Whiners

102 Replies to “Whiners”

1. It’s true that the CPC promise is starting to lose some of it’s luster. Perhaps its just the reality constraints that our outmoded Federal system places on any government, especially a minority one.
   Some people see equalization as a ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ scheme. But what would you have without it? The answer to that is simple: pockets of enormous wealth and prosperity enjoyed by a privileged minority, leading to an embattled, balkanized, and fragmented nation. In fact, there would be no nation.
   All said and done, I’d sooner take my chances at this time with the CPC than the Libs. At least they are trying to bring the needed reforms into our federal system, not trying to block reform at every stage like the Libs and NDP. And, at least with the CPC, I have a chance of learning just how many of our tax dollars are misspent and stolen. With the Libs, there’s not a snowball’s chance in Hell.

2. Altruistic said: “There is NO boom in Saskatchewan right now….Meanwhile our responsible government has released NO statistics on this phenomena.”
   Actually they released it in May. Saskatchewan Provincial Economic Accounts, May 2007 (PDF, 290K) It’s all in there going back to ’96.
   Everything except Net Farm Income is up.
   ‘Key indicators’ are all up, except for Household Operations and Clothing and Footware.
   Labour pool is up, Employment is up , Unemployment is lower, participation rate is up. That means more people are available to work, and are working , and are working full-time.
   Read the PDF, or check out the online stats here (see the sidebar for Monthly stats).
   Now, while what is going on in Saskatchewan may not meet the Financial definition of a boom, compared to where we were, this is a boom.
   Cheers,
   lance

3. Ron said: “Kyoto is dead and buried, thanks in large part to Prime Minister Harper.”
   Awwww cummon Ron give yer head a shake! Harper cant say enough about global warming….it’s his number one issue….he’s joined the Euro bats in a reduction schedule out to 2050….sheeeet boy Stevie is out there chasin’ CO 2 molicules with all the other hucksters….his green taxes will be staying in Canad and will fatten some CPC election give away though.
   Steve and the big tent are on death watch….this is a Muldoom redux party.

4. It’s a socialist soap opera! No matter how long you tune out you’re never behind!
   Soap: some wise investment type said that a portfolio is like a bar of soap: the more you touch it, the smaller it gets. It think this bit of wisdom is at least partially applicable to the ad nauseum squabbling about equalization which of course means LESS for ALL.

5. WMLR:
   Are you planning to work on Dion’s next campaign?

6. Sean S. – “Alberta lucked out on the natural resource front, more so then BC and Sask (in terms of oil and gas at least).”
   Why is it disingenuous to compare Alberta and Saskatchewan?
   Alberta produces 60% of Canadian oil and gas. Population approximately 3.5 million.
   Saskatchewan produces 20% of Canadian oil and gas. Population approximately 1 million.
   Saskatchewan also has the Canadian shield and resource mining that Alberta can only dream about. It also has oil sands, which are only starting to be developed.
   As for the so-called “cuts” to essential services, Alberta spends more per capita on these services than any other province in Canada. It can afford to do this because it doesn’t have to waste money servicing a provincial debt.
   Personally, I think the Alberta government is spending far too much. Resource revenue should be used to build up the Heritage fund and save for the day when the resource is gone. That is true sustainability.

7. I used to have respect for Danny Williams. I supported his battle against the come-from-aways trying to shut down Newfoundland/Labrador’s traditional seal hunt. He’s gotten above his raisin’ now, being propelled by his ego rather than reason. He’s done a number on any credibility he HAD. Dumb!

8. ET enotes this with socratic irony: “As far as ‘broken promises’, the expectation that a policy is carved in stone and can never be change, is naive.”
   So taking Harper at his personal word is Naive?…because we are not talking policy here m we are talking about what Harper made as personal promises to Sask and Atlantic resouce produces…we are also talking about Harpers long held convictions that constitutional protocal does not allow the feds to dip their beak in exclusive provincial revenue sources.
   Blind partisanism is the last refuge for a liar…and it appears this is all Harper has backing him after compromizing his personal word.
   When your personal word is no good, you are a full fledged poli and have strayed so far from principled statesmanship you will not find that principled path easily again.
   Personally my suspicions of Harper’s latent liberalism began when he was a Reform MP and voted with the Liberals against the Reform caucus on their gun registry.

