The talk of Mr. Casey’s inevitable success makes me wonder why any of the parties are wasting their money and creating pollution to drive around the large riding to talk to constituents (http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=169760&sc=58).
Of course the candidates are making such an effort because it is one of the best ways to find out what the issues are in this riding, especially if they’ve been trying to decipher what these issues are with the media’s help. I know it’s early in the election and the candidates are just starting to get on their feet, so it’s understandable that we haven’t seen any serious discussion in the pages of the local newspaper about poverty, energy, or the environment, but at what point will we see in our local newspapers these sorts of concerns constituents here in this riding must surely have and the possible solutions the Canadian State can offer to help resolve their concerns?
While I advocate talking to constituents directly as one of the best ways to understand what issues are of concern to them, I do believe there is an important role for information technology to play in accounting for all the concerns Nova Scotians face in this riding and, as well, organizing responses to these concerns. In light of the lack of information on the concerns of this riding coming from the local media, this blog will attempt to play such a role on a daily basis until the election is over.
Such important work, however, should not have to end when the election ends. I believe there is ample opportunity for information technology like blogs to play a vital part in the day-to-day interaction between an MP and the constituents he represents, especially considering how often MPs are away from their riding.
Key Concerns From Stories Below:
- The disdain the prime minister has for the people of this riding. What did he call Atlantic Canada a couple years ago? A region of defeat or something?
- A broad-based energy policy for the riding involving wind, solar, clear coal, nuclear and geo-thermal power sources. How about tidal?
- Material conditions of workers in the riding, particularly their wages. How can we grow or increase wages?
- National poverty reduction strategy.
- Pension support for seniors and especially seniors who are veterans.
- Arts funding and the cuts by the current Federal Government.
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Daily Round-Up of Stories and Letters from Constituents
http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=169767&sc=75
Parachuting a ‘politician’ Conservative electoral gambit embarrassing
The Truro Daily News
Who is Joel Bernard and what will he be doing for the next six weeks in central Nova Scotia?Well, Bernard is the handpicked Conservative Party federal election candidate in Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley and an unknown quantity if ever there was one. What little we know is that he has lost every election he has ever entered and has been set up by the Prime Minister’s Office as a sacrificial lamb to do battle with Independent Bill Casey.
Bernard is what is commonly referred to as a ‘parachute candidate’.He has lost two elections (one with 10.9 per cent of the vote) and one candidate nomination contest. And, guess what? Each time Bernard has been rewarded by the Tories with a patronage position. Until this latest candidacy, he was employed as a policy advisor in the office of Stockwell Day, the federal Minister of Public Safety.Bernard is about to enter his third campaign and will be fortunate to garner five per cent of the vote against a seasoned and popular MP in Casey, the Independent who stood up to Prime Minister Stephen Harper over changes made to the Atlantic Accord.
The upcoming campaign is almost hilarious except for the fact that it is tainted by the disdain the prime minister has for the people of this constituency. Since the Conservatives gave Casey the boot 15 months ago they’ve had the opportunity to attract a viable local candidate but obviously no one was foolhardy enough take the bait. The local situation is so bad for the federal Tories that Scott Armstrong, acting PC?association chairman, is stepping aside to work for Casey. Virtually no one is left to operate the machinery.
So the Tories are left with Bernard, whose only political claim to fame is that he really knows how to lose an election. That ought to be somewhat preparatory for him, though, because Casey is on a curve that could lead to the largest electoral plurality in Canadian history.Our bet is that once the muck has dried, candidate Bernard will accept a plum of no small measure from his cronies in Ottawa, one we suspect that has already been promised.To be sure, it is a sad chapter in this bastion of Conservative tradition.
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Candidates battle geography in race to woo voters
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=169760&sc=58
AMHERST - In the battle to reach voters, navigating the geographical vastness of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley is key to electoral success, say two of the people hoping to represent the riding in Parliament.As the federal election hit Day 2, Independent incumbent Bill Casey and Liberal hopeful Tracy Parsons were in Amherst Tuesday, visiting potential voters and planning strategy with their respective campaign teams."Door-to-door - that's how a campaign should be fought," said Parsons, while in Amherst to visit her campaign headquarters, and between stops in Oxford and Springhill.
