Modeling Journey

Random Thoughts:

Now that the Ontario PC Leadership Race is over, I am not quite sure what to do with my time. I congratulate Tim Hudak on his victory and am proud of the campaign that Frank Klees ran over the past few months. I think the PC Party will be stronger because of the race and I think Tim Hudak is off to the right start for victory in 2011 over Dalton McGuinty. I believe Tim Hudak will be the next Premier of Ontario. Overall I think Tim Hudak, Frank Klees, Christine Elliott and Randy Hillier raised their profile and did a great job contributing to the rebuilding process of our party. I think the leadership contest will also help us organizationally in Ontario for whenever the federal election comes. It was good to see the relationship improve between provincial and federal Conservatives. I am also excited about the prospect of former leader John Tory running for mayor of Toronto. The Tory tribute and keynote address from Peter MacKay was also very well done. There are only three complaints I have about the PC Ontario Leadership race after the fact. The first is that the contest was too short. A fall vote would have allowed more time to promote the party, the leadership candidates, PC policies/principles and of course provided the time to sell more memberships. The party currently has about 45,000 members. We had over 100,000 in 2002. My second complaint was that the media, supporters and candidates seemed to focus the entire campaign around the Human Rights Commission. While that issue certainly needs to be addressed, I think given the state of the economy there were other areas I would have liked to hear more from the candidates on. The Economy, education, energy, health care and transit should have got more attention. Finally I have noticed in general that media coverage is really lacking these days at Queens Park. I think this hurts our entire democracy because too many people are not getting the information about what is happening in Ontario politics. The major newspapers and television stations should have at least one reporting covering provincial politics despite their economic struggles.

I hope Tim Hudak reaches out to Frank Klees, Christine Elliott, Peter Shurman, Elizabeth Witmer and Randy Hillier with his shadow cabinet picks. We need to have the strongest team possible and all the signs I have seen so far is that the Hudak team is serious about unity. Perhaps we will see the shadow cabinet picked later this summer. The provincial legislature returns September 14.

At the end of June, my term as President of Newmarket Rotary Club ended. It was a pleasure to serve the club for a year as President and I appreciate all the support given to me by members of the club. I think we did a lot of good things in the community and around the world. Those with some extra time should really consider joining a service club. It is rewarding to give back to the community and I believe it is time well spent. Virtually every community in Canada has a Rotary Club, a Lions Club or another service club. These groups need members in order to continue the good work they are doing. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in giving back to their community to consider joining a service club in your area. If time is an issue, perhaps consider helping an organization for a weekend such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers and Sisters, and various other charities or causes looking for volunteers, time or money. With the state of the current economy, there are many people in need. Government cannot solve every problem, so many are relying on volunteers to fill in the gaps.

Today also marks my fourth day without a cigarette. This is getting close to the tenth attempt at quitting I have made over the past five years. This time I am feeling confident and hope to be successful. More and more people are quitting everyday and more and more young people are not starting the habit to begin with. Addictions are painful to break and I would strongly encourage anyone reading this not to take up smoking. It simply isn’t worth it. The first four days are the hardest and withdrawal symptoms last about ten days. For now I am proud to have joined the ranks of non-smokers and hope to stay in that club. Financially if I quit I will save close to $3600 and of course health issues are the main motivation to give up the habit.

On the garbage strikes in Toronto and Windsor, to me there is only one solution. York Region and Etobicoke use private collection companies and Toronto/Windsor should do the same if legally possible. In York Region I believe the company is Turtle Island that handles recycling and trash collection. I am not sure what value CUPE adds in Toronto that is not present in York Region and other places where garbage collection is outsourced. I also think that previous Toronto labour agreements and the council pay raise had a major role in this strike and the position of the union. In the private sector people are losing their jobs and unions have made concessions in the auto and airline industries. Toronto’s finances are in shambles and it is clear that taxpayers cannot afford another Miller style union-friendly contract. It is time for Toronto to live within its means and dump the socialist mentality. Frankly I don’t see much chance for improvement in Toronto until 2010. I would be proud to support Tory, Stinz, Smitherman or whoever the credible candidate is that runs against David Miller. God do I miss the good old days of Mel Lastman! The fact council will not even consider rolling back their "cost of living" raise tells me clearly that it is time to take a broom to city hall in 2010. The city of Toronto desparately needs change at the political level. Like in Windsor, taxpayers should be reinbursed for services not rendered.

Speaking of dysfunctional cities, I also hope Julian Fantino eventually enters the race for Mayor of Vaughan. If not mayor, perhaps he would consider being a candidate for the PC Party and future MPP in 2011? Armand La Barge would also be fantastic if he ever entered politics in my opinion.

I have seen lots of studies, funding announcements and talk, but will shovels ever get into the ground on the TTC Subway extensions into York Region along the Yonge and Spadina lines? On a positive note, I am excited by VIVA’s plans in Newmarket and throughout York Region. Now if we could only get hourly GO Trains from Newmarket to Union! Extension of the 404 and 427 North as well as the Bradford By-Pass would have been huge stimulus projects that I would have strongly supported. Public transit is important for sure, but so are roads and highways. It doesn’t make sense to bailout auto companies and then continue to fight a war on the car in Ontario. Tearing down the Gardener in Toronto makes absolutely no sense.

