New Brunswick Politics

It's about freakin time somebody spoke up!!

(VIa CBC)
Flaherty imposes new tax on income trusts
and
(Via CTV)
Flaherty plans changes to curb income trusts

Kudos to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the Harper government for taking this "BULL" by the horns.

Income trusts are baloney for everyone but the companies that undertake them. It's all about avoiding the Corporate tax man. The devil as always of course will be in the details, which i'm waiting anxiously to see.......but on first glance this is great news.........

Why should pensioners and widows get the short end of the stick so companies like Bell can avoid paying taxes like other Canadians......

**EDIT**
I had been wondering if the Bell and Telus plans would prompt action like this from the feds. Too bad they didn't act sooner before Aliant (Now Bell Aliant) went this route.......
Flaherty's plan gives existing trusts a 4 year grace period......(I think 2 would have been enough.) They also propose a 1/2 percent decrease in the corporate tax rate....in 2007.
I imagine the big Corps. like Bell and Telus will be screaming bloody murder tommorrow.......that should be a hint to the average Joe, that overall it's much more fair than the previous rules......

Also, another Kudos to Flaherty for the announcement regarding rules for seniors......income splitting for pensioners, and an increase in the Age Credit Amount by $1000.
Obviously good ideas for a government rumored to be coveting a spring election......

But no matter what the underlying reason........good moves just the same.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 7:18 PM | Permalink | |

Well, it's that time that most political junkies love.......U.S elections. Granted, if you're like me, it's the "BIG" Presidential that really captures the attention. But I found a few minutes to pop over to Scott's (A.K.A The Sorry Centrist) pool at Predict 06 and toss my predictions into the fray for the midterms.

Who knows........maybe you'll win a prize........

Wrap my mug carefully Scott......I don't want any chips when I add it to my mug collection! LOL

PNB

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:08 PM | Permalink | |

Well, I think this will be the new look..........

Having some problems tonight getting the haloscan comments back up.......

Hopefully I'll be able to get them back in the morning.....as well as the links........

PNB

Posted by PoliticsNB at 12:52 AM | Permalink | |

Well, now that i've hit and passed the one year mark, I'm thinking it's time to do some upgrading around here.......i've grown tired of the look.

I'm going to be making some changes over the next few days.


The colder weather is upon us, and I expect to be fully back in the saddle shortly.......

I guess after 1 full year, if i've learned anything, it's that i'm a 'cold weather" blogger........lol

Time to fill this sucker with some fresh content to go along with a new look.........

Stay tuned.......

PNB

Posted by PoliticsNB at 10:49 PM | Permalink | |

Interesting article on Politics Watch today. Is Stephen Harper losing his tight grip?

Seems rather early for the knives to come out. But then again, given the latest Poll Numbers there has to be some head scratching going on within the PC ranks. I mean c’mon, a leaderless party, coming off a major scandal like adscam that cost them the election, polling neck in neck with an 8 month old governing party??? That can’t exactly be a confidence builder for the conservative caucus. Admittedly I'm no CPC fan, but even I'm surprised at this one………….The Conservatives should be riding high right now……..but seem to be just scraping by??

Not a death knell of course……….it’s still early, and I expect these numbers will rebound……..But lets be honest…….shouldn’t the numbers be better for the Conservatives right now??

Posted by PoliticsNB at 10:36 PM | Permalink | |

So as you can tell from my blog below this one, I support Garth Turner as far as his right to blog, and talk about his thoughts and ideas online……I still think he got the shaft, despite the goings on over the last couple of days……..

NOW
After reading various opinions about this one around the net, and catching Turner on “The Hour” with Georgie Boy on CBC last night, and the some of the discussions such as This One over at The Sorry Centrist I have to ask the question……….

Since Garth was so adamant about David Emerson having to face a by-election (an idea which I supported by the way) shouldn’t Garth have to do the same if he joins the Green Party??? I mean getting booted out of the Conservative Party and sitting as an independent is one thing, but if he joins another party, even one with no seats in the Commons, shouldn’t he, given his own ideas on the subject have to face the electorate???

My own opinion is yes. Seems to me it would be pretty hypocritical for him not to.

How about it Garth………are you going to walk the walk??

Posted by PoliticsNB at 10:09 PM | Permalink | |

I knew the current crop of Federal Conservatives don't like anyone in the party to show they have a brain, and may disagree with some of the party ideas.......but wow!

Today, Halton, Conservative MP Garth Turner was kicked out of the governing Conservative Party caucus because he is alleged to have “broken caucus confidentiality.”

Bullshit.

Garth Turner, was kicked out because of his political views, many of which you can check out for yourself at Garth's Blog It’s a simple case of the “Bush” style that Mr. Harper and his gang are so fond of. “You are either with us or against us.” There is no place in the Conservative Party of Canada it seems for somebody who speaks his mind and shows some courage and backbone. I guess they prefer “YES men” instead.
Garth has been taking heat from many in the party, including the Prime Minister, since day one for his blog, and posting his views online. Remember when Garth was called to the carpet for posting his views about the David Emerson affair??