9. WL aside from Income Trust, what other issues has Mr. Harper broken his word on?
   If you are talking about equalization, all i have seen on the matter is Flahertys word against Williams and Calvert
   Hardly something on which to base a revoltion.
   Mr. Harper did promise to fix the fiscal imbalance, seems like he did just that

10. If the “new” equalization deal was about removing side deals and one offs between Ottawa and different provinces why did they offer Casey and NS all these other promises and money outside of the budget? Or were they lying again?
    http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/840520.html
    Once again, the CPC blew this one big time. They blew off Atlantic Canada for Quebec, plain and simple.
    Like I said to the CPC solicitor the other day when they called again for my previously generous donations, “you are a day late and a dollar short. I sent a portion of your money to Kate at SDA and will continue sending until I see the ORIGINAL ACCORD honoured! While you’re at it maybe you can do more fund raising in Quebec since that is the only province you guys care about.” This isn’t rocket freakin science. If the Liberals would have pulled this crap we would be on here frothing at the mouth.
    Let me reiterate, if we are going to remove the Equalization payments than lets remove everything else as well, every single penny in federal transfer, subsidies and assistance, level the playing field for everyone and let each province figure it out on their own.
    Good luck with selling your majority next election time. I’ll be sitting this one out as a positive for the CPC.
    Who wants to make bets that the CPC gets shut out in Atlantic Canada? Maybe Lizzy May knew something the rest of us didn’t.

11. “Alberta lucked out on the natural resource front, more so then BC and Sask (in terms of oil and gas at least)”
    Nope.Check out this handy little map.
    http://www.prairiecentre.com/capital-punishment.htm

12. Glenn, i read the piece you linked to, didnt see a dam thing about any side deals.
    Nova Scotia was offered the same deal as NL.
    There was a choice.
    1) keep the Accord as is.
    2) go with a new formula.
    Nova Scotia CHOSE to go with the new formula.
    Now please tell me how the National Government reneged on this deal.
    Why not get mad at the Provincial Government for choosing something other than the Accord.

13. Canada – a long thin string of population held together by bribes (aka equalization).
    What is needed, is new guys with new ideas.

14. Check out this handy little map.
    Socialists don’t much like that map. They practically turn themselves inside out trying to spin the obvious.

15. When all is said and done Saskachabush is a Province populated by agrarian socialist. Those sheeple who corporatize the profits, and socialise the loses.

16. Sean:
    From my recolection of history the western Canadian oil industry began in Saskatchewan not Alberta. My uncle worked the “patch” for years and he started in Sask. It was only after the people of Sask voted NDP that the industry moved west to Alberta. The People of Sask wanted to be serfs to their government while the People of Alberta wanted to be free and independant. A feudal society such as Sask under the NDP will never surpass the wealth of a free people.

