2026 Canadian Political Thread
- Thread starter PuntMeister
- Start date
This would be a good time for Carney to exert some muscle and annex Venezuela. Free the peasants and all that liberal hope stuff. Brhind the scenes total oil grab.
Oh, woops, no military capability.
Let’s just send some Tim bits and hocley sticks. then.
Oh, woops, no military capability.
Let’s just send some Tim bits and hocley sticks. then.
Breaking: Former TD Assistant Manager Admits Role in $474 Million Laundering Scheme, Prosecutors Say
NEW YORK — In a high-consequence case that remains, in The Bureau’s analysis, a key irritant between Washington and Ottawa over fentanyl deaths across North America, a former New York-based employee of TD Bank, Wilfredo Aquino, pleaded guilty Tuesday to facilitating a Chinese money laundering network’s movement of hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank accounts in return for bribes.
“Leveraged his position” to help a network led by Da Ying Sze — also known as David — move vast sums through TD Bank accounts.
David’s own guilty plea in 2022 offers a wider view of the sprawling Chinese money laundering network that U.S. government sources informed The Bureau was assessed to be commanded by Chinese gangsters in Canada — primarily in Toronto, and also in Vancouver — based on phone-call network tracing evidence.
https://www.thebureau.news/p/breaking-former-td-assistant-manager
I don't dis TD. Crime done by non-Canadian employees against a Canadian company. A legitimate Canadian business can't get decent staff with Ottawa’s past immigration policies.
NEW YORK — In a high-consequence case that remains, in The Bureau’s analysis, a key irritant between Washington and Ottawa over fentanyl deaths across North America, a former New York-based employee of TD Bank, Wilfredo Aquino, pleaded guilty Tuesday to facilitating a Chinese money laundering network’s movement of hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank accounts in return for bribes.
“Leveraged his position” to help a network led by Da Ying Sze — also known as David — move vast sums through TD Bank accounts.
David’s own guilty plea in 2022 offers a wider view of the sprawling Chinese money laundering network that U.S. government sources informed The Bureau was assessed to be commanded by Chinese gangsters in Canada — primarily in Toronto, and also in Vancouver — based on phone-call network tracing evidence.
https://www.thebureau.news/p/breaking-former-td-assistant-manager
I don't dis TD. Crime done by non-Canadian employees against a Canadian company. A legitimate Canadian business can't get decent staff with Ottawa’s past immigration policies.
Alberta referendum in the works. Premier Eby floating idea of refinary over bitumen pipe. If Alberta doesn't want to refine, BC could refine somewhere near Fort St. John and send surplus in a finished product pipe to the BC north coast. Secure lifetime careers in petroleum by-products and income from fuel sales both in Canada and offshore.
Rio Tinto fined nearly $800K for ‘high-risk’ safety violations at Kitimat smelter
A summary of the incident released by WorkSafeBC stated Rio Tinto failed to ensure its workplace was set up, used and maintained to protect workers from danger, “a repeated and high-risk violation.”
https://www.biv.com/news/retail-man...safety-violations-at-kitimat-smelter-11721137
Seems to me the workers failed to ensure workplace set up, used and maintained to protect workers from danger. Learning how to set up a coffee percolator in high school home economics may be good enough for breaks but isn't good enough for aluminium smelting nor arts diplomas in psychology and sociology. Even being able to set up a computer terminal stringing mouse and keyboard into the correct plugs isn't enough. Youths need a sense of safety developed from a few years of shop courses, physics and chemistry labs.
A summary of the incident released by WorkSafeBC stated Rio Tinto failed to ensure its workplace was set up, used and maintained to protect workers from danger, “a repeated and high-risk violation.”
https://www.biv.com/news/retail-man...safety-violations-at-kitimat-smelter-11721137
Seems to me the workers failed to ensure workplace set up, used and maintained to protect workers from danger. Learning how to set up a coffee percolator in high school home economics may be good enough for breaks but isn't good enough for aluminium smelting nor arts diplomas in psychology and sociology. Even being able to set up a computer terminal stringing mouse and keyboard into the correct plugs isn't enough. Youths need a sense of safety developed from a few years of shop courses, physics and chemistry labs.
