Page 2 - Ralph Goodale Facebook

Facebook Home

May

MPlib
REALITY CHECK - Net effect of all HarperCons tax cuts/hikes in last 4 budgets is a HIGHER tax burden of $20-billion
May 02, 2013 11:24 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Here's a link to the speech I gave on May 1st about the Harper government's most recent omnibus budget bill, which fails middle-class Canadians http://www.ralphgoodale.ca/blog/liberal-response-omnibus-budget-bill-c60/
May 02, 2013 7:07 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
I spoke in Parliament today on the latest HarperCons budget. They're hitting middle-class with $2 billion/year in new, higher taxes! http://youtu.be/q1EFiRKlI3A
Ralph Goodale delivers the Liberal response to omnibus budget bill C-60
May 01, 2013 2:33 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In Question Period, Harper tells Justin Trudeau that the federal budget helps the middle-class. Oh yeah -- $1.5 billion in new Conservative taxes?
May 01, 2013 11:48 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Justin Trudeau in Question Period: I've met+learned from more real Canadians in past 6 months than Mr Harper has allowed near him in past 6 years
May 01, 2013 11:39 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana

April

MPlib
What several journalists have dubbed the Hearper "dirt machine" seems to be turning-off even some of Conservative MPs http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/30/trudeau-ads-conservative-mps_n_3187935.html
More Tories Denounce Trudeau Attack
Apr 30, 2013 2:28 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
MR. HARPER BEHAVING ODDLY Stephen Harper seems a little shaky lately. He's been lashing out at school teachers, university professors, sociologists ... even camp counsellors. With apologies to a great Canadian author, Mr. Harper is acting a bit like Stephen Leacock's character, Lord Ronald, who "flung himself on his horse and rode madly off in all directions". Such behaviour does not convey a sense of maturity, confidence or seasoned judgment. The most recent examples started two weeks ago at Margaret Thatcher's funeral in London. It's hard to know what was running through Mr. Harper's mind as he sat in the pews in St. Paul's Cathedral, but apparently it wasn't the Iron Lady. Right after the service he quickly summoned a news conference to offer a gratuitous, trans-Atlantic insult aimed at newly-elected Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. So what prompted such an outburst? In the wake of the bombings in Boston Mr. Trudeau had noted that, among many other things, it would be useful to find out what actually caused the perpetrators of this evil to do what they did. That seems like common sense -- if you want to prevent similar terrorist activity in the future. But Mr. Harper disagrees. That puts him offside with both President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron who made much the same comment as Mr. Trudeau, as did many journalists and anti-terrorism experts around the world. Back in 2011, even Stephen Harper himself launched a $10-million research project to better understand the root causes of terrorism. So what has changed? Why are the Harper Conservatives abandoning the search for hard facts and clear insight, further isolating Canada internationally, and contenting themselves with numbskull pronouncements like "the root cause of terrorism is terrorists"? If this is what they truly believe, they are exposing Canada and Canadians to greater, more complex and repetitive risks. We can only hope that the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the security section within National Defense are more astute and effective than their current political masters. In this regard, it's not reassuring to see the RCMP being forced recently to submit to over-reaching political influence. The Force has doubtless had its problems in recent years, but the answer is not more interference from this Prime Minister's Office. Many Canadians say the reason for Mr. Harper's superficial, erratic conduct lately has nothing to do with terrorism or national security, but everything to do with the public impact of Justin Trudeau. People are finding Justin likable and inspirational. They agree with his focus on the success of the middle-class and all those who are working so hard to join the middle-class. They appreciate his constructive, positive approach -- giving Canadians reasons to vote FOR something once again, not just AGAINST -- and his remarkable ability to rally people around a more ambitious vision of what our country has the potential to become. What truly shakes Mr. Harper is a hopeful, informed, engaged electorate who won't be content with manipulation or mediocrity anymore! http://www.ralphgoodale.ca/blog/harper-behaving-oddly/
Apr 30, 2013 11:42 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In reply to Justin Trudeau, Mr. Harper says he rejects all Liberal ideas ... like balanced budgets I suppose!
Apr 30, 2013 11:34 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In reply to Justin Trudeau, Mr. Harper says the middle-class doesn't need any attention. That's why he's levying over $1 billion in higher taxes???
Apr 30, 2013 11:33 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Today is the 90th Birthday of Regina's generous + dedicated Jacqui Shumiatcher -- Many Happy Returns to a grand lady!

