Frontier Centre Comments

«« First « Previous [Page 2 of 15] Next » Last »»

December 17, 2012 — Make School Day Work Smarter, Not Longer

99.5% of the time I agree with the Frontier's views but on this one I have to provide a different  viewpoint. The existing school system at the elementary level is modeled on the same system that existed in the 60's, 50's, 40's, etc. Children are present in school from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Let's take the average family of the 21st century whereby both Mom and Dad are both present in the workforce (unlike the 60's, 50's, etc. where Mom's were "stay at home"). The standard workday is 8:00 to 4:00 or 9:00 to 5:00. Either parent is now forced to either rearrange their work schedule in order to pick up their child(ren) or find suitable after school daycare (for children under the age of 12).

Now take this situation one step further and apply it to a single parent family that is living at or below a middle income level. The parent gets two weeks vacation per year. The average number of Professional Development days teachers receive are a minimum of 1 per month not including early dismissals. The single parent must arrange and pay for an after school sitter or daycare when their child is released from school at 3:30pm. The cost of this to the parent is significant in terms of percentage of their annualized income. Factor in that the parent must arrange for a sitter 10 days a year not including the two weeks at Xmas and the summer and one can see the system is fine if we were living in 1952 but doesn not work for 2012.

I would argue that the average school day should not only coincide with the average work day but should be 8:30 to 5:30 to allow parents to fullfill their career/job obligations and help contribute to our economy by allowing for more work time and more disposable income directed to things the family needs vs going to after school daycare.

Email - Winnipeg, Mb

September 21, 2012 — Quebec Shouldn’t be Given its Gun Registry Data

Question:   Why do you care if Quebec keeps registering long guns, you are in Calgary, does it really affect you?  The majority of Canadian's wanted to keep the registry.



Honestly, I'd be perfectly content if Alberta was the one to leave the country.  You can take Stephen Hitler with you, and continue to ruin your local environment with all the tar sands production and those ugly tailing ponds.  Email from William Groombridge

September 21, 2012 — Quebec Shouldn’t be Given its Gun Registry Data

This column was an eye-opener. Not so much for Navarro-Genie's gun registry argument, but for the examples he gave of the intrusion of the Quebec government in people's lives.

I was aware of the requirement of women to maintain their maiden names upon marriage, but had forgotten, or was un-aware that, among other restrictions, all housing leases must expire at the same time, and that state permission must be sought in naming a child, or to send one to a non-French school. Top it off with the edict that all outdoor commercial signs must be exclusively in French and you have, I believe, the most totalitarian, intrusive regime in Canada.

As with all of their entrenched information-gathering systems already in place, the gun registry in-formation is merely another nail in the coffin for individual freedom in that sad imitation of a democracy.

Eric Hindson, Calgary

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

Ontario is still paying billions of dollars which it can't afford into that stupid program. Once people understand that, the program will have to meet its death or at least undergo drastic reform. This cannot continue. Ontario is now broke. It needs to keep its money at home.

I am hoping the Liberals will stop playing games, clean themselves up, develop a strategy, and mount a comeback. Or if not, I hope a new centrist party less slimy and complacent than the Liberals will appear to take the Liberals' place. Your Conservatives are mostly just Reform yahoos and thinly-disguised English-speaking separatists. But I do share some of your concern towards the NDP. Comment from zerozero

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

Most of the money Ontario sent to Ottawa went to Quebec, as is the case today, most come from the west and most goes to Quebec. So now if one can take the polls as correct Ontario is about to join Quebec and put this clown Mulcair in power, what do you think will happen then, a Quebec party running Canada. Ontario had better hold on to your wallet. Alberta will be going its own way, we are done paying for those ungrateful, entitled Frenchman. Comment from anon353467002

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

In a well-meaning gesture towards national unity and equality, the good people and generous industries of Ontario have allowed themselves to be robbed blind by this Equalization Program, since its inception. Money which should have been invested in Ontario was instead sent to Ottawa where it was handed over to other provinces, so the people there would not have to work hard to create the same standard of living as Ontario, nor live within their means, nor move to find opportunity. In return, the rest of the country whines, complains, and sends hatred and ill-will to Ontario, especially its capital, Toronto, which is where most of the wealth in the country has traditionally been generated, then taxed away and sent to these ingrates. It has been a grand vote-buying scheme which has gone wrong. Now that Ontario can no longer afford to sacrifice itself in order to buy off the rest of the country, it is the target of ridicule and even more hatred, not sympathy. Yet due to the institutionalized insanity of the program, it continues to pay into it even though now considered a 'have-not', it receives a token amount back. Time for the program to end. Comment from zerozero

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

But if the feds offer Quebec et al, to keep the GST in return to ending equalization payment, the provinces will go for it. Quebec thinks the RoC is screwing them, and they also know they are smarter than the rest of us, so they will handle the revenue better than Ottawa would. I think it would be hilarious.

It also might indirectly save Canada from breaking up. Today's animosity to equalization in the country, is burgeoning. Comment from northern vigor

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

Perhaps, but Ontario clearly can't afford to continue being extorted, and Alberta is not big enough to replace it (despite their large egos). Even if Alberta could support the entire country, they would refuse - they are not selflessly generous like Ontarioans nor do they care about national unity. The good news is there are other ways besides wholesale bribery to co-opt complainers and to hold a country together. We just need to start looking at them. Comment from zerozero

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

I rather expect the riots in Montreal will be considered insignificant if the federal government finally decides to make the formula honest and workable. The gimme mentality will result in violence, mark my words. Comment from robins111

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

Thank -you Mr Holle, these things you point out are nothing new to a lot of Canadians yet are outright denied by Quebec and Atlantic Canadians. I don't know if we have anyone with the parts to stand up and fix this situation created by liberals for buying votes. We in the west sent Harper down there to fix crap like this but it doesn't look like he ever will. Is there something in the water in Ottawa that turns good people into complete liberal idiots? Comment from anon353467002

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy's 2010 annual report states that 78% of its operating capital came from Foundations. The individual Foundations and the amounts of their donations aren't listed; /files/1/AR.... In keeping with the Harper Government's new policy of monitoring charitable organizations to ensure they aren't overly influenced by foreigners, you should list the individual Foundations, their country of origin, and the amounts donated. Comment from Ed_BC

 

They can write op-ed pieces no matter who does the funding. They aren't looking for a seat at the environment-review table or the government-funding banquet.

If that's all you have by way of criticism, maybe they are onto something? Comment from Thylacine in response to Ed_BC

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

What has this comment got to do with the content of the article?  Properly presented factual information is no less valuable when sponsored by a think tank with a view point. Bias is an inherent part of everything that we consume intellectually.   It is up to the recipient to determine if the information is credible. What you are doing is not much different than someone looking to an author's religion or colour to help determine the veracity of their comments.  Comment from billyjimjr

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

There is no place or time in human existence when welfare, in and of it self, was ever an incentive to become self sufficient.  Other forces are required for self sufficiency.

Equalization is a crutch and enabler to be less productive.  It needs to be phased out over a decade to assist the welfare recipients to grow and prosper on their own. Even McGuinty in Ontario, my Province, whines they want their fair share of the socialist pot.

If Provinces need help after a decade it should be in the form of repayable loans at market prices. If after that they still cannot do it smaller jurisdictions should be amalgamated. Comment from MikeMurphy

June 7, 2012 — Artificially Cheap Hydro Power

What an interesting read. Things really do have to change. Comment from VectorV

May 28, 2012 — Grain Freight Regulation in Canada

Had a look at the report and first thought was: it's about time.  In the CWB world the farmer paid the freight plus all other costs either deducted off his cash ticket or charged to his CWB pool account. The wheat and barley farmer owned and was responsible for all costs to the end user. In the post CWB monopoly world, the farmer gets an agreed upon grade and cash price, paid in full at delivery. The grain company is then the owner of the grain and all relevant costs including freight, are a cost of doing business. This, in my opinion, is the key argument for the need to examine the importance of all grain related regulation.  It would seem to me that the need for rail regulation as it applies to protecting the farmer’s interest, fundamentally changes.



Mary Jane Bennett and the Frontier Center are to be commended for the report.   Email from Keith Lewis, Saskatchewan

May 27, 2012 — Grain Freight Regulation in Canada

Had a look at the report and first thought was: It's about time.  In the CWB world the farmer paid the freight plus all other costs either deducted off his cash ticker or charged to his CWB pool account. The wheat and barley farmer owned and was responsible for all costs to the end user. In the post CWB monopoly world, the farmer gets an agreed upon grade and cash price, paid in full at delivery.  The grain company is then the owner of the grain and all relevant costs including freight, are a cost of doing business. This, in my opinion, is the key argument for the need to examine the importance of all grain related regulation.  It would seem to me that the need for rail regulation as it applies to protecting the farmers interest, fundamentally changes.

Mary Jane Bennett and the Frontier Centre are to be commended for the report - E-mail from Keith Lewis, Saskatchewan

May 10, 2012 — Building the Last Mile

I follow regularly electronically the activities at the FCPP -- the wide-range of your activities is quite amazing and unique, especially here in the east.  - Douglas Bland, Adjunct Professor, School of Policy Studies, Queen's University 

March 5, 2012 — Sinclair is Wrong -- It Wasn't Genocide

As a PhD in aboriginal history and culture in North America, I want to support Rodney Clifton and disagree with Judge Murray Sinclair and sociologist Chris Powell. I think it is wrong to equate the residential school experience with genocide.

According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, genocide is the "deliberate extermination of a race or nation." What happened to aboriginal people in Canada was colonialism based on racism, a part of a worldwide phenomenon. It was not the deliberate murder of thousands of people.

The fact is that some aboriginal people benefited from their residential school experience. Not everyone was sexually assaulted. I have met aboriginal people who value their Christian heritage and do not resent that their ancestors chose to adopt new and different religious views. Their views should be documented and respected as well as the negative ones.

I do not intend to deny all the bad that happened. However, it is important to keep it in context. Sinclair and his commissioners should focus on the truth and reconciliation part of their mandate and not muddy the water by throwing around inflammatory rhetoric.

I hope that the new museum of human rights will be able to educate Canadians about all these experiences of Canadians of different backgrounds, so we can understand each other and respect our differences while ensuring that all our citizens are treated fairly and equally under the law and in our economy and society.- RUTH SWAN

February 21, 2012 — Redford’s Proposed Energy Strategy is Wrong for Alberta

Who are Alberta's friends? America - they don't want your dirty oil and President Barack Obama is going to get a second term. B.C. - I lived there for eight years, and even if those greenies let you build a pipeline, they're going to charge you a lot of green for it. Quebec, not! Ontario? With the release of the Drummond report, the man on the street here knows the petro-dollar is one major reason manufacturing Ontario is bankrupt.

Our hatred of you has evolved from competitive to outright survival. Ontario Conservative MPs have sold us out - supporting Stephen Harper was a one-term mistake.

Even though we are more culturally tied to Alberta, we are more economically tied to Quebec. With the right leader, I can see an Orange Crush overflowing into Ontario where the NDP are no lovers of Big Oil. Manitoba is NDP, Saskatchewan may be but is known to support the NDP and its leader has national ambitions.

As an Ontarian with deep Alberta roots, meddling is the thing I would advise you to worry about the least. Premier Alison Red-ford is ahead of the pack.

She realizes that if this dirty oil is to survive, she is going to have to work on a national level. Landlocked Alberta is surrounded by political and personal enemies. Albertans would be wise to negotiate because there are far more of us than there are of the Marco Navarro-Genies in the oilpatch. By the time we're done with you, it will make the theft by Pierre Trudeau's National Energy Program look like a joke.

Ontario is desperate and we are out of time and patience! - Letter from Arthur, Peterborough, Ont.

January 30, 2012 — Education Faculties Should Disappear

I’d like to make some comments pertaining to your current article on the value of Faculties of Education.

I agree entirely that the enterprise of education would benefit from the winding down of Faculties of Education, but I would present a slightly different emphasis. Bad methodology is indeed relevant (I taught my own children to read at age three using Dr. Seuss and they were reading newspapers by the time they started school.) but my emphasis is more on teacher’s knowledge of content. I note that the references that you provided showed that this was not a major contributor to teaching effectiveness, but I suspect that with regard the narrower area of the sciences at the high school level it is. Some observations.

Read entire Feedback

December 17, 2011 — Tackling the On-Reserve Housing Crisis

Shameful that after 125 years our government has not resolved the problems involving our aboriginals in countless areas after setting them up on reserves including housing problems that have plagued them all these years and will continue doing so.  Employment, amongst the housing problems that exist will continue for ever and a day.

The magic wand for the housing problem and other problems is there to be resolved, but our governances in the House of Commons just would not bite the bullet and resolve them.  Just think of the countless immigrants that came to our country to find a better place to rear their children.  Many first started out by taking advantage of occupying a quarter section of land in the wilderness,  but before too many decades thereafter, many of their children became doctors, lawyers, engineers and yes even public service workers.  Their parents moved into cities and towns, took advantage of employment opportunities, that are rare in many of the reserves, and there – few problems arising In comparison to those constantly taking place is so many reserves during the past 125 years.

When our government spends countless of hundreds of millions of dollars, and who knows maybe billions of dollars annually as the child births are greater in the reserves than in other parts of our Country – why not provide each family with their own home in the cities and towns, provide training for those employables and enough social assistance, as provided in many instances to immigrants, and our aboriginals and their children would truly enjoy Canadianism as have the countless Immigrants to this day.

The magic wand worked for immigrants and still does today and can do so for our aboriginals likewise with the example cited here in. Email from Stephen Marlowe, Edmonton

(parents immigrants dating back to the early 1920s with very little help from our government)

December 12, 2011 — New Voluntary Wheat Board May Struggle

Notwithstanding one's political views about the wheat board, given that is very likely the federal govenrment will succeed in its efforts, the Board could consider converting itself into a mutual.  As  a back up strategy they probably should have been signing up all wheat board farmer members to something like this if they wanted to preserve their organizational status in light of the pending loss of its monopoly.   E-mail from Winnipeg

November 29, 2011 — Standardized Testing is a Good Thing

Vindication for all your negative comments about education. Did you know that although schools were closed for Remembrance Day, many also closed on the Monday, supposedly to let parents have a long week end for shopping in the U.S.? The teachers were in, though. Then, of course, they had that day off for time for the “We” Day celebration at the MTS Centre with Al Gore and Mia Farrow. Far too many days off compared with countries that score the highest in the world tables. Mind you, Finland is often at the top but has fewer school hours than most countries.

Just as an aside, the NDP has long been known to have negative feelings about testing but the Conservative party and particularly Mr.McFadyen were, at one time, very much enthused about introducing more testing - until the last election, when they rarely mentioned it, Mr. McFadyen having had "meetings with teachers" ! E-mail from Winnipeg

November 7, 2011 — Immigration a key to maintaining Saskatchewan's Boom

We have the manpower in our country to fill the labour shortages and to replace aging Baby Boomers.  Our Aboriginal reserves in most instances have well over 80% unemployed simply because in most of the reserve areas there are few, if any other employers. Our government has failed to bite the bullet and should have long before this indicated that each family would be provided a reasonable sized home in the city or larger towns nearest to the reserves. Social assistance and training of employable family members would fill the shortages to replace aging Baby Boomers as referred to in this email from the Frontier Centre.  The family members in return would have to give up their current rights to live on the reserves.

The unemployment problems existing on most of the reserves would then be resolved and the aboriginals could integrate into our society for the benefit of all involved – as have our past immigrants to our country have done and continue to do when they come to Canada.

Stephen Marlowe

Edmonton, Alberta

October 31, 2011 — Standardized Testing is a Good Thing

A couple of years ago the Conservative party and Mr. McFadyen professed to be very enthusiastic about re instating school testing. Soon they changed their tune after holding meetings with teachers and thinking they might have a chance to be elected if they could garner teachers votes. I am just reading Tom Friedman's book That Used To Be Us and if Canada is going to reduce testing it will be while other countries around the globe are stressing it even more. In the UK they are even making the advanced school exams more difficult since it had become a real problem trying to discriminate between student applicants . Too many with "All A's". E-mail from Robert, Winnipeg

October 19, 2011 — Don’t Scrap Standardized Testing

How true! This reflects my experience as a school psychologist with the Calgary Board of Education in the late 70s and 80s. It was the era of the "Whole Language Approach" to teaching reading and writing skills. It was embraced by the CBE and transmitted with religious passion by the Language Specialists as the only acceptable teaching method. No structured learning experience or phonics were to be used. An unacceptable number of children in the system ended up with very limited reading and writing skills-a deficit not noticed until the cohort was in junior high school. Unfortunately, this was also a period when standardized assessment of skills was 'optional' for each Calgary school.

Continue reading HERE.

October 4, 2011 — Smart Green Climate Change Quiz

Do you guys get paid directly by the Koch Brothers or is the money funneled through the Heartland Institute? Your website is propaganda. Your science is junk. Your language deceptive, your aims omnicidal. I hope to live long enough to see all of you brought up on charges of crimes against humanity. Have a nice day, climate criminals . . .   -- Email from Will Watson

September 15, 2011 — Tuition Fees and University Participation for Youth from Low-Income Families

I'd like to thank you for your clear piece on university tuition which recently appeared in the Calgary Herald - not least because of welcome traces of Mill's Methods. I don't know whether this was intended, but while the Herald's headline spoke of university 'access', your text consistently mentioned 'participation'. There's a big difference in meaning, though behind it all there must be some who argue that coming from a lower income family actually discourages if not prevents some from trying out for post-secondary education from the start.

Continue reading HERE.

September 12, 2011 — High Rates of Public Sector Employment Are Costly For Manitoba Taxpayers

Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Lois Wales' critique (Letters, Sept. 8) of our Frontier Centre study on public-sector employment in Manitoba contains inaccuracies and omissions.

First, Wales accuses us of comparing "apples to oranges." This charge is based on the oft-cited statistic in our report that there are 103 provincial and local government employees per 1,000 residents in Manitoba compared to 84 nationally, which she claims included workers at publicly owned corporations delivering services provided privately in other provinces.

In fact, we did not include employees from Manitoba's government business enterprises in this calculation. If we had, Manitoba's public sector would loom even larger.

Wales next accuses us of giving "no consideration" to the fact that the four largest provinces have the smallest public sectors relative to population, perhaps due to economies of scale. However, we do address this issue in our paper and in the Aug. 31 Free Press article, Public service bloated. There, we show Manitoba's public employment rates are significantly higher than those of New Brunswick, which enjoys no advantages related to economies of scale.

Last, Wales writes that the number of provincial public employees has dropped by 12 per cent since 1999, giving the false impression the public sector has been shrinking. But she is looking narrowly at the Statistics Canada "provincial general government" category and ignoring employment levels in health and social service institutions, school boards and post-secondary education that have increased by 33, 21 and 21 per cent, respectively.

-- Ben Eisen

September 12, 2011 — High Rates of Public Sector Employment Are Costly For Manitoba Taxpayers

The Sept. 3 Free Press editorial Time to reign in the civil service was based on misleading statistics and assumptions that should by no means be considered fact, yet are presented as such.

For instance, it quotes a study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, which states Manitoba has 103 people in local or provincial government positions per 1,000 residents, compared with 84 for Canada as a whole. This study is a classic example of comparing apples to oranges.

