Unfortunately When It Comes to (Political) Ethics, There are NO CONSEQUENCES

Sadly and curiously, the graphic below did not happen...nor will it ever happen. 

With credit to Ottawa-based iPolitics.ca

A View of Canada Now as an Investment Jurisdiction: Marijuana and Bitcoin "Investing" Haven...or Lottery Tickets

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-22/bitcoin-marijuana-stock-crazes-take-root-in-canada-s-wild-west

Now that Canada is officially home to two of the largest publicly traded bubbles, it's a question of when the bubble bursts(real estate is the third, but more so on a residential basis, yet the REITs sector is not trading at "dot com-like" euphoric multiples and actually have cash flow).

Thanks to the very sub-par listing rules compounded by a relatively new exchange (the Canadian Stock Exchange, the "CSE"...or the C as in "Can't go anywhere else"), speculative and sinister business ideas are receiving funding and having their 15 minutes of fame.  More eloquently,

"...Two features make Canada optimal for overnight sensations and crashes: easy listing requirements and hundreds of "zombie" shells that are already on the exchange providing market access via reverse takeovers and other backdoor shortcuts to listings..."

Also, the following reminded me of the scene from Spinal Tap when the band manager, Ian Faith, was asked by the mockumentary film maker Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner) why the band was playing smaller venues, was it because their popularity was waning? To which he replied, "Our audiences are becoming more....selective".

“...It’s not that our listing standards are lower, but they’re tailored to those companies that are still in that venture stage and growing," said Brady Fletcher, who heads the Toronto Venture Exchange..."

A Dose of Reality for the Liberals AND the Toronto Star on How Taxes Work

In a great article that managed to give a lesson to both the Liberals and that pseudo-news publication called the Toronto star, here is a reminder of how taxes, economies and reality work.

Yes Virginia, there really are countries out there that cut taxes...just not here.  

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-trust-the-rich-bashing-liberals-with-tax-reform-thats-crazy-talk

Politics, Elected Leaders, Views of Economic Engines: USA vs Canada

In the USA today - tax cuts, doubling child care tax credits and a speech about "our great farmers" and "our great small business owners" by their elected leader, the President. 

 Meanwhile in Canada, tax increases, child care reductions, and a vindictive view of farmers, doctors, store keepers because for liability purposes they are structured around a corporation.  Oh, and that comes from our Finance Minister because our elected leader, the Prime Minister is too busy apologizing. 

Another View to that of the Righteous, "Climate Crusader" MP McKenna

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-a-lump-of-coal-for-catherine-mckennas-unethical-fake-fact-crusade

Another Day, Another Trudeau Apology...

https://globalnews.ca/video/3927294/trudeau-explains-why-he-didnt-consider-aga-khan-trip-a-conflict-of-interest

When will he apologize for apologizing too much?

Monday Funny: Wynne Suing for "Harm" to her Reputation - Just Think About That for a Second...

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/newsalert-ontario-premier-sues-opposition-leader-for-defamation-2

“The deliberate, malicious conduct of the defendant in publishing the defamatory statements is part of an ongoing campaign engineered by the defendant and others to harm the plaintiff’s reputation,” 

"Harm"?!?! This is the Premier of Ontario with the lowest approval rating - ever! Of any Premier! And she is suing due to reasons of the "plaintiff's reputation"? 

Wow, I never laughed so hard commuting to work on a Monday morning.  

And It Has Started - Ontario's Minimum Wage Rules Now Negatively Impacting Businesses

Feel good ideas garner votes, but then reality takes over.

"The owner says, 'It’s the minimum wage, absolutely. That will be an $80,000 hit for me, just in hours'"

When will Kathleen and her merry band of taxing, energy bungling and economy killing band of provincial Liberals wake up to the destruction that over a decade of Liberal rule has caused?

http://nationalpost.com/news/local-news/black-tomato-to-close-after-23-years-owner-blames-minimum-wage-hike/wcm/e005b27f-ab1a-4100-a5a8-7adf1675c52f

More Liberal Governing "Out of Spite" Rather Than the Best Security for Canadians

The best way to replace Canada's old air force fleet...buy more used ones?

Trudeau, let go of your petty fight with Boeing and disregard your Liberal cronies and Liberal pseudo-family members at Bombardier.  Be a man, and do what is right is for Canada!  

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canada-scraps-plan-to-buy-boeing-fighters-and-will-go-with-used-australian-jets-sources

Diversification Strategy? Like Father, Like Son

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/john-ivison-chinese-standing-at-altar-of-trade-deal-with-canada-former-ambassador-says

Our Climate Change Fighting (Taxing) PM and his McKenna Sidekick Highlighting how Global Warming Is Helping Canada's Wine Industry

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trade-human-rights-on-the-agenda-for-prime-minister-justin-trudeaus-china-visit

When Sports and Investing Collide: Calgary Stampeders and Bubble Stocks (Cannabis, Bitcoin)

http://business.financialpost.com/investing/investing-pro/amid-the-stampede-into-bitcoin-and-cannabis-be-sure-to-avoid-the-stampeders-fate

Someone Else That Shares My View of The Toronto and Canadian Print Media - "The Liberals are in trouble when even the Toronto Star applauds Brown"

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-the-liberals-are-in-trouble-when-even-the-toronto-star-applauds-brown

There is a new gauge on the "just how bad the Liberal Party is"-ometer

But sadly in 2018, "Voters have demonstrated again and again that they don’t care how deeply the province goes into debt, as long as they get their share of the goodies."

"Debt? What Debt?" Liberals' Spending Heads in the Sand

http://business.financialpost.com/business/canadas-economic-growth-has-come-at-a-price-its-debt-level-is-now-highest-in-the-developed-world

Maybe, just maybe, some part of that is related to exploding hydro bills in Ontario. 

Snow, Mounties, Shania Twain, a Dogsled and a Wild Finish...Just Another Extraordinary Grey Cup in Canada!

Another wild Grey Cup finish. With the Stampeders barely having won or played (bye week) in the last month leading to the final, the Argos had won two in a row to end the regular season and stole a semi final win with a calm and cool Ricky Ray setting the Argos up for the winning score from a third and five position.  Despite the odds against the favourited Stampeders, the Argos had all the momentum behind them and took advantage of two key opportunities resulting in two of the biggest plays in Grey Cup history - the longest catch for a touchdown and the longest fumble return for a touchdown.  

It appeared on the last play for QB Mitchell that greed had the better of him trying to be the hero with the winning touchdown while moving closer to the end zone with the option of kicking a tying field goal was on the table.  

Regardless, Toronto has a championship with Toronto FC about to win their first in a week from now.  Are Toronto's sports reputations turning? 

Arrrrrrrrrrrgoooooooooooooooooooooooos!

