Killing Car Sales in Canada - the 2019 Federal Budget

March 4th, 2015

Consumer Debt Farce

Most years, about this time, I reflect on the hypocrisy of another Harper CPC destruction of things of value, and increased spending on wasteful initiatives. Used to be called a budget, but in latter years, it has become the annual Omnibus Bill. This year, the Cons have messed up the books and screwed over the Canadian economy so badly, they can't figure out how to present numbers that won't result in them becoming a laughingstock on the national and international stages, or lynched by their 'base' - fiscal conservatives who will be wondering how after six years of scrimping under the false austerity ideology, how the oilconomy collapsed like a house of cards. (Hint: oil in 2015 is the buggy-whip of 1901.)

But as there is no government budget this year (as our democracy requires in terms of accountable government), another piece of disinformation is bothering me: the federal government and mainstream media's fixation on consumer debt in this country. Short response - learn some basic economics and get over yourselves. Stop blaming consumers for acting rationally, and try some rationality yourselves.

Ontario Election Day

There's a week left until Ontario's provincial election day. In general, what has struck me is the almost complete lack of content in the platforms other than the ground the Liberals staked out in their budget. Apparently the PCs can't do math, and the NDP can't figure out a budget. As for the gas plant 'scandal', well, looks to me like lots of mistakes were made - including by private sector contractors - and the real damage done is more in the order of $253,000,000 than a billion dollars. It took some digging to find that number. Frankly, in this campaign, be afraid of big round numbers (like 1,000,000 jobs to be created or 100,000 jobs to be eliminated - they look like made-up-for-PR-impact numbers).

However, other than the general noise level that seems to come with elections, one thing has struck me in this campaign - the apparent inability of any of the parties, or many citizens, to understand the reality around electricity prices. Hit-and-run sound-bytes abound, and when I try to find the substance behind them, all I can grab onto is smoke. A few examples.

PC Leader Hudak claimed that high electricity rates in Ontario are driving jobs to Michigan. So, I looked up retail electricity prices in Michigan - they are around US$0.18 per kWh (before taxes, connection fees, delivery fees, etc.) Allowing for the wounded Canadian dollar exchange rate, that's Cdn$0.20 per kWh. Well, the most expensive retail kWh in Ontario today is Cdn$0.135 - about 35% less than the price in Michigan. Of course, Michigan might be subsidizing corporate pricing to entice business, but apparently the PC platform is against such corporate welfare as well.

Time of use pricing in Ontario does not reflect demand periods. Year-round, 7 p.m. daily is the start of the lowest price period. However, most weekdays, 7 p.m. is in the band of the highest use. If we want to help lower electricity prices, let's get the pricing signal right. Start off-peak pricing when the demand is lower. While we're at it, let's create a new 'super-off-peak' rate from 1 to 5 a.m. daily, which is when, on some days, Ontario has to pay other jurisdictions to take electricity off our grid because we already have too much nuclear generating capacity for baseload demand. If we can get some Ontarians to move their electricity demand to this daily trough, we can save money for all Ontario taxpayers. I'd set my dishwasher to start at 2 a.m. instead of 7 p.m. to save a buck or so every day. The delay timer is built right into the machine, and I can figure out how to push it to save money. How about you?

The NDP want to take the HST off our electricity bills. Wow! How much will it cost Ontarians to renegotiate the federal/provincial HST deal (remember, we sacked all the old provincial sales tax folks to reduce public service headcount, and get a simpler no-exceptions system, which is why we now pay HST on books and services, where we did not pay PST before). Then, each electrical utility will have to change their billing system to not charge the HST, hire temporary staff to deal with all the issues that will arise during the phase-in period, and presumably Ontario taxpayers will have to absorb the lost provincial tax revenue and cough up money to the feds for the GST (5%) portion they will feel they are still entitled to receive. Beyond all that nonsense, this sends the wrong signal to ratepayers. If we want people to use less electricity, don't reduce the price because that reduces the incentive to make a change.

On a CBC radio phone in show, a woman said her annual electrical bill for a modest bungalow in southern Ontario is over $15,000 per year. This one leaves me flabbergasted! Seriously?!! Fifteen grand a year? I just paid my electricity bill for our 3-bedroom house with 5 full-time occupants. $118 for a month. That's typical of late. That's the entire bill, electricity, debt retirement charge, delivery, regulatory charges, HST, the whole smash. Multiply by 12 months, and I get $1,416 - or less than one-tenth of what the caller reported. But here's where it gets crazy; my electricity bill includes charging an electric car, an electric tractor, a cordless electric mower and runs multiple computers for my business. (We don't heat with electrity, house or water. For that we use a combination of solar and natural gas. Our natural gas charges for the past year were just over $600. Yes, that's for the year, not per month.)

If you are one of those people who are paying over $15,000 a year for electricity for a regular house in Ontario, please get in touch with me. For my regular consulting rate plus expenses, I will figure out how to save you a lot of money.

May 5, 2011

The Harper Majority

Stephen Harper's party (the nominal Conservative Party) has won a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. Before his supporters take comfort in this, they need to consider that the real winner of the popular vote on Monday was 'Did Not Vote', which comprised 38.6% of eligible voters. By comparison, the Conservative Party of Canada obtained just 24.3% of the votes available in the country (39.6% of the 61.4% of eligible voters that actually voted) - less than 1/4 of voters.

