In fairness, a state dinner at the White House is not a common occurrence for Canadian PM’s. If I’m not mistaken the last time the head of state from Canada was the guest of honour at the White House was in 1997. President Clinton warmly welcomed Prime Minster Chretien for an evening of Pomp and Circumstance. Let’s see, Clinton and Obama, Democrats; Trudeau and Chretien, Liberals. I find it deliciously ironic that the intelligentsia always campaigns on helping the impoverished, working for the middle class, saving mother earth, but would never dare using photos of a state dinners when campaigning to the masses. That would be too difficult to square. The all-knowing and chosen ones are best fit to suspend reality. There’s no point trying to square the lavishness because it is too complex for simpletons to understand.  It’s something that’s always done, and that should be enough. Oh wait, Prime Minister Harper never had a state dinner in his honour. I’m sure it was simple oversight and had nothing to do with political ideology.

The poor Conservative and NDP party, all they can do is grit their teeth and watch with envy. What’s their argument, Trudeau shouldn’t attend? Irrespective of which party in Canada is in power, the RSVP would never go back, “sorry, I’m indisposed”. Everybody would go if they were invited. I would!  But like our former Prime Minster, Steven Harper, I never received an invite. No worries Steven, (in my mind I think he reads my blogs) you can come to my place to watch the Stanley Cup play-offs. We’ll watch the game, have a couple beers, and laugh about Justin’s father using the White House swimming pool when he was the honoured guest in the late 60’s. The elder Trudeau is the only Head of State to use the swimming pool at the White House. We should all burst with pride. The then sitting president, Richard Nixon, AKA, tricky dicky, couldn’t stomach Justin’s father. I suspect the elder Trudeau was well aware of that, and to make Nixon nuts he had a pool party. 

The timing of the visit is not a coincidence. Ideological cousins look out for each other, and help when they can. It’s one thing to be photographed while looking at panda bears at a zoo; it’s altogether different having your photo taken while hobnobbing with the leader of the free world. A high profile soiree in your honour gives you political street cred; something which may be needed when trying to sell the soon to be federal budget.

Until next time,

Cheers.

Never, in my wildest dreams did I think that Trump had a chance.  I firmly believed that this was nothing more than a publicity stunt for him, and that Republican Party would do whatever was necessary to put a stop to him. Well, it hasn’t worked out that way. Donald Trump now believes he can become the president of the United States of America, and why wouldn’t he? His candidacy has now become a movement.  The more outrageous his claims become, the more his popularity grows. The more he changes his positions, on a daily basis, the more people lineup up to hear him speak. The angrier he becomes, the more American’s say “he’s our guy”. His road to the White House still has many miles to go. The American political system is a little convoluted. It’s not about the number states he wins, but rather the number of delegates he receives in each state. In many States the delegates are distributed by the proportion of votes the candidate received in the primary election. In other words, if you finish in second, you still win delegates.   To become the republican nominee, Trump would require 1,237 delegates. As of today he has 329 delegates.  So, it would be a little premature of him to start working on his inauguration speech. This may not be resolved until the Republican Conventions takes place. A deal may have to be brokered at the convention, and that would be one hell of a closing act. 

I must admit that the indignation, shock, and dismay that Canadians are exhibiting over the possibility of Trump becoming president is a tad self-aggrandizing. As we’ve demonstrated in the past we do not necessarily elect the most worthy of candidates. I really miss Rob Ford. The problem with politics today is that too many voters look at style rather than substance. Unfortunately, that’s what wins elections. It’s how a community organizer became a president and a former supply school teacher a prime minister. It’s no longer about the resume but rather ones oratory skills. What’s unfolding before us may be a new low in American politics, but as Canadians maybe we should dial back the holier than thou rhetoric. We don’t have the market corned on electing the best and brightest.

I don’t have a dog in this race so it matters little to me who wins the presidency. The current president has treated Canada like an afterthought for the last 7 years, and somehow we still managed to survive. If the new president does the same, and even builds a wall on our border, we’ll do what we always do, carry on. But if I did have vote mine would go to Ted Cruz. It has nothing with his policies. I would vote for him because I’m a patriot. I would love to see a Canadian occupy the Oval Office.