17. Lee:
    Mr. Casey and Mr. Lunn are quickly joined by Mr. MacKay and his chief of staff, John MacDonell; Finance Minister Jim Flaherty; and Bruce Carson from the prime minister’s office. They try, hard, to persuade Mr. Casey to vote for the budget. They present a complicated package that they say they will offer to the province. Mr. Casey says no. Then they get Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald on the phone — twice — and he encourages Mr. Casey to vote for the budget.
    Key words are “present complicated package they say they will offer to the province.”
    I also read this:
    Mr. Casey said he explained to Mr. Mulroney that he couldn’t find middle ground on the issue because the Atlantic accord was a signed government contract that shouldn’t be up for negotiation.
    “It’s not a debatable issue for me,” he said. “It baffles me why we are having the debate.”
    He suggested the former PM call the Harper government to see if its members would honour the agreement. Mr. Casey said that about two hours later, Mr. Mulroney called him back.
    “He said he had talked to them. He said there was a proposal on the table, that he understood (there was) the groundwork of a proposal on the table, and maybe I should have a look at it.”
    Again, Mr. Casey said he wasn’t interested in a new deal since the old one had been working just fine.
    at this link http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/840415.html
    Key words are “(there was) the groundwork of a proposal on the table, and maybe I should have a look at it.” and “wasn’t interested in new deal”
    I wasn’t trying to deceive or mislead. I should have posted both links simultaneously.
    Both provinces get what the other is offered since the wording of original Accord explicitly says so. This prevents the feds from using one province against the other as leverage.
    As for differences in what was promised and what is being offered, over a 12 year period it is 12 billion less with the new/old accord and changes to equalization as per the O’brien report recommendations for NL contained in Mar 2007 budget. The CPC didn’t do what they promised during an election campaign or while in opposition. That fact is certain. Quebec meanwhile, will receive around 36 billion more.
    If you and others are going to say that’s the way it is than fine. That’s the way it is, for some. Not so for others. I’ll just sit out the next election and you Lee can carry the torch and donate, lobby others to donate, write letters to the editor, call in radio shows, blog surfing and posting, knocking on doors, driving around eligible voters, etc. I’m going to pass on the next one and just sit on my duff, just like so many other Atlantic Canadians are apparently really good at. Maybe the CPC won’t even notice I’m gone.
    It’s been great talking to all of you, Thanks Kate and SDA.

18. “They practically turn themselves inside out trying to spin the obvious.
    Posted by: ol hoss”
    Like you spin yourself inside out trying to justify filling your face at the public trough?

19. Reading the constant bleating attack on anything that Harper and the CPC do by WLMR and others like Glenn reminds me why the Liberals are usually in charge in Canada. It doesn’t matter what achievements Harper attains, it is never enough. It reaffirms that conservatives eat their own. In their view, forget that as mentioned the Liberals own the senate, MSM, the civil service and the judical system, Harper, IMHO the best PM I have seen, is not their guy. The fact is nobody would ever meet their criteria. WLMR may be a sharp guy but his constant negativism wears me down and I close the thread.
    Glenn intelligently will sit out the next election along with so many other conservatives and in my view the Liberals will win again. There is always at least 30% die hard Liberals voters, doesn’t take much to return them again.
    The Liberals learned long ago, don’t do anything once you are in power, less criticism that way. Once their in again Adscams will continue we just wont ever hear about them.

20. There are times, such as low world grain prices, when Canadian Grain Farmers recieve subsidies for the essential food that they produce. That is true.
    There are also other times when the reverse takes place. To a much larger degree.
    Every few years, world grain production has major problems. Weather, ect.
    At times such as this, Canada could easily sell its grain stocks over seas and be completely ‘sold-out’. Cupboards bare.
    Of course the grain price within Canada would skyrocket and consumer food prices would rise. Grain Farmer’s income would also rise and the extra income would tide them over in the lean years.
    This, however, does not happen. The Federal govmit purposely squeezes off exports to maintain a Canadian ‘carry-over’, thus keeping a lid on prices.
    All major Grain producing countries of the world do the same, now and again.
    When is the last time you heard of severe wheat, barley, oats, corn shortages in the ‘rich’ countries ?? Thought so.
    Ever heard of shortages in the third world ?? Thought so.

21. David Hand; pretty well sums up Canada’s political history.
    The latte-left(liberals) are content with less than stellar govmits. Is the reason socialistic economies always collapse.
    The right is always striving to be better, demands the most out of politicians. Is the reason a market economy is always superior.
    Which way did people scramble across the Berlin Wall ??
    Can PMSH do better ? Yes. Can he be perfect ? No. 30% of the voters will not allow it. Does Dion scare ya ??

