Friday, February 7, 2025

A list of Liberal Party Achievements? No, not really

 


Hoe de doe, doe de doe

A list of Liberal Party Achievements? No, not really 

Here in Canada, there is talk of an election happening soon. Many are happy that there is a possibility of avoiding the funding of some highly questionable policies that should never be funded by the general population. There are many concerned that the country is already so far in debt that we can never recover from the escalating inflation.

There are many who think the present government has done a good job in nine years. Even if they are less that thrilled with the present government established and maintained by a coalition, they are concerned that turning to the only viable option (No, the socialist option is never a viable option) they fear it will lead to the constant lies, destructive name calling, and totalitarian fascist actions witnessed within our neighbour to the south.

Some are stating that Pierre Poilievre is simply “Trump north”. I don’t believe he is for two reasons. First, he is still the accepted leader of the Conservative Party of Canada whereas in the US the Republican Party is no more and has now become the Trump Party. Without the CPC, Pierre Poilievre as a representative of the people would not exist. Second, if Pierre implemented or even mentioned any of the racist policies that seem to be acceptable in the US he would be turfed by both the CPC and the voter.

Another serious difference is his record. Despite serious efforts by his opposition to show greed and fascism there is no indication of such nor is there a criminal record showing thirty-four convictions for fraud.

But a list has been created for our present PM whose initiation of laughter on the world stage is even greater than that laughter heard in all quarters for D.J. Trumpeter. A list that I believe is misleading so I respond to it here.

- Trudeau lowered taxes for everyone who makes under $100,000 a year. Under Harper income tax was 22% - Trudeau LOWERED it to 20.5%.

Should be 15% with the eventual goal of 10%. Those over 100 thousand should be gradually increased (by 100 thou increment + yearly increases) to a maximum of 22%

- brought in policy to phase out traditional coal-fired power plants.

 Good

- launched the largest conservation campaign in Canada's history, protecting 30% of lands and waters and conserving wildlife and habitats - up from just 1% under Harper.

A lazy approach to conservation. Improve conservation practices within some areas and industries and acknowledge the existing contributions of others. Allowing some wildlife populations to expand without controls, for example, is not necessarily good conservation.

Most of this so-called “protection” was done in areas and on land that is counter-productive because there was no proper study or understanding of the land or the wildlife need in that area.

- lifted over a million children out of poverty compared to child poverty level under Harper with the Canada Child Benefit.

The stated purpose and goals where excellent except half of the funding is wasted because there is inadequate  and in some cases no oversite.

- Harper did not care about Indigenous communities. Trudeau cleaned up many water issues lifting 144 long term boil water advisories. Yes, 144. Conservatives under Harper lifted ZERO!

Neither Federal or Provincial Governments should be involved in this, other than to supply advisers – if required and requested - for the planning and budgeting of the installation of proper water systems.  The public has been informed that each  nation/tribe/reservation receives quarterly funding in excess of what most municipalities receive (per person) and that is what should be funding the infrastructure. If that is not the case and we’ve been lied to, what is the expenditure  per person?

- Trudeau legalized cannabis, departing from the prohibitionist view held by previous governments, saving the police and legal system 100's of millions in ridiculous costs to jail people for simple possession of pot. It also has generated a lot of money.

It also cost a great deal, particularly with EMTs responding to overdoses when those same first responders should be responding to people in distress who actually want to live. The only district that has achieved a situation that almost handles this crisis is Alberta.

- Trudeau created a new system of non-partisan Senate appointments, recommended by a non-partisan committee.

A waste of time and millions of dollars. The senate should be elected.

- The carbon tax that Poilievre fought against puts more money into the hands of 9 out of 10 Canadians with the rebate.

The rebates are simply a way to keep people from complaining about another tax that does nothing to augment or rectify climate change in a land that already has too many taxes. All forms of organized government in Canada spend far too much to get nothing done.

- For the first time in decades federal investment was made for more housing for low-income and vulnerable Canadians. Housing is a provincial responsibility.

Not out of taxes. If there is a need – and there obviously is – it should be accomplished with volunteers and donations and from existing programs that are over- burdened due to Homelessness . If anything is to be done by governments it should be to identify and rectify the causes of homelessness --- including the re-establishment of institutions and professional care if that is identified.

- vulnerable seniors and young children now have access to free dental care.

There is no such thing as “fee” care and it should be widely explained that someone always has to pay --- and it still shouldn’t be the patient at point of service. Dental care is medical care. Problems with teeth lead to other medical problems thus increasing the cost for other types or areas of treatment.

-He got us through a pandemic and procured vaccines preventing 100's of thousands of deaths.

He avoided any involvement in the pandemic other than attempting to acquire vaccines --- vaccines that proved to be more promise than supply and in at least two (if not all) cases of questionable value. He also allowed medical personnel who he put in charge to deflect all the criticism without proper information or support and half the staff required for such a task.

- Trudeau had to deal with Trump...

True, a humongous task, but mostly he blinked and succumbed or ignored him. This is an area which highlights one of the areas that should be on another list of things Trudeau DIDN’T  do – institute proper security screening to eliminate spies and terrorists from immigrants and refugee seekers.

- Canadians now have the freedom to choose assisted dying.

It’s about time but could have been implemented with far less study and cost.

- Advanced a ban on harmful single-use plastics, committed to eliminating plastic waste by 2030, and have banned microbeads in toiletries.

And once again paid for far more study than was necessary. The damage done should have been obvious.

- Helped Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills by providing homeowners with up to $5,000 in grants to retrofit their homes and made interest-free loans of up to $40,000 available.

A program that was over - utilized by those in the know who sometimes didn’t need it and under-utilized by those who did.

- Committed to ensuring 100% of vehicles sold in Canada be zero-emission by 2035 and supporting automakers and auto-workers to produce in Canada.

A far too optimistic goal when the replacement options are so inadequate. The EV options are inefficient and expensive and will not work for freight supplying every day needs. EVs are also inherently dangerous due to chemicals involved and possibilities of explosions.  Fuel cells are a possibility, their only drawback being high expense --- so far.

- Created an additional 7 new national urban parks.

Urban parks are for urban areas. No one from Ottawa or Montreal has the faintest idea what is needed in Calgary or Vancouver. The MPs from those areas probably don’t know what is needed in their cities.

- Cut taxes in half for businesses that manufacture zero- emissions products.

Those businesses – nor any other business - do not make the country run. A short-term tax break to establish in a particular area is acceptable, but no business should receive permanent tax relief. Their workers make the business run, not the name on the TSE.

- Introduced tougher rules for managing chemicals that will enshrine Canadians’ right to a healthy environment for the first time in our history.

Many of these rules where originally instigated by industry watchdogs funded by responsible industry leaders in both the chemical and petroleum industries and then adopted by Workers Compensation and governments.

- after Harper raised the retirement age to 67, Trudeau lowered it back to 65. Poilievre's target is 70.

This might be necessary due to the Liberals over-spending and the need to reduce taxes for the working class.

 Dave McGowan

https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI   

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