Cannabis - Insiders' Selling Has Started (Green Organic Dutchmen)

It's on (and does not match with a prior option exercise)...

Eleven Predictions for 2019: Cannabis to Suffer From Its Own Accounting Rules

In taking a stab with some convictions and also looking to the consequences of those convictions, here is the first annual "Look Ahead" for 2019.  These go  to 11.

Interest Rates: although the pace of interest rate increases will likely continue in the USA as the economic story is much better, here in Canada the rose coloured glasses will come off for Bank of Canada's Poloz and will have to admit to the squandery of the federal Liberals and their impact on what could have been an economy and GDP on steroids here in the Great White North. No rate increases in 2019, plausible decrease towards end of year depending on how bad unemployment rears its ugly head and the election outcome combined with cries for housing affordability.  A 0.25% decrease to close 2019 at 1.5%.

S&P/TSX: although less volatile than its Dow Jones counterpart, the TSX has already weathered the oil and gas storm from our domestic and foreign environmental vigilantes.  As cannabis is expected to "roll" over in 2019, gold (and perhaps copper and other base metals) will take shine as the tariff tweeting battle will come to a conclusion. Banks, telecomms, etc will continue to do well in light of decent dividend yields while REITS may catch a leg up if interest rates pause in replacing the high flying cannabis returns. With most of the noticeable gains coming since Trump was elected, yet down 13% for 2018, no foreseeable game changing catalysts on the horizon, all we can look toward are the pre-election balloons (taxation? Accekerated depreciation?) that will be floated ahead of October that may be priced in and give some gains if the market runs with it. 14,600 close for 2019 (little gain). 

Canadian Dollar: there is no shortage of events the Liberals have done to shoot the Loonie in the foot (for example, this entire blog has tracked them since its inception in 2015). With less than a year to the election, world currency markets will start to dump the Loonie as Trudeau's Liberals begin to telegraph their economy killing agenda all in the name of "sunny ways" and expected to be paid for with....even more debt. CAD/USD of $0.719.

Gold: has enjoyed higher prices on the Dow's extreme sell off days and on lighter volume but has durprisingly seemed to find a footing towards US$1,280/oz despite no activity out of India or China during its seasonally most active time of the year.  Also unimpressive, the SPDR Gold Shares ETF stands at a mere 788t or 25.3 Million oz equivalent to approximately 0.25 years worth of annual world mined production. As cannabis is expected to  implode due to writedowns in 2019, bitcoin has also died a quiet death, FAANG stocks are becoming long in the tooth (get it?) and blockchain is nowhere, in accepting reasonable valuations of companies that they understand investors will return to simpler industries that make and produce things.  Peak of US$1,335/oz for the year, average US$1,292/oz for 2019.

Cannabis: although only recently discovered by yours truly, cannabis producers use the same biological accounting methods as say corn producers or cattle growers. The commodity is just that - a grown product that takes time then boom! the revenue realized. As such, as per IFRS (globally accepted accounting rules), revenue, before the product is sold, is actually spread over the entire growing cycle based on assumptions of prices in the future, estimated harvest time, etc. This is calculated widely in the corn and cattle industry as these industries are established and the current market pricing is known due to up to the minute quotes and also in the future due to options and futures markets. This is NOT the case on cannabis and accountants' "guesstimates" will be met with writedowns in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2019. Retail investors will flee as only a minority of CPAs (previously known as CAs) understand biological assets accounting methods. Like that famous end of year wrap up show on Radio-Cabada, "Bye Bye" CSE (Canadian, also known as Cannabis, Stock Exchange).

Housing Market: the housing market will continue to be propped up by foreign buyers and will continue to be unrecognized by the various real estate boards and media. These boards will continue to paint a rosy picture regardless of whether interest rates increase, pause or decrease. Lacking any restrictions on foreign buyers other than a meaningless tax in some jurisdictions, Canada's own "imported real estate inflation" (yup, we brought this on ourselves) will charge on with only itself to blame. Good for those already an owner, bad news if one of those early in career looking for something new in a high rise tower with a chic pool and gym setting (and the monthly $400 to $700 in condo fees that go along with it...yes on top of the mortgage).  Areas like Kelowna are seeing more rental only buildings being thrown up; however, not that popular yet in the main three - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Election October 2019: in a realistically only two party system, the NDP will hopefully be completely disregarded this election lacking leadership and a leader that does not even have a seat in the House of Commons while focus will rightly be on the two governing and opposition parties. As the Liberals have moved from their center ice position into left wing, the NDP are looking for a spot on the forward line but may be relegated to the second line...or become a healthy scratch for election night. As they have been, and will be, chased out provincially from places like Alberta or are barely able to form a government as in BC, things are not looking good for Jag and his orange cohorts.  As such, watch for Justin to squeeze them out with all sorts of leftist extremist promises to win as many voters as he can while losing out other liberal strongholds after his gaffe filled term as well as to compensate for no votes in Alberta. Can the Conservatives garner the votes needed based on Justin's incompetent sunny ways or need to switch up right-wing for center ice on the top line? Unfortunately, despite Trudeau's bungled trips abroad, nonsensical remarks, out of touch trust fund views, holier than thou, blane everything on Harper, anti-American persona...Canadian voter apathy is also part of the equation. I'll prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Liberal minority win.

Deficit - Canada: Trudeau and his merry band of taxing and spending Liberals has helped to rack up federal debt to an all time high of C$671.25 Billion. Yes, that one trillion number is in our sites. With no mention of how this will be paid down or by when is more than concerning. The Liberals' solution - throw out C$20 Billion annual deficits as more fuel to the fire. By the end of 2019, which is an election year, it is plausible this total debt picture starts with a 7 as in C$700 Billion.

Deficit - Ontario: after the Ontario provincial Liberals received blow after blow by legislative and financial watchdogs let's believe for a minute Dougie Ford will be the new hope to turn things around after a whirlwind 100 days in office. Thanks to the McGuinty and Wynne run Liberals, Ontario's debt is currently at C$323.8 Billion. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL DEFICIT OF C$671.25! As an aside, this equates to an estimated C$44,000 per man, woman and child (and whatever other inclusive genders need to be mentioned here)!!! After an estimated C$12 Billion deficit planned under the now ousted (thankfully) Wynne government, Dougie had better reduce this number after inheriting this mess from the previous Liberal math wizards.  Prediction for Year 1, C$331 Billion debt,  C$8.0 Billion deficit.

Recession or Not? When the equity capital markets rise this high from a shot in the arm from the world's largest economy (yes that was Trump), it's hard to avoid asking when will this party end? The spillover has also been felt in Canada. The risks of a recession here in Canada are: further and mistimed interest rate increases, cannabis roll over, the real unemployment figures are made available, potential larger Liberal  deficits, botched trade deal(s), further industry pull out like GM, more Saudi oil pumped to run our Western Canadian Select producers (and USA shale producers) into the ground, no progress on Canada's Trans Mountain pipeline, a botched infrastructure program (or just another broken promise), stifling carbon taxes and extra levels of approvals for large projects...many risks. Although easy to predict an upcoming recession on the factors, timing of these compounding effects may take longer than a year.  Recession in 2020.

Western Canadian Select (WCS): your author is by no means an oil expert but based on what is in the news, it is not very rosy. Obviously no pipeline in the near term, not even the one Canadians now own. So, discounts will continue to be built into the Canadian oil price as the USA refiners can do that (Canada cannot transport it so the USA has the upper hand and at what price they'll take it). Assuming tariff and trade words settle down and come to a conclusion, the Saudis will act more royal and the oil market will settle out.  WTI back up to US$70/bl by year end and discounted WCS at C$30 to C$40/bl.

Wild cards: Conservative win in 2019 after Canadians finally review the record, accomplishments and policies of the Mr. Dressup government, Loonie stays the same (we can only hope!), no extra Reconciliation holiday as it will be an election (broken) promise, McKenna keeps her Twitter account on mute

A Pittance! Liberals Have the Gall to Offer a Measly $1.6 Billion to Alberta's Oil Producing Industry....In the Form of Loans!?!?

Just when you think this government could not act any more childish, mean spirited (in a political sense) or just plain idiotic, Justin and his band of reality challenged cohorts never cease to amaze.

As if this $1.6B is going to plug any holes in the already bursting dam (of capital fleeing from an important industry in Canada).  Just a sign of the times...and "sunny ways".