Get Ready For Another Round of Hydro Bill Rate Hikes Thanks to Your Tax, Tax and Spend, Spend Provincial Governments

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/provincial-finances-are-worse-than-they-look-as-politicians-hide-their-megaproject-boondoggles

A Very Canadian and Direct Example of Liberal Overspending

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/scott-stinson-parliament-builds-an-expensive-rink-for-the-community-then-makes-it-hard-to-use

NDP Is All For Social Programs, Healthcare and Education untio tgere us a Collective Bargaining Issue

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/newsalert-ontario-government-moves-to-end-college-faculty-strike

What a shame that such an oppressive" state like Ontario where working conditions are so "horrendous" as these teachers claim, education and students suffer thanks to an outdated party dedicated to an outdated worker's rights platform

Liberal Math: Balanced Budgets? What Balanced Budgets

This is not "more of the same" but taking tax dollars, waste and drunken sailor spending to an extreme. As Premiers in Canada like "The Kathleen" will claim a "savings" on Hydro bills thanks to "Liberal Math", real math states otherwise and once again Ontarians are further and further in debt thanks to Liberal bad policies, overspending and a view that tax dollars will always be there

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/provincial-finances-are-worse-than-they-look-as-politicians-hide-their-megaproject-boondoggles

On This Remembrance Day And On Canada's 150th Birthday Year, The World Has Been Better A Place With Canada In It....

As one political leader is out there highlighting to Canadians and the international community of the wrongdoings of our past (and everyone and every country has them), here is a noble thing to say while standing in the House of Commons.

Political parties aside, it is a straight up, no words minced, no political correctness way of saying "what Canadians believe" (not what a certain political party with a red logo tells us to believe or wants us to believe).

https://donate.conservative.ca/150th-Anniversary-of-Parliament?mpi=kkdlhjl&val=38

Trudeau Skips Out of One (Trade) Meeting...and Now Meeting With Myanmar's Leader Aung San Suu Kyi

With international papers claiming Trudeau did not even appear for this important Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) meeting, and the Liberal party claiming it was as a result of a lengthy "50 minute" discussion with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, regardless it has resulted in the forced and "abrupt cancellation of a scheduled leaders’ meeting".

Would the real story please be stand up? 

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/refile-tpp-leaders-meeting-postponed-after-canada-disagreement-japans-abe

and then this event and article appeard....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-meet-aung-san-suu-kyi-vietnam-1.4394457

I suppose Trudeau and the Liberal party would like to augment the "refugee" (based on some form of Liberal definition) intake and may be looking at Myanmar as the next group to be "brought" to Canada (not "seek" refugee status) that will make for some great headlines for the Liberal party...heading into 2019 election.

Never Too Early To Start Thinking About RRSP Season, But Here Is a Different Thing to Think About...and Why You Should be Mad

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/why-its-time-to-rethink-the-outdated-unfair-rrsp-contribution-limit

GasGate: Another Huge Gaffe by the Ontario Liberals, and Likely Just as Weak a Slap on the Wrist Coming Thursday

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-deleting-political-emails-not-wrong-defence-lawyer-tells-gas-plants-trial

Nashville: Music, Music, Music

Having spotted a ridiculous deal with Westjet to Nashville direct (I prefer Air Canada of the two national Airlines and also terminal 1 to terminal 3) I couldnt let it pass. Heading to Pearson International Airport (YYZ) early Sunday November 5, the day of the clocks changing thankfully back an hour, it allowed me a luxurious extra hour as I needed to be at YYZ two hours before my 935am flight.

As the GO Train was going to be my mode to connect with Union Pearson (UP) Express, unfortunately it was Sunday and service did not start until 730am. Uber it was. A $20 cab ride on a rainy morning took me to the west end of the multi-year renovation project called Union Station. The UP is a welcomed, clean and efficient means of transportation to Toronto's international airport that would make the Swiss check their watches.

Our Westjet flight left on time and surprisingly had a bilingual attendant and not a joking recording as they usually refer to.  After a hard landing at BNA (Nashville airport) I found the express bus that I wanted to take downtown but only runs every hour. So over to the cab line and I discovered it was an easy US$25 flat rate to downtown even though I was staying further west (thanks to hotwire).  My life was then in the hands of a crazy Jordanian that had too much caffeine and I think was half deaf from the blaring AM country radio in his right ear. I asked him after being in Nashville for 29 years, did he like country and his reply was NO. I landed amongst the Sunday morning (yes morning), pre game traffic revelry of a Titans - Ravens NFL match.

As i was dropped off at the cheap and cheerful Comfort Inn just west of the downtown I'd heard from the previous lady in front of me that rooms would not be ready until 230pm.  I asked how long to walk downtown and received again another wild estimate that added to the volatility of answers.  As I just landed with a sense of exploration coursing through me, I began to walk Demonbreun St. down to 5th and found the main Broadway strip.

As I overheard at the hotel, there is a volunteer transportation service in covered golf carts that for US$2 to US$4 will take you about anywhere downtown. Regardless, as I was walking in the direction of downtown geo fighyer here ripped overhead and I deduced the Titans game was about to start. So far an eventful morning !

It was barely noon and every bar had its doors open with live music cranking. I needed lunch (and a beer) so I wandered up and down both sides of the street and settled in at the  Honky Tonk Central where I had a rather  average pulled pork sandwich  (a very un-American sized proton) and a couple of Tennessee Lagers after the recommendation of my blonde bartender.

After watching the two acoustic players of a band in the top open floor it was time to try others. Venturing in and out of various bars and rooftop patios a band at Nudie's caught my attention (And also the Tennessee lagers). Like many places, it had three floors and a band on every one. Easy to pass the time. 

As the sunny afternoon became 230pm then 330pm, I started to think about checking in; however fans post Titans - Ravens game  started to roll in from across the bridge into downtown and Sunday Funday kicked it up a  gear! As I was up early to be at the airport by 730am, the second wind kicked in and calls for a power snooze (I would have had to check in first) went out the window.

I wandered again to a couple of patios and poked my head into a few other places. Eventually I ended up at the Mushroom where the front man with a wireless mic was on stage, on the street, and through the crowd. Playing mostly rock songs it was a welcome break from the country music I was bombarded with for the last four hours (although it was welcomed and I soaked it up).

The band itself had a very solid drummer and talented guitar player that drove in from another gig in Orlando! Listening to the conversations and interaction of many bands so far, it appears the music scene is fragmented in Nashville with musicians inserted here and there or bands assembled for the occasion or based on musicians' availability. The other thing I've learned is the quality of gear that each musician has ! The house gear that each bar has ! And the pedal boards that even the solo acoustic guitar player has! Where are these stores in Nashville? 

After that band finished their set including questionable behaviours on behalf of the  aforementioned front man (there was a 21 year old's birthday and the singer knew her, the Mom that WAS there and the Dad that WASN'T there!) It was time to check in to the hotel.

I walked back down Broadway heading west to the comfort inn.  With a curious look as to why my bags were there for eight hours the front desk attendant handed me my keys. After dumping my stuff in the room and checking emails I headed out to the end of Broadway around 19th for something to eat and to see something different (upon recommendation of the waitress at the Hard Rock Cafe where I was WiFi hopping earlier in the day). I landed at Sliders for some ....Sliders. And again another band playing on a very small stage. After finally eating that day (with exception of lunch) I took an Uber to avoid the sketchy walk over and headed home.

Day 2 started with the free breakfast with the usual hotel selection of muffins, yogourt, monster bagels, questionable scrambled eggs and the much coveted "waffle maker" (why these types of hotels throughout the USA are so emphatic about the waffle maker is beyond me).  The CNN that was broadcast on two televisions was covering the mass shooting of the Texas church; however, sadly no one in the room seemed to acknowledge the story. 

