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Its amazing that governments have billions to pay off corporations in what amounts to windfall profits but cutbacks for the middle class and poor. Surely these contracts can be worded in such a way that changes in circumstances do not cost the taxpayer billions.
Oh! but that wouldn't be fair to these poor, poor corporations and the poor corporate parties wouldn't get any donations from them.
I think what the Sun article is getting at is this question: "Is entering politics really such a sacrifice that you need a substantial severance if you are defeated or quit?" I suppose a reasonable severance (one or two hundred thousand, depending on your length of office) is acceptable, but not a 'gold plated' severance that approaches half a million dollars and beyond. Folks don't enter politics with the intent of getting rich, or at least they shouldn't. Nor should any occupation that is taxpayer funded be a door to riches. I have huge problems with the financial and other holdings of the British royal family, and other monarchs around the world, for example.
There is a very good reason the Sun is attacking those kinds of entitlements. They are not needed by the toadies for the corporations who when they loss elections get rewarded with good "jobs" in the "network." Any politicians who are not pro corporations are going to need a longer period of time to get their lives back together after an election loss. Many of them actually need that gold to pay the mortgage etc while they try to find a new job where they don't have to sell their soul.
As for pensions I am sick of hearing Canadians rant that other Canadians actually have pensions. We keep demanding that we tear down anyone who has a retirement with dignity. They are not just coming for the pensions of politicians they are coming for our public sector workers. There is no leap when poor people go from ranting about gold plated political pensions to ranting about gold plated public sector worker pensions. After all don't you know that only upper level executives deserve to retire with dignity. It must be true because no one else expects to get a pension in this day and age.
That Sun article is the only thing I've read from that outlet in a couple of years, so I don't know what else they're attacking besides gold plated severance for politicos. I can't see how anyone could begrudge someone who earns a pension. I get a disability pension myself - but it's not luxurious or gold plated by any means.
Seems to me the progressive view is that we need to substantially raise your pension not lower other peoples. SUN Media and the rest of the corporate spin doctors want to get rid of all DB pensions and leave all Canadian citizens to the mercies of the market to ensure a dignified old age.
Well, I think we can agree that Sun represents the Harper view of the world?
Kathleen Wynne has officially entered the race.
Saw that on CBC. Is she well-known?
She's a prett high-profile minister. Quite popular in the party cause she defeated John Tory when he ran against her. She's probably seen as more on the left of the party. Seen as a pretty competent minister but not particularly dynamic. She'll be a serious contender in the race for sure.
Thanks.
The poisoned "Liberal" chalice - a Kim Campbell moment for sure.
If and hopefully when Mcguinty resigns his seat, will his riding Ottawa south be winnable for the NDP?
Heard on the CBC Radio news just now that ex-Winnipeg mayor and Toronto Centre MPP and Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities Glenn Murray is about to announce his leadership bid.
edited to add link
I'd be amazed if Murray won the race, and I'm surprised he's even (probably) throwing his hat in the race. A lot of Liberals are not sold on him and he is known to have accumulated a few adversaries in his short OLP stint. I have always wondered if his junior level cabinet posts were indicative of his inner party squabbles, considering his impressive credentials.
I also question if there is enough Liberal lefty Toronto money and resources to go around for Murray, Wynne AND potentially Kennedy and Hoskins. That seems like an awfully crowded field.
I remember how exciting it was when Glen Murray - openly gay - was elected mayor of Winnipeg (although he did ultimately disappoint many of his activist supporters). Today, I've read several articles in the English and French media about his likely entry into the race - none of them mentioned his sexual orientation. I think that's a sign of progress...?
Speaking of which, I remember attending the début screening of A Kind of Family at Concordia University 20 years ago. Murray had been president of the Concordia students' union before moving to Winnipeg. It was an intriguing film about him and his 17-year-old foster son, a street kid. Maybe I'll order the DVD...
ETA: Glen Murray first to enter the race
Glen wants to give "taxcuts" - what the geez!
I completely agree! That's exactly what it will be if she wins. The party is imploding already, but she'll wear it if she wins the leadership and becomes the Premier, and then they lose the election.
For sure. Nobody in Ontario, except some card carrying Liberals see the Liberals governing after their leadership race. The bad news just keeps on coming. I don't have anything good to say about the Ontario Liberal government and their representatives in govt, and in particular, the cabinet "players".
They made decisions and supported those decisions. Silence is condoning.
I think it's more likely to go PC than NDP. It is not one of the 2-3 ridings in Ottawa where the NDP has a shot (Centre and Vanier)
Quick update as of Nov. 5...
In:
Possible:
Out:
Update. Is this the final slate?
Yeah, that seems to be the final slate. There's one other guy thinking about getting in (whose name I can't even remember).
The media seem to have annointed Sandra Pupatello as teh front-runner.
The outcome is hard to predict because it's not a one member, one vote type of situation like the NDP and Tories use (with preferentially ranked ballots). It's an old-fashioned delegated convention where each riding sends a certain number of delegates and then various party officials are all automatic delegates and you ahve different rounds of voting. It allows for a lot more convention dynamics and deal-making to take place so it's hard to say what will happen.
Personally, I think Eric Hoskins is the most impressive person running. Kathleen Wynne is smart and solid but not so dynamic. Pupatello has the dynamism she's missing. Gerrard Kennedy is a has-been. Glen Murray is an arrogant asshole. I really know little about Charles Sousa but I guess there's the possibility that he could emerge as a compromise candidate as others drop out at the convention. That's how McGuinty ended up winning back in 1996.
Perhaps its his junior level portfolios, but I always found Hoskins underwhelming. Considering the crowded field, outstanding debt from his federal campaign, and stigma as a "has been," Kennedy must clearly think he has a good shot. But I think Wynne is the most logical candidate in the event the left wing bands together in the final rounds.
I wonder if Pupatello benefits from being the only non GTA candidate?
I think she does benefit from that. There was a big push to draft John Wilkinson to be the flag bearer for rural ridings. I think given that Pupatello is the only one not from teh GTA will probably help her.
You're right when you say Hoskins hasn't done much of note since getting elected. I always thought it was a major step down for this Rhodes-scholar doctor who treated kids in war zones to go into Ontario politics and serve in junior portfolios. I actually met him a little over a year ago at a pub and we ended up having a nice chat. Seems all the good Liberals end up in St. Paul's. I also like his federal counterpart, Carolyn Bennet.
I've thought about the "number of Liberals" wanting to take the lead of the provincial Liberal party, when they are sitting way back in 3rd place in the polls, in minority situation, and knowing that an election will be right around the corner when the legislature re-convenes.
I see it as the "libs last stand" so to speak and circling of the wagons. The Libs are going down in B.C. election - that's a given. So their last stand is Ontario. See it as protecting the fortress in Canada.
The Liberals aren't going anywhere in PEI, but losing the three biggest provinces (size and population) will be a big blow to them.
P.E.I. has a population of 145,855. In comparison, Barrie in Ontario has a population of 166,634 and is rated 19th on the list of 100 largest cities in Canada. PEI didn't have one city listed here.
So yeah, Greater Toronto has become the Liberals last stand.