Canadian Politics Thread

[King Heffy]

3 hours ago, Alflives said:

Alf was being facetious. He thinks this so called evidence is craperolla. We don’t produce more at home. People do a lot better when they work away from home. Except farmers, of course.

This is just one of those “tree hugger” papers. It’s craperolla just like tree hugging is. Get a real job! Lazy plugs. 

https://hbr.org/2020/11/our-work-from-anywhere-future

 

Harvard Business Review is definitely not a tree hugger paper.

[Boudrias]

CTV story this morning that the RCMP will not be investigating PRC money laundering in Canada using organized crime. The federal government has budgeted 

$48.9 million over 3 years. It is considered insufficient. The Hogue inquiry will take testimony from Justin Trudeau on Oct. 16th. Hopefully he will announce the names of those politicians who are on the Chinese payroll inside Canada. 

 

IMHO the book by Sam Cooper, 'Wilful Blindness' should be read by every Canadian. It clearly outlines how the PRC have undermined Canadian national security by smuggling cash into Canada and 'washing' it in BC casinos. That money was then used to but Canadian real estate which has resulted in unaffordable housing for most working Canadians. Some of that money was used to build a meth drug business that is destroying the lives of so many Canadians. 

 

What is happening inside Canada as China destroys the fabric of our society should not be acceptable. IMHO the Liberal government has much to be answerable for. 

[bishopshodan]

5 minutes ago, Boudrias said:

CTV story this morning that the RCMP will not be investigating PRC money laundering in Canada using organized crime. The federal government has budgeted 

$48.9 million over 3 years. It is considered insufficient. The Hogue inquiry will take testimony from Justin Trudeau on Oct. 16th. Hopefully he will announce the names of those politicians who are on the Chinese payroll inside Canada. 

 

IMHO the book by Sam Cooper, 'Wilful Blindness' should be read by every Canadian. It clearly outlines how the PRC have undermined Canadian national security by smuggling cash into Canada and 'washing' it in BC casinos. That money was then used to but Canadian real estate which has resulted in unaffordable housing for most working Canadians. Some of that money was used to build a meth drug business that is destroying the lives of so many Canadians. 

 

What is happening inside Canada as China destroys the fabric of our society should not be acceptable. IMHO the Liberal government has much to be answerable for. 

 

 I read that $5.3bil was laundered through BC realestate, rasing housing prices by 5%.

 

I remember bitching about Mayor Moonbeam when I lived in Van. I feel he was complicit to the Chinese money. I obviously dont have any proof but something about him ( nevermind his girlfriend) I didnt trust. 

[Boudrias]

4 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

 

 I read that $5.3bil was laundered through BC realestate, rasing housing prices by 5%.

 

I remember bitching about Mayor Moonbeam when I lived in Van. I feel he was complicit to the Chinese money. I obviously dont have any proof but something about him ( nevermind his girlfriend) I didnt trust. 

Not sure who Mayor Moonbeam is. This all started with the BC Liberals and one has to wonder who was paid off. The fact that no one was charged is a disgrace. Then the NDP took over and they did not pursue the investigation? Eradicating this problem should be at the top of the 'to do' list of both provincial and federal governments. Yet it is not? Your 5% number is very low IMHO. 

[aGENT]

12 hours ago, Alflives said:

Alf was being facetious. He thinks this so called evidence is craperolla. We don’t produce more at home. People do a lot better when they work away from home. Except farmers, of course.

This is just one of those “tree hugger” papers. It’s craperolla just like tree hugging is. Get a real job! Lazy plugs. 

 

Depends on the role and the person obviously, but that's just not true Alf. People are frequently more productive, with less distractions, no stressful commute etc, at home.

[bishopshodan]

6 minutes ago, Boudrias said:

Not sure who Mayor Moonbeam is. This all started with the BC Liberals and one has to wonder who was paid off. The fact that no one was charged is a disgrace. Then the NDP took over and they did not pursue the investigation? Eradicating this problem should be at the top of the 'to do' list of both provincial and federal governments. Yet it is not? Your 5% number is very low IMHO. 

 

-Gregor Robertson, look into his girlfriend ( and mom)

https://macleans.ca/politics/gregor-robertson-his-pop-star-girlfriend-and-a-corruption-trial/

 

 

-https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/real-estate-bc/consultations/money-laundering

In their review of the sector, the Expert Panel estimated that more than $7 billion in dirty money was laundered in B.C. in 2018, and between $800 million and $5.3 billion was laundered through the real estate market, raising housing prices by an estimated 5%.

