Canada was in for a scare just before Obama's visit to Parliament last week. Defense Minister Peter Makay informed the public about them receiving information about a Russian Bomber discovered on the perimeter of Canadian airspace just hours before U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Ottawa. He also said that it was difficult to know if the encounter was pure coincidence , or whether they were unto some sort of 'mischief' as Makay coined it. Knowing that Canada's security efforts were centered around this day, as so were the American security efforts in ensuring that Obama's trip is as safe as possible. Makay said it was a very strong coincidence that the Russian Bomber was in their airspace and Defense Minister has said that he will conduct a long investigation into this matter. He is holding a news conference on February 27, with the Commando of NORAD and the staff of the Canadian Defuse Department to enlighten them about this messy situation, and what other security measures should be tightened and maybe even newly implemented to insure that this does not reappear.
The CF-18s took off from Cold Lake, Alta., on Feb. 16 after Norad detected the bomber heading towards Canadian airspace. Using internationally recognized signals, Canadians used, the Russian planes turned back away from Canadian airspace. U.S. Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, head of the North American Aerospace Defense Commander said that this is just one of the many methods used to warn planes of dangers. Mackay has also said that Russian planes have been encroaching on Canadian sovereignty on an upward scale, and has also said that the U.S. and Canada must maintain the defensive posture if they are to protect their people. Russians were very co-operative and professional in their conduct. Past talks have involved North America asking Russia to inform them when trips like these are scheduled, as Russia has pushed for the Arctic and oil wealth and so flights leaving from Moscow are on the rise.
Opinion: As I have been noticing, Russia has been making many suspicious moves in terms of their military action, and in terms of neglecting foriegn ministers of other countries. I would hate to see their action just like Germany during World War II, who made several slight moves, finding loopholes in the Treaty of Versailles which eventually led to their expanding army, and eventually World War II. The UN should keep close tabs on Russia, if they want to put their safety first. Having Russian war planes, neglectful of Canadian laws, just when President Barack Obama is visiting Canada is quite the unlikely coincidence. As Mackay has said that "Russian planes have been enroaching on Canadian sovereignty on an upward scale, and has also said that the U.S. and Canada must maintain the defensive posture if they are to protect their people." This is exactly what other countries should take when they look towards Russia.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Provinces Welfare System Falters
In 2007, ninety children in Ontario's child welfare system died, which is according to the latest report from the cheif coroner's office. Irwin Elman, in his first annual report to the Legislature, has made it clear to the government that their refusal to share detailed information on these deaths is completely unacceptable. Irwin has worked with several youth in Toronto for more than 20 years, and was completely surprised when the open cases of the CAS had died within a year of files being closed. The tracking of these deaths did start in the late 1990s as ordered from the coroner's office. Elman had been urged on my medical officers and colleagues in child welfare to speak out. Elman has said that the 90 deaths are a fraction of the 26, 260 cases in children aid societies. His goals of the year are to gain more access to information about these child welfare cases and the youth criminal justice systems, and also expand his office's rights to access the coroner's files. They need these files in order to resolve these issues and respond accordingly by correct investigation. The 90 Deaths were reported by the annual Pediatric Death Review Committee released last June. Those children were including in the children's aid society and in foster care, and also added that most of these deaths were preventable. Sixteen were accidental; nine were listed as suicides; four were homicides; eight died from natural causes and could probably not have been prevented; 22 were considered undetermined, which means there was no evidence for any specific classification or they fit within more than one classification; 17 are yet to be assigned a classification; and 14 were not considered appropriate by the Coroner for investigation because their deaths were expected due to fragile health.Of the 76 classified deaths, 34 were babies younger than one year old and 24 were youths between the ages of 12 and 18.