As an aside, and adding insult to injury, MP Sohi is the one appointed to look after this file, one of the most important files currently for Canada (Immigration being the other).  It appears he is so over his head with incompetence in this role, that Jim ("Dude where's my...") Carr had to show up to stand next to Sohi as that was Carr's previous role - to help Sohi with the buzz words of the industry he has not learned yet?.

What is  more ironic, Carr is the Minister of Trade Diversification! The Liberals are doing everything possible to REDUCE diversity of trade especially as it pertains to Alberta's oil sands!

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/what-is-ottawas-energy-loan-program-and-will-it-actually-help-canadas-battered-oilpatch?video_autoplay=true

Infrastructure Promises, Promises: Remember the Campaign and the Setting Up of an Infrastructure Bank? Well, Nothing Done Yet

$35.5 billion tied up and nothing to show for it.  Much like the Liberals track record thus far. 

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/what-has-trudeaus-infrastructure-bank-achieved-a-recycled-loan-and-millions-in-expenses

Gender Equality? More of Trudeau in Hot Water AND Foot in Mouth Disease

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-menace-of-the-man-camp-sorting-out-trudeaus-latest-alberta-problem

Bank of Canada Rates Unchanged: Thank The Liberals For Bungling Canada's Energy Industry and its Contribution to Economic Growth That May be “Materially Weaker”

In the USA, the unemployment rate is closer to 4%, and is not complacent about it.  Here in Canada we are supposed to jump for joy at 6%.  The impacts of pipelines lacking is finally resulting in the rose colour coming off economists' and BoC's glasses.

What's that I hear? I think I hear a sigh of relief from real estate agents and mortgage brokers.

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/bank-of-canada-holds-interest-rate-at-1-75-per-cent

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-04/falling-car-sales-are-latest-sign-of-rate-hikes-hitting-canada?srnd=premium-canada

Aphria: Does White Collar Crime Pay in Canada? Full Quintessential Capital Report

There is a reason why these early stage companies are not listed in the USA. The SEC would be chasing cats with stories like these that are allowed to exist in Canada.

Also the media has chosen to ignore the details of insiders ownerships of target companies when Aphria acquired them and only refer to a negative report as Quintessential is a short seller.

http://www.qcmfunds.com/aa/

http://www.qcmfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/Quintessential_Aphria_Report_20181203.pdf

$50 Million: If Trump's Tweets are Erratic (and Ego Driven), Then Trudeau's Tweets are Reckless, Infuriating (And Ego Driven)

Foreign aid and foreign policy through a phone ? Meanwhile an auto industry in Oshawa looks on...

"...The timing was inopportune from Trudeau’s point of view. In lieu of economic stress in Oshawa and Alberta, where the government offered little more than thoughts and prayers, the Prime Minister had apparently opened the government’s cheque-book to send money abroad..."

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-trudeaus-tweeting-with-the-stars-a-reminder-of-the-risky-side-of-political-theatre

Another Week And Again No Shortage of Liberal Dumbassery Material - Alberta Oil, Pipelines, Deficits, GM Pulling Out After USMCA and now Corrupt Liberal MP Playing the (Gambling, Addiction) Victim Card

As they say on Facebook...."Seriously, I can't make this stuff up!"

Too much to individually post and comment, so here they are...and growing.

Fairly brazen twitter handle, Raj @rajliberal .

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-fall-economic-statement?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/braid-liberal-no-oil-plan-for-alberta-is-working-just-a-little-early/wcm/3de8ad98-046c-462e-bcbf-35518d294ec9

https://business.financialpost.com/investing/oil-industry-cant-sustain-record-low-prices-and-the-only-solution-may-be-government-intervention?video_autoplay=true#comments-area

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/rcmp-called-to-probe-tale-of-two-liberal-mps-a-suburban-overpass-trip-to-india-and-multimillion-dollar-land-deal

Wylie Wednesday: Morneau Addressing Canada's Business Community

The Liberal spin machine is in overdrive again this time on the fiscal and finanical front. What two sided message will be sent that none of which will give any confidence to domestic AND foreign investment? With the election less than a year away, larger and more frequent promises (to be broken) were expected. May be the Liberals truly are out of ideas.

"...Trudeau’s finance chief, Bill Morneau, will unveil a fiscal update Wednesday in Ottawa that provides a shot at redemption after warnings about the country’s fading competitiveness. It will likely include incentives for capital investment but not an across-the-board reduction in corporate taxes. The government has frustrated some business leaders with an agenda heavily focused on social issues and riled economists by running unnecessary deficits. Morneau’s last federal budget -- which punted infrastructure investments in favor of new program spending -- landed in February without a mention of U.S. tax reform despite calls to keep pace..." https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-19/trudeau-seeks-redemption-from-business-leaders-in-budget-update?srnd=premium-canada

All I Want For Christmas Is A Pipeline: US$20 per Barrel of Oil For Our Western Canadian Select? Nope, Now It Is Under US$14....

Look out below....

Bloom Off the Cannabis Industry Stocks? Short Sellers Are Incurring Huge Daily Borrowing Costs To Bet Against Cannabis Names

https://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/cannabis-business/cannabis-investing/investors-are-spending-hundreds-of-millions-to-short-cannabis-stocks-despite-huge-losses#comments-area

"Cannabis shares are mostly owned by retail investors, most of whom do not have the margin accounts necessary to borrow and lend shares, Dusaniwsky said. So high demand and low supply have resulted in borrowing fees that have reached the 30 to 40 per cent range and beyond, in some cases.

Investors looking to short shares of Tilray currently have to deal with a 38 per cent borrow rate, according to S3. With a total short position worth about US$415 million as of Friday, that means shorts altogether are paying approximately US$388,000 per day to short the company."

How Broken is Canada's Oil and Gas Indusrry?

An excellent financial and political summary of how we arrived at this point of ~C$20/barrel of oil, capital flying out of Canada and no pipeline progress so beholden to the USA refiners. 

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/ted-morton-another-canadian-oil-company-flees-trudeau-and-notley-for-the-u-s#comments-area

Patronization In Its Highest Form: Liberals Decide to Award Benefits To Veterans...But Not Until 2020 (Yes, After the Election)

Are Canadians this blind and stupid to accept such blatant demeaning behaviour? How do the Liberals justify a patting themselves on the back for this one?

Less than one year away from the Canadian election, the Liberals announce this - that should have been solved early in the Liberals's term.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/feds-promise-165-million-in-compensation-after-shortchanging-270000-veterans

Accounting for Cannabis: Biological Assets Accounting Renders Cannabis Producers Revenue Before Being Sold

Investors will have to brush up on accounting standards to fully understand how these companies truly operate.  And also to be prepared for when the negative surprises and writedowns happen.

"“Is cannabis ultimately agriculture? Or is it industrial, biotech, or CPG (consumer packaged goods)?,” Rosen said. “There are all sorts of elements in the cannabis ecosystem”"

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/pot-companies-reporting-profit-unsold-bud-totally-legal-130506269.html Cannabis companies are free to book profit on pot that isn’t finished growing and hasn’t been sold. It’s all above board thanks to an accounting rule traditionally applied to assets like live hogs and grapes still on the vine.

LNG: And The Opposition Has Started...

The Green Party and David Suzuki trying to stir up the controversy despite First Nations' blessinfg of this project. 

http://business.financialpost.com/news/first-of-many-40b-lng-canada-signals-revival-of-mega-projects

Commemorative Two Dollar Coin - The End of WW1

For a small nation of eight million people then, Canada punched well above its weight and was a significant and well respected force on the world stage during the First World War.  More than 650,000 Canadians served during the First World War, along with more than 12,000 from Newfoundland and Labrador (later to join Canada).

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/royal-canadian-mint-commemorates-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-first-world-war-with-2-armistice-circulation-coin-697584261.html

Are There Waste and Inefficiencies At The Federal Government Level? Ask Any Prior Governor General (I Am Sure Adrienne Clarkson Will Tell You No)

"...which means her expenses show up as a separate line item in the federal government’s public accounts."

Her own line item!?

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/former-governor-general-adrienne-clarkson-still-bills-more-than-100000-a-year-in-expenses

Bank of Canada Interest Rate Hike? Why, How?

How the BoC sees the world is beyond many of us. 