The Frontier numbers make no allowance for the fact that corporations such as Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission are all counted as "public" in Manitoba, while in other provinces they are not. The Frontier numbers also make no delineation between full-time and part-time employees, counting every nurse or teaching assistant who works a 0.4 week. And there is no consideration given to the reality that the four largest provinces have the smallest public sectors. Coincidence? No, common sense. More people means greater economies of scale.

The article argues, without providing any stats, that "while private companies are becoming leaner, the civil service at all levels seems bloated." If the writer had done his homework, he would know that, in realty, while the number of federal public employees may have gone up, the number of provincial public employees has dropped 12 per cent since 1999.

Finally, I'd like to point out that Manitobans, or Canadians, or economists, are by no means in agreement about the "problematic" wage gap between public-sector and private-sector workers. It is still very much up for debate how best to emerge from these recessionary times. We at the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union believe there is nothing to be gained by a race to the bottom of the employment heap. Government has a role to play in maintaining stable workforces in times of uncertainty and ensuring reliable and efficient public services when Manitobans need them most.

--- Lois Wales, MGEU president

August 22, 2011 — The Costs of Caledonia

Dear Mr Quesnel,

As a fellow Quebecer, I thoroughly enjoyed your point of view regarding the Caledonia incident this morning.

It is refreshing and, sadly, far too rare, to read a commentary from someone who is able to step back and present a balanced and informative view. Too much of our main stream media today are filled with supposition, innuendo, and sweeping generalisations.

You have added considerably to my understanding of the issues in the Caledonia matter, and I thank you for that. Your Métis heritage gives you a good understanding of the First Nations view point, but you are also able to see all sides of the issue, with the right and wrong activities of all the parties. Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Band in BC is another who is able to do that and he has set an example for other First Nations Chiefs to emulate in leading their bands to success in the modern world without blaming everyone else.

Let us hope that our various levels of government can shoulder their responsibilities and find a way to reach negotiated settlement with all of the parties involved. Thank you for your good ideas. Email from Ontario

August 2, 2011 — The End of Taxi Regulation

I like your publications on deregulation of the taxicab industry posted on the Frontier Centre's web site. Taxicab regulation is a pet peeve of mine that get's me fairly exercised when I talk about it. -- Email from Winnipeg

July 25, 2011 — Canada Health Consumer Index 2010

The race is on to select a new premier. Candidates will offer solutions to Alberta's ailing health-care system. Albertans should listen carefully. Previous promises, policies and practices served mostly to degrade health care from an admired Canadian benchmark to scraping the bottom in many key services. The Frontier Centre for Public Policy's report of December 2010 scored Alberta third from last among the provinces. Some good grades emerged, but Alberta received a greater number of poor grades.

Patient satisfaction, access to family and specialist doctors, prompt radiation therapy, cataract removal, infant mortality and in-hospital hip fractures received a poor score. Wait times remain excessive and bring unnecessary anxiety and cost to many.

Perhaps the organizational model is badly flawed? Monopolies rarely serve the public interest.

Alberta Health Services is such a monopoly. It is a serious conflict of interest to be both the funder as well as the provider of the service. Such models lack advocacy and are vulnerable to arbitrary decisions, political expediency and secrecy. The Senator Kirby report, of 2002, warned Canadians that regional health authorities should act only as service purchasers, not as providers.

The U.K recently issued a white paper calling for decentralization and increased local input. I believe Albertans know much was lost, economically, creatively, compassionately and in staff morale when local advocacy and operational control was scrapped. Let us ask for, and expect, tangible remedies from the candidates. - Ralph Coombs, Calgary

July 12, 2011 — Aboriginals Need Roadmap For Success, Not Ideology

Good morning; We haven’t been of any major help to aboriginals on reserves in many such situations, far away from any sources of employment. Our government has spent billions of tax dollars keeping them on reserves, and from the lack of success in our government’s efforts, it is time to bite the bullet and do the right thing for them.    More on this feedback found HERE.

 

July 12, 2011 — Aboriginals Need Roadmap For Success, Not Ideology

Hi Joseph. More good stuff! Please keep it up. It is very important. You are helping to change the paradigm.  Email from Gordon Gibson

June 17, 2011 — Want to Cut Costs? Start With the Public Sector

Most Canadians, including those being laid off, would support a reduc-tion in the size of the federal public service if layoffs were voluntary. The government could simply ask for volunteers from eligible employees close to retirement. These people would receive their pension calculated on the number of years of service, but the usual penalties for retiring early could be waived as an incentive. The requisite form states that any public servant who is "at least age 55 at termination and has been employed in the public service for at least 10 years" can be "eligible for receipt of an unreduced annual allowance." The net difference between salary and pension could be a substantial saving to the taxpayer.

A recent Ekos survey for the Public Service Commission tells us that the longer a new federal worker is in their job, the less engaged and ambitious they become. Being a public servant, I am well aware of the unbelievable benefits, pensions and salaries -but I also completely get the results of this Ekos survey.

From an informal survey my husband and I made of eligible colleagues, 100% of them said they would do the happy dance if they were asked to retire without penalty.  Letter from Patricia Maloney, Ottawa

March 21, 2011 — Harper's Tax Boutique

Just wanted to say Sand & Taylor's piece in the Globe yesterday (or at least that's where I saw it) was a terrific bit of analysis.



Took a very complex topic, dissected it and then explained it to the average reader without condescending to them -- very impressive stuff indeed. That sort of thing is always, by definition, far, far harder than it looks.



Could you please let the authors know that I really appreciated their efforts?  E-mail from Gord Gilmour, Winnipeg

March 6, 2011 — Sustainable Underdevelopment?

Is it not better to talk about problems we have as a way to start discussions on how to fix them? Or should we slap a smiley face over everything and pretend like we have nothing to improve upon?



Brian Oakely: Again you are misconstruing or misunderstanding what this series is talking about. It is NOT about giving back equalization and leaving the province destitute, nor is it saying the equalization system is not essential and important in our country.



It is about looking at the aspects of our province that are clearly underperforming compared to the rest of the country and suggesting a direction on how they can be improved. It is about working to create an environment in this province where we can lower our reliance on transfer money from other provinces by replacing it with prosperity.



You can disagree on how that can be done and that is what makes good dialogue, but please don't misconstrue what this series is saying.  - The Contrarian, Winnipeg Free Press comment section

March 1, 2011 — Kudos to Schwartz

Bryan Schwartz's article Reforming the Jurassic Crown (Feb. 26) is a must-read for every thinking Manitoban. It should be read in an apolitical and common-sense manner with the greater good of all Manitobans in mind. As Schwartz says: "Manitoba Hydro is a key component of the provincial economy. It touches the everyday life of every Manitoban."- Brian Norris, Winnipeg

February 27, 2011 — Reforming the Jurassic Crown

You are completely missing the point, and flat out wrong on several things. First, no one is talking about privatizing Hydro, least of all this article.



Second, Hydro should not be free or cheaper; I agree with Schwartz that it should be at market rate. Hydro rates in MB are the lowest in the country, which does not encourage people to use less power. Also, with rates that might save average consumers $20 a month, it provides very little good for the province to keep it low, but if it charged the proper market price to MB consumers, the utility would do MUCH more good with that money than individuals have. It certainly isn't something people think about when considering whether to stay in the province to live.



The biggest is your suggestion MB Hydro offer incentive rates to lure industry here -- THEY DO, and have for a very long time, in fact MB has essentially the cheapest power in the entire country and it has done basically nothing to lure companies here -- check out this comparison chart: http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/invest/busfacts/utilities/comp_hy_med.html.



Why don't we have those factories here if their cost of doing business is so much less? What is wrong with our province? For that answer, read this whole series by Schwartz: because MB is not open for business, it is only open to other provinces who support a business community. - Winnipeg Free Press comment section

February 7, 2011 — Empowering Innovation in Education

The system that exists is a central planner's dream come true. Mandatory education compels the best behaved and the brightest to lower their standards while the worst behaved and the dimmest are expected to rise above the hand life dealt them.

In a private system there would be specialization. Teachers who are good with slow learners could cater to that crowd, while teachers who are good with fast learners could specialize there too. No doubt the vast majority would fit in the middle where teachers could open schools which provide a good over all general education. More time could be spend on academics and less time on behavioral issues etc.  Needless to say, the government would have to go broke before they gave up owning the indoctrination centers.  The schools are always the most prized of politcal possessions.   - Comment in Winnipeg Free Press

January 30, 2011 — Diversity in Healthcare

The bureaucrats at the RHAs shouldn't be in the medical care business. They should stick to paying providers. - Comment Winnipeg Free Press

January 29, 2011 — Diversity in Healthcare

Yes, yes, yes. Get rid of the RHAs!!! I work for an RHA and was also an employee when it was Manitoba health. Let me tell you Ihave seen the waste quadruple with the RHAs. When I started at Manitoba health I had 1 boss now I have 5. Yes 5!!!  All making between $85,000 and $150,000 a year.They have only complicated the care process with their never ending "paper work and process".Their expense accounts are outrages, Lunches, travel, blackberry etc....why carpool when you can each take your own vehicle and charge $.40 a kilometer? Oh and why on earth would you do a conference call; that means you can't charge the $8.85 for your lunch! A lot of people are making alot of money but the care is deteriorating, I know cause I'm speaking out and in turn have been threatened with dismissal for insubordination. - Comment Winnipeg Free Press

February 1, 2011 — Diversity in Healthcare

We will have a debate on social medicine when the system collapses. Social medicine appeals to the emotional side of human beings even though our rational sides understand that the system is unsustainable.  Social medicine will fail for the same reason all socialism fails: it offers no system for rationally allocating resources, and instead promotes overutilization of all resources, ending in bankruptcy.  - Comment in Winnipeg Free Press

January 30, 2011 — Diversity in Healthcare

What health-care system? We do not even have a sickness-care system, as such a device would be patient centred. Instead we have a medical system which is a hierarchy that emphasizes research, bureaucracy, real estate, pay and benefits for insiders. Promotion of health and prevention of illness seem to be half hearted gestures to hold costs from rising too rapidly.



Every public discussion follows the same pattern: power groups manage the language, ideas, and evidence to suit themselves. They want to debate poverty, pollution, crime, sickness, education then pay themselves more for what is essentially failure by design. The insiders have usurped our institutions!



What is the big idea? "Process is all"?  - Comment Winnipeg Free Press

December 30, 2010 — The Road to Ruin

Their system is even worse than Canada’s in terms of presenting a poverty trap because housing and transportation is means tested in addition to our packages of health and day care services.  When she was in that situation, she earned less than $1 per hour incremental money from working at a minimum wage position than she did doing nothing.  Any logical person in that situation searched out opportunities to work occasionally for cash in very vulnerable employer-employee relationships that were open to multiple forms of abusive practices... (more) -- E-mail from Manitoba

December 13, 2010 — Local Government Performance Index

I applaud your performance index initiative.THANK YOU!



Can you tell me why you have not included Whistler BC?  If there was ever an example of lack of transparency and accountability they would be at the top pf the list.



Also what can frustrated taxpayers do to affect change at a municipal level?



E-mail from Janet Hart Crumley

November 16, 2010 — Stealth Equalization

Excellent piece in The Toronto Star today from the Frontier Centre, and probably other papers as well. – Email from Frank de Jong

November 10, 2010 — Dairy Farmers Still Milking All Of Us

My understanding is that while the price of milk at the farm gate is not supposed to include the cost of buying quota, it obviously does just that.  Without the cost of quota, per cow (currently $30,000?), milk production costs are about half what the CDC allows.  Someone from George Morris Centre would be the obvious choice to do the math.  We would certainly be competitive with the nominal price of US milk and dairy products.  However when it comes to lobbying, the American dairy farmer is no slouch, either.  Only the NRA is better organized and better funded.  They get their share of subsidies too.  There is virtually no free market anywhere in the world for milk.  NZ may be the only country that survives on the world price, thanks to the courage of Roger Douglas.

The problem is no one knows how to let go of the tiger.  Simply cancelling quotas is no answer as it immediately bankrupts every producer who purchased quota in good faith.  Buying it out is no answer as it immediately enriches beyond their wildest dreams anyone who bought quotas years ago or had it assigned to them at the beginning.

We all know what is the problem with the Canadian dairy industry.  What we need help with is solutions that are fair to everyone.  If anyone can do it, FCPP would be my choice and I am pretty sure that politicians of all stripes would listen. -Allen Hingston, Email

November 4, 2010 — Time To Hold Environmental And Climate Doomsayers To Account

 

September 27, 2010 — Taxi Industry Reports Tired and One Sided

Thank you for the excellent piece by David Seymour in Saskatoon's The Star Phoenix of September 24, 2010. On two fronts, the piece succeeds. First, Mr. Seymour shows that the paid expert Professor Mundy presumes that more rather than less taxi regulation is necessary. Second, Mr. Seymour scrutinizes the selective and dated scholarship that underlies Professor Mundy's pre-ordained conclusions. Similar criticisms of Professor Mundy's reports have emerged in St. Lake City and Denver. Perhaps being away from the coasts clears the heads of Canadians and Americans and allows us to see these taxi reports for what they are. - Prof. Thomas D. Russell, J.D., Ph.D. University of Denver Sturm College of Law



 

September 11, 2010 — What's Wrong with our Schools

I found the comments from the educator you had here in August really made sense. There was a bit of buzz from some of my teacher friends. They all agreed on what he had to say. If only we could get convince those "smart guys" at the top.  E-mail from Saskatchewan

August 13, 2010 — Classrooms should be teacher-centred

When I lived in Vancouver BC (1992 to 98) my stepson in hi-school; 1) could submit his work late without penalty, 2) take an exam over and use the highest grade, 3) take part in graduation events (gown and all) even though he didn't graduate (so as not to be 'left out' and damage his feelings), then 4) get a semi hi school diploma a few years later based on 'life experience'.  All of this teaches kids that performance doesn't matter, you will be bailed-out anyway. A classic moral hazard, which applies to companies who get similar treatment. It's all downhill.  I am a proud dual US-Can. citizen, born in US. I may move back to Canada! Bravo to Can. for not distorting mortgages (reset interest to market every 5 yrs) and banking (huge monetary inflation) as the US Fed, Fannie, etc. do.  - E-mail from Dave Redick, Madison, Wisconsin http://www.Forward-USA.org

July 20, 2010 — Culturally-Driven Violence Against Women: A growing problem in Canada’s immigrant communities

Thank you for your very timely essay about culture-driven abuse of women. You expressed very clearly the problems facing anyone who wants to promote the laws in Canada to protect all citizens. I am an older woman who sees some of our progress towards equal rights for all, being eroded because of political correctness .  I hope many Canadians who read your article will know the terrible consequences of ignoring this problem.... I am a retired teacher and was surprised by the school's playground policy . Thank you again. - Elaine Peterson, Vancouver

July 19, 2010 — Culturally-Driven Violence Against Women: A growing problem in Canada’s immigrant communities

Thank you for your excellent column in the Toronto Star, July 15.

What you're saying needs to be said, and it doesn't appear that anyone else has the intelligent grasp of it that you have.

I like how you said that even among the most well-meaning advocates for female equality tends to preclude discussions of cultural values and traditions, because I know a woman just like that, extremely well-informed and intelligent, but not beneath stepping far, far back when culture is thrown into the mix.

Thanks again for your thorough and truthful article.

Please keep up your advocacy and your teaching of us, the public, of this very real and deadly clash of cultures/ideology. - E-mail from Toronto

July 14, 2010 — It's Time To Focus On Healing

I refer to your column in the Winnipeg Free Press on July 9th, "It's time to focus on healing", where you appear to encourage moving on in the Residential Schools issue. Over the years I have spoken to a considerable number of former staff members, teachers and students from the Indian Residential Schools and I can assure you, from my perspective, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will discover very little of the truth they are seeking and there will never be a true and full reconciliation. The "truth" in this matter is something other than that which is propagated and promulgated by aboriginal leadership, governments, churches and the media. more -- E-mail from Bill Steele, Winnipeg

June 3, 2010 — Saskatchewan’s Commercial Crown Corporation Dividend Policy

I found your site as a result of a link to Mr. Schwartz's recent paper about the current Sask Gov Crown Corp dividend policy. The lack of re-investment in infrastructure (i.e., SaskPower, SaskTel) has profound implications for the near-future debt requirements of the province, and ultimately the "value" of the Crown Corps themselves. I also enjoyed the related paper "Knee-Capping the Competition" about Crown Corp Tax policy, which hints at some of the distortions and conflicts-of-interest resulting from the Crown Corporation concept. Although I was peripherally aware of FCPP, I am very encouraged to find your site and its resources.

A related issue that I have in the past attempted to discuss with politicians (mostly blank stares), and which I feel is a serious "emperor-has-no-clothes" type of situation is that of the role and position of "boards of directors" of Crown Corporations. In Saskatchewan at least, these Boards are NOT really boards in the same sense as a board of a true publicly-traded company in the US or Canada (I have brief "real" board experience and it can be very stressful). As is illustrated by the current SK Crown dividend policy, these boards do not have control or accountability for many important corporate policies or directions. In fact, they tend to be more like advisory boards or committees rather than "real" boards of directors. However, the trappings of real boards tend to accrue to those who serve thereon. This has major implications for the Crown Corp "governance" process, i.e., what is presented vs. what actually happens. This topic - analysis of the real role/impact of Crown Corp. "Boards of Directors" - may be one of interest for your researchers or commentators who would likely be far more searching and analytical in their approach. -- E-mail from Saskatoon

May 12, 2010 — Septic Soap Opera

The condition of the environment has been improving for several decades now.  Yet, thanks to our major media and the public-education system, very few people will be aware of that.



Was it Manitoba or the feds who banned the gray-water septic fields?  Back in my planning days, a majority of my assignments were in communities which had no public piped water-supply or sewage-disposal systems.  When there were problems with individual septic systems, the problem was usually the result of an improperly installed tile field.  Yet, every such installation was required to be inspected either by the county health unit or by the provincial Ministry of the Environment.



The goal is the complete ban of all individual private water-supply and sewage-disposal systems.  The pretense is that this is being done to protect the environment.  But, as you are likely aware, some of the major water polluters are government sewage treatment plants.  The environmental damage done by the systems they are in the process of banning pale in comparison.  The 'hidden' agenda is the complete ban on all rural development other than that required to manage resources.  Then, they can squeeze us all into urban areas as required by the smart-growth regulations.

David Barber, Cordillera Institute, Toronto

January 12, 2010 — The Other Name For “Profiling”: Smart Detective Work

I think your article on profiling was very good.  As you said - it's just good police work. The example of people destroying their passport while enroute is easily solved - why don't we have the willpower to do it. --Email from Bob Spinney

January 12, 2010 — Why You Pay a Fortune for Airline Tickets

I was extremely impressed with your article about the lack of competition among North American air carriers. I fly within Europe fairly frequently and I am endlessly astonished by their low "domestic" prices in comparison with ours. Keep making noise Mark Milke! You hit the nail on the head. Who knows? Maybe one day the  Canadian  governments will wake up its slumber and truly support the competitive spirit it purportedly supports! Good for you! -- Email from Eric Scott, Montreal

December 23, 2009 — Compassion Has No Ideological Litmus Test

Good column.  I think of myself as a conservative but given your examples could also be a liberal/libertarian and as regards corporate welfare a socialist. I don't know how the NDP ever got to think they have the market cornered on compassion, I suppose they view conservatives as hard hearted capitalist only interested in money. I often think the point they miss is, if there weren't entrepreneurs out there creating wealth where on earth would the money come from to be compassionate and provide social services. I think with a little research one could come up with a long list of conservatives who are compassionate and donate substantially to charity etc. I was just reading the other day about a group of Calgary businessmen who are developing a plan get homeless people off of Calgary streets within ten years, I bet they succeed.  -- E-mail from Calgary, AB

December 22, 2009 — Compassion Has No Ideological Litmus Test

‘Compassion knows no ideological bounds’ is true. Not all ideologues have compassion is equally true. It is a truth that needs to be impressed on the voting public. About thirty years ago I first participated in a brainstorming session and later led several other sessions to develop a list of ‘the five most desirable human qualities’. All groups, with not much in common, surprisingly came up with the exact same list. One, I remember, insisted on adding a sixth. Try it in your classes. More . . .   -- E-mail from Canmore, AB

December 21, 2009 — Saskatchewan wait times . . .