Until next time,

Cheers.

Many Albertans still seethe at the mere mention of Pierre Elliot Trudeau. They think back to the early 80′s, and Trudeau’s National Energy Program, which laid waste to a good portion of Alberta. When you combine the words Alberta and Trudeau, you expect some form of combustion. It’s for that reason I was intrigued to see how our newly crowned Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, would do when visiting the beleaguered province. I suspect it must be a tough pill for Alberta to swallow, asking a Trudeau for help. But ask they should, and must.

I’ll say this about Jr.; he comes across as having far more empathy than his father ever did. That being said, his father was a man of depth; an intellectual, with an extraordinary wit and a sense of timing. He was the smartest guy in the room, and if you needed convincing, he relished the opportunity to prove it. What Alberta doesn’t need right now is a visit from an eastern elitist with an all knowing attitude. I think what they need is to hear some honesty, and to let them know their government won’t make things worse.

For all intents and purposes, the prime minister said all the right things when visiting Alberta. Frankly, there’s not much that neither he nor Ottawa can do at this time. It’s not like they can snap their fingers and set a new price for oil. Saying Ottawa is there to support Alberta is nice, but it can’t be just talk. There is something that could be done right now. Adjust EI eligibility in Alberta for those needing assistance right now. No need to wait until March, when the new budget comes down to announce eligibility changes. People need assistance, now.

There’s a bumpy road ahead for Albertans. It’s bound to create more angst, concern and fear in the near term. The ripple effect from Alberta will spread across the county. I hope our leaders take a pragmatic approach to the issues and challenges at hand. Investing time and financial resources to saving Mother Earth is a noble aspiration, but not at the expense of those you took an oath to serve. 

Until next time,

Cheers.

There’s nothing funny about terrorism, and the ridicule, contempt and derision these mass murderers receive is justly deserved. Now they’ve earned the right to be mocked as well. The absurdity of the article should help all of us put things into perspective. Yes, our economy is sluggish. Yes, the price of oil is causing angst in Alberta. Yes, our dollar has fallen. Yes, our exports have not benefited from a devalued Loonie. But none of these challenges will defeat us. It’s not the first time since confederation that we’ve faced uncertain economic times.  So maybe we should stop acting like it is. Furthermore, no one should question Alberta’s resolve. This is not their first rodeo. Albertans have been there before, and history has taught us they always come out stronger on the other side. It’s what all Canadians do. We thrive I spite of the circumstances.  Could things be better economically? Of course. Could they be worse? You bet. Like having a drone missile aimed at us, with the sole purposes of getting us to the hereafter, a lot quicker, while being forced to take a pay cut.

Until next time,

Cheers.

Most of us are accustomed to hearing about government waste. Regrettably, government waste has become like death and taxes. Fight it all you want, rile against it, but you’ll always finish in second. But when an audit is released, which rivals that of FIFA’s (international governing body of football), all of us should be very worried about finishing second. Here’s an excerpt from today’s National Post:

“By ignoring their own energy planning legislation, the Liberal government has cost consumers billions on their hydro bills. The average electricity bill rose 70% between 2006 and 2014, at least in part because the government ignored its own expert advice, the report notes. That has already cost consumers $37 billion in payments to power generators under what the government calls Global Adjustment.  By 2032 they will pay another $133 billion or $170 billion over 26 years”. 

It’s almost impossible to square those numbers, and to rationalize it because it’s so outlandish.  To make matters worse, when your own experts have been telling you not to do this and that your plan is horribly flawed, but you chose to ignore the council for ideological reasons, it is the highest form of tax payer contempt. Also from the National Post:

“There’s much to learn from the report.  Most importantly, its account of Ontario’s handling of the provincial electricity industry should serve as a red flag to all Canadians. At a time when governments at all levels are planning to embark on massive infrastructure and climate projects – from mass transit in Toronto to carbon control extravaganzas in Alberta – the electricity reports suggests Canada’s political regimes may not be up to governance levels required”. 

The only issue I take with that position is the use of the word “may”. Clearly the word should be changed from “may” to “are”, and drop the “be”. 

