Diversion 101. When politicians want you to stop looking at something, they find a shiny new thing in the other direction. Get ready.
So Canada’s big engineering firm, SNC Lavalin, is quite the outfit. Fraud and bribery scandals in India. Ditto in Libya. Senior executives charged and on trial. And a massive corruption investigation over its contract to build McGill’s expansive medical centre. With $9 billion in revenues and a billion in profit, this is a Canadian success story. But Lavalin is also our poster firm for corporate sleaze. Or so the oppo guys would have us believe.
Anyway, young T2 seems to have stepped right into this. If it’s true that his office told the nation’s attorney-general to go light on Lavalin and help it escape trial, that’s a big deal. Obstruction of justice. People get locked up.
The AG, also the former justice minister, was dumped in the latest cabinet shuffle and ended up being in charge of veterans affairs – which is the lowest rank. Then she quit. And lawyered up. Mr. Trudeau has cause to worry, if the slighted Jody Wilson-Raybould says she was asked to help Lavalin by thwarting the system. Indications are she was, and refused. Then paid the price.
Will such an egregious error, if proven, be enough to sink the Libs in this year’s election? Is dumping the first-ever indigenous justice minister (a female, no less) damaging the Liberal brand? It’s already being called sexist and racist. Or will a hormonal mass of vaping, texting, Netflixing moisters not care, and vote for the cool guy anyway? Especially if he helps them buy a house?
The government’s brewing disaster may well lead us down that path. We’ve already told you some of what’s being considered for the moister housebuying plan – a return to insured 30-year mortgages, a lifting of the price cap (now $1 million) for CMHC coverage leading to lower downpayments, plus some diddling with the stress test.
With one or two rate hikes between now and the October vote, that test will become even bigger news than now, when industry groups are trying to gut it. The latest jobs stats showed ten times more new positions created in January than were expected, suggesting a robust economy. A new Nanos poll runs counter to prevailing opinion, with a majority of Canadians (55%) saying five rate hikes thus far have been no big deal. And the real estate market is wobbly in most major cities as buyers retreat and realtors have breakdowns.
So, yeah, the stress test is political fodder. It won’t be trashed, but it might be hobbled. The +2% aspect may turn into +1%, for example, which alone would add about 10% to available credit. There’s also some chatter the RRSP Homebuyers’ Plan could be juiced again, allowing a greater amount to be Hoovered from retirement funds for a downpayment, plus an increase to the tax credit designed to offset closing costs.
But whatever’s decided, there’s no doubt the feds will soon try to change the channel away from Lavalin, our war with China, failed pipelines, higher taxes, yellow vests and $100 billion in new debt with a Millennial Houselust Strategy. The question then is what the Cons come up with, plus the odds of regime change on Parliament Hill.
Suddenly they seem higher, given the severity of the Lavalin situation, and the legs that issue might have. Much also rests on the ability of young Andrew Scheer to man up as a campaigner, plus the depth of the Conservative platform. Meanwhile Mad Max is snapping at his heels, trying to suck off the Trump-north, libertarian and anti-immigrant vote. And poor Jagmeet Singh is pooched – arguably the worst Dipper leader in living memory – which means the Libs will not be eroded on their left flank.
Politics, to repeat, is math. Parties form majority governments in this country with just a third of the overall vote, thanks to our weird first-past-the-post system. Meanwhile the biggest voting block in the land is no longer the Boomers, but the Mills. This is the demographic Mr. Socks tapped into so effectively in 2015, appealing to the moister mantra of gender equality, inclusiveness, a sharing economy, more government and lotsa weed.
The kids are now four years older, and face this…
Do you think they’ll vote for less government interference in the judicial system and more ethical leadership, or for dudes saying they’ll make houses cheaper.
Me, too.
169 comments ↓
Recent sale report.
I only just highlighted this one on Monday and it sold the next day, and so now I will follow through.
The listing stated that the elderly seller wanted it gone, and it turns out they weren’t joking.
The details…
3002 Grant st. Vancouver.
Sold 1.09 February 12th 2019
Asking 1.09 February 6th 2019
Assessment 1.37
So it was only on the market for six days, priced appropriately for the current market and anytime an old purchase does this, it has to make the class of 2015/2016 squirm with the prices they paid.
The bottom rung is not exempt from what is going on,and if anything it is a good bet that the people that struggled to jump on the first rung, as it was raised beyond belief for most folk, are going to be affected the most.
They couldn’t resist the Sugar Train…
M44BC
https://www.zolo.ca/vancouver-real-estate/3002-grant-street
https://www.rew.ca/insights/158860/3002-grant-street-vancouver-bc
Still waiting to see if any real estate debauchery occurred during this sale…
https://www.zolo.ca/vancouver-real-estate/6576-yew-street
TRUE OR FALSE (searching for a grain of truth in the unsubstantiated claims of Montreal real estate “experts”)
“House prices in Montreal totally tanked in the years leading up to 2000 resulting in an extreme – 60% price crash by that year.
So deep was Montreal’s extreme, artificially low price hole in 2000 that it has taken a tripling of house prices since then to bring them back to our city’s long-term average.
This totally means incomes fully and properly support house prices in Montreal which makes it safe to buy now in our city. No bubble here.”
**********************************
If house prices in Montreal crashed in the years leading up to 2000, resulting in a – 60% deep, artificially low price crash hole by then, Teranet’s index would definitely show it.
Fail (of course). Teranet’s index shows house prices in Montreal increased 8.3% from January 1995 to January 2000.
Indeed Montreal’s housing market posted steady, solid and healthy price gains in the 5 years leading up to 2000.
What does this tell us? It strongly indicates that house prices in Montreal weren’t undervalued or overvalued from 1995 to 2000.
It overwhelmingly reflects the behavior of a housing market that had locked into its long-term house price to income ratio. No overvaluation. No undervaluation. Properly valued. Right on the mark.
This means 2000 fairly and accurately represents Montreal’s long-term price to income ratio, making it a fair starting point for Montreal house prices.
(continued)
(Note that it was in 2000 that policy makers began to implement (additional) major bubble-blowing policy changes that resulted in the tripling (2.9 times) of Montreal house prices from 2000 to today. Lax lending standards (and extremely low interest rates) have turned Montreal’s properly valued, steady and healthy housing market (in 2000) into what it is today – an extremely overvalued market. Montreal’s artificially boosted / extreme house price gains since 2000 have left (significantly smaller in comparison) income gains far behind.)
Housing price gains (from 2000 to peak):
* Montreal…….( 2.9 x) … (almost tripled)
Phoenix………( 2.9 x)
Los Angeles…(2.8 x)
San Francisco…( 2.6 x)
Seattle…………( 2.6 x)
San Diego….….( 2.5 x)
Las Vegas…( 2.35 x)
Miami……..( 2.25 x)
Sources: Teranet’s Index, Case-Shiller Index
(Notice that I haven’t even mentioned how 1992’s significant housing market intervention – the lowering of the minimum down payment in Canada from an already low 10% to an even lower 5% – would have artificially boosted house prices in Montreal by 2000 (after 8 years of significant artificial stimulation). )
(Note: Many countries would consider Canada’s minimum down payment of 5% (for many buyers) to be irresponsible, reckless and subprime. The minimum down payment in the US, for example, is a responsible, safe and prudent 20%.)
200 years of world housing bubble history shows that all housing bubbles go through major (full) price corrections that never happen in a slow, controlled or safe manner. Indeed history has shown that these major corrections take place despite the significant efforts / policy changes / interventions aimed at stopping them.
Canada’s current market correction may be unstoppable. Buy at your own risk (in the bubble cities).
From a millennial perspective… cheap houses ftw!!
I’d love to get a big fat rebate for buying my first home… the $4000 is not nearly enough.
Can’t want to see the look on the door to door campaigners’ faces when I tell them that I’ll only vote for them if they commit to taxing businesses with over 100 employees and redistributing the money to the poor and middle class.
Why is Jagmeet Singh the worst NDP leader in living memory? Quick, does anyone even remember who their leader before Layton was?! Weren’t their two utterly forgettable women at the helm sometime recently. Anybody recall who they were?
“$100 billion in new debt “
That’s all? That’s an improvement over the Harper/Tory record, which added $27B in new debt annually. Not even inflation adjusted.
Scheer doesn’t stand a chance until he disavows the excessive and extreme spending ways of the administration that he was previously part of (but served much of it as the Speaker of the House of Commons).
Here we are, a few months after marihuana was “legalized”, and social problems associated with such have been practically zero. Meanwhile the Conservatives continue to fearmonger despite the evidence being stacked against them.
Even this whole largely concocted affair with SNC Lavalin, over crimes that were allegedly committed well over a decade ago, not even against Canadians, probably won’t meaningfully move the needle in the polls. Might get the Trudeau haters and lawyerly intellectual types a bunch of CBC airtime, but who watches CBC anyways?
I figured an announcement on cannabis edibles would be coming….plus more millenials getting the munchies will boost the economy….
RE: Quadriga Bitcoin Scam
Here is how you purchase a death certificate in India:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=153&v=UP_vYpyPAE8
For anyone ACTUALLY buying into the story of the death of the Quadriga guy. The exchange was insolvent months before his departure from this mortal coil.
I’m a nobody, most people are. The one thing that separates this country (and most first world nations) and third world countries is that everyone is equal under the law. Creating a two tier legal system should be cause for concern.
I just read an opinion piece where the author called our PM with the famous last name a doofus. So much for respect for the office of the PM. It is becoming glaringly obvious that a famous last name and nice hair don’t amount to much of a resume.
Undoubtedly, this government is going to turn on the taps this election to buy votes. But, let’s be honest, does anyone really believe anything Mr Trudeau says anymore. He has failed on so many metrics.
Leadership is about inspiring people, not about leading them into crisis after crisis.
hey… I vape and I care … disregarding the Millenial, hormonal part though
What if this scandal isn’t about race, or gender, but instead about idealism vs. pragmatism?