So, when Harper talks about his mandate to start implementing omnibus legislative packages with a steam roller, remember that his real mandate came from less than 25% of Canada's eligible voters.

Bin Laden Photos

I don't generally comment publicly about U.S. government matters. This is an exception, as I am tired of the contrived media circus that is being thrown up around this issue.

I don't want to see them. Nobody else needs to see them. The real proof is that Ossama Bin Laden is not going to appear live and in person in any future videos. For those that argue they need additional proof (videos, photos) that Bin Laden is really gone, we know that if that material is produced, they'll simply say the material was altered or manufactured. Donald Trump and 'the birthers' have proven there is no level of evidence that can be produced that will shake them from their belief. The same will apply here. The media doesn't need this sensational material, except to fatten their bottom line.

We don't release post-execution photos of those put to death in U.S. prisons as a matter of course. The same should apply here. Terrorists, on all sides, don't need any more martyrs.

So far, President Obama appears to be taking the high road on this matter. It's a nice change from the behaviour of many U.S. federal officials, elected and appointed. The U.S. has some other issues to address. Bin Laden's death was about closure for those affected by the deaths in which he had a hand. Let's accept that closure, with reflection for all those that have suffered losses, and resolve to move forward making a better world for all.

As for the results of the recent Canadian federal election, it's going to take me a few days to sort out my reaction to this mess.

April 29, 2011

Harper Record Highlights

Or is that low-lights? The Harper campaign has been stressing several points this campaign - just about anything to avoid talking about their actual record in office. Let's look at those points.

"The reckless Coalition". Possibly the most meaningless non-issue in Canadian electoral history. There is nothing illegal, or unconstitutional about a coalition government. It worked in Canada during World War 1 - under a CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister - Sir Robert Borden. His coalition with a large number of Liberal MPs was called the Union government. Wouldn't it be nice if the current Prime Minister knew this much Canadian Parliamentary history?

Strong Economic Management. These guys are contenders for the worst government for economic management in Canadian history. They inherited a $13 billion dollar annual surplus from the Liberals, and in 4 years managed to turn it into a $50 billion dollar deficit! The largest single-year deficit in Canadian history! And that just a year after Harper boldly proclaimed in the 2008 election that Canada would not have a recession in 2009, nor would his government ever run a deficit. Incompetence or lies? Either way, do you want these guys running your economy in the future?

Law and order. Well, they've had five years, and don't seem to have made much ground on this front. They sabotaged their own private member's bill to kill the long gun registry in September 2010. They're adamant we need more prisons for 'unreported crimes'. Well, if a crime is unreported, there won't be charges, and there won't be a conviction, so no need for more jail space. Crime rates in Canada are actually falling, so we should not need as much space for offenders - unless the Conservatives know about a lot more cases of fraud by their officials and staff that are still 'unreported crimes'. Let's face it, if you want to be credible on law and order, stop breaking the law yourself (like calling an election in violation of your own law for fixed election dates).

Contempt. This is the one the Harper campaign isn't talking about. It appears no one in the CPC actually understands the reason they were defeated in the House of Commons. They withheld information from our elected representatives. They lied to Parliament. And it appears they misappropriated funds from border security to gussy up Tony Clement's riding for the G8 conference, but for things G8 delegates would never see. This party misused RCMP officers, who were supposed to be protecting the Prime Minister as unpaid bouncers at CPC election campaign events. This party carried out surveillance on people that registered to attend rallies, and based on their findings, barred them from attending 'public' events. This is just a tiny part of the on-going practice of this government that demonstrates their complete lack of respect for democracy and the citizens of Canada. This government is full value for being defeated for being found in contempt of Parliament - a historic event in Commonwealth Parliamentary history. We cannot condone a government lying to Parliament and Canadians, let alone reward it for such behaviour.

On May 2nd, vote for better. We deserve it.

April 28, 2011

If You Lie and Steal from Your Employer, You Don't Get Promoted

OK, it's a poor take on Jack Layton's torpedo on Michael Ignatieff in the national TV debate. (You remember, the one where "The Consortium" - kind of like a Coalition, but one the Conservative Party likes - would not let Green Party Leader Elizabeth May participate, but did allow a regional party leader - the Bloc - take part.) However, the point is valid. The Conservative government was defeated on a motion of non-confidence - because they were found in contempt of Parliament because they withheld information from Parliament, and because this government lied to Parliament.

It is increasingly clear that this government diverted up to $50,000,000 from border defence to building gazebos and other structures in Tony Clement's riding, which would never be seen, let alone used, by G8 conference attendees, let alone on anything related to border security - more than 300 km away.

This government has lied to its employer - us, as represented by the people we elected to the House of Commons.

This government has withheld information from us, that our representatives were entitled to have.

This government has misappropriated tax money for its own political purposes.

What frightens me most is that rather than getting ready to run these liars (that have debased the very democratic principles they are sworn to uphold) out of town on a rail, based on recent polls, Canadian voters appear poised to return them to office. If we won't hold them to account now, when? If the Conservatives won't acknowledge through an entire federal election campaign why they were defeated, and made this election necessary, what kind of delusional government can we expect if they are returned with a majority?

