Liberals break pension plan promise with Bill C-27

On October 19, 2016, the anniversary of the Liberal government's election, Finance Minister Bill Morneau introduced his Target Benefit Plan (Bill C-27). It establishes a framework for target benefit pensions in the federal private sector and Crown corporations. The bill was introduced without any press release and no advance notice to unions, pension plan members or retirees, and no public consultation.

Liberal ‘Gerrymandering’ Handed Them Election Win: Analyst

The government’s manipulation of British Columbia’s electoral boundaries benefited the BC Liberal Party in last week’s election, according to one political analyst.

In an article titled “Gerrymandered ridings gave BC Liberals narrow election win,” Will McMartin details in the Pacific Political Report newsletter how the BC Liberals succeeded in rigging the boundary setting process to benefit themselves.

BC Liberals Have Now Returned Nearly $250,000 in Illegal Donations

Through the heart of the British Columbia election campaign, the BC Liberal Party has continued to return prohibited political contributions worth thousands of dollars.

In the last two weeks, according to summaries Elections BC released May 3 and April 26, the party has returned 49 donations totalling $73,348.

BC Pays a ‘Huge Premium’ for Contracting Out Health Admin: Analyst

When looking at how payments to a private contractor to administer the Medical Service Plan and Pharmacare programs have ballooned, the real comparison should be to what it would cost the B.C. government to do the work itself, says a former government policy analyst.

“It’s a huge, huge premium we’re paying for this, compared to what it would cost if we were doing it in house,” said Don Scott, a retired civil servant who worked for MSP from 1998 to 2004.

Kinder Morgan's $771,000 donation to B.C. Liberals raises red flags while Premier shifts to damage control

The B.C. Liberals are under scrutiny for accepting significant donations from lobbyists, including those connected to the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, sparking an RCMP investigation.

According to Dogwood, a grassroots advocacy group, some of these sizeable donations have come from individuals connected to Kinder Morgan, only furthering their concern that the B.C. Liberals' support of the energy company’s Trans Mountain pipeline was given with a conflict of interest.

Christy Clark Should Share the Wealth Premier's $50,000 pay top-up could do some real good

"I think members of the legislature, people who have to run for office, know the connection between money and influence on what laws get passed." -- U.S. Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Premier Christy Clark is paid $195,000 a year by taxpayers, but that's simply not enough money to get by on. So the BC Liberal Party gives her another $50,000.

'Condemn' Canadians? What Would Dad Say, Justin?

Justin Trudeau is fine with violating Canadians' basic rights enshrined by his father 35 years ago.

This we learned when Trudeau's government chose to "condemn" any Canadian who supports a non-violent strategy of Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions (BDS) until such time as Israel recognizes the rights of the Palestinian people.

Liberals' shameful BDS stand gives carte blanche to Israel

Here's a Middle East multiple choice question for you (warning: one of these will get you condemned by the government of Justin Trudeau).

Would you rather that the Palestinian people 1) once again take up armed struggle in order to end Israeli occupation of their land or 2) pursue a non-violent strategy of Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions (BDS) until such time as Israel recognizes the rights of the Palestinian people?

Bill C-24: Liberals Seek To Repeal Tories' Controversial Tory Changes On Citizenship

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals are getting started on repealing some of the previous government's sweeping — and controversial — changes to how people get or lose Canadian citizenship.

But the Liberal plan promises to be controversial in its own right, since it would, if passed, restore the Canadian citizenship of Zakaria Amara — sentenced in 2010 for his role as a member of the so-called Toronto 18.

Mandated by the Liberal government: Conservative economics

In June 1966 I joined the Department of Finance in Ottawa where I was assigned to international programs. Canada had committed to spending one per cent of GDP on international development. GDP was growing so fast it was hard for federal government spending on foreign aid (as it was then called) to catch up, and in fact it never did. Successive governments changed the target, and then abandoned it, even as growth faded, and was replaced with the economic stagnation of today.

What makes an economy grow? In 1966 the unemployment rate was the lowest in the postwar period, and employment growth had been strong for years.

Liberal Party Uses Remembrance Day To Identify Potential Supporters, Donors

OTTAWA — Lest we forget, politicking evidently never stops, even on Remembrance Day.

The Liberal party, flush from the Oct. 19 election victory, is using the solemn occasion to continue trying to accumulate information on potential supporters and donors.

The governing party has issued an email from new Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr, which encourages readers to add their names to an online message of thanks to members of the Armed Forces and veterans "for their service and sacrifice."

