Canada
column for Sunday, Nov. 25/12
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THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By
Jim Fox
Canadians need not be concerned about any tax increases or “risky new
spending schemes” in the next federal budget.
Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty made the comments, saying the Conservative government is
moving toward its goal to balance the budget by 2015.
Budget consultations with provincial leaders are to begin in the coming
days as the latest figures show a deficit of $26 billion.
That’s an increase of $5 billion from a forecast last March and is
blamed on global economic weakness that has cut into commodity prices and tax
revenues.
Both
Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper insist the government can still
balance the budget in the next two years.
The government is trying to strike a balance between reducing spending,
maintaining an “appropriate tax base” and including measures to stimulate
economic growth, Flaherty said.
There
will be no reductions in federal payments for education and health care while
spending for such things as programs for seniors, people with disabilities and
children will remain untouched, he added.
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A
British Columbia sled-dog manager who killed more than 50 dogs no longer needed
after the 2010 Winter Olympics has avoided a jail term.
Robert Fawcett, 40, who worked for Howling Dog Tours in Whistler, admitted
to killing the dogs after a post-Olympic slump in business.
"It
is beyond comprehension as to how this could have occurred," said Judge
Steve Merrick who fined Fawcett $1,725, gave him three years’ probation and 200
hours of community service work.
While culling the herd is not illegal, Fawcett pleaded guilty to causing
unnecessary pain and suffering in the deaths of nine of the dogs whose bodies
were among 56 exhumed by investigators.
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News
in brief:
- Canada’s
budget watchdog is taking the Conservative government to court for its refusal
to disclose information about austerity measures. Parliamentary budget officer
Kevin Page has complained that departments have not been forthcoming regarding budget
cuts, staff reductions and impacts on services. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
said Page should follow his mandate to examine government spending, not
restraint measures.
-
This could be the most profitable year in a decade for Canada’s vehicle manufacturers.
The Conference Board of Canada estimates the industry will have $1.35 billion
in pre-tax profits and “brisk growth” continuing this year and next. An increasing
U.S. demand is expected to lead to a “prolonged recovery” in Canadian auto exports.
- The
Salvation Army has fired its executive directors in Toronto and Ottawa after inside
thefts. Toronto police are investigating the theft of $2 million in toys, food
and donated goods over the past two years. In Ottawa, police are looking into $240,000
missing from the army’s accounts.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar has edged higher to $1.0083 in U.S. funds while the U.S.
dollar returns 99.17 cents Canadian, before bank exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate remains at 1 percent while the
prime-lending rate is 3 percent.
Stock
markets are higher, with the Toronto exchange index at 12,210 points and the
TSX Venture index at 1,256 points.
Lotto 6-49: (Nov. 21) 10, 16, 21, 31, 33 and 36; bonus 27. (Nov. 17) 3,
4, 20, 31, 41 and 48; bonus 15. Lotto Max: (Nov. 16) 1, 5, 9, 19, 27, 35 and
48; bonus 30.
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Regional briefs:
-
A public inquiry report into why it took so long for police to arrest Robert
Pickton for killing Vancouver sex workers will be released next month. Former
judge Wally Oppal said his investigation includes recommendations to better
protect vulnerable members of society. Picton was sentenced to life in prison
for killing six women and was implicated in the deaths of another 20.
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This year’s 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup football game (Canada’s Super Bowl)
against the Toronto Argonauts in their hometown won’t include the Calgary
Stampeders Quick Six mascot horse galloping down the sidelines when the teams
scores. That’s due to lack of space and safety concerns. One tradition continued
as Stampeder fans marched a horse into the Royal York hotel lobby to recreate a
stunt started at the 1948 game.
-
Don’t be talkin’ is an old Newfoundland expression meaning “you don’t say.” It
was 30 years ago that the best-selling Dictionary of Newfoundland English was published
– helping the rest of Canada figure out just what the islanders were saying.
The 770-page book reveals the colorful idioms that developed from its Irish and
English heritage.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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