If this issue comes down to the attorney general deciding – based on the promise that ‘this government would be different’, and / or an idealistic belief that SNC-Lavalin was NOT ‘too big to fail’ – that the company would be made to stand trial, and likely be convicted, its officers jailed, while the company is downsized, putting several thousand professionals in Montreal out of work in the process.
if that’s the case, then I have as little trouble with her demotion in cabinet as I would if the same choice were made by an ‘old white guy’ in the same role.
Call me naïve, but I saw her original appointment as being a ‘good move’ on the basis of her qualifications for the role: her career, achievements, etc., not her race or gender. But by that measure then, I’ve found the backlash surprising. And unhelpful.
@#102 Ubul
“By the way, can anyone explain, why is SNC Lavalin not subject to the Magnitsky act?”
++++++
Becuase lobbyists like SNC Lavain would not be pleased?
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/06/23/canada-failing-to-enforce-magnitsky-law/
The trial that SNC currently faces is due to the US Dept of Justice saying “enough” during the fall of Libyan dictator Gaddahfi and his extended family fleeing with a fortune looted from the oil rich state.
The private jet loaded with cash, gold and Gaddahfi’s son was stopped in Mexico City on its way to Canada.
Apparently under the request of the US govt…..not Canada.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/e-mails-key-to-mexican-case-in-gadhafi-snc-lavalin-scandal/article4101565/
An SNC contract employee( Cynthia Vanier) was detained in Mexico and let to rot for over a year.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cyndy-vanier-sues-snc-lavalin-for-15m-over-mexico-jail-ordeal-1.3227639
She maintained she was acting on orders from above. SNC denied all knowledge of her actions.
After the jet was stopped in Mexico and all the goodies found…. it raised more questions than answers,
Who rented the jet? Who gave the Gaddahfi family Canadian passports?
Several days later the RCMP raided SNC Montreal headquarters with the FBI watching…….
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/snc-lavalin-s-montreal-offices-raided-by-rcmp-1.1170982
The entire sordid story of SNC’s dealings with a murderous dictator in Libya and the signing of multi billion dollar construction contracts….doesnt pass the smell test…..
….and Let us not forget SNC’ s dealings with Venezuela’s dictators as well.
I’m sure no matter the outcome of this current trial.
SNC will be facing many more in the future.
the new boss is the same as the old boss
ps.
what is going on with daddies boy donnies hair
Don’t even say his name… The PooPoo PeePee Man!
SNC has long been corrupt and bribed their way into contracts around the world. This will just blow over, nothing to see here.
You left out an important detail. The mills don’t really want cheap housing. They want the moon shot other generations got when your house appreciates by a million and you don’t have to do anything but live in it. Cha-ching who needs a retirement plan?
If all you want is cheap housing to binge watch Netflix, all you have to do is move to the maritimes or Quebec City. But nobody wants a 30 year savings plan that appreciates at less than inflation.
SNC Lavalin is too big to fail. What was done was completely necessary from and economic standpoint and a Coservative Government would have done the exact same thing, along with all the hoopla and the fall-guy, or fall-Woman in this case.
Nobody will remember this in two months and we will be on to the next thing.
Imagine, in this political climate, an incident in February affecting an election in October?! Not a chance!
“. They want the moon shot other generations got when your house appreciates by a million and you don’t have to do anything but live in it. Cha-ching who needs a retirement plan? “
Sure and that won’t, and *can’t* happen unless house prices collapse. Basically impoverishing boomers (who own disproportionate amounts of housing and GICs that fund mortgages in the financial system), and transferring that wealth to the Millennial buyers.
The Millennials that are going to be the most disappointed are those that structured their portfolios to look like the boomers. Who, by virtue of history, and by demographics, basically have bullseyes painted on their backs.
I think a lot of people are going to be shocked when waves of negative equity hit places like Vancouver and Toronto. Its not that there will be a lot of foreclosures, rather, those who are trapped “underwater” simply won’t be participating in the spectacular upside of other asset classes that are likely to significantly benefit from global central bank reflationary policy.
There are the “haves”and the “have nots”. The “have nots” outnumber the “haves” and will vote themselves “free stuff”. The “haves”will pay for it. The Dancing Fairy in Ottawa knows this. He will be re elected. Game over…….factor in the suppression of our natural resources, ill will from the US, China, India, and Saudi Arabia, and it is really game over.
SNC Lavalin
..err SNC Lavalamp?
No news here..large multi billion dollar firms only stay large and viable via shady deals, bailouts and other forms of ” too big to fail ” entitlement.
T2’s perfect distraction from all things important is DJT!
sorry, audrey mclaughlin was the worst ndp leader in recent memory, jagmeet will replace her once he gets like 10 seats next round. too early to give him the title, he doesnt even have a seat yet. if he doesnt win the seat, and they get 10 to 12 seats next election then for sure he is gone.
and no one cares about defict and debt it balances itself, listen when you dont pay taxes, you dont care about governement debt, currency devaluation etc.
or anything like that. it doesnt mean anything.
deficits are for bankers and government people to talk about, trump running a trillion a year, economy fine, us dollar up, so what does it matter.
andrew is so weak, justin will just show up and give free pills to everyone and call it round 2, he will be prime minister for 20 years like his old man, maybe not all in one stretch but i’ll put money on it.
Sir Garth:
What If?
The prize is not SNC???
But something that is more dangerous.
Like a Wauwei VP.
Think about it. What if Jody was going to release Her?
What would have been the concequences? Good news to the China. Bad news to USA. And Us.
“You left out an important detail. The mills don’t really want cheap housing”
I’m a millennial. I just want cheap housing. Garth’s right, we will vote for anyone who claims they will provide that to us as it is BY FAR what affects our lives the most. SNC doing something illegal? This has got to be about the 40 billionth time that has happened. Who cares? I just want a stable home where I can raise a family. I have a great job and so does my partner. Moving to a place where houses are cheap, will never appreciate in value, with barely anywhere to work is not a solution. I’m sick of being renovicted by the generations above me who bought their house for next to nothing.
Personally, I don’t care if SNC faces criminal prosecution. I just want to see two heads roll. Butts and Telford. Tired of the country being run by eco warriors in an undergrad debating club. And please, spare me the sexist, misogynist, racial nonsense over JRW being tossed under the bus. She exits with her credibility and integrity intact.
He demoted a woman. How dare he.
Veteran Affairs is the lowest file? – that’s disgraceful. Shows how well they’re respected. Unbelievable. Never Forget.
Now and then the general public gets a rare glimpse into how things really work in Ottawa and the nasty stuff that unfortunately needs doing whilst the general populace is otherwise occupied. I think it’ll will blow over though, and we’ll resume regular programming.
Would’t to cool if Mr Dressup ended up sharing a cell with President Con Artist.
I must correct. SNC is no Canadian company. That’s a Quebec company which has been coddled for decades on the back of equalization payments. They are hopelessly corrupt and deserve to fail. They already have another criminal case pending.
Mrs Reybould will talk one way or another and there are some ridings that will flip because of it. Northern territories will go back NDP, some in Ontario and BC now. He has to make up a lot of ground from Montreal now. Montreal wont change no matter what corruption is spawned. Nathen Cullen is on standby to take on the NDP mantle and split that vote. There are probably more Libs coming that decide not to run.
It’s in the GDP Garth, that’s the leading indicator.
For example, the early 80’s recession negative GDP happened well before the lagging Unemployment/Employment rates:
https://i.imgur.com/cIk3uCC.jpg
I use Unadjusted job numbers since StatCan’s Seasonally Adjusted numbers, YOU KEEP QUOTING (and 99.98% of the MSM), are a total CROCK:
https://i.imgur.com/JSMRK44.jpg
StatCan thinks Cdn’s are too delicate or just plain stupid to understand seasonal cyclicality in job numbers. They must think Cold Winters and Warm Summers come as a complete mystery to Canadians (even La La Land now understands what Winter is all about).
We have had 2 of the last 3 GDP reports go NEGATIVE.
It’s in the GDP Garth. Pay attention to that in the next few months. How the economy goes, so will Justin’s future come this October.
#26 Milly on 02.14.19 at 5:59 pm
And you are confident T2 will do this, or any politician for that matter, and not just do what politicians do best and promise that with policies that will only get you more into debt and not lower said housing prices at all?
I have been doing some covert research on Mils in hot housing markets, posing as one of them. For example, I joined the “Vancouver is Falling” Facebook Group.
Let me tell you, they are not a happy bunch. The vitriol and one-sided arguments are, in my opinion, quite extreme.
I don’t think Justin Trudeau will be able to hold their votes with simple 30yr Am’s and 1mil CMHC extensions. They are out for blood, and will vote for any party that slices and dices homeowners.
Look for the Greens to come out with a big Social Justice package. That’s where the NDP vote will go, at least in BC. With only 12 years until worldy climate doom (according to some) an affordable housing/environment political party will draw crowds from the left.
Whatever happens, I think it will be quite the show.
Listened to Maxine Bernier on the Rubin Report podcast. Seems like he gets what frustrates so many of us in this age of offence and identity politics. I worry about splitting the vote to rid us of this politically correct Prime minister. Its a compromise as Scheer doesn’t Instill confidence in me.
Trudeau the Puppet made the fatal error of showing everyone his strings. Can’t put this one away; he’s hooped.
I’m betting 50-50 that Trump will reject the house bill. It has so many landmines in it that signing it would be worse than not signing it.
My guess is that he won’t sign it, declare an emergency and build. But to everyone’s chagrin, the emergency will be that the disaster area will be the Congress. They ignored the advice of ALL of the non-partisan experts and created a crap-show of a bill purely on political lines. Both Democrats and Republicans can wear this one.
Trump can honestly say that Congress is a disaster and I don’t think anyone will disagree. Except maybe on CNN and MSNBC and Fox. The average voter gets it though.
#106 JB on 02.14.19 at 12:27 pm
#68 Smoking Man on 02.14.19 at 1:14 am
…………………………………………………………………
My cousin is a medical teacher at a health sciences centre and and she thinks your a perfect example that she would love to see on her cadaver table. She wants your address.
—
That’s the kind of offers men get when hitting 60? Would love to see you on my cadaver table?
No wonder guys need to save up good money if they want to continue to have fun.
Happy V Day :)
#7 The Real Mark
No crimes committed against Canadians? Do you even know what you’re talking about? Google SNC Lavelin and the McGill hospital or the Jacques Cartier Bridge. The company is a cesspool that deserves to fail.
For those that believe in Boom and Bust periods, take a look at this % Unemployment chart:
https://i.imgur.com/oxjtm8t.png
Seems like each “cycle” runs in 9 year spurts.
Guess what?
The 9 years are up.
Guess what happens in 2019?
And yes, I could not resist plotting Unadjusted vs. Seasonally Adjusted numbers…’cause I can…and to show what a bunch of statistical bull shit artists StatCan are when it comes to job data.
Recall, GDP leads bad job numbers.
We just had 2/3 negative GDP reports.
Garth, I am scared. What’s next? I am a millennial myself, but I am scared of Canada where now dominant social group votes for promises of “Bread and circuses” (cheap houses and weed). Do you think the trend might change or we will be getting deeper into this? Makes the Trumpland look more attractive…
What r these yellow vests u talk about?
change the channel away from Lavalin, our war with China, failed pipelines, higher taxes, yellow vests and $100 billion in new debt with a Millennial Houselust Strategy.
#26 Milly
You can’t be serious? You want to raise a family?Have you ever thought of the repercussions of your wish list and how it would effect your children later on?
Garth I love all the crazy people you attract here.
Priceless!
@#26 Milly Vanilli
“Who cares? I just want a stable home where I can raise a family. ”
++++
Well .
Its good to know your Boomer parents handed down their Boomer view on life.
“me,me, me, meeeeeeeeeee”
Yo Flop!
I’m liking your postings backed up with history and current facts .
Inevitable, downward, spiral……… :)
Only 1 person in this photo believes in the Rule of Law:
https://i.imgur.com/jO0aKs7.jpg
The other read Daddies credenza copy of The Prince and took the “Divine Right of Kings” sections (Speculum Principis) way too seriously.
Bring in 30 year amortizations and prices will increase. The government is probably stupid enough to do this–just like Flaherty did with the 40 year amortization.
When you speak of corruption and sleaze, why don’t you mention former Liberal Govt of BC?
I have no idea who paid for this party, but not a dime was spent in Canada. This is one of several videos, and brought in the costing of about $200,000. No legal wedding took place here under Mexican Laws, but a secret private ceremony disclosed outside of Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfOb68HEXMI
#26 Milly …. its so much not about SNC Lavalin doing something wrong . Its about the boy blunder attempting to alter the course of justice through his office. Hopefully you mills have a little more on the ball than that line of thinking
@ #20 The Real Mark on 02.14.19 at 5:43 pm
============
And what exactly are those “other asset classes” that will experience the “spectacular” boom?
Let me be clear to those equivocating on the politics in this country. There is absolutely NO scenario where T2 comes out on top. He is a clown prince with a poisoned chalice.
If he miraculously obfuscates all this, bribes up votes and happens to skate through another win, then he will lose the country. Alberta will not tolerate sending cash to corrupt companies and welfare queen provinces and supporting deficit spending that’s unsustainable. That ship has sailed. Its done soon as Kenny gets the reigns.
So voter have more to think about than just voting liberal or not. Canada hangs in the balance and maybe it shouldn’t survive anyway.
@#37 akashic record
“That’s the kind of offers men get when hitting 60? Would love to see you on my cadaver table?”
+++++
Alas.
Yes.
I hope to be one step ahead of the ghouls with my final Will and Testament wish……
The Walking Dead….pffft…..amateurs.
https://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/24/the-driving-dead-human-cadavers-still-used-in-car-crash-testing/
the entire province of Alberta may have a different take on the Nanos poll. Trucks are rolling east headed for the Capital.
SNC? the merger of state and corporate powers?
Kinder Morgan pipeline we paid a BILLION more that it was worth.. that money is cut up and kicked back. Grifting 2nd oldest profession in the world. Great work if you can get it.
Word is Sir John A almost got himself in deep trouble running money from the transcanada rail and/or awarding contracts for donations to the party coffers. (something to that effect)
whats old is new
“So Canada’s big engineering firm, SNC Lavalin, is quite the outfit. Fraud and bribery scandals in India. Ditto in Libya.”
————————-
This, is simply the cost of ‘customer acquisition’.
Only the naive think these type of deals never, or shouldn’t, take place. $$$, grease the wheels of capitalism.
Risk = Reward.
As always, Canadians will vote for the lesser of 3 evils.
Obviously, given recent events, that pecking order has yet to be established.
The conservative vote is divided, and the Wolves of Odin are being mocked into oblivion!
@#116 A guy in Van
“I would love to see an HGTV show based on Flop’s real estate reports. Each episode follows around a greedy sod who loses his short trying to flip a property.”
++++
EXCELLENT idea.
It could be called ” Loved it then lost it”
Sponsorship advertisements would be from Moving Companies, repo agencies, Bankruptcy lawyers, and of course, Realtors…. that sell the underwater listing…. :)
Did I talk about ghouls in my last posting?
Sorry to repeat myself…..
Imagine T2 taking a beating at the polls due to his demoting of a Female indigenous Cabinet Minister as part of an attempt to assist a giant Corporation through illegal means.
And what’s up with Sophie’s disappearing act?
Pass the popcorn.
#26
I’m a millennial too. I’m not going to hold my breath and wait for a bunch of politicians to “fix” something they did on purpose. Hoping for a housing crash is curing cancer by killing the patient. If you want cheap housing there are thousands of cities in Canada and abroad that would meet that criteria. The world is a lot bigger than T.O. and Van.
A leader like Hunter Harrison who would slash public service expenses to the bone.
Why can’t we elect people like that. A plain and simple cutthroat businessman.
Instead we get showmen like Trump and T2. These are the softies we elect. Tragic.
Look at your water bill and tell me politicians don’t know creative ways to tax you to death. A country with nothing but water.
Dividend increases:
Trans Canada pipelines: +8.6%
Brookfield Asset Management: +6.7%
Nice…
How could Trudeau pull cheaper (as in lower priced) houses out of the hat – without interfering with interest rates, violating the independence of BoC?
Garth, With SNC Lavalin at rock bottom prices, and Trudeau in a can’t lose situation with being so so soft on SNC, how do you control yourself from at least taking a tiny tiny nibble on Lavalin shares? 401 is worth $30 a share and the rest of all the business is nearly free. Sub $30 is a great bet with Socks being untouchable with the Hipster Voting block.
#28 Suede on 02.14.19 at 6:00 pm
He demoted a woman. How dare he.
Veteran Affairs is the lowest file? – that’s disgraceful. Shows how well they’re respected. Unbelievable. Never Forget.
—
For real gender neutral people man/woman would not matter. Merit would.
For Trudeau it’s the violation of a major guiding into power dogma. Like ban on selfies would be violation of free speech.
#10 I’m stupid on 02.14.19 at 4:56 pm
I’m a nobody, most people are. The one thing that separates this country (and most first world nations) and third world countries is that everyone is equal under the law. Creating a two tier legal system should be cause for concern.
—
You can’t be nobody, you are just stupid. :)
watch first 45s.
https://youtu.be/e_N_vesQigY
SNC is just like Bombardier….Big and French Canadian. Quebec and Federal Govt will never let them fall…Oui???
The question is are millennials stupid enough to believe that longer amortization periods and no stress test will make homes more affordable? Or will they see that home prices have fallen and crave more tightening of credit to further the decline?
Politics, to repeat, is math. Parties form majority governments in this country with just a third of the overall vote, thanks to our weird first-past-the-post system.
British Columbia just did a referendum on the first-past-the-post system. Which makes three times the question has been put in front of people and three times they’ve said no. The first-past-the-post system isn’t perfect, but it does give the people a say in who will lead their government.
I put no trust in the promises of those who advocate against it. Their promises can be used to to advance hidden agendas. To manipulate. To subvert. We have a good system. Let’s keep it.
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-another-b-c-electoral-reform-comedy-ends-embarrassingly
Hey Garth:
“With $9 billion in revenues and a billion in profit, this is a Canadian success story.”
But, but, where did they get that coin? From ripping off innocents like the Canadian taxpayer. Proven time and time again.
The poster boy and his cabal in the Commons bleating their handlers unbelievable excuses. Yesterday was a huge black mark on Canada.
The only time anything happens via the RCMP is when the US is looking over their shoulder making sure it’s done right. And then they blow it anyways.
Where are the case resolutions from CRIMES of tax evasion brought forward by the Panama/Paradise Papers? Just more BS and no consequences, except a pennies thrown the taxpayers way that doesn’t even cover the expense of following the evaders, se we get dinged again.
Just the crimes from SNC would fill a book bigger than the old encyclopedias, each crime would be a volume of the misdeeds.
The previous comment about the Gadaffi plane in Mexico just shows SNC’s true colors.
Canada is a kleptocratic cesspool headed by the most vile cretins on earth, Canadian politicians of all stripes at all levels, aided and abetted by “unwitting” cops, puppets on a string. Money launderers, fraudsters, murderers, sex abusers pull right up, you get a free ride here as long as you grease a palm or ten. If you are sentenced, expect to get out in 1/3 time.You won’t get punished here, most cases the US has to clean up.
I don’t know why the US hasn’t knocked us the eff out for being such a stupid, weasely neighbor.
Just look how the HA thrives in BC. Everywhere else in Canada the HA is known as a criminal organization, but not in BC, can’t have that. And the first place the BCNDP leader goes to when elected is China! He knows where his bread is buttered I guess. Same with Trudough.
Still no charges in the biggest environmental disaster in Canada in 50 years!
Canadians are getting fed up and everyone I speak with KNOWS the story.
Cmon pols, prove me wrong!!!! Clean up that cesspool.
I for one am hoping that Mrs. Wilson-Raybould speaks publicly to the lies told by the PM.
But won’t Scheer also promise the world to the house horny? After all his party created the current housing mess very well all on their own.
@# Go lava go
“how do you control yourself from at least taking a tiny tiny nibble on Lavalin shares? 401 is worth $30 a share and the rest of all the business is nearly free. Sub $30…”
++++
Nah wait til its sub $20 and some other company buys it and renames it.
Same company. New Name.
But , of course, we’ll have to listen to all the wailing from the Quebec “Pure Lain” that dont want to see “their” company owned but a foreign conglomerate.
Can you say “Bouygues” ?
If someone did tell Jody Wilson-Raybould to go light on SC Lavalin it probably wasn’t Trudeau. I have it from good sources Chrétien is still running things. That’s why Trudeau was able to appoint his cabinet based on gender and race rather than merit. (I am not saying the cabinet isn’t any less competent as a result, any liberal cabinet would be incompetent.) All major decisions of this government come from behind the curtain. Competent cabinet members or even a Prime Minister are not required other than for show.
Anyway, nothing bad will happen to SN Lavalin unless it comes from outside the country. Like Bombardier, SN Lavalin is in deep with the Quebec government and thus cannot be interfered with by any Ottawa government that depends on votes from Quebec. If Jody causes any more trouble, she will be further depersoned. And don’t count on the media to help after Trudeau’s $600 million dollar bribe. That should be a far bigger story but we brushed it off. If anything further happens in this case you’ll have to go to Zerohedge to find out about it. They are going to bury this story like a dead horse.
Anyway, there is a little corruption everywhere, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this story is true in it’s entirety. We live in a world where minor soccer players need photo player cards to stop their coaches from using ineligible players. And they still cheat, passing off some other kid’s ID like a 16 year old trying to get into a bar using her older sister’s ID. The refs only have time to keep the honest people honest.
A little bribery is just part of the system. Kickbacks are part of doing business. I think I’ve lost count of the number of Hockey games I’ve been to as part of a business expense. Rodeo at the Stampede too. $300 bottles of wine. Lunches. Dinners. Strippers. Ski days. Oh and don’t forget golf. Golf is a big one. Stampede parties. I’ve been both a host and a guest for pretty much all of them, and I was an analyst! Everything gets greased. Most of that sort of low level corruption I’ve been involved in goes under the guise of “relationship building” but it goes on and on and even has a section in most corporate code of conduct policies outlining how much is too much, but never forbidding it. Accepting a TV is too much, for example, but a $300 dinner is ok. A round of golf including drinks and dinner, fine, but a new set of golf clubs to go with it, no. Nothing permanent.
That said, in the glory days of the oil patch here in Alberta, corruption at the personal level was rampant. It was not unheard of for equipment to be provided to an oil company that just so happened to have a quad or even in some cases a Porsche on the flat bed with the equipment that wouldn’t you know the service company would let the purchasing agent use when not otherwise in use, which was always.
We live in a corrupt world. Get used to it. For me, it’s hard, because it goes completely against my sensibilities. But so do mosquitoes and wasps and octopuses and they are still there. Competition as described by evolution theory exists everywhere, and when cheating gives an advantage it will occur. Especially when dealing with a government darling like SN Lavalin. They really have no choice. How else are they going to get the contracts when the politicians insist on being bribed one way or another? The law should focus on those who take bribes, not those forced to give them. Our corporate policies again can lead the way here, they almost always say if you take a bribe you will be fired. They don’t focus as much on what you give out. It is those that accept a bribe that are the real criminals. They are the ones betraying the trust of their employers. The ones giving bribes are just merely doing what they have to do to land the contract.
Korupnada needs all companies to bribe to get deals.
Then pay a puny DPA fine, profits up, jobs jobs jobs ( good paying ones), income taxes swell, budgets balance, attracts economic immigration, and best yet The TSX SOARS!
Bring it on Libs.
#54 Reality is stark on 02.14.19 at 7:10 pm
A leader like Hunter Harrison who would slash public service expenses to the bone.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Hunter Harrison is the other half of the BC Rail scandal perpetrated by Guido Campbell on the taxpayers of BC:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/cn-wins-bc-rail-in-1-billion-cash-deal/article18437681/
“Canadian National Railway Co. is paying $1-billion in cash to acquire provincially owned BC Rail Ltd., unveiling a plan yesterday to expand its fleet of rail cars and chop 430 jobs.”
The price tag for the deal includes $750-million for the business value of BC Rail and $250-million for the right to use a pool of roughly $850-million in potential tax writeoffs.”
Then the BC taxpayers had to pay hundreds of millions in lawyer fees for the court case, then another $6 million for the legal fees of the no names that took the fall. Despicable.
https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/exhibits-4-and-6-from-the-bc-rail-trial
Here is great blogger Norm Farrell who has the facts on the BC Rail scandal: https://in-sights.ca/?s=BC+Rail
NotLegalAdvice on 02.14.19 at 4:33 pm
From a millennial perspective… cheap houses ftw!!
I’d love to get a big fat rebate for buying my first home… the $4000 is not nearly enough.
———-
Don’t you get it? If home prices are allowed to correct without government interference, you will not have to worry about $4000 rebates . Prices will be reasonable.
If T2 promises all these rebates and incentives, then prices may start to go back up. Your debt will be higher and perhaps last your lifetime,
Ho hum – another day on the Florida golf course…..
Watching Trudeau sink like a rock makes me feel wonderful since his father destroyed Alberta. Revenge is sweet. Now that is what happens to populists who are nothign but empty suits and ego maniacs.
This is the best one – Trudeau’s popularity is less than Trumps… LOLOLOL
The Republicans are voting on the Whacko Green bill to show how stupid the climate nutters really are.
Trump is getting his wall,
The Dems blew up the Amazon deal in NY
The Former FBI guys are probably getting sopheoned for plotting against the state.
It’s just a great day
“Will such an egregious error, if proven, be enough to sink the Libs in this year’s election?”
====================================
He was sunk even before the SNC debacle. He should resign over this incident, as this case will not be going away anytime soon(The opposition will make sure of that).
The following incidents have already limited his chances for re-election.
– Hijab-cutting incident that never happened
– Throwing John McCallum under the bus. (John McCallum has a major following)
– Trip to India.
– HUAWEI Incident.
I am sure there are more. Anyway, the Liberal Party will be left without a status on October 21, 2019. The results will be a carbon copy of the 2018 Ontario election results.
So once they tweak the test, which was heralded as untouchable on this blog, that little lull in price appreciation is over. The market will go up and up since 50 percent of new buyers in the GTA and hot markets are new buying moisters, they will definitely be buying. And blog dogs will have been pooched for 10 years! Everyone who said the gov will never let the market fail will be vindicated.
It’s like a vicious cycle here – a new market popping measure is introduced like B20 and its heralded as a market popper. And then prices go up to everyone’s surprise. And then another measure is introduced like increased down payment rules, and the market goes up. This has been the case since 2010. This sure has teased the bears for a decade and made it awful for all those bears that sat on the sideline. But don’t worry in another 6 months or so a new measure will be named the new market popper. Lol.
#68 Madcat on 02.14.19 at 7:32 pm
The question is are millennials stupid enough to believe that longer amortization periods and no stress test will make homes more affordable? Or will they see that home prices have fallen and crave more tightening of credit to further the decline?
————
Pretty much it right there.
But, if their logic loses the battle against their angst – as a homeowner – I still win.
And so do all the boomers, realtors and bankers (again).
Funny how that works…
“shiny new thing…”
T2 and magpies.
No one cares about SCN except the lunatic conservatives screaming about nothing. Right or wrong it means Nothing in my life and everyone’s else life. Can a CON explain how it effects my life? Pumping the housing bubble will not help millenials and I think they will be mad if t2 tries to pump it. Btw tweet, email t2 OSFI and everyone else not to inflate the market again.
Looks like TwinkleToes and Seymour are about to land on their Butts.
T2 will be easily re-elected with a majority. Nothing sticks to him as has been proven in the polls.
The amount of weed I smell in East Van since legalization indicates to me that his supporters will ensure he’s handsomely rewarded for his actions.
I never realized so many people smoke it…..I literally smell it every 3rd house when I’m out for a walk. That’s a LOT of Trudeau voters.
C’mon-la!
Millennial are not all stupid here.
Regardless of the situation, it was disheartening to hear T2 cast blame- a good boss never, ever blames staff publicly. It was a petulant and embarrassing display.
My predictions:
– This SNC-Lavalin story will not have legs. The Libs will get off, a bit scarred. The MSM will not pursue it, and most Canadians don’t know about it anyways (is it on Instagram, does it affect legal weed, and how does it help me get a job).
– No BoC rate hikes in 2019 (the Fed would have to hike 2x for Canada to hike once, and I don’t see that happening).
– Yes there will be tweaks to housing regs & more gov’t money (gov’t spending solves all problems in the electorate’s eyes).
– Expect Libs to double down on inclusion / diversity / gender and mills focus.
– Libs will swing more left, more debts at first, and then more taxes (after elected).
My predictions are based on the stupidity & cluelessness of the Canadian voter. They have only disappointed a couple times in the last 50 years.
Now that green bill is mentioned.
Recently (few months ago) friend of mine me about unusual magnetic pole declination and shift, ever since i’ve been wondering is climate change related to that so i am wondering is magnetopocalipse upon us. According to scientists polar shift might happen in our life time.
https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/GeomagneticPoles.shtml
—
Green machine…
And if you are wondering that inequality, expensive housing two tier society and magnetic pole doomsday is thing to worry about, i can assure you’ll stop worrying about it, soon after you are done reading reading robot article below that my colleague told me to read it today.
I just have one question what happens when robot decides to go from vegan to carnevoare?
https://www.wearethemighty.com/robots-that-eat-people
“We are focused on demonstrating that our engines can create usable, green power from plentiful, renewable plant matter. The commercial applications alone for this earth-friendly energy solution are enormous.”
If you are self proclaimed “liberal” in canada you should watch this, luckily he talks about California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1eNcuGcPW4
Wow!
Not ONE blogdog has said,
Happy Valentines Day!
I guess thats why Smoking Man is AWOL ….. the wife comes first……
#61 Reality is stark
Hunter Harrison destroyed the lives of many innocent people. Business without morality is just as damaging as Socialism. Give your head a shake!
Don’t believe the hype. You get one shot for decriminalizing something harmless, after that people go back to caring about putting food on their plates. Look at the sales stats, the only people who care about housing are the ones who bought not one, but two years ago.
#58 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.14.19 at 7:03 pm
@#116 A guy in Van
“I would love to see an HGTV show based on Flop’s real estate reports. Each episode follows around a greedy sod who loses his short trying to flip a property.”
++++
EXCELLENT idea.
It could be called ” Loved it then lost it”
Sponsorship advertisements would be from Moving Companies, repo agencies, Bankruptcy lawyers, and of course, Realtors…. that sell the underwater listing…. :)
Did I talk about ghouls in my last posting?
Sorry to repeat myself…..
*******************
Can I play the part of a real estate agent. I excel at creative lying.
#90 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.14.19 at 9:38 pm
Wow!
Not ONE blogdog has said,
Happy Valentines Day!
—
I just want reciprocity on Valentine day, is that to much to aks.
Obstruction of justice.
——————————————————-
Maybe not: … “remediation agreements”!
Bill C-74(?) – part of the last spring’s budget that passed as I recall, included a deep down amending clause to the Criminal Code that allows for negotiating remediation agreements.
A remediation agreement is, therefore, a legal tool – in Canada, anyway – allowing criminal prosecutors to use a discretion in dealing with corporate crimes that have been committed by organizations.
As I understand, remediation agreement – negotiated between a prosecutor and an organization – allows for the alleged offences to be stayed, … if the organization promises to comply fully with the terms of an agreement negotiated, …
… but what do I know, … I’m just going by my foggy memory – reading something about it a while back.
Best,
F.S. – Calgary, Alberta.
How y’all doing? Gas in Texas got as cheap as $1.73 per gallon so just letting y’all know America rocks. Y’all come on down and fill up.
2/3 Montreal – nope, never been there. Heard its cold and snowy, just like Victoria.
“This means 2000 fairly and accurately represents Montreal’s long-term price to income ratio, making it a fair starting point for Montreal house prices. ”
Not sure whether either teranet or Case-shiller considers income data. They seem to be built on “repeat sales” pricing.
Now just for a little fun, start you comparison from July 1990 (index 59) to July 2018 (index 171). That’s a 2.9X increase but over 28 years. Looks like the montreal market was pretty flat thru the 90s.
T2’s trying to pull a Rob Ford on this. Lie about it, cover up and hope it goes away.
This sort of thing does not go away.
What bothers me about it is SNC is now quite well known for its scandals involving bribery. SNC was about to lose its ability to bid on government contracts, in Canada and abroad. Many meetings with top government officials in Canada ensued, following which it appears that pressure was put on our former Minister of Justice to scuttle the prosecution, thus saving SNC from certain demise.
When she wouldn’t do it, she was demoted and apparently replaced with someone who would.
The question is, why would T2 and his top people do this?
Canadian companies go bankrupt all the time. No one tries to save them. One falls, another rises. It is just the normal way of corporate life. Live by the sword, die by the sword, they say. Oh how the mighty fall.
Why the massive push to save SNC?
This company bribes public officials to get what it wants. They are not adverse to paying multiples of millions of dollars, if they need a “fix” put in for them somewhere.
They were facing certain bankruptcy if the criminal conviction went through.
What do you think they would be thinking of doing in this situation? Hmmmm, what have we done before, when we really, really, really needed to get a contract from some government somewhere, and we didn’t want to have to follow a fair process?
What would they possibly consider doing?
Makes you wonder. Perhaps that is why T2’s top people are so incredibly eager to push this through? Maybe they have a lot to lose if things don’t go SNCs way? What has this company got on our government?
Not necessarily proud of it, but I voted for weed last election, and i know a lot of others did as well.
Not so much that I disagreed with Harper on most issues, but just to ram it down the throats of all the “geezers” that looked down on me for smoking weed in my younger life while they drank their alcohol.
I also remember Harper’s minister of health saying weed was worse than cigarettes, and that locked up the vote for me right there.
Brilliant wedge issue.
(For the record I’m not a big “weed advocate”, and won’t be voting for T2 this time..but Scheer hasn’t won me over yet either…I’m voting PPC probably)
SNC Scandal/mishaps sheds light on the PM and his inner workings just like what happened to Harper. Tuesday is risking his majority gov.
He has by election in Burnaby BC in the next week or so and he just sacked a more than qualified BC MP for having too much integrity. I WONDER what women think about that. He could loose a lot of seats in the West. In Alberta he will experience a wipe up. Houses are already cheaper there…all they need now is jobs and a pipeline to the east where the refineries and markets are. No more Saudi oil or less of it.
30 year mortgages will not make house cheaper…monthly payments yes. But who wants a 50Ok – 1 million dollar mortgage for 30 years? Talked about prison add a family and high cost of living and misery. LIFE IS NOT ABOUT A MONEY PIT.
Remember the pool of buyers is fewer in slower times. Conditions that were favorable are now in a different context. Recession is the new word in the international news, Germany, Australia, and 2020 US
“More ethical leadership”? From the Tories? This claim is based on what, exactly (besides the fact that you’re true blue, in the Canadian, not American, sense)?
Charging or fining corporations is idiotic
Ubul responded to me yesterday saying:
Companies simply pay the settlement – out of shareholders pocket, by the way. The cost is deductible expense.
It has very little effect on changing corporate behaviour, Google in Europe paid more fines than taxes last year.
***************************************
That is my point exactly. To change the behavior of corporate managers, jail time is what works, not fines paid by share holders.
I said when it happened (libya) that SNC was rotten to the core. It was then. I am not sure about now. They tried to say it was a rogue manager or two. No, management was rotten at the top. Corporate culture starts at the top.
Big Party… oh yeah let’s roll Peter Pan out the door! This Country deserves a leader who believes in reason, objectivity, individualism, science, medicine and capitalism.
Liberals are aligning themselves with a belief system that is contrary to traditional Liberal values. Do you want to give up your rights to free speech? Do you want illegal migrants crossing our borders? Would you like to see more homeless people living on the streets? Do you want more carbon taxes? Do you want this country to fail?
Interesting story on the Toronto CBC news about microcondos—the newest trend in housing for millennials. Three hundred sq. ft for $1850/month. Comes with a great view of Toronto traffic. Really!? That is 40% smaller than my garage!
Dolce
No longer on the front page but now buried.
At Christmas headlines of better than expected sales.
“U.S. Consumer Spending Tops Forecasts as Inflation Data Mixed
By Sho Chandra
December 21, 2018, 7:00 a.m. PST”
Now in Feb:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-14/u-s-retail-sales-fall-most-in-nine-years-amid-stock-plunge
“U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in December, posting the worst drop in nine years in a sign of slower economic momentum at year-end amid financial market turmoil and the government shutdown.”
So…government slow down added to the funk at the end of December. Slow down not layoff. But then again they doubt the stats.
“While the steep drop follows other data pointing to slower growth, it’s at odds with figures showing a healthy job market and steady wage gains. The slump also may prove temporary as stocks have regained ground following the biggest December plunge since the Great Depression, and the government shutdown ended in late January.”
The news article swings back and forth between Sunshine and Rain. I remember a time when it was all Sunshine.
Remember that moment when Wiley Coyote runs straight off the cliff and you cringe…
Middle class in US and Canada about to get a tax break just put in on our tab?
So it’s 11:45 house is quite kids sleeping. Then a Amber alert comes on all the Cell phones and tv so loud shakes every one out of bed great just great.
Recent sale report.
Let’s see what 160k gets you in Surrey.
When I saw a sale for 160k I went and put my welding mask on just in case my eyes got burned looking at the pictures.
False alarm, the pictures were quite respectable.
The details…
123 – 11806 88 Avenue, Surrey.
Paid 160k
Asking 160k
Assessment 140k
So it went over assessment, but this place just got new flooring, stainless steel appliances and Murphy Bed, which is important because it’s only a 465 sq ft studio.
Separate kitchen a plus, and within walking distance to shops and restaurants made this a less traumatic experience than I thought it was gonna be.
I will live to report another day…
M44BC
https://www.zolo.ca/delta-real-estate/11806-88-avenue/123
https://www.rew.ca/insights/347933/123-11806-88th-avenue-delta-bc
crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.14.19 at 9:38 pm
Wow!
Not ONE blogdog has said,
Happy Valentines Day!
I guess thats why Smoking Man is AWOL ….. the wife comes first……
……
Now that it the 15th in Canada
Right on she got flowers expensive Italian pino and a pizza from whole foods.
I’m a man, V day did not keep me away. Mom would have been 96 today. She died on Halloween. Paying her some respect. Don’t expect any posts on th 25th . Dad would have been 100. Lost him 2 years ago.
I did my job, stayed close, took care of em. Now I’m free to enjoy the rest of my time, Vegas only a 4 hour drive.
I love Tumps USA where the cream is allowed to rise to the top unlike Canada were T2 beats the spirt down.
I found John Galt, hanging out with him. Lots of John galts in my neck of the woods here in Orange County
Paradise for Entrepreneurs.
Recent sale report.
Land, they’re not making anymore of it, except in Hawaii.
Didn’t help these guys with this vacant lot in Surrey.
The details…
7621 148st, Surrey.
Paid 900k July 2017
Sold 801k February 2019
Originally asking 974k
Assessment 960k
So are people losing money on land deals in Surrey?
Apparently.
Seen a few over the last couple of years, not too many recently.
150k loss, plus whatever they paid for the plans to be drawn up.
If they were done by Banksy they could be worth a bit…
M44BC
https://www.zolo.ca/surrey-real-estate/7621-148-street
‘ a return to insured 30-year mortgages’ (among other measures)
Amazing that 30 mortgages are so desirable over 25 year mortgages. Here’s an example of why that makes so little sense:
Mortgage : $400,000
Interest rate: 5%
25 year amortization : $2328/mo
30 year amortization : $2147/mo
So the shorter period means an extra $191 per month. But going for 30 years means an extra overall cost of $71520. Boy, I’d be sacrificing lattes or whatever if I could get out from under a mortgage 5 years sooner and save that amount.
With average millenial non-critical thinking “ability” good luck to all of us in terms of who will win the elections. One thing I do not get, in the society where how many MPs/MPPs are (or better say are NOT) indigenous, the main liberal thing is to fight for women/lgbtq rights? I am all for equality but why just the gender rights? Oh, maybe because decades ago Canada wanted to abandon 1948 accord if the UN did not remove “cultural genocide” from their Genocide Convention (opposing Russia of course since it’s always their fault and we are so spotless).
Does anyone think that the Canada wide money laundering fiasco will be buried by the present bee in T2’s bonnet?
https://globalnews.ca/news/4947589/rcmp-arrests-money-laundering-scheme/
At least Ontario is arresting people involved in money laundering, something the former BC Liberals wouldn’t do. They closed down the investigators.
Now to get a conviction in Canada/Ontario is another thing if the past is any gauge.
How are the casinos in Ontario doing? I bet they’re still doing booming biz. With Campbell as one of the string pullers I also see lots of IPPs being built. Hey it worked in BC, why not hit up Ontario for more largess for his new buddies. I’m sure the favor will be returned.
The IPPs in BC are filled with former BC Libs in plum positions.
https://globalnews.ca/news/4959739/bc-hydro-ipp-report/
“Mungall said some of the contracts are 20-year deals, while it could be up to 60 years before some of them come up for renewal.”
Just one player:
Steve Davis-“From 2001 – 2014 Steve’s consulting firm provided commercial, financial and strategic market advice on developing clean power projects and P3 infrastructure in B.C. In addition to forecasting industry-level trends and opportunities based on his IPPBC experience Steve advised on project-level matters based on his dozen years of running the project development subsidiaries for FortisBC and Ledcor.”
Both those companies gave generously to the BC Liberals.
If you look at this article, it is saying the Campbell Liberals forced BC Hydro to sign those contracts.
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-ratepayers-zapped-by-hydro-report-that-reveals-shocking-interference
What a mess these people are leaving BC-Canada and soon to be Ontario if they are allowed. Please don’t get taken like BC.
What Premier wouldn’t hire Campbell if they were slanted in the direction of picking pockets clean, get it, clean energy.
Hollywood pedos.
Your days are numberd. There is safe space for you freeks in Quebec, roton road or something like that. T2 will welcome you with open arms. Just don’t go to Alberta. Dudes that drive pick up trucks are not that friendly to your kind. It will end badly for you.
SNC built Vancouver’s Canada Line, a subway.
Hold on to your hats…
It was on budget. WHOA!!!
It was ahead of scedule. DOUBLE WHOA!!!
A corp worth protecting if you ask me. Trudeau was right.
Anonymous. Sources. Created this political mini. Crisis
It’s the first. Salvo of many in a messy. 2019 campaign.
Liberals should go full bore and get Arthur Porter. Added to the debate.
That. Guy was a gem from the Harper nightm….errr days.
A reporter recently asked T2 if he would ever smoke pot. T2 said no. He reporter should have also asked if he would ever vape or eat it, to which T2 would probably respond with a prepared legal response written by the same lawyer that wrote the response T2 used when asked about the SNC Lavalin affair
From Warren Kinsella’s blog :
http://warrenkinsella.com/2019/02/lavscam-shocker-coming/
Hearing a poll is coming.
Hearing that the pollster started fielding before #LavScam erupted.
Hearing the pollster was also in the field for two days afterwards – and caught plenty of the negative reactions Canadians are feeling.
Hearing that there has been a significant shift – and not in a good way for Justin Trudeau.
At all.
We might be saying Prime Minister Scheer (minority gov) after all.
DELETED
Politics, to repeat, is math. Parties form majority governments in this country with just a third of the overall vote, thanks to our weird first-past-the-post system.
——————————
Hold on Garth. So why were you angry when parties collectively representing 57% of the vote in BC got together in a minority legislature to form a government?
Bemusement, not anger. The Libs got the most votes. The other guys took over. Some system. – Garth
Are they failing the stress test or are they just failing? Are there any ratios available?
#7 The Real Mark on 02.14.19 at 4:40 pm
“$100 billion in new debt “
That’s all? That’s an improvement over the Harper/Tory record, which added $27B in new debt annually. Not even inflation adjusted.
——————————————-
Total net debt creation over the 10 Harper years was $120 billion. Approx $160 billion in debt offset by $40 billion in repayments in 2006-2008.
Where are you getting $27B annually?
It’s going to be pretty funny when they allow 5% down, 30 year mortgages and house prices don’t pop.
How many marginal buyers do you think are kicking around Toronto with income to support a 1.3 or 1.4mio mortgage? Because those are the only people who can prop up prices in this city.
To qualify for a 1.4mio mortgage, you need household income of 250k or so. How many of those households are out there, that don’t already own a home?
We’ve reached the tipping point. People have gorged on debt and can’t add any more based off their income. House appreciation had been creating credit through HELOCs, but as prices stagnate, or fall in the detached segment (the home of the bank of Mom and Dad), credit begins to contract. Prices have no choice but to follow. This is what happens at the end of every credit bubble. And it happens before unemployment spikes, and before GDP collapses and before most people even realize what is going on.
I think they will vote for this …lock him up…lock him up…lock him up….make the bastards pay!!!!
#122 Tater on 02.15.19 at 8:06 am
It’s going to be pretty funny when they allow 5% down, 30 year mortgages and house prices don’t pop.
How many marginal buyers do you think are kicking around Toronto with income to support a 1.3 or 1.4mio mortgage? Because those are the only people who can prop up prices in this city.
To qualify for a 1.4mio mortgage, you need household income of 250k or so. How many of those households are out there, that don’t already own a home?
—————————————-
The wealthy will simply buy them up. More condos in Vancouver/Victoria are now purchased as investments versus permanent residence. Real estate in Toronto and West Coast will become a market in which only the top 0.5% can play.
Frankly I don’t have a problem with this as long as the government and BoC stay out of it. Just as nobody in government concerns him/herself with Porsche and Rolls Royce buyers, neither should anyone be concerned with Toronto/Vancouver homebuyers since they will form an exceedingly tiny proportion of the populace.
Simply put, for the Liberals to win, they need Quebec. Scupper SNC and the Quebec electorate will not be amused and will likely turn on the Liberals. If it really is this simple, and the former Justice minister was opposed to letting SNC off the hook, then she has my utmost respect.
From the party that brought us the Pipeline Debate of 1956, the HRDC scandal, out-of-control spending under T1, and on and on, here we are once again presented with a morally bankrupt and corrupt government that is a disgrace. For shame!
#99 jefferson on 02.14.19 at 10:18 pm
Thanks for admitting your pathetic mistake.
People who voted for weed should have a higher tax bracket (Serious).
My hope is that some government in the future will reverse the idiotic decision. Who cares about weed smokers/drug addicts, let them slither back into obscurity.
MF
#22 Lost…but not leased.
No news here..large multi billion dollar firms only stay large and viable via shady deals, bailouts and other forms of ” too big to fail ” entitlement.
——————————————————————–
This is right on the money.
How this becomes a major news item is mind boggling.
A corrupt Quebec company being protected by a corrupt Quebec-centric government. Wait…What?!
Same sh*t, different day.
Nothing’s gonna happen.
SNC is too big to fail. This country can’t take the hit.
The idiot Mr. Dressup Socks boy could have been a bit more subtle about it, though.
What a maroon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GGpYFmkYI
@#114 canada line
“A corp worth protecting if you ask me….”
+++++
Ahhhh yessss.
The inevitable SNC employee that has drank the Kool-Aid.
Lets ignore the bribe convictions world wide.
Lets ignore the World Bank bank 10 year SNC ban for …what was it? Oh yes, bribery.
Lets ignore the Montreal multi billion dollar Hospital fiasco because of …bribes.
Yep, they got a subway built, on schedule and on budget…..by private contractors using foreign labour….
SNC managed the project and collected an exorbitant fee I’m sure.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canada-line-foreign-workers-win-wage-settlement-1.1327245
Contractors eventually got paid……
Corruption is ok as long as the subway is built on time and on budget.
We’ll ignore the fact that a company with its alleged influence in the PMO’s office tried to exert influence on the ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA to avoid a criminal conviction for….what was it again?…..bribery?
They’ve earned a well deserved 10 year ban from Federal contracts.
They deserve to be bankrupted.
Screw the Quebec Pension Plan and the company’s they keep.
The Law is the Law as much as SNC seems to think other wise.
Go away, you brainwashed idiot.
Voters are hilarious even the ones on this blog. Oh I cant vote for sheer because he reminds me of MBA trained economist Harper who was such a meanie to me.
So whats your alternative?
1. Corruption (Liberals with poster boy Trudeau)
2. Communism (NDP and guys like comrade Horgan)
3. Green (Crazy May and her buddies pushing the 100T dollar New Green Deal in the US)
If you are really considering voting any of these you need to get your head examined.
#112 Where’s The Money Greedo-Greedeau? on 02.15.19 at 2:08 am
Thanks for the head’s up, though if they’re coming to ON he better put together a new shtick first. Clean energy? Pfft. We’re tearing down wind turbines here in Ontario…
Messaging vs. Actions may fit in well with the Etobicoke Freedom Caucus though…
#124 Howard on 02.15.19 at 8:25 am
#122 Tater on 02.15.19 at 8:06 am
It’s going to be pretty funny when they allow 5% down, 30 year mortgages and house prices don’t pop.
How many marginal buyers do you think are kicking around Toronto with income to support a 1.3 or 1.4mio mortgage? Because those are the only people who can prop up prices in this city.
To qualify for a 1.4mio mortgage, you need household income of 250k or so. How many of those households are out there, that don’t already own a home?
—————————————-
The wealthy will simply buy them up. More condos in Vancouver/Victoria are now purchased as investments versus permanent residence. Real estate in Toronto and West Coast will become a market in which only the top 0.5% can play.
—————————————————————
Of course, that’s not the way it works in NYC, London, HK etc. But I’m sure every SFD in Toronto will be gobbled up by the “wealthy”.
A good overall assessment Garth.
The NDP is in trouble, but I won’t write them off yet.
The right will still be divided though, and Bernier will be a big factor in the election
And it is pretty hypocritical for Scheer to be calling out the Libs when he has also been quietly in talks with SNC Lavalin about this stuff.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/02/10/tory-leader-andrew-scheer-met-with-snc-chief-to-discuss-criminal-charges.html
The Libs are tarnished but they will still be seen as the lesser evil by most voters.
Millennials votes will be spread out of course, but 2019 will mark the beginning of the Millennial era of Canadian political direction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htULWBI8fvs
It beats me!
from Roxanne Patel Shepelavy is executive editor of the Philadelphia Citizen:
..”organizations to commit to generating economic opportunities for young people around the globe. That means access to skills training, jobs, loans for small businesses and help with growing local enterprises. This is mutually beneficial: Many of the countries represented offer huge investment opportunities for companies, if those companies can figure out how to operate there. To do that, they need workers, and they need to contend with climate change, violence and infrastructure issues that make living and working in these regions difficult.Companies that show they can solve these problems are the ones most likely to be given the permits and permissions to set up shop in developing countries. And these efforts help them back home, as well: More and more American and European employees, particularly younger ones, want to work for companies that are socially-minded, not just money-minded. “There is real big money in developing markets,” Cross says. “We believe that this work, as part of a pitch to those markets, is a good sell.”
Published 11:54 PM ET Thu, 28 June 2018
=========
politically exposed POP’s
https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/romania-snowball-scam-deprives-government-of-over-1-million-in-vat-revenues
…”found a way to tap into the money by exploiting an EU rule that states goods can be imported tax-free from one EU country by another; the VAT is charged only when the goods are sold to the final consumer, in whatever country that happens.
https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/romania-snowball-scam-deprives-government-of-over-1-million-in-vat-revenues
Teleorman County, Romania. Aug. 21, 2014, 11:52:51 am
Company manager: We have one Axion 830 [a heavy-duty German tractor] type to be delivered, and now it is in Giurgiu [a city in southern Romania, on the Bulgarian border]. Can you pass by there to take a look at it?
Driver: Yes.
Company manager: Yes?
Driver: And we have to do the “snowball” then?
Company manager: Yes, we do.
============
It was a deal worth billions for the digitization of Greece’s telephone network – and one of the most lucrative contracts Siemens has been awarded in its 100-year history of doing business in the country.
von Pierer, one of the most admired industrial careers in Germany is about to end. https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1247160
=====================
evidence?
DPA’s and the final say
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2019/02/14/scandal-lacks-sizzle-but-two-questions-still-deserve-answers.html
#121 Howard on 02.15.19 at 7:57 am
#7 The Real Mark on 02.14.19 at 4:40 pm
“$100 billion in new debt “
That’s all? That’s an improvement over the Harper/Tory record, which added $27B in new debt annually. Not even inflation adjusted.
——————————————-
Total net debt creation over the 10 Harper years was $120 billion. Approx $160 billion in debt offset by $40 billion in repayments in 2006-2008.
Where are you getting $27B annually?
____
Don’t waste your time Howard. I have corrected Mark probably 10 times on this exact point, but he is not interested in facts – he obviously has some axe to grind.
Leo Trollstoy here was right all along. Mark is either some kind of paid partisan troll, or a complete and utter moron. I’m thinking the latter.
Either way – waste of time.
Harper battled the GFC, creating a deficit (after running a surplus). Trudeau faced no such economic hurdle, and has purposely overspent. – Garth
I was listening to a story on the subject of SNC-Lavalin on the CBC yesterday or the day before. They mentioned how much SNC-Lavalin spent on lobbying, and how many meeting they had had with various high-powered Liberal cabinet members over the past year or so. Isn’t there something a little unseemly (at least) about the government accepting lobbying meetings with a company that is under criminal investigation?
Most millennial’s don’t vote…they just complain.
#77 expat on 02.14.19 at 8:08 pm
Ho hum – another day on the Florida golf course…..
Watching Trudeau sink like a rock makes me feel wonderful since his father destroyed Alberta. Revenge is sweet. Now that is what happens to populists who are nothign but empty suits and ego maniacs.
This is the best one – Trudeau’s popularity is less than Trumps… LOLOLOL
The Republicans are voting on the Whacko Green bill to show how stupid the climate nutters really are.
Trump is getting his wall,
The Dems blew up the Amazon deal in NY
The Former FBI guys are probably getting sopheoned for plotting against the state.
It’s just a great day
________________________________________
No today is going to be a great day when the Orange Maniac Declares a National Emergency at 10 AM. His republican comrades will pay the price and if they are smart would not support it. If if doesn’t go down in flames in the court system then he has to content with H.R.3884 – National Emergencies Act. This will eventually hand Trumps ball$ over to the Democrats and he will be stymied.
Good reading my friends.
P.S. Trudeau deserves to get his backside tarred and feathered for his complicity and arrogance.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/house-bill/3884
Politics, to repeat, is math. Parties form majority governments in this country with just a third of the overall vote, thanks to our weird first-past-the-post system. Meanwhile the biggest voting block in the land is no longer the Boomers, but the Mills. This is the demographic Mr. Socks tapped into so effectively in 2015, appealing to the moister mantra of gender equality, inclusiveness, a sharing economy, more government and lotsa weed.
let’s talk about the weed. It’s the same thing as Trump. Maybe I should explain a little more. It’s the idea that the leader can make a declaration and settle the issue once and for all. For example, Trudeau gets up and announces the Age of Aquarius as if the announcement settles the issue but then it gets passed on to provincial and municipal governments to implement. Not to mention police forces, the health system and schools. The net result is an exponential increase in politics.
then let’s talk about the kids, like my children. They have to work twice as hard, for twice as long to get what I had. And they know it. Their major life experience has been to discover the demands and rigours of our society, right now. Trudeau isn’t giving anybody, anything. It’s a mortgage. You have to pay it back. One way or another. I think, the kids know that. Mine do.
Court orders Bell Helicopter to pay $1.5M in damages to Airbus in patent fight
Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling regarding so-called moustache landing gear
The Canadian Press · Posted: Feb 13, 2019 5:47 PM ET | Last Updated: February 13
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bell-helicopter-airbus-patent-fight-1.5018526
If only there were not so many loony folks in the Conservative party.
Still, this Liberal government has been disappointing, and I’m saying that as someone who did not expect much.
I would be overjoyed to see SNC get their asses handed to them. Those criminals should have never got so much clout but now they’re in the company of BBD, Nortel, RIM and all the other gobberment zombies. Like most things in QC corruption is part of the game, only a question of degree and scale; SNC would be near the top.
Nothing will happen unfortunately.
#99 jefferson on 02.14.19 at 10:18 pm
Not necessarily proud of it, but I voted for weed last election, and i know a lot of others did as well.
Not so much that I disagreed with Harper on most issues, but just to ram it down the throats of all the “geezers” that looked down on me for smoking weed in my younger life while they drank their alcohol.
I also remember Harper’s minister of health saying weed was worse than cigarettes, and that locked up the vote for me right there.
Brilliant wedge issue.
(For the record I’m not a big “weed advocate”, and won’t be voting for T2 this time..but Scheer hasn’t won me over yet either…I’m voting PPC probably)
***
Same situation here, PPC is the way to go. I’m sure lots of people did the same. I can’t even blame Trudeau for much, it’s not like he’s really done anything.
MF, you’re a joke.
My hope is your old brain manages to blow through that hefty cognitive dissonance of yours.
If a guy/gal is honestly concerned about where Canada is headed (like I am), you’re going to have to admit to yourself that there is no party that will fix anything.
So, while voting is good; it won’t solve any serious problems. The big problems will only get bigger. In 2019, you need to have a plan to make peace with this situation as it 100% will not change.
I find peace in transferring the financial burden of these decisions our government makes onto other Canadians.
Our governments at all levels are essentially broke – and one of the great things about this is that they can’t afford to enforce most of their thousands of codes, by-laws, and regulations. I use this unfortunate but convenient situation to unload thousands of dollars worth of costs onto the backs of my fellow Canadians. I like to find deals on Kijiji, buy used, shop at the FNR’s, and pump my RRSP’s. All these things transfer thousands more off my shoulders, and onto yours. I have some pretty insane ideas that will take out a good 50+% of my consumption taxes once fully implemented – these taxes will be covered by other Canadians whether they like it or not.
The more of these taxes/fees/costs I can deflect onto to my fellow countrypeoples – the less I care what the government and the voters are up to. It’s less and less my problem every year. I know some day, many more Canadians will wake up to the same understanding that I did, and will seek inner peace via the same pathway.
