[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Barrister]

Bernier comes out in favour of freezing equalization payments.

http://ipolitics.ca/2017/02/02/bernier-calls-for-a-freeze-on-equalization-payments/

This, along with supply-management, are both politically inviolable institutions in Canada.  I very much appreciate the sentiment , but I wonder if it's a promise amde to be broken (like Trudeau's electoral reform).

[Grey Fox]

You going to reduce my federal income tax by 50% too because the Feds are not paying for the services anymore?!

[Barrister]

You going to reduce my federal income tax by 50% too because the Feds are not paying for the services anymore?!

Lolwut?

[Grey Fox]

In Quebec, things that are handled by the Federal government in other provinces are handled by the province. The money for those things is in the equalization payments.

[Barrister]

In Quebec, things that are handled by the Federal government in other provinces are handled by the province. The money for those things is in the equalization payments.

I believe you're wrong.  Equalization payments go to provinces to pay for the stuff that all provinces do.

Now Quebec has negotiated several exceptions, where they put on programs that in other places are run by the provinces, but those payments were negotiated separately and would not be counted as equalization payments.

Besides, Bernier is proposing a freeze (no new money), and not a complete ban on equalization.

[viper37]

If the Feds want to spend less on equalization, then they have to tax less.  Right now, it's a return to the old liberal scheme of starving the provinces.

[Barrister]

If the Feds want to spend less on equalization, then they have to tax less.  Right now, it's a return to the old liberal scheme of starving the provinces.

Again, not spend less - just freeze at current amount (then try to come up with a new system with fewer disincentives).

[Grey Fox]

In Quebec, things that are handled by the Federal government in other provinces are handled by the province. The money for those things is in the equalization payments.

I believe you're wrong.  Equalization payments go to provinces to pay for the stuff that all provinces do.

Now Quebec has negotiated several exceptions, where they put on programs that in other places are run by the provinces, but those payments were negotiated separately and would not be counted as equalization payments.

Besides, Bernier is proposing a freeze (no new money), and not a complete ban on equalization.

Yes but that's where the federal puts they money to pay Quebec.

If you freeze it, you reduce it year after year.

[Josephus]

You going to reduce my federal income tax by 50% too because the Feds are not paying for the services anymore?!

Lolwut?

Sometimes I picture you talking like that in the courtroom.

[HVC]

"Lolwut"
"excuse me barrister?"
"Sorry your honor, i meant objection."

[crazy canuck]

We can't have PR, pure of mixed, when our parties are so adverse to coalitions. Going into elections every year like we're fucking Belgium is not something any of us should be looking for.

I am not sure why you have come to that conclusion.  We have had minority governments in the recent past without the threat of constant elections.

Elections in 2004, 2006 & 2008.

If memory serves the Conservatives called the elections in 2006 and 2008.  They were not caused by the opposition bringing down the government.  The Martin minority government was brought down by scandal, not a Canadian aversion to minority rule.

[Camerus]

Good. Our current system, the product of centuries of democratic evolution, already works quite well.

Ghost Burke applauds this sentiment.

Beeb isn't the only Edmontonian Burkean around here. 

You're in Edmonton dude?  We should meet up!  PM me!

Sure. Check your PMs in a minute. 

[Grey Fox]

We can't have PR, pure of mixed, when our parties are so adverse to coalitions. Going into elections every year like we're fucking Belgium is not something any of us should be looking for.

I am not sure why you have come to that conclusion.  We have had minority governments in the recent past without the threat of constant elections.

Elections in 2004, 2006 & 2008.

If memory serves the Conservatives called the elections in 2006 and 2008.  They were not caused by the opposition bringing down the government.  The Martin minority government was brought down by scandal, not a Canadian aversion to minority rule.

I did not say Canadians were averse to minority rules. I said going into election regularly sucks and that the parties can't do coalitions. For some reason.

[viper37]

If the Feds want to spend less on equalization, then they have to tax less.  Right now, it's a return to the old liberal scheme of starving the provinces.

Again, not spend less - just freeze at current amount (then try to come up with a new system with fewer disincentives).

Costs increases over years (more population + inflation).  If you freeze spending on anything, it is spending less in real $.

[crazy canuck]

We can't have PR, pure of mixed, when our parties are so adverse to coalitions. Going into elections every year like we're fucking Belgium is not something any of us should be looking for.

I am not sure why you have come to that conclusion.  We have had minority governments in the recent past without the threat of constant elections.

Elections in 2004, 2006 & 2008.

If memory serves the Conservatives called the elections in 2006 and 2008.  They were not caused by the opposition bringing down the government.  The Martin minority government was brought down by scandal, not a Canadian aversion to minority rule.

I did not say Canadians were averse to minority rules. I said going into election regularly sucks and that the parties can't do coalitions. For some reason.

Ok, I can agree with that but I think that has more to do with the way our elections are currently structured.  In a first past the post system there is little reason to create coalitions.  In a PR system the logic changes significantly.