A thought about polls. Polls are generally conducted by telephone, to listed land-line numbers. That means, people that don't have land-lines, notably young people that use cellular phones and smart phones as their primary telephone lines, typically don't get polled. As a result, it is likely that the current major polling numbers actually overstate the support for the Conservatives and Liberals - parties that typically pull strongly from the older, more established population. Conversely, those polls likely understate the level of support for the parties that typically pull more of their support from the younger end of the age spectrum, namely the NDP and the Greens.

That means that the apparent support for the NDP and Greens in the polls actually reflects a greater change coming than the polls are reporting. Perhaps more Canadians than we think agree that the Conservatives should not be rewarded for lying to Parliament, and the Liberals time in the penalty box is not up for the Adscam scandal. Those Canadians are looking for another option - and fortunately, we have them.

So, if ever there was an election where your vote might really count to shake things up in the federal Parliament, this is it. If you want change, you really have to make the effort to vote in this election.

This time, it's really your call. Vote for better.

April 27, 2011

Don't Vote

Harper 2011 Campaign by the Letters

A is for Attack Ads, a Harper campaign staple because it’s easier than discussing the issues.

B is for “Bickering”, the Harper view of democratic process when it is not going his way.

Mr. Harper, Where is My Apology?

I was not barred from attending a Harper rally - I have no interest in attending one based on what I have seen of him over the past 5 years in power. So, why do I want an apology? Because the Harper handlers saw no issue in using the RCMP as free enforcers at their campaign rallies. Sorry, folks, but the RCMP I pay for through my taxes have a specific mandate when they are providing security for the main federal party leaders, and it is not to be bouncers for Harper event organizers.

Eventually, the RCMP figured it out, and made an announcement that they actually did understand their job, and acting as free security guards at the direction of Harper lackeys wasn't actually it. What truly concerns me is that anyone, RCMP officers or Harper operatives ever considered crossing this line, let alone actually let it happen.

So, let's see the Harper party hire their own security guards, and publicly state they understand they abused their authority in using RCMP in this way, and apologize to the taxpayers of Canada for this abuse of tax-funded resources.

January 1, 2011

Warning: I am in a dark mood as I write this. I have had an unblindered view of reality the past few days, and it leaves me in despair for our ability to think.

Today is the first day of the second decade of the third millennium (AD or CE). If you are hung up about the semantics of "Common Era", or the use of a dead language (Anno Domini is Latin) for setting dates, you would be well served to surf elsewhere. If you can't do the math to figure out 2010 was the last year of a decade, rather than the first, or agree that January 1, 2001 (not 2000) was the first day of the 3rd millennium, either figure it out or move to another Website. It's not going to get easier as you proceed through this blog this year.

In honour of this 1-2-3 date coincidence, I will be providing 3 pieces of priceless advice. Before that, a little reality as background.

We have entered the era of the oil apocalypse. From here on in, we will watch our infrastructure begin to fail and rot. Instead of switching to a sustainable paradigm, we will try to prop up the unsustainable until it collapses, taking us with it. It is not too late to chart a different course, but we don't have the foresight or courage to do so. The price we will pay for this is beyond comprehension, but completely predictable.

Oil is now public enemy number 1.

You are an accomplice.

Our collective, insatiable addiction to oil is the fundamental cause of many of the world's evils. The 'resource curse' has led to the overthrow of democratic governments, massive loss of life, despoiling of our environment, and climate change. It is the primary cause of resource wars, past, present and future. It is the cause of most government corruption in North America today.

Oil is also the underlying cause of our on-going recession / stunted recovery since 2008 in the industrialized world. Our global economy is predicated on cheap oil. That era is over. China is virtually the planet's manufacturing centre now. However, that only makes sense if it is cheaper to ship cheap goods halfway around the world than to produce them locally. Even if shipping were to remain cheap, China will implode as an economic power before 2020. It will likely take the U.S. with it, assuming the U.S. economy lasts that long.

Each time our governments use more of our money to fund 'stimulus' projects that are based on burning more oil, the deeper we are digging ourselves into the tar pit.

If our government's are truly committed to our interests (as opposed to gorging themselves on oil lobby money), then they have to put all future tax-funded stimulus funds toward localized initiatives that reduce the demand for oil. Period.

During the course of this decade, you will switch your energy usage away from oil.

It won't be a matter of choice, or doing something good for the environment, or a legacy for your kids, or keeping your kids out of middle-east resource wars, or making a political statement or any other do-gooder motivation. It will be the result of simple financial or physical necessity. In other words, you won't be able to afford it, or potentially able to get it at any price.

By 2020, Canada will no longer be a democracy - it will be a petrocacy. Despite the wealth generated from the tar sands, selling oil to those that can afford it, most Canadians will be living in poverty, as they were not prepared to stand up for their rights when they were being steadily removed in the previous two decades.

There are things we can do to avoid this collapse, but we won't, as they involve planning, investing, inconvenience and delayed gratification. So instead, pick a good seat in a safe place, and enjoy the show. (Spoiler alert: it's a snuff film.)

I promised to offer you 3 pieces of priceless advice. Here they are.

