As yet another game of chicken over the federal election is played out, it is sobering to remember the huge numbers of Canadians who have dropped out of national politics.
Here’s to more political gaffes! Canadians are not shallow, simple voters living in a one-dimensional world. We deserve respect, not the condescension of our political leaders.
There is urgent need to bring coherence, consistency and accountability to the jumble of federal contributions to provinces, especially with Ontario qualifying for equalization.
Despite the fact that women constitute 47.4 per cent — almost half — of the national workforce, the vast majority of the billions of stimulus dollars targeted for job creation favours men. And the margin is huge — whether in housing, construction, forestry, autos, or manufacturing.
The multi-partisan consensus emerging on the need for a massive economic stimulus package, increases in social security payments, and critical financial reforms to ensure adequate credit, can only go so far to address our distress in the short-term.
The immigration system needs an overhaul. But what it doesn’t need is poorly conceived, divisive tinkering by an election-hungry prime minister, slipped stealthily into his budget.