If I Were PM

[4X4]

Yea, it's late, but I've wanted to pose this question since the 23rd. What would you do? Same old, same old? Have a vision? Have an attainable vision (ie, not "peace in the middle east").

I've always wondered why Canada doesn't spend a little more effort becoming a front runner in renewable power sources. I mean, Canada is a cold country, that also has hot summers. Canad pretty much needs power year round.

I know it's naive to figure that we could just fill up northern BC, Alberta, Sask and Manitoba with windmills, but why can't we get started with it?
Not enough wind?

OK, hydro. (oh, this is where you point out that hydro isn't clean)... Just stick to the theme. What would you do as PM? Assuming you actually had power to implement your vision for Canada, where would you lead us?


I'd focus on utilizing todays prosperity on ensuring tomorrow's. Energy is going to be important for a looong time. REsarch today puts Canada one step ahead of tomorrow's demands. I figure, anyway.
Love teh way Dubai is creating an insane tourism industry. Las Vegas East. Foresight. Use what you've got. They've got sand and water, we've got space and more space. And sand. And water.

[HOZ]

Guns

On the streets

of our citys

In Canada

I am not making this up......

[Thunderball]

My vision would be a true confederation of states (as Quebec and Nova Scotia thought they were getting in 1867), give everything in Sect. 92 of the Constitution to the provinces to control (except marriage... you'll see why in a minute), add civil/criminal law (aside from "federal offenses" that could be tried at a Federal level)and immigration and leave the federal govt with the Sect. 91 powers only (while abolishing the sections on overturning provincial acts, and interference in provincial affairs... especially Sect 92.10 which states that the Federal Government can take over a industry if it feels it is of national importance), essentially leaving the Federal Govt as an agent to the rest of the world, sort of like the EU. This would really put an end to Quebec and Alberta separatism, as it would no longer be necessary. This would also allow the other provinces to go their own directions and not have policy dictated by a bigger province (ie: Alberta can't force capital punishment on PEI, Ontario can't force the Gun Registry on Alberta, Quebec can't force SSM on Nova Scotia). Not to mention cut the huge amount of waste that comes from many programs having two governments to go through, and the money waste coming from federal taxation and redistribution via transfers. The government would lower taxes accordingly, and allow provinces to pick up the slack in taxation if needed. Some measure of equalization might have to still exist, but it would be a much different system relying on approved budgets... no waste or no equalization payments. Waste would be appraised by private economists and analysts on contract, not by full time bureaucrats.

Government would not make partisan law on social issues under my reign without due consultation from Parliament, Senate and the general public. Divisive social issues would not be forced down society's throat. Society dictates to Government, not the other way around. As for gay marriage... the government would get out of the marriage business altogether (which is why federal control on marriage is still needed). Only churches can give out a marriage and would do so on their own requirements. However, these will not be legally binding unless accompanied with a civil union. The government will deal in civil unions, granted to any two (and only two) people (gay, bi, straight or otherwise)who wish to declare themselves a union. This way, gay people have their rights, and religious people have theirs. All existing marriages would be grandfathered in.

Abortion would remain legal, though I would take steps to prevent abortion used as a contraceptive via sex education at an Elementary level, contraception subsidies for youth, and availability of the morning after pill without a prescription. Abortion would NOT be covered by healthcare unless it is done cause of rape, or medical reasons, but would be openly available.

Stem Cells are not viewed as sentient life, but the people it can save are, and stem cell research would be legal if I had my say. However, my say would not be final...I would have a free parliamentary vote and referendum to make sure the general population agrees with me.

I would abolish the appointed Senate and replace it with a US style elected Senate. Every province gets 4 seats, every Territory gets 1. Term limits for Senators and Prime Ministers would be enacted, as would the ability for a constituency to recall its MP, and government ethics laws would be passed to prevent future scandals like sponsorship.

