Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Cutting CBC funding
I just read the following article: www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2009/03/25/cbc-layoffs.html. In a few sentences: "the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. plans to cut up to 800 jobs as part of its strategy to make up for a $171 million shortfall in 2009-10 ... The cuts became necessary after the federal government turned down CBC's request for bridge financing that could have helped the public broadcaster weather the economic recession...".
I don't think it matters whether you love the CBC or hate them, these cuts simply don't make sense given the current economy. The government has stated that under the current economic conditions their goal is to help the economy. It would seem to me that having 800 people lose their jobs is not fulfiling the government's stated goal. Furthermore, is it not easier to keep 800 people employed rather than create 800 jobs?
Compared to the automotive industry job losses, supporting the CBC is a far better economic investment. Looking at this article www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/02/20/carbailouts.html, we find that the government will potentially provide billions of dollars while the car companies will cut thousands of jobs. Let's take a closer look at GM. It costs the CBC 171,000,000 / 800 = 213,750 per person to maintain a job. Assuming similar costs for a car worker it would cost the government about 1 billion to save 5,000 autoworkers, yet GM is potentially asking for 6-7 billion and cutting these 5,000 positions. Again assuming similar costs as CBC, with 6-7 billion GM could maintain 30,000 to 35,000 jobs (at least for a few years). GMs current workforce is about 12,500 people.
Ultimately, these aren't numbers but people. Neither Canadian deserves to be laid off.
I don't think it matters whether you love the CBC or hate them, these cuts simply don't make sense given the current economy. The government has stated that under the current economic conditions their goal is to help the economy. It would seem to me that having 800 people lose their jobs is not fulfiling the government's stated goal. Furthermore, is it not easier to keep 800 people employed rather than create 800 jobs?
Compared to the automotive industry job losses, supporting the CBC is a far better economic investment. Looking at this article www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/02/20/carbailouts.html, we find that the government will potentially provide billions of dollars while the car companies will cut thousands of jobs. Let's take a closer look at GM. It costs the CBC 171,000,000 / 800 = 213,750 per person to maintain a job. Assuming similar costs for a car worker it would cost the government about 1 billion to save 5,000 autoworkers, yet GM is potentially asking for 6-7 billion and cutting these 5,000 positions. Again assuming similar costs as CBC, with 6-7 billion GM could maintain 30,000 to 35,000 jobs (at least for a few years). GMs current workforce is about 12,500 people.
Ultimately, these aren't numbers but people. Neither Canadian deserves to be laid off.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groundhog day
CBC writes "Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam, Ontario's Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil of Gobbler's Knob, Pa., were awakened from their winter slumber where they all, according to their handlers, saw their shadows."
Yes, because groundhogs are excellent predictors of weather. In fact, environment Canada has been hiring like mad in this recession in attempt to create jobs and improve their weather predictions. It was a groundhog that predicted a January mass of arctic air descending over the whole of Canada would make Canadians cold, really cold.
I feel bad for the groundhogs. They're sleeping contentedly and then some moron wakes them up for no reason. No matter what weather is predicted and whether or not it happens doesn't matter a damn. We can't change the weather on such short notice.
Poor Sam woke to bagpipes this year. Next year Sam will hang himself instead of hibernating. I guess we're guaranteed early summers.
Yes, because groundhogs are excellent predictors of weather. In fact, environment Canada has been hiring like mad in this recession in attempt to create jobs and improve their weather predictions. It was a groundhog that predicted a January mass of arctic air descending over the whole of Canada would make Canadians cold, really cold.
I feel bad for the groundhogs. They're sleeping contentedly and then some moron wakes them up for no reason. No matter what weather is predicted and whether or not it happens doesn't matter a damn. We can't change the weather on such short notice.
Poor Sam woke to bagpipes this year. Next year Sam will hang himself instead of hibernating. I guess we're guaranteed early summers.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Season's Greetings
I know we don't write often at all, but honestly nothing crazy or out of the ordinary has been happening lately.
My parents are visiting Victoria right now, they arrived on December 11th and they depart on January 1st. The weather however is not really cooperating, so they aren't getting out and doing all that much. See, funny thing, Victoria is actually havinga a winter this year! OH MY GOD!! There is actually snow... and it is extremely noticeable that snow is not a regular occurance, because people don't know how to drive! It's crazy!
Hopefully the weather will start to get back to normal soon, so that if or when we go to Vancouver over the holidays it isn't too crazy out!
We have had a few other visitors come out to Victoria to visit us this year, so we say a giant thank you to all of you, it was great seeing you all...
And so, Happy Holidays, I hope to write up a few more blogs in the new year!
All the best for 2009!
Veronica, Neil and Bam
My parents are visiting Victoria right now, they arrived on December 11th and they depart on January 1st. The weather however is not really cooperating, so they aren't getting out and doing all that much. See, funny thing, Victoria is actually havinga a winter this year! OH MY GOD!! There is actually snow... and it is extremely noticeable that snow is not a regular occurance, because people don't know how to drive! It's crazy!
Hopefully the weather will start to get back to normal soon, so that if or when we go to Vancouver over the holidays it isn't too crazy out!
We have had a few other visitors come out to Victoria to visit us this year, so we say a giant thank you to all of you, it was great seeing you all...
And so, Happy Holidays, I hope to write up a few more blogs in the new year!
All the best for 2009!
Veronica, Neil and Bam
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Spousal abuse
Veronica feels that it is acceptable to sign me up for contests and give away my personal information. This strategy was learned from my mom.
Veronica has a new men's Mat & Nat bag and Mat & Nat have a picture of me, along with some personal information.
Abuse, I say.
I learned the news when she sent me a chat message, "i need your ID number". I responded, "?". And she said, "i won a mat & nat bag so i need your id number".
Abuse, I say.
Veronica has a new men's Mat & Nat bag and Mat & Nat have a picture of me, along with some personal information.
Abuse, I say.
I learned the news when she sent me a chat message, "i need your ID number". I responded, "?". And she said, "i won a mat & nat bag so i need your id number".
Abuse, I say.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
At Last!!! I Win
This will be a quick and easy post. As most people know, because news travels fast, Neil has given me a ring.
Now for the confusion, it is not an engagement ring, because lets face it, when you've been living with someone for 6 years, and been together for 13, you're married!
So, that being said, it is a commitment ring. As this is the one and only ring.... there will be no other. And we will not be having a ceremony, because that would be too typical, and everyone knows that we are not the typical couple.
So.... in a couple of years when we are back home in Montreal we will have a giant party, I will be wearing a sari, and that ladies and gents will be our reception!!!
I just wanted to let you all know the news.... and finally, there will be no pictures of the ring sent by email, as I will see you all in October. That is my little bit of suspense for you all! See you in 8 weeks!!
Now for the confusion, it is not an engagement ring, because lets face it, when you've been living with someone for 6 years, and been together for 13, you're married!
So, that being said, it is a commitment ring. As this is the one and only ring.... there will be no other. And we will not be having a ceremony, because that would be too typical, and everyone knows that we are not the typical couple.
So.... in a couple of years when we are back home in Montreal we will have a giant party, I will be wearing a sari, and that ladies and gents will be our reception!!!
I just wanted to let you all know the news.... and finally, there will be no pictures of the ring sent by email, as I will see you all in October. That is my little bit of suspense for you all! See you in 8 weeks!!
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