A New Twist Now ``Russians likely scanned all 50 states`` Michael Daniel

A New Twist Now ``Russians likely scanned all 50 states`` Michael Daniel

State Department Won’t Rule Out $50 Billion ‘Signing Bonus’ For Iran

Islamic States ISIL ,Radical Islam and the Coming New World Order

Islamic States ISIL ,Radical Islam and the Coming New World Order

Must Watch and Understand the Epic Final Battle

Flaherty Warns of 'Significant' Hit to Federal Revenue

TRANSCRIPT - TRANSCRIPTION - Minister Jim Flaherty - Ministre Jim Flaherty

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty

TRANSCRIPTION/TRANSCRIPTION

DATE/DATE:  March 8, 2013 11:30 a.m.

SUBJECT/SUJET:      
 Media Availability with Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty Following a Meeting with Private Sector Economists.

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 
Good morning.  Bonjour.  Once again – I’ll just wait for Les to be comfortable there.  Are you okay?  All right.  Got to respect veterans. 

 

Once again, I’m not announcing a budget date right now.  I did meet with private sector economists this morning which I do regularly. The purpose of the meeting is to make sure that the government’s economic and fiscal forecasts are based on the best third party independent analyses that are available in Canada. The goal is to achieve a consensus that the March 2013 survey of private sector economists is a reasonable basis for fiscal planning. And we agreed this morning that it is.

We will continue to see modest GDP growth in Canada. The growth projections are slightly lower in the near term, as I expected when I spoke with you last week, mainly in 2013-2014.  The factors involved there are the continuing issues, challenges in Europe and the United States.


There’s some good economic news this morning, more jobs. We’re at a situation now in Canada that we’ve recovered, that we have gained almost one million net new jobs since the end of the recession in July 2009.  The U.S. job numbers this morning are also good. They beat market expectations. The housing starts number this morning was positive. And just recently, this morning General Motors of Canada Limited announced an investment of $250 million to upgrade their plant, their CAMI Plant at Ingersoll, Ontario. I spoke with the President of General Motors yesterday about that and that is a welcome investment in Canada. As you know, the Canadian people remain shareholders in General Motors.

The key government contribution that we can make in terms of budgeting and any government can make is to ensure that we maintain a sound fiscal position which we will do in this year’s budget for Canada. That means no dangerous risky new spending programs, careful control of the spending which we do control, no new taxes.  In a positive way, it means emphasizing jobs and growth.

In our consultations by our caucus members and the ministers and so on across the country, we have heard repeatedly from Canadians about the importance of matching Canadians to the jobs available, then making sure that our skills training, our education processes lead Canadians to the jobs that are being created, the thousands and thousands of jobs that are being created in the Canadian economy. We’ve been focussing on that, among other priorities. And we have work to do.

I heard more comments about skills training today from the private sector economists who very graciously have once again shared their advice with me and with Minister Menzies which will help us shape the budget which is to come soon. 

I welcome your questions.

Moderator:                        
 Thank you very much. Everybody, please introduce yourself, your outlet. We have time for one question, one follow-up each and we’ll start over here to my right.  Go ahead.

ON BALANCING BUDGET
Question:                                
Good morning, Minister.  Jessica Murphy with Sun Media. I’m wondering in your budget how you’re going to balance the – or offset the impact of declining tax revenue from a province like Alberta, for example, and try to balance the budget in 2015. 

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
Yeah, well, we’ve been – we’ve been looking at savings within government certainly. On the revenue side, we’ve been looking at various loopholes that some people engage in in order to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.  On the expense side, we have been focussing of course on that part of the budget that is spending by the government itself.  We are committed not to reducing transfers to the provinces and we are committed not to reducing transfers to individuals. That takes up a lot of budget room. So we have to focus like a laser on our own spending which I’ve been doing.

Question:                                
Are you still confident you’ll be able to balance the budget by 2015?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
Yes, we’re still on track. The projections by the private sector economists, as I said, are slightly lower, particularly in the near term.  But we are on track to balance the budget in 2015 in the current parliament.

Moderator:                          
 Great, thank you.  Moving over to the left mic, I think Bill Curry there is the first one.

ON SKILL TRAINING
Question:                                
Minister Flaherty, Bill Curry from The Globe and Mail. On your comment about skills training, in your 2007 budget, you fully devolved skills training under Part 2 of EI to the provinces. It’s been five years now. Are you dissatisfied with how that’s going, how the provinces are handling that? And are you looking at reclaiming that two billion to make it a federal responsibility instead of the provinces running it?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 Well, I think it’s important that we work with the provinces and territories on skills training broadly defined. There’s significant provincial responsibility there. Having said that, there’s no question that the delivery of those kinds of services generally are better placed with the provinces and territories.  What we are looking at though is outcomes. Are we seeing the kind of employment outcomes that we expected to see? What is the degree of accountability? It’s very important in Canada with an unemployment rate in excess of seven percent that we ensure that young people in particular are matched to the jobs that are available.