Nice coverage! The only depressing part was that about the “national waiting time target for a hip joint replacement: 6 months”. We walk around thinking Sweden (3 months) is poor by European standards. - Email from Sweden

December 20, 2009 — A Proper Debate Over Climate Change Matters

December 16, 2009 — A Proper Debate Over Climate Change Matters

Good editorial, but when one examines the leaked e-mails at CRU there is little doubt that there is an intent to manipulate the data. It is this attempt at deception that makes these revelations so interesting. The Hockey Stick graph was manipulated math, there are numerous references to data not fitting the theory, etc, etc. The whole topic now is becoming religious, notice churches ringing their bells in support of "saving the earth" Total Lunacy. Geologist have monitored climatic changes for decades, and the information is readily available, glaciers have been melting for 12000 years since the last ice age, so retreating glaciers are not new, what is new is that all evidence that contradicts "Anthropogenic warming" is NOT presented. More . . .  -- E-mail from Canada

December 14, 2009 — A Proper Debate Over Climate Change Matters

In my view – politicians globally who have hitched their political wagons to the climate alarmist / emissions trading system camp are heading for the political scrap heap. I suspect too that there is going to be a hell of a shake up looming for the bureaucracies that have been driving this and funding for the external supporters / cheerleaders will come under increasing pressure.  - Hugh Pavelitch, Christchurch, New Zealand

October 24, 2009 — Septic Soap Opera

Yes, the condition of the environment has been improving for several decades now.  Yet, thanks to our major media and the public-education system, very few people seem to be aware of that.



Was it Manitoba or the feds who banned the gray-water septic fields?  Back in my planning days, a majority of my assignments were in communities which had no public piped water-supply or sewage-disposal systems.  When there were problems with individual septic systems, the problem was usually the result of an improperly installed tile field.  Yet, every such installation was required to be inspected either by the county health unit or by the provincial Ministry of the Environment.



The goal is the complete ban of all individual private water supply and sewage disposal systems.  The pretense is that this is being done to protect the environment.  But, as you are likely aware, some of the major water polluters are government sewage treatment plants.  The environmental damage done by the systems they are in the process of banning pale in comparison.  The 'hidden' agenda is the complete ban on all rural development other than that required to manage resources.  Then, they can squeeze us all into urban areas as required by the smart-growth regulations.    - E-Mail from Toronto

October 19, 2009 — Apocalypse Cancelled

The Frontier Center has already done one fantastic job of trying to wrestle this GW monster to the ground, and thanks for sending this link. BTW my compliments to yourself and the FC on getting Lord Monckton here to give that excellent presentation. The food was great - I enjoyed my steak. - E-mail from Winnipeg

October 11, 2009 — Five Single Rate Tax Thoughts

David Seymour, director of the Frontier Center for Public Policy (Saskatchewan office), has written an important paper that should help frame the debate on tax policy for all of Canada’s provinces. "Five Single Rate Tax Thoughts," presents a compelling case that Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and the other provinces would benefit from enacting a low flat tax that has given Alberta the best investment and work climate in Canada. - Alvin Rabushka, David and Joan Traitel Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, California

 

September 15, 2009 — An ‘F’ for Social Promotion

I couldn’t agree more! And thank you for publishing this important topic. These kids are not adequately prepared in public school for high school, and when they get there can’t even speak proper English, spell or multiply 9 x 7. Our Academic system in Canada is an embarrassment, as we are so far below the high standards set by so many other countries. I was about to call and make an appointment to have a meeting with the Principal of my grandson’s school on this very topic when I decided to look for any information I could find on the internet prior to meeting with her and this just substantiates what I’ve been telling them for the past 3 years. -- E-mail from Ontario

September 15, 2009 — Computers in the Classroom

The byline, that Ontario is planning to address the problem, is encouraging but I wonder how many poverty-stricken or working poor families will be able to send their kids to a school significantly farther away (in this age of nonresponsibility, though, probably a lot of parents will welcome the notion of their kids being gone for longer periods every day). I guess the province is somewhat cash poor these days and had to come up with something more creative than buying teachers new high tech teaching toys or other than throwing more money at the system. This tactic has proven time and again to be ineffective and even counterproductive. The notion that more exposure to a learning environment would not produce better informed students and sharper minds, generally, is folly. The problem, as I see it, is entirely related to the quality of the "education". When I was in high school, about thirty years ago, every once in a while I'd crack a math text book just to see how they explain things I thought were utterly obvious. In most cases my reaction was that the methods they use are incredibly convoluted when there is a clear and simple way to approach the problem. I just finished a grade eleven math course (took me like a month) and nothing has changed. For example, there was a question where it took a split second of thought for the correct answer to occur to me, but their solution is a long series of calculations (for which you are encouraged to use a mechanica device to carry out, of course)which "estimates" the answer, and only comes close the the right answer?!@#$!? It seems to me that the way they teach is absolutely in sync with the way the government runs society as a whole, inasmuch everything around you promotes how to make your life easy and comfortable and convenient, but virtually nothing systematic promoting (actual) healthiness or good character or mental soundness. I just have a very hard time accepting that this is not wholly intentional. -- E-mail from Ontario

September 14, 2009 — An ‘F’ for Social Promotion

The flip side of social promotion and "putting in your time" is what it does to gifted children.
I know of a child who was doing introductory calculus as he finished first grade. The school staff insisted he do second grade the next year with the same students and the same dumbed down curriculum. The attitude of the school was "we will catch up with him." They even blamed the parents for teaching him beyond their level. They wouldn't consider finding an environment where he could be challenged. They kept talking about socialization and insisted his intellectual development would take care of itself.
We are throwing away both the top and bottom by forcing them to stay with their age peers. This is why the dropout rate is so high on both ends. -- E-mail from Washington

August 14, 2009 — Five Reasons to Doubt Clima-geddon

Those who question Ken Green's claims should know they are all validated by data. High-quality satellite data collected by the National Space Science and Technology Centre for the temperature of the lower troposphere, which should be very sensitive to CO2 levels, showed lots of fluctuation but insignificant trending from 1979 (when measurements began) until 1997, even though CO2 levels increased steadily by 8.1 per cent during that time. From May 2002 to June 2009, the temperature has been trending down at a rate of 2.4 degrees C per century even though CO2 levels have gone up by another 3.8 per cent.

Green also correctly asserts that climate model predictions are unreliable. This is demonstrated by the fact that the actual, measured 2008 global average surface temperature was less than that predicted by the IPCC model of a "best-case" scenario that assumed CO2 stayed at its year-2000 level. Since CO2 levels have increased by almost four per cent since 2000, according to current climate change theory, the actual temperature should be higher than this prediction. Perhaps rather than ridiculing them, as David Mayne Reid did, we should start listening to those who tell us the emperor has no clothes. They just might be right.
-- Letter to the Editor, Calgary

August 13, 2009 — Five Reasons to Doubt Clima-geddon

Ken Green makes a gross understatement when he states: "Climate alarmists don't have extraordinary evidence." The only evidence for global warming caused by CO2 emissions is a 23-year period from 1975 to 1998 during which rapidly increasing emissions are concurrent with increases in global temperatures. Prior to this was a 33-year period of global cooling contemporaneous with a 16-gigatonne per year increase in CO2 emissions due to postwar industrialization, and prior to that was a 32-year period of rapid warming with only half a gigatonne per year of emissions increase. More . . . -- Letter to the Editor, Calgary

August 12, 2009 — Five Reasons to Doubt Clima-geddon

Nice to see that the Calgary Herald has published your article/critic of Prof David Mayne Reid's Global Warming religious like hysteria. Please continue to publish FACTUAL INFORMATION which shows that the global temperature is NOT RISING. and indications are that GLOBAL COOLING may be occurring. The whole link of CO2 to global temperature, based on academic computer modeling, will be proven to be the biggest and most costly hoax in scientific history. The price of this "Carbon Crazy Folly" will be paid by all consumers. Valuable public tax resources, that could be used for health care and education, will be pumped down into subsurface aquifers with the sequestered CO2, (a plant food), while budgets for cataract and prostate cancer surgery are slashed by our gullible political leaders. - E-mail from Vic Mroszczak, Calgary

July 23, 2009 — Five Modest Proposals for a New AFN Chief

I receive your Frontier Center e-mails and enjoy the institute's hopefully-not-just-a-fruitless-attempt to bring some sane thinking into the Canadian psyche in dealing with some of our failed thinking and misconceptions of how we govern ourselves. Canadian laws and practices give lip service to altruistic sounding principles which in practice ignores our basic human nature--and we wonder why some of these public policies don’t work on the ground. Our native policies are a classic example of this. I’ve presented to our provincial dog-and-pony show on Aboriginal affairs the principles illustrated in Dr. Hernando DeSoto’s book “the Mystery Of Capital” as one of the fundamental instruments for “individual economic empowerment” of First Nation’s individuals. I’m also convinced that this quasi-apartheid system desired and promoted by the leaders in that community will never be accepted by the silent majority. There can only be one class of Canadian citizenship and to promote graduated degrees of citizenship goes against our innate human desire for equality before the law. And our human reaction to this will always basically undermine those desiring advantage over others under our rule of law. This goes against all the innate principles of our human natures. The striving for equality of opportunity in our democratic reforms and revolts in the past centuries is still ongoing. -- E-mail from Nanaimo, BC

July 8, 2009 — Property Rights: the Nisga'a Pave the Way

I thought the article in today's Globe and Mail by Joseph Quesnel was a breath of fresh air. Good stuff. -- E-mail from Victoria

July 8, 2009 — Property Rights: the Nisga'a Pave the Way

Another good article. It will be interesting to hear the reactions from the Indian Industry people. One addition that may have been interesting is to compare the situation of the Metis with communities governed by the Indian Act.

Your brief reference to traditional business culture in First Nations communities could be expanded. Specifically, I wonder who was the backbone of the fur trade industry and who supplied the food and materials required to sustain operations? Would that happen to have been First Nations and Metis people? Even before European contact, First Nations operated vast trading networks across North America. To infer that there was no “business culture” in the society is not very accurate. – E-mail from Manitoba

July 3, 2009 — Puncturing 'Public' Auto Insurance Myths

Great article - thanks much. Having bounced back and forth between BC, AB and Ontario - it has always bothered me greatly the lies told by interest groups to push their agenda.

Like Ontario's LCBO and their unions claiming they offer better selection and prices compared to Alberta's private system. There are at least 10 stores in Edmonton alone that offer better selection than Toronto's biggest LCBO "Vintages" store (unless you are looking for 18 different types of Gallo shlock...then I concede that Ontario stores have better selection). My other favourite from the special interest groups is that Alberta's system promotes underage drinking and excessive consumption...as if only Public Service Union employees can be trusted to sell alcohol.

Having just moved back to Alberta from Victoria, I can happily look forward to cheaper insurance - from a more responsive agency that is looking out for me (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/05/28/bc-icbc-privacy-breaches.html), and faster and cheaper licences and registration.

I wonder where Rachel Notley stands on the insider auction scam that many government employees were running within ICBC? Maybe her belief is public scams are superior to private scams? http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=bf1e005e-a579-45f9-bb76-8e23900c425c&k=32933

Anyway, thank you again for letting the air out of this myth. -- E-mail from Edmonton

January 29, 2009 — Canada Needs to Rethink Equalization: MacKinnon

David MacKinnon

February 1, 2006 — New Government in Ottawa Means Hope for First Nations

E-Mail from Winnipeg, February 1, 2006:

Mr. Sandberg,

Just wanted to offer my support and agreement in regard to recent articles you have written for the Free Press pertaining to aboriginal policy.

Two weeks ago I walked out of my job at INAC in the MB region, in large part for many of the reasons you have so eloquently stated in your articles. I could not stomach this system any longer. This was precipitated by a meeting I had with my manager the day before where I was delivered an edict to "reign myself in and check my philosophical differences at the door". In other words fall into line, keep your mouth shut and we don't want to hear any more of your ideas or potential solutions. I found this disgusting enough to make the following day my last as an INAC employee and probably the end of my 8-year career with the federal government--all in aboriginal-related positions.

Yesterday I had an opportunity to visit a First Nation that I have not been to in 15 or 16 years and was not surprised to see that things were basically running as inefficiently as when I was last there and very little in the way of positive change had occurred especially in regard to socio-economic conditions. I blame the "system" for this lack of change.

Given my experience working for regional and national aboriginal organizations, as well as three federal departments (in Winnipeg and Ottawa) in aboriginal portfolios and have come to the conclusion that your opinions are right on the mark. Keep up the good work and continue to fight the good fight!

January 22, 2005 — The Mexican Lesson -- Tequila in Paradise

"We have one brewery, formerly Labatts, owned by the provincial government. Inspite of that it makes pretty decent beer. One malt company that is largely dependent on the Canadian Wheat Board for supply of barley. And everything regulated and managed by the provincial liquor monopoly. Our liquor is expensive, our choice is limited and sadly, our bars are boring and ramshackle."

Email from Saskatchewan

December 16, 2004 — The Greatest Canadian Supported User Fees

Thanks for another great article uncovering the truth! I have often read
your articles and find myself in pure agreement.

- Email from Winnipeg, December 8, 2004

October 24, 2004 — The Poison Elixir of Equalization

Excellent piece on the Frontier website re federal transfer payments... - Email from Winnipeg

May 20, 2004 — Ruth Richardson in Wonderland

I think that she has some really great ideas for the future of government. Especially during a time when demand for government services is way up and funds for those services are very hard to come by and often times of late seems to end in scandal or just to disappear. - Email from Winnipeg

January 25, 2004 — Canada, the Northern Tiger?

Excellent piece! - Email from Winnipeg..

December 15, 2003 — Testing Public Patience

Very well done. - Email from Charles Adler, Host of Adler Online, CJOB Radio, Winnipeg, December 19, 2003

December 1, 2003 — Unravelling Child Poverty

Well said! Short, to the point and factual – but facts that are black and white not grey. Too often it seems that groups and politicians twist facts around for their own agenda. The fact that your article points out that governments have spent gobs of cash on the poor yet the levels of poverty have not changed proves that the methods don’t work. - Email from Winnipeg, December 10, 2003

Kudos for taking on the poverty industry on this issue. Keep up the good work. - Email from Winnipeg, December 4, 2003

October 15, 2003 — A Home Run for Winnipeg?

Very impressive. I was quite pleased to see you address the New Deal - I'm very interested in seeing where it leads. I'd still make my way back to WPG if its economic health were stronger. I am particularly interested in your points on capital costs (and how public corps are not reflecting through their prices the true costs of capital) - this is a very important area that you are addressing. Good to see!. E-mail from Ottawa (October 20, 2003)

September 30, 2003 — Fund Success, Not Seats in Lecture Halls

Oct 6, 2003 - Instead of 'improving' the funding system, why not work toward getting the govt out of education entirely? Tuition is a fine way to pay. In the absence of subsidies and govt rules, prices would drop and results would improve. Dissatisfied students (customers) would shop for the best education products/services. - Email from Los Altos, California

March 31, 2003 — Let’s Dance the Dutch Minuet on Schools

The Frontier Centre's highlight on the Dutch Education System demonstrates
that our current education model and governance structure can be changed to
achieve better performance, accountability, and value for both students and
taxpayers. Only those with vested interests, fear of change, and/or
disbelief in the room for improvement would be afraid of learning from the
success of others. - E-mail from S. Mark Francis, Winnipeg, March 31, 2003

March 20, 2003 — Winnipeg Wave Pool to Cope with Brutal Winters

Thanks for the good article/column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Yes, why destroy a building when it could be used for other purposes. What a great use! But, as you suggest, our city council is not nearly creative enough to venture into something that may require creativity and thought and working together! Keep up the good work. - E-mail from Winnipeg

March 11, 2003 — Reforming Milk the Australian Way

I just wanted to thank you for your editorial on supply management in the dairy industry last week. It was a well-informed, rational, factually based piece with logical conclusions.

I am a grains and hog farmer that agrees with your position and am frustrated with all levels of government involvement in my industry. - E-mail, Morris, Manitoba, March 28th, 2003

February 14, 2003 — Count Day has it all Backwards

My problem about count day is that we know that higher mortality rates result from poor education attainment. So, a system that rewards high numbers at the start, and fails to generate a consequence for the students the system fails to serve properly actually rewards letting them in and dropping them out – damn the consequences on their lost lives. You lose nothing for losing a customer. What business would allow their service folk to not face the consequences of a lost soul.. And hell! They are only losing a sale. What about a life! - E-mail from Winnipeg February 27, 2003.

July 19, 2002 — Opening Up Cottage Country

This was a great article. I am looking forward to many more on this topic, hopefully soon. How do I find out more regarding this matter. I am very very interested. - Email from Winnipeg

September 18, 2002 — Nav Canada’s Striking Success

"The Federal selloff of entities like Air Canada, CNRail, and as this points
out Nav Canada have all been success stories. The blossoming of Paul Tellier
as CEO of CNRail and the excellent performance of that hitherto federal dog
is really heartening - at least for me. I wish I had bought CN instead of
Nortel a year and a half ago." - Email

June 24, 2009 — The Myth of Cheap Public Auto Insurance

In the future, it would be interesting to conduct a bit more of a breakdown of rates paid under different circumstances. For example, I found that a person driving an older vehicle who had a clean driving record would pay less under the private model than the public model. This situation occurs because in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, collision coverage is mandatory. Currently, I pay more for collision coverage on my vehicles every year than they re worth. To me, this is an example of regressive taxation where the lower income people subsidize rates for high-income people who are driving new vehicles.

I also agree with the identification of pain and suffering payments being a factor in insurance rates. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the responsibility for insuring for lost income and pain & suffering has been shifted away from the auto insurance system and onto the individual. To me, the public insurance systems in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have lost sight of the essential need for insurance. I do not need insurance to pay for an affordable loss like the loss of a vehicle. I do need the insurance to cover me for a catastrophic loss like a disability or an injury that prevents me from earning a living.