Show of hands, who wants fresh air and clean water?  Not surprisingly, everyone does.  But who is going to manage the process, effectively?  What are the real costs associated with “clean” energy?  What are the unintended consequences?  Very little is spoken about the flip side of the coin. Yet elections are won today, across this country, by simply saying we have to save the planet. I’m in total agreement that we all have a responsibility to mother earth. I am not a climate change denier. But zealots, of any stripe, always concern me. I’m prepared to do my part, case in point: I just purchased an electrical car. I have green licence plates; the Ontario government issues those for green vehicles. I love the car, and I get some satisfaction knowing that while I’m driving I am not contributing to pollution levels. But what I would like to know is: will I be able to afford a car in the future? Because my standard of living may take hit because of flawed government policy and management. I say that with tongue firmly planted in cheek, but when taxpayers needlessly pay multiple billions of dollars, I think it’s hard to argue there’s a cause and effect.

With regard to a reference I made above, comparing FIFA and their executive to the Ontario Liberal government, I was way out of line. My apologies… to FIFA.

Until next time,

Cheers.

I was eligible to vote for the first time in 1978, and since then I have never missed the right to exercise my franchise. I never understand when people say, “What’s the point of voting, it’s not going to make any difference”. To me the point is that we have the right to vote, and that never should be taken for granted. To illustrate how precious the right is; take a moment to take stock of the oppression and brutal disregard for basic human rights around the world today. In parts of the world the oppressors will allow access to Facebook, but allowing an election which will determine who the leader of their country will be?  Well, that’s just a notion too far. Technological advancement is a by-product of society’s enlightenment, and nothing contributes to that more than the simple act of marking an X on a ballot. 

I do understand why voter cynicism and apathy exists. We all know, or least came to expect that politicians are less than truthful. They will say whatever is necessary to get a vote. Therefore, many voters to decide who to vote for based on whom they dislike the least. I must confess, that this is exactly the position of found myself in this time around. One party thought a good idea would be a good idea to have leader with zero experience. Said party stole the Obama playbook – redistribution of wealth, blah blah – and would leave you with the impression that everything about this country is in shambles; how intellectually lazy. One of the other party leaders said that if another referendum was held in Quebec, he would honour a 50% plus 1 vote. Yet the Supreme Court of Canada has already ruled on that issue, and the court concluded that formula would not justify breaking a country apart. I like my prime ministers to obey the law and not think they’re above the law; I guess I’m funny that way. Then, you have a party that likes to profess that they believe in a free market economy and business innovation. However, regulatory and bureaucratic arms of the government are constantly being reinforced to negate innovation. In other words, “I’m going to make it difficult for you to be successful, so can I count on your vote?”

In this election you may have to vote while plugging your nose at the same time. I voted this past weekend, advance polls, and I actually contemplated destroying my ballot. But alas, I chose not to. I finally figured out who I disliked the least, and that’s who got my vote. As flawed as that may sound, I vote to honour those who spilled their blood to give me the right to do so. I figure it’s the least I can do.  On October 19th, please vote, and encourage others to do so as well. 

Until next time,

Cheers.

I needed to catch my second wind on the “tour”, and I received it from the most unusual source. I just finished my presentation in Vancouver, actually it was in Surrey BC, and I quickly had to go back to my room, pack and check out.  I entered the elevator on the 20^th floor, and there were two plain clothed policemen in the elevator giving me the once over. Badge and guns were visible, as well as their ear pieces and cords tucked into the collars of their shirts. A number of things started to race through my mind. Firstly, I was in Surrey – and this was probably normal. I’m just kidding. I lived in Vancouver for eight years, and while living there I picked up some snooty habits – like poking fun at Surrey; my apologies. For a second I thought the cops noticed my fashion faux pas that morning and that’s why they were scoping me out. If they did notice, they’re good.  I was wearing an Armani suit, a custom tailored dress shirt, personally monogrammed, a tie and pocket handkerchief that popped, topped off with a pair of Louis Vuitton dress shoes. Maybe they noticed that I wasn’t wearing cufflinks, forgot to pack the damn things, and instead I had to use paper clips to hold the French Cuffs together. As soon as my moment of narcissism passed, I realized why they were checking me out. There in the corner of the elevator, strategically standing behind the police was the leader of the NDP (New Democratic Party) Thomas Mulcair.