22. David Hand,
    PM Stephen Harper was my man. I didn’t get directly involved into politics until the CPC was formed and Stephen Harper became leader of the CPC caucus. I, like hundreds of thousands of others, am one of the reasons he is where he is today. He said everything I wanted to hear from a leader regarding the military, our senate, public spending, accountability, judicial and criminal reform, income trusts, free votes in the house, equalization and especially de-centralization of federalism in Canada.
    Now, you are suggesting I should be just like a Liberal and support the party no matter what they do. I can’t do that. My values and beliefs will not permit me to be a sheep, like the other 30% of Canadians who vote Liberal like its a reflex action.
    As I have said before, the CPC could of had 20-25 seats out of 32 in Atlantic Canada, maybe even 30, likely for the next 2 generations. Now they will be lucky if McKay can beat out Lizzie May. If the CPC could have gotten 25 seats (+17) in AC, that would increase their current numbers to 141 seats, only 14 more needed from ON, QU, MB, SK and BC for a majority. If they get shutout in AC they need 38 seats in ON, QU, MB, SK and BC. I guess the braintrust in the PMO thought the latter is more probable.
    The polls over the past 15 months tend to disagree though, as do I. G

23. Have you ever seen polling data ??
    Have you ever seen how they chose who will be polled ??
    Do you believe what you cannot confirm ??
    Do you believe the media’s accord doomsaying ??

24. I am talking about the CPC’s polling data. If the CPC had the numbers to get a majority they would have pulled the plug already and we would be in or of had an election. That I can confirm, thus believe such to be so.
    Since you earlier pointed out about Kyoto being a dead issue and replaced with the new environmental plan being propsed by the CPC and accepted by the UN and G-8, brillant move politically I will add, why would anyone be afraid of Dion becoming PM now that he has become obsolete? With the demise of Kyoto, the Liberals will be the ones eating one of their own. Who will replace Dion? Whoever it is already has 30% of the popular vote. Aother 12% and you have a majority.
    Now that scares me as an Albertan.

25. Points taken 🙂 thx
    Even if ‘the polls’ were favourable, there may be another reason for PMSH to not call an election.
    Would anyone put it passed GG Jean to refuse disolving and ask Dion to put together a coalition govt ?? A ragtag group that WOULD have a majority.
    Boag would have to be wearing ‘depends’.

26. The current state of the programs for provincial welfare is of course result of the many proceeding years of provincial welfare. The premiers of the welfare provinces were brought up and instructed on how to get more welfare. In the scheme of things they forgot the ‘BIG’ where you let the free enterprise roam and make money, from reports it appears that when ever, in the welfare provinces, an enterprise is successful, suddenly it is taxed and beat into submission by the idiot politicians, they simply cannot stand that somebody, somewhere, nearby, came with a better idea. The shade of politicians is really of no consequence. The lip they give to the electorate is not to be taken seriously.
    Look at what happened in Calgary when the Chretien punished the city for not sending a single liberal to Ottawa. Chretien marshaled the army unit right out of town, to where they voted two or three liberals at the time, Edmonton. Obviously there was the loss of supply and associated economy, and the large number of soldiers that generally spent their money in the city.
    Mayor of Calgary at the time was Duer. Of course, understandably he did not appreciate the idea. None the less, in the following weeks and months as the question of ownership of the base land settled, the city instead of looking for welfare of some kind, invited developers to fix and renovate the base housing, along with building a whole lot of new houses – no tax money involved.
    This is how wealth is created, though socialist might not recognize this as any kind of good, they probably think that money grows on trees and in the fall the plebeians go around picking them up and can’t wait to divide it and give it to the assorted governments.
    As per scientific socialism, feudalism turns into capitalism and the socialism follows, and that in turn will become communism. The ‘ism we are experiencing today is of course socialism. Trouble is, the people will vote for those that will promise the most subsidies and assorted freebies. This way they obviously bring about socialism as an established system. The socialism will function until all the wealth that capitalism created is gone.