[Warhippy]

20 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

 

-Gregor Robertson, look into his girlfriend ( and mom)

https://macleans.ca/politics/gregor-robertson-his-pop-star-girlfriend-and-a-corruption-trial/

 

 

-https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/real-estate-bc/consultations/money-laundering

In their review of the sector, the Expert Panel estimated that more than $7 billion in dirty money was laundered in B.C. in 2018, and between $800 million and $5.3 billion was laundered through the real estate market, raising housing prices by an estimated 5%.

Go all the way back to 2002, it's insane how much was blown through real estate and casinos before the 2018 German report exposed all of them.

 

Amazingly, there's more than a significant few from that same Liberal party now under the Conservative brand

[Boudrias]

37 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

 

-Gregor Robertson, look into his girlfriend ( and mom)

https://macleans.ca/politics/gregor-robertson-his-pop-star-girlfriend-and-a-corruption-trial/

 

 

-https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/real-estate-bc/consultations/money-laundering

In their review of the sector, the Expert Panel estimated that more than $7 billion in dirty money was laundered in B.C. in 2018, and between $800 million and $5.3 billion was laundered through the real estate market, raising housing prices by an estimated 5%.

I would question what info the 'Expert Panel' based their conclusions. I suspect the true amounts brought into BC is not known. Guesstimates? 

[bishopshodan]

1 minute ago, Boudrias said:

I would question what info the 'Expert Panel' based their conclusions. I suspect the true amounts brought into BC is not known. Guesstimates? 

 

There's a 184 page PDF in the link, maybe its in there? I'm not reading it. 

Let me know if it answers your question...

[Warhippy]

6 minutes ago, Boudrias said:

I would question what info the 'Expert Panel' based their conclusions. I suspect the true amounts brought into BC is not known. Guesstimates? 

I would absolutely agree, it would be almost impossible to know how much was laundered through BCs casinos, gambling centres and real estate.

 

The BCREA didn't track that data and the BC Libs allowed them to police and record all of that as they wanted.

 

Casinos didn't make as much mention for large cash transactions in the early through mid 2000s depending on the time of day it went through.

 

We'll never know but from 2002 to say around 2018 when the German report exposed all of it in detail saying tens if not close to hundreds of billions is probably not inaccurate when we realize that in just over a decade over 2 trillion was moved out of China.

[Johngould21]

1 minute ago, Warhippy said:

I would absolutely agree, it would be almost impossible to know how much was laundered through BCs casinos, gambling centres and real estate.

 

The BCREA didn't track that data and the BC Libs allowed them to police and record all of that as they wanted.

 

Casinos didn't make as much mention for large cash transactions in the early through mid 2000s depending on the time of day it went through.

 

We'll never know but from 2002 to say around 2018 when the German report exposed all of it in detail saying tens if not close to hundreds of billions is probably not inaccurate when we realize that in just over a decade over 2 trillion was moved out of China.

Years ago we were at the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam. A young S Asian girl was playing the blackjack table I was sitting at. She was peeling $100 bills out of her purse, like most on the table were taking out $20 bills. We got to talking to her, "what do you do" sort of stuff. I go to SFU she said. Ding, ding, ding! She was no more a student than I was.

[Boudrias]

14 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

 

There's a 184 page PDF in the link, maybe its in there? I'm not reading it. 

Let me know if it answers your question...

Yes, 184 pages. Commissioned by the Minister of Finance in Sept 2018 and report submitted May 2019. The Expert Panel were 3 professors specializing in real estate economics and money laundering. 

Conclusions:

1) BC's real estate market is vulnerable to crime activity and Market manipulation

2) Money laundering causes significant damages to our society. Encourages corruption.

3) Amount of $ is significant but difficult to measure;

                       Canada        BC

            2015     $41.3B       $6.3B

            2018     $46.7B       $7.4B

4) Activity has increased cost of real estate by 5% estimate

5) Beneficial ownership regs have helped

6) Federal anti money laundering legislation in urgent need of reform

7) Investigation enhancement required and a national issue

 

* It is now 2024 or 5 years since this report was tabled. I suspect the level of activity has increased not lessened. 

* In Cooper's book he talks about physcial threats to people who get in the way of the money laundering activity in BC. I suspect that includes politicians and civil     servants. This might be one of the ways that society is corrupted as mentioned in the report. 

* I don't think there is a single political party that has this issue in their platforms.  

[Ricky Ravioli]

On 10/3/2024 at 8:07 AM, RupertKBD said:

 

I'm going to give Ricky some credit and say that he knew that....

 

It's better than his usual sources....

I didn't realize you felt so strongly about Global news and CTV

[RupertKBD]

4 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

I didn't realize you felt so strongly about Global news and CTV

 

Well, they certainly don't measure up to The Beaverton and Babylon Bee.....

[Ricky Ravioli]

17 minutes ago, RupertKBD said:

 

Well, they certainly don't measure up to The Beaverton and Babylon Bee.....

