Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Kudos to VIA Rail and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
An excellent letter in the Ottawa Citizen today (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Desirable+relations/1839388/story.html). I was mulling over writing one in a similar vein, but Keith Egli beat me to it! I never expected to be singing the praises of VIA Rail but OC Transpo and the Amalgamated Transit Union could certainly learn something about consideration of public interests from this example.
A viable alternative to Rogers
We’ve decided to cancel our Rogers cable subscription and are investing in an Over the Air (OTA) antennae system that gives us excellent reception of local stations (these are the ones we view most often anyway). In a few months we will recover our initial investment in the antennae and will be viewing television for free, released from steep monthly fees from Rogers, mostly for the many channels we never view anyway. This move will also simplify the change-over to DTV that will take place in 2011.
Message to Rogers: Your inconsiderate decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) precipitated this decision and we are encouraging friends to take similar action. Our cell phone service from Rogers is the next on our list to go.
Update, July 30, 2009: I am very pleased to learn that today Rogers backed down on the WPBS Watertown issue. However, this will not influence our decision to give Rogers the boot. This firm, like other TV and cellphone service providers is a deal to greedy and arrogant.
Message to Rogers: Your inconsiderate decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) precipitated this decision and we are encouraging friends to take similar action. Our cell phone service from Rogers is the next on our list to go.
Update, July 30, 2009: I am very pleased to learn that today Rogers backed down on the WPBS Watertown issue. However, this will not influence our decision to give Rogers the boot. This firm, like other TV and cellphone service providers is a deal to greedy and arrogant.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Putting greed before need
A lot of folk are expressing anger about Rogers’ unilateral decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) and to force them to subscribe to digital channels if they want access. Their response, or lack of response, to Ottawa resident’s complaints demonstrates what their real priority is (increased profits, no matter what!).
Rogers is inconsiderate to customer concerns and needs in so many ways. Another issue that came to my attention recently relates to their “pay as you go” cell-phone service. Subscribers are being bombarded by unsolicited junk calls for which they are charged. Rogers is benefiting from this unexpected revenue stream at subscribers’ expense and inconvenience. It’s time to change and to look for viable alternatives.
Rogers is inconsiderate to customer concerns and needs in so many ways. Another issue that came to my attention recently relates to their “pay as you go” cell-phone service. Subscribers are being bombarded by unsolicited junk calls for which they are charged. Rogers is benefiting from this unexpected revenue stream at subscribers’ expense and inconvenience. It’s time to change and to look for viable alternatives.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The State of Democracy in Canada
The subject of the June 9, 2006 D4D meeting was the state of democracy in Canada. Ottawa City Councillor Clive Doucet opened up the meeting with some observations on current issues and events. Unfortunately Clive had to leave early because of prior commitment but his comments stimulated much discussion amongst participants. Following is a summary of comments from Clive and others during the course of the meeting.
In Canada, as in many other countries, many aspects of the democratic process are still quite superficial. Inadequate controls are in place and there is still no real accountability by the people in power. Successive governments have encouraged degradation of Canada’s nation institutions:
e.g. the health care system and CN Rail. At the local level, facilities and infrastructure have been allowed to degrade. In almost every case, after allowing these institutions to fail universal solutions appear to favor privatization in some form.
In the health care system privatization of selected services and hospitals is seen by many as a viable solution.
After CN failed due to lack of adequate financial support from government it was privatized and is now virtually a U.S. focused company. Canadian based services and facilities continue to degenerate.
The City of Ottawa has allowed facilities like Lansdowne Part to degenerate and crumble year after year. The City is now considering a sole source contract arrangement with a developer group that will virtually take over develop and operate the entire Lansdowne facility for a period of some 30 years returning it to the City’s care just in time for its mid-life refit.
Participant observations on democracy in Canada suggest it is weak or failing:
We live in a democracy of the rich (e.g. banks, investment institutions and insurance firms) not the people. Rightwards shifts by dictatorial groups are appearing from nowhere. Democracy was stronger before the industrial revolution than it is today. Corporations and financial institutions have undue influence over the political process.
The existing “first past the post” electoral system tears the country apart and angers people. The coalition government strategy launched by the opposition parties in response to unrealistic budget plans by the Harper government last December offered an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a different form of government in Ottawa.
At the municipal level in Ottawa local government amalgamation driven by the Harris led provincial conservatives has urban and rural representatives who do not have the same interests or priorities voting on each others issues. This has resulted in ineffective government and stalemate on many issues. It has never achieved one of its primary objectives, to save money. In fact it has had the reverse effect. When faced with disappointment people tend to turn to the “strong guy” not necessarily the most sensible solution!
The city’s decision not to proceed with the southern light rail initiative has hurt the local economy significantly. Also an opportunity to quickly reduce air pollution has been lost. The democratic process was seriously compromised as a result political interference from higher levels of government.
Participants felt strongly that some form of proportional representation would go a long way toward reinforcing/restoring effective democracy in government. In a post meeting note Clive Doucet opined “democratic reform is the key to having our governments work better but is (apparently) the initiative of least interest to the public. It is a conundrum I don’t have an answer to but we need fair tax sharing between governments and proportional representation more than we need to change (replace) the inhabitants of the political chairs. But how do we get the message out there? I commend your efforts but as you can see, it’s not easy.”
Whilst attendance at this event was not as high as we had anticipated the level of interest and concern expressed by participants was very clear. Events will resume in the fall, likely at a new location. Stay tuned.
In Canada, as in many other countries, many aspects of the democratic process are still quite superficial. Inadequate controls are in place and there is still no real accountability by the people in power. Successive governments have encouraged degradation of Canada’s nation institutions:
e.g. the health care system and CN Rail. At the local level, facilities and infrastructure have been allowed to degrade. In almost every case, after allowing these institutions to fail universal solutions appear to favor privatization in some form.
In the health care system privatization of selected services and hospitals is seen by many as a viable solution.
After CN failed due to lack of adequate financial support from government it was privatized and is now virtually a U.S. focused company. Canadian based services and facilities continue to degenerate.
The City of Ottawa has allowed facilities like Lansdowne Part to degenerate and crumble year after year. The City is now considering a sole source contract arrangement with a developer group that will virtually take over develop and operate the entire Lansdowne facility for a period of some 30 years returning it to the City’s care just in time for its mid-life refit.
Participant observations on democracy in Canada suggest it is weak or failing:
We live in a democracy of the rich (e.g. banks, investment institutions and insurance firms) not the people. Rightwards shifts by dictatorial groups are appearing from nowhere. Democracy was stronger before the industrial revolution than it is today. Corporations and financial institutions have undue influence over the political process.
The existing “first past the post” electoral system tears the country apart and angers people. The coalition government strategy launched by the opposition parties in response to unrealistic budget plans by the Harper government last December offered an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a different form of government in Ottawa.
At the municipal level in Ottawa local government amalgamation driven by the Harris led provincial conservatives has urban and rural representatives who do not have the same interests or priorities voting on each others issues. This has resulted in ineffective government and stalemate on many issues. It has never achieved one of its primary objectives, to save money. In fact it has had the reverse effect. When faced with disappointment people tend to turn to the “strong guy” not necessarily the most sensible solution!
The city’s decision not to proceed with the southern light rail initiative has hurt the local economy significantly. Also an opportunity to quickly reduce air pollution has been lost. The democratic process was seriously compromised as a result political interference from higher levels of government.
Participants felt strongly that some form of proportional representation would go a long way toward reinforcing/restoring effective democracy in government. In a post meeting note Clive Doucet opined “democratic reform is the key to having our governments work better but is (apparently) the initiative of least interest to the public. It is a conundrum I don’t have an answer to but we need fair tax sharing between governments and proportional representation more than we need to change (replace) the inhabitants of the political chairs. But how do we get the message out there? I commend your efforts but as you can see, it’s not easy.”