27. Strange!
    More people unemployed in Alberta,than in
    N.B, N.S, and P.E.I combined.

28. Glenn, I am not suggesting you blindly support the CPC but you unfortunately are typical, as I am, of conservative supporters. We have strong opinions and principals and unless the CPC meets almost everything we support exclusive of changing conditions we give them a pass. What did Mulroney do that was so bad he ended up with 2 seats? The Liberals did nothing, stole everything in sight, had a bumbling leader with zero vision yet ended up with over a 100 seats!
    It seems to me Harper has given the Maritimes 2 choices.
    “By JIM FLAHERTY
    I often wonder how an urban myth comes to be treated as fact. I suppose if people repeat it or read it often enough, they assume it must be true. That certainly appears to be the case when it comes to our government’s budget and its treatment of the Atlantic accords.
    Whether it has been through elevated political rhetoric or selective reporting in the media, some people have been left with the impression that they are in some way being shortchanged.
    Let me be clear, Canada’s New Government is honouring the Atlantic accords fully in its budget. Nothing has changed from what was signed in 2005. Nothing has been taken away from the province.
    Our budget provides two positive options for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador. They can stay with the current arrangement or opt into the new equalization formula. It is their choice.
    Nova Scotia has opted into the new equalization formula for this year and gained an extra $95 million in federal transfers. That’s $95 million more to fund the priorities that matter to the residents of Nova Scotia, such as health care, education and infrastructure like roads, harbours and public transit.”
    Is Flaherty lying?
    Dion and his advisors know the conservative mentality very well. Seems pretty simple to me, just allow the CPC to continue struggling to implement their policies and as they fall short in meeting some it will piss off their supporters affected by the policy and the CPC will dwindle away at the next election, sounds like a plan to me.

29. The 2 choices the CPC are offering do not include the 3rd (original) choice which was promised by PM Stephen Harper. This 3rd original choice would have meant an extra 12 billion to NL over 12 years. The CPC could have extended the original accord without the Ontario cap for 12 years if NL and NS agreed to put 50% of non-renewable resource revenue toward accumulated debt. The CPC could have easily sold this to the rest of the country. It would have meant 4.8 billion in debt paid off for NL and a savings in service charges of 480 million a year going forward.
    Instead we have the status quo. With debt so high down east, no industry or business is going to move there for fear of tax increases down the road since someone has to pay off the debt. Thus the Canadian taxpayer will always be subsidizing NL’s & NS’s standard of living.
    With the current new promises nothing will change. We will still be sending a billion or more in equalization to NL for the next 100 years or so into perpetuity as long as things stay the same.
    The problem David is that this accord flap is going to cost us a majority. Check out the seat numbers I presented above, I’m telling you they could have locked up AC for at least 2 generations. The rest of the stuff the party could shake off. The braintrust at CPC or PMO made a tactical error. They thought they could buy off ON and QU at the expense of Atlantic Canada. They were wrong and thus we are the ones who will pay for this, just like we did with Mulrooney. The govt. of Canada is projectiong to spend 2.26 trillion dollars over the next 12 years. The Accord cap provision would have cost 12 billion, a pittance, and this doesn’t include future savings going forward. Canada and the CPC would have been better of in 12 years than they will be under the current offers.
    Thanks for the well mannered comments.
    Glenn

30. Glenn, I bow to your knowledge and maybe you are right but almost nothing is certain in politics except overestimating the intelligence of the electorate.
    Look at Toronto, it is solid Liberal yet the Liberal party has done nothing for Toronto but give vague promises each election. For 30 years they promised to provide funds for a connection to the airport, fix the waterfront and support transit, never happened. Shootouts in the streets yet only Harper tried to toughen the crime laws which the Liberals are still fighting. Doesn’t matter, the city is solid red with a socialist do-nothing mayor.
    Atlantic Canada has been supported for so long it will be hard to remove those lips from the federal teat.
    Enjoy your comments

31. “With debt so high down east, no industry or business is going to move there for fear of tax increases down the road since someone has to pay off the debt. Thus the Canadian taxpayer will always be subsidizing NL’s & NS’s standard of living.”
    Hohum,Oh well,
    Just have to keep struggling.
    Darn that constitution we drew up eh?