For those in the same real estate boat, with mortgage renewals due, the sooner the better to make your choices.  Two year fixed here.

https://business.financialpost.com/investing/david-rosenberg-things-arent-nearly-rosy-as-the-bank-of-canada-believes#comments-area

Canada's Former Finance Minister: A Voice of Reason

From a BNN interview today...

How competition is being killed in Canada through proposed carbon taxes, lack of pipelines as it relates to the very significant oil and gas industry and the depreciation practices in the USA that are attracting more foreign investment and capital expenditures.

Link to interview to be posted later...

Canada's Oil Indusry: US$100 Million Lost Daily According to Estimates or About US$30 Billion per year, or in Three Years an Apple/Amazon In Lost Revenues for the Canadian Economy

http://nationalpost.com/commodities/oilpatch-scrambles-to-ship-distressed-barrels-as-industry-loses-100m-in-revenues-daily/wcm/54796462-91b2-41e5-ad93-e7d28ec4d4d1

The Travel Industry's Shot in the Arm - Supersonic Air Travel...Again

Memories of the Concorde? This will be a smaller, private jet format.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-15/ge-says-new-private-jet-engine-answers-need-for-supersonic-speed

ETFs: Not Yet RRSP Time, But Never Too Early To Start Thinking

ETFs have emerged as a popular method of personal investing at a substantially lower cost.  Basically, rather than invest in a mutual fund and pay a nameless fund manager in a tall office tower (approximately 2.0% of your valuein the mutual fund) every year - whether a good or a bad year - an investor could buy a static group of stocks (based around a theme, an industry, size of companies, geography, etc) and pay around ~0.5% simply for the administration of the fund. 

Here are some things to think about when reviewing the THOUSANDS of ETFs available.

https://business.financialpost.com/investing/investing-pro/not-all-etfs-are-created-equal-heres-what-investors-need-to-know

This Liberal Government Says It Is For Veterans, Yet Also Does Not Have Enough to Pay What They Are Asking For - Here is What the "Progress" on Bill C-12 Says...

https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=8166461&View=8

Editd excerpt: "Bill C-12 amends the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act to, among other things...
• increase the percentage in the formula used to calculate the earnings loss benefit;
• specify when a disability award becomes payable and clarify the formula used to calculate the amount of a disability award; 
• increase the amounts of a disability award; and
• increase the amount of a death benefit."

In addition, it contains transitional provisions that provide, among other things, that the Minister of Veterans Affairs must pay, to a person who received a disability award or a death benefit under that Act before April 1, 2017, an amount that represents the increase in the amount of the disability award or the death benefit, as the case may be."

Thanks to Our Liberal Government's Handling of Trans Mountain, Canada Now Sells Oil at US$20/barrel - Yes US$20!

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/20-oil-welcome-to-canada-where-crude-prices-havent-recovered

One View of Climate Change

According to former MIT professor Richard Lindzen, one of the world’s leading climate-science skeptics,

“...a complex multifactor system,” can be summed up by one variable — changes in global average temperature — which is primarily influenced by just one variable, carbon dioxide emissions, is “an extraordinary pair of claims based on reasoning that borders on magical thinking.” He added: “An implausible conjecture backed by false evidence and repeated incessantly has become politically correct ‘knowledge,’ and is used to promote the overturn of industrial civilization.”

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-carbon-tax-lovers-and-liberals-celebrate-a-trade-warmonger

Less Than A Week Away and Now Federal Workplaces Are Figuring out Cannabis Rules

http://nationalpost.com/cannabis/cannabis-news/cannabis-legalization/officials-say-its-up-to-federal-workplaces-to-decide-if-their-cannabis-rules-need-updating

Not an Entire List, But Select Points How Trudeau's Liberals Are Ruining The Economy and Canada

When October 2019 arrives, reasons here to think about (in other words, why vote Liberal with a track record like this!).

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/the-trudeau-effect-dragging-down-canadas-stock-markets-just-got-much-much-worse

Not Even a NHL Franchise Awarded Yet, Seattle Announces Practice Facility

The best thing that could happen to Vancouver (a real rivalry!) is moving along.  Hockey in the Pacific Northwest...

https://www.tsn.ca/seattle-nhl-group-unveils-70-million-training-centre-plans-1.1188258

Halifax, Football and Thanksgiving - October 28th Is The Next Day for CFL Expansion Team

Momentum continues.  The Down Home - "Atlantic" Kitchen Party will be a co-hosted event this year at Edmonton's Grey Cup, showing a step closer to "Schooner" football out east and the CFL's 10th team (the scheduling gods are smiling).

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/what-s-the-latest-on-the-cfl-s-possible-expansion-to-halifax~1508553

Bill C-69 Link to Document

Here is the Summary section...

https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-69/third-reading#itemSUMMARY

USMCA: Is it Really Fun To Stay In This USMCA? Details Of the Dairy Industry Now Emerging and the Farmers Don't Like It!

"The pact, which also includes Mexico, will give the U.S. greater access to Canada’s protected dairy market, eliminate the nation’s new milk-pricing system and restrict the sector’s ability to export. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to compensate farmers to cushion the blow, industry groups say past experience has shown that aid packages amount to a “pittance,” and the government won’t be able to cover the financial hit the industry is poised to take."


https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/agriculture/dairy-farmers-doubtful-trudeaus-aid-pledge-will-help-as-industry-faces-1-billion-in-yearly-losses

More Anti-USA Liberal Shenanigans: No Invite to the USA For An Ottawa Hosted Summit

Apparently, this is what "like-minded countries" looks like. 

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/u-s-not-invited-to-canadas-save-the-wto-summit-of-13-like-minded-countries

It is clear the Liberals' strategy heading into the 2019 election is to stir up the anti-American sentiments.  They have nothing else of substance, so stoop to new lows.


http://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/canada/201810/04/01-5199017-le-canada-exclut-les-etats-unis-dun-sommet-sur-lomc.php

Roxham Road a Contentious Refugee Issue? How About Filing a Claim to Canada From an International Airport On The Verge of Being Stateless

This is not a Tom Hanks movie.

http://nationalpost.com/news/world/syrian-man-living-in-malaysian-airport-facing-deportation-after-seeking-refugee-protection-in-canada

As If The Trans Mountain PIpeline Could Not Become Worse - It Becomes More Vague: Liberals Throw Out Any and All Timelines On the Project The Liberals Purchased (With Our Tax Dollars)

With all the legal, enviromental and initial financial resoruces in hand (up until the recent Supreme Court decision to which it should never have been escalated and at least backing from the previous owner) this Liberal government chooses to forego appealing any Supreme Court decisions surrounding the Trans Canada pipeline and after three years of governing, NOW wants to sit down and "consult" with those parties that have claimed they were not consulted properly. 

This is not a case of speaking with a few dissidents.  No, in fact, "the government will re-initiate consultations with all 117 indigenous groups impacted by the project". 

"The minister was asked during the press conference on how he can hold consultations when it looks like the government has already decided to build the pipeline expansion, which it bought from Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. earlier this year for C$4.5 billion ($3.5 billion). He said the government wouldn’t cap the length of indigenous consultation, and approach it with an “open mind and good faith". 

Having spent C$4.5B in taxes, the Liberals are in no way motivated to see this initiative through.

This leaves cannabis legalization as the only thing the Liberal government has accomplished in its term.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/canada-won-t-appeal-pipeline-ruling-relaunches-consultation

A Brief USMCA Score Card

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-nafta-vs-usmca/?srnd=premium-canada

Bill C-45: As Cannabis Legalization is Two Weeks Away, Here is Some Light Reading On the "Future" of Sunny Ways in Canada...

Just in time for Canadians to be stoned and amenable to the Liberal election campaign over the next year...

http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-45/royal-assent

LNG and Bill C-69: It Has Already Started - Liberals Looking For Ways To Kill Recent LNG Announcement

"Additionally, Bill C-69 requires consideration of how a project will impact Canada’s climate change obligations. However, it does not specify whether this assessment would include upstream or downstream greenhouse-gas emissions. Nor indicate how carbon pricing should be considered. Importantly, courts have yet to confirm the federal government’s jurisdiction under the constitution to regulate GHGs."