It is exciting that Magna is looking to acquire Opel and also potentially will manufacturer electric cars in Canada. Magna is a crucial employer in York Region and the riding of Newmarket-Aurora.

Stimulus spending is taking place in Newmarket and Aurora as we speak. VIVA, GO Transit, Newmarket Curling Club, Newmarket Soccer Club, Aurora Waste Water Infrastructure, Parks and Trails and the revitalization of Newmarket’s old town hall are some of the stimulus projects in my riding. Would love to see more GO Trains between Newmarket (or Barrie) and Union added to the list.

Can anyone explain to me why Schreiber has not been deported to Germany yet? It is time to end the dog and pony show and force him to finally face some justice. As predicted the Mulroney inquiry was a waste of time and money.

I really like the idea of a high speed rail link between Calgary and Edmonton as well as Montreal and Windsor.

I am disappointed that Ontario is going to hold off on nuclear energy. I think that is the only realistic solution at this point to meet energy demand while reducing green house gas emissions.

On federal politics there is no election but lots of political games. Will we go in the fall? Will we survive the Olympics? Will we fall on the budget? Are we years away from another election? Truth is I really do not know. I predict Harper will appease on EI, delay the next election until after the Olympics, fall on the budget and win another minority but drop some seats. With Ignatieff supporting another confidence motion in June, I don’t think he has any issue or point of differentiation to run on in September. His opinion on Afghanistan is the same as Harper. His position on the Middle East is basically the same as Harper. He voted for the budget. He supported the auto bailout. He backed most of the Conservative justice bills. He opposes a carbon tax (now at least). He supports the oil sands and is “concerned” about the size of the deficit. He backs Quebec as a “nation” and agrees that the self employed should be eligible for EI. Could any of my progressive friends share with me how Ignatieff is any different than Harper? So far I fail to see any significant differences between the two men that would justify an election during these economic times. Of course the fact we have abandoned most of our Conservative principles has helped in blurring the line between the two parties that have any real chance of winning. As usual the Bloc is strong but useless and the status quo in Quebec will not change. NDP is on the decline and losing relevance by the minute. Greens are simply not players and without a seat are barely different than the other fringe parties. If an election takes place in the fall, I predict the lowest voter turnout in Canadian history.

I would still love to see Mario Dumont run for the Conservatives in the upcoming by-election in Quebec in his former provincial riding. I also think it is time to bring Maxime Bernier back to cabinet. Obviously we have a lot of work to do in Quebec. It is also well past time that Michael Chong was considered for another cabinet post as well.

I am very happy with the job Newmarket council and Mayor Tony Van Bynen are doing for this town. We are lucky to have a functional, mature and stable council in Newmarket that are putting the residents first. Keep up the good work my friends. Yesterday, Mississauga decided to cancel question period during council meetings. I am disappointed in this decision and think it is an idea that should be considered in Newmarket.

I don’t really have an opinion on the gay pride parade funding announcement. My question is why is the federal government spending taxpayer money on festivals at all?

It is a waste of time, resources and tax dollars for America to prosecute Mark Emery for selling marijuana seeds. Potential for serving 5 years in prison is a joke when compared to sentences being handed out for violent, sexual and other serious crimes here in Canada.

To some degree Obama has been a disappointment, particularly as far as domestic spending goes. I am not sure how much longer America will remain solvent and future generations are facing a massive tax hike because of the spending now and over the past few years. I think America’s role as the sole superpower has ended and we are seeing a transition into a multi-polar world. At the same time the Republicans do not have their act together and do not present anything close to an alternative at this point. I think Dr. Ron Paul is the only one who can cure that party right now. It has become painfully obvious that Sarah Palin is not the answer and unfortunately I am not sure who else is possible leadership material for the Republican Party right now. They need to return to their fiscal roots and rebuild the Reagan coalition. Right now the base is way to small while at the same time not inclusive. To be blunt, I fully expect Obama to serve a second term in the White House despite America’s current problems.

It is great to see people pushing for freedom in Iran and China. I also hope that democracy can be restored in Honduras and Zimbabwe soon. I also think we are not far from change in Cuba. Eventually democracy will prevail over tyranny. I am also optimistic about relations between Russia and the West as well as the potential for peace in the Middle East.

I do not want to see the Jays trade Halladay. I am happy about off season moves made by the Raptors and Bills. I am really happy with Burke’s efforts in rebuilding the Toronto Maple Leafs. It will be interesting to see who they acquire to score some goals. I know it doesn’t make sense on a rebuilding team, but part of me would really like to see Sundin retire as a Leaf. It is a shame that Koivu and Sundin were not able to finish their careers with the Canadiens and Leafs. I am also looking forward to UFC 100 this Saturday and hope to see a show live in Toronto some day. Brock Lesnar has added excitement to the heavyweight divison.