Mr. Mulcair was making a campaign stop in Surrey, so here I was standing in the elevator with a man who could become the next prime minister of Canada. When I realized who I was sharing the elevator with, my first thought was to pull out my mobile phone and get a selfie with him. Problem was the phone was in the inside pocket of my suit jacket, and I didn’t want to spook his security detail by making a sudden movement like I might be reaching for something else. The thought of dying for the NDP, and never hearing the end of it in the afterlife, caused me to stay perfectly still. Thankfully, Mr. Mulcair made the first move. Like all good politicians he stuck out hand to shake mine, and asked me how I was.  I said “I’m doing well, thank you for asking”. Then, for some reason I asked him question that surprised even me when I heard out loud. I said, “sir, you’re in the home stretch of the election, how you holding up?” I went for the personal rather than his policies. His answer was what I should have expected, “I feel great and the party is energized. I’m looking forward to the election”. Problem is that his eyes deceived him. He looked tired and weary. Maybe that’s why I asked him the question in the first place. Beyond the party platforms, beyond the policies, beyond the debates, there’s a person. The grind that he and the leaders of the other two parties are going through must be soul sucking. Success of any kind requires one to pay a price, and there’s no price big enough that these individuals are not willing to pay.  Elections are high stakes; big wins and crushing defeats. As I was leaving the elevator I said, “Mr. Mulcair, good luck to you on the 19th, and good health to you and your family”. I couldn’t bring myself to say to him that he has my vote because that would be a lie. But just because our political beliefs are diametrically opposed, doesn’t mean that simple civility has to take a back seat.

So I want to thank Mr. Mulcair for snapping me out of my lethargic state, and for reminding me that a “grind” is all relative, and that people on the left are human, just like they are on the right.

Until next time,

Cheers.

"The only way the system will change is if we, the majority of Canadians, force the politicians into doing something."

My brother started experiencing sharp stomach pains early last week. My brother has a high threshold for pain so when he mentioned that he was experiencing pain my radar went off immediately. The next day the pain persisted and became more pronounced. I told him to go to emergency but he said: “I’m going to give it another day because I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I’m sure it will be better tomorrow.” Tomorrow came and so did more pain. Off to the doctor he went. His family physician ordered an ultrasound, and upon review of the results, the doctor’s diagnosis was that the pain was probably caused by gas. He prescribed what amounts to nothing more than antacids. A few hours later I called my brother to see how he’s doing and he answered “not well.” I told him I didn’t give a damn what his doctor said, we had to get him to emergency immediately. He agreed and his wife took him to the hospital.

My brother got to emergency at 5:30pm and after a few hours the doctor treating him ordered another ultrasound. At midnight the doctor notified my brother that he wasn’t going anywhere. His appendix had ruptured and surgery would be required. We’re still not sure how his family physician mistook gas for a ruptured appendix, but needless to say my brother will not require his services ever again.

I couldn’t make it to the emergency room until 9:30pm that evening. To see my brother sitting there, I.V. attached to him, resting his head on the wall in an attempt to get relief, just killed me. I’m wired to fix things and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do. I was sitting next to my brother when the doctor came at midnight to tell him he wasn’t going anywhere because his appendix would have to be removed. He apologized and said he might have to sit in the waiting room until the morning because there weren’t any beds available. My mind started to race and I thought I would go home, get a reclining lawn chair from my backyard and set up a makeshift bed so he could get some comfort. To everyone’s relief a nurse came forward and said that she had a solution, bless her heart. She found a gurney for him to lay down on in one of the examination rooms.

Once my brother was comfortable, due in large part to the morphine drip, I could retreat to my own thoughts. Of all the voices in my head, the loudest one was saying, “how can a country with a standard of living such as ours, reduce health care to this?” To be absolutely clear, our doctors, nurses, technicians, support staff etc., do an amazing job. It’s the strain and the weight of the system that leaves medical practitioners no choice but to keep patients waiting hours for treatment and in some cases, left sitting in hallways to wait for a bed to become available. The responsibility for the state of our health care system today falls squarely on the shoulder of our policy makers. Politicians in our country do not have the courage to confront the sacred cow, better known as universal health care.