1) If you heat your home or other structure you value with oil, switch to something else. Investigate the concepts of passive houses and zero energy houses. Upgrade your insulation and weather-sealing. Seriously look into active solar heating - the fuel is free. Beyond that, look into geothermal (ground-source heat pump) systems, or automated wood-fuelled (e.g., pellet stoves) systems. (Natural gas may be a bargain for a few more years, but it won't last forever.) If you can't make these work with your current abode, move somewhere else where you can.

2) If you use petro-based (gasoline, oil, propane, natural gas) transportation today, find an alternative. Walk, bicycle, public transit, homebrew biodiesel, electric car or whatever else you can think of and will meet most of your needs. If you think your job will survive the oil collapse, perhaps you should move to within walking distance of it, or find work you can do primarily via telecommuting.

3) Learn how to fix things, and otherwise generally be frugal. The end of cheap oil means the end of cheap, disposable, plastic goods. If you can fix things, you will be valued in your community for that ability.

June 23, 2010

Ottawa to get tough on coal plants - sort of, someday

Nothing like an imminent one-two global photo-op on your home turf (G8, G20) to get the local pols making non-announcements. This one is a classic example: Environment Minister Jim Prentice mugs for the cameras and issues a press release with this nugget:
"that the Government of Canada is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by moving forward with regulations on coal-fired electricity generation."
[*Sorry, Environment Canada has removed this link] http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=E5B59675-BE60-4759-8FC3-D3513EAA841C

And new ones can be built, presumably either according to the current regime, say if construction starts before mid-2015, or according to new regulations thereafter (which are likely to embrace a decades old combined cycle technology). After all, the new rules will likely be decided upon by the vested interests in the coal industry and electricity generators - not environmentalists and asthmatics.

And the new stricter regulations? Not drafted yet. Maybe by 2011. You know, if they don't get killed by the December 2010 prorogation. They won't come into effect until at least 2015. A lot can happen in five years, like regulations getting revised, watered down, or simply revoked or lost in the shuffle.

May 7, 2010

Ontario's No EV Policy Now 3 Months Old 2010.05.07

Early in February 2010, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation stopped accepting registrations for electric vehicles in the province. There was no announcement, and no consultation with EV advocates or owners. The first few EV owners turned away at licence bureaus did not even get a reason for the refusal.

When pressed for information, MTO officials offered up some weak reasons. First, apparently large numbers of Ontarians were fraudulently claiming their vehicles were powered by electricity, so as to avoid Drive Clean tests. However, MTO's own data show less than 100 cars and light trucks are registered as electric in Ontario. (I can personally identify about 40 of those that are legitmately electric powered.) MTO has the authority to inspect anything they deem suspicious, and there are stiff penalties for false statements on registration forms, including fines and jail time.

Prior to the secret licensing ban, electric vehicles in Ontario were subject to exactly the same safety inspection, licensing and insurance rules as any other vehicle on the road. The question MTO still has not adequately answered is why this small population of clean-air, environmentally-friendly vehicles has been singled out for this degree of persecution, when street-racers actually have to commit an offence to suffer any penalty, and gross polluters can continue to operate on 'conditional' passes. For a government that claims to support green vehicles, this government has a very strange way of showing it.

Reasoned discussions with MTO officials since the secret ban was discovered have dragged out over many weeks, with little sign of progress toward getting the vehicles re-legalized in Ontario. The only incentive the Ontario government offers for buying or making an electric vehicle, small as it is, ends on June 30, 2010 with the introduction of the HST.

Tories Filibuster Their Own Committee

Well, if we were hoping the Tories would come back from their ill-advised prorogation and extended vacation in a better mood than they exhibited at the end of 2009, we've certainly been given notice that's not going to be the case.

First, we have seen 2 Cabinet ministers go postal on airport security staff. Not good form for a government that rides on the law and order agenda, especially after gutting their own legislation with the prorogation in 2009. But it's worse given the growing perception that this government has lost touch with voters, is chafing under the constraint of a minority government that won't let it ride roughshod over Canadians with a right-wing agenda they have to keep under wraps lest Canadians figure it out and toss them unceremoniously from office. Making matters worse, the slap on the wrist meted out to Rahim Jaffer smacks of two-tier justice.

The Throne speech and budget documents presented don't indicate any change of direction or "re-calibration" that could possibly warrant the prorogation. That just makes it that much more evident the prorogation was a stall tactic, likely trying to defuse the Afghan detainees committee hearings. That history taints the idea of having a judge vet materials to which the House of Commons has full rights to see uncensored. Our MPs are our final line of defense in trying to get to the truth in government matters in our system of democracy. Putting them off puts the definitive lie to this government's hollow claim to being open, accountable and transparent.

Well Done, Canada!

As a Canadian, and solely a mainstream observer of the events of the past two weeks of the Vancouver Olympics, I admit to a degree of second-hand pride in what I have seen. I'm sure there were issues I missed, and a couple of blemishes we all saw, but all in all it appeared a colossal success! Yesterday provided the crowning touches: 14 gold medal performances - the most by any country ever in a Winter Olympics; the men's hockey final with a script that could have been written for film; and, a closing ceremony that poked a bit of fun at the glitch in the opening ceremonies and allowed Catriona LeMay Doan a do-over on her opportunity to light the flame. However, this builds upon years of work by many people with inspiration, dedication, and perseverance. It was truly a showcase for this country, to the world, and more importantly, to ourselves. From using the event as an opportunity to teach people work skills, to the design and construction of the torches for the cross-country torch run, to battling the climate itself at Cypress Mountain, to the inclusion of the First Nations, to the design of the beautiful and unique medals, to showcasing an electric snowmobile at Whistler. We should also take a moment to think of all of those that were successful because we did not notice their efforts: facilities construction and maintenance, logistics required to house the athletes, spectators, media and others; the security staff who maintained order and ensured this event did not become a spectacle of the unwelcome sort; the games organizers and volunteers that kept things running in spite of the challenges seen and unseen by outsiders. Of course, this generation of Canadians will never forget the performance of the Canadian athletes, who clearly were the focus of the event, which is as it should be.