E-mail from Manitoba

June 9, 2009 — All Life On Planet Depends On CO2

Thank you very much for sending me your very interesting e-mail update. Here in Denmark the CO2 thing has really become a religion, almost mandatory, and we have an anti-climate-change government minister who is very actively working at wasting enormous amounts of our tax money, and probably borrowed money as well, in order to plaster the whole world with wind-mills.
Responsible people know very well that such electricity is terribly expensive and not very useful when it comes to protect, and further develop, the general standard of living of industrialized countries and of the so-called developing countries. I spent four very good years living and working in Toronto and Montreal in the early seventies. -- E-mail from Denmark

June 9, 2009 — Put the Lives of First Nation Women Above Politics

Please pass along our praise to Joseph on this very thoughtful, well written and much needed article. We are very impressed with the articles being written and published by both Joseph and Mark Milke of the Frontier Centre. -- E-mail from Victoria, BC

June 1, 2009 — The GM-Chrysler Bailout Tax

Thank you for today’s column in the Calgary Herald. The panic stricken support of GM-Chrysler is too depressing, especially from the Conservative Govt. – but then Flaherty is from Oshawa. Sadly, now that the taxpayers of Canada have an ownership stake the funding will be never ending. (Can anyone say Bombardier).
The pension bailout is even more galling as one who has only an RRSP and although a Canadian taxpayer since 1976 will never qualify for a full CPP payment on the basis I haven’t been in Canada long enough. (Despite contributing the max. amount most of the time). I felt the pension bailout should be in the form of repaying all contributions in one lump payment into the employees RRSP account, thus joining the real world of most non Govt. workers. -- E-mail from Calgary

May 29, 2009 — The Problem with Free Parks

Good, thoughtful piece. I hadn't given the issue any thought,
but you effectively point out the wrongheadedness of the policy.
You're quite right -- poor people don't go to these parks. Your ice cream analogy was a beaut. When we used to go camping with the kids (with our $5,000 tent trailer), of course I thought nothing of paying the park fees. Why should anyone else subsidize my recreation choices? As you point out, this new policy must be quite a blow to private campground owners. Think of all the entrepreneurs who, in good faith, invested their money in a campground and then spruce it up to attract visitors, only to see the admission cost of their biggest competitor reduced to zero, with their tax dollars to boot. What a surefire way to discourage private investment in outdoor recreation outside the provincial parks. E-mail from Winnipeg

May 25, 2009 — Let's Have Real Elections at the Assembly of First Nations

I read your article in the National Post entitled "This isn't democracy". Very interesting indeed. I have been talking for years about how the Assembly is governed and you are right it is totally undemocratic.It must change and for the life of me I don't know how to approach the situation. I have stated my views to many people near my home who are aboriginal, I have tried to organize off reserve natives to try and come together and form some sort of group that address some of the issues facing first nations. The problem I see is that the best interests of the "little guy" are not being served. Fontaine and company are so preoccupied with their own nest that things will never change. I find it extremely hard to get involved at any level because the the status quo is much more attractive to the chiefs than the alternative. I personally am a status Indian. I am from Killarney Ontario. You being from Sudbury probably know where that is and the close proximity to Wikewemikong. I live in Richmond B.C. now and have for some twenty years. However I still vote by mail for Chief and council and still try to keep abreast of the happenings back in Ontario. It's time aboriginals adopted a one person one vote for the assembly of first nations. Only then will it be truly representative of all. Your statement "The AFN speaks for the institutional interests of chiefs--not for ordinary band members" jumped right off the page at me and I thought, finally somebody had the guts to say that in print. Good Article. -- E-mail from Dean Beauvais, Richmond B.C.

April 23, 2009 — Bring Back Standardized Testing

As usual, Prof. Rodney Clifton has it right on with his comments concerning standardized testing in the schools. Those who criticize Prof. Clifton should ask themselves: Why are organizations like Sylvan Learning Centres doing such a huge business? Could it be because the public school system is no longer doing its job? More -- Letter to the Editor

April 6, 2009 — Let's Have Real Elections at the Assembly of First Nations

I enjoyed the column and indeed have written editorials concerning this subject in the past. I agree there should be a more representative system in place for First Nations concerning the election of a AFN National Grand Chief. Did not the United States come into being because of taxation without representation? At times we feel there is representation without representation. Of great concern too is the acknowledgement of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples by the Canadian Government through the Harper administration. In this case off-reserve First Nations are represented by a National Chief that is in
no way is voted upon either by themselves or even a elected representative representing them. Support and funding for this organization could be better spent on cash strapped Native Friendship Centres across Canada who actually deliver services to
off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples. However, politics play a part even in the national venues much the same as on First Nations reserves. Hopefully we will change national, regional and local
political systems as too be more representative of First Nations Peoples. -- E-mail from Will Nicholls, Editor in Chief of the Nation

April 2, 2009 — New Brunswick Gets Economic Stimulus Right

Mark Milke of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy believes that the economic crisis will be solved by tax cuts and the right words from government leaders, New Brunswick gets it right, March 30. The bottom line, we are told, is that "businesses need capital to build, expand and hire." One could argue that this would be true equally during a boom period, thus negating Milke's premise.
Milke is actually turning reality on its head, since what capitalists need during a recession is consumers to buy their products. If we agree bust periods are a time of reduced profits, then an impoverished working class that is impoverished further through corporate tax cuts and bailouts and will only prolong the agony of the shareholders who have to postpone luxury purchases. -- Darrell Rankin, Leader, Communist Party of Canada

April 2, 2009 — Five Ways To Help Save The Earth--And Money

Mark Milke certainly pointed out more constructive ways to save the planet than the symbolic gestures of events such as Earth Hour. The disappointment expressed by the EcoLiving Events executive director, Judi Vandenbrink, that "there are a lot of naysayers out there" who don't understand the symbolism, leads me to believe a lot of us are not willing to be brainwashed by hypocrites like Al Gore and the rest of the climate-change zealots.
The other day, I celebrated my 53rd birthday in near-identical blizzard conditions as the day I was born. Apparently, the winter conditions in 1956 had not been seen since the early 1900s. Gee, could this be a 60-year weather cycle? Cut the symbolism. Adopt Milke's five tips and really make an immediate difference. -- E-mail from Calgary

March 20, 2009 — Time for the School Closure Moratorium to End

I would like to add an "amen" to Michael Zwaagstra's column regarding the moratorium on school closings.

When Bill 28 -- the Strengthening Local Schools Act -- was released, no consideration was given to the knowledge and input of other stakeholders in the education field. Many school divisions had reached the final steps of the lengthy and expensive process to close underutilized schools. Years of research and consultation were wasted because the minister refused to allow the closures to proceed. More -- Carol Guicheret, Winnipeg

February 24, 2009 — The Case for Taxi Deregulation

I wonder if Jim Marlor of Hamilton knows that Calgary cab drivers work for less than minimum wage because they pay the plate holders thousands of dollars per year to rent the plates. If we eliminated (or re-regulated) the plate system, there would be a lot more money staying in the average taxi driver's pocket. Marlor talks about a contract between the city and the plate holders. There is no such thing. The current situation allows for a few plate holders to get rich off the backs of the vast majority of hard-working cab drivers. He suggests there would be fewer taxis when the bars close in a re-regulated world. The reality is there aren't enough cabs when the bars close, which causes people to drive home drunk. As far as the quality of cars in a re-regulated system, the city and province already have the responsibility to ensure taxis (and all vehicles) on the road are safe. In the Herald reader comments last week, there were numerous complaints about cab availability. This is Calgary, not Hamilton, so why not let the market decide how many cabs we need? City council should seriously consider re-regulating the taxi system as David Seymour described. -- Letter to the Editor of The Calgary Herald

February 24, 2009 — The Case for Taxi Deregulation

This article is dead-on. Taxi “medallions” are now trading at $100,000 in Edmonton. Original purchasers feel it is their “right” to have a $100,000 retirement fund. No one talks about the purchaser (who mortgages everything to pay the $100,00) and his “right” to a retirement fund. The entire mess is the result of legislators - who are ignorant of the most fundamental laws of economics – and who have little ability to think logically. Thank you. -- E-mail from Edmonton

February 13, 2009 — Frances Widdowson, Co-Author of Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry

I therefore praise the authors of 'Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry-- The Deception Behind Indigenous Cultural Preservation'. But I also acknowledge the truth of the reviewer's criticism. This country too has many who are good at analysing problems but not good at proposing solutions other than demanding yet more funds from the poor, tired, bemused taxpayer. The solutions will come from those Aboriginal people who are now accorded no power by their traditions to the benefit of the minority of corrupt and frankly criminal in their own communities and organisations. More -- E-mail from Australia

February 6, 2009 — Demographia Housing Affordability Index

What a mess! We’ve created a model of hundreds of centrally planned economies and then we are surprised when there is a lack of supply for the product they are “managing”. Then they want to deal with the mess they have created by throwing more money at “social housing”. And then Sarlo shows that only 18 per cent of the poorest Canadians are in the “social” housing stock. Ha!
E-mail from Vancouver

January 16, 2009 — Good Local Government. What is it?

There is an old saying in management circles that "if you don't measure it, you are not managing it." I think this statement applies to local government (and other government) operations. - E-mail from Manitoba

January 6, 2009 — Old Roman Politic Should be Bygone

Kudos to Mr. Seymour re his recent commentary published in the Regina Leader Post concerning the possible construction of a tax-funded stadium in Regina.

It is mind-boggling how easily so many of the public can be swayed by the hype of talk show hosts, sportswriters, and consumers of rare sports events and even rarer big name entertainers as to how valuable this stadium would be, and the benefits we would accrue from its construction. Do we, as tax payers, need, or should be expected, to foot the bill for what would surely be a “white elephant” to the larger population of both Regina, and all of Saskatchewan?

Thanks, Mr. Seymour, for your clarity and common sense in such a well-thought and written presentation as to which ones of us will be the beneficiaries of this stadium. It will certainly not be the majority of Saskatchewan tax-payers who will, in one way or another, foot the bill for a facility that would be used, or is even necessary, for only a few dozen events a year. -- Email from Ed Nedelcov

January 14, 2009 — The Moral Case Against Dumb Government Intervention

Mark Milke is one of those people whose philosophy and consequent opinions are like carborundii. Depending on your relationship to his grindstones of wisdom, they can either grind you down and make you angry, or sharpen your sense of what is really of importance and give you an edge.

I hardly ever agree with his outlook, his opinions or his politics, but his columns never fail to engage my intellect and elevate my blood pressure. With this column, he has simultaneously angered me and sharpened my resolve. It is not just because I wholeheartedly agree with his assessment of the moral indictment against "stupid" governments and slatternly business entitlements. He has also expressed most reasonable Canadians' exasperation at our politicians (you can't really call them leaders) repeating the same insanity while hoping for different results. Well done, Mr. Milke. -- John O'Gorman, Bragg Creek

December 18, 2008 — Old Roman Politic Should be Bygone

How did the Leader-Post give you half a page for your left wing anti-development negativity? - E-mail from Stu Affleck, Regina

November 26, 2008 — Residential Schools Propaganda?

I’m writing this several months too late. I read your article, “An outsider’s view of residential schools”, published in the Winnipeg Free Press on June 11th. of this year. I was so impressed by your balanced, non-blaming approach, but even more than that, I was impressed by the fact that you, a native person, had the political guts to say what you said. I imagine you got your fair share of abuse over that article! More -- E-mail from Winnipeg

October 29, 2008 — Racism Among the Heavenly Hamlets on the Prairies

I strongly salute Mr. Sandberg. We have the very same problem in Brazil and quite same failing solutions. The Indians should be treated as individuals and not like animals to be seen in a rough scenario as in a zoo. They suffer more from the wrong policies enforced than from a serious and civilized answer for their problems. -- E-mail from Brazil

September 29, 2008 — $2,280 in “Ralph bucks” or $2 Billion Buried in the Ground?

Your article in the Herald hits the nail on the head. -- Charles Warren Hunt, Calgary

October 10, 2008 — Helping 21,000 More Manitobans by Selling Public Housing

If there is a need to subsidize housing for individuals or families, it should be done by way of portable housing subsidies that would allow individuals the choice of where they wished to live, not clustered together in an aging complex with an increasing problem of deferred maintenance. There is no pride of ownership in government run housing, there never will be, if private landlords ran their buildings with the same inefficiencies, they would be out of business. When you look at some of the “attempts” to integrate this type of housing in our city over the years you see that rather than integrate into neighborhoods, it’s created undesirable pockets that affect the values of nearby homes. I can’t imagine it gives anyone a sense of pride living in a dilapidated Manitoba Housing project built in a “good” neighborhood.
E-mail from Winnipeg

September 3, 2008 — Fit To Be Tied Over Native Crimes

Thank you so much for the sane and well-written article that appeared in the Herald-Leader Press (Portage la Prairie, MB) last week. I hope what you say will be taken to heart - not only by aboriginals, but by all of us. Governments are notoriously stupid, but we individuals are not very bright, either. Working together, for the good of those we have any contact with, is a healing kind of attitude - on or off a reserve. -- Email from Manitoba

August 8, 2008 — Residential Schools Propaganda?

I always enjoy getting updates from Frontier and reading what you have to say. I just wanted to comment on the residential school article about the fact there was also good that went on. My mother-in-law who had only positive experiences at her school and has nothing ill to say about it received a cheque last year for 35,000 no questions asked and was told there would be more. More -- E-mail from Pauline, Ontario

August 5, 2008 — What Does the End of Cheap Oil Mean to our Urban Future?

I share Mr. McShane's confidence in the ability of our market system to solve the effects of a higher oil price and to deliver an even more productive economy in the process -- if -- and it's a big if. Mr. McShane makes the point in his 2nd-last sentence. "That is what we are all so good at -- provided no 'wise elite' decides to make our decisions for us." More -- E-mail from David Barber, Director of the Cordillera Institute, Toronto

July 18, 2008 — Conversation on the Frontier with Lawrence Solomon

While I think that it is appropriate to retain a stance of sober objectivity, and even skepticism with respect to global warming, it seems that we are in a period of general warming, judging by the evidence of mountain glaciers and polar ice.

However, this trend has been going on for over 150 years, starting long before human activity or carbon dioxide production had significant influence on the atmosphere. The longer trend extends from the last ice age. More -- E-mail from Kolkatta, India

June 12, 2008 — Another View on Residential Schools

This is best and most accurate story about the residential schools that I have read. Why isn't it more publicized instead of all the negative stories about the schools. There were some bad things about them but the idea was good. -E-mail from Winnipeg

June 11, 2008 — Auditor General Has Point On First Nation Finances

Thanks to Joseph Quesnel for his recent article on aboriginal spending. Some time ago, I was the author of a letter printed in the Hamilton Spectator on this very same theme. I'm sure I'm not the only Canadian taxpayer who is extremely concerned about the lack of accountability for the monies we so generously allocate to natives. -- E-mail from Barbara Joy

June 12, 2008 — The Residential School Money Pit

I want to congratulate and thank Don Sandberg for his honest, candid and courageous article on residential schools in today's WFP. We need more articles like this from people like you who can sift through the mis-information and partial truths. I have thought for some time that we have not been getting the full story and now am grateful for at least some confirmation. If there are other articles like this which you can direct me to, I'd be grateful. More -- E-mail from Derek Denwood

June 11, 2008 — The Residential School Money Pit

Many thanks for the comments contained in the Email Update (Residential Schools Story not that Simple) and in the June 11, 2008 Winnipeg Free Press column (P. A15) by Don Sandberg. Both were incredibly appropriate. I was once very much involved with the aboriginal community and later became an instructor at a Residential School. While I am certain that there would have been abuses in some Schools, I am just as certain that the incidences of such abuse were less than in the general population. More -- E-mail from Winnipeg

June 9, 2008 — The End Of The Fake Consensus On Global Warming

I think "global warming" is settled. It is BUNK. I don't know who dreamed this up, or why, but it diverts our attention from solving real problems such as finding alternatives to oil, pollution and environmental destruction — not to mention starvation and disease. -E-mail from Regina

May 12, 2008 — The End Of The Fake Consensus On Global Warming

Now, does that mean that our CO-2 discharges don’t affect our climate? If you have ever been to a bar before smoking was banned, think of yourself in a small room filled with a cloud of cigarette smoke for 4 hours. Of course there is an effect. I also believe in the solar heat idea. Stand back from a boiler and it’s not so bad. Move closer and you get hotter. Duh!

More - E-mail from North Vancouver, BC

May 9, 2008 — The End Of The Fake Consensus On Global Warming

Now, does that mean that our CO-2 discharges don’t affect our climate? If you have ever been to a bar before smoking was banned, think of yourself in a small room filled with a cloud of cigarette smoke for 4 hours. Of course there is an effect. I also believe in the solar heat idea. Stand back from a boiler and it’s not so bad. Move closer and you get hotter. Duh!

- E-mail from North Vancouver, BC

May 16, 2008 — Indigenous Peoples from an International Perspective

It seems to me that we in Canada may be looking at things the wrong way. Is it that there are problems on Indian Reserves, or is it that the whole archaic concept of Indian Reserves is the problem? The bottom line is, the Cook Islands are doing very well thank you; NO RESERVES HERE.

More - E-mail from Bob Foster, Winnipeg, MB

April 27, 2008 — Smart Green Climate Change Quiz

While Al Gore bounces around the stage at whim..why not get Oprah to hear the *other* side..I think it might ease some peoples pain..lots of fearmongering going on. - Email from Mrs. Vaughn, Medicine Hat, Alberta

April 7, 2008 — An Answer from When Ontario Comes Calling

Fantastic article on transfer payments....I just sold my biz in MB and moving..no wonder! 50 years is enough. E-mail from Winnipeg

April 7, 2008 — The Transfers Trap

I enjoyed your article in this morning’s Winnipeg Free Press titled “The Transfers Trap”. I think this is a very valid, important issue that Manitobans need to understand. However, I think the average Manitoban has very little understanding of this issue and all of the issues surrounding it. This article was written assuming a high level of education on this issue, which I think is lacking. Please continue to talk about this but I would suggest keeping it as simple as possible in future articles as it is a hard one to understand. I think you would then reach a larger audience. This is so important it would be nice if the average Manitoban understood what was really going on. - E-mail from Winnipeg

March 14, 2008 — Global temperature cooling

When I was an undergrad, global cooling was the mantra I was taught. The environmental catastrophe is upon us, etc., etc. E-mail from Calgary

February 19, 2008 — Which Best Helps the Poor?

Great work. Enjoyed David Pankratz's brief on the issue of minimum wage as well as your op-ed. It is great seeing that level of information provided and hopefully serves to educate the general public in the government's misdirected attempts to address poverty. E-mail from Winnipeg

March 24, 2008 — Temperatures dropping

Here in the Philippines, as petroleum products including LPG for cooking have become more expensive, some of our already abused mountains and forest lands have become totally denuded and deforested as more poor households are shifting to firewood and charcoal, so more and more trees are being cut. And the state's Environment bureaucrats are nowhere to be seen stopping these large-scale cutting of trees by tens of thousands of poor people. The bureaucrats are holed up in their air-conditioned offices, or attending meetings and conferences on climate change. - E-mail from the Phillippines

February 28, 2008 — First Nations Pathologies Can't be Solved with More Government Money

I just wanted to commend you on your couragous article in the Star Phoenix this morning concerning the death of two children on the Yellow Creek reserve. I say courageous because to state this kind of truth for the record and publicly in our current political climate takes true grit and strength of character. I am not in the habit of looking writers up on the internet but I really felt compelled to comment on an article that stated the harsh truth but without disrespect and contempt. Keep up the good work. I hope it will make a difference. - Anne-Marie Hughes,
letter to editor, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

February 21, 2008 — Eat Beef to Help the Environment

Cattle ranching is spreading like a virus across the planet, gobbling up our precious, ecologically diverse and carbon dioxide absorbing forests. It is no exaggeration to say that the expansion of ranching is a crisis that must be stopped, if life on Earth as we know it is to continue. Richard Brunt, Victoria

January 25, 2008 — Euro-Canada Consumer Health Index

Congratulations on your report. It is a major wake up call to Canadians. - Dr. Brian Day, President of the Canadian Medical Association

January 22, 2008 — Euro-Canada Consumer Health Index

Very professional and objective study. Congratulations. Dr. Jacques Chaoulli

January 25, 2008 — Euro-Canada Consumer Health Index

The ECCHI is a comprehensive and revealing report on the state of health care. I applaud everyone at FCPP who contributed to making Canada part of this important study. The results are rather shocking and upsetting for many Canadians but will be invaluable if they encourage a renewed interest in the evolution of our health system to a model that is responsive to the needs of an increasingly informed and empowered population.
Well Done! - Dr. Vaughan Glover (Pres and Founding Member of the Canadian Association for People-Centred Health)

January 8, 2008 — Our misplaced priorities . . .