32. how come i wasnt asked about that so called constitution? it nothing but a scam to control the sheeple. am i ever glad im moving to the US to get away from the socialist end to this once great country.

33. Glenn, trying to please those who voted LPC last time with fed largesse in Atlantic Canada is poor leadership and would likely fail anyway.
    That’s not where CPC will garner majority, it will be in 905 belt, Quebec and BC, excepting, of course, big cities, which will go Liberal if lberia was their leader.
    David Hand, I think you have assessed the situation correctly. Anyway, I’m sick of the whining of entitlement to entitlements.
    Ron, GG will not refuse to dissolve parliament if Harper asks, (wild card may be fixed election dates legislation though, that would result in constitutional crisis, possible the worst in our history. On the other hand, if Harper wins only smaller minority, then coalition a possibility.
    The problem is it’s doubtful BQ would go along, so Dippers, Green and Libs would have to have more seats than other two fed parties. This seems unlikely, probabilities on side of Harper majority, especially when lefties have to explain how Canada will comply with Kyoto and MSM will have to suppress Harper’s leadership at G8. Oh yeah, sorry Bono and Belinda (maybe they are dating now, who knows or cares)

34. Joe – thanks for that clarification re: Sask a ‘have not’ province.
    The only thing that Sask “has not’ is young people, they have all moved to Alberta. Sask HAS a lot of old socialist government workers who are getting nervous because they are getting old and are worried about who/what is going to pay for their ‘entitlements’ (gov’t pensions!) If the gov’t of Sask retains the Dipper gov’t of marble mouth Lorne then Lornie will forget all about the old Bolsheviks once they are off the gov’t payroll and no longer ‘useful idiots’; he will use all his $$ to pad the socialist payrolls in ‘new’ government jobs – the oldsters know this and that is why, IMO, the oldsters will vote for the bright young star in the Sask. Party: Brad Wall.
    The Sask Party will be burdened with all those old Bolsheviks expecting to receive their full bolshevikii ‘entitlements’ BUT Brad Wall will make Sask RICH (like Alta, through DEVELOPMENT of the PRIVATE sector)- this will entice young taxpayers back to Sask. to make life very good for the Bolshevik fools who have impoverished Sask. since the days of old Douglas and the CCF. Old Lorne is wobbling around on his rickety old dipper ‘once upon a time’ story lines. He is a hippy has been, his own fool supporters will do him in – there is no honor among Dippers when their ‘entitlements’ are at stake!

35. WLMR: With friends like you, who needs enemies?
    Reduct further, get stuffed.
    The Atlantic regions have been given a great deal in the budget.
    It may not be the exact promise but it’s fair to them and the ROC.
    Equalization means we share and share alike. When you have it , you share with those who don’t.
    It’s starting to look like we may be better off if we scrap equalization, it’s not appreciated by the newly rich, like Buffoon Williams who wants it both ways. It’s not a cake and eat it too agreement.

