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[IISANDERII]

Crime rate lowest in 4Oyrs.

However, those stats are for 2011. In 2012 the barbaric Bill C-10 was introduced and, anecdotally, I'm hearing about shootings all the time now. I'm not a big believer in coincidences.

edit: here's why I think Bill C-10 is less than half baked.

 

[gabbo]

Crime rate lowest in 4Oyrs.

However, those stats are for 2011. In 2012 the barbaric Bill C-10 was introduced and, anecdotally, I'm hearing about shootings all the time now. I'm not a big believer in coincidences.

edit: here's why I think Bill C-10 is less than half baked.

Vic Toews will do the Political show parade today or tomorrow and claim C-10 and Harpo and co are the reason. Or his Parliamentary Secretary more likely.
edit: Or of course the rise in unreported crimes, the ones there aren't stats for, but assuredly exist in large numbers

 

[EvilMario]

Surprise, Ontario. McGuinty is not open to talking about beer and liquor at corner stores.

 

[BigJonsson]

Surprise, Ontario. McGuinty is not open to talking about beer and liquor at corner stores.

If you look at Alberta, the price of booze jumped after they opened up who could sell it.......


And from that article it looks like you can blame Mike Harris as well

 

[EvilMario]

If you look at Alberta, the price of booze jumped after they opened up who could sell it.......


And from that article it looks like you can blame Mike Harris as well

Maybe the prices would jump, but coming from a land of cheap booze, prices at the LCBO already make me queasy.

 

[BigJonsson]

Maybe the prices would jump, but coming from a land of cheap booze, prices at the LCBO already make me queasy.

Meh, government needs money

 

[EvilMario]

Meh, government needs money

At least they could offer me a better selection of sake.

 

[Fuzzy]

As long as the Ontario Government owns the LCBO then I don't want them to allow sales in other stores. If they're ever stupid enough to sell that cash cow then they should open it up to those other stores.

 

[gabbo]

As long as the Ontario Government owns the LCBO then I don't want them to allow sales in other stores. If they're ever stupid enough to sell that cash cow then they should open it up to those other stores.

It's always the first crown corp floated for sale when the government needs some short term cash, but it brings in too much annually to be a viable short term gain in the long term.
Not bothered that McGuinty doesn't want to open it up.

 

[squidyj]

Vic Toews will do the Political show parade today or tomorrow and claim C-10 and Harpo and co are the reason. Or his Parliamentary Secretary more likely.
edit: Or of course the rise in unreported crimes, the ones there aren't stats for, but assuredly exist in large numbers

stats? we don't need no stinkin' stats.

Or scientists, or anything really. INFORMATION IS THE ENEMY, PEOPLE.

 

[Zombie James]

Vic Toews will do the Political show parade today or tomorrow and claim C-10 and Harpo and co are the reason. Or his Parliamentary Secretary more likely.
edit: Or of course the rise in unreported crimes, the ones there aren't stats for, but assuredly exist in large numbers

Yup:

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is crediting his party's tough-on-crime agenda with nudging the crime rate in Canada to a 40-year low.

According to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday, there were approximately 110,000 fewer crimes reported to Canadian police in 2011 than the year before, pulling the nation’s rate of reported crimes down to its lowest level since 1972.

Only about two million crimes were reported last year, a six per cent drop from the year before.

"Crime rate down 6%," Toews posted on his Twitter account Tuesday morning. "Shows #CPC tough on crime is working."

"The fact of the matter is that when the bad guys are kept in jail longer, they are not out committing crimes and the crime rate will decrease,” Toews’ spokesperson Julie Carmichael later said.

Toews has been at the forefront of the federal Conservative Party's so-called tough-on-crime agenda, epitomized by the omnibus crime bill that was passed in the House of Commons late last year. The initiative is jus six years old, however, and statistics show that crime rates have been decreasing since the early 1990s.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/toews-gives-tories-credit-for-canada-s-dipping-crime-rate-1.890749

Taking credit for other people's work? Par for the course in Harper Land.

 

[Fuzzy]

It's always the first crown corp floated for sale when the government needs some short term cash, but it brings in too much annually to be a viable short term gain in the long term.
Not bothered that McGuinty doesn't want to open it up.

So basically Hudak will sell it off if he's ever in power.

 

[Zombie James]

So basically Hudak will sell it off if he's ever in power.

Probably give it away for a song and dance, too, just like his mentor did with the 407.

 

[gabbo]

So basically Hudak will sell it off if he's ever in power.

Mike Harris (and his Con successor whose name I've forgotten) floated the idea when I was in high school. Is Hudak a trailblazer in stupidity or would he realize its value and stay the course even Harris took?

 

[IISANDERII]

Wait, wasn't Bill C-10 only passed this year?

 

[Fuzzy]

Wait, wasn't Bill C-10 only passed this year?

But they've been talking about getting tough on crime since Harper won the leadership of the CPC at it reverberated backwards through time to start the downward trend 15 years prior.

 

[krae_man]

Meh, government needs money

I'm pretty sure they would make more money from corner stores selling booze due to increased volume of sales from the later hours of operation and more convenient locations.

Most of the money they made from Booze is in the form of taxes anyway. What percentage of a 24 of Blue is normal profit and not alcohol taxes?(Honest question, I don't know).

 

[Big-E]

I like our liquor stores in BC. The government will usually bring stuff in if you want it, just need to ask them. The price went up when they went private in Alberta so I would rather have the way it is now.

 

[Fuzzy]

I like our liquor stores in BC. The government will usually bring stuff in if you want it, just need to ask them. The price went up when they went private in Alberta so I would rather have the way it is now.

When I was living in BC 4 years ago everything was more than here in Ontario. I don't know if it was just because I was in Penticton or if that's the case for the entire province.

EDIT: A quick search shows BC costs more than Ontario on the whole.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/07/10/BC-Pricey-Booze/

 

[Big-E]

When I was living in BC 4 years ago everything was more than here in Ontario. I don't know if it was just because I was in Penticton or if that's the case for the entire province.

EDIT: A quick search shows BC costs more than Ontario on the whole.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/07/10/BC-Pricey-Booze/

Everything here costs more. I think if the government sold the liquor business then we would be paying even more as people will pay. I have no faith in our provincial government selling off their assets.

 

[Fuzzy]

Everything here costs more. I think if the government sold the liquor business then we would be paying even more as people will pay. I have no faith in our provincial government selling off their assets.

I don't know why anyone would want to buy booze at a corner store anyway. Everything costs more at a corner store.

I've never had a problem where I've wanted to buy booze and both the Beer Store and LCBO were closed. I guess I've always been smart enough to think ahead.

 

[gabbo]

I'm pretty sure they would make more money from corner stores selling booze due to increased volume of sales from the later hours of operation and more convenient locations.

Most of the money they made from Booze is in the form of taxes anyway. What percentage of a 24 of Blue is normal profit and not alcohol taxes?(Honest question, I don't know).

I doubt selling off the LCBO + eventual sales from private stores will net the Ontario government nearly 2 billion annually.
http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/media_centre/quick_facts.shtml


Edit:

Wait, wasn't Bill C-10 only passed this year?

It passed in March of 2012 (ie four months ago). So either our government has time traveling powers we're just seeing the effects of now, or they had very little to do with the lower crime stats from 2011.

 

[BladeWorker]

Edit:
It passed in March of 2012 (ie four months ago). So either our government has time traveling powers we're just seeing the effects of now, or they had very little to do with the lower crime stats from 2011.

The prospective criminals were so afraid of Harper's impending toughness on crime that it made them think twice about being criminals.

Y'know, Chuck Norris style.

 

[krae_man]

I doubt selling off the LCBO + eventual sales from private stores will net the Ontario government nearly 2 billion annually.
http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/media_centre/quick_facts.shtml

The 10 year is closer to 1.2bil/year not including revenue from HST. And I'm pretty sure a portion of the $1.2 billion/year is "Sin Taxes". Some taxation is probably hidden in the profit margin. I'm convinced that the government would generate more revenue from A: increased sales, and B: Not needing the LCBO anymore which looks like it cost 3 billion to run last year.

The issues are A: Does the government want to make more money on the backs of Canadians drinking more, and B: laying off a crap load of people at the LCBO. It's not an issue of will they make more money the other way because they absolutely will.

Dalton Mcguinty doesn't want to piss off a large union, that's the only reason he won't do it. Personally, I'm kind of conflicted. On the one hand the LCBO doesn't need to exist, on the other hand I don't want to fire a boat load of people. The government needs to figure out a way to do it slowly or something. Maybe stop hiring and gradually reduce the number of stores as people find other jobs or retire and transition slowly over 20 year or something.

 

[maharg]

Never mind that crime stats have all been declining for 20 years or so.

 

[Zombie James]

Oh sure it can with taxation.

Legalize pot, tax it like cigarettes. Boom, done.