Opinion: In my opinion, I am in total agreement with Irwin Elman. 1 Death is unacceptable if it is preventable, let alone 90. If these children aid services and foster care services are sponsored by the government, than these deaths should have been prevented. But these children death's cannot go in vain, by not being reported, because if there are no reports, than we cannot learn from our escapes. Therefore I support Irwin Elman's movement towards urging these governments to sharpen their regulations, and make thorough, detailed reports on these unfortunate deaths.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Obama : A failure of leadership led to GM, Chrysler Problems
Today, while President Barack Obama delivered ultimatums today for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to enact deeper Advertisement, he blamed the problems on GM, Chrysler as a failure of leadership from Washington to Detriot.He stated that there will be limits set on the aid that the federal government will give, and that workers, dealers, creditors and suppliers, and bankruptcy court would be needed.
According to the market, shares of 20% of GM fell on the New York Stock Exchange.
The prior plans under the administration plan included 50,000 people losing their jbs. The administration had found that GM and Chrysler had failed to make business plans to pay off their $17.4 Billion loan. So Barack Obama decided to take matters into his own hands and let GM and Chrylser know what strategies they have to take.
GM had 60 days to create a new plan, because their previous plan included shedding 20,000 jobs and closing 14 plants. The resignation of GM Chairman Rick Wagoner was also suggested in order for the company to be given a new direction towards the future. Obama suggested that GM make a deal with Fiat ( European car brand ) so they can be suppoorted by up to 6$ billion in loans that would be repayed before Fiat joins with Chyrsler. Declaring bankruptcy could also reduce the debt, and would enable the government to have say in the companies next moves towards success
Opinion: I believe that Obama is absolutely correct. By taking matters in his own hands, by consulting with his economic advisors, he has given GM and Chrysler a thorough COMMAND ( not suggestion ) on what to do in the coming times, in order to be successful during the recession.
According to the market, shares of 20% of GM fell on the New York Stock Exchange.
The prior plans under the administration plan included 50,000 people losing their jbs. The administration had found that GM and Chrysler had failed to make business plans to pay off their $17.4 Billion loan. So Barack Obama decided to take matters into his own hands and let GM and Chrylser know what strategies they have to take.
GM had 60 days to create a new plan, because their previous plan included shedding 20,000 jobs and closing 14 plants. The resignation of GM Chairman Rick Wagoner was also suggested in order for the company to be given a new direction towards the future. Obama suggested that GM make a deal with Fiat ( European car brand ) so they can be suppoorted by up to 6$ billion in loans that would be repayed before Fiat joins with Chyrsler. Declaring bankruptcy could also reduce the debt, and would enable the government to have say in the companies next moves towards success
Opinion: I believe that Obama is absolutely correct. By taking matters in his own hands, by consulting with his economic advisors, he has given GM and Chrysler a thorough COMMAND ( not suggestion ) on what to do in the coming times, in order to be successful during the recession.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Bailout Still in Progress
Since President Bush announced his proposal to pump 700 billion dollars into the US financial markets to prevent more corporate bankruptcies, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke have begun a heated debate within the Senate to discuss the possibility of such a dramatic boost to the US Financial Markets. Paulson remarked on the current economy saying: "You know, I share the outrage that people have," said Paulson. "It's embarrassing to look at this, and I think it's embarrassing to the United States of America."
Ultimately, Paulson and Bernanke have proposed that the US Treasury buy troubled assets of companies on Wall Street and other firms at a discount and sell them for a profit. The plan could work, but several Senators --especially Senator Chris Dodd D-CT-- are skeptical of the effectiveness of such a large bailout that would come at the expense of the American taxpayer. Ultimately, a decision has yet to have been released in the Senate.
Personally, I feel that such a plan must be looked over extensively purely because of its cost. Bernanke and Paulson must communicate clearly the effectiveness of this bailout, and convince not only the Senate, but the taxpayers of this plan. Government can't simply throw this amount of money at the banking industry without a careful analysis of how this plan will be effective.
Ultimately, Paulson and Bernanke have proposed that the US Treasury buy troubled assets of companies on Wall Street and other firms at a discount and sell them for a profit. The plan could work, but several Senators --especially Senator Chris Dodd D-CT-- are skeptical of the effectiveness of such a large bailout that would come at the expense of the American taxpayer. Ultimately, a decision has yet to have been released in the Senate.