36. Published: 2007-06-11 – Premier’s letter to the editor
    This is the full text of Premier Rodney Macdonald’s June 11, 2007 Letter to the Editor of The Chronicle Herald:
    Minister Flaherty says in Saturday’s Herald that it is an “urban myth” that the federal government’s 2007 budget affects the 2005 Atlantic accord. In fact, that budget claws back every cent of the initial $830-million accord payment, and more, by giving us lower equalization payments than we’re entitled to receive. How does the 2007 budget do that? Mr. Flaherty says it’s “complex” and that’s the only part of his letter to the Herald that I agree with. Mr. Flaherty talks about a choice between two formulas. On the surface, having a choice sounds reasonable. In fact, it’s not reasonable. Let me give you an analogy that explains why.
    Suppose you are an employee in a company and you achieve a bonus from your boss. You take that bonus and put all of it against your mortgage. Two years later, the company is doing better so the boss gives everyone a raise. But he gives you a choice between your old salary with the bonus you got two years ago or the raise. But the catch is that if you take the raise, you have to pay back the bonus you got. Is that fair?
    That’s what the federal government is doing to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. They gave us the accord two years ago and we put it on our debt. Now they are clawing it back if you choose the richer equalization formula. In effect, to get the full value of the equalization formula, they are asking Nova Scotia to go further into debt. It makes you wonder if Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are part of Canada.
    Minister Flaherty is wrong in another important way about making a choice. Nova Scotia, in fact, does not have to make a choice because the Atlantic accord contemplates precisely the situation we find ourselves in now. The accord says we are entitled to the benefits of the accord and to whatever we would receive from the equalization formula in place at the time.
    Nova Scotia has a full right to equalization like all eligible provinces. The irony is that we want one day to be ineligible for equalization. We want to be a “have” province. That is the purpose of the Atlantic accord to develop our economy so that we can become a “have” province. The Atlantic accord, without clawback, is fundamental to that goal.
    Minister Flaherty knows better. Contrary to his letter in the Herald, he knows that it is not “an urban myth” that we are being short changed. His own officials have informed us that Nova Scotia will lose $54 million next year from equalization because of his budget’s impact on the accord.
    This week there will be another vote in the House of Commons on the budget. I urge every Nova Scotia MP, whether Conservative, Liberal, NDP or Independent, to vote against the budget bill on third reading. I also call for every Nova Scotia senator to delay passage of that bill through the Senate until they’ve had a chance to understand our position and fully comprehend the impact of the budget on equalization our constitutional right.
    The accord is a contract between Nova Scotia and Canada. It guarantees that Nova Scotia will be the principal beneficiary of petroleum developments off our shores, a principle agreed to by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia more than 20 years ago and which culminated in the Atlantic accord that Premier Hamm signed in 2005.
    The Government of Canada has a choice. That choice is between living up to the agreement it signed or repudiating that same agreement, with all the consequences that flow from the fundamental breach of trust inherent when an agreement is unilaterally disavowed.
    At the end of the day, all we want is what was signed in 2005. This is the Atlantic accord. Instead, the federal government unilaterally ripped it up on March 19 when they introduced their budget. We want the accord. That is my position. I’m confident it is the position of all Nova Scotians. Minister Flaherty, give us back our accord.
    Rodney MacDonald Premier of Nova Scotia

37. What a pile of rubbish from the Premier of Nova Scotia. “We want the old deal plus the best parts of the new deal”. If you’re so unhappy, stick with the original agreement.
    Whining for more welfare. Nova Scotia will never become a “have” province when it relies so utterly and completely on handouts.
    Cut taxes, reduce government and make Nova Scotia an attractive place to do business. Otherwise, stop whining.

38. Belisarius, if you have no idea what you’re talking about, why respond to my comment?
    We want the same equalization that every other province deserves. No more. Plus, we want the revenue from any oil and gas found off our coast.
    We aren’t asking for handouts. We are asking for the revenue from OUR resources. Why should Alberta get the revenue from their resources, but Ottawa get the revenue from ours? We just want the same deal that Alberta had for years. There is no difference.
    We can become self sufficient, as Alberta has become, if we get the revenue that is rightfully ours – not handouts.

39. My preference would be to end all subsidies of every sort to every group of whining, spounging deadbeats and crybabies and to lower taxes across the board.
    No more corporate welfare, no regional development pork-barrel election buying schemes, no handouts to mismanaged provincial governments, no subsidies to farmers, nothing.
    Want to eat? GET A JOB! Don’t want to get a job? Darwin will ensure you’re rewarded with your due.

