Explaining my introductory postcard: “Expand income splitting to reduce taxes for families”     Read more »

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty predicts that the manufacturing sector will shrink as a percentage of the Canadian economy.

I’ve been fearing that manufacturing will shrink for some time.  Energy scarcity and corresponding high energy prices are likely to shrink industry for the foreseeable future until we develop a new, post-carbon energy system.  I feared that the pressure to reduce emissions might put a further squeeze on manufacturing.  But I’m glad Mr. Flaherty said it first.     Read more »

I spent the day yesterday at the Green Living Show.  The Green Party had their booth there and most passers-by were happy to sign our petition to protect Canada’s navigable waters.  It feels good to be a Green at the Green Living Show.  A lot of the attendees are Green Party supporters.  People who support other parties feel the need to apologize.  Last year, the Liberal Party had an enormous booth and I spoke to the Young Liberals staffing it about their soon-to-be-released Green Shift plan.  With the Liberals now under an Ignatieff leadership proclaiming the importance of the tar sands, the Liberals were nowhere to be seen.

I have very mixed feelings about the show itself.  There is considerable expertise in green building, home retrofits, organic gardening and renewable power collected in one room.  The most efficient new products are on display for those in the market for a new car, a new appliance or even a lightbulb.  The speakers alone are well worth the price of admission.  Yesterday’s talk by Alanna Mitchell, for example, was informative, terrifying and inspiring.     Read more »

Video no longer available. https://www.youtube.com/v/wsTYH0AXfPY

Young Megan Miller of Saskatoon is not only my son Aidan’s cousin, but also won the Save The Planet Contest with this video. This is the kind of thing that gives me a lot of hope! The 11-year old wrote the script herself, but I think she had help from her dad in drinking the beer!

The economic crisis that started in the United States has permeated most countries of the globe including Canada. Economic experts tell us it is likely to affect us for at least the next 3 to 5 years– more if we don’t react quickly and intelligently. We face a great challenge, but with every great challenge comes a great opportunity.     Read more »