McGuinty dismisses Alberta premier call to defend oilsands development
- Thread starter mentalfloss
- Start date
A balanced approach is definitely the way to go. That said, Canada's mfg sector also needs to evolve in a manner that adapts to changing landscape and be in a position to take advantage of the benefits that are offered up.
Like many other posters here, I am baffled as to why so much crude an (potentially) bitumen is transported down to Texas or Louisiana for refining when Ontario could easily benefit from that economic activity. Let's not forget that much of that product refined in the Southern US is sold on the world markets on a for-profit basis, so why not do it from Eastern Canada?
I can easily appreciate if Ontario (or anywhere else) doesn't want to be involved, that's their decision for their own reasons, but to deride the producing provinces for taking advantage of their individual opportunities is disingenuous at best.
It is an important part of the debate.
The counter argument is that the low purchasing power of the dollar affects all people in all sectors. The key in issue is to develop your industrial/resource sectors in a manner that each can stand on its own and not have to rely on artificial methods to survive.
Re: Ontario Blames the Oil Sands for their Incompetance
Part of the problem McGuinty has, is that he is dreaming about the old days when the feds kept and bank of Canada kept our dollar artificially low to encourage Ontario's manufacturing sector. There was no other reason for it to be $0.63 USD, a level most economists stated was 20-30 cents lower than it should be (85-90 cents US was where it should have been). And yes it did hurt anyone outside the manf. sector in terms of the effect on our overall purchasing power. The Ontario gov't should have known this and made an effort to transition their economy so as to be less vulnerable to this, but successive premiers, including McGunity failed to act (its also true for Quebec but Quebec always seems to be distracted by the whole sovereignty mess more than anything else).
I'll also say I'm not in love with the way Alberta has looked after our supply of natural wealth. Ideally, I would love to see us doing more refining and processing of our natural resources, as opposed to shipping raw product to the US, China or other markets. If the jobs are here, people will come to fill them; it may take a little time but they will come. The real problem is that we are so into the boom cycle in the west that we forget the bust that all too often accompanies it, unless we can slow the boom into something sustainable... and that sustained growth could spin more supply sector needs to Ontario, etc.
Part of the problem McGuinty has, is that he is dreaming about the old days when the feds kept and bank of Canada kept our dollar artificially low to encourage Ontario's manufacturing sector. There was no other reason for it to be $0.63 USD, a level most economists stated was 20-30 cents lower than it should be (85-90 cents US was where it should have been). And yes it did hurt anyone outside the manf. sector in terms of the effect on our overall purchasing power. The Ontario gov't should have known this and made an effort to transition their economy so as to be less vulnerable to this, but successive premiers, including McGunity failed to act (its also true for Quebec but Quebec always seems to be distracted by the whole sovereignty mess more than anything else).
I'll also say I'm not in love with the way Alberta has looked after our supply of natural wealth. Ideally, I would love to see us doing more refining and processing of our natural resources, as opposed to shipping raw product to the US, China or other markets. If the jobs are here, people will come to fill them; it may take a little time but they will come. The real problem is that we are so into the boom cycle in the west that we forget the bust that all too often accompanies it, unless we can slow the boom into something sustainable... and that sustained growth could spin more supply sector needs to Ontario, etc.
It would be nice if we could have only one thread about this topic (the first thread created).
Someone wake up Andem.
Someone wake up Andem.
I think we should shut down all the mines around Sudbury as it is a crime to export raw materials.
Screw the eastern bastards. Let them freeze in the dark. Alberta is going to be short over 100,000 workers over the next year or two. Time for easterners to quit their whining, get off their asses, get out here, get to work and become westerners.
I think that it's an environmental disaster too... And those filthy factories that pour smog into our fragile atmosphere - they gotta go as well.
I'm no constitutional law expert, but I'm pretty certain that expecting Easterners to fill those 100,000 jobs infringes on their human right to collect welfare or EI
There is no deposit in ON. They don't believe in going green and paying for it.
Riigghhhtttt... Now I remember. They are the province that was trucking their domestic garbage down to the USA for a while.
How eco-conscious of them
How eco-conscious of them
I know... Why, I might just have to organize one of those protest thingies to vent my opposition on those terrible tar sands.
... Now, where'd I put my truck keys, there's no way that I can get this together without my Starbucks and muffin
... Now, where'd I put my truck keys, there's no way that I can get this together without my Starbucks and muffin
Thanks.
Sometimes I forget which vehicle that I used last.. You wouldn't be able to count the times that I've left my iPhone in one car and my blackberry on the dresser.. Key chains all over the place and I can never figure out which car that I gassed-up last.
It's a real pain in the ass I tell ya
Sometimes I forget which vehicle that I used last.. You wouldn't be able to count the times that I've left my iPhone in one car and my blackberry on the dresser.. Key chains all over the place and I can never figure out which car that I gassed-up last.
It's a real pain in the ass I tell ya
If it were up to me, I'd make resources a Federal rather than Provincial mandate. But since it's provincial and not likely to change soon, and oil exports are to Alberta's advantage, it's a waste of time to try to change its mind unless we're prepared to open up the Constitution on the issue.
Therefore, Ontario ought to accept this reality whether we agree to it or not and adapt accordingly. This means promoting standardization of educational standards for various trades and professions between provinces, investing in trades and professional education for the unemployed, under-employed, and underpaid, and possibly eliminating minimum-wage legislation and shifting to a more user-pay taxation system.
Sooooo I want to hear about ON's industrial revolution 2.0 and how it can be pulled off without pumping big bucks into energy and energy infratructiure without killing polar bears.
I belong to a special demographic that isn't really yuppie, but does like the little creature comforts that does come with that life style... That said, it is imperative that I have at least one 1/2 ton as long as it's a V-8 or better and I have to take that vehicle to our weekly redneck meetings in order to remain in good standing... In cold weather like this, there is also a requirement to leave the truck running for the duration of the event.
BTW - There is a penalty if you drive with a passenger - you have to buy a round at the meeting if you're caught.