Afterwards, I made an ambitious 8km run through the State Capitol buildings and grounds later retuning by way of the Gulch Greenbelt back to the hotel. After a quick shower I headed out by feet to the western end that hosts Music Row - two main streets of historic recording studios, production companies, sound engineers, publishing houses etc all housed in quaint southern style, Tennessee homes usually on a raise lot higher than street level. Outside of some of these homes in this curious neighbourhood were large billboards laying  claim to the latest #1 hit country song that was produced there or recorded there or the singer was managed there. After circling around the two main streets of Music Row at a casual pace, I headset east across the river to Nissan Stadium. The walk across the pedestrian bridge gave some of the best views of the city and I wanted to return later at night for a different view. With not much beyond the acres of parking lot and my attention was no longer captured and I walked back into the downtown area, down to Broadway again towards the Johnny Cash museum. But first lunch. After learning that most food options on Broadway are sub par I headed off Broadway to FGL House (Florida Georgia Line). A nicer place compared to the rough and tumble but fun Honky Tonk establishments on broadway, although the air conditioning was turned to 11 and a simple (but delicious) , southern spicy hot chicken sandwich took a half hour to be served.

After dousing myself in a few gallons of water, I headed to the Johnny Cash museum across the street. A modest US$18, it was an interesting history and documentary of the country legend (for this non country fan).  They had such pieces of gear as the original guitar amp that was used to record "Walk the Line".  Interesting fact -  one of the few musicians and songwriter that has had hits on all forms of medium including 78, 33 and 45 rpm records, eight track, CDs, MP3 formats. The remaining exhibits, guitars, letters, old recording contracts and other items from Johnny's past helped to understand his career but also the significance of music in Nashville's history.

As I stopped back at the Hard Rock for some WiFi hopping I had to stop in at the Coyote Ugly (first time in one of these, $2 beers advertised). Very empty, about a dozen people in total.  The lone bartender jumped on the bar, gave us empty cups to put on our heads and a quick game of " Coyote says" was on. If your cup fell off, you were out. After making it to the final three, the final challenge involved the splits on a questionable bar floor and that's where the female winner took the lead in this contest. After the Coyote Ugly ego crush, I was feeling a bit hungry again and went for the cheap and cheerful old Spaghetti factory. As the rain increased and so did my carbohydrates intake,  I darted across the street to the honky Tonk Central. A non country cover band did a set of such unexpected songs by green day, blink 182 and rage against the machine. Awesome!

With the band changing and the rain in full downpour, I made a bolt to Nudie's as one band had just finished setting up (actually the bass player I saw earlier in the day with another band, he must have played there all day!). Fronted by an outgoing and energetic female singer sporting a reflective and revealing shimmery top they switched from high energy country songs to Tom Petty and Journey covers that pleased everybody! 

With the skies fully open (I think I saw  Noah building an ark at the end of the street) I jumped  into a cab and headed home.

Day 3 began the same as I arrived for breakfast in my running gear. Having been fully oriented with the breakfast assembly, I made a more efficient use of my time.  Back to the hotel for a stretch and Strava check, I headed out west again toward Centennial Park where the Parthenon, a replica of the one in Athens and houses one of Tennessee's art galleries, is located. Having followed Broadway all the way I made my way further south than planned but ended up running through a very interesting and picturesque area of Vanderbilt university bypassing the hospital, frat houses, stadiums and other immense sports facilities typical of an American university or college. Finding Centennial Park I jogged through it with the Parthenon eventually peeking through the trees towards the back of this intricately Park. After snapping the obligatory photo I made my correct way back to the hotel, bestered, checked emails, watched Bloomberg then wandered out again. This time heading back towards downtown I took a detour through to the Gulch area comprised of new construction and buildings that have resulted in what appears to be a new neighbourhood within an older party of the city.  I passed a few restaurants noting "The Pub" which claimed to have THE best fish and chips.  I then passed the Thompson, Weston hotels before being spit out to Korean Veterans Blvd.  Later passing the Omni hotel (that houses the hall of fame and  historical print press shop as well as Music city centre, a large conference centre.

All the while crews working outside were setting up for a large and high profile event as I later found out was the Country Music Awards to be held the next evening after I was scheduled to leave.

A Liberal Is Open To All Views - Until One Disagrees With the Liberal View: The New GG Shows Her True "Science" Colours in Belittling Those Non-Believers of Climate Change and Those Who Believe The Universe Was Created Out of More Than a "Random Process"

Maybe our new Governor General had an epiphany of knowledge or answers to such burning questions aboard the Space Shuttle, and was not shy about distributing that

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-payette-must-learn-mockery-is-not-the-correct-response-to-different-opinions

More of Trudeau's Cozy Cronies (Going Back to his Father) Now Resulting In Canadian Policies

"...The Trudeau government is not the first in Canadian history to view China’s strength and size with reckless excitement, but it is certainly the first to channel this enthusiasm into a policy goal as substantive as free trade. Free trade with China, which Ottawa pursues with a dogged determination they’ve been unable to muster for much else, is marketed as a panacea to alleviate virtually everything that ails modern Canada, from sluggish economic growth to traditional insecurities of “American dependence...”

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/the-trudeau-government-overlooks-chinas-dangerous-duplicities-just-to-land-a-trade-deal

No Surprise Liberal Politicians Acquitted: Teflon Dons of Ontario Politics

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-both-accused-acquitted-as-nearly-pointless-sudbury-byelection-trial-dismissed

Despite the overwhelming opinion by the "court of public opinion" and several reports of the evidence out there, the two schemers are free of any wrong doing. And The Kathleen will not have been associated come election time next year.

Liberal Disregard For Reality and The Spin Machine at Work

As expected and posted previously, the following two opposing articles appeared right after each other on Bloomberg today.

Just When You Think Political Correctness Has Peaked: Now "Millenials" is Offensive

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/liberal-government-advised-not-to-call-young-people-millennials-lest-they-be-insulted

Will the Real Canadian GDP Growth Rate, Please Stand Up: We Have Had Enough of "Sunny Ways"

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/theres-no-variable-in-the-model-for-nafta-ends

In a case of monetary and political, "he said, she said" both the institutions of the Bank of Canada and the governing Liberal party are to present their outlooks on the economy going forward. 

The Bank of Canada, fresh off two rate hikes that surprised most, may have a bias creep into their forecasts in wanting to "justify" those curious hikes with a rosier but but lower end of the "believable" and "expectations" range.

The Liberals, on the other hand, will definitely be painting a picture of "sunny ways" using their Liberal math (please see past posts for past examples) to show that the MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR deficits are not that bad, they can borrow more, they can spend more, buy more votes, etc....until the actual GDP numbers are in. But by then, the election will be in full swing.

Two years into their mandate and two more years (less four days...but who's counting?) to go, the Liberal spending and spin machine will be engaging high gear as the countdown is on for 2019.

However, as noted in the Financial Post article above (and is not being fully appreciated by Canadians), two significant wild cards exist - NAFTA results and the housing market results.  Either one of these could provide a sudden shock to any of the forecasts starting tomorrow and throw all views out the window.

The language around contingency plans will be very important to watch starting tomorrow.  My fear is, there is not one.

Hello 1.0% GDP, lower dollar, higher deficits, stalled housing market, higher interest rates (they are not coming down), higher unemployment...

(Liberals' sunny ways term highlighted below)

More Morneau...Oh No.