Let us all look back on these games as symbolic of what we can accomplish, on the podium, building the podium and behind it. Let us move forward with this flush of success on so many fronts, and with quiet pride build on it to create an even greater legacy that celebrates co-operation, inspiration, and perseverance - truly Canadian qualities.

February 22, 2010

Prorogation 2009 - the Rage Simmers

Prime Minister Harper Addresses B.C. Legislature

Undoubtedly hoping to bask in the glow of the Vancouver Olympics, Prime Minister Harper is the first PM to address the British Columbia Legislature. However, this venue offered other advantages. First, Harper's home turf is closed for the season due to his decision to prorogue in late December, scuttling his own law and order agenda that was on the order paper. Second, as he is not a BC MLA, he couldn't be questioned in that House. Third, no opportunity for the media to ask questions, something of a hazard associated with press conferences. Fourth, he could rely on BC security services (beefed up for the Olympics) in the event that the rabble, er, citizens decided to voice their opinion.

February 10, 2010

Boycott the Ottawa Water Rate Increase

Today, the Ottawa municipal government announced its intention to increase residential water rates by 10% in 2010. This follows three previous annual increases of 9% a year - about 40% in 4 years! This time its supposed to pay for rainwater storage to prevent overflows into the Ottawa River during rain storms. A mere $140,000,000.00 is the initial estimate, to store 12,500 cubic metres of storm water. Given it's an Ottawa project (where 0 means 4%), we can be sure the final tab will be considerably higher.

Hmmm, I figure 12,500 cubic metres would fill about 62,500 rain barrels. Figuring the city could get those for $40 a piece or less in that kind of bulk buy, that would cost about $2,500,000, and would result in a lot of rainwater never seeing the municipal wastewater treatment system. That's probably about one rain barrel per four homes in the Ottawa area. $2.5 million or $140 million? As an Ottawa taxpayer, there was never any doubt in my mind which way our municipal government would choose to go on this one.

Recalibrate the Buy America Canada Deal

If the too little, too much deal Canada struck with the U.S. this past week is what we get as a result of the government not being distracted by Parliament due to the prorogation, let's get them back in the House of Commons ASAP. As we're getting a look at the fine print, it's not looking pretty.

What are Canadian Investors Smoking?

Here are a few interesting little factoids.

In October 2008, the TSX composite was trading between 9,000 and 10,000 points. In January 2010, when we have 280,000 fewer Canadians employed, and even more less-employed (now working part time as opposed to full time previously), the TSX composite is trading above 11,000 points.

Note that this drop in employment is in spite of billions of dollars of government stimulus over the past year in Canada and the U.S., intended specifically to create jobs! (e.g., HRTC) This means that our government debt is growing, and we're going to have to make it up in the future via increased taxes. (First instalment coming in July for residents of Ontario and British Columbia as they fall subject to the HST.) Maybe it won't ding you much, but paying an extra 8% on all services and many of the products we buy is going to make a decided dent in our disposable income.

If we're likely to reduce our real consumption by 5 to 10% annually starting in the third quarter, what's that going to do to Canadian retailers and providers of services if most other Canadians do the same, because they're still waiting for the alleged economic recovery?

Credible commodities analysts are forecasting reduced demand later this year as major consumers built up inventory during 2009 when things looked relatively cheap. If commodities (oil, coal, base metals, etc) take another price hit or reduced demand or both, and we have fewer Canadians employed now than 15 months ago, where's the cause for optimism in the investment arena?

February 5, 2010

Jobs Report - Not Happy Days Yet!

The key words in the reports today were not 43,000 new jobs. The key words were "surprising", and "15,000 expected". I'm out here on main street, and I got one of those 43,000 jobs (at least as Stats Can would report it). And it's one of those part-time jobs, which made up 97% of the reported increase. Yup, just 3% of the net new jobs in January were full-time. This is in the wake of our federal government's full-court press on the stimulus side committing billions of dollars into job creation, and it managed to create just 1,400 new full-time jobs in January. Remember, we're still down almost 300,000 jobs from where we were in October 2008.

And this presumably doesn't include the damage done by Toyota shutting down multiple assembly lines last week, and what that's doing to their local suppliers.
[dead link: http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/world/story/1.865763] CBC.ca article "Jobless rate edges down to 8.3%"

Too Funny!

Today, after slinking out of town in late December under the cloak of proroguing Parliament, CPC cabinet ministers appeared before the media to justify their plan to have the Commons sit through the customary March break and into June. The justification? According to Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis:
"The two break weeks need to be cancelled so we can work hard. We want to sit as much as possible in order to get the measures passed that we think Canadians want to see passed."