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/ottawas-new-environmental-assessment-law-is-set-to-trample-all-over-provincial-rights

Cracks in the Vancouver Housing Market: 40% Decrease in Sales

http://business.financialpost.com/real-estate/real-estate-board-reports-metro-vancouver-home-sales-down-sharply

New LNG Pipeline: Let the "Have Not Been Consulted" Playbook Begin...Again

Although NAFTA (or now, USMCA...saying it to that infamous 70s tune) was an important and attention grabbing deal that had to be completed in some way, the Liberals have not pounded their chest on this one?

Why?

Is it because: the Liberals are masters of delaying (into the next election, like Trans Mountain), ii) the passive-aggressive tactics the Liberals use allow them to say words and appear "pro-pipeline" or in this case "pro-LNG"; however, there actions are sabotage appeasing also the protesters (at least letting the protesters think they have won...for now), or iii) the ad hoc and erratic "consultation process" has not been determined on this huge economic opportunity (waiting to see how the protest movement and environmental extremists are going to spin this one and mobilize). 

Who knows.  The fact that this has not been given the attention or been the lightning rod as much as Trans Mountain leads me to believe this is as far as LNG is going to go. 

I hope I am wrong.

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/update-3-massive-canada-lng-project-gets-green-light-as-asia-demand-for-fuel-booms

Let's Make a Deal! Canada Signs on to NAFTA

Avoiding a "NoFTA" (not my quote) and "negotiating" since Aug. 16, 2017 Canada signs on.

It looks like concessions made to the  dairy industry and the auto industry less impacted (in other words, votes in Ontario were saved for Oct 2019 at the expense of Quebec, on the eve of their election).

Details to follow...

Your Provincial Counterpart of the "Transparent" Liberals: Hiding Deficits and Burdening Ontarians For Years To Come

"Ontario has the highest subnational debt of any jurisdiction in the world at $338 billion and the debt-to-GDP ratio is an uncomfortable 39 per cent"...IN THE WORLD!!!!!

"The commission’s report also goes into painstaking detail into the extraordinary steps that the previous Liberal government took to make sure that billions of dollars were excluded from the publicly reported deficit. The extent of this scheme was unprecedented, which is why a select committee of Ontario’s legislature has been struck to get to the bottom of this scandal."

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/ontarios-balance-sheet-keeps-me-up-at-night-heres-what-our-province-is-doing-about-it

GG Payette Rumoured to be Unhappy With Her Role After Bestowing Her Wisdom and Ways of Life Upon Canadians From Her Advantageous Position

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-even-if-julie-payette-steps-down-as-governor-general-shes-set-for-life

Despite all the benefits and a healthy pension for a minimal amount of time spent in the role

"...a premature resignation would be unprecedented — embarrassing to Payette but even more so to the Liberal government that appointed her."

New Brunswick Conservatives Have Narrowly Won, But Will See Whether They Will Govern

In a close election result with 22 seats to the previously elected Liberals' 21 the balance of power is among the two remaining parties with six seats among them.

Of note, the NDP were chased out of the province without a single seat.  Hello Jagmeet.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/newsalert-gallant-says-hell-try-to-govern-2

The No NAFTA Preparation by Justin Sunshine's Liberals Has Begun...

From Bloomberg this morning, it appears Trudeau's way of limiting the damage if there is no NAFTA deal is an "alliance of like-minded countries"...that also cannot conclude a trade deal? What is "like-minded"?

Excerpt - "The Canadian government released a new blueprint Tuesday to reinforce the World Trade Organization and buffer it from President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ attacks on the Geneva-based trade body.

The proposal, called “Strengthening and Modernizing the WTO,” seeks to forge an alliance of like-minded countries to “restore confidence in the multilateral trading system and discourage protectionist measures and countermeasures,” according to a copy of the eight-page document obtained by Bloomberg."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-25/canada-unveils-plan-to-bolster-wto-in-face-of-u-s-protectionism?srnd=premium-canada

The Scariest Thing I Will Read Today: Hint - Rt Hon Adrienne Clark and John Ralston Saul Are Involved

What is this upcoming conference??? https://www.6degreesto.com

Upon further investigation, it is conducted by the "Institute of Canadian Citizenship" which is, "Powered by a passionate and committed national network, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) delivers programs and special projects that inspire inclusion, create opportunities to connect, and encourage active citizenship.

The ICC is a national charity co-founded and co-chaired by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul."

https://www.icc-icc.ca/site/about/

Adrienne and John are telling us how to be Canadian citizens?  And citizens of the world? God help us.

@6DegreesTO

More Empty Words Regarding Trans Mountain - This Time From the Newly Appointed (and also Invisible) Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi

This Just In....Still No NAFTA Deal!

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland just heading into another meeting again.  Answers to the same ongoing questions later today

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade Diversification Jim "Dude Where's My" Carr (due to recent cabinet shuffle) is invisible. 

Justin Sunshine's Response to Murder of 13 Year Old Girl in Burnaby by One of Syrian Refugees - An Initiative That Was Justin's/Liberals' Doing

Noted: To get out of a difficult question, simply shrug your shoulders and claim you are in the opposite camp.

"...I'm not one of those people who say that...”.  Despite Mr. Sunny Ways being responsible for the entry and encouragement of Syrian refugees into Canada, he simply washes his hands clean.  Outrageous, shocking and infuriating. 

Deal or No Deal: When You Cannot Arrive at Agreement on NAFTA, What Do You Do? Roll Out Another Agreement - TPP, Oh and Change the Name

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/rethinking-our-global-ambitions-starting-with-the-call-to-action-that-is-the-tpp

Where's the peanut? Where's the peanut? The Liberals continue to deflect. As NAFTA appears to be on a path to "no deal" the Liberals are now showing off the latest shiny trinket - the TPP (which is now the "Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership" or reads like the alphabet, CPATPP).  Well, if NAFTA will be dead, THEN THE TPP BETTER BE IN PLACE! What are Canadian businesses to do who sell internationally when the Liberals will have destroyed Canada's best, closest, most accessible market? 

As Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland is not only out there poking Trump and the USA in the eye during the most sensitive times of a NAFTA negotiation whether it be i) very pointed, inflammatory and cheeky "thank you" speeches for an award by her peers on USA soil, or ii) attending a Trump bashing, feminists event hosted by Indigo Chapters' Heather Reisman in Freeland's own riding surrounding a film called "Tame the Tyrant" or iii) bragging that her European Trade Minister counterpart call themselves "Sisters in Trade" and brags about how they communicate in texted emojis and "hugs" (again during a time where 140% of her time should be spent on finalizing Canada's part in NAFTA!), MP Freeland and her Liberal government have continued to change the "lines in the sand".  

Now the latest stall tactics and sticking points are to do with i) culture (broadcasting American commercials during a Superbowl?) and ii) Chapter 19 where trade disputes would be settled by a (gasp!)...Judge!!! Trudeau implied that a USA President that "does not play by the rules" could interfere with such decisions.....WHAT!?!?! In a country where an individual can only be President for two terms maximum, Justin Sunshine is suggesting that trade disputes and decisions could be impacted by Trump calling a judge on the phone....even after Trump is long gone as President!?!?!?!

It is clear, this Liberal government is not shy about stalling for years on sensitive issues as a go-to strategy. Look at reconciliation, look at pipelines (eventually came to a "must act moment" and they forked over C$4.5B but would have been more than content to drag this out to election time in 2019), look at the border crisis.  The list goes on.

Unfortunately legalized marijuana is the only significant point of completion by the Liberal government, and was jammed down the provincial throats - no stalling.

Reviewing how the Liberals are conducting themselves, it is clear they are playing roulette with Canada's place in NAFTA and are going to great lengths to appear "anti-Trump" in order to attract those votes in the 2019 election.  THE LIBERALS DO NOT WANT A NAFTA DEAL COMPLETED!  This is no trivial matter - this has impacts on i) the auto industry and severe job losses - UNION JOB LOSSES, ii) a guaranteed weakening C$, iii) declining Canadian stock markets, iv) inflation from USA tariffs? then interest rate follow on affects, v) combined with tens of thousands of illegal border crossers to pay for, perhaps to compete with for jobs, vi) oh, and remember that ballooning debt that is in line with Canada's GDP? Well, it is simply too much debt (but then again a Trudeau is a Trudeau is a Trudeau).

The only saving grace is that all this turmoil may be timed perfectly for an October 2019 election and Canadians (whether left, center or right leaning or even the apathetic ones) will vote this reckless political party out. 

