Monday May 31, 2010

Our federal government provides small business grants to developing companies. This program, however, has been notoriously difficult to oversee and provide transparency. Furthermore, critics have pointed out that the lion's share of grant money is awarded to quebec businesses, with groups like "Festi-Fetes" from Laval, Quebec regularly receiving close to $300,000. Ouch!
 

Thursday May 27, 2010

Alberta's provincial Liberal party has come up with a novel way to increase voter turnout: pay voters. Under this proposal, a suggested $50 tax rebate would be offred to those who vote in a provinical election. Even with the current low voter turnout in Alberta, such a program would cost $48-million. Ouch!

Tuesday May 25, 2010

Calgary City Councillors have been noted for their inappropriate expenses in the past. It seems, however, that the lesson has not been internalized. Last year Councillors expensed $6,700 just for their dry cleaning. Ouch!

Monday May 17, 2010

Parliament's West Block has been in a state of neglect for several years now. Most Canadians agree that our parliament buildings should be restored to some extent. A preliminary price-tage of $769-million to fix-up the building, however, has left taxpayers dumbfounded. Ouch!

Wednesday May 12, 2010

Federal Party leaders met behind closed doors this week to discuss the prospect of the Auditor General performing a performance and value audit of parliamentary expenditures. MP's, however, must invite the auditor to perform such a comprehensive audit. Only the Bloc Quebecois supported this initiative. Ouch!

Friday May 7, 2010

Quebec's Liberal Party is on the ropes today amid a new investigation into improper campaign contributions. Indeed, several candidates may have received funds over the personal contribution limits. Furthermore, additional irregularities surround contributions made by four engineering firms who later received several million dollars worth of provincial government contracts. Ouch!

Tuesday May 4, 2010

While trying to reach out to Western Canada, Michael Ignatieff has only managed to alienate the region further. Ignatieff suggested that western law-students should "learn a little bit of French" if they want to one day sit as a Justice on the Supreme Court. This comment evoked memories of Trudeau flipping the middle finger to western grievances in 1982. Ouch!

Monday May 3, 2010

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) have released their annual report card on the status of free speech in Canada. The news, it seems, is not all good. In fact, Canada has received a failing grade in regards to both access to information as well as protection for journalists. Ouch!