This from the brain-trust that felt there was so little of value for Parliament to do in mid-December that the only reasonable course of action was to declare a two-and-a-half-month vacation and kill all the Bills on the order paper.

Bzzzzt. Wrong. Thank's for playing. The national issues of December have not magically disappeared just because you chose to run away from them for a few weeks. There's no reason to believe they could not be dealt with at least as effectively now as a month or more in the future. The longer this takes, the more it looks like the CPC ran for cover before New Year's, and it is proving more and more to be an irresponsible course of action.

Time to head back to the bunker and "re-calibrate" this message.

January 30, 2010

Irony

Yesterday, [dead link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-takes-control-with-senate-appointments/article1450162/] Justice Minister Rob Nicholson indicated that the government needed to pack the Senate with 5 more appointments to force through the CPCs crime agenda. This is ironic on at least a couple of levels. First, the reason the CPC crime agenda isn't becoming law is because the Prime Minister keeps proroguing Parliament before any of this legislation can become law. Second, because this Prime Minister said he would reform the Senate, and not keep using it for patronage appointments like his predecessors.

Seems to me, if the other parties in Parliament want to make Parliament work, this is their golden opportunity - assuming the House ever sits again. The 3 other parties could build a package of bills they want to see passed and propose them as Private Members Bills. Then, they can filibuster whatever government legislation they don't want, and push through the Members' bills they do want. Of course, this would require that the MPs and Senators not of CPC colours would have to act like adults and put the interests of their constituents ahead of personal and party agendas. Oh right, that's what they're supposed to be doing in the first place.

January 28, 2010

Prorogation 'Aha! moment' punishes Tories in poll

Is the prorogation creating a groundswell to counter the PR value of the government's efforts on the Haiti earthquake file? Perhaps so, according to this [dead link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/prorogation-aha-moment-punishes-tories-in-poll/article1447160/] Globe and Mail article about recent EKOS polling. No question the feds have been quick off the mark with the response, including using our tax money to match all private contributions by Canadians. However, the prorogation is forcing many Canadians to question if our democratic rights are actually safe with a government that seems to treat them in a cavalier manner. The poll suggests that Canadians do want the Prime Minister to bring the House back before March. Given the Prime Minister's usual response to the desires of Canadians, I think we can be quite sure this means he will not. So the question becomes, what will those that value democracy, accountability, open and honest government do with the interregnum?

January 27, 2010

Committee Work Dies, Too

Kill Bills II

Apparently some Canadians are being hoodwinked by the government spin specialists into believing that the prorogation is just a normal Parliamentary procedure, and its repeated use in 2008 and 2009 has no implications for the practice of democracy in our country. That's not the case. Prorogation doesn't stall legislation in the House of Commons and the Senate; it kills all the Bills in progress. Some may be resurrected in the next session, but there is no guarantee of that.

Have a look at [dead link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/prorogation/the-36-bills-that-died/article1441162/] the legislation that was killed by this prorogation.

In reality, that's most of the work that Parliament had actually done anything on in this session, including multiple Bills related to the CPC "Law and Order" agenda, which apparently isn't so important anymore.

January 24, 2010

Putting the Rogue in Prorogation - CPC 2010

Prorogation is a time-honoured Parliamentary procedure. CPC apologists, please note that we are not arguing that point. Our issue is with the now annual inappropriate use of the procedure by this government.

"The most common use of prorogation in current times is to allow the government to re-cast its plans and agenda once it feels it has accomplished enough of its goals from the current session. It will then prorogue Parliament and set a new agenda through a new Speech from the Throne."
http://www.lawnow.org/Downloads/documentloader.ashx?id=6149

It is NOT intended as a way for a floundering minority government to avoid a non-confidence vote (CPC December 2008 - ending a session that was just 13 days old), or to shut down the work of Parliamentary committees that are proving the government has ignored its legal and moral commitments as the legal representative of our country regarding international law and negotiations (CPC December 2009).

It's pretty clear that this government had not accomplished the bulk of its goals after 13 days of business in 2008, nor has it accomplished the bulk of the work it set out in its last Throne speech given the number of Bills that died on the order paper this time around.

My MP is not serving my interests by going to the Olympics or sitting in his riding. Government serves my interests by addressing the issues of the day in Parliament, by working in committees and passing legislation.

If there is one benefit to be had from the current prorogation fiasco, I hope it is that Canadians will understand that the current government is putting its own interests ahead of the citizens it is sworn to serve, and perhaps our media will understand that Canadians want their fifth estate to provide real coverage of what our government is doing (or not doing).

January 23, 2010

Parliament Hill Prorogation Protest

As if it were an omen, today began bright and sunny - the first day of full sun for weeks in Ottawa. The bright light shining on those braving the chill on Parliament Hill today was in stark contrast to the opacity of the current government and what they hope to hide behind the cloak of prorogation. It was an honour to share the front lawn of Canada's house with so many others that truly believe in democracy for our country.

10n10.ca Launches

Out of my angst over the botched COP15 conference at Copenhagen, something positive!

Faced with a federal government apparently indifferent to the democratic process that put them in power, and opposed to taking action on climate change, at New Year's I decided to do something. National polls say Canadians want to take action on climate change. I know I do. So, I have made it my New Year's resolution to reduce my personal and household greenhouse gas emissions by 10% in 2010.