On the environment, I would encourage the use of renewable energy, and clean coal, as well as reseach into new technologies. If Kyoto isn't already ditched, I'd do so, and focus that money into these programs. I'd consider taking 1c of provincial and federal excise taxes on fuel and diverting it to environmental initiatives like clean coal, solar, wind, and research grants.

For the Military, I would encourage the provinces to create their own National Guards for emergencies, natural disasters, etc. Military budget would also be boosted to employ more people in Eastern Canada, beef up the Navy for arctic patrol, and to make sure there is always quality equipment in use.

For crime, this would mostly be left to the provinces to dictate (aside from "federal offenses"), but generally, stiffer penalties would be brought in, and accountability would be brought down to psychiatrists who claim prisoners are rehabilitated. If someone cleared re-offends, they will be held accountable for releasing a non-reformed criminal into the general public. Would consider allowing victims to sue criminals in civil court. Gun registry would be gone... replaced with harsh laws on handgun violence, and strict controls on handguns.

Healthcare and Education would be fully provincial (as they were meant to be), and their actions would be according to the desires of their voters. Only clause would be that any Canadian can be treated in any province, and that the healthcare card is the only card necessary for treatment, not a credit card. If they choose to use P3 to make it happen, thats their prerogative.

Thats all I can think of for now. That was long.

[FireFly]

Sure, just because I only govern 43,000 people I only get 1 Senate seat?! BOO!

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Sure, just because I only govern 43,000 people I only get 1 Senate seat?! BOO!

Better than Plan B... having Alberta annex you...

[FireFly]

well that would take a load off my hands. The feds want my money, (well they actually get it) the aboriginals are trying to take it and they still want me to educate them.... *******s all around. And to top it all off, all my financial data is combined with that of Nunavut so I can't even do proper research! Ah well, I have a letter written by the PM designate telling me exactly what he's gonna do to help me out, so I have weapons.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by FireFly

well that would take a load off my hands. The feds want my money, (well they actually get it) the aboriginals are trying to take it and they still want me to educate them.... *******s all around. And to top it all off, all my financial data is combined with that of Nunavut so I can't even do proper research! Ah well, I have a letter written by the PM designate telling me exactly what he's gonna do to help me out, so I have weapons.

Well, I have to ram my agenda through Cabinet... and there's a lot of pro-centralization Liberals and NDPers to strongarm.

[Hack&Lube]

force members of parliament to take pay cuts cuts, reform the civil service into something fun. Like maybe nobody over the age of 30 allowed.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Well, I have to ram my agenda through Cabinet... and there's a lot of pro-centralization Liberals and NDPers to strongarm.

I have letters from them too.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I have letters from them too.

I love how this thread turned into a Poli 521 negotiation session

[evman150]

If I were PM...

Canada would be the most progressive, enlightened country in the world.

Among other things...

1. Legalize marijuana. Tax it to hell and back.
2. Make university free.
3. Put more money into scientific research.
4. No jail time for drug users, rehabilitation clinics only.
5. Harsher sentences for dealers, with mandatory sentences.
6. Raise taxes on things like cigarettes, alcohol etc. So called "optional" taxes.
7. Allow government regulated private clinics.
8. Cut the military budget.
9. Yes to gay marriage and yes to a woman's right to choose.
10. Uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Utopian, yes.

Perhaps some will be surprised that 2 of the ten points are right wing.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I love how this thread turned into a Poli 521 negotiation session

I'm not negotiating, I'm telling you how it is.

Seriously, I have lots of money, and you're taking it all. It's a shame you've already told me you're going to give it back. Hahahahahahahaha.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I'm not negotiating, I'm telling you how it is.

Seriously, I have lots of money, and you're taking it all. It's a shame you've already told me you're going to give it back. Hahahahahahahaha.

Well, we're gonna give it back to your 43000 citizens, not the territory (of course, you can always grab what we slash)... and as a minority govt, my hands are tied on like half of my platform. What actually comes up in April will be a surprise to everyone, even to the loyal CPers in the class...

