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TORONTOOntarios government learned from its own polling that the rising cost of hydro was peoples top concern 10 months before the Liberals publicly acknowledged it and announced an eight-per-cent reduction on electricity bills.

The government-commissioned polling from 2013 to 2016 examined by The Canadian Press tells a tale of increasing distress about hydro rates over months, even years before across-the-board relief was introduced.

Monthly tracking shows that in December 2013, the cost of electricity became the worst-ranked issue based on performance, with 70 per cent of respondents saying the government was on the wrong track.

Read more:

Reducing hydro bills the fairer way forward: Wynne

Then in November 2015, electricity and the privatization of Hydro One surged to become a top issue of concern in the province, with 13 per cent of respondents saying it should be the governments top priority, over perennial concerns such as health, jobs, the economy and education.

In just one month, the percentage of respondents who rated the governments performance on controlling electricity prices as poor jumped from 38 per cent in October to 47 per cent in November.

By January 2016, jobs, the economy and health took over as areas of greater concern for the next few months, but the Gandalf Group polling told the government that controlling electricity prices was among its main perceived weaknesses and communications should focus on it.

Government responses to opposition questions about rising hydro bills over much of the 2013 to 2016 time frame focused on defending the cost of hydro as the result of building a clean and reliable system, while highlighting measures the government had already taken to lower consumer costs, such as a low-income support program and removing the debt retirement charge.

It wasnt until a September 1 byelection loss that the governments tune changed.

We heard at the door that hydro rates are increasingly challenging for people, Premier Kathleen Wynne said in a statement that night. I understand, as do my ministers, that the government needs to focus on helping people with their everyday expenses.

The inclusion of the eight-per-cent rebate in the governments throne speech less than two weeks later suggests the plan was already well developed by Sept. 1. But the premier has acknowledged she should have acted sooner, a spokesperson said.

In saying that, we have been making changes to reduce costs in the electricity system over the past number of years, Jennifer Beaudry said in a statement.

Changes she cited that were enacted before that eight-per-cent rebate include removing the debt retirement charge, reducing feed-in-tariff prices, renegotiating a green energy deal with Samsung, deferring new nuclear construction and delaying the start of other nuclear refurbishment, all of which saves the system billions.

While Wynnes eight-per-cent rebate was welcomed almost 90 per cent of respondents in October supported it it didnt resonate quite as widely as the government likely hoped. Still only 36 per cent said the government was doing a good job of controlling electricity prices.

Of utmost importance to Ontarians for governments attention is electricity costs, the polling research said.

And, evaluations of the governments performance at controlling electricity prices are worsening. Those who report being more familiar with governments recent eight-per-cent reduction of electricity prices are also more likely to evaluate the government poorly on this issue. Essentially, the solution is not proportionate to the perceived magnitude of the problem.

Fast-forward to March 2017 and the premier announced a further 17-per-cent average reduction on bills, holding increases to the rate of inflation for four years, cuts to delivery charges for some rural customers, eliminating the delivery charge for on-reserve First Nations customers, expanding a low-income support program and establishing a new home energy efficiency improvement fund.

Angus Reid polling conducted after that announcement found that Wynnes popularity continued to plummet to record lows, but 62 per cent of respondents said the reduction in hydro bills would be an important factor in deciding how theyll vote in next years election.

The polling was conducted until October 2015 by Pollara, and from then on by the Gandalf Group.

Read more from the original source:
Hydro was top concern in Ontario long before Liberals announced relief - Toronto Star

Two and a half decades after the end of the Cold War, nine countries together continue to possess around 15,000 nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons pose a significant threat to global security as they risk becoming available to more state and non-state entities. A single nuclear warhead could kill millions of people, with the effects lasting decades.

With the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to increase the American nuclear arsenal, and troubling recent actions by North Korea, it is more urgent than ever that the international community work together to ban nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, March 21, 2017. (Photo: Chris Wattie/Reuters)

One might assume, given the lofty rhetoric of Prime Minister Trudeau that "Canada is back" on the international scene, that Canada would be leading this effort. After all, the Canadian Parliament unanimously voted in favour of nuclear disarmament in 2010. And at their policy convention in 2016, members of the Liberal party followed the NDP's lead and voted in favour of efforts for a nuclear-free world. So it would make sense that Trudeau's government would be a strong supporter of a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons.