Apr 29, 2013 8:55 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
The Saskatchewan Immigration Justice Network is kicking off 60 days of action in support of Victoria Ordu and Favour Amadi. The Conservatives should show some decency and allow them to complete their education in Saskatchewan instead of deporting them for working two weeks at Walmart! https://www.facebook.com/groups/359190687504797/
Apr 29, 2013 6:54 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
SEVEN CONSERVATIVE TRICKS TO A BALANCED BUDGET Before the Harper Conservatives inherited, in 2006, ten years of Liberal balanced budgets and robust surpluses, the last time a Conservative government actually balanced a budget for Canada was 101 years ago in 1912. The Prime Minister was Robert Borden (originally a school teacher, incidentally). He too inherited his surplus from a Liberal predecessor, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. But he managed to maintain it for only one year before dropping into deficit. The Harper government behaved in a similar manner. Through excessive spending and reckless budgeting between 2006 and 2008, they put Canada back into the red again BEFORE, not because of, the recession which hit in late 2008. And they haven’t balanced the books since. Now in Budget 2013, the Conservatives claim they’ll eliminate their deficit by 2015. Isn’t that convenient — just on the eve of the next federal election! A close look at their financial plans provides ample reason to be suspicious. Here are seven of their fiscal tricks: 1. ROSY GROWTH ESTIMATES — To puff up government revenues, the Conservatives have based their fiscal planning on optimistic projections of economic growth. They ignore the reality that in years just past their numbers have never been correct. Time and again their initial forecasts had to be downgraded, as both the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of Canada have just done once again in the past month. 2. DEFICIENT RESERVES — To create the illusion of more financial flexibility than they really have, the Conservatives have low-balled the “reserves” that should be in place to serve as fiscal shock-absorbers against future economic setbacks. The amounts set aside should grow in outer years because the risks are greater, but this government has foolishly flatlined them going forward. 3. EXAGGERATED LAPSES — When a government department doesn’t use all of its budget in any given year, the excess money naturally “lapses” back into the central treasury. The Conservatives are counting on very large lapses over the next several years. In other words, they’ll make lots of big announcements, but never actually spend the money. 4. EXCESSIVE OPTIMISM ABOUT CATCHING TAX CHEATS – While cracking down on those who don’t pay their rightful taxes is an absolute necessity, the Conservative claim of a balanced budget depends heavily on quickly collecting billions in unpaid taxes. That seems highly improbable at a time when they’re chopping the resources needed in the Revenue agency to go after the cheaters. 5. BIG PROGRAM CUTS — For big programs like Infrastructure, the government claims to be increasing its investment. But any hypothetical increases are actually years down the road, after 2015. It’s a trick called “multi-year bundling” and “back-end loading”. In reality, the Build Canada infrastructure budget has been cut by $1.5 billion in each of the next two years. 6. BIG TAX INCREASES – Despite false claims to the contrary, this government is increasing taxes in dozens of nefarious ways — on everything from hospital parking fees to cosmetic wigs for cancer patients. The two biggest types of Conservative tax hikes are higher tariffs-taxes on imported goods (costing Canadians an extra $333-million every year) and higher Employment Insurance payroll taxes (costing employers and employees an extra $600-million every year). 7. CLAIMING BEFORE PROVING — Using all these tricks to concoct the false illusion of a balanced budget by 2015, the Conservatives will claim to have met their fiscal objective just before they call an election and before proof to the contrary can become available. In the normal financial cycle, the audit report on the government’s books won’t get published until much later – i.e., well into 2016 — long after any election has come and gone. So Parliament has a big job to do to find and expose the truth before Canadians vote.
Apr 29, 2013 4:29 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Good luck to Leisha Grebinski and CBC Saskatoon on the online launch of their new morning program today! https://www.facebook.com/CBCSaskatoon
CBC Saskatoon
Apr 29, 2013 3:00 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
There ain't no cure for Love - Cdn music icon and poet Leonard Cohen in Regina. What a talent!