Personally, I feel that such a plan must be looked over extensively purely because of its cost. Bernanke and Paulson must communicate clearly the effectiveness of this bailout, and convince not only the Senate, but the taxpayers of this plan. Government can't simply throw this amount of money at the banking industry without a careful analysis of how this plan will be effective.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Trade and Oil on Agenda
The United States is a major importer of Canadian oil, and Mr. Harper has been trying to win an agreement to exempt Canada`s vast tracts of oil sands, which contain up to 173 billion barrels of recoverable oil bound into sand and clay, from regulation. Mr. Obama is under intense pressure from environmentalists to resist that effort. Thursday`s visit is not expected to produce any detailed pact, but a White House official said the two countries would commit to working more closely together on research and information-sharing on energy and technology.In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation prior to his trip, Mr. Obama stopped short of using the word dirty, as environmentalists do, to describe the process of extracting oil from the sands. But he said extraction work there "creates a big carbon footprint."President Obama arrived here on Thursday morning for the first foreign trip of his administration, a visit that was expected to focus on the fragile world economy, the sagging auto industry, international trade, Afghanistan and energy -- in particular the question of how to turn Alberta`s oil sands into a clean source of power.Mr. Obama was greeted by the governor general of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, as well as the Canadian ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson, and a retinue of red-jacketed Canadian Mounties after Air Force One touched down in a light snow at Ottawa International Airport shortly before 10:30 a.m. He is here for a string of official meetings and plans to hold a short news conference with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the afternoon.Mr. Obama may also face tensions with Mr. Harper over the issue of trade; Canada is up in arms over a "Buy America" provision inserted by Congress into the $787 billion economic recovery package Mr. Obama just signed into law, and Canadians have not forgotten Mr. Obama`s campaign pledge to reopen negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Opinion: In my opinion, the president made an important step towards smoothing over rough corners that Canada had with America. Talking about fragile world economy, the sagging auto industry, international trade, Afghanistan and energy. They also talked about Alberta's oil resources, as a future resource for clean fuel. America's attention to Canada is crucial because Canada is such an important trade partner to America. After a rough patch in regards to Russia's CF-18 flying into Canadian airspace, Canada showed some sort of action that it can defend themselves, which may have surprised the President in terms of swift action. There are many things that these countries can learn from one another that can help them to get out of this economic predicament.
Opinion: In my opinion, the president made an important step towards smoothing over rough corners that Canada had with America. Talking about fragile world economy, the sagging auto industry, international trade, Afghanistan and energy. They also talked about Alberta's oil resources, as a future resource for clean fuel. America's attention to Canada is crucial because Canada is such an important trade partner to America. After a rough patch in regards to Russia's CF-18 flying into Canadian airspace, Canada showed some sort of action that it can defend themselves, which may have surprised the President in terms of swift action. There are many things that these countries can learn from one another that can help them to get out of this economic predicament.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Emergency Wait Lines
On February 10, 2009 the province revealed its plan to cutting waiting times and long stays in emergency departments, and a lack of access to family health care. The plan will include many policies such as:
Creating an online tool that would allow users to type in their postal code and find alternatives to emergency departments in their neighbourhoods.
Public reporting on time spent in hospital ERs on a health ministry website.
Setting of targets for individual hospitals on time spent in ERs.
Creation and expansion of community programs to help frail, elderly patients stay out of hospital.
Establishment of a Health Care Connect Program to connect patients with family health care providers in their community who are taking on new patients.
* Courtesy of source listed at end of Blog
According to the Ontario Health Department 9 out of the 10 patients spend 9.4 hours in emergency departments. For patients being admitted to hospital the wait is even longer. They spend 35 hours in the ER before being moved to a in-patient bed. "Waiting too long in an emergency department means there's a problem in the system that needs to be fixed," says Dr. Rakesh Kumar, chief of emergency at Humber River Regional Hospital. According to the Local Health Integration Networks in Ontario, approximately 50 percent of emergency visits are made by patients with non-urgent needs, or less urgent needs. The government will encourage these patients with less needs to seek urgent-care centres, walk-in clinics, or family health networks and doctors. According to the CEO of LHIN, the big causes of waits is that patients who do not really need to be in the emergency room are there.