Do you think he had an idea of where the share price was heading after his little love in with the media yesterday? 

World Growth Predicted at 3.7% (IMF) - NOT in Canada You Say?

Upon officially quashing any economic injection from pipelines and giving Canada "diversity" of oil markets as opposed to beholdened to the US, Canada, thanks to such federal and provincial policies (don't forget increased minimum wage in Ontario that is bound to hurt businesses and increase unemployment) the Liberals will officially be bringing down this world average of 3.7% from our cozy little corner of the globe.

I think the expectations are to be happy with half that number.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-19/china-delivers-global-economy-into-blissful-goldilocks-territory

A Sad Day For Canadians, Canadiana and Canadian Music: Let The Music (Always Be) At Work

As we knew for over a year, this day would arrive, sadly the announcement of The Tragically Hip's frontman Gordon Downie was made this morning.  He and his band mates defined what a live show should be and in the case of Gord's carefully crafted classics and themes also incorporated Canadian history, Canadian places, Canadian activities, Canadian explorers, Canadian heroes, Canadian sports and Canadian artists - areas where ironically not a lot of Canadian bands and music makers ever pursue along their "musical journeys".

As compared to the days when I would see them at Mosport park in a massive Canada Day atmosphere, today I will listen to the music, and the lyrics, in a new light.  Let's hope we all can carry the torch to sing and write about this great country of Canada in song.

RIP Gord.  Say hi to Bill Barilko, Tom Thompson and Jacques Cartier.

Coincidence Both Were Announced (To Overshadow the Other)? One More Backtracking Example from the Taxing Liberal Party Sprinkled With Morneau Conflict of Interest: That Makes Both the PM and The Finance Minister Hauled Into the Ethics Commissioner's Office

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/newsalert-liberals-to-trim-small-business-tax-rate-to-stanch-political-bleeding-2

https://www.facebook.com/AndrewScheerMP/videos/1759314834102261/

...And by the smirk on Justin's face, there is little regard for the Ethics Commissioner.

Backtracking or action from "consultations"? Let the (apathetic) Canadian voters decide, "...“When we made the commitment back in 2015 to lower small business taxes, we were very clear about one thing: we would only make this change after we took a look at the tax system. That’s what these consultations of these past months were all about...".  [Insert Justin's smirk, and things are fine.]

How can the Liberals take credit and call this a "tax cut" when in fact it was barely out of the consultation period as the Liberals were dragged through the mud and vilified for the higher rate....and not even passed into legislation yet!

Ah, the Liberal media spin machine.  The people behind it are good at what they do - cunning, bold and ruthless.  

As mentioned, "Trudeau campaigned in 2015 on a promise to reduce the small business tax rate to nine per cent from 11 per cent over three years — but he announced in Budget 2016 he would freeze the rate at 10.5 per cent, cancelling in the process a legislated reduction to nine per cent instituted by the previous Conservative government."

What Does an Innovation Minister Do Anyway (When Not Handing Out Funds, Money, Grants)?

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/ottawa-names-atlantic-consortium-as-first-of-nine-shortlisted-superclusters

All in the name of your truthful, transparent and science-based Liberals

Thanks Minister Bains, I'm sure all Canadians are sleeping better at night knowing these funds are being spent on a "global innovation race".  Any chance of an update on this race -  are we winning? Are we second or third?  Or Worse?

Or is this a problem created to deflect other issues of the Liberal party and give something to do for Minister Bains?

Big Promises, Big Government, Big Taxes - Now a Big Security Bill ($2.4M per month to Guard the PM, His Family and His Sock Collection)

http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-canadienne/201710/09/01-5139442-securite-de-justin-trudeau-des-couts-records-de-235-millions-par-mois.php

For some context...

At $2.4 million per month is double the beginning of Stephen Harper's term and is 10 times higher than the cost of the controversial holidays of the Trudeau family in the private island of Aga Khan that recently put the prime minister in the hot seat.

Just for the first six months of 2017, $14 million was spent protecting Justin Trudeau and his family, compared to $11.5 million for the same period last year, according to the RCMP under the Access to Information Act. This $2.5 million represents a 22% annual increase.

At this rate, the Prime Minister's security will cost the RCMP an estimated $28 million in 2017, an increase from $23.6 million last year (already a recent peak).

An Anecdotal Illustration of Taxes

A once upon a time story about taxation

www.linkedin.com/pulse/once-upon-time-story-taxation-owen-erglis

A Trudeau is a Trudeau is a Trudeau: Unfortunately Too Much Like His Father

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-liberals-divide-country-with-unflappable-bombardier-support-disregard-for-energy

Having bungled up the energy industry that alienated the west, praised communist systems and dictators, drowned the country in debt the only things left for this Trudeau 2.0 are to piss off the Queen with a cheeky dance move behind her back and some recordings of a US president calling him an "asshole". 

But wait there's more. Having fostered Canadian unity with the implementation of the institution of Bilingualism, the younger Trudeau has "fought" for....marijuana legalization. 

But another thing has continued, the complete misunderstanding of how businesses especially publicly listed companies work and the point of their existence.  How Bombardier manages to stay a publicly listed company is criminal.

As "Diversity" is the Buzz Word of The Day, Eastern Canadians will Continue to Have "Diversity" of Oil Supply From USA, OPEC Countries Rolling Down the St. Lawrence: No More Energy East - Happy Now NEB?

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/on-energy-east-trudeau-and-notley-faked-saying-yes-but-governed-by-no

"...Eastern Canada imports more than 750,000 barrels per day from the U.S. and OPEC countries. The Energy East pipeline would have carried 1.1 million barrels per day of Canadian oil eastward to Canadians at lower cost while increasing Canada’s self-reliance. Even if much of the pipeline’s oil were exported, it would still be an economic benefit for Canada with foreign-market access that would allow for greater diversity of Canada’s customer base for its oil..."

Disagree With a Liberal? "Making Canada Safe for Hypocrisy"

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/john-ivison-ousting-of-pro-life-committee-chair-an-act-of-blatant-liberal-hypocrisy

As per a quote I read a couple of years ago (I believe in the National Post), a Liberal is open to all views... until you disagree with theirs.

When is a Safe Country...Safe? The Safe Third Country agreement with the U.S

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/about-half-of-summers-border-crosser-asylum-cases-heard-so-far-rejected-irb

Some data points...

"But the actual number of cases the board has heard since then is a mere fraction of the 8,000 or so claims that have been filed to date."

"The board is funded to hear at most 24,000 cases a year and at present, is anticipating more than 40,000 to be filed in all of 2017."

"There are currently 40,000 cases in the backlog as well, she said. Wait times for a hearing are currently about 16 months with nowhere to go but up, she added."

“The math is clear — unless you put more resources to this problem, then it takes longer time to schedule so there will be longer wait times.”

Despite What The Justin and His Liberals Speak and Tell You, Canadians Are All Worse Off...

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/liberal-changes-have-only-led-to-higher-taxes-for-the-middle-class-despite-claims-otherwise-report

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/what-middle-class-tax-cut-your-family-is-probably-paying-more-under-trudeau

Too Close To Home: Terrorism in Edmonton and Only a Few Words From Our Prime Minister

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/statement-by-the-prime-minister-after-a-terrorist-attack-in-edmonton

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/disturbing-video-shows-car-ram-into-edmonton-police-officer

Hard to believe this happened in Edmonton during a CFL game but easy to understand how such a crude method of violence could happen anywhere.  This did not happen in the big three cities of Canada but in Edmonton.