Not a fan of The Onion I take it? 

[Elias Pettersson]

23 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

I didn't realize you felt so strongly about Global news and CTV

 

CTV literally admitted they are fake news, they aren't even hiding it anymore.  They had to fire several employees because of their admission...

[Elias Pettersson]

3 hours ago, Warhippy said:

I would absolutely agree, it would be almost impossible to know how much was laundered through BCs casinos, gambling centres and real estate.

 

The BCREA didn't track that data and the BC Libs allowed them to police and record all of that as they wanted.

 

Casinos didn't make as much mention for large cash transactions in the early through mid 2000s depending on the time of day it went through.

 

We'll never know but from 2002 to say around 2018 when the German report exposed all of it in detail saying tens if not close to hundreds of billions is probably not inaccurate when we realize that in just over a decade over 2 trillion was moved out of China.

 

That's not true.  It's not up to the BCREA to track any data, nobody buys a house and gives their realtor a briefcase full of money.  The money gets laundered through the financial institutions, so they are to blame 100%.  Money also gets laundered through law firms that have a relationship with the banks.  One of the main sources of money laundering was through HSBC and through certain Asian law firms downtown and in Richmond.  

 

Also, that 5% increase in real estate prices because of money laundering is not accurate.  It's probably closer to 100%...

[RupertKBD]

14 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

Not a fan of The Onion I take it? 

 

Huge fan. One of my favorite vegetables....

 

My least favorite are Brussels Sprouts and Donald Trump....

[Ricky Ravioli]

49 minutes ago, RupertKBD said:

 

Huge fan. One of my favorite vegetables....

 

My least favorite are Brussels Sprouts and Donald Trump....

Well this is the Canadian politics thread. I promise you Donald Trump won't hurt you here...

[Ricky Ravioli]

1 hour ago, Elias Pettersson said:

 

CTV literally admitted they are fake news, they aren't even hiding it anymore.  They had to fire several employees because of their admission...

Did heads actually roll? What they did was pretty damn sleazy

[RupertKBD]

9 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

Well this is the Canadian politics thread. I promise you Donald Trump won't hurt you here...

 

Good to know. What about the Brussels Sprouts?

[bishopshodan]

26 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

Did heads actually roll? What they did was pretty damn sleazy

 

Yep, they responded appropriately.

 

PP was happy about it, I guess he no longer deems them fake news, otherwise he wouldnt appear on this show in the link.  Dont tell EP.

 

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/pierre-poilievre-ends-ctv-boycott-appears-on-bell-media-radio-show-after-two-news-staffers/article_8013b992-80c7-11ef-8cec-bb512f0dbad8.html

 

[Satchmo]

32 minutes ago, Ricky Ravioli said:

Did heads actually roll? What they did was pretty damn sleazy

Yes, some people lost their jobs.   To call the whole organization fake news would be quite a stretch though, especially after they owned up and fired the wrong doers.

[bishopshodan]

1 hour ago, Elias Pettersson said:

that 5% increase in real estate prices because of money laundering is not accurate.  It's probably closer to 100%...

 

I dont know if there is a real way to know just how much...but 100% ?

Do you have any source that states even close to that?

 

I remember listening to a real estate expert and he didn't think it had the massive impact that many did. I know you call youself and expert so you must be able to show something?

 

For me, even 5% is too fricking much. 

[Coconuts]

18 hours ago, Alflives said:

Alf was being facetious. He thinks this so called evidence is craperolla. We don’t produce more at home. People do a lot better when they work away from home. Except farmers, of course.

This is just one of those “tree hugger” papers. It’s craperolla just like tree hugging is. Get a real job! Lazy plugs. 

 

Lot of "real jobs" are done from home, Covid accelerated that. Society as a whole had to quickly adjust, and it wasn't uncommon at all for companies and working sectors to conclude that it worked better for them; obviously not all, but a lot of pushback against remote work is likely tied to rent being paid for buildings, equity, and so on. Lot of human services jobs adjusted quickly, universities adjusted. Telehealth options are a thing, folks can do counseling and whatnot via zoom or over the phone. 

 

Lot of people find it provides a better work/life balance. How many hours a year do a lot of people spend commuting to and from work? For some it saves childcare costs. Some folks are simply more comfortable in their own home than a designated work space. Obviously all jobs can't be done remotely, but the uptick of work being done remotely is a good thing imo, particularly for smaller communities with less local work and resources available. 

 

I mean, the second year of my diploma program was online due to Covid, my bachelors program is exclusively asynchronous and was prior to Covid, I've had classmates from all over Canada (and international classmates). Many folks go on to do online masters degrees while working, or beyond, it's a different world.