In my view, the most important environmental issue facing the world today is the fact that one billion of the world's population lives on less than $1.00 a day. excerpt from letter by Andy Wells, Mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland Read entire letter

January 11, 2008 — Eat Beef to Help the Environment

Please congratulate Robert Supuck for his great article appearing in to-days National Post. It's too bad more of the so called environmentalists don't share his views. E-mail from Gerry Kaumeyer

January 17, 2008 — What Best Helps the Poor?

Bravo on your health care work and also on David Pankratz's research on tax policy and poverty! -E-mail from Winnipeg

January 14, 2008 — New Funding for Native Entrepreneurs Positive Move

Excellent article on a subject most Canadian have no knowledge. You might follow this up with one documenting the number of successful actions against organizations that do not follow proper procedure re terminating employees who have 'offended' someone of importance. E-mail from Manitoba

December 18, 2007 — Environmental Policy: More Science and Less Religion Please

After reading your headline, "More Science and Less Religion Please," I open the correspondence you send to find a quote by Chesterton, the author of Orthodoxy, and a story about the pope taking a swipe at the global warming crowd? LOL...Less religion please... LOL This is too funny! (Forgive me you guys, but I couldn't stop laughing when I saw how this was presented!)

As I am sure you know, Chesterton consistently and always referred to himself as an "Orthodox Christian," and is regarded by both religious liberals and religious conservatives as one of theirs. You have to admit that a "less religion please" headline, in an online newsletter with a Chesterton quote that supposedly affirms such a headline, followed by an article about of all people, the pope, has to make somebody laugh...

Keep up the good work. I love what you do; you do it well; but I do think you may want to rethink suggesting that science and religion are at odds... A whole lot of people, including many great scientific thinkers, would take exception to such an idea. More . . .

E-mail from Kevin Avram, Arizona

December 17, 2007 — Climate Change

In reading in one of your articles that noted the global-warming-warning are creating their own economy, I wondered "Has any reporter ever attempted to "follow the money?" "
It would be interesting to know who would get rich if certain "fixes" were put in place. For example, I hear politicians tell prairie farmers they will make money selling "carbon credits", and while I wonder how that is proposed to work some articles add there will be/is a special carbon credit exchange (is that sort of like a stock exchange) where the "credits" would be sold/traded, and later I read things like "Al Gore has ownership as an investor/founder of the exchange he's promoting". Will Al Gore make millions off the exchange he's promoting?Will he make more than the farmers ? How will the money get from the consumer to the manufacturing-industy to the farmer, and how much will the middle industries , like the "exchange owners" take? If governments are financially penalized for failing to meet quotas, how much of that money would go to the money grabber's in the middle, and how much will go back to consumers or farmers?
I'd be very interested in seeing someone do an article that would "follow the money", to put a new but relevant perspective on the debate. -Email from Saskatchewan

December 2, 2007 — 2007 LGPI

I was very pleased to download and review the above mentioned report. It was very good.

Accurate financial reporting is the main concern for municipalities. My experience in reviewing financial statements and other local government reports across the country reflects more bad reporting than acceptable data.
This is not good for democracy. More . . . E-mail from Ottawa

November 22, 2007 — How Urbanization Changes Environmental Policy

I enjoyed your article in Today’s Free Press. It was right on the mark! I appreciated your comments about clear cut logging and the subsequent forest regeneration and renewal.

Also, congratulations on your appointment to the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy. E-mail from Winnipeg

November 21, 2007 — Your Land is not Your Land

I just read Rolf Penner's op-ed in the National Post. Great stuff!
Please let me know if there's anything I can do to assist in helping Mr. Fouillard's cause or the Frontier Centre. I'm already on your mailing list and would like to get involved. E-mail from Ontario

November 21, 2007 — Your Land is not Your Land

You published an absolutely stunning article, let me congratulate you for choice of words and facts to support it.
I am sure it will serve as an eye opener for those who don't yet understand that they have no rights nor freedoms.
I'd be honoured to shake your hand one day!
E-mail from Ontario

October 27, 2007 — Window on Two Policy Models

The article in View from the West by David Seymour (Tale of two telcos, Oct. 24) confirms my opinion expressed several months ago about the sale of MTS by the "bad ship Tories". Seymour has facts not available to me that shows a government-run phone system cannot move fast enough to keep up with the changes in this rapidly changing business. Perhaps Gary Filmon and company recognized this and acted as a responsible government should and divested itself of a Crown corporation at a good time. The facts in Seymour's article show that the provincial government has benefited by this privatization. While I do not see anything wrong with Crown corporations, I do see the danger of government interference in their decisions. The imposed decision by Gary Doer to run the hydro line down the west side of the lake is a prime example of wrongheaded decision-making and interference in decisions best left to engineers, not politicians. George E. Poulter, Letter to Editor, Winnipeg Free Press

October 27, 2007 — Window on Two Policy Models

The article by David Seymour is full of the same platitudes that have become the standard fare of the Frontier Institute: i.e. that public ownership is bad, private ownership is good. He must be aware that there is still a lot of residual animosity to the corporation that MTS has become. But rather than acknowledging its problems he pushes on to attack what I hear is a well-run public utility. From my personal experience as a MTS customer, I can say very little that would support the notion that the new MTS is an improvement over the public version of the company. With poor communication about rates and nickel-diming customers for the slightest adjustment to hardware in the house, it comes across as a corporation that seeks to squeeze every bit of money it can from its customers. In my area near Stonewall, I have been asking for four years about getting high-speed Internet access, only to be told that my area needs new switching equipment or some other lame excuse. I'm 10 minutes from the Perimeter Highway. I'm sure that SaskTel may have its problems but please don't tell me that I'm better off with this big corporation. It just isn't so. William Pura, Letter to editor, Winnipeg Free Press

October 9, 2007 — SaskEd Measures Up

Sask Ed might be measuring achievement but at what cost? We in SK no longer use the reliable CTBS because it would show how our student's achievement has declined over time. Manitoba with its socialist government might have problems in education but ours is absolutely terrible itself with huge sums spent on the new huge school divisions with administrators falling over themselves to waste resources. E-mail from Saskatchewan

September 25, 2007 — Drug Dealers and Global Warming

I wouldn't claim to have assimilated all the information available, and I'm perfectly prepared to agree that the present global warming may be part of a natural trend. But to pretend that human activities over the past couple of centuries have had no effect at all on the situation is stubborn ignorance carried to criminal levels. Peter Lacey, Winnipeg

October 1, 2007 — Drug Dealers and Global Warming - Parallel Parables?

I read with interest several articles complied by your Centre on the present debate re: global warming & climate change. I am a retired scientist from Environment Canada and I hold a dissenting view of the present view of the science. I feel that the global warming science has not been well understood nor well explained by its proponents and especially by the environmental lobby.

In my view Global Warming & associated climate change would be beneficial to Canada , a cold country with large areas in western Canada having long wintry climate which can be stressful to human as well as plant life.

I enlcose a file of an article I published in the UK based Journal Energy & Environment in September 2006. My article entitled " India's economic progress in a changing climate: benefits of global warming!" documents how India and its 1.2 billion people have made economic progress by adapting to a warmer climate of the last fifty years.

I believe that a warmer future climate would be beneficial to Canada in terms of reduced house-heating cost for most Canadians, longer grain and vegetable growing season and a robust growth in forestry in western Canada.

Most Canadians ( retirees like myself) would welcome a warmer future Canada. In my opinion, the deleterious impact of global warming has been exaggerated by the environmental lobby.

- E-mail from Dr M L Khandekar, Unionville, Ontario

September 30, 2007 — Drug Dealers and Global Warming - Parallel Parables?

Continue with your campaign of attacking anyone and everyone who is concerned or wants action on global warming. Continue with your campaign of attacking science and scientists who want nothing more than their governments to STOP spending money to study the issue and start funding measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continue with these things, if you have no attachment to truth and honesty and God. - E-mail from Sean Morrisy, Winnipeg

September 15, 2007 — Poverty Policies Tend to Impoverish

Perhaps letter writer Andrew Bonner should have taken more than just a quick glance around the world when discussing the successes and failures of laissez-faire economics. Ironically, the letter writer lives in London, England, which is proving to be one of the great success stories of laissez-faire economics in the past quarter century. Through reduced regulation and an increased focus on attracting foreign investment, this centre has reversed its general decline and is now, arguably, the most important financial centre in the world and certainly in Europe. Yet another success story is a short plane trip away in Ireland, where economic growth rates have been among the highest in Europe for years, due in large part to low taxation and low government spending policies. Meanwhile, on the continent, in the so-called high-tax countries of France, Italy and Germany, economic growth has been stagnant, resulting in high unemployment and social discourse. Even Sweden, which is often cited by proponents of social welfare policies, has felt the rising pressures on its fiscal policies. In light of this, the people of Sweden recently elected a more fiscally conservative government, as did the French and Germans. It is incorrect to blindly state that the best way to alleviate poverty is the inefficient and wasteful social welfare systems currently in place in Canada and Manitoba. - Letter to editor, Winnipeg Free Press, Craig White, Winnipeg

September 13, 2007 — Poverty Policies Tend to Impoverish

If Holle prefers to live in a society in which the people's elected representatives can't intervene in the economy for the common good, he need not push it on us all. He could just move to Guatemala. - Letter to editor, Winnipeg Free Press, Andrew Bonner, London England

August 23, 2007 — Saving Lake Winnipeg with Better Public Policy

While you and your NDP friends have pushed Manitoba to being the number one hog province now growing at 15% per year, some of us know the real cost of cleaning up after your pork pals will be too little, too late. - Letter from Lake Winnipeg Cottager, Matlock, Manitoba

August 23, 2007 — Saving Lake Winnipeg with Better Public Policy

Great job outlining the issues in this aspect of the water quality management challenge. You have identified a significant problem with the use of blunt regulatory enforcement actions that are not accompanied by investments that will genuinely improve water quality. E-mail from rural Manitoba

July 22, 2007 — 10 Years of Toronto Amalgamation

Interesting analysis on the amalgamation of the cities in Toronto. I have observed this trend time and time again when the urge to merge is imposed on municipal councils and school boards. The cost of harmonizing union agreements grossly exceeds any potential administrative cost savings.

In addition, the elected Government becomes even more distant from their elected citizens and feel they can pursue policies that are not supported by typical residents.

Within Manitoba, we can observe the folly of this process as well. The Provincial Government encouraged and came close to forcing the amalgamation of school divisions across the province. These new mega divisions have experienced increased costs while the small school divisions that stayed out of the process have continued to provide leading results in educational outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Email from Manitoba

July 17, 2007 — Lower Rural Prices a Benefit

We are no where close the to the typical Toronto-based media portrayal of rural areas as being places of no jobs and no hope to earn a living. However, we are achieving this success in spite of, instead of because of, national and provincial public policies. Email from rural Manitoba

July 7, 2007 — CWB Price Premium Myth

Selling or marketing wheat is not about a belief system. Because you believe in the CWB system also does not mean there is more value in that system for all. Penner points out a simple fact and gives information to back it up. I don't have to believe in him to believe him. Posted comment on Agriville.com

June 26, 2007 — A Reserve in Turmoil

I'm from St. Theresa Point but have been living in Winnipeg for the past 20 years. Over the years, I have been hearing about the same things that Don Sandberg mentioned in the Free Press. My family has been asking me to move back but as I have five kids, and with the gang problem up there, I don't want to. It is as bad as Sandberg mentioned. The councillors have no idea how to handle things now that the kids are out of hand. I would like to thank Sandberg for letting people know how bad it can get on the reserve. But I'll always feel a little badly because I will no longer be going home. - Email from Winnipeg

June 18, 2007 — The CWB Pricing Premiun Myth

Thanks for your work and report, I hope you put it in every paper and bill board in CANADA. No wonder the Americans were taking the CWB to court for dumping CWB wheat into their country. E-mail from Saskatchewan

May 18, 2007 — Seinfeld Election

Peter Holle's May 16 column Policies ripe for picking gives the provincial government a viable improvement opportunity for our Manitoba health-care system. Holle suggests eliminating the conflict of interest caused by the fact that regional health authorities both fund and provide services. This practice serves to stifle growth and increase the cost of health-care services.

In a recent study conducted by the Catholic Health Association of Manitoba, funding to the independent Catholic-sponsored health-care organizations was shown to have increased by 28 per cent while the Manitoba health budget increased by 83 per cent over a 10-year period. This fits with Holle's comment that regional health authorities buy services from themselves, which results in raising their own prices, and adding layers of bureaucracy.

The members of the Interfaith Health Care Association encourage the provincial government to carefully study the need to eliminate the regional health authorities' conflict and separate the purchaser from the provider. Our independent, faith-sponsored members are on record with the provincial government as willing partners and collaborators and we could take on a more active role in providing purchased services for Manitobans. - Letter to editor, Winnipeg Free Press from PAM DRIEDGER,
The Interfaith Health Care Association, Gretna

May 10, 2007 — Our Green Dilettantes

At least someone is trying to raise the level of discussion to where it ought to be in what has so far been a dreadfully boring election campaign. Given the lack of imagination in any of the platforms, the ideas put forward by the Frontier Center have been nothing short of superb. I hope that one of the leaders will at the very least grab one or two of the ideas presented and take them as their own. So far it's been a "have not" election campaign in a province with perennial "have not" thinking. Good on you! E-mail from Winnipeg

May 9, 2007 — Our Green Dilettantes

What a great article. I am in complete agreement with you regarding our subsidized Hydro. I actually did not know until just a month ago that our rates were actually subsidized to BELOW delivery cost. That's just ridiculous! And the only companies we can expect to attract with that are companies with high electricity requirements, which means we lose even more money. I don't think Manitobans are actually aware of the details of this. E-mail from Manitoba

May 7, 2007 — Where Manitoba Stands in 2007

Just a note to compliment you on your latest piece about Manitoba's lack of real progress when compared to Alberta and Saskatchewan. You are completely bang on, and let me go so far as to suggest that this was your greatest comment piece ever - clear, to the point, and supported by undeniable facts - facts which should be the real indicators of change (vs the ones we always hear).

The NDP's big government, program-focused thinking is certainly a big part of the problem, but the PCs certainly had their blunders in health care and to Doer's credit, I think his focus on the energy sector (hydro, wind, and biofuel) is going to be eventually seen as visionary some day, especially the wind stuff.

Anyway, I think your piece points to the need for a real vision of where Manitoba wants to go - and the resulting plan of what we need to do to make it happen. Maybe all Manitobans need to be asked to think long and hard about their futures in this province (and about what they are willing to do to achieve their goals); maybe then we will find the Spirited Energy. E-mail from Winnipeg

April 22, 2007 — A common sense look at pollution

I enjoyed the opinion that Robert D. Sopuck presented mainly on waste not, want not as a major means of reducing pollution. He takes a very common sense, middle ground stance and exposes the views of both extremes for what they are -- emotional rhetoric. The only thing I would add is how the "David Suzukis and Al Gores" have a vested interest in promoting how our planet Earth is going to "hell in a hand basket" what with climate change and loss of species. If they were to indicate satisfaction with what society is doing, how would they attract the millions of dollars to their foundations?

Sopuck certainly knows how people react in developed countries when he states they want it both ways. Recent polls indicated the environment is the biggest concern. But when asked what they might do to reduce pollution, most of those same people did not feel the onus should fall on them. That was up to big business, government and others. Then, as a put-down to "deep ecologists" ideology, Sopuck suggests governments help business and individuals through legislation and incentives.

As a landowner who is interested in doing things right for the environment and society, I would react more favourably to the carrot. Like most landowners, I am a good steward and feel regulations are offensive and regressive. Best of all, the "deep ecologist" has lost control over me to exact "their urge to save humanity which is often a false front for the urge to rule it." What the Earth needs now are more people like Sopuck, not fearmongers. - Ken Wasmuth, Wainwright, Alberta

April 16, 2007 — Polar Bear as Poster Animal

We view the actions of the petitioners (Greenpeace, the Centre for Biological Diversity and the Natural Resources Defense Council) as being for purely political and fundraising purposes. We have pointed out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife services that the petitioners in no way speak on behalf of the rights and interests of Inuit. - Letter to the Editor - National Post, Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

April 5, 2007 — Climate Change in the Recent Past

I happen to agree with you guys on this however, I keep looking over my shoulder to see if I'm being followed by the Global Warming Greenhouse Gas Policia/Brownshirts wondering if I'm going to be apprehended and shot at sunrise. Once this stuff becomes religion as GW/CC stuff has - look out. Al Gore can get away with his $20,000 monthly energy bill because he recants (and says he's trying to solve his problem when really he doesn't give a s...) whereas those of us who feel like fighting... Well, you know what happened when the Catholic Church discovered heretics who refused to recant - especially when they had a bunch of firewood nearby... E-mail from Winnipeg

February 13, 2007 — Monopoly Insurance: Unfair at Any Price

These days, insurance is a significant expense. In exchange for our money, we expect to have access to this coverage when we need it. What we have seen elsewhere in Canada is a growing public anger among people who fork out insurance fees but then are afraid to access their coverage for fear of surcharges.
Manitoba Public Insurance provides comprehensive insurance coverage that people are not afraid to access because MPI does not penalize them for doing so. MPI only surcharges when they are responsible for a crash. Private insurers penalize customers for accessing coverage whether they were at fault or not. --
MPI President and CEO Marilyn McLaren

Mark Milke responds: Ontarians can sue for pain and suffering and if they don't like their accident payout. That's why Ontario has higher average premiums. In contrast, Manitoba consumers must simply accept their MPI payouts and tough luck if one doesn't agree. . . .Given that Manitoba's average claim cost is about 17% that of Ontario's while its average premium is about 70% of Ontario's, and given that Manitoba's urban density is less than that in Ontario or Alberta, MPI's insurance prices and coverage are no bargain.

Full text of exchange

February 12, 2007 — Cheaper Car Insurance?

Dennis Owens is either a comedian, a cynic, or both. The senior policy analyst for the ideologically axe-grinding organization known as the Frontier Centre for Public Policy actually wrote this sentence: "Milke calls for a return to competitive markets in auto insurance, and cautions the press to be more skeptical about information fed them by people with ideological axes to grind."
Apparently, the caution goes unheeded as the press continues to treat the FCPP as if it weren't a front for "corporatocracy" which issues a steady stream of disinformation based on predetermined "research" by compromised "scholars" happy to steer their studies towards conclusions that suit their masters: government is bad, climate change is scientifically controversial, the market is magical. - JEFF PRESSLAFF in Winnipeg

February 10, 2007 — Cheaper Government Auto Insurance?