Opinion:
In my opinion, I think that government should be proud of themselves, unveiling a plan now. I would have been happier with this decision if they had put this plan into action earlier, because long ER waits, have been a large problem in Toronto. There is proof that plan’s similar to this do work. In the article it mentions that the Trillium Health Centre has been recently been able to discharge frail, elderly patients thanks to a Restore plan they have put into place. It is a separate wing of the hospital where they’re long-term facilities available for the elderly. The Missasauga Life Care Centre put a program into place where patients are transferred upto 90 days to receive extensive physiotherapy and other support to help them regain strength and prepare them for their homelives.
I believe that if the government asks other hospitals to put similar programs into place in their hospitals, than the collective wait time in the emergency departments will be reduced.
Creating an online tool that would allow users to type in their postal code and find alternatives to emergency departments in their neighbourhoods.
Public reporting on time spent in hospital ERs on a health ministry website.
Setting of targets for individual hospitals on time spent in ERs.
Creation and expansion of community programs to help frail, elderly patients stay out of hospital.
Establishment of a Health Care Connect Program to connect patients with family health care providers in their community who are taking on new patients.
* Courtesy of source listed at end of Blog
According to the Ontario Health Department 9 out of the 10 patients spend 9.4 hours in emergency departments. For patients being admitted to hospital the wait is even longer. They spend 35 hours in the ER before being moved to a in-patient bed. "Waiting too long in an emergency department means there's a problem in the system that needs to be fixed," says Dr. Rakesh Kumar, chief of emergency at Humber River Regional Hospital. According to the Local Health Integration Networks in Ontario, approximately 50 percent of emergency visits are made by patients with non-urgent needs, or less urgent needs. The government will encourage these patients with less needs to seek urgent-care centres, walk-in clinics, or family health networks and doctors. According to the CEO of LHIN, the big causes of waits is that patients who do not really need to be in the emergency room are there.
Opinion:
In my opinion, I think that government should be proud of themselves, unveiling a plan now. I would have been happier with this decision if they had put this plan into action earlier, because long ER waits, have been a large problem in Toronto. There is proof that plan’s similar to this do work. In the article it mentions that the Trillium Health Centre has been recently been able to discharge frail, elderly patients thanks to a Restore plan they have put into place. It is a separate wing of the hospital where they’re long-term facilities available for the elderly. The Missasauga Life Care Centre put a program into place where patients are transferred upto 90 days to receive extensive physiotherapy and other support to help them regain strength and prepare them for their homelives.
I believe that if the government asks other hospitals to put similar programs into place in their hospitals, than the collective wait time in the emergency departments will be reduced.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Stimulus - Small Businesses
Since the recession took root last year, many of small business loans have significantly dropped. Accordingly, President Barack Obama’s centerpiece of his economic stimulus plan is to rebuild small businesses because he believes that small businesses are the driving force of the US economy. The bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to temporarily reduce fees for participation in their loan-guarantee programs to insure that the banks do not charge the default when dealing with borrowers. There is also some money involved for businesses that need immediate relief. It gives them money to pay off their debt up to $35, 000 in relief. Interest is fully subsidized, and they won’t have any payments in their first year. Although this money will have to be payed back in a time period of 5 years.
According to the SBA, they have a limited amount of time to fund these measures. Congress allocated $630 million to fund loans, and authorized these procedures through 2010. Borrowers will have priority over lenders if the cash does run out, and small banks have priority over larger ones to receive discounts and waivers.
Other stimulus measures for small businesses include:
Unfreezing the loan market
This allows the SBA to guarantee up to $3 billion in debt, which makes it more attractive in investors to invest, and banks to expand their small business lending. They will charge for their guarantees to keep the program tax-free for taxpayers.
Loss accounting
Companies experiencing losses in revenue can reduce their tax bills prior to their loss and 20 years after the loss. Extends carryback provision to five years, which will cut the tax bill that most businesses will have to pay in April. Although it is only available to companies with receipts of $15 million or less.
