Jump to content

Canadian Politics Thread


Sharpshooter

Recommended Posts

9 minutes ago, RupertKBD said:

 

So you're not saying that the American system is better? Because that's what I was saying and I clearly stated there were issues with the Canadian system.

I'm sure the American healthcare system is great if you have money. It's one of the best in the world. But no, I prefer the way we do things but unfortunately the people in charge have let our healthcare down

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

After countrywide pre-budget tour, Liberals reveal Tuesday how they'll pay for it all

OTTAWA — With Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland promising to keep the federal deficit from ballooning in Tuesday's federal budget, all eyes will be on the Liberals' plan to pay for their agenda — and whether that could include new taxes on the wealthy.

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/national-news/after-countrywide-pre-budget-tour-liberals-reveal-tuesday-how-theyll-pay-for-it-all-8598046?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2024-04-14

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, 112 said:

After countrywide pre-budget tour, Liberals reveal Tuesday how they'll pay for it all

OTTAWA — With Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland promising to keep the federal deficit from ballooning in Tuesday's federal budget, all eyes will be on the Liberals' plan to pay for their agenda — and whether that could include new taxes on the wealthy.

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/national-news/after-countrywide-pre-budget-tour-liberals-reveal-tuesday-how-theyll-pay-for-it-all-8598046?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2024-04-14

Always warnings about raising taxs on the wealthy or corporations.  Yet every single year the middle and lower class get poorer and the upper class and corporations post record earnings

  • Sad 1
  • Upvote 2
  • Vintage 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, 4petesake said:


 

Again not denying that our system has flaws but for what it’s worth - my brother was feeling ill on Friday night and by Saturday morning felt it was serious enough to get to the hospital. He was looked at and checked into a single bed room with mountain views within 5 minutes. In less than an hour tests showed that he’d had a heart attack. Sunday morning he had an angiogram and three stents put in. Monday morning he is back at home recovering. No bill…

 

I know there are examples of shortcomings in our medical system but sometimes we have to step back and admire the successes and excellent care. Kudos to staff at the Kelowna hospital!

About 7 years ago my brother in law was having heart issues.  They took him to Victoria and he had a triple bypass the next day.  No bill.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Maninthebox said:

 

Good point. The changes to the systems here in Oilberta have been met with the usual mix of 'opinions'. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

it'll take someone with real spine, and a lot of political capital to burn to make the changes in each province that are needed. It probably will only take one to start it all, once its seen as successful the other provincial lemmings will follow.

 

Throwing more money at it isn't the issue imo, its organizing how patients are seen. No politician wants to take that on because no system is perfect, and there will be a "my relative died because of change "X" ". Even though people are dying in ER hallways right now, but there's no specific person to blame. 

 

  • Cheers 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Judge orders Alberta to produce massive trove of coal documents after four-year fight

https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/judge-orders-alberta-to-produce-massive-trove-of-coal-documents-after-four-year-fight-8601780

 

EDMONTON — The Alberta government must produce thousands of documents on its attempts to encourage coal mining in the Rocky Mountains after a judge threw out a bid to block their release.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, The Arrogant Worms said:

Judge orders Alberta to produce massive trove of coal documents after four-year fight

https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/judge-orders-alberta-to-produce-massive-trove-of-coal-documents-after-four-year-fight-8601780

 

EDMONTON — The Alberta government must produce thousands of documents on its attempts to encourage coal mining in the Rocky Mountains after a judge threw out a bid to block their release.

 

'Berta: "People are losing their homes because of the Carbon Tax!" :frantic:

 

Also Berta' "BTW, we'd like to start up some coal mines.....but keep it on the down low"....

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

it'll take someone with real spine, and a lot of political capital to burn to make the changes in each province that are needed. It probably will only take one to start it all, once its seen as successful the other provincial lemmings will follow.

 

Throwing more money at it isn't the issue imo, its organizing how patients are seen. No politician wants to take that on because no system is perfect, and there will be a "my relative died because of change "X" ". Even though people are dying in ER hallways right now, but there's no specific person to blame. 

 

 

True....but we all know who is going to get the blame....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

people know better, even the Trudeau haters know healthcare is run provincially. 

not all of them

 

there are a lot of people in the country without a good understanding of how we're governed

  • Upvote 3
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Bob Long said:

 

people know better, even the Trudeau haters know healthcare is run provincially. 

 

I wish people knew better. You don't want to know how many times I've had debate with people who thought everything to do with healthcare was "Trudeau's fault".

 

The real truth is the average person doesn't care about politics and will never be in this thread, nor will they know or care what body governs what. This is also why things like the carbon tax, which will directly affect this group of potential voters in a way they will deem as being negative, was probably not the smartest move on Trudeau's part.