I was always under the faulty impression that our provincial autopac program brought in car insurance so much cheaper than what was paid in other provinces. I found [the] article very informative -- like a fine wine, [the writer] just gets better with age. E-mail from Portage la Prairie

February 9, 2006 — Cheaper Car Insurance?

If you really want to illustrate the price we pay for Autopac’s monopoly, I’d suggest you do a cross-country comparison of motorcycle insurance premiums similar to the one you did for car insurance. What we pay here is outrageous, and we average a 15% yearly increase. The PUB agrees, stating that Autopac’s method of calculating motorcyclists’ financial obligation is grossly unfair. Still no change though. E-mail from Winnipeg

February 9, 2007 — Cheaper Car Insurance?

Thank you for bringing this out in the open! I am unhappy with the no-fault clause. As it stands the person who is not at fault becomes the victim especially if that person is retired, and thus does not suffer loss of wages but may suffer long time hardships as a result of injuries. Please continue to inform your readers.
Thanks E-mail from Winnipeg

January 14, 2007 — Indian Smoking Debate

Just wanted to thank you for the honesty and wisdom you presented in the article of Jan 13th in the WFP. I wish there were more of your people who would also address and own up to these real and disturbing issues.

Nothing will change unless aboriginal peoples learn to help themselves and realize monetary promises will not make the change. Everyone needs to be educated and work for a living to earn respect and be responsible for themselves and their families.

I do hope Grand Chief Don Evans read your article albeit I am sure he disagrees with you.

Thanks again and I wish you much success in seeking positive change for your people. E-mail from Winnipeg

December 17, 2006 — Does the Wheat Board make more profit for farmers?

I hauled my 06 barley crop 3miles west to my neighbour's small feedlot. He called in yesterday with a cheque. Priced at market -no dockage - no deductions. Another neighbour had his 05 barley accepted for malt. He is still waiting for final payment from the CWB. As well he has paid trucking to Pioneer Whitewood, had dockage and all relevant charges deducted.

My 05 barley was sold to a local feedlot. Priced FOB my yard and I got paid in full for every pound of grain in the bin on the day it was picked up. My neighbour was over for coffee the other day and we calculated that my feed barley sale beat his CWB Malt barley by about .50 cents per bus. He is not a happy farmer. I am not entirely happy either as my barley price is based on a domestic sales only barley market. I can't export barley so the price is therefore influenced by the CWB monopoly.

The point is there are hundreds of markets for grain if one wants to be bothered looking around. The other point is the CWB costs farmer millions of dollars every year.

I'm not neccesarily smarter that my good neighbour. He had faith in the CWB marketing system. I found a better one. - Email from Keith Lewis, Saskatchewan

December 15, 2006 — Does the Wheat Board make more profit for farmers?

I respect your right to disagree with the CWB, in a democracy freedom of speech is a right of all: however you think your rights are being denied. Do you understand how a democracy works, the majority rules and not the minority. Speaking of rights, do you agree with the government's gag order on the CWB, talk about denying a fundamental freedom (freedom of speech).

In an interview you said you could make more tens of thousands of dollars more each year if there was no CWB. PROVE IT. It is easy to make statements but can you back it up or are you just making up numbers to get sympathy. Tell me the name or names of the grain companies who will give you these extra tens of thousands of dollars every year. Give me there names and I will contact them so I can verify your claim.

If you can prove this then maybe you are right about dismantling the CWB, but if you can't back up your statement I would ask you to please apologize for making up the story.

I await your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Andy Schewe

Rolf Penner responds . . .

December 8, 2006 — 10 “Smart Green” Ideas for Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Except for the part about nuclear energy, I cannot understand why Mr. Holle is not a member of and a candidate for the Green Party.

As for nuclear power the big problem is not just the risk of an accident or disposal of spent fuel but what do we do with power plants that have reached the end of their life. Already there are millions of barrels full of the radio-active remains of such plants spread all over the world. Since these barrels include highly radio-active elements with half lives in the thousands of years, we have to ask who is going to keep them safe and secure over those many thousands of years? Currently most of these barrels are out in the open rusting away. How much is it going to cost to repackage and keep them secure for thousands of years, if it even gets done? This is the real cost of nuclear power. I believe that if this very real cost were to be paid now and not laid upon future generations the cost of electricity from nuclear power could well be hundreds of times, maybe even thousands of times, that which consumers are now paying.--
E-mail from Nick Burman, Calgary

November 14, 2006 — Phil, You're Wrong . . .

DON SANDBERG writes 'Their people are afraid to invest $20,000 or $30,000 in a reserve-based business, only to see it shut down by the band council for petty political reasons.'
And so they should be afraid to invest. This article passes a smell test that the old 'Give me more money' argument does not pass.
Thanks Don for showing some insight and leadership. - Reader comment in Globe and Mail

October 28, 2006 — In the Fire at Ground Zero

Upon reading Friday's October 27th [Winnipeg Free Press]article about "Fast-moving arson fire kills 4 firefighters in California" I was reminded of a closer to home excellent article written by Don Sandberg. At the time I was most impressed because Mr. Sandberg's August 31, 2006 article, "In the fire at Ground Zero," so clearly wrote of tremendous dangers
presented to all Ground Zero firefighters and especially initial attack crews. His article made me aware of the necessity of men with superior decision-making skills and the courage to follow through in the face of nature's vicious unpredictability. These workers are definitely the strong and the brave in the face of a
ferocious enemy. Unsung heroes the lot of them and Mr. Sandberg showed so vividly their dangerous occupation. I hope they get well paid for their efforts! Thank you for printing a much needed article about workers outside the perimeter.E-Mail from Joan Pawlikewich, Winnipeg

October 27, 2006 — High Performance Winnipeg?

Peter Holle urged Winnipeggers to envision our city in 2011 as one operating on a "competitive model", relying on "advanced measurement techniques" and "eliminating bureaucracy". Coupled with performance bonuses, customer service surveys and public-private partnerships, Holle's vision is a dream for free-market policy wonks who live for technocratic efficiency. Sadly, his vision would be a dystopia for regular Winnipeggers.

What Holle doesn't spell out is that his ideas would further widen the gap between the rich and poor in our city. Privatizing municipal services and contracting out would further weaken the quality of services we receive while simultaneously eroding the living standards of unionized workers. Performance bonuses for police would increase the ruthlessness of a service already plagued by criticisms of abuse of power and racism. An ethic of care and community would be replaced by one of self-serving egoism and "devil-take-the-hindmost". Maybe instead of having one in four Winnipeg children grow up in poverty, we could aim for one in two. Finally, instead of ideas of participatory municipal citizenship, Holle offers up an emaciated view of Winnipeggers as consumers shopping for services from an administrative "board of directors" (i.e. city hall).

It may be a "confident and cool" city for those with the cash, but for many it would simply be perilous and cold. Sorry, Mr. Holle, but your high-performance Winnipeg sends shivers down my spine.

E-mail from PATRICK MCGUIRE in Winnipeg

October 24, 2006 — A Conversation with Markus Buchart

Wood remains much cheaper than over-priced hydro, which we paid to build. Business gets hydro for as low as 2.5 cents, we pay 6.015 cents. How much do they sell our surplus for? All you want is more government revenue, to spend on things you have
not yet invented, I think you call them "programs." The best ad hocs for reducing power come from private affairs, [with] 90% reductions from the florescent light bulb and solid-state devices, all of which not one socialist policy ever encouraged. Manitoba Hydro's debt is about $6.8 billion, yet it "makes a profit." Odd. Please research and list this investment debt. Your article is written short.E-mail from Stan, Manitoba

October 22, 2006 — The Wheat Board: To Vote or Not to Vote

Your conclusions re: the proposal that farmers should decide by plebiscite the future of the CWB monopoly are by and large correct.
The supporters of the CWB and its monopoly want a vote because, with help from the CWB, SARM, KAP APAS and the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments, they are pretty sure they might win it. And derail the Conservative government's promise to implement choice.
The pro-choice folks don't want a vote because there is a risk they might lose it. And lose an opportunity to bring about change via the political process that has largely been without precedent.
The idea that a so-called majority of farmers can by plebiscite determine how the minority of farmers market their wheat and barley is simply ridiculous. Farmers on both sides of the debate, whether they acknowledge it or not, have quietly been making decisions on thier farms. To grow other crops, to increase livestock, to add enterprises, to generate other income, which all add up to reducing or eliminating their relationship with the CWB. In other words they are using their daily farming decisions to cast a vote in favor of choice.
If the CWB were eliminated tommorrow, most farmers would adapt in twenty-four hours. Many wouldn't even notice.
-E-mail from Keith Lewis, Wawota, Saskatchewan

October 9, 2006 — Telecommuting Trumps the Planners

Your comments on telecommuting and its impact on urban development were very interesting. Personally, I have been telecommuting in my work since 1997. In the 1990’s, my location options were limited to urban areas. Since 2000, my options expanded to include rural communities. In 2001, I managed a $400,000 contract in the Caribbean when I was located in a medium-sized rural community in Manitoba. Today, I live on a farm, and I can enjoy all the communication capacity that I could have located in the centre of Winnipeg. In the business world, I am as connected here as I would be living in downtown Toronto. Why would I give up the fresh air, the space and most importantly, the personal safety of my present situation to live in central Winnipeg? More and more, people are going to get out of this hostile environment and choose to live in safe rural communities where they can participate in the knowledge economy. - E-mail from rural Manitoba

October 8, 2006 — Rethinking "power at cost" . . .

Excellent email. Keep up the excellent work. I just hope this material will at some point show up more in policy in this province. E-mail from Winnipeg

September 25, 2006 — Death by Design

Winnipeg is unique in North America for a city its size in having no true freeways and has to rely on its arterial street system to do "dual duty".

You may already be aware of this but in case you aren't - the " no freeways in Winnipeg" policy was established by City Council in 1974 and has never been rescinded.

As a result, all transportation planning in Winnipeg since that time has been hamstrung.

While a few "freeway-like" facilities were built e.g, Bishop Grandin Blvd, Chief Peguis Trail, Charleswood Parkway, Route 90, all have at grade traffic signal control at the majority of their intersections and, as a result, all now have significant congestion at most of these intersections during peak traffic periods.

Winnipeg has been able to somewhat "manage" the situation up until now because of its relatively low growth rate over the last 30 years compared to cities like Calgary and Edmonton. However, with new residential areas such as Waverley West and Sage Creek coming on stream over the next 10-20 years there will be major challenges ahead for arterial streets such as Lagimodiere, Bishop Grandin and Route 90 to be able to accommodate the resulting traffic.

E-mail from Winnipeg

August 31, 2006 — In the Fire at Ground Zero

I have had the honour of being acquainted with many former firefighters. The stories they have had to tell were eye-opening, to say the least. Many men who were homeless at the time I met them wanted the non-aboriginal peoples to know that they had contributed many years to working hard in Manitoba, be they pilots in remote communities, or firefighters. Your article certainly will aid in informing the general public of the respect and understanding deserved to those who have served Manitobans in the past, and those who continue to risk their lives to serve all of us now. E-mail from Diana Robbins, Winnipeg

Read Ms. Robbins’ entire letter . . .

July 27, 2006 — Deal or No Deal?

Very well done on both the WTO and the CWB issues. You are bang on, on both. The WTO stuff is a real mess. Canadian agriculture is going to get sideswiped in a trade war that is already beginning. It is going to get rather ugly. E-mail from Winnipeg

July 7, 2006 — A Phony Study deludes . . .

Rolf Penner criticized Environmental Defence in his Free Press article regarding its publication "Polluted Children, Toxic Nation". In particular he described as "despicable" ED's report that childhood cancer in the US has increased by 21%. This Mr. Penner finds this a twisted statistic since childhood mortality from cancer (as stated in the same US report) has decreased by almost 50% in the same period, and this statistic was not in ED's report.

Does Mr. Penner, therefore, believe that it is OK to get cancer ("a painful and deadly childhood affliction") as long as the cure rate approaches some reasonable number that satisfies the Frontier Centre's statistical targets?

As long as children (and any other people) are getting cancer at higher rates, and as long as the cure rate is less than 100%, there is still plenty of pain and death to go around. E-Mail from C. Hugh Arklie, Winnipeg

July 6, 2006 — Aboriginal Governance Index

You and your colleagues are to be congratulated for the historic and heroic measurement of Band performance. My experience has been that the things that are measured get managed and your study, in my opinion, will be looked back at as the key turning point in the process of solving the problem of how first nations institutions fail first nations people. - Email from Michael Walker, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute

June 20, 2006 — Grand Chief Ron Evans' responds to the Aboriginal Governance Index, and the Frontier Centre replies.

It is our position that this report clearly demonstrates an absolute lack of respect for the First Nations leadership by choosing not to discuss the purpose of the methodology of this research with any First Nations leaders or organizations beforehand to ensure that appropriate protocols would be followed or that useful questions would be asked. -Letter from Grand Chief Ron Evans

June 24, 2006 — Pesticides are Designed to Kill Life

This is so vacuous it’s hilarious. Thanks for the smile!!! - Alex Avery, Director of Research, Center for Global Food Issues, Hudson Institute, Washington D.C.

June 1, 2006 — Harper Panders on Trade

I just read your May 19 article in the Saskatoon Star phoenix, Harper sacrifices Canada’s farmers for political gain.. I agree wholeheartedly with your position and assessment of the Canadian negotiating position at WTO.

One item you should consider, this is not the first time the Canadian intransigence on sensitive products has stalled negotiations. In the Hong Kong ministerial meeting in Dec. ’05, the Dec. 17 draft position paper included a formula for tariff reduction of sensitive products tied to the amount of increased in quota access. After the final late night negotiations and direct orders from the PMO, the formula was removed from the final text of Dec. 18. If Canada had not pulled the agreement off the table in Dec. there would have been a far more significant result from the Hong Kong meeting and much more progress would have been made on entire trade deal since then, but instead there has been no progress what so ever and Canada is maintaining an intransigent position.

The same applies the CWB. Crawford Falconer, the chair of the Ag committee at the WTO as put out 2 position papers in May, both including an option to end the monopoly of state trading enterprises. He has left the door wide open for Canada to just walk through, he has pointed to the open door, he has given directions to the open door, he has begged, and Canada has done nothing. It defies comprehension. - E-mail from Doug McBain, Past President, Western Barley Growers Association

May 22, 2006 — Manitoba's Water Protection Act: Regulate First, Ask Questions Later

The Frontier Centre has also been quite vocal about this issue and we also owe them an expression of gratitude for investing their funds and time to research the science and policy options related to this issue. It is thanks to them that we gained the benefit of hearing the insights of leading scientists like Dr. Andrew Sharpley on this issue. They too have taken steps to ensure the urban audience is informed about this topic by publishing articles in the Free Press and conducting media interviews on radio stations such as CJRB and CBC. In my opinion, the Frontier Centre really lived up to its mission on this topic by providing an independent perspective on this public policy issue and ensuring people are informed about the facts and better alternatives. E-mail from Manitoba

April 24, 2006 — Winnipeg's History of Money Bylaws

Thank you for your article. Your website was also very helpful with both the adapted report version and the listing of bylaws from 1899 to 1968. E-mail from Gary McEwen, Winnipeg

April 13, 2006 — Manitoba's Water Regulations-Regulate First, Ask Questions Later

Well done on this – it is good information and extremely timely. E-mail from Winnipeg

April 13, 2006 — Manitoba's Water Regulations-Regulate First, Ask Questions Later

Well done on this – it is good information and extremely timely. E-mail from Winnipeg

March 28, 2006 — Phoenix Rising in Calgary?

I read your article in the Calgary Herald and was impressed with the explanation of ideas which could work in Calgary. We often ask what is a defining feature of Canadians. I think one is that whenever good ideas are put forward in Canada there seems to be a primeval need to show all the reasons why the idea wouldn't work, or ignore it totally. Email from Calgary

March 20, 2006 — Phoenix Rising in Calgary?

Your article is wonderful in its clarity of how things work and the devastation such preferences can create. Not all of Calgary’s aldermanic candidates are like the one we know. I have had some pretty creative talks with others and come away enlightened and unburdened. However, unfortunately, they do not represent the area I live in.

I would also like to thank you for being so up front with your information. In this day and age one hears about being “politically correct,” which is really just a means of shutting up anyone in disagreement and who openly opposes what is being proposed. E-mail from Calgary

March 19, 2006 — Phoenix Rising in Calgary?

May I offer you my hearty congratulations on producing such a superbly-written article, which I have just read in today’s Calgary Herald. It hits just about every nail fairly and squarely right on the head.

What would not work here in Calgary, however, is the notion of a “no-layoff” policy, as the levels of Municipal employment here are already way above any acceptable figures. Substantial City employee “surgery” would be necessary here, right from square one. E-mail from Calgary

February 1, 2006 — New Government in Ottawa Means Hope for First Nations

Mr. Sandberg,
Just wanted to offer my support and agreement in regard to recent articles you have written for the Free Press pertaining to aboriginal policy.

Two weeks ago I walked out of my job at INAC in the MB region, in large part for many of the reasons you have so eloquently stated in your articles. I could not stomach this system any longer. This was precipitated by a meeting I had with my manager the day before where I was delivered an edict to "reign myself in and check my philosophical differences at the door". In other words fall into line, keep your mouth shut and we don't want to hear any more of your ideas or potential solutions. I found this disgusting enough to make the following day my last as an INAC employee and probably the end of my 8-year career with the federal government--all in aboriginal-related positions.

Yesterday I had an opportunity to visit a First Nation that I have not been to in 15 or 16 years and was not surprised to see that things were basically running as inefficiently as when I was last there and very little in the way of positive change had occurred especially in regard to socio-economic conditions. I blame the "system" for this lack of change. Given my experience working for regional and national aboriginal organizations, as well as three federal departments (in Winnipeg and Ottawa) in aboriginal portfolios and have come to the conclusion that your opinions are right on the mark. Keep up the good work and continue to fight the good fight!--E-mail from Winnipeg

January 20, 2006 — Interview with Dr. Mark Godley

Dr. Godley was fantastic! I think it was one of the best lunches I've been to. On a somewhat related note, some of the questions were around poaching of staff. My sister just graduated from Radiation Therapy. It's not MRI, but still somewhat related. She has to leave Manitoba to get a job because there are none here. Minister Sale keeps saying that they're understaffed and clinics like Dr. Godley's are making it worse by stealing staff. Yet all eight of the graduates from my sister's program have to leave Manitoba to find jobs. So our taxes are paying to train them, but because there's no jobs, they're leaving and going to work in other provinces while the government claims they're understaffed. Meanwhile, my sister says that cancer care is OVERSTAFFED for the equipment they have and they could run just as well, if not better, with half the staff... not because there's no demand, there's HUGE demand, but because there's a small, limited amount of equipment. - E-mail from Winnipeg

January 17, 2006 — On supply management . . .

Our opinions regarding trade barriers and subsidies have been shouted down at so many meetings over the years, that we don't have the heart to get involved in this type of debate anymore. Continued . . .

January 11, 2006 — Organic farmers sowing fear?

How disappointing to read that you invited Alex Avery to bring his opinions to Winnipeg. After looking at your website, I am surprised and deeply disturbed that you can pretend to be doing something good.

I wonder, do you have children? Do you plan on ever having grandchildren? What sort of world are they going to inherit?

Organic farming must be taking a bite out of someone's market share.

