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Difficulties Choosing the Ontario PC Leader
By Dave Hodson | May 23, 2009
My last post on the PC Leadership Race was nearly a month ago, and since then I have been doing a lot of reading and video watching about the candidates. I was undecided then, although I favoured Randy Hillier, and while I remain undecided now, I am closer to a decision.
While things can still change before the vote, I can safely cross Tim Hudak off my list, and so I will rank him fourth on my ballot. Throughout the campaign, something about Tim just hasn’t connected with me. He seems to have lots of energy and ideas, but there is something about his presence and image that I don’t like. In a strange way, the man reminds me of Dalton McGuinty!
As for Tim’s policy ideas; they just don’t work for me. For example, he seems to be very much about ‘tinkering’ with policies to actively manage the economy. He has promoted too many temporary measures, such as the temporary suspension of payroll taxes, the temporary suspension of the land transfer tax, and a temporary rebate to trade in old vehicles (this last idea I don’t like whether temporary or permanent). This just does not sound like someone who can keep his hands off and let the free market run the economy. I would like to see some permanent improvements to our tax rules and various nanny-state regulations to give both businesses and individuals a stable business environment and increased freedom to operate.
What I am looking for in a leader is actually a combination of Frank Klees and Randy Hillier. That may sound odd, considering they are very different candidates. Of all the candidates, I like the presence and speaking ability of Frank. While he can come across as a bit of a car salesman, I like his style and his communication abilities. If you put aside policy for the moment, I think Frank is the type of personality who could be very convincing and effective in an election campaign and very statesmanlike as a Premier. As for Randy Hillier’s image, I’m not sure if he’ll come across well in a general election campaign? Perhaps he will, but I have some concerns.
For policy ideas, my favourite is still Randy Hillier. I won’t rehash them all here, but Randy’s ideas are very straightforward and centre around providing more freedom to Ontarians. After a nanny-state Premier like Dalton McGuinty, too many things have been banned, and that needs to be changed.
Frank Klees has left me with the feeling on more than one occasion that he’s not the best choice if I’m looking for someone to cut government spending and government intrusion in our lives. However, he has been getting better on his tax ideas. Frank Klees has since indicated he would like to cut business taxes, and if McGuinty moves forward with harmonizing the RST with the GST, he proposes to reduce the HST. My preference is to not harmonize the taxes in the first place, but it seems that McGuinty will do that before the next election, and our next Premier will need to deal with that reality. Reducing the HST may negate the tax increase from the merger and be less disruptive to a stable business environmentЧанти than trying to de-harmonize the taxes after they have been merged.
I still have concerns about where Frank stands on issues of personal freedom and the ever-increasing size of government. However, there is one particular part of Frank’s position that I like very much. The quote below is on the front of Frank’s website.
Every Progressive Conservative member should have an opportunity to contribute to our platform through the Policy Advisory Council, a process that was the cornerstone of the Common Sense Revolution in 1995 and is now part of our constitution.
It should not be the party leader who determines policy; it should be the members. Regardless of who is selected as leader, we cannot assume that the policy positions candidates have personally promoted now will actually form part of an election platform. On an ongoing basis, the party members should have a say in the policy positions of the party. Choosing a leader and choosing policy should be separate decisions. If Frank is sincere in his position to allow the membership to form party policy, then that goes a long way with me. The bigger question is how much input would he let us have?
What I’d like to see is Frank Klees with the policy positions of Randy Hillier or Hillier with the communication abilities of Klees. I’m not sure that we’re going to get either of those, and so I remain undecided.
There is one thing of which I am certain; all four candidates would be an improvement over our last leader!
Topics: Ontario, PC Party, Politics | 6 Comments »
Ontario PC Leadership Race
By Dave Hodson | April 26, 2009
During the days of John ‘Red’ Tory, I let my Ontario PC membership lapse and stopped any financial support I was giving to the party. Now that the race is underway to choose a new leader, I have just renewed my membership and am trying to decide who I will support for leader.