For the record (in the event I decide to enter into politics one day and someone claims that I once said that the sick should be left to die on the sidewalk because they couldn’t afford health care) I believe every Canadian has a fundamental right to health care, irrespective of economic standing. But I also believe it is irresponsible to continue on a path that will ultimately lead to a poorer standard of health care and ultimately bankrupt the system. It’s time for us to have an honest dialogue and dismiss those who always invoke the class warfare argument when this subject is broached.

Allowing for a multi-tiered health care system does not mean that the poor and indigent would not have free access to health care. It would mean that there would be different ways to distribute health care, thus relieving some of the pressure on government funded health care. A user pay system or some form of privatization will have to be a part of the solution. By the way, it’s creeping into our system already. For example, there are two private health care facilities within walking distance of my office. I know this because I’m a member of one. I pay an annual fee and that accords me the right to access a doctor, nutritionist, physiotherapist etc. I had to join because when I moved back to Toronto from Vancouver, I had a hard time finding a family doctor. Why? Offices were not taking new patients. So much for universal health care.

I’ll gladly pay, on top of what I already pay through taxes, for the ability to see a doctor. Being a member of a private health care facility does not mean I get bumped up in the queue for tests. In the last two years I needed to have an MRI and C-SCAN and in both cases the wait time was between 4 to 6 weeks. At my request the private facility arranged for the tests to be done in Buffalo, New York, at a cost of approximately $250 per test. I had the tests done within 48 hours. I would have gladly paid that sum for the ability to have the test done in my own country. Maybe I’m missing something but I think private clinics would lessen the burden on the government system, thus increasing the efficiency of care.

Our multi-tiered system is also made obvious when we look at how athletes receive treatment. Why is it the case that if I’m a professional hockey player in this country and I hurt my knee on a Saturday night, an MRI is done on Sunday, and the surgery is on Monday? Could the teams be paying for it directly? I wonder. Should we believe that MP’s, Cabinet Ministers, and the PM himself would wait 4 to 6 weeks for an MRI, or wait in the emergency room for 8 hours? Once again, just wondering.

The only way the system will change is if we, the majority of Canadians, force the politicians into doing something. A politician has two primary goals: getting elected and then getting re-elected. Up until now, doing nothing about the health care systems hasn’t cost them votes. There will be no change unless that changes.

Back to my brother, he’s recovering and doing well. Not back to normal but getting close. One thing about this ordeal is we learned about our father’s brush with appendicitis. It happened back in 1966. One night my dad was in excruciating pain. My mom called their family physician, in the evening no less, and the doctor did what doctors did at that time. The doctor made a house-call, took one look at the condition my dad was in and proceeded to escort him to his own car and he drove my dad to the hospital. My dad was operated on within an hour of arrival.

Until next time

Cheers

The Drummond report was released last week, and based on his recommendations one has to wonder if the governing Liberals didn’t take their cue from the Greek Government. The Drummond Report, all 543 pages of the government commissioned report, clearly states that if Ontario does not take the necessary steps to get its fiscal house in order, Ontario is in a world of hurt. Ontario could be heading for $30 billion deficit, and a debt to GDP ratio above 50%. So how did we get into this financial mess in the first place? Cue the European political methodology, entitlements and buying votes. If your sole purpose is to get reelected, and you disregard the public purse, you end up with the mess that residents of Ontario now find them in. A quote from the Globe and Mail captured it accurately, “to avoid financial disaster, the province needs to cut public spending to an extent that will dwarf what happened during the Mike Harris era”. Residents of Ontario remembered what happened during the Harris era, massive demonstrations by the labour movement and demagoguery by those on the left. Never mind the cuts made during the Harris era that were necessary, nope, it’s all about getting reelected and letting the next guy figure it out. The problem for the Ontario Liberals they are the next guy’s. Frankly, that’s a problem for the taxpayers in Ontario as well.