As for Casey, he too is opening offices and visiting voters, working to retain his seat."We're making up the schedule to get to as many places as we can," Casey said. "Geographically it's a tough riding. Today I'm in Amherst and I have more square feet of the Halifax Regional Municipality than any member from Halifax."Casey said overcoming the travel is a major effort but a necessary and valuable exercise."In a campaign you are always exploring your riding," Casey said, adding that when the House is sitting, getting that contact with the voters becomes more difficult."I'm going to get to see things I normally don't get to see. I don't even know what I'm going to see."
Parsons, who started going door-to-door on Monday, said talking to the voters is the only way to understand what is on their minds."Rarely have I ever gone to a door where I haven't heard something relevant," said Parsons, a mother of two who calls Bible Hill home. A former leader of the Progressive Canadian Party, this is Parson's third election as a candidate. Casey is entering his seventh campaign. He has won six times.
NDP members in the riding will select their candidate at a nomination meeting Thursday in Truro, while the Conservative Party, who earlier exiled Casey over a dispute on the Atlantic Accord offshore revenue agreement with the province, hand-picked former New Brunswick MLA Joel Bernard. The policy advisor to Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day has run for office unsuccessfully in both Ontario and New Brunswick. The Green Party has said it will not run a candidate against Casey.
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Energy costs hurting the poor
The Amherst Daily News
To the Editor,
It wasn’t a surprise to see soaring commodity prices to provide exuberant second-quarter profits to big oil companies. Exxon Mobil on Aug. 1, 2008, posted second-quarter earnings of US$11.68-billion, the biggest profit from operations ever by any U.S. corporation. Other recent posted profits for Exxon and its competitors were not far behind. I recently heard the chair of Exxon Mobil defend his companies profit margin by saying other companies, not related to the oil industry, bring in even more profits. For instance, Microsoft posted a $27.5-billion profit; Caterpillar, $7.9 billion; and Walmart, $3.4-billion.
Thus if it is OK for them, it is OK for us mentality manifests a perverse logic that is difficult to understand. The big moral and ethical question for me is whether any company can make windfall profits on the backs of people struggling to fill up their tanks not for a Sunday drive – remember those – but to get to work. It seems like there is no way out for the person making an average or below average income. Some people say tax oil companies a windfall profit tax. But, I heard an oil expert on CNN say this is not the answer, because the oil companies or producers will raise prices or cut production. I don’t hold out a lot of hope until we get serious about implementing a broad-based energy policy involving wind, solar, clear coal, nuclear and geo-thermal power sources.
This initiative should have been stated years ago. I do not understand why it is only when we are pushed to the limit, do we finally take corrective action. As a member of the board of NAPO and the Cumberland Poverty Action Committee, I meet people struggling to keep their heads above water every day. The stress on even two-incomes families is increasing. The middle-class is being squeezed into non-existence. I fear we will eventually be a society made up of only the rich and the poor. The well-known U.S. oilman T. Boone Pickens recently predicted that after a drop off, crude oil will rise to $300 a barrel. Scary, considering his last two predictions about the cost of oil came true.
Sharon Murphy, Amherst
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Respect needed for workers
The Amherst Daily News
To the Editor,
There was recently a story on the front page concerning businesses finding it hard to find Canadian workers to work in their businesses. Because of this they were looking to hire immigrant workers from Mexico. They were saying it was because Canadian workers were unwilling to work there. I am not saying that there are not some workers who do not want to work; however, the majority does want to work and do want to do a good job. They want the work but are unable to work for minimum wages or part-time hours and still feed, house, and clothe their families.
In today’s economic conditions, they and their partners both need to work. Along with rent, gas, and heating of their living place, one cannot survive on minimum wage or part-time work with a family. With everything going up daily, how could they be expected to settle for a job like this and keep their heads above water for long? How can any employer expect a person to work for minimum wages and part-time hours? They would not be able to do it, would they? Yet, they expect their employees to. The reason they want their employees to work part-time is so they will not have to pay for benefits, etc., for them. The only reasons they want to hire these immigrant workers is so they can pay lower wages, and have the government pay a percentage of their wages as unskilled workers with our tax dollars. This is being done a lot with government help and on the backs of Canadian workers and our taxes, and it must stop. It is time the government woke up and saw what is happening with government departments talking to each other, with layoffs and hiring in these companies. These same employers say there is no loyalty factor with today’s employees.