Worksafe needs a recall / overhaul. More concerned it seems making up slogans and creating shit like “psychological safety”, while wokely distracting from efforts to actually deal with the shit that makes wofkplaces safe.
Back to basics. Cut the fat and fluff.
Back to basics. Cut the fat and fluff.
Carney: Canada entering 'new era' in relationship with Beijing
While most of the talks took place in secret, media were allowed into the room to hear opening remarks at some of the meetings and to observe a signing ceremony for a number of memorandums of understanding.
https://www.biv.com/news/carney-canada-entering-new-era-in-relationship-with-beijing-11742855
Mr. Carney, instead of visiting China demanding removal of EV tariffs threating Ontario's auto industry, how about visiting smaller countries around the globe for Saskatchewan canola sales and forget trying to deal with the ugly dragon of Uyghur detentions, forced body organ donations, environmental degradation, military adventurism in the Arctic, slave and marginalised labour of farm workers and incompetent out of control population growth.
While most of the talks took place in secret, media were allowed into the room to hear opening remarks at some of the meetings and to observe a signing ceremony for a number of memorandums of understanding.
https://www.biv.com/news/carney-canada-entering-new-era-in-relationship-with-beijing-11742855
Mr. Carney, instead of visiting China demanding removal of EV tariffs threating Ontario's auto industry, how about visiting smaller countries around the globe for Saskatchewan canola sales and forget trying to deal with the ugly dragon of Uyghur detentions, forced body organ donations, environmental degradation, military adventurism in the Arctic, slave and marginalised labour of farm workers and incompetent out of control population growth.
So what leverage does Carney have to force Xi to do anything?
It isn't a matter of "forcing" an outcome. Canada and China are significant trading partners. Through some give & take, that trade can increase for both countries.
Canada suffers a huge trade deficit with China. Around $57 billion (Imports ~$87B vs. Exports ~$30B in 2024. Carney only shows good will as leverage in China and for any other nation but China good will and sence of fair play only signifies weakness and something to be played like a big fish on a hook.
Carney reaches 'landmark' tariff quota deal with China on EVs, canola
Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs and peas will no longer be subject to Chinese tariffs from March to at least the end of the year. There was no mention of canola oil, which is subject to a 100 per cent tariff, and no change was made to the 25 per cent tariff on Canadian pork. "This is enormous progress," Carney said, calling it a "new partnership, a new era."
Carney said Xi has committed to visa-free travel for Canadians to China.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who was in Beijing with Carney, called the deal "very good news for Canada and Saskatchewan."
The deals come as the Liberal government seeks to double non-U.S. exports by 2030 — and boost exports to China by 50 per cent by that date.
Carney said he raised human rights in the meeting with Xi and that Canada's approach is one of "value-based realism." "We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."
https://www.biv.com/news/carney-reaches-landmark-tariff-quota-deal-with-china-on-evs-canola-11748608
Let's get something straight here. No mention of removal of 100% tariff on canola oil. But the by-product of the oil, the canola meal get tariffs removed and still no place to sell the canola oil. Leaving Saskatchewan with nothing but peas to sell to cover cost of 39,000 Chinese electric vehicles yearly. Doubt there's enough lobster and crabs in NFL every year to cover but a meagre portion of the cost of 39,000 Chinese electric vehicles either. Increased tourism for American chain hotels in Canada and increased tourist spending of Canadians in China. But all good I suppose for Brookfield's Chinese high end shopping mall assets.
Doubt Canadian pension funds should depend so heavily upon America's China policies into the distant future to keep Chinese malls full of tenants. Or expect to get a decent price for the mall if demand collapses. There have been nightmarish tales in financial blogs about empty malls in China. A nothingburger of an agreement, Messrs. Carney & Moe. Just a good thing these agreements aren't cast in stone.
Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs and peas will no longer be subject to Chinese tariffs from March to at least the end of the year. There was no mention of canola oil, which is subject to a 100 per cent tariff, and no change was made to the 25 per cent tariff on Canadian pork. "This is enormous progress," Carney said, calling it a "new partnership, a new era."
Carney said Xi has committed to visa-free travel for Canadians to China.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who was in Beijing with Carney, called the deal "very good news for Canada and Saskatchewan."
The deals come as the Liberal government seeks to double non-U.S. exports by 2030 — and boost exports to China by 50 per cent by that date.
Carney said he raised human rights in the meeting with Xi and that Canada's approach is one of "value-based realism." "We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."
https://www.biv.com/news/carney-reaches-landmark-tariff-quota-deal-with-china-on-evs-canola-11748608
Let's get something straight here. No mention of removal of 100% tariff on canola oil. But the by-product of the oil, the canola meal get tariffs removed and still no place to sell the canola oil. Leaving Saskatchewan with nothing but peas to sell to cover cost of 39,000 Chinese electric vehicles yearly. Doubt there's enough lobster and crabs in NFL every year to cover but a meagre portion of the cost of 39,000 Chinese electric vehicles either. Increased tourism for American chain hotels in Canada and increased tourist spending of Canadians in China. But all good I suppose for Brookfield's Chinese high end shopping mall assets.
Doubt Canadian pension funds should depend so heavily upon America's China policies into the distant future to keep Chinese malls full of tenants. Or expect to get a decent price for the mall if demand collapses. There have been nightmarish tales in financial blogs about empty malls in China. A nothingburger of an agreement, Messrs. Carney & Moe. Just a good thing these agreements aren't cast in stone.
Saskatchewan wants to sell the Canola seed which went from 75.8 down to 15%, meal from 100% to 0%, but oil stays the same at 100%. I think this is what the farmers were essentially looking for.
With regards to those Chinese EVs, about half of them are the low cost ones which don't really have a domestic alternative produced here. Besides the overall market penetration is less than 3%.
And yes, China is having severe problems with deflation and property values but I don't really see how this all hangs together with the other points in this post.
"The capability assessment here says that there is a clear-cut winner, no contest, no ambiguity,” says the Global Affairs Institute receiving sponsorship support from defence contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Saab.
Mission performance in fighter aircraft refers to the integrated ability to execute a complete flight profile (takeoff, climb, cruise, loiter, combat, return) successfully, defined by factors like range, payload (weapons/fuel), speed, maneuverability, and survivability, rather than just a single flight aspect. It answers: "Can the aircraft reach the target, deliver its payload, survive, and return safely and effectively?"
Ungradeability in fighter aircraft refers to the design capacity of an aircraft to incorporate new technologies—such as enhanced radar, weapons, avionics, and software—throughout its service life, allowing it to remain relevant against evolving threats without requiring a complete redesign. This process is often driven by "continuous modernization," which enables older airframes to be updated with modern capabilities, extending their operational life and improving performance, reliability, and lethality.
Saab reiterates Gripen E entirely upgradeable in the context of Canada's territory and Arctic environment.
Sustainment is the comprehensive system of logistics, personnel, and support services (like maintenance, supply, fuel, and health services) that ensures aircraft remain mission-capable, operational for extended durations, and ready for deployment, effectively keeping the fighting force fueled and functioning for prolonged combat operations. It's about maximizing readiness, minimizing downtime, and providing everything needed for the aircraft and aircrew to operate effectively from initial deployment through mission completion.
Been said repeatedly the F-35 down time abominable. Constantly requires maintenance in a hanger. Cost over runs not just in the field but procurement of parts in a scattered supply chain.
Technical criteria are the measurable, engineering, and performance-based requirements used to design, evaluate, and select military aircraft. These criteria ensure the aircraft meets specific operational demands for air-to-air combat, survivability, and mission effectiveness.