Actual Court Document of Superior Court Judge Regarding Toronto City Council

http://www.ontariocourts.ca/search-canlii/scj/scj-en.htm

CFL: With A Crossover Playoff Format Looming, Will This Be The Year a Western Team Actually Goes Threateningly Far In The Eastern Playoffs...To The Final?

With Winnipeg sitting fourth in the West, and likely to finish much stronger than the extrapolated Toronto and Montreal records for the season, could the Bombers advance past the Eastern semi-finals?

Or, what if Edmonton has a couple of unlucky losses while Winnipeg surges the next couple of games and the Eskimos cross over? Oh the drama (and charm) of the CFL...

Has Trudeau 2.0 Gone Beyond Truedau 1.0 On the "Scale of Irritated Parties"?

With exception of mocking the Queen cheekily behind her back, The Justin has played out exactly like his father: i) alienating Western Canada over a reckless energy policy, ii) keeping and admiring company of questionable characters and countries and iii) annoying the USA and its current President.

Not only the aforementioned, but now just about every province in Canada as well is outside of the Trudeau Liberals camp.  So, has Trudeau 2.0 surpassed Trudeau 1.0?

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/jack-mintz-pipelines-and-nafta-could-start-war-between-trudeau-and-the-provinces

How Does Toronto Measure Against Other Cities Regarding City Councillors?

As Toronto is the largest, most dense city in Canada, should that not be taken into account when awarding legal decisions as to what is a right-sized riding in order to "cast a vote that can result in effective representation"?

Your Federal Court Judges At Work: Salvadoran With MS-13 Ties Ordered Deported, Then a Sudden Reversal As His Tattoos "Could Lead People To Think He Is a Member of MS-13"...???

What the...?!?!

After Ontario Superior Court judge Belobaba's two recent and famous wild card decisions (the first regarding the $10M payment to everyone's favourite Candadian, Omar Khadr and the recent decision against reducing Toronto's city councillors due to, sit down, breaching "the municipal voter’s right to cast a vote that can result in effective representation” as wards would be, wait for it -  here is where simple math kicks in - larger!), now we have this dumbassery flu infecting Federal Court judges.

"...A Toronto man ordered out of Canada for being a member of the notorious crime gang MS-13 has won a reprieve — with a judge accepting that his MS-13 gang tattoos could lead people to think he is a member of MS-13.

The decision to grant René Pacheco another hearing to assess the danger of deporting him to his native El Salvador means the same tattoos that prompted his deportation order have now saved him from immediate deportation..."

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/deportation-halted-because-mans-gang-tattoos-could-cause-people-to-think-he-is-in-a-gang

And Judge Susan Elliott's bio...

http://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/fc_cf_en/Bio/Elliott.html

Ontario: Increased Minimum Wage Poses No Consequences, Right? Bye bye 80,100 Jobs...Kathleen

http://nationalpost.com/news/economy/canadian-economy-loses-51600-jobs-led-by-plunge-in-ontario/wcm/c510ba2f-8db9-4219-852b-9ad7a29b29b0

Canada's "Sacred" Immigration Institution - Is It Time for a Debate?

With Canada's "open" and "diverse" immigration system allowing ~250,000 to 300,000 annually, how can such a treasured system CHRONICALLY result in i) skills shortages, ii) aging population demographics impacting pensions, and iii) burdening three major urban centres/reducing less urban areas? Race, religion and gender aside.

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/no-one-available-to-work-how-labour-pool-woes-are-crimping-canadas-prospects

Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi Appears!

After almost a week of the Liberal powers trying to frame this answer from the Supreme Court of Canada, the actual Minister responsible for this file has shown face...

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/all-options-are-on-the-table-ottawa-not-ruling-out-appeal-new-legislation-in-trans-mountain-debacle

If "The Justin" and "Oh No Morneau" Were Employees or Held Executive Positions in a Real Company....

Among many reasons, "...It is ironic that one of the major reasons for the loss in Federal Court was the government’s failure to consult with the aboriginal community. This, from a government that made reconciliation its motto..."

https://business.financialpost.com/executive/0906-biz-hl-levitt-wkpl

Another Day, Another Bad Outlook for Canada in NAFTA

NEB Ya You Know Me: A Flawed Process for Trans Mountain or a Sabotaged Process?

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/what-the-neb-did-and-didnt-do-in-its-assessment-of-trans-mountain-and-how-it-can-fix-the-problems

CFL: Johnny Who? Pipkin Takes the Reigns of the Alouettes

After two back to back wins for the Als, and Johnny Manziel on the sidelines still due to concussion protocol, when will Johnny's big break come from? There are eight other teams in the league that have seen spiked ticket sales on the day Montreal comes to visit.  Those extra bums may not be in seats then.

Canada's Enegy Industry and the NEB: "The least-reported development that poses the greatest economic risk"

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/think-its-hard-to-build-big-projects-in-canada-wait-till-you-see-the-liberals-new-bill

Just like his father...

Dude Where is Jim Carr?

Just learned, during this tumultuous and precarious week with a NAFTA looming over us and a worthless C$5B pipeline purchase which sends negative signals for foreign investment, Minister of "International" Trade Diversification is in...Singapore?
 
Just saw him on a Bloomberg interview.  Wow he really chows down on those talking points sheets and regurgitates them repeatedly.  This guy does not need TUMS for buzz words. 

The Only One Feeling Relief Today is the ex-Minister of Natural Resources ("Dude, Where is...") Jim Carr

Where oh where is the new Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi? Personal day? I suppose Jim Carr is wiping his brow and sighing relief right now!

How Wrong Are Things Going For Justin? Oh, Let Me Count The Ways...

In the same day...

1. After an appeal, the NEB's decision was determined worthless 
2. Later in the day Kinder Morgan shareholders voted to take the money from the federal government's head scratching purchase of the pipeline, and ran! Bye bye ~C$5.0B
3. Alberta Premier announces she is pulling out of the federal climate plan 
4. A NAFTA conclusion continues to look bleak (and the reasons why Canada has been left in this position are becoming apparent - Chrystia's Freeland "Diplomat of the Year" antagonist speech on US soil, what happened at the G7 in Charlevoix between Jusin and Donald, the Liberals' inaction leading up to these deadline negotiating times, etc. etc. etc.) 

It is so bad, not only does this Liberal government give rise to the phrase, "could not organize a kids' party", the C$ has fallen to below its three months high and the new and improved with the new rules that were implemented by the Liberals looks like an incompetent make work project.   

In adding fuel to the fire, Trump is firing off comments about whether Canada joins the agreement or becomes a victim of heavy tariffs on its auto sector exports.  

WHAT MORE DOES THIS LIBERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE TO DO TO BE VOTED OUT IN 2019? 

Justin has done EVERYTHING his father has done (as noted previously in these posts), with exception of mocking the Queen behind her back.  There is still a year left before election time and I hear Justin is not well liked in Quebec.  We will see....

https://nationalpost.com/news/cp-newsalert-notley-pulling-alberta-out-of-federal-climate-plan

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/kevin-libin-the-pessimists-have-it-right-assassins-are-gunning-for-trans-mountain

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-on-justin-trudeaus-trans-mountain-pipeline-stalemate

https://nationalpost.com/news/trans-mountain-pipeline-ruling-shakes-central-pillar-of-trudeau-agenda

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/tide-of-investment-set-to-recede-from-oilpatch-amid-more-pipeline-delays

Short Strokes for Canada's Part in NAFTA, and the Long Labour Day Weekend

NAFTA Countdown: Hopefully Your Summer Vacations (and Back to School Shopping) Are Done - Weaker C$ Just in Time for School After Long Weekend

Interesting Strategy and Tactics to Sign up the Two Biggest Economies of the Agreement, Then Leave Canada With Take It Or Leave It"...in Four Days

After five weeks of waiting it out on the sidelines among the uninvited, surprise surprise, the USA and Mexico have a deal.  How does Canada now fit into this with its gender based trade agenda - we will find out Friday.  The Liberals' stall strategy (as it pertains to everything the Liberals touch) is up and we will have an answer on whether we are locked into a bad deal, or part of no deal.   Anyway, a weaker C$ in time for back to school.

