Emails show safety board was told to ‘hold’ report during election- Politics – Canoe.ca

A series of government emails shows an arms-length investigatory body was told that the Prime Minister’s Office wanted it to “hold off” on releasing a safety report into the high-seas death of Laura Gainey.

The emails – which the Opposition argues show inappropriate interference in the independent agency – surround the release of the report by the Transportation Safety Board into Gainey’s death after she was swept overboard from a tall ship in December 2006.

Technorati Tags: Stephen Harper,Accountability

Emails show safety board was told to ‘hold’ report during election- Politics – Canoe.ca

 

Harper says he could be a victim of job losses too- Politics – Canoe.ca

With his attitude and admitting that he doesn’t know what else to do, he deserves to lose his current job.

Technorati Tags: Stephen Harper,Economy,Canada,Stimulus

Harper says he could be a victim of job losses too- Politics – Canoe.ca

 

Recession a ‘relatively mild’ challenge for Canada: Flaherty

Both Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are wearing their rose-tinted glasses while in Europe. Flaherty characterizes Canada’s woes as a ‘relatively mild recession’ while Harper acknowledges that there still big losses expected. It seems unusual to characterize the recession as mild when it is the deepest since 1961. I would hate to live through a deep recession by Flaherty’s standards.

Recession a ‘relatively mild’ challenge for Canada: Flaherty

Technorati Tags: Employment,Recession,Stephen Harper,Canada

 

CANOE — CNEWS – Politics: Ignatieff more favourable: Poll

A recent poll by The Canadian Press Harris-Decima shows Michael Ignatieff is viewed more favourably than either Stephen Harper or Jack Layton.

Leader	Favourable	Unfavourable	Net
Michael Ignatieff, Lib	43%	32%	+11%
Stephen Harper, PC	43%	49%	-6%
Jack Layton, NDP	37%	49%	-12%
Elizabeth May, Green	37%	33%	+4%

Technorati Tags: Michael Ignatieff,Stephen Harper,Jack Layton,Elizabeth May

CANOE — CNEWS – Politics: Ignatieff more favourable: Poll

 

Recession Increasing Interest In Homelessness

Technorati Tags: Homeless,Stimulus,Huffington Post

The recession hasn’t caused the problem of homelessness, but  it has lifted its awareness. In the U.S., one child in 50 is currently homeless. Maybe now we can apply some stimulus projects to the problem and get our people off the streets.

Recession Increasing Interest In Homelessness

 

Well, now that Alberta is doing it …

Alberta has pledged $1.2B for housing for the homeless. Hopefully this initiative will spread across all of Canada. I brought up this point  in a previous blog entry Stimulus for Homeless? 

Well, now that Alberta is doing it …

 

Shirley Strum Kenny: Don’t Foreclose On Our Future: Invest In Public Higher Education

This blog entry talks about many of the pitfalls of recent US government decisions regarding post-secondary education funding. I fear that Canada is falling into the same trap. Being a college instructor, I know first-hand that funding is down over the last few years. My college has been utilizing deficit financing for three years running. Programs are disappearing and classroom sizes are multiplying (my classes have gone from 32 students in 2001 to 60 students for 2009). Canada needs innovation to move past the natural resources based economy of the present. That innovation will either come from our universities and colleges or be imported from economies that have made Education a priority.

Technorati Tags: Canada,Education,Post-Secondary,Innovation

Shirley Strum Kenny: Don’t Foreclose On Our Future: Invest In Public Higher Education

 

globeandmail.com: On the world stage, it’s the Regressive Conservatives

While Canadians watch President Obama reaching out to Iran and Muslim nations trying to find ways to cohabitate  on this earth, Prime Minister Harper is cutting the foreign affairs budget by $639M while increasing the defence budget by $2.4B. Apparently he sees guns as the answer not dialogue.

Technorati Tags: Stephen Harper,Foreign Policy,Defence,Politics,Canada

globeandmail.com: On the world stage, it’s the Regressive Conservatives

 

100 Mile Challenge | 100 Mile Challenge

Speaking of Locavores, FoodTV.ca is launching a new series April 5th. The town of Mission, BC has taken on the challenge to eat only food produced within 100 miles. Six families will be partaking in the challenge. James MacKinnon and Alisa Smith, globally known for their work in the local food movement, host the series.

Technorati Tags: Food,Food Network,100 Mile Challenge,Locavore

100 Mile Challenge | 100 Mile Challenge

 

Plan Canada – Sponsor a Child – Donate to Children’s Charities

Plan Canada is another of my favourite charities. Plan Canada has no religious affiliation. They go into communities in need and build infrastructure (drinking water, farms, schools, health care, shelter) to improve the community and therefore help the children.

I currently sponsor three children (2 girls, 1 boy) from three different countries. I have been doing so since 2006. They send me letters and pictures once a year or so and I reply in kind.

Technorati Tags: Plan Canada,Charity

Plan Canada – Sponsor a Child – Donate to Children’s Charities