You know, I can tell you anecdotally on the Toronto subway when I get a young person coming up to me saying I’m on my way to my job, Minister, as a grocery clerk at Loblaws, nothing wrong with being a grocery clerk at Loblaws, it’s a good job, but he just graduated from Ryerson, right? So we’ve got to do a better job of connecting – connecting the skills that people have and the education that people have with the jobs that are available in Canada.

ON TAX LOOPHOLES
Question:                               
Okay. And then to follow up on your comment about tax loopholes, that can mean a lot of different things to different people.  Some people if you spend more money on CRA – at CRA to go after people abroad hiding money, you’ll more than get that back.  Tax loopholes sometimes also mean tax expenditures, all the various tax credits domestically so are you looking at both of those things or more enforcement? What do you mean by tax loopholes?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
What I mean is everybody should pay their fair share of taxes and people shouldn’t be hiding money from the Government of Canada. Some people do that offshore and, sometimes, you’re right, it makes sense to invest more resources, for example, in the Canadian Revenue Agency so that we are better at policing the minority of Canadians who do not pay their fair share. So we’re looking at that side of it. We’re looking at the revenue side of it at some tax policies that create inequality and at some actions, regrettably, by some who would evade their tax responsibilities.

Moderator:                          
Thank you very much.  Terry Milewski.

ON UNEMPLOYMENT 
Question:                                
Good morning, Minister. Terry Milewski with CBC.  I have a question on behalf of the financially unsophisticated among us. You said that the job numbers this morning are good news but some of those unsophisticated Canadians might wonder well, how is it that we are apparently creating jobs at a pretty good clip and the unemployment rate doesn’t budget?  Can you explain that? What’s going on behind those numbers?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
Well, it depends on of course the number of people seeking jobs in Canada so the number will – the unemployment number percent will bounce around depending on that. And the U.S. measures their unemployment rate differently than we do with a different age at the beginning and so on so comparing the U.S. number and the Canadian number, the Canadian number is actually even better than it looks vis-à-vis the U.S. number.  But the key is that we’re seeing continuing job creation in Canada.  The number of people seeking employment varies.

Question:                               
 My follow-up is can you give us a date when you will give us a date?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
If you can tell me when the papal conclave is going to be, then I can perhaps do that.  No, Terry, we just haven’t decided yet.  There’s no great mystery. As soon as we make a decision, I’ll let you know.

Moderator:                          
 Go ahead.

SKILL TRAINING
Question:                                
Minister Flaherty, Alessia from iPolitics. Nice to see you. My question is in relation to the skills – skill training money that we’ve been hearing about in the budget.  I was wondering if you can give us a little more insight into what exactly we can expect in terms of changes. You just said that the delivery of this money is best kept in the provinces but you also said that there is very little accountability of how that money’s being spent and whether it’s actually leading to real jobs. We know that there’s a big shortage of construction workers in the energy sector.  What can we – in terms of details, what can we expect to see in changes in terms of this accountability?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 The delivery of the service itself, that is occupational counselling and so on, I think logically belongs with the provinces. There are other areas in which we can – we can deal with how – how one – how the system is funded. There’s no suggestion, by the way, that there be any reduction in spending by the Government of Canada on skills training. It’s too important.  It’s a priority of the budget.  For the rest of it, you’ll have to wait for the budget.

Question:                                Okay. No follow-up.  Thanks.

Moderator:                             Thank you. Gordon from Financial Post.

ON MORTGAGES
Question:                                
Yeah, hi.  Last week you gave a statement on mortgage rates, the so-called race to the bottom.  Are you still concerned about that? Has there been any change?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 Yes, I am concerned about that. I spoke with the relevant bank this week – well, with BMO.  BMO reduced their rate.  And I spoke with them about that this week and expressed my concern — my concern in two ways.  One, it’s an objective reduction of course but it’s also symbolic and we remain concerned, I remain concerned with the housing market in Canada. We’ve seen some moderation in the housing market which I think is a good thing. As you know, we’ve tightened up the mortgage insurance rules four times over the – over the recent years. So I thank those Canadian financial institutions that have not chosen to reduce their rates further.

Question:                                
Are you planning any more jawboning with these banks?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 Any more jawboning?

Question:                              
 Yeah, these banks. Encouraging them to —

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
 I encourage responsible lending. I think that financial institutions of course are major players in the residential mortgage market and it forms a major part of their asset portfolios and the Government of Canada has a lot to say about it, not only because we’re concerned about the economic fiscal health of the country but also we have CMHC and many of those mortgages held by the private sector financial institutions are ensured with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Moderator:                             Great.  So we have time for one more question. We’ll finish off over here on the left.