I have carefully examined the websites of the leadership candidates to get a better feel for what they each stand for. I found myself impressed with some of the candidates, and not so much with others. Some of the sites are very light on specifics of policy positions. I realize that policy is developed by the party, not just the leader, and is done over a length of time leading up to an election campaign. I also understand that any policy positions of a leadership candidate may not find their way into a future official election platform. However, knowing where candidates stand on a range of issues, including any of their specific policy ideas, can give me a feel for the general direction that candidate would try to take the party.
I will now give my impression of each of the four leadership candidates, and offer my current preference at the end of this piece.
Frank Klees (www.frankklees.com)
I’m starting with Frank Klees because he happens to be my local MPP.
About the only policy proposal I could extract from Frank’s site is his intention to promote tourism in the north and improve access to crown land by boosting the budgets of the Tourism and Natural Resources ministries. I’m a big supporter of these goals, however, I’m not a fan of the proposal if it involves spending even more tax dollars to do it. If he had planned to make those ministries more efficient in their spending and perhaps achieve those goals through a redirection of current spending, I might like it.
Sorry Frank, but you’re not going to win my support with any promise of increasing the size of any government department.
I’d love to know more about his positions, but they are not easily found.
Tim Hudak (www.timhudak.ca)
While I’m impressed with the number of policy ideas Tim has proposed, I don’t like all of them.
Stop the HST - I like this proposal.
1-Year holiday on payroll tax on new hires - I like tax cuts, but honestly, I’m not sure this will really accomplish anything. As an employer myself, I’m not going to hire someone today because the EHT will be waived for that new hire for a 1-year period. Cutting payroll taxes permanently for all employees might make a difference, but a 1-year exemption on new hires?
1-Year suspension of the land transfer tax - I have always hated the land transfer tax. If I want to move across the street, I end up paying thousands of dollars for absolutely nothing. It’s a tax that has nothing to do with discouraging bad behaviour, and it’s a tax that has nothing to do with one’s ability to pay the tax. Get rid of it permanently, not for 1-year. A temporary suspension of the tax seems a bit useless.
Rebate on the trade-in of a 10-year old car for a new one - This is being billed as a way to reduce pollution and boost auto sales. However, you might get the opposite effect if you motivate people who own 8-year old cars, who are already considering a new car, to wait two more years to make the purchase! I don’t like interfering in free markets.
Renegotiate public sector wage contracts because of the recession - I’m not sure you could even get away with doing this? I’m all for cutting government spending, but how about eliminating selected wasteful government services completely, rather than an across-the-board reduction in wages?
Keep government spending within our means - Seems like a no-brainer, but he hasn’t provided any specifics on how he would cut or control spending.
Long term plan focused on job creation through having the lowest business taxes in the province - Again, he’s short on specifics, but I agree with the concept.
I haven’t seen anything on his position on personal taxes. Other than not harmonizing the PST with the GST, will Ontarians see any tax cuts with Tim?
Randy Hillier (www.hillierforleader.com)
Randy’s platform seems to the best thought out and organized of the four candidates.
Freedom of Association and Conscience Act - This would prevent various service providers from being forced to perform services they don’t agree with. This is not at the top of my priority list, but I can’t disagree with it.
Re-open the spring bear hunt - It’s not something that personally resonates with me, but I’m not opposed to it. If it will improve tourism and economic conditions in the north, and it doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything, then I support it.
Allow private competition with workplace safety insurance - If the private sector can provide this service more cost-efficiently, then I’m all for it. I would need to do some more research on this.
Changes to the process of card-based union certification - Again, it’s not at the top of my priority list, but I like it.
Change the 3:1 apprenticeship ratio for trades in Ontario - This could be very beneficial at getting more people working in the trades.
Repeal the pit bull ban - I like freedom, and I generally hate bans. I would support this, as long as there are strict rules over the control of dogs (not just pit bulls), to keep the public out of danger, with very severe jail penalties for the owners of dogs who do harm people. I.e. allow people to have them, but make them take responsibility and make an informed decision over the risks of ownership.
No word on whether Randy would repeal Dalton’s stupid pesticide ban. That would be a big vote winner with me.
Eliminate the Ontario Human Rights Commission - The sooner the better, in my opinion.
Ending MPAC - Our current system for property tax assessment is not working. However, I’m not sure how well any proposed alternative systems would work. I’m open to fixing it. Personally, I would like a system with lower municipal taxes tied to property values and increased user fees.