Equipment expensing
The plan allows the expenditure limit for equipment to be higher. For example in 2005 businesses could write off up to $125,000 in spending on goods. In 2008, Congress increased that amount to $250,000. Not with this plan this amount is even higher. This deduction is aimed at small businesses who spend more than $800,000 on capital expenditures.
Hiring incentives
These incentives are conditional and may not apply to all employees in the work force. If you hire a unemployed military vet or high-school dropout, you could get a $2,400 per worker credit on your taxes. The Work Oppurtunity Tax Credit lets businesses claim a tax credit for 40% for the first $6000 in wages paid to the worker who falls into this target group.
Capital Gains
Investors will get a break on their capital-gains taxes, and if you buy stock in a small business and hold it for at least five years, and then sell it, it allows you to exclude 50% of your gains. The stimulus plan increases this to 75%.
Microloans
This program is mainly aimed at the nonprofit organizations. The SBA previously lended up to $20.2 million for these organizations, but the stimulus increases this amount by $6 million, plus $24 million for marketing and management for the microloan program.
Opinion:
Personally, I think that Barack Obama’s approach to the economy by promoting investors to invest into small businesses, as a crucial part to rebuild the economy, is an excellent idea, although there should be a few things changed. For example, to increase stability in the economic system, there should benefits depending on how long you owned the asset for the business. If you sell within 1 year, you should pay 60% of the gain, 5 years – 40%, 10 years – 30%, 20 years – 10%, 20 years – 5% and so on. This is an added incentive for many investors towards capital gain and would help the economy greatly. I think the idea of hiring incentives is great, although the target market for these incentives should be higher. It should not be limited to war veterans, and high-school dropouts, but should also be aimed towards immigrants who have come to the country looking for jobs.
According to the SBA, they have a limited amount of time to fund these measures. Congress allocated $630 million to fund loans, and authorized these procedures through 2010. Borrowers will have priority over lenders if the cash does run out, and small banks have priority over larger ones to receive discounts and waivers.
Other stimulus measures for small businesses include:
Unfreezing the loan market
This allows the SBA to guarantee up to $3 billion in debt, which makes it more attractive in investors to invest, and banks to expand their small business lending. They will charge for their guarantees to keep the program tax-free for taxpayers.
Loss accounting
Companies experiencing losses in revenue can reduce their tax bills prior to their loss and 20 years after the loss. Extends carryback provision to five years, which will cut the tax bill that most businesses will have to pay in April. Although it is only available to companies with receipts of $15 million or less.
Equipment expensing
The plan allows the expenditure limit for equipment to be higher. For example in 2005 businesses could write off up to $125,000 in spending on goods. In 2008, Congress increased that amount to $250,000. Not with this plan this amount is even higher. This deduction is aimed at small businesses who spend more than $800,000 on capital expenditures.
Hiring incentives
These incentives are conditional and may not apply to all employees in the work force. If you hire a unemployed military vet or high-school dropout, you could get a $2,400 per worker credit on your taxes. The Work Oppurtunity Tax Credit lets businesses claim a tax credit for 40% for the first $6000 in wages paid to the worker who falls into this target group.
Capital Gains
Investors will get a break on their capital-gains taxes, and if you buy stock in a small business and hold it for at least five years, and then sell it, it allows you to exclude 50% of your gains. The stimulus plan increases this to 75%.
Microloans
This program is mainly aimed at the nonprofit organizations. The SBA previously lended up to $20.2 million for these organizations, but the stimulus increases this amount by $6 million, plus $24 million for marketing and management for the microloan program.
Opinion:
Personally, I think that Barack Obama’s approach to the economy by promoting investors to invest into small businesses, as a crucial part to rebuild the economy, is an excellent idea, although there should be a few things changed. For example, to increase stability in the economic system, there should benefits depending on how long you owned the asset for the business. If you sell within 1 year, you should pay 60% of the gain, 5 years – 40%, 10 years – 30%, 20 years – 10%, 20 years – 5% and so on. This is an added incentive for many investors towards capital gain and would help the economy greatly. I think the idea of hiring incentives is great, although the target market for these incentives should be higher. It should not be limited to war veterans, and high-school dropouts, but should also be aimed towards immigrants who have come to the country looking for jobs.
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