provincial leader.

BC Mixed System

2006-02-15T13:01:00.001-06:00

So upon picking up my copy of the National Post this morning, a headline on the front page of the paper caught my immediate attention: BC EYES MIXED HEALTH CARE. Apparently major health reforms are coming soon in the province, including an examination of the European mixed system.

Those that know me will know that I have advocated for the French System for some time. It is basically a two-tier system. The World Health Organization has given it top marks, referrals are not necessary to see a specialist and wait times are virtually nil. The sad part is, as soon as people in Canada hear two-tier, they start running scared rather than waiting to see what the benefits of such a system might bring over our current mess (thanks Tommy :)).

The throne speech from BC stated as much: "why are we so afraid to look at mixed health care delivery models, when other states in Europe and around the world have used them to produce better results for patients at a lower cost to taxpayers? Why are we so quick to condemn any consideration of other systems as a slippery slope to an American-style system that none of us want?"

Good on you Gordon Campbell. I couldn't have said it better myself. However, to answer your question, it's because we have been cultured to believe that our health care system is a sacred element of our being as Canadians, that Tommy Douglas was some sort of saint, and that our system is the best in the world. If our system is so perfect, why is fixing it such a huge priority of any government, federal or provincial??? Hopefully BC can be a national leader on this issue and show the rest of the country that a better system does indeed exist and that it can exist in Canada as well.

Saskatchewan Party Convention

2006-02-15T00:45:00.000-06:00

The Saskatchewan Party held its most-attended convention to date last weekend in Saskatoon. Although I have been an ardent supporter for years, this was the first convention that I attended, as I had been living in Halifax since 2001. It was not only the first Saskatchewan Party convention that I had attended, but the first political convention that I had ever attended. And, I must report, that I think I am hooked; I am looking forward to the opportunity to attend more conventions in the future.

The weekend's focus was on election preparedness, as there should be a provincial election in Saskatchewan in either the spring or fall of 2007. Momentum for the Sask Party is high and I think that our position in the polls right now is due in large part to Brad Wall's leadership. He delivered a flawless address on Saturday, during which he offered a concluding chapter to the Tommy Douglas fable Mouseland, calling for the return of cats to the running of government. Wall also received a resounding endorsement from the party, garnering a 97.4% vote of confidence.

I am excited and eager for a general election to be called in Saskatchewan; we are long overdue for a change of government in this province. This past weekend further ignated my excitement for this to occur. If the energy and enthusiasm among the delegates at the convention is any indication, the party stands in good stead to knock off Lorne Calvert's tired government the next time around.

First Post...

2006-02-15T00:13:00.000-06:00

I've been talking about starting a blog for a few months now and decided that I might as well get around to doing so. I must admit, during the federal election I became addicted to reading numerous political blogs.