If only that were true.

Not only did Canada vote against starting negotiations for a nuclear weapons ban treaty this fall, but now that the international community is moving ahead with the negotiations beginning March 27, Canada is boycotting them.

This is a travesty and a massive failure in Justin Trudeau's foreign policy.

I have asked the Canadian government to participate fully in the nuclear weapons ban negotiations no less than five times in Question Period since September, and I still don't understand their reasoning behind their position. The Liberals have given three different excuses, but none of them make much sense.

First, the Liberal response has consistently been to hide behind the fissile material cut-off treaty. It is fine that Canada is working towards an FMCT. But how dare the government use this to distract from the very serious issue of working with others towards a treaty that would ban nuclear weapons for good.

Second, it appears that the Liberals are hiding behind Canada's NATO membership and succumbing to pressure from the United States, who have told their NATO allies to oppose the negotiations. There is no excuse for Canada to be following President Trump's lead on this issue. Nor does Canada's membership in NATO mean we should only vote with nuclear states, most of which are not NATO members. Canada should take a lesson from the Netherlands, also a NATO member, who are attending the negotiations.

Third, the Liberal government seems to think there is no point to the negotiations. As a spokesperson from Global Affairs told the Globe and Mail, "The negotiation of a nuclear-weapon ban without the participation of states that possess nuclear weapons is certain to be ineffective and will not eliminate any nuclear weapons."

This last point may be the most ridiculous of them all. All international negotiations worth their salt are difficult. The Ottawa Treaty on landmines took political will. The creation of the International Criminal Court took political will. Work on the Kimberley Process, which I participated in while a Canadian diplomat, took political will. Not all states participated in these negotiations, but we got results. And in those cases, Canada adopted an ambitious approach and took the lead on the international stage. What on earth has happened to us?

I am ashamed of the Liberal position on nuclear disarmament. We need to be working towards a comprehensive nuclear weapons treaty if we want to achieve significant progress.

A government with ethics would participate in this week's historic negotiations for a nuclear weapons ban treaty. If we truly want nuclear disarmament, we have to work hard for it, along with over 120 countries that are committed to banning the bomb. It's time the Liberals grow a backbone and do what's right. They should get to work and attend the nuclear weapons ban treaty negotiations.

Also on HuffPost:

More here:
I Am Ashamed Of The Liberals' Position On Nuclear Disarmament - Huffington Post Canada

OK, lets rid the country of liberals! I read a convincing article that said liberalism is a disease. It was made clear liberals are destroying America and they are stupid and dont live in reality.

So, lets deport them. That seems to be a popular directive for undesirables these days. I know Im sealing my own fate as the scarlet L emblazoned across my chest will surely reveal me, but I am willing to accept this exile. If we are, in fact, sick, stupid and diseased, I dont want to be part of what is bringing America down. I love this country that much.

Lets not worry about where the liberals will be sent. They (we) will be confused without government handouts, but theres enough Hollywood money to buy Australia after that continent was determined to be a terrorist way station.

Suffice to say America will be populated entirely by the conservatives who, after all, have always been the true patriots. I mean, unless, of course, you are considering the original conservatives who wanted to reconcile with King George. But I digress.

What will America look like? Whos left?

Not too many actors, except for Chuck Norris, Jon Voight and that Baldwin brother no one knows. Not too many dancers will be left, or musicians, for that matter. Trace Adkins, I suppose, but, even Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks will be headlining in the Outback.

And of course Ted Nugent stays (Please!).

Comedy is looking a little thin, too. Outside of Dennis Miller, theres give me a moment.

About half of the literary community might remain, and most of the elected politicians. At least well get rid of Saturday Night Live! No more Trump satires! Now Donald Trump can be the sole satirist of Donald Trump.

Surely mainstream media will be exiled. I dont think theyll want to leave, but with no one left to watch them, theyll have little choice.

It will be glorious for America! No more work weeks limited to 40 hours and no profit-inhibiting labor laws to slow America down. No more CDC, FDA, FAA, EPA and all those tax consuming protection agencies. Rivers and streams can become natures cheap disposal system once again.

No more tree-hugging, climate-whining, science-insisting liberals to impede the oil-consuming, public education-draining and war-mongering conservatism that will make America great!