40. No province deserves equalization, which is really just a form of welfare for governments. It hinders, rather than helps, economic development.
    New England states don’t have equalization, yet they seem to be doing just fine. Equalization produces a mindset of entitlement and dependency that says, “governments will solve all my problems”, if only they have enough revenue.
    The Atlantic provinces would do much better if they stop worrying about equalization and concentrate on creating an environment that would allow business and trade to prosper. That means smaller government, lower taxes and no meddling in the economy beyond safety, environmental and health regulations.
    Whining about equalization just helps foster a lethargic and helpless attitude. Again, look to New England for a better example of how to succeed.

41. “The Atlantic provinces would do much better if they stop worrying about equalization”
    Thanks,I wasn’t aware we were worrying.
    For a minute,I thought we had made a mistake in the constitution.We formed Canada and allowed you people in,but expect you to get more than a grade 9 education,and expect you to continue paying your dues.
    We have sent people out there to help you get in a more cheerful mood.Also if you hate work so bad,leave the f–in oil in the ground.Jeez
    Quit blaming the east.
    I beginning to understand why over half of you were abandoned when young.
    Oh and I think we may have to take care of your harper boy.

42. – “Thanks,I wasn’t aware we were worrying.”
    Of course you’re worrying. Or you wouldn’t have commented.
    I love Atlantic Canada and its people. But I think it could be so much better if it left behind the socialist mindset. Remember Nova Scotia before Confederation?

43. Whining,
    All we need know about you is in this line:
    “and expect you to continue paying your dues”
    How about you go get a job instead? How about you learn that you are NOT entitled to other people’s money.
    Either that or leave Canada (and good riddance to your lot of useless baggage.)

44. Looks like I have the same job as you,NOTHING,haha,but I’m still getting paid.
    Our citizens have been travelling west for years,in fact discovered and settled it,and will be happy for you when you learn to work and how to maintain a stable family life.Oh and facts-
    It is estimated that in 2007-08, support through major transfers to Alberta will be approximately $5.8 billion (about $1,699 per person).
    haha

45. The comment about Maritimers moving west is interesting. I know quite a few of them. I asked a few recent arrivals to Calgary why they had come out when the NS government was advertising so extensively for everybody to “come home”. The NS gov’t has spent a fortune on this ad campaign. They even went so far as to plaster ads on telephone poles and billboards in my neighbourhood.
    The Maritimers rolled their eyes and told me it wasn’t about a sudden labour shortage back home, but rather the NS gov’t panicking about erosion of its tax base. How can you maintain a bloated bureaucracy and nanny state socialism without taxpayers to foot the bill?
    With more equalization payments, I guess.

46. I guess you have never been East,cause worrying is not one of our problems.
    I love to jive you people,cause from my experience in the west,no one there could tell me where N.B was,and knew nothing factual about it.Besides no one there could keep up to me in working,even though twice as old.
    So Funny.
    In fact my two grandchildren born there absolutely refuse to go back there.

47. The Maritimes are beautiful, no doubt. Lots of pretty towns and amazing scenery. The Kennebecasis Valley in NB is one of my favourites spots on the planet.
    Too bad the whole region has to be stuck in welfare mode.

48. “With more equalization payments, I guess”
    Well of course,Thats the deal we gave you for protecting you from being taken over by the U.S.
    As it is,you boys willing give all your resources to the U.S and then blame your founders down East because you afraid to blame your own government or the Americans ,who own and run your resources.Calgary is full of the Americans.
    You will learn ,slagging the East,who you can’t keep up with,not a good Idea.Why are you such cowards you dare not attack the real thief of Canada, quebec.

49. There are more people on porky in Alberta,then in ,N.B, N.S , and P.E.I combined.hoho.
    The number of people on phony disability in the west far out numbers anywhere else in Canada.
    And
    In Quebec, for example, 24% of all unattached individuals were on welfare in 1994, the highest level among the provinces. By 2000, this rate had dropped slightly to just over 21%, but it was still highest.

50. Thanks for the laugh, person of many names.