How could there be with minimum wage and 12 to 24 hours a week? Would you? Of course not! I say to these employers if you want good employees, be willing to pay good wages. Forget all this part-time hours and give your employees full-time hours and benefits. You will see the difference in morale and in productivity, as well as co-operation in the workplace. Treat them with respect and dignity, so they can raise their families and you will get the worker you need and more. Give them the proper training needed for the job required, and then you will not have to hire these emigrant workers.
Rubin Millard, Oxford
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A chilling prediction
The Amherst Daily News
To the Editor,
Canada is a rich country. It recorded its eighth consecutive surplus on Sept. 21, 2005, had a $9.1 billion surplus for 2003-2004; $1.6 billion in 2004-2005; and an astounding $13.8 billion in 2006-2007. In researching, I discovered a $10.2 billion surplus is projected for 2007-2008. Canadians are producing about $1-trillion more in goods and services a year than they did in 1981. The organization for Economic Cooperation and Development notes Canada has had the lowest debit burden of all G-7 countries. Despite all this I question why there is a shortage of bread, "the staff of life" in our food bank and food banks across our country. I also question why Canada does not have a national poverty reduction strategy, even a measure of poverty in our country.
I recently attended a forum, hosted by Alexa McDonough, on the growing gap, taking notice the gap is getting wider. Armine Yalnizyan, economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, notes current census data show the richest 20 per cent of Canadians enjoy median earnings increases of 16.4 per cent, but the poorest 20 percent had a 20.6 per cent drop in earnings since 1980. Median earnings for middle-income Canadians stagnated. She also notes the labour market is rewarding the richest 20 per cent, but a stunning majority of Canadians didn't get ahead in the last 25 years even though our economy is doing better than it has in 40 years. I feel it is a shame that we see a newspaper article talking about the shortage of bread in our food bank, not to mention the fact we need food banks with a projected $10.2 billion surplus for 2007-2008.
Sharon Murphy, Amherst
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Groups pick up the pieces
The Amherst Daily News
Images of Stephen Harper show up on my television screen from time to time in what has appeared to be pre-campaign activity. There has been complaint on Harper’s part that his minority government has been unable to get the job done - therefore, the need for an election. I’m not sure what he wishes to do. I am aware that a lot has been un-done in the past couple of years. There have been large cuts to literacy and to the Status of Women, and now the federal government is announcing reducing Arts and Culture funding by $45 million. A recent report indicated the cultural sector in Nova Scotia creates direct and indirect employment for approximately 28,000 people, resulting in $1.2 billion in gross domestic product.
A Transcontinental Media article noted a study by the Conference Board of Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage which states that culture in Canada resulted in $84.6 billion in economic benefits this past year. It’s not just about money. The arts give society its identity and can generate positive change. When government does not provide that which is good and necessary for the people, it is often left up to the people to get the job done. Groups such as the Lions and Lioness club, Y’s Men and Y’s Menette’s, and Rotary step in to provide needed support. The community fair held this past spring showcased the many organizations within our community which provide necessary assistance throughout our community and region. I am involved in Zonta. This is an international service organization which advances the status of women worldwide. There have been wells dug in developing countries, educational opportunities made available for girls and women, funding for small businesses by women in countries ravaged by AIDS, war, and drought, and attention brought to acts of violence against women.
Locally, Zonta provides funds to Autumn House, Maggies Place, Can-U, and the Go Girl camps. Food items for the Food Bank are collected at each meeting. There is an upcoming event which will help ensure ongoing support to these local groups. Women’s Day Out will be held on Saturday, October 18. This day long event will offer the participants an opportunity to learn about such things as car maintenance, photography, trends and colours in home decorating, Feng Shui, nutrition...or experience belly dancing, yoga, laugh therapy, self-defence, and possibly sip wine with sommelier Cheryl Morel. A delicious lunch and time to browse the displays will serve as a break midday. Zonta members, and Amherst Area Zonta president, Kim Wry, can provide information and registration forms. The women of Zonta know how to get the job done - and have fun doing it. Shirley Hallee’s column appears every other Wednesday.