Question:                                Hello, Minister. On last year’s budget you had budgeted for a 4.4 GDP – nominal GDP growth this year. How much of a hit are you going to take on revenues because of the slower growth?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 How much of a kick are we going to take on the revenue side because of lower nominal GDP?

Question:                                Yes.

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 Significant.

Question:                                Significant.

Hon. Jim Flaherty:                 It’s significant, yeah.

Question:                               
 Is it greater than the margin for risk that you had put in there?

Hon. Jim Flaherty:              
 We will manage it. The key is looking forward to the next two years and making sure that we stay on track to balance the budget in 2015-2016. There are a number of measures we can take to do that and you’ll see them in the budget.

Thank you.

Moderator:                             Thank you very much, everyone.  We do have time for a few economists to answer some questions so thank you very much, Minister Flaherty.

Keystone XL "Idle no More" Movement One of the Key Issues is 'Communication";Oil Expert

Jan 30^th 2013

Money and Business show Radio Shalom 1650AM 
In Montreal 
Presents 
Richard G DeWolf, P.Eng
listen live

Introduction 

Should a pipeline be built across the United States through the Canadian border to carry oil from the tar sands of Albertato refineries in Texas. We are talking about a project of the northern leg of the keystone XL pipeline that has to be approved by the state department and its fate lies with the president of the United States Barak Obama citing environmental concerns.

While we have talk about the oil pipelines and gas issues like shale, one of the issues that keep’s coming up is the whole issue surrounding oil and gas developments (exploration, development and pipelines) is consultation and communications by the industry and government with local stakeholders (landowners, aboriginals, and environmentalists).

 It seems to me and others that the industry and governments are always on the defensive and reactive rather than being proactive when it comes to communication and consultation with stakeholders regarding oil and natural gas developments."

photograph (ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY)

Obvious with the "Idle no More" movement one of the key issues is "communication, even  The Green Party of Canada is encouraging Canadians to engage in an informed and helpful discourse on Indigenous Rights and fundamental Canadian values of sustainable development, peace, freedom and equality for all Canadians.

phtograph THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Green party sais “The Idle No More Movement is an opportunity for people in Canada to join in solidarity on key issues like the protection of water and provision of clean drinking water for all in this country. It is creating awareness of how Canadais exposing us to a free-for all through the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPA) with China. Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act FIPA undermines sovereignty at all levels and infringes on the treaties with First Nations," said Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands and leader of the Green Party of Canada.

My name is Samuel Ezerzer, your host to the Money & Business show on Radio Shalom, CJRS 1650 AM. Thank you for tuning in live with our Business studios headquarters in Montreal, the financial capital and the home to the greatest hockey team, the Montreal Canadians. We have another great show for you today and as always, you can call if you have any questions, comments, or criticisms on today's topic. Please call us direct at　514 738 4100 ext 200 or email me at moneyandbusinessshow@gmail.com　if you have any inquiries. You can also visit our website at http://www.radio-shalom.ca/　– all our shows are archived there

Biography

Rick DeWolf is a Professional Engineer and independent energy consultant. Rick has been consulting to most sectors of the oil and natural gas industry for over 20 years, while being involved in the oil and natural gas industry for nearly 35 years. 

Rick is a noted energy consultant which considerable experience respecting oil, liquid and natural gas pipelines in Canadaand the US

Development issues related to new and proposed oil and natural gas pipelines

Regulatory and legislative issues related the development and operations

Rates, tolls and tariff analysis and design, including the development of revenue requirement and tolling models

Cost Allocation and affiliate transfer pricing

Transportation and storage portfolio evaluation

Rick has testified before the NEBon numerous occasions related to the construction, and economics related to all the major energy pipelines in Canada.

Question  
WATCH VIDEO AS WELL

A         What would you say is one of the most important issues affecting the development of new petroleum infrastructure like new pipeline?

o   Early and effective communication between all affective parties.

§  Between the government (all levels), but particularly between the Federal Government and First Nations

§  The petroleum industry and First Nations and other land owners

A         Could you elaborate of each of these areas?

o   First of all I believe that if there is early and effective communications between the various parties, many of the issues can be resolved prior to the regulatory process which tends to be somewhat litigious and lines in the sand tend to be struck.

o   Secondly it is vital that the Federal Government, given its obligation to consult with First Nations regarding new infrastructure, undertake to ensure that communications with First Nations meet the legislative obligations. There remain a number of land claims in area where new pipelines are proposed and hence it is paramount that these land claims be resolved.

o   Thirdly, what I mean by early and effective communications regarding major new petroleum infrastructure, particularly new pipeline, is that the proponents (Petroleum) need to meet with First Nations and other land owners prior to the announcement of new major infrastructure.