I have already spent years reducing my use of fossil fuels, so this won't be an easy undertaking for me. Still, I intend to do it. I call it 10 in 10.

Post-Copenhagen New Year's Resolution for 2010

Despite the best efforts of the spinmeisters to paint an 11th-hour pseudo-agreement to try to reach a future agreement for non-binding resolution to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to a level that isn't low enough as a success, most watchers (who didn't succumb to the inanity of it all) have reached a different conclusion. It was a lost opportunity, which wasted precious time and resources, driven by those who still put their own short term gain ahead of the long term benefit, and potentially even survival, of the human species. Our governments abdicated their responsibilities to their citizens in favour of the fossil fuels industries.

It has never been clearer than now that governments are not in tune with the desires of their citizens on the issue of climate change. If they were, we would have hard emissions targets for 2010, not fantasy goals for 2030 to 2050.

If we really want to make a difference in the short term on climate change, we need to start turning things around now. Most of us don't have the financial wherewithal to make a dramatic change in our energy production (e.g., putting in a solar power system to reduce coal-fired generation). However, most of us can find ways to reduce our actual energy consumption, especially if it means we can also save money.

This is my resolution for 2010: to reduce my fossil fuel consumption by 10% or more in 2010 relative to what it was in 2009. That is a hard target for 2010. I call it 10 in 10.

This is not about trying to send a message to our governments. This is about making real progress on climate change in spite of them.

I recognize that a 10% cut is not enough to solve the problem. However, it is a start in the right direction, and for many years, our industrialized and industrializing nations have been going in the wrong direction.

I have been trying to reduce my greenhouse gas emissions for some years now, so I don't have a lot of easy things left to do. However, I think this is important, and I intend to do it.

One person doing this won't have a measurable impact, so I want more people to participate. I also know it's easy to ask, and most of you think this will be hard to do. So, here's my offer. If readers of this blog indicate a reasonable level of interest, I will supply suggestions on how to reduce your fossil fuel use, and likely save money doing so.

Budget watchdog points to slow flow of stimulus

Econogics Launches EV Blog

If you want an electric car, make your own

It all has a dreary familiarity to it. The mainstream media pump up the arrival of the electric car prototypes (1970s, 1990s and again now), then the automakers and our governments (cheered on by Big Oil) take them away from us like Lucy with Charlie Brown's football. (If you remember that from the Peanuts comic strip, maybe you also remember the previous alleged comings of the electric car.)

Ontario finally legalized the Low Speed electric Vehicle (LSV) this past summer, just a decade after U.S. states did so. But in an artful display of doublethink, they then added regulations that ensured no production model could qualify. Then, when they announced incentives for electric cars in July to take effect in the second half of 2010, the LSV was specifically excluded from the incentives, although it would have qualified based on the skimpy details provided at the time of the announcement. Stay tuned while they find a reason to exclude conversions and the few EVs already on the road in Ontario from the incentives as well. It's not as though we really want to foster a new, green industry in the province that would create jobs (vehicle manufacturing, sales, batteries, electric motors, other components).

Now with confusion as to what incentives will really apply in the U.S., and when, it appears more of the erstwhile EV makers will likely disappear.

October 7, 2009

Algonquin College Green Homes and Lifestyle Showcase

Yesterday, I spent five hours at the Green Home and Lifestyle Showcase at Algonquin College. Turnout for this free-admission event was light, so it afforded me time to have longer discussions than is usually the case at tradeshows. Further, it was a no-sales, information-only affair, so I was looking forward to some animated discussions with college students, as the event was situated on their turf and the price was right. In that regard, I was rather disappointed.

Before I proceed, let me set the stage for you. I was sitting behind a small table, along with 40 to 50 other exhibitors, most with identical tables. Most of the tables were set up with product or advertising services, and most were on topic, though a couple seemed out of place to me.

October 1, 2009

PHEV 09 Trade Show

September 29, 2009

EI Figures - What They Don't Tell Us

September 22, 2009

Better Place orders 100,000 Electric Cars

The mainstream media completely ignored this story. That's unfortunate, as this could be the moment that changes everything for automobile transportation in the next decade! Renault now has the order they need to start real mass production of an all-electric, battery-only, car. That's the volume that can achieve volumes of scale to make electric cars truly affordable, at least in Europe, in the next few years.

Those of us living in North America can rest easy, knowing that our domestic automakers have no intention of providing us with a real electric car any time soon.

July 25, 2009

Ontario Announcement Regarding Incentives for EVs and PHEVs

An Open Letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty

Dear Premier McGuinty:

I would like to thank you for your government's recent apparent reversal regarding support for clean air transportation in Ontario.

[dead site: http://www.news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2009/07/ontario-leading-the-charge.html] The announcement on the Ides of July 2009 included statements which were as stunning to a long-time Ontario electric vehicle advocate as they were ambitious and sweeping. Statements like “The McGuinty government aims to have one out of every 20 vehicles driven in Ontario to be electrically powered by 2020. “ and “Ontario will also add 500 electric vehicles to the Ontario Public Service fleet.“

It's as if someone flipped a switch and your government finally got the message. You know, THE message. As if someone finally put together the devastation of climate change from burning fossil fuels in our vehicles, the burden of health effects caused by automotive emissions, and the need to foster an economic environment that is about sustainability instead of the extinction of the human species, and grasped that there is an answer.