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Canadians need to protest veterans’ pension clawbacks
We write with regard to the clawback to military/RCMP veterans pension when they attain age 65. During the past three years we have been actively involved with a campaign to terminate the pension clawback issue of injustice and unfairness affecting veterans pension benefits.
In 1966 the government, deliberate or otherwise, merged rather than stacked our pension benefits.
This pension clawback is just plain wrong, We were not given any options therefore we were dealt with in a negligent fashion. Veterans have made the required maximum contributions and they have always been listed separately on our pay guide, giving us a false sense of financial security. Military and RCMP personnel were not properly briefed on the pitfalls associated with the merging of the CPP plan.
An estimated $20 billion surplus has been removed from our pension account to paydown the national debt, an amount that would have been more than sufficient to resolve our pension issue.
The Government of Canada has abandoned its veterans. This misguided policy continues to cause unexpected financial burden to a little over 110,000 retired military/RCMP veterans in their golden years.
Consider that military/RCMP personnel are a different government provider! We were available 24/7 without overtime pay. We served far abroad and often faced dangerous situations, health hazards, extended family separation, elevated levels of stress and were prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Most of our spouses gave up their individual career aspirations to serve side by side with us. Sacrifices have left them with a major loss of CPP benefits!
The campaign has accumulated over 100,000 supporters. It includes 88 former colonels and generals who have pronounced their support toward our initiative. Our numbers continue to grow. Numerous associations which include the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Armed Forces Pensioner's Association of Canada, the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans of Canada, the Air Force Association in Canada and CARP — Canada's Association for the 50 plus — along with veterans living in 18 countries around the world have pronounced their support toward our cause. Veterans are seeking the leadership of a prime minister who will take action to give back to military/RCMP veterans the financial dignity they have paid for and so richly deserve.
Canadians are invited to support this veterans initiative by signing our petition at:
www.petitiononline.com/vets8 http://www.petitiononline.com/vets8
John LabelleCampaign co-ordinatorflorencejohn@ns.sympatico.ca27
Dresden Court. Lower Sackville, N.S.NB4 C 3X1
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Senior miffed by Service Canada policy
I recently celebrated my 65th birthday and thought I would be entitled to government seniors’ benefits because I was born in Canada, worked in Canada for 35 years and paid taxes in Canada for 44 years.
Instead of being automatically granted the benefits I had applied for in July 2007, I was contacted by a representative from Service Canada advising me that it was no longer mandatory to retire at 65 and that low-wage employers were now willing to hire seniors and I could rejoin the labour force.
On top of that insult, I received a statement from NS Pharmacare for $424 on drugs so why should I pay for drugs for someone else through employment taxes?I do not intend to pay this drug tax but I expect to have this amount deducted from my old age security. Do the math: $502 old age security from April to December 2007 equals $4,518. A $424 drug tax is a clawback of 9.4 per cent for 2008. Where is the social safety net for seniors? I guess the only time that term is mentioned is during an election campaign. To the candidates who come to my door, I will give you an earful.
Vida GeddesTruro
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New hospital must have an MRI
It is incomprehensible to me to build such a grand Truro hospital and not include an MRI machine. Maybe the people attending the recent information meeting did not have use for or know someone who did have use of this valuable machine. I’m sure their opinion would be different instead of having to travel to Halifax or even New Glasgow, which has one of these machines.
So much money is being spent on the new hospital in other areas. I think it’s time Truro and surrounding area has an MRI included.
I’m sure even more support would be given to this project. Many people were led to believe at first that we were getting an MRI.
I urge the health authority to reconsider and give this community what it deserves and for people who agree with me to do the same and speak up to your MLA, health authority and government officials.
It's not too late.
Sandra HollisTruro Heights
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