In Canada's fiscal Olympics, large equalization payments constitute the brass, tin and lead medals. They recognize and reward persistent policy failure lasting decades. Quebec, most of the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba now find themselves fighting Ontario for ownership of the podium.
Canadians have given Quebec a quarter of a trillion dollars in equalization payments since 1957, half of all the money the program has handed out. Over that span of more than 50 years, Quebec has always been the biggest beneficiary, and has never been a net contributor to equalization. With Pauline Marois and her Parti Quebecois leading in the polls as the province approaches its Sept. 4 election, all that money doesn't seem to have won us friends or influenced people.
So how about that high-flying health expert who whacked Alberta taxpayers for $487,000 a year in salary plus $346,000 in expenses in 3½ years at the Capital Health agency, then bonged eHealth in Ontario for over $75,000 a month as a consultant before getting hired as chief financial officer with Alberta Health Services? The Olympic magnitude of it inspires a certain awe. Click here to read more.
Even for a desperate politician, B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s attack on the Northern Gateway pipeline was exceptionally mean and stupid. It’s no accident Canadian provinces are not allowed to behave like highwaymen. But it is astounding that Clark doesn’t know it. Click here to read the rest.
A surprising Abacus Data poll says the Liberals would vault from their third-place doldrums into a statistical tie with the Harper Tories atop the polls with Justin Trudeau as leader, leaving Mulcair's NDP eating red dust. Don't believe it. This poll shows he's cute, people have heard of him and the lad can punch. But not that he's the stuff political dreams are made of. Click here to read the rest.
Jim Flaherty thinks we’re financial idiots. What a coincidence. Click here to read the rest.
On Tuesday, Wisconsin voters took the momentous step of not firing their governor. It's very good news for the United States, and probably Canada too. Click here to read more.
When even politicians say Canada has too many politicians, don’t believe them. They’re just trying to get rid of the competition. Click here to read the rest.