It's hard to believe that this came from the same government that had to be badgered into allowing electric-assist bicycles in the province, and only relented in 2006 with a pilot program. Or the same government that only grudgingly permitted Low Speed electric Vehicles (LSVs) on our roads this year, and with such harsh restrictions that no one will build a vehicle to meet the unique and oppressive Ontario regulations; and that a decade after the federal government created the classification. Or the same government that took away preferential license fees for electric cars a few years ago. Or the same government that still prohibits electric motorcycles from using major Ontario highways.

However, I am confused by the one-year phase-in period before any of the announced incentives come into effect. Why not let the pioneers that already drive battery electric and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles benefit now? Why not provide a retro-active reward payment to those with licensed vehicles as of the effective date showing a Motive Power of E(lectric)? If the motivation really is putting clean air, electric cars that produce less Greenhouse Gases on Ontario roads, why not reward those innovators that are already doing so?

My fear is that this government is not so much interested in cleaner air as they are in providing an additional bail-out to GM and Chrysler, now that you are shareholders. The devil is in the details, and my concern is that your government will restrict the incentives to specific makes and models, as it did with the fuel efficiency incentives of recent years.

On reflection, if your government had taken this stance just three years ago instead of putting it off another a year into the future, perhaps we would have a domestic market for the burgeoning surplus of electricity in the province. A surplus that has reached such proportions that we are now shutting down perfectly functional nuclear reactors to reduce the supply. Further, last summer, when gasoline was over $1.40 a litre, Ontarians would have had another option for their transportation needs – electric vehicles.

Personally, I look forward to getting my Green Plates for my current, highway-capable, electric car, and I hope this signals a pervasive change in your government's attitude toward electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Now, if only there were HOV lanes in Ottawa.

July 21, 2009

Irrational enthusiasm in the markets

Last week, North American stock and commodity markets were showing a correction (downward trend) that was comprehensible given underlying economic data. This week, a rally has taken hold that defies understanding. The underlying fundamentals have not improved markedly. Unemployment figures continue to rise. Earnings reports may be 'beating expectations', but in general they are not particularly good. Those companies that are showing increased earnings are doing so by slashing expenses - including ongoing maintenance and normal internal infrastructure investments. While that may improve the bottom line in the short term, the real concern is that the top line is not improving. In the longer term, the current cost slashing is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. This cost slashing reduces employment and purchases from suppliers. In turn, the suppliers reduce inventories, dropping their purchases and leading them to cut jobs as well. As more people lose jobs, they reduce their expenses, including housing, dining out, consumer products, entertainment and services. All of this feeds the downward spiral. The downward spiral means more businesses will see a continuing decline in their top line. If that continues, eventually they have to close their doors.

Until we see some sign of recovery (not just a slowing in the rate the economy is shrinking), there is no fundamental reason why the equity or commodity markets, as a whole, should be rising in value. Companies will not be growing. Consumer discretionary income will not be increasing. If consumers aren't buying, then companies that service them (e.g., automakers, appliance makers, housing, airlines, banks) aren't selling, or making profits. That means no earnings to pay out to shareholders. So, where's the basis for the apparent enthusiasm for equities and commodities the past few days?

Ironically, the trigger for the rally seems to have been the surprisingly strong earnings report of Goldman Sachs last week. This is one of the major U.S. financial institutions that was so over-leveraged due to its gambling positions that it required U.S. government support (TARP) in order to simply survive in the past year. Sadly, their fast recovery seems to have emboldened their management with a sense of invincibility. It appears they are intent on returning the days of high risk strategies and high bonuses for senior executives - exactly the practices that triggered the international financial crisis of 2008.

It appears the high rollers and speculators that burned so many investors in 2008, while surviving off the tax dollars gouged from the very people they burned, are intent on re-inflating the bubble. In my opinion, this strategy is destined to repeat the cycle of 2008, on a lesser scale only due to the number of folks that lost a lot of money, or are now taking a more conservative stance.

June 21, 2009

Where are the JOBS?

On this Father's Day 2009, perhaps we're supposed to consider it reassuring that we got the equivalent of a paternalistic pat on the head this week from Prime Minister Harper on the subject of Employment Insurance specifically, and the economy in general. It didn't work for me. If Mr. Ignatieff wants to represent me, he should not have folded like a cheap tent on the questions that needed to be asked. EI reforms that might happen in 2010 are not helping with the problems today and of the past six months, where Mr. Ignatieff is supposed to be holding the government to account. Still, it appears both believe all is well in the economy, and it's time to take a long, paid, summer vacation.

These are the questions that were sidestepped in the media sham (June 11) announced as the Economic Stimulus Report Card.
1) How much of the stimulus package money announced 5 months ago has actually reached the street?
2) How many infrastructure projects funded by the 2009 Budget have actually started work?
3) How many jobs have been created in Canada directly due to the 2009 Budget stimulus package?
4) Where have those jobs been created?

The stated Budget target was the creation (or protection) of 190,000 jobs. Since January, the number of unemployed Canadians has increased every month but one (and I suspect the April figures were a complete anomoly at best). So, where are the jobs?

The timeline that got us here: