Liberals condemn Saudis while giving OK to military sale, and other reasons to fear for humanity
Kelly McParland | January 5, 2016 8:51 AM ET
More from Kelly McParland | @KellyMcParland
1. Dion condemns Saudis, OKs truck deal
Vahid Salemi / Associated Press
Vahid Salemi / Associated PressIranian demonstrators burn representations of the U.S. and Israeli flags during a demonstration in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran, Iran, to protest the execution of Nimr al-Nimr.
Stephane Dion says the Liberals aren’t going to cancel a big Saudi arms deal just because the Saudis executed 47 people and set off a new Middle East crisis, which he condemned. The deal will go ahead because “private company is delivering the goods according to a signed contract with the government of Saudi Arabia.” Plus it’s worth $15 billion and supports 3,0000 jobs. Wait, is that the ghost of Stephen Harper I hear cackling merrily?
2. Selling arms is OK, but oil pipelines, those are bad
Bloomberg
BloombergEek, a pipeline!
Wait, how come the Canadian government doesn’t want to get involved in a private arms deal that’s worth billions and employs thousands, but feels free to express its opposition to private pipeline deals worth just as much that support at least as many jobs? Are they telling us that oil is worse than arms? Wait, is that the ghost of….
3. New relationship with Ottawa fizzles on first try
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris YoungHugs are cheap. Pension plans cost money.
Ontario says it will go ahead with its own pension plan whether or not Ottawa decides to expand the Canada Pension Plan. This would appear to suggest that the new and improved relationship between Kathleen Wynne and her federal counterpart has failed at its first test. Wynne complained loudly that the Ontario plan resulted from Ottawa’s refusal to concede to her demand for an enhanced CPP, which she blamed on Stephen Harper, Jim Flaherty and general Tory intransigence. Oddly, she’s not making the same charges against Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau, who says Ottawa has “a range of things under consideration from doing nothing, because of the economy, to more significant changes.” Gosh, that’s strange.
4. Alberta tests starter kits for new parents
Fotolia
Fotolia
Alberta is testing out starter kits for new parents: “baby boxes” containing a sleeper, onesie, diapers, nursing pad, blanket, sleep sack, environmentally-friendly baby shampoo, a book, a thermometer and Alberta Health Services resources. The box is fitted with a small foam mattress and sheet and meets the Canadian regulations for a bassinet. The idea is to help clueless parents get a grip and stop them racing out to buy a gazillion dollars worth of useless crap they saw on TV. At the moment it’s just an experiment but is based on a Finnish tradition dating back 80 years.
5. Driveway-clearing app works just like Uber
Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press
Fred Chartrand/The Canadian PressCommuters wait for buses during a heavy snow storm in Ottawa on Feb. 27, 2013.
This is an app that’s worth having: a snow-clearing version of Uber. You sign in and someone with a snowblower comes over and clears your driveway for $25 or more. And just like Uber, they can gouge some poor sap for a fortune if he’s really desperate, so it’s perfect! Being tested in Ottawa and Edmonton. A first try in Ottawa was overwhelmed with demand.
6. With friends like the Saudis, who needs Iran?
Hani Mohammed / AP
Hani Mohammed / APThe war in Yemen escalated in March when the Saudi-led coalition launched a campaign involving air strikes and ground troops against Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies.
The Obama administration is trying to figure out why it’s still a keen ally of Saudi Arabia. The historical reason has been the kingdom’s role as a stabilizing influence in the Middle East. But it’s recent activities — sending troops into Yemen, executing 47 people and breaking off relations with Iran –have hardly been helpful and reflect the increasingly aggressive role it’s played since King Salman took over.
7. Ontario power rates increase. Yes, again.
Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press files
Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press filesOntario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli
Electricity prices under the Ontario Liberals have increased from a flat 4.7 cents a kilowatt hour in 2004, to the Nov. 1, 2015 rate of 17.5 cents a kwh at peak times. Another increase takes effect this month as the 10% credit introduced to placate consumer discontent is dropped. And another increase will follow when cap-and-trade is introduced. But it’s worth it, because the Liberals are doing such a Jim-dandy job of dealing with Ontario’s energy needs, as everyone agrees.
National Post
http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/liberals-condemn-saudis-while-giving-ok-to-military-sale-and-other-reasons-to-fear-for-humanity