Senate elections in Ontario - My first choice is to abolish the senate completely. However, it doesn’t appear that will happen anytime soon. I will take an elected senate over what we have now.
Municipal Reform Act that allows amalgamated cities do de-amalgamate - I generally support letting the local people make decisions on local issues. Again, it’s not a big issue with me, but I would support it.
Specifics aside, I get the impression that Randy Hillier’s position is one of increased responsibility and freedom for both business and individuals. That is something I can support.
Christine Elliott (www.votechristine.ca)
Christine has published a “Path to Victory” document that explains a timeline of various events that need to happen, such as team building, fundraising, membership building and policy development. The document, however, doesn’t tell us where Christine stands on any specific policy.
Improved access to justice services and affordable broadband services in Northern and rural Ontario - This sounds like a policy that will cost me more money.
Establish a Northern Ontario law school - Again, this sounds like something that will cost me more money. Besides, isn’t Ontario graduating enough lawyers right now? We need doctors, trades people and businesspeople, not more lawyers.
I’d love to know more about Christine’s positions. So far, I don’t like what I have seen.
Overall Opinion
I find it interesting that there seems to be very little talk of personal taxes. I would like to see some cuts in government spending along with cuts in taxes.
Based on the policy proposals I have read so far, my current choice for leader is… Randy Hillier. I don’t know if he is the best when it comes to leadership skills, motivation, fundraising or running an election campaign, but based on policy positions, he’s my current choice.
I will continue to monitor the leadership race for more developments and more information. I’m hoping that Frank and Christine step up efforts to tell me where they stand, because so far, I don’t have a lot to go on.
Topics: Ontario, PC Party, Politics | 9 Comments »
Clean Up Your Own Mess
By Dave Hodson | April 22, 2009
Wow! I’m not exactly Dalton McGuinty’s biggest fan, but he has finally said something that I can agree with.
Dalton has wasted enough of my tax dollars over the years, and I really hope he’s serious about not wasting any more of them with CAW pension bailouts.
It’s time to pull the security blanket from this industry that has been allowed to grow increasingly inefficient under a false shelter from the real world. It’s sink or swim time for automakers and autoworkers.
There is plenty of blame to go around for the current mess at GM and Chrysler… poor management, unreasonable worker demands, etc. I’m sure the situation sucks for those involved, but don’t expect me to pay to clean up your mess.
UPDATE:
I knew it! I just knew Dalton’s words were too good to be true! The article above has now been amended.
“It’s certainly not our intention to put more money into the pension guarantee fund,” Mr. McGuinty said. “It was never meant to be the kind of fund that was supported by the government.”
But shortly after the premier made those comments, he said during Question Period that the province reserves the right to top-up the pension guarantee fund.
Please, Dalton, don’t even think about contributing another cent to that fund. You were on the right track with your original comments.
Most of us don’t have gold-plated pension plans, and we all look after our own retirement needs. Asking the rest of us to contribute to the pensions of a bunch of spoiled autoworkers is just plain madness.
Topics: Economy, Employment, Manufacturing, Politics, Responsibility, Unions | 2 Comments »
My Economic Stimulus Package
By Dave Hodson | April 10, 2009
Since the global economy began to slow, the popular catchphrase being used everywhere seems to be economic stimulus. All top priorities seem to centre around stimulating the economy.
With the new home renovation tax credit to help ease the pain, I thought I’d do my part and offer an economic stimulus package of my own to some local trades.
My Family Room - BEFORE
My Family Room - AFTER
While I installed the floor myself, like all good economic stimulus packages, this one benefited many different economic sectors… the designer, the carpenter, the painter, the electrician, and the natural gas contractor - all of them sharing in some economic stimulus.
By the way, if anyone is considering providing an economic stimulus package of their own, I can recommend some good contractors.
To get the maximum return out of my investment, I think my next round of economic stimulus will take place at a local furniture store!
Topics: Economy, Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »
Accept Responsibility For Your Own Affairs
By Dave Hodson | March 15, 2009
Leave it to the Toronto Star to spin a sob story whenever they need to remind everyone about the slowing economy.