 

[Loofy]

I like our liquor stores in BC. The government will usually bring stuff in if you want it, just need to ask them. The price went up when they went private in Alberta so I would rather have the way it is now.

If you look at Alberta, the price of booze jumped after they opened up who could sell it.......

I dont think this is true. Prices went down as a result of privatization, making alberta the cheapest place for liquor..
..until 2009 when there was a liquor tax price hike, but it was rescinded shortly after. There might have been more changes since then but Im pretty sure other provinces still pay more.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/05/20/9510161-sun.html

 

[SRG01]

I like our liquor stores in BC. The government will usually bring stuff in if you want it, just need to ask them. The price went up when they went private in Alberta so I would rather have the way it is now.

The problem with private liquor sales in Alberta is that alcohol doesn't function like a commodity with normal supply/demand curves. People will always want alcohol no matter the price.

I dont think this is true. Prices went down as a result of privatization, making alberta the cheapest place for liquor..
..until 2009 when there was a liquor tax price hike, but it was rescinded shortly after. There might have been more changes since then but Im pretty sure other provinces still pay more.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/05/20/9510161-sun.html

No I'm sure this is false. My friends always talk about cheap booze over the BC-AB border. (edit: And this was prior to taxes, and for beers, wines, etc)

 

[krae_man]

The difference in booze prices probably has everything to do with taxes not public/private.

 

[SRG01]

Speaking about the shootings in Toronto, I'm actually very surprised at the public outcry with those events compared to Edmonton's murder spree just last year. Was it because these murders were at a very public location, or am I missing something here?

 

[gabbo]

The 10 year is closer to 1.2bil/year not including revenue from HST. And I'm pretty sure a portion of the $1.2 billion/year is "Sin Taxes". Some taxation is probably hidden in the profit margin. I'm convinced that the government would generate more revenue from A: increased sales, and B: Not needing the LCBO anymore which looks like it cost 3 billion to run last year.

$1.63 billion Dividend the LCBO transferred to the Government of Ontario for 2011-12 (excluding taxes)

Those hidden taxes must be buddying up with the unreported crime stats

 

[Loofy]

The problem with private liquor sales in Alberta is that alcohol doesn't function like a commodity with normal supply/demand curves. People will always want alcohol no matter the price.

No I'm sure this is false. My friends always talk about cheap booze over the BC-AB border. (edit: And this was prior to taxes, and for beers, wines, etc)

Well.. it shouldnt be... Heres an article from last year.
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report...small-business/article1998947/?service=mobile

B.C.'s liquor licensing regime has been described as “Byzantine” and the cost to buy alcohol is outrageous compared with countries like the United States. A bottle of Yellow Tail Shiraz retails at B.C.'s government liquor stores for $12.99. You can buy the same bottle of wine for $10.40 or less in Alberta and $6.50 in California.

Why the excessive price difference in B.C.? Unlike Wal-Mart, B.C.’s LDB and other provincial liquor bodies in Canada don’t negotiate price based on the volume of alcohol they purchase. They don’t negotiate volume rebates at all. The LDB actually tells suppliers of certain alcoholic products to charge more, not less, because of something called social reference pricing.

Article also says government stores dont accept advertising money and their workers are unionised further increasing prices.

 

[krae_man]

Those hidden taxes must be buddying up with the unreported crime stats

The taxes that is referring to is HST which is listed elsewhere. There's more then 13% tax on booze. If the government doubles the price of a passport, that's still a tax increase. Governments hide tax increases when they raise prices of products and services they sell.

 

[SRG01]

In other news, BC is demanding their fair share from the Enbridge pipeline. As an Albertan... I agree with this stance?

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news...alties+threatens+overwhelm/6989664/story.html

 

[Cheerilee]

In other news, BC is demanding their fair share from the Enbridge pipeline. As an Albertan... I agree with this stance?

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news...alties+threatens+overwhelm/6989664/story.html

BC was apparently set to get 8% of the profits from the pipeline.

Christy Clark demanded a series of safety guarantees, which nobody seems to argue with, and for BC's share to jump from 8% to "fair" (and she doesn't say how much "fair" is). Oh and, she specifically wants the money to come from Alberta's cut. On the eve of a Premier's conference.

Clark is deliberately picking a BC/Alberta fight in order to stir up rivalry and look strong.

http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/...nce+over+Enbridge+pipeline/6990281/story.html

 

[BocoDragon]

Well.. it shouldnt be... Heres an article from last year.
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report...small-business/article1998947/?service=mobile
Article also says government stores dont accept advertising money and their workers are unionised further increasing prices.