I am looking forward to a summer full of relaxation without having to think much about politics. Fall will be interesting as Hudak makes his debut as PC leader and of course the potential exists for a federal election in November or possibly even sooner.

Thanks for reading…

Darryl

News broke today that Mayor Robertson is considering holding a referendum next year on whether to build a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over False Creek. The news shows a very unimaginative bridge crossing the Creek to join the two sides:

"The proposed 15-metre-wide suspension bridge would cross the entrance to False Creek just west of Burrard Street, linking Kitsilano at Vanier Park with the West End at Sunset Beach.

Architect Gregory Henriquez presented the plan to the mayor after the two talked about the idea a few months ago.

The proposed span was "very elegant and modern," according to Robertson, who compared it to the popular pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge that crosses the Thames River in London.

"It's an infrastructure project and these kinds of bridges have actually been quite positive economic generators in London and Paris and we would be among the leading cities in North America to do something like this," said Robertson on Thursday night after the proposal was publicly released.

Taxpayers could vote on the idea during a referendum in the next civic election, said Robertson, who is also hoping the federal and provincial governments will help with funding."

Let's hope that the Mayor does not blow this opportunity to provide something spectacular, instead of the ugly bridge proposed in the article.

The Cat's advice to the Mayor is to think of the beauty of the Ponte Vecchio, in Florence.

Instead of a single purpose bridge, Mayor Robertson should be aiming at building a bridge over False Creek which includes stores for restaurants (dine while watching the cruise boats sail beneath you), for local musicians to use as a venue to perform, and for local artists to not only use to display their art, but to create their art.

Imagine tourists flocking to watch local artists paint the lovely sunsets, and enjoying a glass of wine while doing so. And being able to listen to writers and artists explain their works? All in an edifice which soars over the Creek, and has little rooms tacked onto its sides, like the famous Ponte Vecchio!

That would kill two birds with one stone: provide for pedestrians and cyclists to cross, and become a major tourist draw. To make sure it appeals to tourists, the bridge might have to be located a little bit closer to English Bay, where there is plenty of room for it to disgorge the people.

And, of course, where those on the bridge would have a good view of the annual fireworks display at English Bay.

So, think bigger, Mayor Robertson, and think Florentian while you do so. No doubt PM Harper could find a few hundred million for such a project.

The latest EKOS poll shows these two parties basically tied, each with around 31% to 32% of the votes, leaving a huge whack of close to 40% of the voters choosing other parties.

That combined total of around 60% of the votes is the same market share that the venerable General Motors in the US had in its heyday, when it was the undisputed king of world auto makers. Of course, since then, GM has steadily lost its market share, and now is basically a bankrupt, state-owned entity, with slim prospects for meaningful recovery.

And the Green Party has shown a steady increase in its market share here in Canada, with EKOS showing it coming in at around 11% now. The NDP is bobbing around at 16%.

Why no breakthrough for the two major parties?

Could it be because they are both bereft of sound ideas to actually provide good, well-paying, long term, permanent jobs for Canadians?

Could it be that they both are complicit in destroying the number of such good jobs in Canada?

Could it be (in the words of KOS), that they do not have an answer to this problem:

"What we're now facing are the consequences of a decades-long war on labor in this country which has eliminated a 'critical mass' of good paying, working class jobs - which once fueled the greatest economy on the planet. The domino effect has been utterly destructive, and we're really only just beginning to see that now.

The Titanic has already hit the iceberg, is taking on water, and will ultimately sink.

There's really no stopping that reality from occurring at this point.

A nation of "minimum wage" workers is what we've essentially become, and it's getting worse, not better. The powers that be continue to represent corporations who only look at next quarter profits and how to increase them by continuing to reduce labor costs. How can anything possibly change if we continue in this direction.

The irony, of course, is that big corporations in this country, enabled by our so-called representatives that they've bought off, fired their own customers."

Perhaps this is the reason why such a large number of Canadians are less than enthralled by either major party.

The US economy continues to limp along, with jobs being shed at a high rate, despite the 'green shoots' some see.

The latest figures show some alarming numbers:

"How bad is the current recession? Here's one measure: the United States now has fewer jobs than it did nine years ago, even though the work force — the number of people either working or looking for work — has grown by 12.5 million people since then. It's the first time since the Great Depression that a recession has wiped out all the jobs created during the previous business cycle…"

US unemployment is now at a 26-year high of 9.7%.

But that's only half the story.

There is a massive total of underemployed as well:

"8.9 million: Number of part-time workers who would have preferred full-time work last month. 2.17 million: People without jobs who wanted to work, were available and had looked in the last 12 months, but had not looked in the last month. 16.5 percent: Unemployment rate if you include involuntary part-time workers and those without jobs who hadn't looked for work in 12 months — the highest in records dating to 1994."

Those green shoots will need to flourish fast if the US engine is to provide meaningful jobs for these millions of unemployed and underemployed.

Giulia in Love

[Photo by: heute.at]