Well, Ive got to pack. Australia is a two-day journey, and I want catch the show Tuesday night at Ayers Rock. In fact, its called Rock Ayers and will feature Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Jay Z, James Taylor, John Legend, Green Day, Neil Young and Snoop Dog, with surprise appearances by Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks.

Jon Stewart will be the host, so there should be a few laughs.

(End of satire and beginning of pitch for us all to look past the biases that narrow our perspective. No one wins.)

Gary Kroeger is an advertising executive in Cedar Falls and a former Iowa legislative candidate.

The rest is here:
If liberals abandon America - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Liberal MPs stuck around Ottawa on a rareSaturdayto hammer out a plan to sell their recent budget to the public in the coming weeks, but the government also will have to move past the bruising experienced during the health accord negotiations to get the premiers onboard.

To deliveron some of the touchstone pledges of their financial plan, including social housing and child care spaces,Prime Minister Justin Trudeauand Finance MinisterBill Morneau will need provincial and territorial support.

Whenasked if the federal-provincial relationshipwas marred by the Liberal's approach of making individual deals with the provinces on health,MorneautoldCBC'sThe Housethe collaboration is never going to be simple.

"It's always going to be a challenge to work togetherbecause we're not going to have exactly the same view on every single issue," he said.

"They're working to provide really positivesituations for people in their provinces;we're working towards the same goal."

Already some established irritants for the federal government have led to less-than-stellar reviews of the budget.

Quebec came out swinging on Wednesday, saying theLiberals failed to show that they would supportseveral major infrastructure projects.

"We are extremely disappointed and concerned that there's no clear signal in this budget regardingthe great infrastructure projects that are the rapid bus system in Quebec City, the Blue Line of the Montreal Metro and the electric train in Montreal," said Quebec Treasury Board President Pierre Moreauin astatement in French.

Quebec Treasury Board President Pierre Moreau, right, said the 39 Quebec MPs in the Liberal caucus should be speaking in favour of the three major infrastructure projects in Quebec and Montreal not mentioned in the budget. (Radio-Canada)

"If there's a failure, it's on the federal part. They should have been there...but they were not."

Heading into his second day of caucus meetings, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi responded, saying he has avery strong relationship with Quebec ministers.

"We understand these are their priorities and those are the priorities of our government as well. And we are working closely with them," he said.

"I think Ottawa is the last place you want to have dictating local governments how they make their decisions."

Manitoba PremierBrianPallister, who still hasn't signed a health deal with the federal government, said hewas "not displeased" by the budget's commitment to funding for Indigenous health but said he was disappointed with no additional money to deal with asylum seekers coming to his province.

"Talk of continuing previously announced programs is not recognition of the growing concerns I think many Canadians have about the need for better partnership to protect asylum seekers," he said.

Pallisterhas also repeatedly said he will not continue negotiations with Ottawa until he sees in writing that the threat to remove the $60 million earmarked for the Factory of the Future project is off the table.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leave the Prime Minister's office holding copies of the federal budget on Wednesday. (The Canadian Press / Sean Kilpatrick)

A spokesperson for the premier said most files between Ottawa and Manitoba are positive. But, "there are a few more challenging files like health and asylum seekers," wroteOliviaBaldwin-Valainisin anemail.

"On health, we are making progress and look forward to getting back to the negotiating table once we have received formal, written confirmation that the unfortunate linkage to an economic and advanced manufacturing project has been withdrawn," she said.

Manitoba MP Jim Carr had an optimistic interpretation of Pallister's budget review.

"I hear he said what were the words 'not a bad budget.' So I would say that's praise of a kind," he said, heading into caucus.

The budget providedmore details about the government's previously announced $81.2-billion infrastructure plan, including $7 billion over 10 years to create new child-care spaces across the country.The government predicts there could be up to 40,000 new subsidized child-care spaces in the first three years of its national program.

Wednesday's budget included $7 billion over 10 years to create new child-care spaces. (Manitoba Theatre for Young People)

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves DuclossaidOttawa expects to sign bilateral agreements on child-care with the provinces and territories by the summer.

"Those conversations are now going faster and we look forward to further announcements," he said.

"This is a very collaborative exercise. All provinces and all territories are supportive of the principles that we believe to be important in investments in early learning and child care, principles of quality, principles of affordability, inclusiveness so that all children, wherever they may be, and however they may be living, have the same fair and equal chance of living well and doing well. And the same thing for parents."