Apr 28, 2013 8:16 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Double JUNO winner last week, Leonard Cohen opens his concert in Regina tonight with Dance Me to the End of Love

Apr 28, 2013 7:46 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
The incredible talent of Leonard Cohen fills Regina's Brandt Centre - crowd is enthralled

Apr 28, 2013 7:44 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Good to see Justin Trudeau joining Canadian Sikhs today to celebrate Khalsa Day, the birth of the Sikh religion in 1699.
Apr 28, 2013 3:18 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Several hundred people ready to Walk For MS this am in Regina. It's sunny but chilly wind. Good day to walk for a great cause!

Apr 28, 2013 12:32 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Renowned Sk author Sharon Butala is guest speaker at the 20th Sk Book Awards in Regina

Apr 27, 2013 7:31 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
A full house at Regina's Conexus Arts Centre for the 20th annual Saskatchewan Book Awards, MC'd by CBC's Sheila Coles

Apr 27, 2013 6:08 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Over 100 runners join Ben Grotsky for his 90th-birthday run from the Regina YMCA, raising $$ for youth programs.

Apr 27, 2013 12:28 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
90-years young Ben Grotsky running today (as he does everyday) to celebrate his birthday and raise $$$ for YM!

Apr 27, 2013 12:22 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Getting home to Regina. Compared to 2 weeks ago - some signs the snow-pack is beginning to give way

Apr 26, 2013 9:50 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
A delicious note - the only Conservative to balance a budget in the 20th century was Robert Borden - and he was originally a school teacher!
Apr 26, 2013 7:29 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
HarperCons tout job training in Budget 2013, but it still has to be negotiated with provinces + would include NO NEW federal funding
Apr 25, 2013 11:51 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In Question Period, HarperCons cannot explain why youth joblessness is worse, despite all their boastful (but apparently useless) programs
Apr 25, 2013 11:42 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Conservative nastiness and dishonesty boomerangs http://www.canada.com/news/Teachers+insulted+Harper+Tories+Trudeau+attack+that+target+their/8294349/story.html
Teachers ‘insulted’ by Harper Tories for Trudeau attack ads that 'target' their professi
Apr 25, 2013 10:46 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
The time has come to pull Canadian politics out of the gutter. Instead of tawdry attack-ads, here's a message of hope we can all share http://youtu.be/ILBwN_Ut_pM
Justin Trudeau -- Channel Change
Apr 25, 2013 9:02 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
JUSTIN’S LIBERALS FOCUSED ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT While the Harper Conservatives are obsessed with their juvenile attack-ads (showing just how spooked they are by the arrival on the scene of a fresh, new, positive alternative), Liberals in Parliament remain tightly focused on real issues affecting middle-class Canadians and all those who are working hard to join them – issues like youth unemployment. Conservatives lamely recite a vacuous list of bureaucratic program titles, trying to imply that they’re helping. But hard facts show their programs don’t work: • More than 212,000 FEWER young Canadians are working today than just before the recession began in 2008. • More than 51,000 ADDITIONAL young Canadians are out of work and actively looking for a job. • The youth unemployment rate is up, running at a stubborn 14.2% -- nearly double the rate for other Canadians. • Worse still, tens of thousands of young people have just given up, dropping out of the job market altogether. Youth participation in labour markets is down by 3.8%. The Conservative record for young people and for the middle class is dismal. They offer no hope for a better future, just perpetual mediocrity. That’s why these Conservatives are stooping to tawdry attack-ads – to try to change the channel. They’re really quite pathetic!
Apr 25, 2013 8:34 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
About the federal Tree Farm at Indian Head, Sask: does HarperCons pledge "to run it thru 2013" now eliminate threat of operational layoffs?
Apr 25, 2013 7:24 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
RITZ COMMITS TO MAINTAIN TREE FARM THROUGH 2013 Here is my exchange today with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz: Ralph Goodale: "Mr. Speaker, if you’re disposing of any business you’ll get more for it if you sell it in good shape as a going concern rather than dumping the assets in a fire sale. Well-respected western organizations are trying to avoid a hasty ire sale of the federal tree farm at Indian Head Saskatchewan. They want it to service Prairie Agriculture for a long time into the future. They ask only that the government ensure the tree farm’s full operation through 2013, protecting its integrity and value so it can be properly transferred as a viable business in 2014. Will the Minister agree?" Gerry Ritz: "It’s unfortunate that the Member for Wascana is several months behind on this file Mr. Speaker. We’ve done exactly that. I’ve had meetings face-to-face with APAS members, I’ve had other interventions from other groups that are interested in picking up the facility. We’ve offered it on two or three different levels to two or three different competitors in that. There’s quite a demand for it Mr. Speaker. We’ve also said we will continue to run it through 2013. That’s exactly what we intend to do Mr. Speaker." The Minister has never been this categorical before. This may be good news. To be clear, the Harper government needs to stop all layoffs and proposed layoffs at the Tree Farm and ensure that all normal operations are fully maintained through another full cycle of cultivation, growth and harvesting. This is essential to avoid a hasty fire sale of the farm's assets in a piecemeal manner, as opposed to the orderly transfer of the full operation as a going concern with a genuine future. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A8NchUF-O0)
Goodale questions Ritz about the future of the Indian Head tree farm
Apr 24, 2013 12:38 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In the House in answer to my question, Agriculture Minister Ritz pledges categorically to maintain the Indian Head Tree Farm all thru 2013
Apr 24, 2013 12:09 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Once again in Question Period, Mr Harper sluffs off youth unemployment, tells Canadian young people to settle for medocrity
Apr 24, 2013 11:36 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Today's a day to celebrate a great Canadian - birth date of Lester Pearson! Our flag, national medicare, Canada Pension Plan - what a legacy!
Apr 23, 2013 11:52 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In Question Period, Harper indifferent to youth joblessness, claims governmentt has plenty of programs. But double digit youth unemployment persists.
Apr 23, 2013 11:34 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In Question Period, HarperCons claim to have reduced CO2 emissions. How? By bungling into an economic recession they failed to anticipate.
Apr 22, 2013 12:03 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
In Question Period, despite HarperCons red herrings, Justin Trudeau remains tightly focused on the economy + the middle class.
Apr 22, 2013 11:29 am | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
At JUNOs in Regina, Hall of Famer kd lang closes the show; Michael Buble concludes with tribute to Rita MacNeil

