Alberta Politics Thread

[PsYcNeT]

That's a convenient round number. Does he have any real numbers to back up his supposition, or is he another former PC insider with an ax to grind and a microphone because of his tenure?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by robaur

Lol and anyone still against a carbon tax needs to catch up to the fact that it's 2016 and the entire world is accepting this approach.

"The consensus among top economists on this point is as strong as the consensus among scientists that climate change is real and greenhouse gas emissions contribute to it."

http://www.macleans.ca/economy/econo...as-carbon-tax/

There is pretty much unanimous agreement among economists that a carbon tax is needed and its not even close anymore. There was a study done where 87% of economists that replied Agreed or Strongly Agreed to implementing a carbon tax.

Get your head out of the sand. I just see a bunch of old, disgruntled folk here who are just sour that the corrupt PC train-ride is over.

I might not agree with everything that the NDP government might do, but I would rather have them in power than the corrupt PC's and the extremist crazy party known as the Wildrose...who really have nothing to offer this province except for media quotes.

Well except for the US, and China, I don't think Russia has one or any intention of doing it, non of the middle east states are implementing it, Australia had it and became the first nation to repeal it.

If I remember New Zealand was going to do it, decided that it was stupid and went with a carbon trading scheme.

IIRC the UK had it, but eventually sharply reduced its rate as part of their fuel tax.

[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Are you really such an NDP shill that you are going to try to dispute Locke's assertion that Notley has raised taxes by demonstrating how Notley has raised taxes?

I think it was just a humble brag opportunity that was "cleverly" executed.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by robaur

Lol. taxes have already gone up?

I'm paying about an extra $180 this year based on the new rates and its in a high income bracket.

Next year...I think I might have to fork over an extra $500...

Most folks still make less than $125K so a majority of people's tax rates are still the same....

But for me? Extra $500? lol that's hardly going to change my standard of living.

and....you're an accountant....complain much over nothing.

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here. You're accusing me of complaining about nothing because I should have no right to complain because I'm an accountant and everything is going to be fine for you specifically?

But sure, lets completely discount the increase on corporate taxes, something that is an economic depressor during a recession. Totally irrelevant right? Because it doesnt personally affect robaur?

I'd say that your Economics Professor would be disappointed in you but you very clearly never had one.

[northcrunk]

Here is a great idea! Let's hire the head negotiator for AUPE to handle negotiating with unions on behalf of the government! What could go wrong!

[RubberDuck]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Here is a great idea! Let's hire the head negotiator for AUPE to handle negotiating with unions on behalf of the government! What could go wrong!

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loca...contract-talks

[northcrunk]

G&M

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle29106618/

[CaptainCrunch]

That's frackin ridiculous.

Its official, Notley is a moron. If there is any kind of pay increase or no reduction in the AUPE contact, this government is going to be seen as not only a terrible manager of the public trust, but corrupt, arrogant and out of touch.

This is going to explode 6 ways from sunset, and honestly its a massive conflict of interest considering this guy was still working for the Union LAST WEEK.

There actually needs to be a strong call for Notley's resignation to get it on record.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by robaur

Lol and anyone still against a carbon tax needs to catch up to the fact that it's 2016 and the entire world is accepting this approach.

Wrong.

Originally Posted by robaur

"The consensus among top economists on this point is as strong as the consensus among scientists that climate change is real and greenhouse gas emissions contribute to it."

http://www.macleans.ca/economy/econo...as-carbon-tax/

There is pretty much unanimous agreement among economists that a carbon tax is needed and its not even close anymore. There was a study done where 87% of economists that replied Agreed or Strongly Agreed to implementing a carbon tax.

Right. And I agree with them. Let the free market innovate its way away from carbon.

Originally Posted by robaur

Get your head out of the sand. I just see a bunch of old, disgruntled folk here who are just sour that the corrupt PC train-ride is over.

Wrong. Most people don't have a problem with the tax, they have a problem with the revenue going into the government of the day's hands to spend as they see fit (whether that be the NDP, Liberals, Wild Rose, or PCs).


Cute post though. I look forward to reading more of your contributions.

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

That's frackin ridiculous.

Its official, Notley is a moron. If there is any kind of pay increase or no reduction in the AUPE contact, this government is going to be seen as not only a terrible manager of the public trust, but corrupt, arrogant and out of touch.

