Swift Current NDP News

Tories sinking to new depths on barley is the headline for Bruce Johnston's article in the March 31st Regina Leader Post. Mr. Johnstone really peels back the Conservative curtain and shines a light on their tactics for getting the results that they desire. I usually try not to quote entire articles, but everything in this piece is important

So Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl got his wish and 62 per cent of 29,000 western Canadian farmers voted to get rid of the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly over barley sales.

“What a great day for western Canadian farmers,’’ Strahl enthused. “Sixty-two per cent of barley producers said they want their freedom of choice to market their own barley … We are going to give them the choice that farmers demanded.’’

Maybe it was a great day for Strahl and Stephen Harper, but I’m not so sure it was a great day for western Canadian farmers and Canadian democracy.

First of all, 62 per cent of farmers didn’t vote clearly for marketing choice, as Strahl would have us believe.

In fact, 45 per cent of the 15,300 Saskatchewan producers who voted — roughly half of all the producers polled — wanted the single desk retained, as did more than 50 per cent of 3,700 Manitoba producers.

Only in Alberta, where the government campaigned against the CWB monopoly on barley marketing, did a clear majority (63 per cent) favour marketing choice.

But what does marketing choice really mean?

In addition to options to keep the status quo or remove barley from the board, the plebiscite posed this loaded option to producers: “I would like the option to market my barley to the Canadian Wheat Board or any domestic or foreign buyer.”

Could some producers have been fooled into believing that they could have their cake and eat it too? In other words, keep the Canadian Wheat Board but have the option to market their grain elsewhere?

Why wouldn’t they? That’s what Strahl kept telling them, even though Strahl’s own handpicked task force said operating the Canadian Wheat Board in an open market was unworkable.

As the National Farmers Union president Stewart Wells noted, ask a misleading question and you’ll get a misleading answer. Wells said many farmers voted for Option 2, thinking they were supporting the CWB.

In fact, it was surprising the Tory government didn’t receive a more resounding vote in favour of “marketing choice,’’ given that the deck was stacked against the CWB from the getgo.

Here are just a few examples of the questionable tactics used: misleading plebiscite options; issuing “gag orders’’ against CWB directors and staff; firing the CWB president during the election; arbitrarily changing the voters’ list during the election; disenfranchising thousands of producers; sending multiple, numbered ballots to producers, then calling them to ask which ballot they wanted counted; no third-party spending limits; etc.

The list of dirty tricks and undemocratic practices (no public voters’ list, no secret ballot, no thirdparty spending limits) would make a Third World dictator blush.

But it appears that Strahl and company aren’t finished yet. Not content to trample over producers’ democratic rights, the Conservatives want to push through changes to the CWB without passing legislation.

Strahl believes barley marketing can be dropped by simply changing the CWB’s regulations. The CWB thinks otherwise and is threatening to take the government to court.

The last time this happened (when then-agriculture minister Charlie Mayer removed barley from the board in 1993), the Tory government lost the battle in the courts and were defeated in the following general election.

I’m not suggesting that the barley plebiscite challenge will bring down the Harper government. But the government knows it would face an uphill battle to pass anti-CWB legislation in this minority Parliament.

Therefore, Strahl is attempting to do indirectly (change the board’s regulations) what he can’t do directly (pass legislation ending the monopoly).

Whatever one thinks about the Canadian Wheat Board, the tactics employed by the Conservative government during its year-long battle with the CWB are reprehensible, undemocratic and possibly illegal.

All Canadians should be concerned about the depths to which the Conservatives will sink in order to sink the Canadian Wheat Board.

Boy did he hit the nail on the head.

A front page article in the Regina Leader Post states that

Alberta’s non-stop population boom seems to be slowing, with Saskatchewan once again outpacing Alberta for migration between the two provinces. In the fourth quarter, 2,838 Albertans moved east to Saskatchewan while 2,710 people headed the other way.

Oh Oh...there goes another Saskatchewan Party talking point. Lest the Saskatchewan Party followers, who appear to not like Saskatchewan all that much (how ironic), think...no that's the wrong word...assume that this allegation was pulled out of the Leader Post reporter's ass

According to the latest Statistics Canada quarterly report, Howie is one of many people flocking to Saskatchewan. Between October and December of last year, the province’s population grew by 2,080 people, from 985,859 to 987,939.

...

This is the third consecutive quarter the province has seen a boost in its population.

The percentage of population change for Saskatchewan was 0.21 per cent, which was the third-highest increase in the country, after Alberta (0.65) and British Columbia (0.25).

For the first time in 23 years, Saskatchewan’s boost in population also came at a higher rate than the national average of 0.14 per cent.

