Canadian Pipelines: Do you Support Them?

February 17, 2022March 13, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ 3 Comments

The Canadian pipelines debate has been discussed from coast to coast for several years now. Rumours and speculation of who supports them and who is holding them back (and why) are rampant. Apparently, these pipelines that transport climate-changing fossil fuels are financially lucrative, job-producing investments elsewhere in the world, but not in Canada.

Pierre Poilievre takes Mark Carney to Task

I heard this exchange recently; I personally love how perseverant Poilievre is on the basic question regarding the pipelines. Do you support them or don’t you? The Canadian pipelines I mean, not the foreign ones. You could also interpret this as do you support improving the Canadian economy or is the economy of other countries more important?

Who is Mark Carney and What does he Think of Canadian Pipelines?

On his resume, Mark Carney has an impressive list of accomplishments and accolades. Governor of the Bank of Canada as well as the Bank of England, several international offices of Goldman Sachs, Canada’s department of finance, the financial stability board (FSB) of G20 countries, and most recently Brookfield Asset Management.

While Governor of the Bank of England, Carney was the chief opponent of Brexit. He tried to convince everyone that the UK economy would suffer a negative impact.

More recently (spring 2021) Carney scrambled to defend Brookfield Asset Management’s significant holdings of “carbon neutral” fossil fuels. In short, he manipulated his accounting to downplay (hide) a carbon footprint of 5,200 tons of carbon dioxide. What does carbon neutral mean to you? I admittedly don’t know that much, but I’m willing to bet that many tons of carbon dioxide are nowhere near neutral.

Hearing him dithering in this video, he (unflatteringly) sounds like his Liberal boss, our Prime Minister. Do as I say, not as I do comes to mind.

Who is Pierre Poilievre and What is his Stance?

Well, his opinion and support or loyalty are much more obvious. This video and other forms of social media display his stance on crucial issues. Considered the political opposition’s bulldog to many, Pierre Poilievre is a Conservative member of parliament (MP) representing the Carleton suburb of Ottawa. With a Bachelor of Arts and some commerce courses under his belt, his own modest description of himself says it all:

“a political junkie with a passion for public debating and a special interest in international relations”

Perhaps Poilievre is not as polished or successful (career-wise) as Mark Carney. Yet. He (Pierre) is definitely more articulate and fun to listen to. His debating skills are legendary within the house of commons. I, for one, love his doggedness. Is that a word? Maybe perseverent is better.

As Shadow Minister of Finance, it is, appropriately, his job to hold our Finance Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) Chrystia Freeland accountable. Recently though, Poilievre announced a higher ambition, with intentions of running for the Conservative leadership, en route to the goal of becoming our next Prime Minister. If a drama teacher can do it, a self-acclaimed political junkie and well-spoken, if somewhat annoying, bulldog can too. The level of annoyance depends purely on which side of the debate you represent. He is one of those guys you want on your team instead of playing against him.

If you don’t yet know of Pierre Poilievre, you will soon.

photo credit: Wikipedia

Laughter is (still) the best medicine

January 11, 2019February 8, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ Leave a comment

I know I have written about laughter before, but I saw this video Marc Cramer posted on Facebook this morning and just had to share…

laughter is contagious!

This video is proof that a good chuckle is contagious, to anyone and anywhere. It has also been proved to be medicinal with its amazingly positive affect on every organ in our body. Even our immune systems and the condition of our blood vessels are boosted by a good laugh.

Have you ever noticed that people who are asked what they look for in a partner say they want someone that makes them laugh? That’s because laughter makes everyone, from babies to seniors feel good.

I bet everyone watching and listening to that man (stranger) laugh felt great for a long time afterward. I know I did.

Canada Going to Pot Today

October 17, 2018February 7, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ 1 Comment

Canada is going to pot, literally. Personally, I have thought so since our last (2016) federal election, but that’s another story.

Today, October 17th, 2018, Canada is legalizing marijuana, much to the chagrin of many citizens. This was an election promise our prime minister made to win votes from the younger age group. He’s now making good on that promise with as much thought and preparation (not much) as many other ridiculous and ill-advised things he is responsible for.

AKA pot, weed, or cannabis, marijuana can now be smoked anywhere (with few exceptions) regular cigarettes are allowed. Users are supposed to act responsibly. Parks, arenas and recreational centers are pot-free, but this will be very difficult to enforce. As will driving under the influence of pot if roadside testing is as inefficient and flawed as rumored. So difficult in fact that the mayor of Ottawa predicts legalizing pot will cost the city (at least) a cool 8 million dollars per year. The federal government has created (another) the mess but is leaving the municipalities to deal with the fallout. Great, just what this country needs, more examples of how to fritter away the taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

Hoping to remove the (still) illegal street sources, the new laws say brick and mortar stores must apply for a license to sell pot. These licenses will not be available until spring, so these stores currently open for business must close their doors and reopen when they have been granted a license. Those that do not close while waiting for their license will be shut down by authorities and will relinquish their right to ever obtain such a license. Until then pot is only available (legally) through government-run facilities. Yep, that will eliminate the illegal sources. Not.

So, who wins with this new legislation? The group of individuals that already (not so covertly) smoke pot recreationally. Partakers have been asked to “use pot responsibly.” The problem is (or will be) that this group of people is not typically recognized for being responsible or their sensitivity to other people’s concerns, more focused on their own wants and needs. Who cares if pot has been proven to adversely affect the health of children, pets, and anyone else with a set of lungs? Not them.

Who loses? Anyone that prefers and strives to keep their own and their loved ones’ lungs smoke and drug-free. And the taxpayers who are left holding the bag. This YouTube video by Bryan Cox and Jason Leblanc is one of those funny/not funny things. You either laugh or cry.