Not one word about terrorism from our fearless Prime Minister. One mention of "hate" and one mention of "violent extremism".  Nevermind that this arrested individual, pursuing a refugee claim, was known by the RCMP at least since 2015.  As such, we have yet to see where Trudeau and Immigration Minister, MP John McCallum draw the line on "A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian".  

Overshadowed by the unfortunate and more attention grabbing events in Las Vegas, once again The Justin and his policy erratic Liberals are successful with the media.

The Justin and His Merry Band of Taxing Federal Liberals: You Know It Is Bad When Even a Left Leaning, On Line Rag "Reports" It Is So

Never one to highlight or source such amateur journalism rife with non-Canadian spelling, text message type grammar and petty themes (how many articles can you produce on food trucks and beer festivals?); however, this made me perform a double-take at my laptop this morning....

I have not heard of research firm MARU/Matchbox, so, for what the results are worth you can read below; however, the message is becoming vocalized rather than just conversations in the confines of home or whispering chatter around the water cooler.

"Almost half of Canadians think the Liberals under Justin Trudeau should no longer be running the country, according to a new poll."

http://dailyhive.com/toronto/trudeau-liberals-political-survey-september-2017

Now if we could only have the same company perform a similar poll for Kathleen and the Ontario Liberals.

...And More and More and More Liberal Scandals and Gaffes: Canadians Must Be Politically Blind

Failing Canadians caught in Irma, hasty marijuana legalization and implementation, bungled pipeline and provincial energy policies, on trial for meddling with patronage positions, egregious tax reforms backlash, uncalled for minimum wage hikes, a refugee claim policy created on the fly - a political party's scorecard after its entire term? Nope just another one day of headlines for the provincial and federal Liberals.

As I "opened" the online version of the Financial Post and National Post, I was welcomed by the no less than a dozen articles of how wrong the latest Federal Liberal policies are, what these choices are going to cost Canadians and just general scandal (as in Ontario and it's energy play thing the Liberals have been tinkering with to the tune of tens and tens of billions of dollars). 

Either Canadians are 1) politically blind, 2) apathy takes over and they just believe the left focused media is always right, or 3) everyone is so wealthy in Ontario that no on needs to care (oh wait, what was that minimum wage idea the Ontario Liberals proposed?).

Whatever the reason, this ruthless, wasteful, over spending, lacking understanding of the energy industry, mathematically challenged group is likely to be voted in again.

Choose any of the following 14 articles for a mere taste of what is happening in Ontario, among "elected" officials...

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/today-judgment-day-finally-comes-for-the-ontario-liberals-gas-plant-scandal

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-much-delayed-trial-related-to-ontario-gas-plant-scandal-finally-reaches-court

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-lost-in-the-weeds-at-sudbury-byelection-trial

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/legalizing-marijuana-wont-shut-down-black-market-rcmp-official

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/stephen-gordon-middle-class-canadians-dont-understand-how-upper-class-they-are

https://www.google.ca/amp/nationalpost.com/news/canada/jonathan-kay-why-canadas-refugee-policy-may-actually-be-doing-more-harm-than-good/amp

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/trudeaus-sad-legacy-billions-in-energy-infrastructure-spending-scuttled-on-his-watch

http://business.financialpost.com/investing/medical-marijuana-producers-bristle-at-ontarios-planned-monopoly-on-recreational-cannabis-sales

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/agriculture/farmers-furious-over-ottawa-tax-changes-but-too-busy-harvesting-crops-to-mount-a-fight

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/joe-oliver-one-sign-trudeau-wants-to-use-regulation-to-strangle-energy-east

http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/0908-biz-dk-cfib-fpe

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/caroline-mulroney-named-progressive-conservative-candidate-for-ontario-riding

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-trudeau-a-rich-man-sure-seems-to-hate-the-rich

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/jonathan-kay-why-canadas-refugee-policy-may-actually-be-doing-more-harm-than-good

The Ontario Liberals Cannot Be Trusted With Finances: Even The Auditor General Says So!

http://nationalpost.com/news/local-news/reevely-ontario-governments-rosy-financials-grow-in-a-bed-of-bs/wcm/54f00c6a-8ce0-4c14-a988-f8b963e71a16

And also manipulate the media (although all political parties are guilty of that).  How bold this manipulation was.

"The government’s forecast for a gradual decline in the net debt-to-GDP ratio depends critically on achieving a string of balanced budgets on average over the next 12 years,” LeClair’s latest report says (it came out Wednesday, drowned out by Wynne’s promise to overhaul the school curriculum)"

The Justin's Definition of Canada's "Rich" : Now Canadians Know

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/scheer-calls-tax-proposal-crippling-but-trudeau-insists-it-wont-affect-those-making-less-than-150000

As the Liberals wax on about about "tax solutions", at its caucus meeting in Canada's wine country (don't forget, this is Canada's pretty of the " middle class"), we have finally learned a little more of The Justin's vague terms of middle class and Rich and now they are defined.  After being pressed by the media The Justin have this piece of info that let's us see more into the Liberals definitions:

"As soon as you start talking about the small percentage of people who have or who can max out both their RRSPs and their tax-free savings account, you’re talking about the wealthiest Canadians,”

So there you have it. A Canadian that can pay his or her own Liberal tax burden ( not including PST and GST on all purchases) and then have enough to " max out" TFSAs ($5,400) and RRSPs (average $18,000 to $36,000) is among the "wealthiest Canadians", then God help this country. 

The Justin and Morneau Spinning Tax Options Available To ALL Canadians As Only For The Rich: First TFSAs Now Incorporated Companies

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/warning-of-two-classes-of-taxpayers-morneau-stands-firm-on-controversial-tax-overhaul-plan

No Longer Just Disapproval - Now It Is Becoming Criminal: Ontario Liberals on the Ropes

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-four-ontario-liberals-and-politics-itself-go-on-trial

Another Head Scratching Policy from the "Thinking Socks" of The Justin and Merry Band of Taxation Liberals: Procurement Diversity

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-how-justin-trudeau-plans-to-make-government-waste-more-gay-positive

Ottawa

Having moved back to Toronto I had the urge to see the eastern cities I used to visit regularly -  Ottawa Montreal Quebec city (or the CFL east as I call it).

With a favourite band headkining a craft beer fest in Ottawa and summer nearing an end I thought this would be a great start.

I booked an extremely cheap VIA Rail ticket and splurged on a business class seat for the return (still cheap!).

The via ride was comfortable with about 60% capacity as we past Kingston. A very underrated form of travel it is much less stressful than flying.