Capability delivery refers to the comprehensive process of providing operational, combat-ready warfighting effects to commanders, moving beyond simply purchasing physical aircraft. It encompasses the entire lifecycle—acquisition, integration, sustainment, and upgrading of sensors, weapons, and software—to ensure the aircraft can meet specific mission requirements in contested environments.
Overall, Lockheed Martin is promising benefits of more than $15 billion over the life of the contract, noting there is approximately $3 million in Canadian content in each of the 3,600 jets that will be delivered to various militaries.
Canada's three million dollars in each of 3600 aircraft looks more like $10 billion not $15 billion.
There is already equipment manufactured in Canada on more than 1,000 delivered jets. But the firm recently warned that the economic benefits of the F-35 purchase will "shrink" if Canada reduces its order.
Canada invested cash at the outset and can continue to bid on F-35 contracts if other nations keep buying regardless of Canada's decision to fly F-35s.
“It’s not up to the minister of industry to define Canada’s military needs". “Defence policy isn’t about jobs.”
Defence policy certainly about where Canada wants to go politically. Canada participated in America's military adventures in Afghanistan, Libya, and former Yugoslavia for naught and witnessed America's complacency in the destruction of Gaza. Defence policy about protecting Canada and Canadian's livelihoods, careers, prestige, sovereignty, culture and anything else Canadians value.
The F-35 got a score of 95 per cent on military capabilities, with a total of 57.1 points out of 60.
The F-35 topped scores where Canada doesn't need stealth to participate and penetrate some other nation's territory.
Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft
Carney government seeks to diversify Canada's source of military equipment and strengthen the industrial sector battered by tariffs.
Battered after following America into military adventurism.
Canadian Armed Forces would need to buy 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for Swedish manufacturer Saab to deliver on its pledge of creating 12,600 jobs in Canada, CBC News has learned.
"Saab remains ready to support the government of Canada with sovereign, cutting-edge solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces that will grow domestic industry," said Simon Carroll, president of Saab Canada.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/saab-canada-gripen-globaleye-f35-9.7043896
Simply, the Capability Manditory requirements in the table above belong to America's past adventures.
Mission performance in fighter aircraft refers to the integrated ability to execute a complete flight profile (takeoff, climb, cruise, loiter, combat, return) successfully, defined by factors like range, payload (weapons/fuel), speed, maneuverability, and survivability, rather than just a single flight aspect. It answers: "Can the aircraft reach the target, deliver its payload, survive, and return safely and effectively?"
Ungradeability in fighter aircraft refers to the design capacity of an aircraft to incorporate new technologies—such as enhanced radar, weapons, avionics, and software—throughout its service life, allowing it to remain relevant against evolving threats without requiring a complete redesign. This process is often driven by "continuous modernization," which enables older airframes to be updated with modern capabilities, extending their operational life and improving performance, reliability, and lethality.
Saab reiterates Gripen E entirely upgradeable in the context of Canada's territory and Arctic environment.
Sustainment is the comprehensive system of logistics, personnel, and support services (like maintenance, supply, fuel, and health services) that ensures aircraft remain mission-capable, operational for extended durations, and ready for deployment, effectively keeping the fighting force fueled and functioning for prolonged combat operations. It's about maximizing readiness, minimizing downtime, and providing everything needed for the aircraft and aircrew to operate effectively from initial deployment through mission completion.
Been said repeatedly the F-35 down time abominable. Constantly requires maintenance in a hanger. Cost over runs not just in the field but procurement of parts in a scattered supply chain.
Technical criteria are the measurable, engineering, and performance-based requirements used to design, evaluate, and select military aircraft. These criteria ensure the aircraft meets specific operational demands for air-to-air combat, survivability, and mission effectiveness.
Capability delivery refers to the comprehensive process of providing operational, combat-ready warfighting effects to commanders, moving beyond simply purchasing physical aircraft. It encompasses the entire lifecycle—acquisition, integration, sustainment, and upgrading of sensors, weapons, and software—to ensure the aircraft can meet specific mission requirements in contested environments.