Does Justin know? The virus that invaded the body of Liberal thought is still there

It is legitimate to look for real change in economic policy under the new Liberal government. Instead what requires explaining is Justin Trudeau naming Bill Morneau -- a leading economic conservative -- as finance minister.

Morneau who made millions working for his Father's firm told Eric Andrew-Gee of the Globe and Mail: "Most of the really smart people find jobs. Even when there's high youth unemployment. The reality is, it's 13 per cent. That means 87 per cent are employed."

Young Canadians looking for change now find an apologist for the status quo is the new Liberal finance minister.

Trudeau defends Liberal vote on Bill C-51 as the 'right' move for Canadians

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has strongly defended his party’s decision to vote in favour of controversial anti-terror legislation, saying he was acting in the “best interests” of Canadians even though the bill has flaws.

Moreover, Trudeau insisted Wednesday that if the Liberals win the Oct. 19 election, they will move quickly to introduce legislation to amend Bill C-51 so that it better protects the individual rights of Canadians.

BC Liberals sponsored by Woodfibre LNG at swanky fundraiser

The Clark government’s BC Liberal party was sponsored by Woodfibre LNG at a upscale, private members fundraiser event on Thursday night the Vancouver Observer has confirmed.

“We’d like to thank our sponsor tonight, Woodfibre LNG,” the master of ceremony said, within earshot of inside the front stately entrance of the Capilano Golf and Country Club.

The exclusive event in West Vancouver was billed as an opportunity for attendees to meet Finance Minister Michael De Jong, and to fundraise for local West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy.

The next provincial election is not until 2017.

Two Liberal Strategists Charged over 'Quick Wins'

BC Liberal strategists Brian Ashly Bonney and Mark Robertson are facing charges under the Election Act related to their party’s Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan scandal, also known as "Quick Wins."

Charges were filed Sept. 8 under section 263 of the Election Act regarding making or accepting a political contribution and incurring election expenses. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Port Moody and Vancouver. Charges were recommended Sept. 5 by David Butcher, the Special Prosecutor who was appointed last summer to investigate. The investigation is expected to continue into early 2015.

Bonney and Robertson are scheduled to appear Oct. 14 in Vancouver Provincial Court.

Liberals name Michael Bryant to head body that regulates accountants

TORONTO - Former attorney general Michael Bryant has landed a new job with the Ontario government, chairing a body that regulates the province's public accounting profession.

Bryant, a former rising star in the government of former premier Dalton McGuinty, quit provincial politics in 2009 and was CEO of Invest Toronto when he was involved in a fatal collision with a bicycle courier.

He was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving in the death of bike courier Darcy Allan Sheppard, but all charges were later withdrawn.

After the incident, and his retirement from politics, Bryant wrote a book in which he confessed to being drunk during much of his time as a cabinet minister.

Bryant will replace John Crow, who is finishing his second and final term as chair of the Public Accounts Council.

Original Article
Source: nationalnewswatch.com/
Author: CP

Chrystia Freeland's Liberal use of economic platitudes

Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein has interviewed the presumptive Liberal candidate in Toronto Centre, Chrystia Freeland, who declares, "I'm a capitalist red in tooth and claw."

To his credit, Klein asks her a couple of times for policy specifics. She concludes the interview by saying:

    "My job right now is to win the right to be part of the conversation in the Liberal Party. If I do that, I win the right to have a seat at the table as the Liberal Party comes up with that agenda. And in 2015 the Liberal Party can present that agenda to Canadians."

Is Chrystia Freeland progressive?

Chrystia Freeland, The Globe and Mail's candidate in Toronto Centre, recently wrote a book about inequality (which I have not yet read) and is supposed to "bring fresh thinking to the Liberal Party's economic team."

She has already attracted a few jabs from right-wingers Terence Corcoran and William Watson. But is she progressive?

BC Liberal Pay Raises Put Finance Minister On Defensive

VICTORIA - The Opposition New Democrats say the cost-conscious Liberal government has found some extra cash to approve pay-scale raises for some of its top staff bureaucrats.

The New Democrats point to a June 3 order-in-council document signed by a Liberal cabinet member that increases salary ranges available to a chief of staff and some ministerial assistants.

AG’s audit will be ugly for Conservatives and Liberals, no end in sight

Calling in the auditor general is a great political move for the Prime Minister—in the short term. Instead of focusing attention on Nigel Wright’s payment to Mike Duffy, the move drills down to specific Senate spenders.

The report should provide a welcome diversion from ongoing expense and attendance leaks.

Almost daily we are treated to another tidbit expounding on the corporate excesses of Pamela Wallin and the dubitable, double expense habits of Mike Duffy.