The two-day national caucus meeting was the first time all Liberal MPs have met together since more than 100 backbenchers turned against their cabinet colleagues and voted in favour of now-retired Liberal senator Jim Cowan'santi-genetic discrimination bill, a piece of legislation the prime minister himself said was unconstitutional.

On Saturday Trudeausaid his caucus is more united than ever.

"One of the great strengths of the Liberal party is there is always a range of perspectives that allow us to represent the range of perspectives of Canadians."

Read the original here:
Liberals must sell budget to premiers after 'challenging' health talks - CBC.ca

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Posted: Mar 25, 2017 12:01 AM

On the morning of March 16, a 14-year old girl was allegedly raped by two illegal aliens in a high school bathroom in Rockville, Maryland. One of the alleged rapists, Henry Sanchez-Milian, is an adult, 18 years old, while the other suspect, Jose O. Montano, is 17-years old. They have been charged with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual offense for allegedly dragging the young girl into the boys bathroom, sexually assaulting her and forcing her to perform sexual acts.

This incident has shocked the nation and exposed the dangers of open borders and lax immigration enforcement. By allowing millions of illegal aliens into this country, the safety of law abiding Americans has been put at risk. Daily, tragic stories are reported of Americans being victimized by illegal aliens. This case is even more disturbing for the victim is an innocent 14-year old girl.

Conditions are so dire that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, said to all parents in his state that their children are potentially at risk. He said, I am not sure I can give assurances that their children will be safe. The Governor expressed his outrage that an 18-year old man was in the same class as 13 and 14-year old girls. He said the status of Sanchez-Milian was not known to the Rockville High School parents.

Hogan also condemned the attitude of public school officials in Montgomery County, Maryland who administer Rockville High School. The Governor said that there was a lack of cooperation and a lack of information from the Montgomery County school system.

Another pressing issue involves the countys sanctuary policies which protect illegal aliens. According to Fox News, in 2016, the county disallowed 63 accused illegal alien criminals from being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Montgomery County is among many sanctuary areas in the country which refuse to work with federal immigration authorities to deport illegal immigrants. Hogan said that the sanctuary policies were a big part of the problem.

Regrettably, the message has not been received by Dr. Jack Smith, the Superintendent of the Montgomery County school district. Instead of focusing solely on the plight of the victim and the safety of children in his district, Smith blasted the response from parents and warned against racist, xenophobic calls and emails. He was upset at the anger directed at his office from parents rightly concerned about the well-being of their children. Sadly, the Superintendent placed his focus on maintaining politically correct sanctuary policies instead of taking corrective action in his district.

In the aftermath of the incident, parents staged protests outside Smiths office and expressed their concerns at a public meeting. Not surprisingly, the major broadcast networks ignored the story, with only Fox News giving it significant coverage.

This tragic incident also highlights the problems of coddling immigrants who illegally cross the border. Sanchez-Milian is from Guatemala and was captured by border patrol agents in August of 2016 at Rio Valley Grande, Texas. Instead of being immediately deported, he was detained for 12 days and eventually released. ICE allowed him to fly to Baltimore, Maryland to live with his father. In the fall, he was enrolled at Rockville High School and only a few months later he is accused of brutalizing and raping a 14-year-old girl who will be traumatized for the rest of her life.

At the time of his ICE release, Sanchez-Milian was ordered to appear before an immigration judge; however, after seven months, the hearing has still not occurred. If he had been deported, this travesty would never have occurred.

His attorney, Andrew Jezic, said that Sanchez-Milian was released because the inflow of illegal immigrants is too great for federal authorities to handle. According to Jezic, Theres been so many people that have come through the border that are underage in the last year, so what happened is that immigration just doesnt have the resources to deal with all of these people coming in.

Jezic believes that the massive influx of illegal immigrants has also caused significant delays in scheduling the court hearings. Thus, in the case of Sanchez-Milian, what should have been handled in short order, has taken more than seven months.

This has resulted in not only a delay in justice, but also a horrific act of violence. It is a sad reminder that forceful action in dealing with illegal immigration is essential for the safety of all Americans, especially those who are most vulnerable, our children.

Read the original post:
In Maryland Rape Case, Liberals Adhere to Political Correctness - Townhall