Overall, Lockheed Martin is promising benefits of more than $15 billion over the life of the contract, noting there is approximately $3 million in Canadian content in each of the 3,600 jets that will be delivered to various militaries.
Canada's three million dollars in each of 3600 aircraft looks more like $10 billion not $15 billion.
There is already equipment manufactured in Canada on more than 1,000 delivered jets. But the firm recently warned that the economic benefits of the F-35 purchase will "shrink" if Canada reduces its order.
Canada invested cash at the outset and can continue to bid on F-35 contracts if other nations keep buying regardless of Canada's decision to fly F-35s.
“It’s not up to the minister of industry to define Canada’s military needs". “Defence policy isn’t about jobs.”
Defence policy certainly about where Canada wants to go politically. Canada participated in America's military adventures in Afghanistan, Libya, and former Yugoslavia for naught and witnessed America's complacency in the destruction of Gaza. Defence policy about protecting Canada and Canadian's livelihoods, careers, prestige, sovereignty, culture and anything else Canadians value.
The F-35 got a score of 95 per cent on military capabilities, with a total of 57.1 points out of 60.
The F-35 topped scores where Canada doesn't need stealth to participate and penetrate some other nation's territory.
Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft
Carney government seeks to diversify Canada's source of military equipment and strengthen the industrial sector battered by tariffs.
Battered after following America into military adventurism.
Canadian Armed Forces would need to buy 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for Swedish manufacturer Saab to deliver on its pledge of creating 12,600 jobs in Canada, CBC News has learned.
"Saab remains ready to support the government of Canada with sovereign, cutting-edge solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces that will grow domestic industry," said Simon Carroll, president of Saab Canada.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/saab-canada-gripen-globaleye-f35-9.7043896
Simply, the Capability Manditory requirements in the table above belong to America's past adventures.
Carney calls on middle powers to band together in World Economic Forum speech
"Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited."
The prime minister said countries like Canada prospered under the former rules-based international order — but the “old order is not coming back.”
“Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."
Big powers can go it alone, said Carney. Middle powers like Canada cannot. "But when we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemony, we negotiate from weakness." "We accept what's offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty. It's the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination."
"Multilateralism is how we level the playing field and, if we don't do it, then the big ones are going to pick us off one by one."
https://www.biv.com/news/economy-la...ether-in-world-economic-forum-speech-11762964
All about decentralisation of authority. The recipe to reduce corruption and red tape. Thank you, PM Carney. I'm looking forward to reading of successful Canadian trade missions with the middle powers.
"Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited."
The prime minister said countries like Canada prospered under the former rules-based international order — but the “old order is not coming back.”
“Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."
Big powers can go it alone, said Carney. Middle powers like Canada cannot. "But when we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemony, we negotiate from weakness." "We accept what's offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty. It's the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination."
"Multilateralism is how we level the playing field and, if we don't do it, then the big ones are going to pick us off one by one."
https://www.biv.com/news/economy-la...ether-in-world-economic-forum-speech-11762964
All about decentralisation of authority. The recipe to reduce corruption and red tape. Thank you, PM Carney. I'm looking forward to reading of successful Canadian trade missions with the middle powers.
First Nations-owned Vancouver Island wood chip plant set to close in March
ALERT BAY — A wood chip plant on Vancouver Island majority-owned by a First Nation in British Columbia acquired with help from provincial funding closing, the latest setback for BC forestry sector.
https://www.biv.com/news/resources-...ood-chip-plant-set-to-close-in-march-11775924
The Domtar pulp mill at Crofton in southern Vancouver Island couldn't get reasonably priced wood chips from the wood chip plant in northern Vancouver Island. Both closing. Crofton mill 350 jobs. The wood chip operation about 25 jobs. Really bad optics. The US owned pulp mill couldn't / wouldn't do business with locally owned government aided wood chip producer over purported costs of wood chips. Calls into question all the other projects BC government mentions from time-to-time with First Nations. Especially the projects dependent upon not building a bitumen pipeline to BC north coast.