Whilst attendance at this event was not as high as we had anticipated the level of interest and concern expressed by participants was very clear. Events will resume in the fall, likely at a new location. Stay tuned.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Municipal Elections Campaign Contributions - Proposed By-law Amendment
I sent an edited version of the following letter to the Ottawa Citizen last week. Unfortunately it was not published.
Ottawa City Council yesterday made the unfortunate decision to not outlaw municipal election campaign contributions by businesses and unions (Council agreed to ask province to create election contributor by-law, Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2009). The article cites analysis that suggests some candidates rely heavily on election campaign contributions from developers and other businesses that deal directly with the city. Contributions of this nature are no longer allowed in federal election campaigns. It is time that the city and the province enact similar legislation.
It should also be noted that while some candidates do not accept contributions from businesses or unions, some do receive significant contributions from business owners and executives whose firms deal directly with the city. The watered-down agreement that will ask the province to allow the city to enact a by-law requiring candidates to submit a list of campaign financial contributors within 30 days of an election will help a little, but it does not go far enough and will do nothing to eliminate possible conflicts of interest.
Proposed election contribution by-law a cop-out
Ottawa City Council yesterday made the unfortunate decision to not outlaw municipal election campaign contributions by businesses and unions (Council agreed to ask province to create election contributor by-law, Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2009). The article cites analysis that suggests some candidates rely heavily on election campaign contributions from developers and other businesses that deal directly with the city. Contributions of this nature are no longer allowed in federal election campaigns. It is time that the city and the province enact similar legislation.
It should also be noted that while some candidates do not accept contributions from businesses or unions, some do receive significant contributions from business owners and executives whose firms deal directly with the city. The watered-down agreement that will ask the province to allow the city to enact a by-law requiring candidates to submit a list of campaign financial contributors within 30 days of an election will help a little, but it does not go far enough and will do nothing to eliminate possible conflicts of interest.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Official Plan still requires attention
Some see this week’s vote by Ottawa City Council to cut back on the urban boundary expansion originally proposed by city staff as a small victory. However, it does nothing to address the need to radically change the overall plan that is really required. At the moment, this city is really being planned by the developers and not by the city (Development Plans lack proper direction. Randal Denley, Ottawa Citizen, June 11, 2009).
A well thought out Official Plan will provide for the development of communities that are more self-contained; communities in which a majority of residents can live, work and play. This requires a long-term vision as well as a high level of consultation and cooperation by all three levels of government.
Let us hope that in the five year period until the next mandatory (did someone say arbitrary?) review of the plan that council undertakes serious consultations with its provincial and federal counterparts and also directs city staff to rethink the planning process.
A well thought out Official Plan will provide for the development of communities that are more self-contained; communities in which a majority of residents can live, work and play. This requires a long-term vision as well as a high level of consultation and cooperation by all three levels of government.
Let us hope that in the five year period until the next mandatory (did someone say arbitrary?) review of the plan that council undertakes serious consultations with its provincial and federal counterparts and also directs city staff to rethink the planning process.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The law and ethical behavior do not always coincide
Mayor Larry O’Brien’s defence strategy announced this week in support of his criminal trial is outrageous. O’Brien’s alleged offer to help arrange a federal appointment for Brian Kilrea, legal or not, is a blatent interference with the political process.
One of two candidates with a similar political orientation (left or right) agreeing to one of them to stand down so as not to split the vote is one thing, but offering incentives such as a political appointment is quite another. Political appointments negotiated by elected officials expedite government actions and decisions. But during an election, these same negotiations deny voters the opportunity to express their electoral preferences at the polls.
Whatever the outcome of this trial Mayor O’Brien will carry the stain of unethical conduct. He should stand down and allow the democratic process to be restored in the City of Ottawa.
One of two candidates with a similar political orientation (left or right) agreeing to one of them to stand down so as not to split the vote is one thing, but offering incentives such as a political appointment is quite another. Political appointments negotiated by elected officials expedite government actions and decisions. But during an election, these same negotiations deny voters the opportunity to express their electoral preferences at the polls.
Whatever the outcome of this trial Mayor O’Brien will carry the stain of unethical conduct. He should stand down and allow the democratic process to be restored in the City of Ottawa.
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