Who said these words and when? We have three broad objectives: to develop a more community-based health care system to ensure that patients receive quality medical care as close to home as possible; that the procedures are carried out in a safe, effective manner; and to regulate facilities so that
Continue readingTag: 2012 ontario budget
Politics and its Discontents: The Sky Isn’t Falling (The One-Percent Just Pretend It Is)
One thing you have to hand to the monied class – they are shameless and unconscionable in their hyperbole. Reacting to the imposition of a 2% surtax in Ontario on those making over a half-million per year, they are pulling out all the stops, even invoking the Holocaust as they
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Spring Signs of A Thaw In Our Political Passivity?
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen in print the term ‘Red Tory’, used to describe an economic conservationism balanced by a social progressiveness. Yet it is included in columns today by The Star’s Thomas Walkom and Chantal Hebert as both reflect upon the significance of Alison Redford’s Progressive
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Art of the Possible
People have to give Andrea Horwath full marks for putting into practice the famous quote by Otto von Bismarck: Politics is the art of the possible. Through her willingness to compromise during negotiations with the McGuinty government, not only has she avoided an election that few wanted, but she has
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Victory
Every once and a while, there is a win for the good guys and gals. I don’t know about you, but it is enough to keep me going. Meanwhile, the predictable response from young Tim Hudak, who once more amply demonstrates that he just isn’t ready for prime time politics.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Sunday Reading Recommendation
For an insightful analysis of the choices facing both Andrea Horwath and Dalton McGuinty as they negotiate over changes to the Ontario budget that will win the support of the NDP, check out Martin Regg Cohn’s piece in today’s Star. As he points out, there is considerable risk for both,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Thomas Walkom on Fair Taxation
Long a taboo subject, increasing tax rates for the wealthy is back on the agenda, in no small part due to the Occupy Movement and, more recently, Andrea Horwath. In today’s Star, Thomas Walkom presents an interesting perspective on the issue. You can click here to read it. Recommend this
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Andrea Horwath’s Dance With Dalton
While I continue to remain dubious of what will happen when the Ontario Legislature votes on Dalton McGuinty’s budget, I give the leader of the Ontario NDP, Andrea Horwath, top marks for what she says are her demands for NDP support. It is, however, interesting to note how her plan,
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Ontario Budget 2012: McGuinty avoids war with Hudak and Horwath, by starting one with unions
During the minority government era in federal politics, we all grew accustomed to the annual spring budget dance – a popular budget full of election treats, and never ending speculation over whether or not it would trigger an election. Yet Dalton McGuinty’s first minority government budget felt different. Sure, Tim
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Seismic Activity Reported In Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England
In one of the best examples of doublespeak I have encountered in a long time, Ontario Finance Minister had this to say about wage freezes and bargaining rights yesterday: “Bargaining in good faith is not only the right choice to make, the Supreme Court of Canada requires it,” the finance
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Ontario Budget: Andrea Horwath’s Dilemma
Being the leader of an opposition party in Ontario just got a lot more difficult for one person yesterday. No, I’m not referring to young Tim (not ready for prime-time politics) Hudak, whose response to the Ontario’s austerity budget was both swift and predictable: “It fails to address the job
Continue reading