Yeah I'm from Alberta and booze in BC is way more expensive. Like, 30% more expensive.

 

[MyAbsolution]

When I was living in BC 4 years ago everything was more than here in Ontario. I don't know if it was just because I was in Penticton or if that's the case for the entire province.

EDIT: A quick search shows BC costs more than Ontario on the whole.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/07/10/BC-Pricey-Booze/

Oh wow thats where Im from! And I too now live in Ontario.

And yes, BC booze costs a lot more. All food really.

And privatizing BC Liquor was a horrible idea. Most private stores jacked their prices up and paid employees far lower wages.

 

[Big-E]

Where I am getting BC is cheaper was from the local news and papers that said the price of beer climbed a dollar or something and they interviewed local companies that make alcohol in BC and they said something about it being more expensive to sell in AB. I will try and find it.

EDIT: Found the article I was referencing

http://www.theprovince.com/business/Booze+brawl+brewing/6651629/story.html The article mentions that brewers in BC get charged more in Alberta for distribution than they do with the liquor board.

 

[Subprime]

Crime rate lowest in 4Oyrs.

However, those stats are for 2011. In 2012 the barbaric Bill C-10 was introduced and, anecdotally, I'm hearing about shootings all the time now. I'm not a big believer in coincidences.

edit: here's why I think Bill C-10 is less than half baked.

crime stats being low with less support to social programs? Sounds like someones pressuring other people to pressure people to pressure people to cook the books, turn rapes into assaults, make assaults disappear, etc.

 

[SRG01]

Yeah I'm from Alberta and booze in BC is way more expensive. Like, 30% more expensive.

Wow, I better check with my friend where she's getting her booze It's right across the border on the southern part of the province.

 

[maharg]

Wow, I better check with my friend where she's getting her booze It's right across the border on the southern part of the province.

Maybe your friend's a bootlegger.

I don't know that prices now are indicative of how prices changed after privatization, at any rate.

 

[Partial Gamification]

I'm curious about the Canadian take on this article:
Canadian Mining Goliaths Devastate Mexican Indigenous Communities and Environment

 

[Big-E]

Are we also talking store prices for beer or restaurant prices for beer as I have no doubt in my mind that a beer in a pub is more expensive in Vancouver than Calgary but that has nothing to do with the actual cost.

As an aside, we can now bring bottles of wine into restaurants now but apparently some restaurants are wanting to charge like 20 dollar corking fees which would defeat the purpose.

 

[SRG01]

I'm curious about the Canadian take on this article:
Canadian Mining Goliaths Devastate Mexican Indigenous Communities and Environment

That's nothing new. Canadian resource companies are prolific in Latin America...

 

[Partial Gamification]

That's nothing new. Canadian resource companies are prolific in Latin America...

But do these activites get as little coverage as say Coca-Cola's aquisition of water-respources in the US media?

 

[Big-E]

But do these activites get as little coverage as say Cola-Cola's aquisition of water-respources in the US media?

I would say so.

 

[Partial Gamification]

I would say so.

Thank you very much. I was curious if it was just a US-thing.

 

[firehawk12]

The media has been covering how we still ship asbestos to third world countries because it supports a small community in Quebec but that hasn't changed anything in the last two years or so. I think it's just a case of people not caring whether they get the news or not.

 

[Subprime]

I would take it a step further and have no official party allowed to do this outside of an election period. It lowers the political discourse for the country. BladeWorker, I only wish the public would ignore the ads altogether, or that the same people who end up discussing it on broadly available public forums (ie television and talk radio) would criticize such moves for the blatant garbage they are.

Not far enough. There should be no advertisement for politics on TV. limit it to debates. I know they dont have the same sort of ads in the uk.

 

[gabbo]

I'm curious about the Canadian take on this article:
Canadian Mining Goliaths Devastate Mexican Indigenous Communities and Environment

There are commercials for these same companies playing up how they're good investments due finding large mineral deposits in Country X. They're similar in tone to the ethical oil ads, but with more 'buy our stock' emphasis.

The trouble they cause in Latin and South America is usually given lip service in the media and the native populations fighting back is portrayed as ignorant workers/citizens trying to take over lands/equipment owned by these innocent companies and preventing them from making profits they're entitled to. Asbestos being the one resource that gets put through its paces publicly.

Not far enough. There should be no advertisement for politics on TV. limit it to debates. I know they dont have the same sort of ads in the uk.

Unless the parties and/or Parliament are going to make it a priority to inform the public themselves again, it's going to require some kind of information dumps with scary music and the same voice over guy for all three major parties.