Edited by The Lock
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, The Lock said:

 

I wish people knew better. You don't want to know how many times I've had debate with people who thought everything to do with healthcare was "Trudeau's fault".

 

The real truth is the average person doesn't care about politics and will never be in this thread, nor will they know or care what body governs what. This is also why things like the carbon tax, which will directly affect this group of potential voters in a way they will deem as being negative, was probably not the smartest move on Trudeau's part.

 

That's what I like about him, he's willing to do some unpopular stuff when it's the right thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

That's what I like about him, he's willing to do some unpopular stuff when it's the right thing.

 

And that's fine if you like it, just don't expect the idea of doing the unpopular to result in reelection. 🤷‍♂️

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, 4petesake said:


 

Again not denying that our system has flaws but for what it’s worth - my brother was feeling ill on Friday night and by Saturday morning felt it was serious enough to get to the hospital. He was looked at and checked into a single bed room with mountain views within 5 minutes. In less than an hour tests showed that he’d had a heart attack. Sunday morning he had an angiogram and three stents put in. Monday morning he is back at home recovering. No bill…

 

I know there are examples of shortcomings in our medical system but sometimes we have to step back and admire the successes and excellent care. Kudos to staff at the Kelowna hospital!

Had a similar experience. Kelowna was great. 

  • Cheers 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, 4petesake said:


 

Again not denying that our system has flaws but for what it’s worth - my brother was feeling ill on Friday night and by Saturday morning felt it was serious enough to get to the hospital. He was looked at and checked into a single bed room with mountain views within 5 minutes. In less than an hour tests showed that he’d had a heart attack. Sunday morning he had an angiogram and three stents put in. Monday morning he is back at home recovering. No bill…

 

I know there are examples of shortcomings in our medical system but sometimes we have to step back and admire the successes and excellent care. Kudos to staff at the Kelowna hospital!

 

Our system is GREAT with critical care for the most part. I had similar experiences with both cancer 15+ years ago and premature twins.

 

Triage exists for a reason. Yeah it sucks when you need stitches in a finger or something and they're treating people with heart attacks, cancer and premature twins first and you're left waiting hours but that's how the system works. It's not first come, first serve. 

 

Does the system have flaws? Abso-f'ing-lutely. Not the least of which is people overcrowding it unnecessarily with crap like the common cold. As @Alflives would say, rest and fluids you moran.

Edited by aGENT
  • Cheers 1
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From housing initiatives to a disability benefit, how the federal budget impacts you

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/from-housing-initiatives-to-a-disability-benefit-how-the-federal-budget-impacts-you-1.6849339

 

Personally disappointed with this as the only item that really impacts me--the disability benefit--appears underfunded, and they've put off the inception of the program until the latest time legally permissible. There's no sense of urgency with it when... 

6194161492e9c55875d45b4f_it's%20my%20mon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/budget-2024-prioritizes-housing-while-taxing-highest-earners-deficit-projected-at-39-8b-1.6848420

 

In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.

 

Aiming to give Canadian millennials and Generation Z "a fair chance at a middle class life," Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's budget outlines how the Liberals plan to allocate $39.2 billion in net-new spending, while upholding the intended fiscal guardrails.

 

Wealthiest Canadians to be taxed more

The most significant new component of Tuesday's budget is a new revenue stream: an increase in taxes on capital gains for Canada's highest earners, projected to rake in $19.3 billion over the next five years.

 

While not exactly the wealth tax or excess profit tax some had suspected, Freeland is targeting the wealthiest 0.13 per cent by increasing the capital gains inclusion rate — the portion of capital gains on which tax is paid – for individuals with more than $250,000 in capital gains in a year.

 

The rate will increase from one-half to two-thirds, and will also apply to all capital gains realized by corporations and trusts. This is expected to impact approximately 12 per cent of Canada's corporations and Canadians with an average income of $1.42 million.

 

This tax change will apply to capital gains realized on, or after June 25, 2024.

 

The Liberals, who vowed to not raise taxes on Canada's middle class, made a point of noting in the budget that this change will not impact 99.87 per cent of Canadians.

 

Freeland also said this increase to the capital gains inclusion rate is not expected to hinder Canada's business competitiveness, as corporations in most other countries pay corporate income tax on 100 per cent of their capital gains.

 

Heading into budget day, economic experts had cautioned that more direct wealth or excess profit taxes could have run counter to the Liberals' efforts to boost productivity, and growth, but opting to go this route is largely being characterized as a safer bet.

 

New details on housing, Gen Z pledges

 

Taking the premise that the best way to make home prices and rents more affordable is to quickly increase supply, the 2024 budget includes the comprehensive package of housing policy initiatives Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have been teasing out for weeks.

 

Promising to build 3.9 million homes by 2031, the housing strategy includes a bevy of measures and $8.5 billion additional spending for building more homes. Much of this spending is spread out over the years ahead.