How does the Sask. Party respond? Oh in the usual way

Saskatchewan Party MLA Lyle Stewart said the Opposition was pleased to see the population increase.

The party had long advocated for changes to taxes to improve the business atmosphere in the province, which was adopted by the NDP government last year and Stewart believes has helped draw people back to the province.

It is all about the Sask. Party's ideas. It is all about the business tax cuts. Let's ask Gene Howie, who is the person cited in the article who moved back to Saskatchewan after 18 years in Calgary, what drew him to our fine province.

“Everything I need, I’ll find in Regina,” Howie said in a phone interview from Calgary, where he was preparing for the move.

“Calgary is an expensive city so you can’t take in all the events that go on here anyway. It is limited to what you can afford.”

...

Family is a large part of the draw back to the Queen City for Howie. He has bought property in Regina and is planning to open a barber shop.

Howie admitted the province can offer a better quality of life due to the much lower cost of living.

“Regina has a lot to offer now,” said Howie.

It's funny that the first thing that he mentioned wasn't CORPORATE AND BUSINESS TAX CUTS. He mentioned the affordability of living here, he mentioned how family friendly the province is. Hey, that sounds like a social reason. What gives? The article states that Mr. Howie is planning to open a Barber Shop as well. He is a small business person, yet his main focus was family and cost of living, not business taxes.

Read this site to find out Brad Wall's ability to manage a business. This is the man that the supporters of the Saskatchewan Party want to manage the province. I wouldn't trust him to manage a 3 person rush to a 6 hole outhouse.

Notorious piece of human excrement Maurice Vellacott apparently thinks that enough time has passed since his last batshit nuts comments, so he is at it again. He has the nerve to stand up and call Lorne Calvert a liar on the front page of the March 22 issue of the Regina Leader Post. Excuse me you mental midget, but in which party’s election pamphlet does it ensure that provinces get to keep "100 per cent of your oil and gas revenues"? There is no caveat included with the pamphlet that states that "unless the Conservative party forms the government, then go screw yourselves". I guess, knowing the Conservative mindset, that was implied, but to say that "the premier’s lying through his teeth" without citing examples shows the maturity of this cretin.

Then Moron Vellacott calls Mr. Calvert a Socialist, thereby exposing his lack of properly firing synapses for all to see. These habitual liars, that go by the name of the Conservative Party, go on to cite items that have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT HARPER PROMISED THAT THE PROVINCES WILL GET TO KEEP 100 PERCENT OF OIL AND GAS REVENUES!

"Every single province gets more money under this budget and a lot more money as the years go by," Harper said.

Oh yeah, and he lied.

Vellacott suggested Calvert wants Saskatchewan to continue receiving equalization, “the federal dole” for have-not provinces, because he can’t cope with the province’s red-hot economy.

The statement is almost as stupid as Brad Wall’s statement that "If you like the direction New Democrats are taking the province, then vote Saskatchewan Party in the next provincial election". But not quite. Vellacott will have to work harder to match Brad’s oral idiocy.

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

Gerry Ritz, another Saskatchewan Tory MP, said the budget has gone over “great” with his constituents.

I suppose Gerry, that if Harper would have kept his promise, your constituents would have been livid right? I am sure that they would be screaming for Calvert to give the $570+ million back.

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

"Whatever envelope (the money) comes labelled in, Saskatchewan people are happy," Ritz said, adding that "they’re proud to be a have-province."

So the fact that the people of Saskatchewan are "proud to be a have-province" means that it is okay for Harper to lie to get their vote?

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

"There’s been some disgruntlement and I understand that," said Newfoundland MP Norman Doyle.

But he said Newfoundlanders will "come to understand … that we’re not losing any money at all."

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

Nova Scotia MP Gerald Keddy said voters in his provinces gain far more in tax cuts than they stand to lose in equalization.

"I think Nova Scotians will take the $112 million in tax relief," he said.

None of that changes the fact that Harper made a promise that he didn't keep.

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

I actually had one Conservative supporter try to come to Harper's defense by saying "Harper didn't lie, he just didn't tell the truth". Yeah, and the ocean isn't wet, it just isn't dry.

Now before all of you brain-dead Conservative commenters decide to inform me of every broken promise by every politician since the beginning of recorded time, let me say this. The "but Jimmy did it" defense doesn't work when you are 8 years old, so it definitely doesn't work when you are of adult age. Because someone else broke a promise, in no way, excuses Harper or the Conservatives from promising the people of Saskatchewan one thing and then figuratively flipping us the bird. Then, to add to the insult, Vellacott opens his mouth and spews sewage all over the place. Who voted for this racist, chauvinistic, reality challenged dullard? Couldn't they have found a less insane candidate? Maybe a rabid skunk or something would be less irritating.