Interesting read
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Cover-Story/China-s-housing-glut-casts-pall-over-the-economy
The Big Picture:
Cutting SNC from govt projects for 10 years would likely crush the company, lead to thousands of layoffs, and seriously affect the Quebec pension plan, big investors representing millions of Quebec retirees.
No party in power will be willing to take the political risks do that, but it is fun for some to posture about it.
#141 Braj on 02.15.19 at 10:51 am
MF, you’re a joke.
My hope is your old brain manages to blow through that hefty cognitive dissonance of yours.
____
Hate to break it to you, but MF is a Millennial, complete with an as yet fairly young brain.
Weed is not all lollipops and rainbows. There are negatives that are well established. You might as well just accept them – you’ll come across more intelligent.
news
Ford government aiming to slash size of public service through voluntary departures
”
Ford government aiming to slash size of public service through voluntary departures
Move comes as part of plan to address ‘fiscal challenges,’ says memo obtained by CBC News
CBC News · Posted: Dec 12, 2018 7:26 PM ET | Last Updated: December 12, 2018
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/public-service-voluntary-departures-ontario-1.4943754
Harper battled the GFC, creating a deficit (after running a surplus). Trudeau faced no such economic hurdle, and has purposely overspent. – Garth
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yep, I have had this conversation online and in person with many a Liberal supporter, who simply either continue with a Harper attack, or try to change the channel. None will admit these basic facts.
#141 mike from mtl – My dad and I years ago went to the night court in Pointe Claire to watch the circus roll in and out. A Priest was charged with a drunk driving violation before the judge, and was asked to sit down. A few minutes later he was taken out a side door never to be seen again. Justice in Quebec acts very fast indeed.
@#145
Millenial Surrealist
“Cutting SNC from govt projects for 10 years would likely crush the company, lead to thousands of layoffs, and seriously affect the Quebec pension plan, big investors representing millions of Quebec retirees….”
++++
Corruption is ok because they’re “too big to fail”.
Nice.
So I guess we should surrender to the endless corruption in Quebec …. to save THEIR Quebec Pension Plan?
The pension plan created by Quebec only for Quebecers?
Dont worry their population timebomb will take care of the QPP, not the endless corruption lawsuits.
And if you think the Canadian govt turning “turtle” over this will be the end…..think again my delusional fantasist …
The US Justcie Dept hasn’t even gotten started on SNC, Bombardier, etc etc etc,
#140 Capt. Serious on 02.15.19 at 10:44 am
If only there were not so many loony folks in the Conservative party.
—-
So translation, you still want free stuff from the govt, personal responsibility be damned, you just wish it was a less corrupt govt giving it to you so you can sleep at night. Got it.
#141 Brah, #146 IHCTD9
Social conservatism is not cognitive dissonance, rather it’s associated with being easily disgusted. It may be an evolutionary adaption to protect one from pathogens. It’s just one more interesting human quirk, like phobias.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550611429024?etoc=
When paranoia creeps in…
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/14/facebooks-security-team-tracks-posts-location-for-bolo-threat-list.html
Garth,
Why are you saying Trump is anti-immigrant?
He is married to an immigrant. He is just against illegal immigration and most people agree, except thhe powerful liberal companies in California that want to keep paying extremelly low wages to these poor undocumented.
Trump is just common sense!!!!
Coming back to Canada and hearing the SNC / Trudeau garbage I thought we have some major problems here. However I am hopeful that we do not end up like America and can get through these Trudeau failures to put the country back on the right path in 2019.
After just spending another week in the USA I have come to the ultimate conclusion that the country severely fractured and that a cohesive unity for the nation is now beyond repair. There is no longer a passion toward the support of the country and each other’s fellow man or woman in their hearts. The country has never been this callous and it is hard to believe that one man is responsible for the uprising of these primordial feelings that have afflicted the nation. The country is moving forward without a moral leader whom violates the rule of law, has no integrity and debases or intimidates those who stand up to him or those who profess the truth. After spending a week with some of my oldest friends and ex-coworkers and listening to their thoughts I have come away saddened to see such fracture. Most who voted for HRC said she was not the choice they wanted but they didn’t want Trump. Those who voted for Trump said it was time for a change and they literally said that she was a criminal. Out of the many that voted for Trump I would venture to say that 85% now have regrets. The remaining 15% that are adamant that Trump is the second coming of Christ for America, well let’s just say that I couldn’t believe the false rhetoric and blatant racism that they spoke. I was disconsolate as two of them were very good old friends and the entire time I knew then never heard a homophobic or racist word out of their mouths. These were very smart educated professionals who I could not believe have swallowed Trumps version of truth and accepted it in the face of real facts that support the truth. I do not think I could ever live in the USA again or for a very long time until this divisiveness swans.
DELETED
#59 IHCTD9 , same story likely as Ms. H had.
Preferred company of her biker friend. They’re all acting a part. Not sure if we will have any heart attacks this year.
@ 106 – Paul. The cause of the alert: well, the child is no longer living.. Rip.
#106 Paul on 02.14.19 at 11:47 pm
So it’s 11:45 house is quite kids sleeping. Then a Amber alert comes on all the Cell phones and tv so loud shakes every one out of bed great just great
I don’t often post here but have been reading since before Cat Lady and I don’t think this comment would sit well with her either.
The first amber alert on cell and you are complaining that it interrupted your snow flake life. I assume you woke up this morning to see the number of social media posts with comments like yours and all the calls 911 received by people complaining about the interruption.
People like you make me sick! turn the phone off if you don’t want to be interrupted at night. Oh wait, you might miss a twitter\Instagram\face book update. Because that is what is really important.
I hope your family is never in the position to need an amber alert for a loved one.
Please take the weekend to reflect on this and become a contributing member of society. We are all in this together!
Hey Garth. It’s be nice if you could wrote a post on how lucky we really are to only have to deal with first world problems.
#106 Paul – Yep, that was the exact time my flat screen began to vibrate about 5 feet away from my home office. It was so loud and spooked me while looking at my computer. My first sordid thought was it was either Big Brother or the Anti-Christ making an announcement. I quickly turned the TV off.
Interesting read
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-14/long-island-city-brokers-despair-over-amazon-s-abrupt-reversal?utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=bd&utm_source=applenews
#155 James on 02.15.19 at 12:52 pm
…
After just spending another week in the USA I have come to the ultimate conclusion that the country severely fractured and that a cohesive unity for the nation is now beyond repair.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not sure if you really meant that this fracturing of America (which I do agree is happening) is the result of “one man”. Hopefully not.
The left / right problems down south well predate Trump – like for the last 30 years. Obama was a fairly leftward swing for the US after the Bush years. Trump is a bigger swing right after Obama. The Democrats are heading even further to the left now in response to Trump.
I haven’t watched US news networks for many years, as it would drive you crazy in short order.
That said, Canada does indeed have lots of its own problems, getting worse, country is fracturing on slightly different lines, and I would give our country less a chance of surviving this century than the US.
#158 Reddy on 02.15.19 at 2:03 pm
The cause of the alert: well, the child is no longer living.. Rip.
====================================
What I wonder is why it took them until 11:30 (or later) last night to issue an Amber Alert for a child reported missing around 7 pm. Also after most people have gone to bed. Oh, the police say that the Amber Alert was useful because it helped them make the arrest of her father. After she was already dead. Making arrests in not really the purpose of Amber Alerts. If it was, why not have an Amber alert every time a serious criminal is on the loose and the police want help in finding them?
Well, at least this time the Amber Alert was at least for something that happened in the same region (GTA – I live in Hamilton), not in Sault St Marie or Montreal.
Yeah, I’m a little cynical about the usefulness of Amber Alerts. But try to criticize it at all and a whole bunch of Helen Lovejoys come out of the woodwork crying “won’t someone please think of the children?” As if there was no cost at all to issuing these alerts (in terms of disturbing people’s sleep, etc). I’m happy to say that my phone still doesn’t seem to be part of the amber alert network.
Harper battled the GFC, creating a deficit (after running a surplus). Trudeau faced no such economic hurdle, and has purposely overspent. – Garth
_ _ _
That surplus was just riding on Paul Martin’s coattails, But then Harper went and cut the GST not once, but twice, blowing fiscal balance out of the water. Smart man.
While not defending the move, tax cuts are stimulative. In downturns fiscal policy needs to be accommodative. – Garth
#154 Ernesto on 02.15.19 at 12:47 pm
Garth,
Why are you saying Trump is anti-immigrant?
He is married to an immigrant. He is just against illegal immigration and most people agree, except thhe powerful liberal companies in California that want to keep paying extremelly low wages to these poor undocumented.
Trump is just common sense!!!!
__________________________________________
Just like Trump himself and the Trump corp whom employed many, many, many illegals for their low cost wages and precarious positions within the underground system in America.
selling the “choice’?
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal HM Revenue & Customs is pursuing close to 2,000 people who live abroad over a series of controversial tax avoidance schemes similar to those used by Rangers football club.
Rangers tax case: supreme court rules in favour of HMRC -after a unanimous verdict handed down by five supreme court judges.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/05/hmrc-wins-case-against-rangers-fc-entity-in-tax-avoidance-crackdown
Court rules payments via employee benefit trusts are taxable income, with implications for many other tax avoidance cases
…”declared a form of tax evasion, and the authorities are seeking to claw back 20 years of what are being regarded as missed payments.”
HMRC going after 2000 overseas residents for using Rangers-style tax schemes (14 Feb 2019)
#159 Guy Fawkes on 02.15.19 at 2:31 pm
You know nothing about my life, I would like to give you something to reflect on.
They can put an alert up does need to be so loud it shakes the house !
Carbon tax hits home when gas is $1.54/gigajoule and carbon tax is $1.73/gigajoule.
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/fortis-customer-shocked-by-high-carbon-tax-on-gas-bill/