FYI, we're toying with legalizing marijuana. But I'm having trouble with security and US relations issues in the process of legalization. Yep, a Centre-Right Conservative is considering legalizing it... the money from taxing it is appealing, if we can make it make sense.

[FireFly]

I'm gonna have to say that my weak ass government can't support that. I have a drug addicted population that already smuggles drugs, it won't help me, I think it might hurt. The US isn't gonna like it, but perhaps that's the trade off for lumber? Which would be bigger profits for you and the provinces affected? You aren't gonna convince the US on both, so you have to take that to the provinces. As far as security goes, it becomes a natural good that has to be claimed when crossing the border. How does Netherlands deal with it?

And seriously, of the 7.5 Billion you're getting from (tentatively) my diamonds, we get less than 300 million back. Over the next 20 years. However, you're gonna have to help me get the aboriginals under control as they've put a land claim on the diamond mines and we could both lose that money.

[Canada 02]

• Flat Tax
• Opt in/out of CPP and EI
• National securities regulator - give them some teeth
• Implement Ralph's '3rd way' health care alternative
• privatize Crown corporations - Canada Post, CBC, Royal Canadian Mint
• No child care plan - parents are responsible for raising their children, not tax payers
• more police, more jails, harsher sentences
• modernize the military
• independent ethics commision - reports to parliament not PMO
• elected senate
• two term limit, fixed date elections
• re-criminalize marijuana
• tax the hell out of cigarettes and alcohol, with massive fines for smuggling
• 100% scholarship money is tax free
• eliminate GST on (text)books, school supplies - plus tax credit for these expenses
• 100% charitable donations tax deductable

[HOZ]

My government would....

1) Immediately build up our armed forces to protect our territories in the Arctic from foreign intervention. The Arctic holds more oil resources than Saudi Arabia and we need to protect it. Our military would simply not be defensive. France, Denmark, USA and Russia are encroaching on our territory and do not recognize our rights to this territory or it's resources. We need to be able to, if not beat, at least deal such a military blow to the USA that they will think otherwise to opposing our rights.

France's claim to the island at the mouth of the St. Laurent and their subsequent claim to resources in the surrounding area is just an black-remnant of France's colonialism. We would annex the island, by force if necessary.

2) We would immediately embark on a nuclear program so that we can face any threat. Our nuclear forces would be built in part with our missile program. These missiles would be placed upon subs so they would be virtually impossible to find and destroy before they strike.

To pay for this program will will sell the ballistic and nuclear technology to willing buyers worldwide.

3) To gain the technology needed for these programs and to ensure that we have top of the line stuff to use without the cost of research we will create an army of spies to scour the earth for us. These spies would come in many forms. Businessmen, oilmen, bankers, religious leaders, media people, politicians and bureaucrats etc....

4) To protect our people from terrorists or religious radicals...

We will liquidate or remove all religious leaders in Canada and replace them with "party" people. We will also put strong restrictions on the media and interent to keep porn and other undesirable things out.

5) Any internal opposition will be dealt with severely. If they protest they will be given a warning. Failure to listen to this warning will result in our tanks flattening them.

6) We will also train an army of western-media savy people to represent us elsewhere. These people would "smooth" our "rough" edges in the eyes of foreignors. Their duty is to get people to love us no matter how horrible we really are so we can continue 1-5 without bother.

[Cheese]

Bleh you guys are BORING! We need RADICAL change.

I would trade Quebec for Columbia. I would then use the Cocaine cartels to pay off the National debt and fund all future party needs.

-legalize Marijuana and tax the use.
-legalize Prostitution and tax the use.
-use cartel money to fund a super army/navy/air force.
-Create a draft whereby all young punks 18 to 21 serve MANDATORY time in my super forces!
-reduce personal income taxes by 40%. A flat tax would also be a great idea. Everyone inc corps pay 20% flat.
-Everyone pays taxes...including those of religious stature.
-I would change the leaders staure in Canada from PM to King. Hence I would be King Cheese.