On Bloomberg Daybreak Americas this morning, David Westin (and I'm sure other US journalists and media) laughing at us, "...Imagine that conversation wth Mr. [not Prime Minister] Trudeau, the good news is we want to negotiate with you, the bad news is you have four days..."

Trans Mountain: Despite the Legalities and Challenges Won, the Federal Liberals Got it so Wrong

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/newsalert-supreme-court-dismisses-burnabys-case-against-trans-mountain-pipeline-2

Another Trade Retaliation That Was Not Very Well Thought By The Liberals: More Disregard For Canadians (But Hey, They are leading in the Polls)

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/there-is-no-west-coast-support-b-c-builders-brace-for-new-steel-protections

Canada's "Infrastructure Bank": Another Squandering and Allocation of Taxpayer's Dollars...For Votes

The flagrant timing one year and two months ahead of an election, the infrastructure bank is finally starting to make "investments" after being called out by "Ottawa’s budget watchdog released a report on Wednesday outlining lingering shortfalls in the government’s infrastructure spending plans".

Not only that but the Réseau express métropolitain "investment " is in Justin's backyard, a province that is not liking him very much right now and is no doubt meant to appease his voter base.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank, "was established after the 2016 budget, and is responsible for $35 billion in spending over 11 years as part of Ottawa’s infrastructure spending plan"

It is to "operate without government interference"....Bull!

"...with the aim to invest in infrastructure projects that wouldn’t otherwise receive funding...". Oh great, marginal if not money pit investments that no one will touch. 

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/canada-infrastructure-bank-announces-first-investment-as-gaps-persist-in-ottawas-186-7-billion-spending-plans

Venezuela: Next Wave of Illegal Border Crossers?

With one rogue leader after another and head scratching economic policies resulting in runaway inflation rates (you think bread costs too much here ? Try 800,000% inflation), debt defaults and a currency worth nothing, do you think Venezuelans are paying more attention to Justin's reckless tweet?

"...It’s also possible that the exodus of Venezuelans to other countries will increase, even as Ecuador and Peru announced entry restrictions and tensions flared along the border with Brazil.

“People are leaving because of a feeling of despair, and the desperation will now increase,” Naim said...."

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/they-ran-out-of-money-venezuela-launches-one-of-the-greatest-currency-devaluations-in-history

What is More Outrageous: Millionaires Receiving a $14,000 Provincial Government Rebate for an Overpriced Car or Tesla Suing Ontario Over The Cancelled $14,000 Rebate?

https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/tesla-files-lawsuit-against-ontario-government-over-electric-vehicle-rebate-program

Maxime Bernier Continues the Fight Well After the Leader's Convention

Although Maxime was the odds-on favourite (in my opinion) and not only for the Anglo-Franco carousel that proudly occurs in our Canadian politics based on our Anglo-Franco roots, but also for his out of the box views on protected markets and commodities for example.  Although a few aloof mistakes in his past (leaving an important file at his girlfriend's house regarding classified information for a NATO summit in Romania and NATO's military strategy in Afghanistan resulting in a resignation from Cabinet  https://www.ctvnews.ca/maxime-bernier-resigns-as-foreign-affairs-minister-1.298239), he appeared stronger and of course better versed in both official languages in order to fend off Justin's "two messages in two languages" approach.

Despite Maxime's loss in the leadership race he continues to turn the Conservative party and media on its head including his latest comments on twitter, ones that in this virtue signalling Liberal autocratic world (as the latest terms goes - virtue signalling, this Liberal term has been filled with so many language additions and word creations, I am losing track), need to be heard as the blind faith and mantra chanting of "diversity" is the panacea to everything is becoming overdone.  Not only that, ironically "diversity"  has so many "diverse" meanings now.  Is it referring to race? Religion? Ethnicity?  Roots? Age? Sex and/or gender identifcation? Sexuality? All of the diversity above?

(Curious digression: how can "diversity" be applied to something where in some cases there are only two outcomes?)

When an alien can crash land onto earth and fit into our society or an uninvited cocktail party by simply spewing "Trump sucks" or "Diversity is strength" it's probably a good measure that the message is overdone. 

As any and all comments that may bring into doubt the nth degree of diversity preached to us everyday here in federally Liberal Canada will be pounced upon as soon as the first syllable is uttered without any recognition of a right to a view or an opinion, one needs to only look to Toronto (as well as the other major cities in Canada) to see the different ethnic based neighbourhoods, which begs the question - under a policy of multiculturalism in a multicultural society where everyone is told, encouraged and taught to get along, why do these neighbourhoods exist? Does this not fly in the face of multiculturalism itself?

Maxime's twitter comments link:

https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/status/1028800406535716864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1028800406535716864&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fglobalnews.ca%2Fnews%2F4385065%2Fmaxime-bernier-twitter-diversity-justin-trudeau%2F

CFL: Another Twist and Turn In Johnny Football's Canadian Career

It looked like a hard hit right on the goal line during the Montreal versus Ottawa mathc, and not entirely clear as to what happened on the sidelines; however, quarterback John Manziel is now showing symptoms similar to a concussion and has missed practicing with his Alouettes team mates.

TSN also mentioned (uncovered?) that Manziel may also be suffering these symptoms as per his mental health medications. 

Another unexpected event in this quarterback's entry into the CFL.  He has attracted much interest, many headlines and mustered up ticket sales at home in Montreal and away.  The Alouettes and the CFL need him to be well.  Quick recovery Johnny!

https://www.tsn.ca/manziel-says-he-s-dealing-with-delayed-onset-concussion-1.1158481

A New National Statutory Holiday? The Liberals Clearly Expecting 260,000 Federal Government Employees Votes in October 2019

The timing of this announcement is strategic of course.  The federal Liberals waited until the last year of its term to roll this one "call to action" out.  Coming off the first "Truth" statutory holiday (maybe in September next year), a month later we will be in the October 2019 election. 

As such, how do you think the 260,000 federal government employees are going to vote? Or are going to be sucked into voting Liberal by the culture and water cooler chats that permeate those hallowed halls of government services.  Good times to be a federal governement employee right now (and a teacher, fire man/woman, police man/woman, transit employee...).

This sad and unfortunate occasion could have been observed and recognized in other ways (the same goes for Victoria city council's actions).  Having a holiday is not a very good solution.  Sadly Remembrance Day for example, thanks to such a statutory holiday in B.C. (not here in Ontario) is barely holding on to its significance. If it wasn't for the Whistler ski season opening another two weeks later than that, Remembrance Day in B.C. would sadly be a meaningless, barely observed holiday. Does the government honestly think a statutory holiday is a solution whereby the nation will be marking the "...“painful legacy” of Canada’s residential schools" on their way out of town for an extended break?

Meanwhile, and as a result, Canadian (and international) economists must be adjusting Canada's GDP downward on top of trade wars, increased minimum wages, higher interest rates and a government owned pipeline that will never come to fruition.

Canada's Real Estate Inflation Problem: A Supply or a Demand Issue? In New Zealand a Clear Answer - Foreign Buyers are Hit Hard Beyond a Meaningless, Insignifcant Tax

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/new-zealand-to-ban-foreigners-from-buying-homes-after-spending-splurge-by-millionaires-crowds-out-locals

At least one country has stuck its neck out and realized that demand for housing far outweighs housing supply, as that incremental demand comes from outside of its own borders.  Rather than politicians (over) promising, debating, and feet dragging when it comes to domestic "affordable housing solutions", New Zealand has woken up to the demographics and drivers of such first world real estate markets.

"Sorry": Canadianism Being Redefined After Three Years of A Nauseating Apology Schedule From Justin, The Liberals; Now The City of Victoria is Adding Fuel To The Fire

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-sorry-but-ive-had-enough-of-saying-sorry?video_autoplay=true

"...Macdonald was responsible for Aboriginal policy, certainly, including the development of the residential school system, but does that make him a “leader of violence”?.."

Read on for other examples of past Fathers of Confederation names removed from buildings, bridges, etc. 

Trouble in the NDP Henhouse: Notley Versus Singh...How Long Will Singh Last?

How long Singh will be leader of the NDP? Let's start with an over-under of the upcoming by-election in Burnaby.

