Canada's businesses get tax break; personal taxpayers pay more for jobless and pension benefits in the New Year

   Canada column published on Sunday, Jan. 1/12

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadian businesses are getting a New Year’s bonus from the government while taxpayers will be paying more.

   Corporate tax rates are being lowered to 15 percent from 16.5 percent effective today in a bid to stimulate new investment and create jobs, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said.

   The federal government is, however, increasing the amount deducted from personal paychecks for Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan contributions.

   The increases to pay for jobless benefits and pensions result in a combined total of $306 a year more in payroll taxes. Employers will also pay more for their share for their employees.

   In order to head off a depletion of funds in the Employment Insurance program, a government-appointed committee had recommended an even higher rate increase.

   As well, the government is moving ahead with a plan to cut spending by $4 billion over the next several years to tackle the spending deficit now at $31 billion in the current year.

Canadian government nixes Kyoto Protocol to avoid penalties

   Canada column for Sunday, Dec. 18/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada’s Conservative government has pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s binding climate treaty, to avoid paying $14 billion in penalties.

   Environment Minister Peter Kent said the penalties for Canada not achieving its targets would cost thousands of jobs with no impact on emissions or the environment.

   Instead, Canada is looking for a new global deal to force all countries to lower greenhouse-gas emissions.

   The announcement by Kent to invoke Canada’s “legal right” to withdraw came after his return from United Nations climate talks in South Africa.

   The talks resulted in an agreement to establish a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol by 2015.

   Russia and Japan also refused to continue with the protocol while Kent said he expected others to also withdraw.

   Environmental groups and opposition politicians condemned Canada’s action on Kyoto signed in in the late 1990s by a former Liberal government.

Beyond the Border to ease crossing into Canada and the U.S.

   Canada column published on Sunday, Dec. 11/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The historic border security and trade agreement for Canada and the United States is intended to ease the movement of people and goods between the two countries.

   Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the Beyond the Border measures “represent the most significant step forward in Canada-U.S. co-operation since the North American Free Trade Agreement."

   After their meeting in Washington, President Barack Obama encouraged more Canadians to come to the U.S. as “they spend more money in America than any other visitors.”

   The key goal is to streamline the process of crossing the border through improved screening and security procedures.

   Included will be an entry-exit information-sharing system at land borders to improve the ability to track people who are in Canada illegally or who overstay their visa.

   Critics of the deal suggest Canadians might be giving up too much personal information that will be shared by both countries.

   Some 300,000 people a day cross the border and trade between the two countries amounts to more than $1 billion daily.

   Canadians stayed 47.4-million nights in Florida alone in 2009 and it was suggested they obtain NEXUS passes for “trusted travelers” to ease crossing the border.

Canadians feel safe from crime while government plans to toughen sentences for criminals

   Canada column published on Sunday, Dec. 4/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Most Canadians feel safe from crime even as the government prepares to get tougher with criminals.

   Statistics Canada found 93percent of those surveyed felt satisfied with their personal safety, including walking alone at night and being home alone.

   While crime rates overall have been falling for the past decade, a major concern is a rise in youth crime.

   Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government plans to lengthen prison terms and eliminate the deals for time served awaiting trial.

   Westerners were a little more concerned with safety, with British Columbia residents saying they were 89-percent satisfied while those in Prince Edward Island were rated most satisfied at 97 percent.

   Lowest levels of satisfaction were in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton while the highest were Moncton, New Brunswick, and Kingston, Guelph and Oshawa, Ontario.

World economic ills aren't discouraging Canadian shoppers for holidays as spending remains strong: survey

   Canada column published on Sunday, Nov. 27/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The world economic upheaval won’t be the Grinch that steals all of Christmas for Canadians as consumer confidence has turned positive.

   Economic uncertainty elsewhere “is not doing any more major damage to confidence” of Canadians, said Norman Baillie-David of TNS Canada.

   The marketing and social research firm’s much-watched confidence index rose last month after six months of declines but it’s “not a good news story, at least yet,” he added.

   While Canadians indicated that many aren’t ready to make major financial outlays right now, such as buying a car or major appliance, Christmas spending won’t be all that stifled.

   The survey found 59 percent plan to spend about the same as before while those who are cutting back the most are 25 percent of those who spend the most – more than $2,000.

   On average, Canadians will spend $776 this year for holiday gifts, down from $812 last year.

   This indicates that Canadians are saying “things are maybe going crazy everywhere else but my own situation right now is still not that bad,” Baillie-David said.

Canada offers oil to Asia after U.S. pipeline decision delay

   Canada column published on Sunday, Nov. 20/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Canada is looking to sell its oil and natural gas in Asia after the U.S. administration delayed a decision on a controversial $7-billion pipeline project.

   Approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline to transport Canadian crude to refineries in Texas from Alberta’s oilsands was a “no brainer,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said earlier.

   He even predicted it would be approved by the end of the year and construction would begin soon afterwards.

   After all, it would have created thousands of jobs in the U.S. and provided a major source of oil to its neighbor and largest trading partner to help ease dependence on crude from non-friendly Middle East nations, he reasoned.

   Harper expressed Canada’s disappointment in a meeting last week in Hawaii with President Barack Obama after the U.S. State Department asked for a different route through Nebraska and a further environmental assessment.

   “This highlights why Canada must increase its efforts to make sure it can supply its energy outside of the United States and into Asia in particular," Harper said.

   Chinese President Hu Jintao said he approves of Canada’s bid to reach out and invited Harper to visit to discuss a potential deal.

Occupy groups to be told to move on

   Canada column published on Sunday, Nov. 13/11

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   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   They’ve made their point and now it’s time to move on, Occupy groups camped out in parks and public areas across Canada are being told.

   After weeks of protests against “corporate greed and economic inequity,” tensions are growing and police are being asked to take action.

   There are mounting concerns over safety, highlighted by the drug overdose death of a 23-year-old woman in a tent at the Vancouver protest and open fires.

   With colder weather arriving, protesters are erecting more permanent shelters and using campfires to stay warm in violation of city laws.

   Montreal officials refused to allow protesters to build makeshift wooden cabins but they say they’ll do it anyway.

   Toronto residents have “had enough” of the protesters camping in a downtown park and it’s time for them to go, Mayor Rob Ford said.

   Eviction notices are planned against the squatters in Victoria, Calgary, Regina and Edmonton while police removed the tents in London, Ontario and Halifax protesters left on their own.

   After a scuffle with firefighters over “ceremonial” fires set by a native group, Vancouver protesters were told by the police to pack up but they are asking the British Columbia Supreme Court to allow them to stay.