Category: Canada

For Canada’s 150th, It’s Time to Patriate the Monarchy

It is time for Canada to shake off the last vestiges of its colonial past and stand up as a truly sovereign nation by patriating the monarchy and inviting Prince Harry to be King of Canada.

In 1982, Pierre Trudeau, then Prime Minister of Canada (and father of Canada’s current Prime Minister) “patriated” the Canadian Constitution. Until that time, the highest law of the land was the British North America Act of 1867, an act of the British Parliament. The Canada Act of 1982 is now the highest law of the land and, in effect, ended Canada’s status as a British colony.

There is one aspect that still reflects Canada’s colonial past. The Head of State of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II, “by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Queen, Defender of the Faith”. The low ranking of Canada in the title, where it is not even mentioned by name is clear. Continue reading “For Canada’s 150th, It’s Time to Patriate the Monarchy”

Can Raising the Minimum Wage Boost the Economy?

There has been much discussion about raising the minimum wage, with proponents claiming it will improve the lives of the working poor and reduce “inequality” and opponents claiming it will reduce employment, making the poor worse off.

Classical economic theory claims that raising the minimum wage (or instituting it where there is none) will lower employment.

Closer examination suggests that a higher minimum wage will lead to increased inflation, some job losses, increased economic growth and reduced inequality. Continue reading “Can Raising the Minimum Wage Boost the Economy?”

Canadian Values – The Limits to Multi-Culturalism

Multi-culturalism is an official policy of the Canadian Government. From an early age, children are taught that Canada is a multi-cultural country and it is contrasted to the U.S., where the policy is of a “melting-pot”.

Multi-culturalism is based on the assumption that all cultures are equal and should be treated equally. All cultures share the same basis values, so can live together peacefully. However, the rise of radical Islam puts this assumption to the test. Even the most ardent multi-culturalist, Angela Merkel, has said “multi-culturalism does not work”.

Recently, it was proposed that immigrants to Canada should espouse “Canadian Values”, either as a course on entry or as part of the immigration process. The idea fell through when nobody could define “Canadian Values”.

However, it is much easier to list what does not fit with “Canadian Values”. Continue reading “Canadian Values – The Limits to Multi-Culturalism”

Can Increasing Taxes on the 1-Percent Cover the Deficit?

In an article in the Globe and Mail, provocatively titled “Justin Trudeau lives in a fact-free world on taxes” (Dec 16, 2016) Mark Milke, says that Trudeau “claims taxing one cohort less and another more is a recipe for economic growth. Skip how all the tax talk ignores the spending side of the budget where Mr. Trudeau and prudence are mortal enemies.” A little reflection on the article shows that, in fact, it is Milke whose analysis is wrong. Continue reading “Can Increasing Taxes on the 1-Percent Cover the Deficit?”

Fair or Effective Taxes?

In a recent article in the Financial Post, Ted Rechtshaffen, (“‘Tax the rich’ may be a rallying cry, but it’s hardly a fair system”, May 15) looked at three different tax schemes:

  • Progressive Tax Rates
  • Flat Percentage Tax
  • Flat Dollar Amount per Adult

I will take these in reverse order.

Continue reading “Fair or Effective Taxes?”

Where Will Putin Strike Next?

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has become more assertive, trying to regain its status as a superpower.

Every time Russia has made a strike, it seems that the West was caught completely by surprise. Clearly, the Western intelligence services (CIA, CSIS, MI6, Surete) have failed spectacularly.

In view of the failure of the Western intelligence services, I shall try to help them by identifying a couple of probable targets for Putin’s next strike.

Continue reading “Where Will Putin Strike Next?”

Taxing the Multinationals

 

Recently, the EU has ruled that Apple owes Ireland €13 billion in back taxes. The CEO of Apple reacted with the sort of indignation only an American can achieve when dealing with non-Americans. Columnists tended to side with Apple on the basis of their ideological biases.

Yet the central issue of taxing corporations is that globalisation and the rise of mega-corporations has not been mirrored by a rise in inter-governmental co-operation. Only such co-operation can deal with the problems.

Continue reading “Taxing the Multinationals”

INTRODUCTION

I am starting this blog because I believe I have insights, views and opinions which are not expressed elsewhere, whether in the media or by other commentators. My main items of interest are:

  • Climate change
  • Current events
  • Economics
  • Canadian Issues

Future topics on this blog include:

  • Does Brexit doom London as a Financial Centre?
  • Understanding Jeremy Corbyn
  • Where will Putin strike next?
  • What does the data say about global warming?
  • The elites in the West are under attack – what are the issues they are not addressing?

The following describes my attitudes and credentials on the main topics: Continue reading “INTRODUCTION”