My initial plan was to bring my road bike  around Ottawa for the weekend as I read and it was advertised by a couple of government sponsored cycling groups (ahem Ontario!) That for certain major stops via takes bikes as is, no need to disassemble or out in a box. AFTER having booked my tickets I found that no baggage car exists on the Toronto Ottawa line and there is no such thing as "checked baggage" ....therefore,  no way to bring a bike on board. Having learned that I hit the tourist brochures and discovered a wealth of events that are happening still for the 150th

As I pulled into Ottawa on a thruway night, I couldn't help but notice the quiet that surrounded me. From exiting the train, walking through the station , waiting for the bus no one said a word to each other, no horns honked, no Buzz of a. Major city at all. In fact all I heard was the announcers voice at the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton stadium scored the way where rh minor league team plays

I opted for the bus this time to take me downtown as Google maps told me it was just a few minutes longer than a cab (dedicated bus lanes in Ottawa).
No word on the bus except for the kid
Brand new bus

Dead town

Caucasian cab driver did not know here whereas going or the market

Sens house was close don a thruway night to "`watch all the big games"

Big Corina beers knowing I'm close to Quebec

After peeking into a couple of Brew pub I ended at  Lafayette where a guitar duo was about to Belt out a few times on the same west of stages and with Hickey stick microphones.  While there I started talking to the only kilted piper in Parliament Hill piping attire in the bar as he reached in, past me, to order his usual after his shift.  He explained he only has a couple of weeks before the weather shuts it down until next year. Form there I wandered homes having stayed out later than planned.no without a stop first to three brothers for a shawarma.

Friday morning I had to move hotels so I checked out of the Capital hill inn and suites, cheap cheerful and clean.  Centrally located along metcalf street. I made the 11 minutes trek to Business inn and suites on elgin. Again a cheap and cheerful BUT SPACIOUS unit.  Essentially a full one bedroom suite with giant kitchen, it's own desktop computer, dining table and large balcony, free breakfast. Stuck in the 70s, it served it's purpose.

Wandered around Sparks street and discovered the Kontinuum exhibit. Vaguely worded in its description,  the exhibit of light and the concepts spaces time and everyone has a personal frequency, taking place in the almost completed station of the new Ottawa Confederation line (subway). An interesting and unique thing to do thing in Ottawa. And it was free.

Walked into galineau to visit the hockey history exhibit at the musem.if history. .....

After visiting I continued to walk the loop back to downtown Ottawa. Where I had lunch at ....darcy mcgee

I went back to the hotel, changed and picked up my ticket for the Trews at the mill street brewpub grounds right on the Ottawa River.  Although gates opened at 5pm I knew The Trews would not be on before 930pm.  So it was time to revisit Byward market again in hopes of a livelier Friday  after work scene.

On Saturday I ventured to the optometrist for an unexpected lens check and wound up in thr gkebe. Noticing the on slaughter of REDBlacks jerseys heading south I realized I was not far from the stadium. So I wandered down to the lansdowne  Park area

The most luxurious pre game tail gate party in pro football with every restaurant offering available.  And all packed. Great atmowphere. I bought a standing room only ticket at $35. The stadium is a uniquely open design where you can watch form end zone patios, various tiers of stairs in the corners,  an entire covered floor on the south side or from one of the condos but right into the stadium!  A fantastic sunny day and the REDBlacks won against the BC Lions in a threatening comeback in the fourth quarter.

I tired to best th traffic and buses (there are a lot here in Ottawa!) And took an user back to the hotel for a change and charge of the phone (the nights are becoming cooler at this time if year).  After also catching up on some news I headed to Parliament Hill and parked myself dead center so I could have the best peripheral view of the Northern Lights show projected onto the front of the Parliament buildings. A thoughtful walk through Canada's history and how this great country came to be.

After filling my phone with pictures and videos it was time to eat - a late dinner. I wandered back towards Elgin in order to avoid the rush of people around the Parliament buildings (and likely filling up the Sparks street bars).  I noticed Johnny Farina as I passed it several times in last couple of days staying at the hotel

Canada's "Illogical" refugee System and The Liberals' Response

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/michael-barutciski-legal-loophole-allows-illegal-migrants-to-claim-refugee-protection/wcm/e441a98c-93a1-4c78-a532-cccaec8e04fd

Minimum Wage and the Damage Done: Ontario's $15/hr Minimum Wage Hike and Your "Inflationary" Liberals at Work

At what point do we stop tipping for this "minimum" wage?

Combined with higher interest rates from the Bank of Canada, it is obvious the Ontario Liberals have a different math system and do not understand what "inflation" is, combined with an already fragile housing market in Toronto.

(The damage done in politics for the sake of a few votes...shocking)


http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/matthew-lau-layoffs-bankruptcies-higher-prices-its-ontarios-plan-for-minimum-wage-prosperity/wcm/96c72b45-5e77-48ae-98fb-bf42c47a7e56

The Best View of Toronto

"Hey I can see Winnipeg!"

Canadian Apathy 3: Canadian Citizenship

"Voluntary" and "Mandatory" duties of citizenship?

Now even less about the war of 1812? Should not every Canadian citizen - home grown or not - know how the borders came to be? This also dovetails into Monarchy, Commonweatlth and the Queen we have now.

Our borders did not exist since the beginning of time - thousands of families had their houses burned down in barabaric raids over ties to England versus independence.  Not to mention how Hudson's Bay Co. obtained the lands in the name of trade.

Instead of the test becoming easier and shorter, the volume of material should increased as so many basic things about Canada are not known at large by its citizens, metaphorically it makes us look like the class dunce at the meeting tables and with travelling buddies on our post-university travels.


http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/taxes-census-treaties-described-as-obligations-of-citizenship-in-new-guide/wcm/016bf5ad-58df-4924-82b4-78ea5168e768

"By the sound of it, the new text will read like Quotations from Justin Trudeau:"

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/c-p-champion-new-citizenship-guide-shows-liberals-are-the-copy-cats/wcm/5653a9c6-b260-4a4e-b311-c37edb0f622e

Canadian Apathy 2: How Serious is the Institution of Bilingualism Taken in Canada?

http://nationalpost.com/news/in-quebec-chickens-say-cot-cot-french-canadian-terms-that-are-nothing-like-their-english-translations/wcm/765be3b9-3770-4235-82cf-a6ee08a5215e

"Although Canada is an officially bilingual country, a large majority of Canadians do not speak a word of French" 

1) I did know about the "P.E.T." translation and have giggled childishly for years driving up to the P.E.T. Aeroport (fart-port)...

2) ....However, yes it is a character flaw of most Anglo Canadians, and with a modest amount of effort to learn French by Anglos, would have eliminated a lot of the tensions and problems we have had for over 400 years. Unfortunately Canadians would prefer to be just in awe of multilingual countries like Switzerland or more selfishly would rather learn Spanish so they can mannerly order "cerveza" from the hotel pool bar on their next all inclusive one week vacation.  

The cultural and historical significance of French among Anglo Canadians is sadly below the efforts of say Netflix binge watching or playing Tetris on your expensive latest iPhone during your 1.5 hr commute on a GO train (think of all the time you could have to learn French....or just putting that time to use better, like learning Canadian history -  another topic that Anglo Canadians don't spend an ounce of effort on nor feel they need to know). 

In a country so much to be thankful for yet its institutions are becoming less and less identifiable to a point we have to ask ourselves "what do we stand for?' (large groups are out there to oppose or ignore the Queen, bilingualism, Canadian history, CFL, CANDU reactors, etc), it is sad to see this part of Canadiana, and the efforts to learn both official languages, appear like an annoying mosquito on a clear cottage day for Anglo Canadians. 

Of course, in Canada we have to be tolerant and respective of all cultures, celebrate diversity.... unless it's Quebec, Natives or Americans....then the rules don't seem to apply, especially in the media. 