E-mail from Glenda Whiteman, Concerned Residents of Winnipeg, Inc

November 28, 2005 — High-Performance Cities show Calgary a Better Path

Peter Holle's column should be required reading for every taxpayer. The Washington Monument syndrome he describes was evident in just about every statement I heard by Mayor Dave Bronconnier during the debate. This was one of the most articulate commentaries I have read on the need for municipal government reform, and not just in Calgary. I hope we can look forward to more articles like it that not only help to
identify root problems, but also offer practical suggestions for change for any leader bold enough to embrace them. - Stephen Pardy, Calgary

November 21, 2005 — Natural Gas Price Relief Ridiculed by Schreyer

"Peter Holle, president of the Frontier Centre, a private think tank most people would assume promotes free enterprise, opposes the NDP's natural gas program because it's not socialist enough. - Blog post from the Black Rod

Read the Black Rod Post here

Read our response . . .

November 18, 2005 — The True Cost of Fixing Natural Gas Prices

I just about fell out of my chair when I saw this the other day. Hydro is nothing more then a political tool being used by the government of the day. SELL IT before they completely destroy it! If I was Bob Brennan I would resign over this. - E-mail from Winnipeg

November 16, 2005 — The True Cost of Fixing Natural Gas Prices

Great publicity of the stupidity of subsidizing natural gas prices. - E-mail from Winnipeg

November 7, 2005 — Edmonton's High-Performance Public Schools

It's always flattering to learn that the neighbours are paying attention to you; however, Peter Holle's Oct. 30 column, “Edmonton lets principals run schools -- and it works,” comparing Edmonton Public and Winnipeg Public schools, does neither system a favour by undermining confidence in the performance of public schools and advocating for increased standardized testing. Letter to the Editor, Winnipeg Free Press

October 13, 2005 — An Environmental Policy for the 21st Century

I have just reviewed your paper on Smart and Green principles. I want to congratulate you for crafting such a thoughtful and intellectually-rigorous document. E-mail from Manitoba

October 12, 2005 — Smart and Green

Great article in Free Press re: "environment". You changed my perspective. E-mail from John Doole, Winnipeg

September 28, 2005 — Incentives or Regulations

The solutions for addressing sustainable rural development issues do not reside in urban ideals and utopian fantasies about how the countryside should be managed. The solution exists in the minds of the people who live and co-exist with our environment in rural areas. These people are the ones seeking to build a better future for their offspring, and they are best positioned to safeguard our future, not some urban idealist who has no clue about how the real world works. E-mail from Turtle Mountain, Manitoba

September 27, 2005 — Quebec's Margarine Madness

Good story on the ineptness of Quebec in dealing with margarine. Something about that place - free trade but only if it benefits us, equalization - but only if it benefits us. Please, please get off the pot and separate. - E-mail from Winnipeg

September 14, 2005 — Living in Interesting Energy Times

I continue to agree with your call for Manitoba to move toward market prices for electricity. This is a sensible policy that is endorsed internationally and I agree that it will accelerate efforts at conservation and alternative energy investment in the province.

I still wish you would not talk about the windfall from energy falling into government hands on a continuing basis. You are falling for the big gov argument that this windfall is theirs.

As an alternative, privatize Manitoba Hydro and give all of its shares to the current consumers. They will be the ones to feel the pain of increased costs and they will also be the ones to experience the increase income from converting Hydro for a cost-based utility to a profit maximizing company. This is the route to increasing public acceptance of your policy prescription.

If government wants to “harvest” the benefits of this increased wealth, they have lots of instruments through sales taxes, income taxes etc. to recover this wealth.

In the mean time, you have put money in the hands of private individuals and have gotten government out of the equation. That is the method to create real wealth and convert Manitoba to a have province.

Raising rates to commercial rates and leaving the windfall in government hands is a sure way of perpetuating our perversely inefficient system. - E-mail from Manitoba

August 26, 2005 — A Year of Zero Tax Reductions

We have operated a small newspaper in a small town in Saskatchewan since 1969. Through that time I can honestly look back, and provide proof, that governments and taxes have been the worst enemy of my business the entire time. Rather than this situation improving, it has become more critical and is today a threat to the continued service of the business to the community.

Further, we are one of the few businesses and individuals that are
subjected to ALL tax laws and NO refunds, rebates, subsidies or deductions. I have tried to explain this at public political meetings, the local town councils and the local school division boards but as I look around the room I find I am the only one who could possibly comprehend the situation. Farmers, government employees, union members, seasonal workers who collect unemployment insurance, welfare families, new Canadians, etc.

Then there's myself who goes to work every day, makes just enough money so he doesn't qualify for anything - GST refunds, student loans for his children, tax refunds for medical bills, fuel subsidies, etc. etc. - even our MLA and our MP do not understand the situation because they are both farmers. I started to work at this business in 1959 when I was 12 years old and was forced by the government to pay unemployment insurance. My employer contact the UI dept. and was told that I could not collect any UI until I was sixteen years old but I still had to pay into the system. I am trying real hard not be a whiner, but at 58 years old, I am getting real tired of my monthly income disappearing at an increasing rate every year and watching governments become more inefficient.

This is not the way to build a happy, efficient work force in Canada,
Saskatchewan, or in our little community.

E-mail from Saskatchewan

August 25, 2005 — Does PM Want to End Native Poverty?

Dear Mr. Sandberg:

I have to say, kudos to you for being so honest regarding the new ideas by the Liberals to pour money down the drain.

I used to work as a probation officer and I saw first hand how money is abused. Your right, the money gets to the reserves and the leaders spend it on themselves, their family and friends and everyone else suffers. It made me sick to my stomach and I was so glad when Robert Nault was trying to change things... then it all collapsed and my hope for accountability was gone because I agree with you 100%, the leaders are the reason their communities are poor.

It just made me ill.... and if someone was doing their job i.e. keeping in budget and had money in their account, the leaders help themselves to it without asking.

I am currently at another reserve and its very similar, the Chief is always gone (in the cities, hanging at the fancy restraints, casinos, bars) while the community is left to deal with whatever misfortunate is going on i.e. sexual assaults, spousal assaults (all deemed as every day regular occurrences and don't warrant the chiefs presence) he may show up for a suicide if its a friend or relative.

I have worked in the correctional system, the court system and its all the same, its everybody else's fault, never those that are actually accountable "the leaders of their communities", we cannot heal other peoples back yards, they have to do it themselves and your right, money is not the answer, unless it is used for its intent over a long period of time.

Anyway, I am always angry when I hear so much about how the white man does this and that and its their fault because what I have seen, is this: The white man isn't around to abuse anymore, natives are harming each other, they are full of hate, jealousy and negativity because their leaders aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing, taking care of their issues and their people.

So, what can we do about it? E-mail from Manitoba

August 25, 2005 — Does PM Want to End Native Poverty?

Dear Mr. Sandberg: I have to say, kudos to you for being so honest regarding the new ideas by the Liberals to pour money down the drain.

I used to work as a probation officer and I saw first hand how money is abused. Your right, the money gets to the reserves and the leaders spend it on themselves, their family and friends and everyone else suffers. It made me sick to my stomach and I was so glad when Robert Nault was trying to change things... then it all collapsed and my hope for accountability was gone because I agree with you 100%, the leaders are the reason their communities are poor.

It just made me ill.... and if someone was doing their job i.e. keeping in budget and had money in their account, the leaders help themselves to it without asking.

I am currently at another reserve and its very similar, the Chief is always gone (in the cities, hanging at the fancy restraints, casinos, bars) while the community is left to deal with whatever misfortunate is going on i.e. sexual assaults, spousal assaults (all deemed as every day regular occurrences and don't warrant the chiefs presence) he may show up for a suicide if its a friend or relative.

I have worked in the correctional system, the court system and its all the same, its everybody else's fault, never those that are actually accountable "the leaders of their communities", we cannot heal other peoples back yards, they have to do it themselves and your right, money is not the answer, unless it is used for its intent over a long period of time.

Anyway, I am always angry when I hear so much about how the white man does this and that and its their fault because what I have seen, is this: The white man isn't around to abuse anymore, natives are harming each other, they are full of hate, jealousy and negativity because their leaders aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing, taking care of their issues and their people.

So, what can we do about it? E-mail from Manitoba

August 25, 2005 — Does PM Want to End Native Poverty?

I read your article in the Winnipeg Free Press today and I must say I agree with most of it. Cow-towing to the corrupt aboriginal elite does nothing for the rank and file, and is in the end, nothing but low-life politics. Clearly the status quo is not acceptable, changes need to be made, and people made accountable. It will take a courageous leader to do this, and hopefully one will emerge. It would be helpful if it came from the aboriginal population itself... E-mail from Manitoba

August 18, 2005 — What do you people think of Stephen Harper's idea of giving people a tax credit to take the bus? E-mail from W Borkowski, Tyndall, Manitoba

It's not a new idea or a bad one. It addresses one of Frontier's three themes of high performance public policy - neutrality. Automobiles and parking fees are a recognized expense for tax purposes - it is not unreasonable to hold the same for transit passes.

Mass transit remains a declining transport mode as urban areas disperse naturally due to rising incomes and changing living, work and shopping patterns. The internet allows many to work from home. Companies locate their facilities on less expensive suburban land away from bus routes. We don't find cheap and convenient big box stores on expensive downtown land. Thus, less so in the most congested cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, transit will continue to decline and a small tax writeoff will make little difference.

Mr. Harper might get more traction by offering to simply transfer gas tax revenues to the provinces and allowing them to make their own choices. Ontario and B.C. might then choose to put the monies disproportionately into mass transit infrastructure. For places like Manitoba and other small provinces the money would go into under capitalized road systems that need upgrading and repair.

August 14, 2005 — Shrink Waiting Lists the British Way

The Canadian Way is to simply eliminate the patients ... like Mr. Kelly in the recent BCTV story.

Note that the spokesman for our Circus Maximus public health administration said nothing to BCTV about objective, measurable STANDARDS for public health in Canada, the standards which would have saved Mr. Kelly's life and other lives.

Prime Minister Martin has NO commitment to such standards. Ask him. -E mail from B.C.

August 14, 2005 — Shrink Waiting Lists the British Way

With reference to the UK medical system, there is a real crisis at the moment, the same one as here - most of our promising medical students, and theirs, want to specialize and thus progress into Residency. This results in a lack of GPs and how sad it is that a GP is almost looked upon as being "bottom of the pile," these days, prestige wise.Really sad to say, but very few patients have a GP who actually "knows them" and how they tick. At walk in clinics you are liable to get a different doctor each time. The other problem is, and this is the one the UK faces, there is not enough room in the hospitals for all the Specialists. They cannot get "hospital time," as it is called. Many doctors in the UK are facing unemployment and having to go to other countries to practice. I don't know but perhaps we have the same situation, here. - E mail from Robert Kirkpatrick, Winnipeg

July 13, 2005 — A Reserve Torn Apart

The debate we need is how we can change our power structure in order to have some grass-roots accountability. A close look at the American system would be a good place to start. Email from Alberta

June 30, 2005 — Where are the Champions of Free Trade?

It is absolutely not the position of the Conservative Party that the Government of Canada leave the WTO negotiations if over quota tariffs on sensitive products are reduced. There is far too much at stake for Canada’s negotiators to leave the table without achieving the fundamental goals of the negotiations. For the sake of our country’s agricultural producers, we need to get a deal in this round, but we can’t do that if we’re not at the table. - Email from Diane Finley, Conservative Ag Critic

Also includes Rolf Penner's response to this letter

June 16, 2005 — Who Speaks for Free Trade?

In the interest of clarity I thought I would address your commentary.

It is absolutely not the position of the Conservative Party that the Government of Canada leave the WTO negotiations if over quota tariffs on sensitive products are reduced. There is far too much at stake for Canada’s negotiators to leave the table without achieving the fundamental goals of the negotiations. For the sake of our country’s agricultural producers, we need to get a deal in this round, but we can’t do that if we’re not at the table.

Rolf Penner, Agricultural Policy Fellow, Frontier Centre for Public Policy replies: This the first time since the last election that the Conservative Party of Canada has clearly articulated a position supporting trade liberalization. This clear statement should not stand alone, but be followed by a platform that articulates the needs of the 90% of farmers who depend upon world markets for their livelihoods, as well as the other export-oriented industries in Canada.

For some time now the Bloc Quebecois has been promoting the need to protect supply management at all costs. As a result, during the recent debate on supply management, I asked a Bloc member if he would recommend that the Minister leave the negotiating table if the supply management system were threatened. I did this simply to determine whether or not the Bloc recognized, as the Conservative Party does, the needs of the majority of Quebec producers – those who do not operate under supply management.

RP: Before this clarification from the Opposition Agriculture Critic, the position of the Conservatives was anything but clear. Given the previous lack of support for the objectives of the Doha round of negotiations and the frequent comments advocating protectionist agriculture positions it was difficult to conclude that the Conservatives understand the need for, and the benefits of, trade liberalizations.

We would also welcome additional clarification on how the Conservative Party of Canada would deal with the 300% tariffs currently in place to protect the minority of supply managed commodities, as these tariffs are not conducive to a trading environment. In the past your party has unequivocally supported the goals of supply management which are a major trade irritant and the support of which by our federal politicians has resulted in our current isolation at the world trade talks.

It is good to see the re-evaluation of the trade policy position that is evident in the Agriculture Critic’s reply. The Conservatives have an opportunity to lead Canada forward in a needed principled (non-contradictory) debate on the WTO negotiations.

To be clear, the Conservative Party understands that the current unfair market situation facing our grain and oilseed producers is simply not sustainable or acceptable. These producers continue to face crippling foreign subsidies and unfair tariffs with estimated losses of $1.3 billion annually.

When it comes to trade, the numbers don’t lie: some 90 percent of Canada’s agricultural sector depends on international trade – and when our access to other markets is threatened, our agricultural sector is on the line. It is in farmers’ best interests that Canada is engaged in creating a system of rules-based free trade. Whether it’s grain and oilseed farmers, ranchers, pork producers, or others, free markets and open international borders mean more money in the pockets of our producers.

RP: This position maximizes benefits to Canadian producers and the broader Canadian economy. We still question why it has taken Canada’s Conservative Party so long to come to these conclusions. We simply could not find any previous public statements that demonstrated an understanding of these facts.

It is important that this understanding is not lost in the rush to find votes. It is in the best interest of the country that trade liberalization occurs as quickly as possible. The Conservative Party of Canada certainly has a major opportunity to become the leading voice pushing for these reforms.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper has been a consistent and passionate voice for opening world markets for Canadian exports, and the Conservative party is just as committed. We believe that increased international trade is a key to Canada’s future prosperity. That is why the Conservative Party of Canada supports the goals of the Doha round of WTO negotiations, those being substantial improvements in market access, the phasing out of export subsidies and substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic support. This position is affirmed in the Conservative Party's international trade policy.

RP: While this is true, the parties’ official position on supply management unfortunately undermines and is inconsistent with its position on trade. We cannot ask other countries to reduce their level of protectionism without being willing to do so ourselves. This is precisely what they are telling us at the negotiations.

Again, I believe it would be irresponsible for Canada’s negotiators to walk away from the WTO negotiations. As the Conservative agriculture critic, I believe that increased international trade is a key to Canada’s future prosperity. Conservative leader Stephen Harper has been a consistent and passionate voice for opening new markets for Canadian exports, and the Conservative party is just as committed.

- Email from Diane Finley, MP, Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture and Agri-food

RP: Again, thanks for the welcome clarification. We still wonder why it has taken so long for the Conservative Party to clearly express support for the Doha round of negotiations but are encouraged that it might lead to stronger advocacy of necessary reforms that will benefit all of Canada.

Liberalization will be the strongest rural development policy that Canada has seen in many generations. Canada needs politicians to become champions for change; not pander to highly organized interests who are trying to protect their narrow privileges. Hopefully this response is the first step towards this positive goal.

June 29, 2005 — Lots of rain and cool temperatures seems to fly in the face of the global warming proponents. What is with the weather on the Canadian prairies? E-mail from Starbuck, Manitoba

We asked our climate expert Dr. Tim Ball to respond:

Despite all the global warming alarmism we are entering a period of cooling on the Canadian prairies. This is normal.

Global temperatures have cooled since the peak caused by El Nino in 1998 despite continuing increases in atmospheric CO2. Winnipeg summer average temperature last year equaled the long-term average for Churchill. This was because the Polar Front that separates cool polar air from warm subtropical air was about 800 km south of its long-term summer position. Heavy precipitation occurs along the Front so it was also very wet. The pattern continues this year. From 2000 to 2003 the Prairies experienced a drought cycle that is part of the normal 22-year pattern. We have now entered the normal wet cycle and this will last until about 2020.

June 20, 2005 — Who Speaks for Free Trade?

Great editorial on free trade. Well done. - Email from Winnipeg

June 16, 2005 — Grassroots Natives Need and Elected Chief

I'm glad to see and hear more people from the grassroots that see the problems in Indian country with our leadership, locally, provincially and nationally. Keep up the good work. - Email from Fairford First Nation, Manitoba

June 9, 2005 — European Lessons for Canada

Congratulations. You hit the nail on the head with your analysis on the problems created by over-centralized government in Canada, particularly, how it fuels separatism in Quebec. - Jean Allard, Winnipeg

June 8, 2005 — Saskatchewan Equalization

In expressing his opinions about Canada's Equalization system, Crowley advanced a number of erroneous notions that deserve correction.

First, and most seriously, he makes the patently false suggestions that " . . . the federal government will try to keep Saskatchewan on equalization" as a means of political domination. With all due respect, nothing could be more ludicrous, or more insulting to Saskatchewanians.

Generations of determined citizens in this province have struggled mightily over the years to cast off the constraints of history and geography, distance and climate, politics and defeatism to move beyond old dependencies and limitations.

- Federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale in the Regina Leader Post, May 4th. Read his entire letter and Brian Crowley's response . . .

May 29, 2005 — Transit Disneyland . . .

One of the biggest ironies in Winnipeg municipal issues recently has been the rapid transit controversy. Here's a city that probably has the most poorly-maintained roads of any urban area of its size in North America; yet it persists in talking about another transportation mode that it likely won't be able to sustain.

More . . .

- Email from Winnipeg

May 27, 2005 — On the Ideal City

Absolutely superb. Well done! On some of the steering committees I've been involved with that deal with urban planning and fiscal incentives I've raised similar issues (before reading this, which just reinforces my values) - I've managed to sway the debate back to a more balanced perspective, away from this nuttiness. E-mail from Ontario

May 17, 2005 — School Vouchers in Sweden

I also agree with the need to break the educrat strangle hold on the system. Trust me, I have dealt with this centralized administration attitude that we know best what is good for you for too long. Similarly, I agree the power to the union and the professional bodies to dictate how education delivered needs to be reduced. We need more choice and control as parents and communities about the type of education our young people receive. - Email from Winnipeg

March 28, 2005 — Farmer Abuse

I am acutely aware that current international trade rules are not working for western Canadian farmers. At the WTO, this is a critical year for negotiations. We need to be there, not only to press for meaningful concessions from other countries but to ensure a deal that doesn't tip the scales away from producers in Canada. - E-Mail from Ken Ritter, Canadian Wheat Board

Read more and our response . . .

