[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[crazy canuck]

Yeah, the Cons would be well advised to reduce wait times and red tape for family reunification - cracking down on criminal immigrants will not lose them votes (it isn't as if granny is likely to carry on a crime spree).

Especially older immigrants who will be supported by the family and will not cost the taxpayer anything.  There is no harm in that at all.

Yeah, that whole health care thing is free.  Not to mention all the other social services we give to everyone.  No cost (if that is what you mean by harm) at all.

[Malthus]

Yeah, the Cons would be well advised to reduce wait times and red tape for family reunification - cracking down on criminal immigrants will not lose them votes (it isn't as if granny is likely to carry on a crime spree).

Especially older immigrants who will be supported by the family and will not cost the taxpayer anything.  There is no harm in that at all.

I think there will be costs - this is Canada, the land of "free" healthcare  Grannies get sick, the taxpayer pays.

But I'm talking about ability of a particular party to get votes, not whether it makes economic sense. 

Though that being said ... in some cases, the economics of the situation works out well: grannies act as daycare for working parents for no salary, taking costs *out* of the public system ...

[Oexmelin]

Yeah, that whole health care thing is free.  Not to mention all the other social services we give to everyone.  No cost (if that is what you mean by harm) at all.

Which is why I think we should put a cost on everything. Elections? It costs money. Prisons? Also, money. Education? Money. That way, there are no longer any social issues, and therefore, no threat of social conservatism. Voilà! Everything can be reconciled through the lense of fiscal responsibility! Everyone wins!

[Valmy]

I think there will be costs - this is Canada, the land of "free" healthcare  Grannies get sick, the taxpayer pays.

Oh wait you mean non-citizens get the free healthcare?

[Josephus]

Yeah, the Cons would be well advised to reduce wait times and red tape for family reunification - cracking down on criminal immigrants will not lose them votes (it isn't as if granny is likely to carry on a crime spree).

Especially older immigrants who will be supported by the family and will not cost the taxpayer anything.  There is no harm in that at all.

Well, to be fair, I'd say that older immigrants can still qualify for various gov't handouts. I think.

[edit: beaten to it.]

Yes, Valmy. I think you have to live here for a certain amount of time to qualify; and then you have to reside in Canada six months of the year to qualify.

[Valmy]

Yeah I should have known that.  It just shows how complicated even warm fluffy family reunions can be politically.

[Josephus]

When we moved to Canada in 1979, my parents, myself, and four siblings; my dad, who was in his late 40s had a difficult time finding work. I am not afraid to admit that he was on welfare for several years.  And we got free heatlh care. If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have coped.  Now of course, we wouldn't be as lucky.

[viper37]

exactly who's talking about ending universal healthcare coverage?
Those who are afraid of private clinics, do you fear going to the dentist?  seeing your optometrist?  Are they bad?  Do people of Canada have terrible dental care, same as 3rd world country?

[Jacob]

By the way Jake, you wanted to know when you talked about your suspicions of a hidden agenda.  You did it early and often in this thread.  Here is the first post you talked about it.

That makes me quite suspicious of their hidden agenda;

Well, he's got his chance to unveil it now. We'll see. Though at this point, I concur with BB that any hidden agenda he might have will take second seat to an obvious agenda of retaining his majority through sound government with a slight helping of bone throwing on the side.

[Jacob]

Though that being said ... in some cases, the economics of the situation works out well: grannies act as daycare for working parents for no salary, taking costs *out* of the public system ...

That's certainly our plan

[Barrister]

Though that being said ... in some cases, the economics of the situation works out well: grannies act as daycare for working parents for no salary, taking costs *out* of the public system ...

That's certainly our plan

You guys, aren't, expecting, are you?

[Jacob]

You guys, aren't, expecting, are you?

No, not yet. It's one of these "maybe next year" kind of things. But we're definitely planning for it

[Josephus]

You guys, aren't, expecting, are you?

No, not yet. It's one of these "maybe next year" kind of things. But we're definitely planning for it

I'd wait another four years at least. 

Nah, just kidding. Good luck with that.

[Neil]

You guys, aren't, expecting, are you?

No, not yet. It's one of these "maybe next year" kind of things. But we're definitely planning for it

But what if your wife is a Tiger Mother?

[Barrister]

You guys, aren't, expecting, are you?

No, not yet. It's one of these "maybe next year" kind of things. But we're definitely planning for it

Go for it sooner rather than later.  You're not getting any younger.

And you may find it isn't as easy as well were all afraid it was back in our teens and twenties.