Apparently, what we have in the conservative party of Canada is a group of control freaks who, if they cannot control you, simply drum you out. We’ve seen this Time and Again that if you don’t toe the CPC party line, then you will be muzzled, or taken out.

....it seems that being honest and speaking your mind make you an undesirable in this “New” federal Conservative party.....

Only the naïve could possibly think this one didn’t come from the top ranks of the party...out of spite.

You Go Garth....keep blogging, and representing your constituents of Halton.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:16 PM | Permalink | |

{Via CBC: Ferry deal hung up on details }

So am I the only one that thinks this government bail out is a bad idea?? I'm not without feeling for those that depend on it, and the jobs involved, but facts are facts. It's not being used enough to make it viable....end of story. All the government money in the Canada will not change that fact. Having recently priced this excursion across the bay, I can tell you, its way, way cheaper to drive around. Obviously it's not as convenient, but what the land route lacks in convenience, it makes up for in the pocketbook. Even at $1.20 a liter, if you have any sort of reasonable vehicle on fuel.....it's still much, much cheaper. Seems to me Bay Ferries have priced themselves out of business. I understand it's expensive to run this ferry, and the company has to make money......but if you price it so it's no longer affordable to the average Joe.....well.......it's not rocket science.

So all levels of government toss some money in the pot.......then in 2 years Bay Ferries is back looking for more......how is this much different from the old days when the Government ran the ferry if the government has to pay to keep it running??

A very bad precedent.......IMO.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 12:16 AM | Permalink | |

{Via CBC: Liberals hire auditor to review government records }

Good idea.........pretty standard. But besides those areas mentioned....health care, and pension plans........perhaps now that the PC's are out of office, we can finally get the truth about what Lord's promise to remove the highway tolls actually cost New Brunswickers?? I have a feeling the true cost was much higher than was ever revealed.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 7:14 PM | Permalink | |

So the big news around the southern part of NB this week, besides Graham's "letter of intent" for harbour cleanup in Saint John (which I'll believe after I see the feds actually pony up the dough they keep talking about) is of course the news of the proposed Irving Refinery in Red Head.

I may as well state right off the bat; I support this idea of a second refinery. I know I’m going to catch it from the environmentalists on this one.......but so be it. Some seem to forget that Saint John is at heart an industrial city. As goes the industry, so will go Saint John. 1000 full time refinery jobs is nothing to shrug of lightly. Ask those currently employed at the Refinery all ready located in Saint John, or in supporting industries around the city. That sucker puts a lot of bread and butter on a lot of tables, not to mention gravy and whipped cream and cherries.

NOW, with that said, I’m not without concerns about the environment of course. But you know, Irving is a favorite whipping boy of people like the conservation council etc, being the cities largest employer, but to be quite honest, as recently as 20-25 years ago, you couldn’t drive close to Saint John without literally gagging from the smell from the mills. Is it 100% gone? Of course not……..but it’s a damn site better now than what it once was. Irving companies have invested millions in each mill, and the refinery, to put scrubbers, and other pollution controls in place to make it better. Sure I want to see more done. I would also like to see some plans from the Irving group on what they can/will do to address the added pollution this project is sure to bring.

I will bet that the majority of Saint Johners will support this idea at the end of the day, just as obviously the majority support LNG in the city. There is a minority that does not of course, and they should be listened to as they bring their concerns to the table. But at the end of the day, most will support it, because despite the faults………it’s in the best interest of the city.

It’s not like many others are lining up with other projects and ideas.

This blog won’t be very popular with the anti-Irving contingent out there I dare say. But since I work in one of those “spin-off” industries, I know what a project like this could mean to the city. The needs of the many etc, etc……….

So flame away……….I can take it.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:40 PM | Permalink | |

To this point I haven't posted anything about the Liberal leadership race. Mostly because........well.....to be blunt.....I simply do not care much at this point.

Ignatieff seems to have the lead at this point over Rae. The question i've been asking myself is who is more electable to Canadians?? So far I haven't come to a solid conclusion. Iggy doesn't really inspire me. But Rae carries a lot of baggage from his stint as Premier of Ontario. Granted, he inherited a mess to begin with, but in politics....well......that damn "optics" thing again.

So, in a federal election who would be better for the Liberals?? You tell me...... Given the recent history of the Federal Liberals, it’s a tough gig for whoever wins.

I think either Iggy or Rae could debate circles around Harper. Not that Harper is not a smart guy.....he certainly is.....I’ve not always been kind to Mr. Harper about certain things....but dumb he most certainly is not. Bottom line, the Liberals need to look at the big picture.......who is the best choice to go against Stephen Harper on the issues in the next federal election. I'll be darned if I can pick one. I would almost have to guess, that barring some catastrophe on the conservative side of things, we’ll see a majority conservative government next time around….(Did I just say that?? LOL)………so the next Liberal leader will have to hone his skills on the opposition benches for awhile.

If I had to pick a horse at this point, I’d say Iggy, but we’ll see………

On the plus side for Rick Mercer, and the political cartoonists........Prime Minister Iggy has some definite opportunities for humor........LOL

Posted by PoliticsNB at 11:38 PM | Permalink | |