The governing Liberals introduced subsidized daycare, pardon me, that’s called full day kindergarten. Their record on health care has been a disaster; see the billion dollar E-Health boondoggle. In Ontario close to 14,000 non-teaching jobs have been created since 2003 in, not to mention P.E. Days galore. Taxes and levies have been increased on a regular basis. The Liberals gave the city of Toronto the right to add a separate land transfer tax on every real estate purchase in Toronto. The list goes on and on. Yet the government who created the problem is now being asked to fix it? Being a tax payer in Ontario, I don’t have enough money left over to place a wager, but if I was a betting man I would put my money on inaction. As long as there’s apathy among the voters, and the only voices heard are those of special interests, nothing will get done. But what gives me some sense of hope is that recently the voters in Ontario have protested at the ballot box. It was Ontario that gave the Federal Conservatives a majority government. There was a changing of the guard at Toronto Socialist City Hall. By the time the last Provincial Election was held voters in Ontario were suffering from voter fatigue. Here’s hoping the voters of Ontario have adequately recovered, and they demand action.

The voters in Ontario could learn a lesson from our friends out west. The voters of Alberta take a pragmatic approach to politics. When they’re flush with tax dollars they allow their politicians to spend. If being fiscally prudent is required voters in Alberta will hold their politicians feet to the fire, and insist that they enjoy experience. The voters of B.C. are from being described as right of centre but they will protest with their ballots. We here Ontario don’t have far to look for lessons in political accountability, and we’re getting better at it. But the time has come for Ontario voters step up even more.

Ontario’s struggles often elicit chuckles and snide remarks from other parts of the country. Our smugness, arrogance and centre of the universe mentally aside, an economically unhealthy Ontario impacts Canada’s prosperity. We here in Ontario have a responsibility to force our politicians to Wright this mighty ship. People of Ontario deserve it, as does the rest of the country.

Until next time.

Cheers

That seems to be the reaction for  voters in Ontario.   There’s a provincial election on October 6, and I can’t recall an election where there’s been so little chatter, buzz, debate or general interest.  Sure, the media is doing its part but the voters don’t seem to care.  My conclusions are not based on any data or polling results.  My hypotheses is based on simple interaction with co-workers, neighbors, friends and family.  No one really seems to care or is that interested.  I think the voters in Ontario are suffering from election fatigue.  In the last six months voters in Ontario went to the polls for Municipal and a Federal election, and now we’re a week away from a Provincial election.  That’s a lot of bickering, empty promises and name calling to endure in a short period of time.  The voters must be numb because  their level of engagement defies the facts.  The fact is the incumbent, Premier Dalton McGuinty, is in a virtual tie with Tim Hudak, leader of the PC Party.  That doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Here are some facts to ponder; McGuinty promised not to add to the provincial debt.  Yet Ontario’s deficit has grown every year while he was at the helm.  The deficit in 2010 was $21 billion, and projections indicate that there will be a further deficit of $15 billion in 2011.  McGuinty promised no additional taxes.  Yet he was responsible for increasing health care premiums, HST, increased electricity rates by 75%, an ECO tax on paint cans, window washer fluid, a disposal tax on all electronics, disposal tax on tires, increased licensing fees for cars, boats, fishing and hunting, and reversed protections set forth in the Taxpayer Protection Act.  There was a promise to fix the property tax system.  Property taxes assessment were frozen for two years, and since then there’s been a substantial increase.  He also gave Mayor David Miller the right to impose an additional 5% land transfer tax for properties purchased in Toronto.  He promised to reduce auto insurance by 10% within his first 90 days of taking office.  The reality is that never happened, and today Ontario has the highest auto insurance rates in Canada.

The purpose of this blog is not to endorse a specific candidate.  Voters in Ontario still have time to become engaged, and ask the hard questions.  I think the most important question to ask is,  “are we better off now than we were before”.  For each voter the answer will be different.  But it appears the questions are not being asked.  The facts indicates that there should be vigorous debate over the issues among the electorate.  Yet in Ontario, it appears the facts have made voters sleepy.

Until next time,

Cheers.