Canadian Apathy 1: Even After Voluntarily Providing $10M to Khadr, Liberals Likely to Face 2019 Re-Election

As shocking as it sounds, even after protecting citizenship for known and convicted terrorists and doling out $10M to the Canadian-born Omar Khadr, even on the 4th of July and payment unnecessarily accelerated while Parliament was not even sitting (that is, no chance of debate), this band of self-righteous do-gooders (all "for the middle class", of course), are likely facing another victory in 2019.  If this is happening now in year two of the Liberals' term, what will Canada look like after 2019? God help us....

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/emerging-polling-trend-suggests-khadr-settlement-may-not-have-hurt-liberals-after-all/wcm/387208e0-45ed-4290-9a7a-922ab463c516

Liberal Looney Tunes: Where is Premier Wynne - In Her Office? No, the Courthouse in Sudbury

Thanks to bribery charges related to Pat Sorbara, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Gerry Lougheed Jr. involving a by-election in Sudbury (where Andrew Olivier was to stand down and make way for Glenn Thibault....out of the goodness of his heart?) this episode of "Liberal Looney Tunes" will be playing out in a Sudbury courthouse where The Kathleen will be on the stand defending her underhanded, tax everyone incredulously to pay for their pensions and the pensions of those unionist groups that support the reality challenged Liberal way of environment, labour, economics and debt.

How can a party this low be elected? Sadly, with Canadians' empathy to elected officials, the Liberals will likely win the next election.

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-kathleen-wynne-witness-for-the-prosecution/wcm/e11eab81-52cd-415a-901b-b03720afef39

The Justin's Two-Faced, Passive Aggressive Politics Puzzle Is One Piece Closer to Completion

The Federal Liberals, trying to please everyone and spinning every decision and platform mandate into separate responses to please the public at large (like a high school student council), has just received the greatest gift.

Although announcing the Liberals are for two key pipelines thereby appearing pro-economic growth and risking backlash from the environmental crusaders and extremists, now has the piece in hand (well, in BC) to allow the "democracy of Canada to unfold" and kill at least one of these "approved" projects.

This gives the Federal Liberals the perfect situation of washing its hands from this controversial decision - the Liberals look pro-growth, but their provincial counterparts actually kill the pipeline washing away the risk of loss of votes from his environmentally obsessed voter base.

I do remember Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources making a comment to a group of Alberta business leaders two days after approving the $7B pipeline project about calling in the military if he needed to (a comment that he apologized for - wait, was that the sound of another Liberal apologizing?).   

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.  I suspect Jim Carr and his merry band of soft Liberals will not put up the fight.

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-trudeau-and-new-b-c-premier-come-to-an-agreement-dont-mention-the-pipeline/wcm/3be682af-cc65-44fe-ba1d-943419d4d52f

Canada is a Big Country: Some Perspective on How Green and Sustainable Canada Is

These are the extrapolative and underhanded tactics invoke fear and guilt.  Using simple math and if every Canadian knew more of their country (ex. an appreciation of how big this land mass we know as the best country in the world, despite its problems - some of which have been discussed on this blog), then Canadians would be able to dismiss such comparisons between what Canada does and can do versus say Germany in this example.

The Europeans are associated more with "greener" initiatives; however, their landmasses are MAGNITUDES smaller, their urban footprints are smaller as they typically are living in smaller and older style apartments due to "urban planning" centuries before even ships made to explore the New World were even dreamed of

Groups, as in this article, have taken "apples and oranges" comparisons to the highest degree in misrepresenting the urgency of any environmental situation, even going so far as to creating them. Thank you Peter Foster.

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-protecting-canadians-from-fake-eco-news/wcm/9f02053e-7bd8-45e2-93c0-c80d922a2a08

Natural Born Economic Killers: BC's NDP

With opportunities of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), pipelines and mining available within the borders of its province (not even having to go out of its way to attract these industries), BC could have made its own provincial economy look like Alberta's on steroids during the early 2000s when oil approached US$147/barrel.

But no, succumbing to all things "sustainable", all economic prosperity is bad, anything to do with oil will not happen in the Pacific Time Zone (or in other words, things are different west of those mountains), tens of thousands of job will not come to fruition and future tax bases for the NDP government to invoke their idyllic green agenda will have vanished.

BC obviously did not learn from its neighbour to the east (Alberta).  It looks like two houses (provinces) are going to be burning down soon.

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/a-tragedy-for-canada-petronas-cancels-36b-lng-project-as-b-c-jacks-up-demands/wcm/de2567c8-499d-489f-9dec-3826a01c932c

Oops: Your Foolish Ontario Liberals and Waste of Tax Dollars at Work....

Well, there it is. The Kathleen's "vision" all represented on a nice cartoon like diagram.  Simple, idyllic, truthful and easy to understand, right? Who knows how much this study cost (I will do some digging); however, the depiction is out of touch with the simplest of realities - a road grader versus a tractor for farming. Now the updated picture has been doctored and neither grader nor tractor is there.

Here is your Ontario for the future - electric cars, gardens and quiet, carbon free trains all co-existing in the same little neighbourhoods (if someone agrees to "in their backyard").

The question is - who and how is this going to be paid for? I suppose it will be "balanced" budgets where The Kathleen and her Merry Band of Taxing Liberals will borrow more and receive more and more federal handouts.  Somehow, that is "balanced".

http://nationalpost.com/g00/news/canada/ontario-climate-change-report-weirdly-shows-a-highway-grader-destroying-a-farm/wcm/2e4ea165-9b46-4d96-808f-b8f3a6110a31?i10c.referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fnationalpost.com%2Fg00%2F%3Fi10c.referrer%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Ftu9srvbirvvtmjekbmf0aw9uywxwb3n0lmnvbq00.g00.financialpost.com%252Fg00%252F2_YnVzaW5lc3MuZmluYW5jaWFscG9zdC5jb20%25253D_%252FTU9SRVBIRVVTMjEkaHR0cDovL25hdGlvbmFscG9zdC5jb20v_%2524%252F%2524

Hydro One: Trading Aftermath

Upon announcement of the proposed transaction, Hydro One (TSX:H) shares felt the usual acquiror pain on the first day of trading. However, since then the shares have recovered and are not "basically flat" but are "exactly flat".

Very unusual in trading that such a steady share price has been maintained. What does this mean?

First of all, the dividend for shareholders will be maintained.  That means the business of Hydro One will have to be managed with this in mind. However, this is where things become curious.

Don't forget the Ontario Liberals headed by " The Kathleen" and her Merry Band of Taxing Liberals are also a shareholder. As such, the Ontario government will also receive dividends in addition to the extra delivery charges, carbon taxes etc that are showing on your bill every month.

The Ontario government also controls, sets and allows the prices to be charged for a utility (ie electricity). As a shareholder, will the Kathleen allow a dividend to be forgone for the greater good of Ontarians?  In other words, the Kathleen will allow and approve price increases such that Hydro One (and its Ontario territory) is guaranteed a profit and even further allowed operate without the loss of jobs as most "real" businesses ( publicly listed companies ) have to face when dealing with a "real" income and cash flow statement.

Buy Hydro One for the safety of the dividend because you might as well benefit from the higher rates coming to support this conflict ridden, pseudo - communist operating regime that we see in countries like China and Russia. 

