I think we also need more strategies to keep the trains moving, especially during rush hours. I think the most common reason I hear for unplanned subway downtime is “security incident” and “medical incident”. I think the (increasing number it seems of) fare enforcement officers is bad spending. As a TTC user they’re of no benefit to me, and I don’t think they effectively reduce fare evasion either - I think the value is crap. I’d rather see security and medical/nursing personnel on trains or at stations to intervene sooner (security and medical incidents, respectively) and keep the trains running.
The crowding at St. George station is getting nuts
First off, this move is antithetical to the idea of making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. Second, if you’re making $1M on capital gains in a year, you’re not upper middle class or lower upper class - or whatever ‘they’re not that rich’ argument you intend. Third, and most importantly, the upper middle class/lower upper class (to use dated terminology) being taxed on their capital gains is a by-product. These taxes also catch, probably as they are intended to, people making 10 million or 100 million (I can’t imagine lol). And let’s not forget, they didn’t work an hour to make that money.
How come only those of us with jobs should pay income taxes?
This is conjecture, but I think it’s protectionism by strong Canadian physicians’ unions. More physicians in the job pool means less job security and earnings potential for those already in it. There are many ways we could get more physicians in the workforce and/or in rural/remote communities that domestic MDs may not want to work in
The Angus Reid poll suggests a connection between income level and Canadian pride. People with incomes below $25,000 were less likely to be proud of Canada (48 per cent), while those with income above $200,000 were more likely (65 per cent), according to the poll.
Westlake is not surprised that one’s finances might influence their love of country. “Cost of living is up, access to health care and access to doctors is something a lot of people are struggling with. Housing prices are up,” Westlake said. “We’re coming out of a period of quite significant inflation. So you have a bunch of these things that hit people in their pocketbooks that tend to shape public opinion in all types of situations that probably reflect poorly on incumbent governments.”
I think it’s still under- stated/recognized how much COVID spread was (and is?) an urban phenomenon. In Toronto, on subways, I’d say at least 10% of people mask. It’s a pretty large group. I feel like there’s pretty widespread acceptance of masking here too, in recognition that the city is close quarters at times (eg, subways). I would be really surprised if I saw someone critiquing another person for wearing a COVID mask in public - and I might even approach the aggressor lol. From Senator Simons’ article, it sounds like there are more mask trolls - a euphemism ‘mask troll’ to be sure’ - in Alberta. Shame.
I don’t mask regularly in public places currently, but I think about it. I sometimes mask if I “can’t get sick” for something coming up in the next few days. I also mask when I’m transitioning from sick to healthy and out of isolation when I’ve had a respiratory sickness.
Thankfully, I haven’t been sick for a while, which I credit partly to keeping up with my flu and COVID vaccinations better this year or two. I’m a bigger believer in the shots being a good personal investment than I was years ago (they are also a very good investment for public health - but I always knew that :)
Bloc as official opposition would be pretty wild, but it sure is in the realm of possibilities.
I have a pet theory that Quebec plays a larger than recognized role in determining the balance of power federally between Conservatives and Liberals, because Quebec will elect some number of Liberals but practically no Conservatives (against AB, SK and the Maritimes which lean Conservative).
At the risk of sounding like the densest person you’ve encountered today, what’s your pet theory? That Quebec voters hold LPC’s feet to the fire with the threat that they’ll leave the Liberals and doom the Liberals as a result?
Your points are very much in line with the author of the article.
It’s supposed to be a steering tax. It should be progressive (i.e., if you’re wealthier you pay more) and the focus should be on steering the behaviours of the rich and of industry, not Joe Canadian
We should be looking at (disincentivizing) plane trips, cruise ship trips, gas plants, etc - not fixating on the price at the gas pumps. We have PP and other bad actors to thank for that malicious association
It was a good primer on this topic. I think the point that the LPC vacancy in these turbulent times - Dump as POTUS - reveals weaknesses in our political system with respect the PM’s power, and should perhaps be cause for reflection, is a valid one.
Less interestingly, it’s been ages since I read an article in The Globe and Mail. I basically had to hold my nose through the paragraphs about Trudeau - 2 to start - that were obnoxiously uncivil. Mr. Coyne wasn’t that complimentary of the CPC, but he certainly wasn’t as vitriolic. It was so icky to read in parts, which perplexes me