Oh yeah, and Harper lied.

There is an article on B3 in Friday's Regina Leader Post that gives us an insight into the delusional mind and suspect logic that drives the leader of the Saskatchewan Party. The article recounts a speech given by Wall to people that paid $200 to hear him speak.

If you like the direction New Democrats are taking the province, then vote Saskatchewan Party in the next provincial election, Oppostion Leader Brad Wall told supporters at a party fundraiser.

Most of the NDP’s good ideas have come from the Sask. Party anyway, he said.

Yes Brad, we all know, you are the first person in recorded history to think of tax cuts for business (even though NDP premiers long before the existence of the Saskatchewan Party, have implemented business tax cuts), protecting wildlife, increasing food allowances and all the rest of any NDP policy that Brad agrees with. His Narcissism is out of control. If something that is done, that he likes, by definition, he thought of it first.

I wonder if this is a deep delusion that we should be worried about, or is he simply trying to find a reason why people should vote for a change in government when the government is doing a fantastic job. When he sees a movie that he likes, does he go around and claim that he thought of the idea first. "If you like films by Martin Scorsese, then hire Brad Wall because Scorsese stole all of Brad's directing ideas."

Once again he let's us see that he loves TILMA.

“We need to be at the table as perhaps the most resource-rich member of Confederation when B.C. and Alberta are discussing reducing barriers to trade and investment,” Wall said, referring to the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement currently under discussion.

What TILMA basically does is takes any regulations governing labour (eg. safety regulations, local hiring policies, etc.)off of the table. Considering that the vast majority of people in the workforce are labour and not management, this should give everyone with a job pause. Of course, large corporations and big business owners love the idea of a labour force that has no power or rights. TILMA will erode hard-won rights by previous generations. Click here to find more information regarding TILMA.

Wall also outlined commitments his party plans on implementing if elected, including immediately moving on opening a children’s hospital within a hospital in Saskatoon, a possible patient audit of the health-care system “to ensure patient care ahead of paper shuffling,” and increased focus on the innovation agenda and commercialization of technology.

This paragraph mentions Brad saying things that people want to hear. There is no real substance. He uses a slogan “to ensure patient care ahead of paper shuffling,”. What is he talking about? Less than 5% of healthcare money is spent on administration. Is he saying that we should receive healthcare without filling out any paperwork? How would doctors get paid? How would we track expenditures? Unless he is planning on somehow re-routing some healthcare dollars like he re-routed alcohol back in the day.

But what really stands out for me in this paragraph is the line increased focus on the innovation agenda and commercialization of technology. This is a death-knell for SaskTel. Brad is obviously implying that we need to privatize our technology. The fact that we have best Internet and cel phone coverage in Canada doesn't enter into the equation according to Brad. The fact that SaskTel is profitable, and the "dividends" go to all of us in the form of healthcare spending, education, highways, and social services is lost on Mr. Wall. He would rather have some telecom corporation from outside the country come in and control our technology. He would rather have the profits leave the province. Does anyone believe that small communities such as Waldeck, Herbert, and Cabri would have high-speed Internet available if the technology was privately owned? Of course not, it wouldn't be cost effective to upkeep the infrastructure. Because SaskTel is owned by the people of Saskatchewan, they can eschew larger profits to provide a valuable service to the smaller communities.

Talk show host Randi Rhodes once said "When somebody shows you who they are...believe them". Well Brad is showing us that he is an narcissistic, anti-labour, corporatist, who looks up to former bosses who defrauded the people of Saskatchewan.

When Brad Wall shows me his true self...I believe him.

The Humboldt hospital, which was under Catholic control, will now be transitioned to be under public control. This CBC article explains this in more detail. 69 percent of 977 people in the district, who were polled, indicated that they wanted the hospital to be switched to public control. They have decided that freedom of religion is important. That a particular religion's beliefs should not be forced onto others. Catholics are still free to not receive sterilization procedures if they wish.

Bravo Humboldt.

Premier Calvert announced that the Saskatchewan government will spend $5 billion dollars over 10 years to make the highway system safer and more effective. I salute his leadership and forward-thinking. He acknowledges that the current system of simply fixing potholes and attempting to smooth thin-membrane highways isn't working. The way that the highways have been maintained for as long as I can remember no longer is viable.

The frothy-mouthed knuckle-dragging right see this as an admission of wrong doing, but I see this as the willingness to change as the need arises. It takes leadership to commit to a new way of approaching a problem (remember that Conservatives soil their diapers in fear at the mere mention of change). Premier Calvert has decided to be proactive instead of reactive. I applaud this. Far too often politicians stay away from any project that won't come to fruition within the 4-year election cycle. We force politicians into this proverbial corner by not being an informed electorate.