ALERT BAY — A wood chip plant on Vancouver Island majority-owned by a First Nation in British Columbia acquired with help from provincial funding closing, the latest setback for BC forestry sector.
https://www.biv.com/news/resources-...ood-chip-plant-set-to-close-in-march-11775924
The Domtar pulp mill at Crofton in southern Vancouver Island couldn't get reasonably priced wood chips from the wood chip plant in northern Vancouver Island. Both closing. Crofton mill 350 jobs. The wood chip operation about 25 jobs. Really bad optics. The US owned pulp mill couldn't / wouldn't do business with locally owned government aided wood chip producer over purported costs of wood chips. Calls into question all the other projects BC government mentions from time-to-time with First Nations. Especially the projects dependent upon not building a bitumen pipeline to BC north coast.
With most B.C. municipalities presenting and passing their budgets in the days and weeks ahead, there are significant tests citizens can apply to the numbers. Especially important amid the campaign months in which promises are pledged, flattering photo opportunities and finances finagled to delay pain, flatten increases and shift costs beyond the election.
Red flags:
Emphasis on a low tax increase while fees and charges and other levies rise quietly.
When more than 85 per cent of property tax revenue comes from residential properties.
Property tax bills include municipal taxes and levies passed on to other authorities. Councils are still accountable for transparency, even when they don’t control the costs. Integrity means clearly showing what stays local, what leaves town, and what, if anything, is being challenged and how.
When operating costs are rising faster than inflation or population.
When there are rising full-time equivalent jobs without corresponding service improvements.
Reserves are savings, not income. Using them to fund ongoing operations or to artificially flatten tax increases masks structural problems.
When permanent services are tied to clear temporary revenue sources such as windfalls from grants, asset sales, investment income or interest-rate relief. When there is no clear dollar figure attached to infrastructure maintenance or unfunded liabilities.
Rising per-household costs in communities with stagnant or declining population.
When there are long explanations of why costs are unavoidable, with no alternatives presented.
Budgets that only work if everything goes right are not plans—they’re gambles.
https://www.biv.com/news/commentary...hecklist-to-assess-municipal-budgets-11777022
In a world of countless fiscal and monitary constraints I'd have to adapt the same metrics to provincial and federal budgets.
Red flags:
Emphasis on a low tax increase while fees and charges and other levies rise quietly.
When more than 85 per cent of property tax revenue comes from residential properties.
Property tax bills include municipal taxes and levies passed on to other authorities. Councils are still accountable for transparency, even when they don’t control the costs. Integrity means clearly showing what stays local, what leaves town, and what, if anything, is being challenged and how.
When operating costs are rising faster than inflation or population.
When there are rising full-time equivalent jobs without corresponding service improvements.
Reserves are savings, not income. Using them to fund ongoing operations or to artificially flatten tax increases masks structural problems.
When permanent services are tied to clear temporary revenue sources such as windfalls from grants, asset sales, investment income or interest-rate relief. When there is no clear dollar figure attached to infrastructure maintenance or unfunded liabilities.
Rising per-household costs in communities with stagnant or declining population.
When there are long explanations of why costs are unavoidable, with no alternatives presented.
Budgets that only work if everything goes right are not plans—they’re gambles.
https://www.biv.com/news/commentary...hecklist-to-assess-municipal-budgets-11777022
In a world of countless fiscal and monitary constraints I'd have to adapt the same metrics to provincial and federal budgets.
Been away a week and I see no comments about PM Carney's speech at Davos. 16 minutes of history that will be noted for some time to come.
OK
Well I for one am glad we have a Canadian statesman with Canadian values at the helm of Canada. No need to note comparisons to other countries.
OK
Well I for one am glad we have a Canadian statesman with Canadian values at the helm of Canada. No need to note comparisons to other countries.
You know it’s good when the pedo-in-chief is still throwing tantrums days later.