On oil and pipelines, he seems to be just governing by disagreeing with the other two parties...that have actually governed.  Against Saudi Oil (and importing from other dastardly jurisdiction of the world) and against pipelines exploiting "home-grown" Alberta oil.  So how as a leader does that bring any solutions to today's problems? It does not. Unfortunately as illogical as that sounds, that's what the NDP audience wants to hear, and they elected Singh on what they wanted to hear.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-jagmeet-singh-might-as-well-send-rachel-notley-a-cake-shaped-like-a-middle-finger?video_autoplay=true

"...Asked about Ottawa’s spat with Saudi Arabia over human rights, he suggested Canada find another source from which to buy oil.

The Saudis provide about 10 per cent of Canadian imports, worth about $21 billion over the past decade. Other countries from which Canada buys oil include Algeria, Nigeria, Angola and Kazakhstan, none of which have been receiving awards for their progressive approach to human rights. Singh evidently figures we should ramp up purchases from those sources, and teach the Saudis a lesson..."

Prince Rupert, BC: A Town 100 Years in the Making and an Important Shipping Terminal from Asia to the USA...and Back

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-13/trump-s-trade-tirade-can-t-slow-this-booming-canadian-port

CFL: The Rock's Instagram Of His Days in the CFL Is The Biggest Marketing Event Yet...And it was Free!

Let's see if this translates into more clicks for the CFL.ca website and hopefully more interest generated in younger fans.

Amazing how life gives you twists and turns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmXUthzhx2n/?utm_source=ig_embed

Latest Jobs Numbers in Canada: Remember That Bank of Canada Interest Rate Hike? Get Ready For a Plateau of Interest Rakes...or a Decrease...That's How Bad Things May Be

At the time of its July 11, 2018 overnight rate hike to 1.5% it almost seemed The Bank of Canada was giving itself a tool in order to decrease rates in the future as NAFTA uncertainty was ongoing, oil was rising.  Now we have unattractive jobs numbers, a 5.8% unemployment rate that reporters and economists would like us to jump and down for (meanwhile in the big bad USA...~4.0%) and a Saudi political spat probably resulting in oil supply impacts to the refineries in Eastern Canada if it lasts beyond three months.

Not only is Trudeau silent on the whole affair, but no support from USA or UK proving how childish and needless this human rights hounding of a contry that will likely not change.  With no economic benefits to score, only possible poll results to gain, Canadians now face the brunt of needlessly poking a holder of Canadian equities (130 points drop on the TSX the Monday after it was announced) that has claimed to be selling everything Canadian and likely will cut off oil supplies (yes Canada - oil from Saudi Arabia and such countries comes to Canada and flows down the St. Lawrence!).

"...Across the provinces, Ontario gained 60,600 jobs — all in part-time work — and the unemployment rate dropped 0.5 percentage points to 5.4 per cent for its lowest reading since July 2000..."

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/newsalert-canada-adds-54100-jobs-in-july-unemployment-rate-falls-to-5-8-2

Saudi Arabian Consequences: Hello Higher Gas Prices in The East, And Where is Invisible Justin?

All for Justin to gain a few more political points.  Well, the consequences are now happening.   What did the Liberals expect? You poke something long enough, guess what...?

As we do not have a full all-Canadian energy plan and no pipeline to transport to refineries in the east of Canada, guess where that is sourced?

I sense a few more personal days and a surf trip for our Prime Minister to avoid this one. 

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/why-it-wont-be-easy-for-quebec-and-atlantic-canadian-refineries-to-replace-saudi-oil

Invisible Morneau: Trans Mountain Now Expected to Cost $1.9 Billion More And One More Year...Thanks to SEC Filings

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/cost-to-twin-trans-mountain-pipeline-now-1-9b-higher-kinder-morgan-says?video_autoplay=true

"Kinder Morgan has long said it would cost $7.4 billion to build a second pipeline parallel to the first in order to triple its capacity, but the financial documents now say the company expects a $9.3-billion price tag.

The documents also suggest construction won’t be done until December 2021 — a full year beyond the last projection of December 2020.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau has been reluctant to discuss how much more it will cost to build the pipeline while the deal is still being finalized, and the closing date for that deal is now being pushed back well into the fall."

What Happens When Trudeau's "Sunny Ways" Is Forced Upon Other Countries and in a Public Way

What!?!? They don't like it?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-06/saudi-diplomatic-row-over-activist-gives-trudeau-a-rare-boost

More Immigration and Permanent Residency Fiascos: The Incompetency at the Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Canada Continues

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/new-federal-probe-opens-on-p-e-i-immigrants-alleged-to-have-used-fake-addresses-2

Look Out Toronto - Trudeau's Spat Has Poked The Beast In the Eye And It Has Taken Notice of Your Number

http://nationalpost.com/news/world/pro-government-saudi-twitter-account-posts-image-of-plane-flying-towards-toronto-skyline

Just when we needed to move away form the USA for new trading partners this happens.  Good luck with gas prices now Eastern Canada. 

CFL: And Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's....Johnny (Manziel)!

A tough game to watch as both teams comprised the two rivalry cities of Toronto.  In Johnny's defense, he only had four practices to put all this together despite learning the CFL game while in Hamilton.  Tickets were sold, lots of media coverage on him - the wins will come for the Montreal Alouettes. 

(Although watching his first throw resulting in an interception, it did appear he forgot there were 12 men on the field!)

Apple Apple Apple...Let's Not Forget What It Really Means in the Dow Jones (Biased) Index

With every news reporter thinking that the recent recent run up to $1.0 Trillion market capitalization for Apple is going to have an impact or is going to be the bellweather for markets, and trying to look smart my making broader market predictions, this (see below) needs to be held in front of their faces.  Boeing (9.4%), at almost twice the weighting in the Dow Jones Industrial Average index, has more of an impact than Apple.  Followed by United Health Group and (of course) Goldman Sachs.

Traders "wanted" to take Apple to US$1.0 Trillion out of spite and drove it up accordingly.  Now we will see if this valuation is real. 

(I think it is a short)

CFL: A Barn Burner in Toronto! Will The Crowds Turn Up For the Next Game (August 18th, With Free CNE Entry)

https://www.tsn.ca/bethel-thompson-rallies-argos-to-thrilling-victory-over-redblacks-1.1152419

What should have been done in a lopsided loss of game 1, well before Ricky Ray's injury, a quarterback change was needed.  After a crushing loss of #15 for the Argos, Franklin had his opportunity and did well against his former team.  However, other woes (including  missed field goals), the wins did not result. 

Over to the veteran McLeod Bethel-Thomson.  What a win it was! What a game! Let's hope it translates to impovement at the turnstile.

Justin's Reckless "Welcome to Canada" Tweet and Resulting $85M Has Pushed Canadians' Opinions To The Brink

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/influx-of-irregular-refugees-has-reached-crisis-level-for-most-canadians-poll-suggests?video_autoplay=true

"The majority of Canadians believe irregular migration into the country has reached a crisis point, according to a new poll, suggesting immigration and refugees will be a major wedge issue in the 2019 election."

"According to the RCMP, 11,420 asylum seekers have entered Canada between official border crossings from Jan. 1 to July 15, 2018. Last year, there were 20,953 irregular crossings in total, up from just 2,486 in 2016. The vast majority have entered at an unofficial crossing point in Quebec."

Hello @honahmedhussen, @justintrudeau

NY Animosity, Tavares and Free Agency: I Seem To Remember Another Free Agency Situation in Toronto With a Certain #13

https://www.bardown.com/an-islanders-fan-customized-a-new-york-jersey-to-rip-john-tavares-1.1151499

More Evidence of Like Father, Like Son: A Trudeau Screwing Up Canada's Energy Industry...Again

As posted much earlier on this forum, Trudeau 1.0 i) alienated Western Canada, ii) pissed off the USA, iii) mocked the Queen, and iv) increased government debt insatiably.  Trudeau 2.0 - only one of these things is not like the other...yet

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-trans-mountain-will-prove-ottawa-cant-run-an-oil-company-again

A Week After the Danforth Shootings, Our Prime Minister Feels It Is Time To Return to Work...And Will Be in Toronto

An end to the "personal" days.  He must have felt the Danforth shootings has now blown over. 

CFL: Still Awaiting "Montreal Manziel" Appearance....

Facebook Debaucle; What Goes Up...Does Not Always Go Up

Many "investors" asked throughout the day as they turned on to their CP24 "news" source and discovered Facebook shares being hit hard.  As a result of a terrible quarter (yes "investors", publicly listed companies do this sort of thing four times a year, you have to keep an eye on it),  deteriorating guidance on future advertising revenues (this is how Facebook makes money "investors", not because everyone is just using it), and a realization that growth cannot last forever. 