May 28, 2005 — Farmer Abuse

I am acutely aware that current international trade rules are not working for western Canadian farmers. At the WTO, this is a critical year for negotiations. We need to be there, not only to press for meaningful concessions from other countries but to ensure a deal that doesn't tip the scales away from producers in Canada. - E-Mail from Ken Ritter, Canadian Wheat Board

Read more and our response . . .

March 14, 2005 — Province Should Pay School Tab

New Brunswick brought school boards back a few years ago. Why are you claiming otherwise in your recent column on school taxes? E-mail from M. Zimmer, Winnipeg.

We aren't. New Brunswick did abolish its boards, and was able to cut costs substantially over the next few years. The new districts, which replaced weak parent-teacher councils, are administrative sub-levels without the power to levy school taxes or to diverge in any important way from provincial control of budgets.

April 22, 2005 — Honesty and Garden Chemicals

I just saw your article and the written debate with the activist professor. Excellent. I loved your dissection of his arguments; it was done with surgical precision. Keep up the good work on behalf of clear thinking and science as the basis for public policy making when it comes to protecting human health and the environment. - Email from Toronto

April 17, 2005 — More Private Healthcare?

I'm very impressed by the work of your Centre. Keep up the good work. -E-mail from Angus Reid, Vancouver

March 25, 2005 — Garden Chemicals

What are Mr. Penner’s qualifications and research experience in the area of pesticides and their impacts on ecosystems and biota? Mr.Penner has a diploma in agriculture and is a farmer. He has been an avid propagandist for the hog industry in the province, espousing its benign impact on the environment. His credibility in this area is therefore minimal, relying on hearsay and propaganda from the proponents of spray and pray agriculture which current biological knowledge and modern agricultural ecology clearly indicates is on its way out. - Bill Paton, Brandon

Read more and Rolf Penner's response

March 30, 2005 — I read your article on school taxes with great interest and found myself agreeing with many of the main points. My question is: under a system of per pupil grants with management being at the school level, how would you ensure that students whose needs are more expensive to serve (than average students) are being met ? In other words what incentive is there for principals to cater to needs of difficult students ? - E-mail from Arthur Olson, Winnipeg

The province already pays more for special needs students, although the system currently lacks transparency and needs to be repaired. In jurisdictions where school choice is a reality, specific public schools cater to the market for “difficult” students, and by specializing become much more effective in meeting their needs. They treat such hard cases as opportunities to increase revenue rather than problems to be ignored. We could do a lot more for the most challenged students by abandoning the policy of mainstreaming, which disrupts classrooms for the severely normal.

You may also find this perspective from a retired teacher interesting. Click here .

March 3, 2005 — Transit Blasphemies

Contrary to what Peter Holle suggests, one does not have to be a socialist or have a central planning mind-set in order to suggest that maybe there’s something wrong with our car culture and unlimited urban sprawl. - Nick Ternette in Uptown Magazine

Read more of Nick's "Left Punch" and our response . . .

March 16, 2005 — New Housing Model Emerging

Promote Hernando DeSoto's book "The Mystery of Capital" - Email from Nanaimo, B.C.

March 16, 2005 — New Housing Model Emerging

As always excellent stuff. Hope someone in government is listening. - Email from Vancouver

February 24, 2005 — Devil in the Donuts

"Mr. Penner called us the "doughnut-fighting duo." But we are not after doughnuts. Rather, we fight a growing health epidemic and the costs it poses to our health-care system.

Our motion calling on government, in consultation with all stakeholders, to eliminate manufactured trans fats from foods will ensure that Canadians win this fight."

STEVEN FLETCHER, Member of Parliament
Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia

PAT MARTIN, Member of Parliament
Winnipeg Centre

Read more and Rolf Penner's response

February 18, 2005 — Transit Blasphemies

I almost always find your articles in the Winnipeg Free Press are very good, having refreshing, thoughtful and new insights that can improve public and private policy. However, your Light Rail Transit article in the Saturday February 12 Free Press left something to be desired and I wonder what you were really trying to show. - Peter Aitchison, Winnipeg

Read whole e-mail and Randal O'Toole's response

February 18, 2005 — Transit Blasphemies

"As always …excellent stuff! The central planners will not be amused but anyone who likes rational debate will love this stuff!"- Email from Vancouver

February 13, 2005 — Trans Fat Debate . . .

"Your presentation skimmed the surface of the Trans fats issue since you did not present all the facts on the topic. The biological facts, that the hydrogenation process changes the structure of oils to being incapable of transporting nutrients to cells and thus becomes not only useless in the body but also becomes a danger to the body. Like saturated fats, these Trans fats thicken the blood and attach to artery walls, forming plaque. These are the facts, and no amount of mathematical games will change that. To attempt to say that because the mathematics are not there, Trans fats must not be an issue, is not responsible reporting." -
Liisa Johnson, Winnipeg

Read our response . . .

February 8, 2005 — The Minimum Wage - Forbidding People to Work

One of your best articles yet, and one of the most convincing on the minimum wage issue, and ending with a possible solution. - Email from Winnipeg

February 1, 2005 — Tequila in Paradise

What is really interesting about the liquor laws is how they have subverted more markets than simply the booze business. That you need to own a hotel to run a booze business is inherently crazy economics. It has allowed a clever trick to develop whereby hoteliers have built large suburban clubs at the expense of developments downtown. That the downtown clubs can only operate if they offer live entertainment adds another element to exploitation of a restrictive legislative practice. The result is hotel rooms we don't need, bars in the wrong part of town, more than necessarily expensive and inconvenient sales of wine, beer and spirits and a monopoly that uses its own rules to disadvantage what private business has been allowed in. To wit, the government perpetrates a scandalous use of power in order to further the interests of union-based government stores and a now powerful exploiter of the system.

E-mail from Winnipeg

January 28, 2005 — More comment from Saskatchewan . . .

We have one brewery, formerly Labatts, owned by the provincial government. In spite of that it makes pretty decent beer. One malt company that is largely dependent on the Canadian Wheat Board for supply of barley. And everything regulated and managed by the provincial liquor monopoly. Our liquor is expensive, our choice is limited and sadly, our bars are boring and ramshackle.

January 15, 2005 — More comment . . .

Mainstreamed classrooms are guaranteed to go hand-in-glove with diluted course content as teachers must set the bar lower to accommodate a wider range of students, some of whom are totally out of their element without special help.

January 13, 2005 — Yes to Merit Pay

Salary increases should come with superior classroom performance and a good attendance at "Professional" courses which keep teachers up to date. Read more.

Email from retired Winnipeg teacher, January 13, 2005

December 30, 2004 — DeSmedt's Amalgamation Folly

I most enjoyed your article on ex-urban sprawl. It's always nice to see rent control injected into the debate. - E-mail from Hawaii

December 21, 2004 — The Greatest Canadian Supported User Fees

As I didn't follow the program, I was a bit surprised to hear that Tommy Douglas was chosen as CBC'S greatest Canadian. Perhaps he was the best they could come up with. I think Tommy would roll in his grave if he knew what the central planners had done with his Medicare idea. As you rightly observe,Tommy didn't plan for medical care to be "free" for everyone. He planned for it to be accessible for everyone. Tommy as I recall once advised that government should careful when it taxed cigarettes and alcohol, as these were the poor man's luxuries. Perhaps Tommy's loyal followers didn't really understand what Tommy expected of them. Cheers.

Email from Saskatchewan

December 7, 2004 — Moore Wisdom Needed

I read with great interest the commentary by Roger Bate, "Moore Wisdom Needed". I even agreed with much of it. But while Patrick Moore's views may have changed or moderated over the years, he cannot wholly excuse himself from Greenpeace's past actions. "Eco-imperialism" was alive and well even when Dr. Moore was at the helm of Greenpeace. Ask Newfoundland's sealer's or Canada's Inuit how they prospered under Greenpeace's relentless attack on their seal hunts. As to Mr. Bate's comments about how Moore's actions "helped to stop the cruel slaughter", he obviously hasn't done any significant research. Whatever else the seal hunt may have been, it wasn't cruel. Panels of veterinary experts have confirmed that the average whitecoat seal that died from clubbing died as fast or faster than the average animal killed in a slaughterhouse.

And the notion that Greenpeace made a "broadly positive impact", or that its pre-1986 actions were guided by "science and logic"? Please! Moore may have left in 1986 because of some awakening on his part, but what he left was never any better than what it is today. Millions of innocent victims worldwide whose only crime was to attempt to make a living for their families from the natural resources that lay on their doorsteps can attest to that.

Email from Howard Noseworthy, General Manager, Ontario Fur Managers Federation

December 8, 2004 — The Greatest Canadian Supported User Fees

Thanks for another great article uncovering the truth! I have often read
your articles and find myself in pure agreement.

- Email from Winnipeg, December 8, 2004

November 22, 2004 — A Winnipegger responds to "Try Smarter Policing Instead"

I enjoy your articles because they are well researched, they offer solutions and they look to the future.

October 25, 2004 — The Poison Elixir of Equalization

Excellent piece on the Frontier website re federal transfer payments. - Email from Winnipeg

August 12, 2004 — Ten Years of Tony Blair

A few more articles by you on his healthcare and education reforms might help to bring our politicians towards reality. Once again, my compliments and good writing. - E-mail from Winnipeg

July 21, 2004 — Manitoba Debt Free?

The issue is not moving to other sources of energy but pricing energy
at the appropriate, and correct, price. Yes, higher energy prices would hit Manitobans in the pocket book but it seems absurd that my heating bill in Manitoba should be less than heating bills in Vancouver. If we priced the resource correctly we make would very different consumption decisions over time. A 20% increase in energy costs may raise our expenses by 20% in the short-run but over time it would be significantly less. We would substitute to more energy efficient techniques (hydro could even use some of its new found revenue to subsidize this substitution). The additional revenue earned by the Government could be used to improve the tax system and make Manitoba more competitive. - Michael Benarroch, Professor and Chair, Department of Economics, University of Winnipeg

July 20, 2004 — Manitoba Debt Free?

Very true. - E-mail from Winnipeg

July 10, 2004 — Gun Control Cost NDP Balance of Power

I wish you to know that I voted Green party because of what the NDP leader from Toronto said during the first of the election campaign.Mr Layton should resign instead of puffing himself up as the make or break man for the current Federal government.Saskatchewan and the west has been betrayed by him. E-Mail from Saskatchewan

May 22, 2004 — Ruth Richardson in Wonderland

I think that she has some really great ideas for the future of government. Especially during a time when demand for government services is way up and funds for those services are very hard to come by and often times of late seems to end in scandal or just to disappear. - Email from Winnipeg

January 27, 2004 — Canada, the Northern Tiger?

Excellent piece! - Email from Winnipeg

December 18, 2003 — Testing Public Patience

Very well done... - Email from Charles Adler, Host of Adler Online, CJOB Radio, Winnipeg

December 10, 2003 — Unravelling Child Poverty

Well said! Short, to the point and factual – but facts that are black and white not grey.

Too often it seems that groups and politicians twist facts around for their own agenda. The fact that your article points out that governments have spent gobs of cash on the poor yet the levels of poverty have not changed proves that the methods don’t work. Email from Winnipeg

December 4, 2003 — Unravelling Child Poverty

Kudos for taking on the poverty industry on this issue. Keep up the good work. - Email from Winnipeg

November 25, 2003 — Maxing Out Performance in Public Schools

Great piece! There IS HOPE !! - Email from California

October 20, 2003 — A Homerun for Winnipeg?

Very impressive. I was quite pleased to see you address the New Deal - I'm very interested in seeing where it leads. I'd still make my way back to WPG if its economic health were stronger. I am particularly interested in your points on capital costs (and how public corps are not reflecting through their prices the true costs of capital) - this is a very important area that you are addressing. Good to see!. E-mail from Ottawa

October 6, 2003 — Fund Success, Not Seats in Lecture Halls

Instead of 'improving' the funding system, why not work toward getting the govt out of education entirely? Tuition is a fine way to pay. In the absence of subsidies and govt rules, prices would drop and results would improve. Dissatisfied students (customers) would shop for the best education products/services. - Email from Los Altos, California

August 20, 2003 — Planning is a Tool, not a Goal

As a practising land-use planner for the past 30 years, I find his articles to be right on the money. In addition to the motives he cites, many advocates of anti-sprawl here in Ontario (and I would venture across North America), use anti-sprawl as a means of attacking the housing market. They want an endless number of controls placed on those who develop land to 'rein in those who would put profit ahead of the environment and social values such as housing equity'. If prices rise to 'unaffordable' levels, they say it is all the more reason why the government should play a lead role in housing the nation. In short, these persons are doing everything they can to replace the housing market with more and bigger public housing schemes.

When housing starts are down (because there are fewer people who want to invest their capital in a venture which has been made very risky by excessive regulation), anti-sprawl advocates claim that the market is failing. When housing prices rise (because of greater risk and the rising burden of development charges), they also point to market failure as the cause. When they claim that the homeless population is rising (because rent controls have choked off new construction and older units are condemned for 'health and safety' reasons), once again, the charge is market failure. In the face of this drumbeat of alleged market failures, many public officials seem to find it hard to say no to new demands for more public housing and even tighter controls on the housing market. - Email from Toronto

August 21, 2003 — Fixing Lake Winnipeg..

I’ve been meaning to congratulate you on the timeliness and content of this piece. So “congratulations.” I think this idea could eventually see the light of day. Email from Winnipeg

June 27, 2003 — Why the Public School System Exaggerates Student Disabilities

I read with interest your comments regarding special education students in the public school system and whether or not these children end up learning any socially useful skills. As you pointed out, some have the ability to do so but maybe the learning should not be in a regular classroom. I know parents want their disabled children to be part of the mainstream - but is this realistic? Last year I sat in my granddaughter's class for a morning as part of "Grandparents' Day" - there was one little girl who played cards, got up and walked around, left the room and then returned, and generally her only participation in the class was that she had a desk there. She wasn't learning anything that I could see, and I could see that everytime she shuffled the cards or moved around, the other children looked up which disrupted THEIR learning process. This had to be frustrating for the teacher... - Email from Winnipeg

June 3, 2003 — Three Million Manitobans

"Always interesting reading..." Email - Moncton, New Brunswick

"I REALLY enjoyed this article. It contains the kind of "beyond the box" thinking that I wish could be found in governments, of any political stripe. Well done." Email - Winnipeg, Manitoba

April 21, 2003 — U.S. Anger Clouds Rural Economy

Excellent article. Just to reinforce it, I recall two surveys of US consumers
that are already showing something like 50% would consider buying non-Canadian products, and 15% that already have done so. That is a huge hit.
I think even more publicity on this, from the point of view that you provide of
western Canada's export oriented economy being most vulnerable in Canada, is still needed to try and get the message through in Ottawa. The
emotional, nasty, and personal comments by our so called leaders
has done us even more harm, in my opinion, than the actual decision about not participating in the war! Many people outside the business community still do not believe there will be any consequences.
- email from Winnipeg

March 31, 2003 — Let's Dance the Dutch Minuet on Schools

The Frontier Centre's highlight on the Dutch Education System demonstrates
that our current education model and governance structure can be changed to
achieve better performance, accountability, and value for both students and
taxpayers. Only those with vested interests, fear of change, and/or
disbelief in the room for improvement would be afraid of learning from the
success of others. - E-mail from S. Mark Francis, Winnipeg

March 28, 2003 — Reforming Milk the Australian Way

I just wanted to thank you for your editorial on supply management in the dairy industry last week. It was a well-informed, rational, factually based piece with logical conclusions.

I am a grains and hog farmer that agrees with your position and am frustrated with all levels of government involvement in my industry. - E-mail, Morris, Manitoba

March 21, 2003 — Winnipeg Wave Pool to Cope with Brutal Winters

Thanks for the good article/column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Yes, why destroy a building when it could be used for other purposes. What a great use! But, as you suggest, our city council is not nearly creative enough to venture into something that may require creativity and thought and working together! Keep up the good work. - E-mail from Winnipeg

February 3, 2003 — Count Day has it all Backwards

My problem about count day is that we know that higher mortality rates result from poor education attainment. So, a system that rewards high numbers at the start, and fails to generate a consequence for the students the system fails to serve properly actually rewards letting them in and dropping them out – damn the consequences on their lost lives. You lose nothing for losing a customer. What business would allow their service folk to not face the consequences of a lost soul.. And hell! They are only losing a sale. What about a life! - E-mail from Winnipeg

December 21, 2002 — more feedback to "Lift Rent Control to Help Low Income Renters"

Changes occur when public opinion becomes informed. I applaud your efforts at shining a light on this critical policy problem. ... continued

December 19, 2002 — Yes Virginia, Electricity Markets Can Work

Great work. Electricity deregulation is something that needs to be explained again and again to people. Email from Calgary

December 5, 2002 — Fixing Winnipeg's Downtown

I marvel at the thinking of those who
want to raise the fine for expired meters and also bring people
downtown. Having received a ticket last week (written as I was
unlocking the car), I have vowed to spend two more nights at a
suburban mall this winter. - Email - Winnipeg

November 28, 2002 — More Money for Health Monopoly Wrong Answer

Another excellent publication; well-reasoned and exceptionally well-
written. - email from Edmonton

November 1, 2002 — You Can't Build a City on Pity

Great stuff! Many thanks. I have been a fan of Jacobs for a decade or two.
Nice article in the National Post. You are building a national reputation - email Nova Scotia

October 16, 2002 — Ethanol: The Promise and the Peril

The truly scary part of this whole scenario is that wheat is not as efficient as corn. The proponents refuse to concern themselves with the plant feedstock issues. If these plants are going to survive at all they will require cheap feed wheat or corn. This will mean US corn, as Canadian prairie production will not satisfy the needs of the number of plants being discussed. The cheap feed wheat scenario will be hard to hold together as farmers will want to ensure maximum per acre return and unless the yield per acre can be increase several fold it doesn’t make sense to grow the product on the prairies.

The potential benefit to society is far overshadowed by the potential harm to already existing industries. - email Winnipeg.

September 27, 2002 — Floodway: Part of War on Mosquitoes?

My place is a perfect example when the water came up and then receded we had so much standing water all over my large piece of property and the neighbors. The mosquitoes stayed horrible after that, yet in Lindenwoods there were virtually none. Also if I want to do anything on my upper bank which is damaged by the floodway yearly, there is three levels of government to deal with and their requirement make it cost prohibitive. - email from Winnipeg resident, September 25, 2002

September 26, 2002 — Floodway: Part of War on Mosquitoes?

I'm currently doing some work in Singapore and asked a
resident why there were no mosquitos. The climate seems perfect for them.
Apparently if you are caught with standing water in your property you are
heavily fined and must pay for spraying yourself. The floodway
modifications seem like a good idea but all the fountains and junk in
peoples backyards likely are a huge factor that would be difficult and
expensive for the city to address unless it hit people in the pocketbook.
- email from Winnipeg resident in Singapore

September 20, 2002 — Nav Canada’s Striking Success

"The Federal selloff of entities like Air Canada, CNRail, and as this points out Nav Canada have all been success stories. The blossoming of Paul Tellier as CEO of CNRail and the excellent performance of that hitherto federal dog is really heartening - at least for me. I wish I had bought CN instead of
Nortel a year and a half ago." - Email

September 11, 2002 — A Report Card on Manitoba Schools

"I read the article on the education report card and thought, finally some organization has publicly spoken up about issues that have been on my mind for a long time." - Winnipeg parent

«« First « Previous [Page 2 of 15] Next » Last »»