I am looking forward to the details of the plan that will become more evident in the upcoming budget. I also wonder if the Saskatchewan Party will commit to continue this plan if they form the government in the next election. If they won't commit (and the fact that if they do commit to this plan they are admitting its value, so I am not holding out much hope), the public should demand that they tell us their alternative. More likely, they will say that "we thought of it first". Every idea that the NDP creates that is successful is co-opted by the Sask Party. I am waiting for Brad to take credit for Medicare.

The NDP acknowledges that a strong transportation infrastructure is integral for the viability of future growth. The frequency and severity of the highway traffic has increased substantially since the CROW rate was killed by the federal government in 1995. The highway system needs to be altered to reflect this reality. There are other benefits to this project. Jobs and safety are two of these. Did the Sask Party endorse this plan? No, they did what they always do, they complained.

However, the Saskatchewan Party said the government's new transportation plan is an admission by the NDP it's been failing people for the last 16 years.

Opposition critic Randy Weekes said if the NDP had paid more attention to highways over the past few years, the present crisis wouldn't exist.

"[It] is going to take a number of years to address the problems that have arisen over the neglect of the transportation system," Weekes said.

Is the Saskatchewhine Party able to do anything other than bitch and moan? The current highway upkeep system isn't working, so the NDP is willing to change the way things are done to find a system that works. That is what mature adults do. It is the infantile complaining by the Saskatchewan Party that retards progress. The NDP KNEW that by dramatically changing the highway upkeep plan, that the Sask Party would spin it as an admission of mistakes, but they did it anyway. Why? Because they care more about improving the province than worrying about giving the Sask Party something to whine about. Is that what the Sask Party thinks their job is? Well it isn't. Their job is to represent the people that voted for them. To bring forth ideas. To perform oversight. It is the job of the governing party to implement the best ideas that benefit the majority of the people of Saskatchewan. It shouldn't matter what party comes up with an idea, a good idea is a good idea. Why can't the Sask Party admit that this is a good idea, unless they don't think that improving the road infrastructure is a good idea.

Another Canadian Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Read this article for more information. It appears that he was accidentally shot within the secure confines of the Kanahar airfield.

This is the first death of a Canadian Soldier in Afghanistan since late November. Let's hope that it is at least another 3 months before another one of our brave soldiers is killed.

Wasn’t that a Sask. Party Convention! 400 people attended – amazing! 400 misguided sheep hoping for fodder from the leaders hand . A convention where no mention was made of policy! Well let’s not forget the beliefs of Brad Wall – leader of the official opposition and soon to be shepherd of the bawling right. What are his beliefs? What are his convictions?

Remember this person worked as a senior advisor in the Devine government – he worked directly for minister John Gerich who was convicted of fraud. Brad in an interview with the "muttering duck" stated he admired Gerich and thought he was a great and honourable man. And this person wants to be Premier of this great province?

Wall talked about privatization of the Crown Corporations prior to the 2003 election, trashing our labour laws and occupational health and safety standards and wanting to establish "boot" camps. Has he abandoned these right wing policies – not on your life. He’s trying to camouflage his true intent!

In November 2005, he stated "There’s too much state owned enterprise in Saskatchewan". Does he mean to privatize the Crowns? You better believe it. SGI would disappear in a flash as private insurers rolled in, took huge profits from the people and laughed all the way to the bank. Wouldn’t you like to see Rogers take over Sask Tel, move the offices, along with thousand’s of jobs to some foreign country like Alberta? Wouldn’t you like to pay Manitoba Hydro for your electricity!! The list goes on. The media may cry that the NDP is using the scare of privatization- well I am scared!

What about our labour friends. Worried? You better believe it. Brad Wall would like to "rebalance" our province’s labour and occupational health and safety standards legislation in favour of big business. Brad stated in March 2006 "… we would want to make some changes with respect to labour legislative environment…"

Who is Brad Wall’s idol? Steven Harper who is bent on destroying the Canadian Wheat Board (Multi Nationals love him!). Slash social programs, and break their promise on equalization for Saskatchewan. We hear no outcry from the Sask Party leader.

According to the Sask Party Website, he is apparently "one of the best public speakers in Saskatchewan" and "he loves the province". That is why he tried to organize a $8000/person trip to golf in the good ole USA. No thanks! How about a great fishing trip to Northern Saskatchewan, a retreat in our own Cypress Hills Provincial Park; a spa vacation in Moose Jaw? The list goes on. Yeah, he loves our province – can’t wait to tear it apart.

I ask people to seriously consider the beliefs of this man, this party and react accordingly.