No one hit harder than Zuckerberg himself - a US$16B hit on the day for him from reports I read earlier (seems a bit steep for a half trillion dollar company).  "Oh well, long term hold" I think he would say. 

Justin, oh Justin, Where Art Thou?

Personal day 5...and counting

From the National Post: "Alberta man legally changes sex for cheaper car insurance"...Discuss

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/alberta-man-legally-changes-sex-for-cheaper-car-insurance-i-didnt-feel-like-getting-screwed-over-any-more

• Although there continues to be gender-based gaps and advantages, gender equality is the initiative today
• Also, it is disallowed to debate or disagree with one's gender idenfication
• Therefore, one may use gender identification for one's benefit

Discuss....

Back To Back "Personal Days" From Our Prime Minister And Still No Appearance Nor Mention of Addressing Access To Guns - Legally or Illegally

Oh Justin, where art thou?

...And Justin's Tweet Regarding the Danforth Shootings Just In (no pun), But Inserted Below His Original Cheery Child Care Benefit (The One The Liberals Reduced From the Previous Conservative Government)

CFL: Manziel To Have His Day In the Canadian Spotlight

After nearly an entire season of losing and a highly touted quarterback sitting on the sidelines down the highway, it looks as though Johnny Football will have a team to start and showcase his wares. 

Whether the Alouettes are the team for him we will find out. Although based on his past headlines, Montreal is the town for him. 

If he can keep out of the media spotlight during his off field activities, then maybe he will be the answer to Montreal's and the Eastern Conference's attendance woes. 

https://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-acquire-qb-manziel-from-tiger-cats-in-multi-player-deal-1.1145299

Where is Justin? Another Multi-person Attack, This Time With a Gun, And Another Round of Unreleased Information About the Attacker

https://nationalpost.com/news/toronto/toronto-danforth-shooting#comments-area

As Toronto has grown exponentially through never ending developments of condo and housing, transit expansions, growing employers, more attractions and Canadians and non-Canadians from visa recipients, permanent residents and refugee claims (like my Uber driver this week) moving to Canada's largest city, these types of horrific and sad events are unfortunately on the rise.

Toronto, it is time to stop having our heads in the sands as a "nice Canadian town" and take a hard look at all municipal, provincial and federals laws including: i) gun laws, more importantly, ii) enforcement of those gun laws, and iii) Canada's porous borders lacking full security.

Although John Tory and Premier Doug Ford have made announcements, we are still awaiting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's acknowledgement.  Maybe he is having a "me day" on this Monday.

According to his Twitter account, he is focused on the child care benefit (after screwing it up after taking office), Special Olympics athletes and Tim Horton's day (it is good they are receiving the attention on this) and a group called #monsheong (which is unclear what it is - a predominantly Asian youth group? However, it appears The Justin visited an Asian seniors home. No further description on Twitter page). 

Shuffle, Shuffle, Shuffle....Where's the Peanut? Trudeau's Anticipated Cabinet Moves Result in...Larger Cabinet With Newly Promoted Ministers Picking Up Important Files For A Year - Less All the Campaign Time Leading Up to October, 2019

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trudeau-shuffles-cabinet-moving-six-ministers-to-new-portfolios-and-adding-new-positions

If MP Jim Carr will be as silent while Minister of Natural Resources as he was during the lead up to the pipeline expansion fiasco purchase ("I have to catch a plane in five minutes"), we have no hope on the International Trade portfolio.

As expected, Bill Blair was promoted but is now our only answer to border control crisis as Trudeau distances himself, his tweets and the Liberal party away from it.

MP Dominic LeBlanc moves from Fisheries to take on Intergovernmental Affairs and will be the one sent to the lion's den in dealing with Premier Doug Ford.

Campaign time has started. Game on! Let's go Scheer!

After Changing the Name of the Immigration Department to "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada", The Federal Liberals Have No Idea How the 50,000 Syrian Refugees Are Doing in Canada

This does not include the +50,000 illegal border crossers.  Or in total, about 40% of any given year's total immigration levels.

"...“The Canada Child Benefit has been a godsend for most families,” Hosgood said, echoing a study suggesting most Syrian parents come with three to four children, sometimes eight or 10. “Big families would be doing very well.”

Syrian mothers and fathers with four children can get about $50,000 a year in various taxpayer-funded social-service benefits. The Canada Child Benefit provides $6,400 a year for each child under six and $5,400 for children between six and 17, while provincial welfare programs can provide $7,000 to $12,000 a year to each adult.

Hosgood said many of the grateful Syrian refugees, who know how to stretch their money,  are now starting to sponsor relatives to come to Canada..."

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/douglas-todd-trudeau-government-goes-silent-on-syrian-refugees/wcm/dd624638-624d-4cf1-a851-79427ac62733?video_autoplay=true

Who Is A More Irresponsible "Tweeter" - Trump or Trudeau? Just Look at Canada's Illegal Border Crossers' Crisis

"...U.S. President Donald Trump is an irrepressible and irresponsible tweeter, but so is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In January 2017, Trump imposed a “travel ban” on seven Muslim countries, but Trudeau then sent out a holier-than-thou tweet that is costing Canadians hundreds of millions of dollars and creating a permanent burden.

On January 28, 2017 at 4.20 pm, Trudeau tweeted: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada..."

"...Before the tweet, border officials prevented 315 people a month from illegally crossing the border. Post-tweet in 2017, about 18,149 illegally crossed the border, then claimed asylum as refugees — even after entering illegally — and were allowed to stay, get welfare, education, housing, healthcare and work permits. By May 2018, the number of refugee cases pending has jumped to 54,906 from 18,348 in December 2016. That’s the population of Grande Prairie, Alberta or Granby, Quebec..."


https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/trudeaus-holier-than-thou-tweet-causes-migrant-crisis-now-he-needs-to-fix-what-he-started?video_autoplay=true

C'est la Vie: Really Petty Tactics at SAQ Shows Unions Are a Way of Life in Québec

I remember the days of the camo pants worn by the cops during a similar time of red patch student (local and recruited international students) protests in the streets.  Why is the mentality so "union based " in Quebec ?

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/hide-and-go-drink-latest-quebec-union-pressure-tactic-is-to-turn-around-wine-bottles-on-store-shelves

Illegal Entrants/Asylum Seeker Crisis: Things Are Heating Up, but The Politics Are Taking Over (That Is, No Solutions Until After the Next Election in 2019)

"...Canada’s openness to immigration is a key part of what has made it so successful. But we are not immune from the pressures sweeping the U.S. and Europe. Canadians are tolerant of immigrants and refugees because they believe the system is functional and works to everyone’s advantage. If that trust becomes broken, it will not be easily repaired. That’s what’s at stake here, and it’s time for Ottawa to get serious about a real, sustainable solution...."

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/np-view-its-time-for-ottawa-to-get-serious-about-the-asylum-seeker-crisis?video_autoplay=true

Interesting Times Ahead: Ford Meets Trudeau in "Heated" Debate

The Prime Minister appears to be defending an ad hoc, chaotic, undefined system of how to hold, treat and process tens of thousands of those crossing the border illegally from the USA into Canada.  Then has the gall to comment that he had "spent a bit of time explaining how our asylum-seeking system works" to our deal ol' Dougie.  

System? What System? With an election coming up in about 14 months, the Liberals will do what they do best - delay and feet drag until beyond critical.  

This will no doubt be an election issue on the campaign next year and until then no resolution will happen.  What will happen is this becomes the next governement's issue to solve starting in 2019...not yesterday, not today, not next week or next month.  

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/john-ivison-the-battle-of-queens-park-ford-trudeau-meeting-turns-super-heated

...And Down...Down...Down...

On the verge of a 52 week low for teh CAD:USD. 

World Cup and Gold - What is the Gold Trophy Worth?

Gold is down but the World Cup is on. I did not realize the FIFA World Cup trophy had this much mystique. Also a different history than the Stanley and Grey Cups - the original was stolen...but NEVER returned!

http://www.kitco.com/news/2018-06-18/FIFA-World-Cup-How-Much-Is-The-Gold-Trophy-Worth.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_Trophy