 

Among the biggest ticket housing commitments are a $15-billion top-up to the Apartment Construction Loan Program; $6 billion for a Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund; as well as $1 billion in loans and $470 million in contributions for a new rental protection fund.

 

The 2024 budget also includes $400 million to top up the Housing Accelerator Fund by $400 million, plus $600 million for a series of new homebuilding innovation efforts aimed at scaling up modular and prefabricated homes.

 

It remains to be seen what the timeline will be for enacting the promised Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights, and select other mortgage and rental rule reforms. Though, allowing 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds, will be available starting Aug. 1, 2024.

 

Policy-wise, the budget offers more intel about plans to enact a "public lands for homes" strategy. According to the government, this initiative intends to "unlock 250,000 new homes" by converting unused office towers, parking lots, Canada Post and National Defence properties, into residential land.

 

Specifically, $1.1 billion is being earmarked over 10 years to convert 50 per cent of the federal government's office space into housing, saving $3.9 billion over that same period of time. It remains to be seen what the pricing strategy will be for this federal effort to sell off, or re-zone, this land.

 

Next steps on social safety net efforts

 

There are a series of chapters within the 2024 federal budget focused on various efforts to expand elements that could be considered part of Canada's social safety net.

 

Newly unveiled Tuesday, this includes $1.5 billion over five years to launch the new national universal pharmacare plan. The first phase, as pre-announced, will help cover diabetes and contraception medications starting this fiscal year.

 

And, the Liberals have finally put funding behind their long-promised Canada Disability Benefit: $6.1 billion over six years and $1.4 billion ongoing, seeing the first payments issued in July 2025.

 

This federal income supplement has been framed as a legacy social policy that will help hundreds of thousands of low-income, working-age people with disabilities, and is meant to supplement existing provincial and territorial benefits. The budget also vows coverage for the cost of medical forms required to apply for this financial assistance.

 

The budget also includes more than a dozen new initiatives connected to the Liberals' longstanding commitment to Indigenous reconciliation.

 

Among them: a promise to spend $927 million over five years on new on-reserve income assistance; $1.8 billion to help Indigenous people exercise their jurisdiction; $5 billion in loan guarantees related to energy projects; and $1.3 million to advance the "Red Dress Alert" (similar to an Amber Alert) initiative.

 

Further, as pre-announced, the 2024 budget includes $1 billion over five years to fund a new national school food program intended to provide meals to 400,000 more kids.

It also earmarks $500 million for a new youth mental health fund; $1 billion in loans and $60 million in grants to build or renovate child-care centres; and $48 million to extend student loan forgiveness for early childhood educators.

 

Small business, research supports

 

Freeland's plans include new measures meant to provide businesses more certainty when it comes to investing in Canada, including a series of incentives and supports to boost productivity.

 

As part of a new small business-focused package, the budget earmarks $200 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, to increase access to venture capital for "equity-deserving entrepreneurs," and those outside of major hubs.

 

Further, the Liberals are promising a new "Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses" that vows to rapidly return the proceeds from the federal pollution price from 2019-20 to 2023-24 to 600,000 businesses with fewer than 500 employees through a new refundable tax credit, estimated to cost $2.5 billion.

 

There's talk of a new Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive to provide a tax break, advancing work on regulatory "sandboxes," further red tape reduction measures and acting on foreign credential recognition.

 

Further, $3.5 billion is being promised for strategic research infrastructure, investments in modernized facilities, including $2.4 billion for core research grants and to foster homegrown talent through improved scholarships and fellowships.

 

As expected, the budget also includes $2.4 billion to build capacity in artificial intelligence, largely for computing capabilities and technical infrastructure.

 

New spending on safety, defence, online harms

 

Lastly, the 2024 federal budget includes the pre-promised billions in defence spending over the long-term and volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credits.

Beyond this on the safety front, the government notes it plans to move ahead with "additional penalties under the Criminal Code for those who commit an auto-theft related offence," and is earmarking $30.4 million for the buyback of assault-style firearms.

 

The budget also includes $273.6 million for Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, and $16 million to help "create a safer and more welcoming sport environment" for all athletes.

 

Related to the yet-to-be-passed online harms legislation, the federal government proposes to provide $52 million over five years, starting this year, to Canadian Heritage and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to fulfill their obligations regarding protecting children, ensuring major online platforms are abiding by the coming new regulations, and to set up the promised Digital Safety Commission.

 

An additional $7.5 million will be going to the Public Health Agency of Canada to support the Kids Help Phone over the next three years, while Public Safety Canada is getting $2.5 million to support the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

 

I don't remember what thread it was in but I was ranting about increasing the capital gains inclusion rate not long ago. Freeland reads CFF confirmed 😉

  • Haha 1
  • ThereItIs 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...