Jim Prentice has blocked the takeover of Macdonald-Dettwiler by Alliant Techsystems Inc.
While I am mostly a free market kind of guy, I'm glad that common sense has prevailed, and not placed Radarsat-2, the world's most advanced radar imaging satellite, into American control.
Congratulations Mister Prentice. While the opposition parties are asking for protection of Canadian aerospace industries this is not what is really needed. Protectionism simply breeds weak, inefficient companies. However there are instances where national security issues should block foreign takeovers of Canadian companies.
Mr. Prentice, can I recommend that you develop some clear guidelines for your ministry and your predecessors on how you determine what is of "net benefit" to Canada, and what national security issues should block the sale of Canadian companies? Business needs certainty.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Best Political Fundraiser Ever #2
March 2nd we are hosting our 2nd of many movie nights at the Clova in Cloverdale. We've got Charlie Wilson's War. Here is a link to the Facebook group. link.
To get tickets contact me, jake@jakegray.ca
I'm looking forward to another successful event!
To get tickets contact me, jake@jakegray.ca
I'm looking forward to another successful event!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Everybody vs. Alberta, Water Meters
Today Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta, released a climate change plan that would have Alberta STOP INCREASING its GHG emissions by 2020, and reduce them 14% of 2005 levels by 2050.
Lets compare this to some other jurisdictions.
- BC is set to reduce GHG emissions 33 percent below 2007 levels by 2020, 80 % below 2007 levels by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 15.9.
- Ontario is set to reduce GHG emissions to 15% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 16.4.
- Quebec is set to reduce GHG emissions to 1.5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 12.2.
- Norway - GHG NEUTRAL ie zero emissions by 2030. Tonnes per person per year in 2005 - 8.
Alberta - raising emissions until 2020, 14% below 2005 by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 73.2.
Is this going to be a show down between Ottawa and Edmonton? Unlikely, our "environment" minister released a statement welcoming Alberta's plan. Don't forget, Stephen Harper's riding is Calgary Southwest.
Now to a Langley issue. The township of Langley is contemplating putting water meters on private wells. Though not a Federal matter, this is something that effects me directly as I am a user of well water. This is an issue I am torn on.
On the Say No to meter side. who is going to pay for the meters? The taxpayers of the Township, that's who. We already have seen large increases in property taxes over the past few years. Once a meter is in place, it is only a matter of time before the water is taxed. But what about the farms, the huge users of water? If we are trying to protect the aquifers, should not the largest users of water be controlled? They will be protected from water taxes by the right to farm legislation of the Province. I don't think putting meters on their wells will stop them from using whatever irrigation system is the cheapest, no matter how much water it wastes.
On the Say Yes to meter side. Our ground water is a shared resource, and as such it is subject to what is called the tragedy of the commons. If a shared resource has no cost to individual users, that resource will be squandered. It is seen time and time again in fisheries and water rights. Water mis-management is suspected to have caused the demise of the Mayan civilization. Langley's water table is shared and unmanaged. There is no cost to any individual for over use. There is another old adage that says " you can't manage what you don't measure." If we are to manage our water, it must be measured, and perhaps taxed at a level that makes us think twice about watering our lawns in the middle of the day. While the right to farm legislation in essence immunizes the farms, if the meters are in place the provincial politicians will have better information with which to change that legislation.
So I am torn on the issue. Water is a very important resource that must be protected, and that may mean metering. On the flip side, I really do not want a water meter on my well.
Please let me know what you think.
Jake
Lets compare this to some other jurisdictions.
- BC is set to reduce GHG emissions 33 percent below 2007 levels by 2020, 80 % below 2007 levels by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 15.9.
- Ontario is set to reduce GHG emissions to 15% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 16.4.
- Quebec is set to reduce GHG emissions to 1.5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 12.2.
- Norway - GHG NEUTRAL ie zero emissions by 2030. Tonnes per person per year in 2005 - 8.
Alberta - raising emissions until 2020, 14% below 2005 by 2050. Tonnes per person per year in 2004 - 73.2.
Is this going to be a show down between Ottawa and Edmonton? Unlikely, our "environment" minister released a statement welcoming Alberta's plan. Don't forget, Stephen Harper's riding is Calgary Southwest.
Now to a Langley issue. The township of Langley is contemplating putting water meters on private wells. Though not a Federal matter, this is something that effects me directly as I am a user of well water. This is an issue I am torn on.
On the Say No to meter side. who is going to pay for the meters? The taxpayers of the Township, that's who. We already have seen large increases in property taxes over the past few years. Once a meter is in place, it is only a matter of time before the water is taxed. But what about the farms, the huge users of water? If we are trying to protect the aquifers, should not the largest users of water be controlled? They will be protected from water taxes by the right to farm legislation of the Province. I don't think putting meters on their wells will stop them from using whatever irrigation system is the cheapest, no matter how much water it wastes.
On the Say Yes to meter side. Our ground water is a shared resource, and as such it is subject to what is called the tragedy of the commons. If a shared resource has no cost to individual users, that resource will be squandered. It is seen time and time again in fisheries and water rights. Water mis-management is suspected to have caused the demise of the Mayan civilization. Langley's water table is shared and unmanaged. There is no cost to any individual for over use. There is another old adage that says " you can't manage what you don't measure." If we are to manage our water, it must be measured, and perhaps taxed at a level that makes us think twice about watering our lawns in the middle of the day. While the right to farm legislation in essence immunizes the farms, if the meters are in place the provincial politicians will have better information with which to change that legislation.
So I am torn on the issue. Water is a very important resource that must be protected, and that may mean metering. On the flip side, I really do not want a water meter on my well.
Please let me know what you think.
Jake
Monday, January 21, 2008
Movie Night
Last night we put on a movie night at the Clova Theatre in Cloverdale. It was a roaring success which we are going to do once a month. Our plan is to have fundraisers that are actually fun.
So, we are now starting Jake's Clova Movie Club.
So, we are now starting Jake's Clova Movie Club.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Let them eat cake
International Trade Minister David Emerson said the recent money transferred to the softwood industry was proof that the softwood deal is working.
How is it working? By driving companies out of business so that the Federal Government has to prop up an industry in tatters?
A weak US market, a high Canadian dollar, over supply of beetle kill logs, and a terrible and unworkable trade deal have the softwood lumber industry in tatters.
David Emerson was the president of Canfor. He knows this. Stop lying.
Jake
How is it working? By driving companies out of business so that the Federal Government has to prop up an industry in tatters?
A weak US market, a high Canadian dollar, over supply of beetle kill logs, and a terrible and unworkable trade deal have the softwood lumber industry in tatters.
David Emerson was the president of Canfor. He knows this. Stop lying.
Jake
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