This is going to explode 6 ways from sunset, and honestly its a massive conflict of interest considering this guy was still working for the Union LAST WEEK.

There actually needs to be a strong call for Notley's resignation to get it on record.

This kind of thing happens all the time, didn't Harper appoint a Kinder Morgan Consultant to the NEB? We're you calling for his resignation at the time or were you happy? Seems a wee bit hypocritical.

[CaptainCrunch]

I didn't know that the NEB directly impacted wages and salaries and the budget? Or was a negotiating arm for the union.

To me there's a monstrous difference between the two.

You know have a recent senior union official in the negotiating process with his former union.

you're being intentionally obtuse in your argument.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

This kind of thing happens all the time, didn't Harper appoint a Kinder Morgan Consultant to the NEB? We're you calling for his resignation at the time or were you happy? Seems a wee bit hypocritical.

Even if what you claim is true, I fail to see how they are remotely similar

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

That's a convenient round number. Does he have any real numbers to back up his supposition, or is he another former PC insider with an ax to grind and a microphone because of his tenure?

Does the NDP minister have any real numbers to back up their assertion that we won't face much of an increase, at all as a result of this?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

China, the US, and the devloping world: a definitive group moral compass worth emulating.

I agree with your point, although most of the pressure to shoot ourselves in the foot economically has come from a country in that short list. Kind of stings a little.

Matt Damon: oooh Canada, the boogeyman, everyone look out for Canada, we need to put pressure on them to be better

Leo Dicaprio: Canada everyone, look at these guys, we need to shut down their industry, they're so bad for the world

Obama: Canada has not been doing it's part, we need to reject things like the Keystone XL pipeline.

"alright America, Canada's hurting, they have a horrible name environmentally around the world now, excellent, let's approve the **** out of every pipeline down here, make no mention of anything we do and feed our people!".

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Even if what you claim is true, I fail to see how they are remotely similar

Leaders protect their interests, see the similarity there? Notley has an interest in protecting unionized employees (you can see this as good or bad) and Harper had an interest in pipelines being built (again, you can see this as bad or good).

And "even if what I claim is true" sounds like you are doubting my statement. Look it up.

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I didn't know that the NEB directly impacted wages and salaries and the budget? Or was a negotiating arm for the union.

To me there's a monstrous difference between the two.

You know have a recent senior union official in the negotiating process with his former union.

you're being intentionally obtuse in your argument.

Would you say Pipeline construction effects the economy and wages? If not then there is no need to rally around any being built.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Does the NDP minister have any real numbers to back up their assertion that we won't face much of an increase, at all as a result of this?

Typing "I don't know" would have been less effort.

[the_only_turek_fan]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/alberta...219/story.html

With the Energy Diversification committee, the NDP government is seeking advice on creating more incentives for oilsands upgrading, for more petrochemical processing and for other “value added” industries in Alberta, while also signalling it is open to various methods to “enhance the economics” of those projects.

How about not raising corporate taxes or calling for a royalty review? Just a thought.

I have seen at least 4 people walk out with boxes with their personal belongings.

We need to end this depression now.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

We need to end this depression now.

You should probably book a trip to Saudi Arabia with some convincing arguments then.

That, or design cheaper and more efficient methods for extraction from the land types found in Alberta.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

This kind of thing happens all the time, didn't Harper appoint a Kinder Morgan Consultant to the NEB? We're you calling for his resignation at the time or were you happy? Seems a wee bit hypocritical.

Please note that we are not discussing Kinder Morgan and the NEB. What is being discussed is the AUPE and NDP's negotiation over union contracts in the Alberta Politics thread.

So back on topic...this is ridiculous. Not so much because of the conflict of interest (which is bad enough), but because of its reflection on Notley's decision making and leadership capabilities. How could she possibly think this was a good idea or would go over well? What an idiot.

It reminds me of the whole Ezra Levant debacle. Sure, Levant is a blow hard. But as I said then, Notley was an idiot to take that fight on (both vs. Levant and vs. the greater media establishment) and it reflected very poorly on her decision making and leadership capabilities.

I fully expect the NDP to backtrack on this decision once it blows up in their face. At that time I will commend her for making that decision, but still assert that that doesn't make up for the bad decision in the first place.