§  No one appreciates hearing the news of a new project that will affect their property from a new release without having some prior knowledge of the project. 

§  Prior to any announcement of a new project, the proponents need to sit down with affected parties and explain the project in a manner that lay people can understand. It is one thing to communicate to industry participants and another to communicate to groups and individuals that may not have the same level of knowledge.

§  Effective communication is the need to be upfront of both the risk, and rewards of a project and most importantly how the proponents will mitigate or resolve concerns of the affected parties.

clips

Published on Jan 22, 2013

U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland leads the Daily Press Briefing at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2013. [Go tohttp://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

Keystone pipeline and Nebraskais giving a nod for different route

"Idle No More" is a worldwide indigenous movement started by the First Nation Tribes of Canada as a way to help protect the Constitutional Treaty Rights of the Indian Act. These rights are being threatened by the proposed C-45 Bill. The Bill will significantly decrease tribal leader and community control over decisions related to the land and water use on Indian Reserve lands, the tribal peoples of Canada will have little to no control over how corporations make use of untapped natural resources, specifically on indigenous territory protected under Sovereignty treaties. 

Attawapiska Chief Theresa Spence began a hunger strike on Dec. 11, 2012. She is asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper to attend a discussion regarding the Bill and treaty rights. Harper has yet to respond. Spence is willing to die for her people's rights.

This film documents one of the many events worldwide in support of the Idle No More movement. This event was held in Seattle Washington De. 29, 2012.

The film was Directed by Dave Wilson (Brother Ali, Frank Ocean, Atmosphere, Yelawolf, Evidence), Produced by Tulalip tribal member and independent recording artist Brodie Stevens "Redskin" with footage by cameraman Ben Hampton. The film is narrated by author Gyasi Ross and elder Ramona Bennett. The gathering was organized by Lawerence Miguel and James Ole Coyote Sacred Water. Additional music by "Redskin." 

A         Do you believe that there has been early and effective communication in the past?

• Yes and no. As we can see from the significant opposition to many new pipeline projects, there is much more government and industry needs to do educate and increase the knowledge of the public.  The increase over the past number of years regarding “social media” has resulted both in the level of activeness by the public, but also in the dissemination of erroneous information and facts. The industry needs to ensure that information regarding both the benefits and how the proponents will mitigate and deal with potential concerns be outlined early on in the process rather than appearing to be on the defensive.   

Listen to Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune

source NPR News Radio (All Thing Consider)

Nebraskahas endorse it!

http://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/stations_publicmedia.html

Sierra Club announces it will engage in civil disobedience……finally

JANUARY 23, 2013

back to questions 

A         Will early and effective communication resolve all of the potential problems?

o   Obviously no, since there are stakeholders that will oppose new infrastructure regardless of what the Government or Petroleum industry does to ensure that there are solutions to mitigate the stakeholders concerns and that is the reason there are regulatory processes to adjudicate the different opinions.

o   However, as I pointed out, one of the most important issues is that with early and effective communication between all parties, many issues can be resolved and all parties can become better educated and knowledgeable of the others’ point of view and concerns.

Richard G DeWolf, P.Eng

111 Strathbury Bay SW

Calgary, Alberta

T3H 1N3

Land Line: 403.249.6861

Cell: 403.830.4966

Email: rdewolf@shaw.ca

  The United States must boost energy spending to make its mark on the climate debate.  

 

notes

http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/5a4e740048855591b724f76a6515bb18/PartOne_StakeholderConsultation.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

For projects that have environmental and social impacts, consultation

will not be a single conversation but a series of opportunities to

create understanding about the project among those it will  likely

affect or interest, and to learn how these external parties

view the project and its attendant risks, impacts, opportunities, and

mitigation measures.

Listening to stakeholder concerns and feedback can be a valuable

source of information that can improve project design and outcomes and

help a company to identify and control external risks. It can also

form the basis for future collaboration and partnerships. For

stakeholders, a company’s consultation process is an opportunity to

get information, as well as to educate company staff about the local

context in which a project will take place, to raise issues and

concerns, ask questions, and potentially help shape the project by

making suggestions for the company to consider and respond to.

Different organizations sometimes use different terminology – be

it “consultation,” “public consultation,” or “public participation” –

to express similar concepts and principles. The core values of the

International Association for Public Participation are as follows:

1. The public should have a say in decisions about actions that

could affect their lives.

2. Public participation includes the promise that the public’s

contribution will influence the decision. Public participation

promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating

the needs and interests of all participants, including decisionmakers.

3. Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of

those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.

4. Public participation seeks input from participants in designing

how they participate.

5. Public participation provides participants with the information

they need to participate in a meaningful way.

6. Public participation communicates to participants how their

input affected the decision.

Source: International Association for Public Participation, www.iap2.org

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170039466