"I don't think anyone who manages money properly thinks debt is a bad word." That's just one of the troubling comments made by Alberta's new NDP finance minister, a social worker and career politician named Joe Ceci.
All Canadians need to be concerned about his views on economics because Alberta's oil patch has been essentially carrying the rest of the country economically for almost ten years.
Recently, Ceci told a reporter he would balance Alberta's budget by 2018, but he's the one who just made the undemocratic executive decision to borrow an extra $6 billion.
He's already announced tax hikes and a royalties review.
And who is Ceci's chief of staff?
An Olivia Chow campaigner named Nathan Rotman. So basically a door knocker for Toronto's third place mayoral loser.
Alberta's unemployment rate has jumped one percentage point over last year and the jobless rate in Fort McMurray has doubled.
Yes, world oil prices have fallen, but the NDP's actions have made the situation much worse.
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I was among the first … on election day. It fell on me like a hammer.
As a young person I remember not noticing the differences between people and places as well. Youth in some cases is probably the way adults should be all the time, but alas, we all get jaded one way or another and start noticing the difference that would be best left alone.
Speaking for myself, I did not say they did not care, only that they brought their failed politics with them to Alberta and it is those politics that were probably a major contributing factor to the NDP getting elected in Alberta.
That may be so, but it is his delivery, previous posts and attitude behind what he says coupled with earlier negative comments about Alberta that cause the negative reaction he gets, and indeed is intentionally fostering.
Secondly, a lot of you made valid comments about provincial transfer payments from “have” provinces like Alberta to “have not” provinces like Ontario. I don’t dispute this, and have my own opinions about whether this program is sustainable, but that’s not the issue here. It seems to have come up in response to Jimmy Da Silva’s opinion that most people in Toronto and Montreal probably aren’t concerned with what happens in Alberta, and vice versa.
I don’t see how this is a jab at Alberta, and moreover, I think it’s most likely an accurate statement. Most Albertans could care less about what happens in Ontario or Quebec. I live in Alberta now, and have been quite content here for the majority of my adult/working life so far. I think I’ve naturally developed a certain pro-Alberta bias and loyalty because it’s where I live. I don’t see Jimmy’s contentment about living and working in Ontario as being any different. If he’s happy, who am I to criticize?
That said, I do think the decline of world oil prices and corresponding hit to Alberta’s energy-based economy will have an impact on Ontario, but it will likely be complex, multifaceted and extremely difficult to determine wether the net effect is positive or negative. I don’t know what industry Jimmy works in, but it’s bound to be affected in a macro-economic sense, whether it’s noticeable at the individual level or not. For example, lower oil prices have coincided with a weakened currency and further reduction in interest rates by the Bank of Canada. While this is hurting oil-producing provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and British Columbia, it ultimately benefits manufacturing and export-based provinces like Ontario. Economists are forecasting that the balance of economic power in Canada is starting to shift back to Ontario, which is expected to lead the nation in GDP this year. I know, forecasts are just that, and aren’t proof of anything.
But is Jimmy really wrong? We, especially those of us in Alberta, may not like it, but I think his opinion is closer to the truth than you’re giving him credit for. I feel like some commenters are engaging in the very behaviour they decry in those they commonly refer to as being “trolls”, by taking one, innocuous, opinion-based comment and extrapolating a straw-man argument that they can then proceed to tear down. Think about this: how much do you (Albertans) really think or care about what’s happening in Toronto? Right, so why do you expect Torontonians to care what happens here?
The bigger problem, I suggest, is that the current federal equalization and transfer program actually pits the provinces against each other, rather than encouraging them to work together for their own good, and for the common good of Canada as a whole. It’s not a coincidence that falling oil prices are tied to a weakening Canadian dollar.
I completely agree! It’s about dam time that All Canadians exercise more respect and consideration for their Provincial neighbours. This Country may well be on the eve of political devastation; confronting global denouncement and economic disgrace. Pray this is not the case!
JIMMY DA SILVA – You said “considering Alberta has zero involvement and impact on the industry in that I work in – I think that I will be just fine in Ontario along with the other provinces that contribute to my industry.” Alberta may have no impact on the industry in which you work, but you fail (as usual) to recognize or acknowledge that Ontario is very reliant on the $20.4 billion in federal transfers from the have Provinces, Just this year alone Ontario required an additional $9.6 billion. Where do you actually think those monies will come from when the ‘have’ Provinces no longer have it to give? Better yet, how do you suppose socialists governments such as the Liberals and NDP’s are going to maintain (much less increase) financial aide for social programs such as income assistance, healthcare and education? I can tell you with a great deal of certainty where the monies will come from – your pocket and mine, and every other hard working Canadian! Canada will, without doubt, become the “tax” poorest country in the industrialized world! Our net worth will be right there alongside that of Greece. Our National debt will far surpass anything you are capable of imagining. So, Jimmy, you just sit there in your ideological world, believing the taint of Alberta’s NDP gov’t will have no affect on you. Keep trusting that the current Ontario Liberals and a newly elected Federal Liberal or NDP party is going to keep you snug and secure in your little world.
PETER NETTERVILLE – You wrote: Jimmy, why are you not capable of grasping the truth? That’s a tough question for Jimmy to answer. You have to be smarter than a 5th grader to assimilate the amount of information available; then you have to have some basic comprehension skills; coupled with rational thinking. Unfortunately, Jimmy has a severe case of cognitive dissonance! Not only is he in conflict with himself, he is in conflict with reality!
Please share Jimmy , please.
I would imagine that Jimmy thinks Wynne is the best Premier Ontario has ever had.
Well Jimmy you would be 100% incorrect. Almost every blog I have read seems to state, they do give a shit…
Look at myself. I feel so sorry for the public and voters and taxpayers in Ontario. I mean what the hell is that women doing to your beloved province.
I am so glad to here you won’t be affected by the Alberta Depression.
I guess I wish I had your career, or mind. That way I couldn’t give a sh%t about anything either.
great comment !
about point 2,
2) Majority of Easterners who come here to work could give a S##T about local politics;
They should.
Well considering Alberta has zero involvement and impact on the industry in that I work in – I think that I will be just fine in Ontario along with the other provinces that contribute to my industry.
Why should I care about that? Ontario has given me and my loved ones a fantastic life. I am going to keep on enjoying that fantastic life in Ontario.