Liz Fong’s plans for early retirement have faded with the economy.
I’m sure she feels scared, but the way The Star is telling it, you’d think that Ms. Fong was blameless here! You’d think she was some sort of victim of an evil stock market!
Markets rise and markets fall, but over the long term, they always come back. If Ms. Fong was planning on needing her retirement money within three years, then why was it all invested in the stock market? Most investment advisors will tell you, if you have time on your side, then keep your money in the markets. As you move closer to the time you need to use that savings, it should be shifted toward less risky investments.
She rode the markets up through the massive growth periods of 2005 and 2006. Did she not think markets can turn the other way as well?
If Ms. Fong doesn’t need the money for a long time, then there’s no problem. If she does need the money soon, then she made a mistake, should suck it up, and perhaps find better investment advice. And what’s with her comment that she’s too afraid to check where her investments are today? Sticking your head in the sand is not exactly a winning investment strategy. Grow up deal with it.
People need to take responsibility for their own affairs–nobody else will, and nobody else should.
Topics: Economy, Investing, Responsibility | 7 Comments »
Is Ken Lewenza For Real?
By Dave Hodson | March 5, 2009
In an effort to save jobs at GM Canada, CAW president Ken Lewenza says his union is prepared to make sacrifices. Mr. Lewenza is determined to find savings so Canadian plants can compete with GM plants in the United States.
However, in the his next breath, Mr. Lewenza says ”we believe we can maintain our existing wage and benefit package.” Basically, he wants to help, but he won’t consider a reduction in wages or benefits.
Interesting. That leads me to ask the following question…
If his workers are prepared to make sacrifices to help GM Canada become competitive again, but wages and benefits are not on the table, then what hell is on the table?
Topics: Employment, Manufacturing, Unions | 4 Comments »
The Upside of Recession
By Dave Hodson | February 28, 2009
As part of the round-the-clock media coverage, cheerleading the worldwide economic slowdown, the Toronto Star published an article titled Looming cuts would shake CBC to its core. Naturally, I was encouraged that there may indeed be positive side-effects to a recession! If there’s only one state-run institution in Canada in desperate need of a good shake, it’s the CBC.
While firms everywhere are dealing with a loss of revenue by making necessary cuts and efficiency improvements, the CBC has instead been crying for months for more government funding to make up their own budget shortfall. It’s the same old story of entitlement with the CBC… taking more and more from the taxpayer, without really being accountable to anyone, including the taxpayer or its viewers. Fortunately, the government has finally suggested that enough is enough, they already receive substantial funding, and they will just have to find a way to get by.
I would have preferred that the government cut funding to the CBC, but I guess I’ll just be happy that they’re not going to increase it.
On a more humorous note, let’s now examine some of the statements in the article…
The CBC is facing major cost-saving measures “that would change the very nature of our service to Canadians” as it copes with its deepening financial crisis, the national broadcaster’s president said yesterday.
Well, I can only hope!
Lacroix’s scenarios would jeopardize the CBC’s mandate of defining Canada to Canadians and are unlikely to produce more advertising, critics say.
Now that’s arrogant. I don’t need some state-run network defining Canada for me. As a Canadian, I’m more than capable of deciding for myself what it means to be Canadian.
It “could lead to the end of the CBC,” Steve Waddell, chief of the actors’ union ACTRA, told the Star.
Oh how I wish it were true, but I seriously doubt it. I think that statement might just be a little over-the-top? However, it’s not surprising to see a little bit of acting coming from an actor!
CBC insiders fear 600 or 700 layoffs in the coming year, and full-scale commercialization of English-language radio, which would bring an estimated $95 million in additional revenue.
If the CBC can bring in an additional $95 million through advertising, possibly reducing the drain on taxpayers, then do it.
Ian Morrison, spokesperson for the broadcast industry watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, said he doubts Canadian taxpayers would be willing to pay for a public broadcaster that carries American TV shows and commercialized radio.
Actually, Ian, I really don’t like paying for the one we have now. Just find a way to save the taxpayer some money, and if you can give us unbiased media content that people actually want to watch, then that’s a good thing too!
Topics: Media, Politics, Subsidies | 1 Comment »