Apr 21, 2013 7:23 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
At JUNOs in Regina, Anne Murray inducts kd lang into Cdn Music Hall of Fame - the room erupts in joy!

Apr 21, 2013 6:27 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
At the JUNOs in Regina, Michael Buble hosts and performs - third costume change.

Apr 21, 2013 6:23 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Saskatoon's Sheepdogs rock the house at 2013 JUNOs in Regina - just after Leonard Cohen won his 2nd award this year!

Apr 21, 2013 5:32 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Serena Ryder opens the show at the 2013 JUNOs in Regina!

Apr 21, 2013 5:17 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
From the JUNOs in Regina - a full house welcomes Michale Buble!

Apr 21, 2013 5:15 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
And Leonard Cohen just won the 2013 JUNO Artist of the Year Award!
Apr 20, 2013 8:27 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Final performance tonight at the JUNOs in Regina - Adam Cohen. Great job! His famous father will be here next weekend.

Apr 20, 2013 8:25 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
At JUNOs in Regina, the Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented to the great Tom Cochrane! Life is a Highway!

Apr 20, 2013 8:24 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
At JUNOs - Moving tribute to Rita from Big Pond, Raylene Rankin, Stompin' Tom and all the other wonderful Cdn artists who died this past year.
Apr 20, 2013 6:49 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
From the JUNOs in Regina - The Canadian Tenors perform with Regina's O'Neill RC high school choir

Apr 20, 2013 6:22 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
From the JUNOs in Regina - Dean Brody featuring Colin James

Apr 20, 2013 5:35 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana
MPlib
Big crowd gathering at Regina's EventPlex for opening night of 2013 JUNO Awards. Regina is proud and loud!

Apr 20, 2013 5:11 pm | Saskatchewan, Wascana