The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Positives and Negatives Many of us find politics mainly negative, as politicians receive a lot of criticism from all sides. Those of us in the game know this makes it difficult to recruit good candidates for office, as most people do not want to be subjected to constant criticism. Often the criticism is self inflicted by the spin that those in government put on their announcements. Take for example the claim in The Reminder in late August by Manitoba's Agriculture Minister, who defends a $2 levy on cattle sold to help build slaughter facilities in the province. When the levy was first announced it created an uproar among the cattle producers, but now is supposedly "refundable" if the producers insist. Minister Wowchuck, one of Doer's northern ministers, did virtually nothing in the BSE crisis to help ranchers except complain to the federal Liberal government to help solve the crisis. The Liberals of course did nothing as well, and they and the NDP should reap the benefits of their inaction in agricultural seats in the coming elections. Another minister, Ron Lemieux of Highways, put a positive spin on what he and the government are doing to repair and replace Manitoba's dreadful roads. Lemieux claims they are spending lots of dollars and blames the federal government for not doing enough, but his arguments are weak. The province's roads are a disaster, most noticeably in Winnipeg, and a lot of voters are blaming the NDP. Gary Doer, apparently inspired by negative polls, has promised to use the rainy day fund (our provincial savings account) to fix the problem. One wonders if they will fix it like they promised to end hallway medicine back in 1999. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is a left-wing think-tank, even to the left of the NDP. One time their "alternative budget" advocated going into more and more debt to support more social policies. In a press release on August 21, the group roundly attacked Stephen Harper's GST cut to six per cent and the promise to cut it further, saying the country can't afford the cuts. Can't afford the cuts? Has the group ever looked at the huge federal surpluses the Liberals used as a slush fund? The group also makes some questionable statements, like 49 per cent of Canadian families make under $40,000/year and will only save about $190/year with the GST cut, while those in the upper income level will save over $900/year. A saving is a saving is a saving. I have not heard anyone ask for the GST to go back to 7 per cent, the family allowance to disappear, the apprentice tax credit to go, or the $500 increased credit on incomes to be taken away. Drop the GST to five per cent, Stephen! There are a few political positives. One is the Harper government's $500/child tax credit for athletic and active activities, which is in effect for this tax year. The rationale is to get kids off the couch and into healthy activities, which will help in the fight against child obesity. It will also help parents who are paying a lot for organized sports, dance, drama and the like. I ran into a number of parents at the recent Xtreme Hockey School at the Whitney Forum who had never heard of the credit, but certainly appreciated the information. Readers with kids in activities, make sure you save your receipts for any active activities your children are in. The credit will show up on the tax form for 2006. I heard a rumour that the credit will be increased next year. I will check it out and let you know. It is not really political, but it is certainly positive as Dr. Percy Johnson joined Gordy Mitchell and other stellar citizens of Flin Flon on the Station Museum's Wall of Honour. Dr. Johnson spent his entire medical career in our city and was active in many organizations. In 1960 he was honoured on his 25th anniversary as head of Flin Flon medical services. The picture on page 257 of the Flin Flon Historical Society's 1974 book pictures the event. In the photo with Dr. Johnson are the deputy mayor, the chairperson of the school board, and the first of the 3,000 babies the good doctor delivered. Dr. Percy Johnson was certainly a significant contributor to the community. Roger's Right Corner runs Wednesdays.