Recommendations for Financial Podcasts: You Must Take Financial Matters Into Your Own Hands

http://business.financialpost.com/investing/david-kaufman-the-three-financial-podcasts-i-cant-live-without/wcm/4187985e-0ffc-4ba0-896d-ea1b62ea1e48

Where Are the Synergies? Hydro One Deal

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-hydro-ones-takeover-of-avista-is-fake-capitalism-for-monopolies/wcm/2c02a38c-9a36-47c8-813c-a078e4eaaaa1

As stated in earlier post (along the lines of this transaction will be a fail due to the forces of reality or a government backed and guaranteed success), the dividend is either going to be rock solid and Ontarians on the hook for paying higher prices to keep it this way, or a complete meltdown as the market wakes up to how this anomaly actually works.

Hydro One on the Acquisition Trail? "The Kathleen" and Her Merry Band of Taxing Liberals Must be Breathing Easier

The trend is there for Canadian public companies acquitting other utilities in the US; however, although Hydro One is public, it is not your average publicly listed company on the Toronto Stock Exchange. It is majority owned by the Ontario government with Ontarians screaming either for "those are the Assets of the people of Ontario!" or "great, it's public now pay me a dividend!".

Either way the culture of bloated pensions and benefits, a cozy club of "sunshine list" earners (greater" than  $100,000/year) and from many reports, rarely a full 8hr work day worked, continues throughout.

The fact an acquisition was made gives the Ontario Liberals another angle of shirking any responsibility as now the government's position will have been diluted and they will argue out of both sides of their mouths to Ontario voters that they have a vastly reduced say or influence as a significant shareholder going forward, so throwing their hands up in the air...yet claiming they did the right thing originally in floating Hydro One as a public entity (thereby pleasing leftist union supporters and reality based capitalists).

As reported, no layoffs are expected at Avista Corp. which for any acquisition is rare, further exemplifying the Ontario Liberals' tentacles and "hire everyone, fire no one" approach are still lingering.  Also, at first pass, it seems there is little in the way of any synergies as the operating territories do not overlap. Conclusion,  Investment Banking 101 would seem this announcement is a head scratcher.

If closed, going forward one of two things are going to happen: the new US subsidiary will either morph into the old Ontario Hydro culture that still permeates the public company today, or Hydro One will actually have to start behaving like a real business and have a more stringent view on compensation and take a hard and close review of the long term pension obligations.

We will see which result wins. I suspect the real winner is the firm raising the US$1.1B in equity and the US$2.6B in debt will be the horse to back.

Another Canadian Utility Nabs U.S. Assets in a $3.4 Billion Deal
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-19/hydro-one-reaches-5-3-billion-deal-to-buy-u-s-utility-avista

CFL 2017: Typical Start, The West is Best and the East is .500

Another year and another strong start for the West, this time Edmonton is undefeated, with Calgary in a shocking 2 wins, a loss and an opening tie against its Grey Cup counterpart from last year as start.  Saskatchewan has a win, so the extremes between undefeated and winless are not there this year.

In the East, the Argoooooooooooos are on top with a .500 record, and last year's Grey Cup winning REDBlacks are nowhere to be seen.  They must have been celebrating right through training camp....

Too Much, Too Late for "‘Massive effort’ underway to create database that will shed light on Canada’s housing market": It is Known Where the Additional Housing Demand Has Come From and only a 15% Tax Was Placed on it

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/massive-effort-underway-to-create-database-that-will-shed-light-on-canadas-housing-market/wcm/7b6aff4d-0bff-4223-a2cc-bc0207ff9e89

Finally this is being done; however, it is too late. The cat is out of the bag.  Despite data being released that only one in 10 or one in 20 buyers are "foreign", this does not account for many housing transactions purchased by a Canadian funded by a "foreigner", nevermind Permanent Residents (PRs), Visa entries and other classifications involved in these transactions.  In Vancouver, the headlines and real estate chatter is full of these examples.

Essentially, Toronto (and other major cities in Canada) are bidding against the world, not just the couple of million residents in their own city borders.  Why? There are no restrictions on "foreign" buyers (this has not been defined by any media source or real estate body - is it a non Canadian? a non Canadian passport holder? a non permanent resident?), unlike other countries such as Australia (only new construction is available by foreign purchasers).  Foreign purchasers, whether becoming PRs or Canadian Citizens or no interest in any status, want the security of law and title as well as having an eye on education (which is significantly cheaper compared to world standards, and Canada does not appreciate it).

If Justin and his merry band of Liberal taxation experts want to close loop holes, protect the middle class and raise more tax dollars, then instead of a provincial 15% foreign buyer tax:

i) Increase property taxes that would benefit directly those who have been able to enter this housing frenzy and reduce directly their follow on expenses like annual property taxes or improve the infrastucture for which property taxes are raised and used. This would be a more accountable and direct method for a housing tax rather than going to the provincial (Kathleen's) coffers. 

ii) Increase tuition fees for those not in any citizenship application process.  Canada's universities and colleges are world class and this standard of education is coveted around the world - especially at the price Canadians (and foreign students) pay!  So much so, that as witnessed from many resumes I have read at my prior firm, many are only applying and graduating under one final semester of the program (while credits from a previous international university are transferred).  This "appears" as a graduation with a (as an example) full UBC degree (far from the full represntation).  The US is charging astronomical amounts for education to its own American Citizens (nevermind foreign students).  In Canada, this education is a bargain (just don't tell the red path kids in Montreal, they may protest again).

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/massive-effort-underway-to-create-database-that-will-shed-light-on-canadas-housing-market/wcm/7b6aff4d-0bff-4223-a2cc-bc0207ff9e89

Sports and Finance: Reiterating Professional Sports as a Business....and Canada's Unfriendly Tax Breaks for Business

(My favourite overlapping of topics....professional sports and finance...)

Easy to abuse, and many do it, but the spirit of expensing such items is much harsher here in the Great White North.

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/the-bruins-couldnt-beat-the-sens-but-heres-how-they-scored-on-the-irs/wcm/db345006-a5d1-4d26-816a-66e4bf6072e4

Finally an App for Long Term, Financial Sense: Preparing for Retirement Years, Could be Impacted by your Coffee Purchases

I have neither used, demonstrated nor promoted this app; however, an interesting approach on how all purchases reduce savings and impact your nest egg when fast forwarding to retirement years....yes, even those daily guilty pleasures - Starbucks ("Fourbucks") coffee purchases.

Some people I know or have worked with voyage down into those food courts or must enter a higher end, corner coffee shop a few times a day.  Not only are they spending say $8 to $12 on coffee every day (let's say, weekdays), this is in addition to the $20 to $25 in parking per day (convenience of your own car versus public transportation or walking or cycling), and the $15 to $20 in lunch and Timbits (again, let's assume on a weekday).

Adding these items up could range from $43 to $57 per day or, excluding weekends, $215 to $285 per week!

I don't own a car, but unable to escape car and car financing commercials, these expenditures would be able to finance one from what I've seen.  In other words, if you already have car payments, then behaving like this would be the equivalent of paying for two cars in terms of the money in your wallet at the end of the day.

Nevermind all those minutes in a coffee line at 930am and 2pm each day!


http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/your-money-will-a-countdown-clock-to-retirement-help-you-save/wcm/7eaf82b7-32fb-4c1b-a71c-994979857e39