1026 replies to this topic

[jonny]

I think there should be a user fee component to post secondary education. We have it about right in Canada. Many students need some debt, but not crippling amounts.

[AllseeingEye]

So Stanford costs 60% more than it did in 1981 and UVic costs 500% more. Something's not right with this picture.

Its relative; consider really how little a higher education cost at UVic then compared to now - they had a lot of catching up to do. There is no doubt even by early 80's standards we were getting a pretty good deal financially. Working part time I certainly wasn't remotely taxed financially paying the whole shot on my own. At that point I was nowhere near having to ask my parent's for assistance or resort to a student loan. It was by any standards, even those of an early 1980's part-time worker, "cheap" to obtain an undergraduate degree.

 

And sorry to be clearer too re: the Stanford costs my buddy obviously was paying the significantly higher out of state fees assessed to non-California residents. Even today for in-state students the average p/a cost is just under $70K USD.

[VicHockeyFan]

Three different companies are advertising for staff with CFAX radio ads.

 

Pets West

GAIN auto group

A care home

[Grumpy Taxpayer]

Potentially the greatest impact to the economy of the South Island is the economic gamble behind hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Without question there are major short and long-term benefits to Victoria hosting the Commonwealth Games 2022, but how much will it cost us and what risks are we taking?

 

The bid committee is looking at building new housing, better sports facilities and infusing hundreds of millions of dollars into the community. Perhaps the greatest potential legacy would be the opportunity for our sometimes fractured community to work collectively as one instead of 13.

 

But, before ‘irrational exuberance’ takes over, taxpayers should demand that an extremely strong business case be prepared and examined by an independent third party, a financial accounting firm such as KPMG or MNP.

 

Understand, we are not ‘nattering nabobs of negativism.’ If the numbers add up, great – let the 2022 Commonwealth Games begin! – but the decision to proceed needs to be approached with caution and due diligence.

 

These are some of the reasons a solid business plan needs to be shared with the community:

 

This is not 1994 – By most accounts the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria was a success. Times have changed in the last quarter century and it’s a different society, economy and volunteer base.

 

Four-year time-frame – Normally a community has seven years to prepare, but because of withdrawals and disqualifications Victoria will only have four years. A shorter period is likely to escalate labour and building costs – it’s essentially a last minute bid for a hugely complex project.

 

Support not unanimous –  In 2015 Victoria sent a letter of support for the Games signed by only 10 of the 13 municipalities. Are there still dissenting municipalities, and given the scope and ramifications of the project, shouldn’t unanimous support be needed?

 

Labour issues emerging – In recent months there have been a couple projects delayed because of project costs escalating. In both cases availability of labour and a sole source bid were cited.

 

Security costs unknown – Given the world today and the preoccupation with security, who knows what security costs will add up to. It’s a very significant wild card that’s difficult to budget.

 

Potential adverse publicity – While the community gains if the Games succeed, there’s a big downside if it’s a failure. Any major problems would be broadcast around the world, damaging our existing quality brand.

 

Provincial taxpayer hit – We are all one taxpayer here, and the provincial taxpayer will also be hit. Given the lengthy lists of promises and political instability, how solid is any commitment to provide funding?

 

Local agenda dominated – This mega event will dominate the local agenda for years pushing sewer treatment, aging infrastructure, transportation and dysfunctional regional governance and other important issues to the back burner.

 

Incremental tax revenue – What share of incremental tax revenue will the local taxpayers be left with for their efforts?

 

Other bids nixed – It is worth examining why Toronto withdrew its bid after concluding the risks and costs were too high. Critics argued that homelessness, addiction and mental illness issues were a priority.

 

Spotty track record – Like it or not, around the world there’s a lengthy trail of mega-sporting event failures that taxpayers are still paying off. There are reasons the Olympics, World Cup and the Commonwealth Games have difficulties with finding host cities. By its nature, the Commonwealth Games will not attract the US or European entourages or business but a smaller market further away.

 

A vigorous business case, with the pros and cons examined thoroughly, will help taxpayers make up their mind about sponsoring the Commonwealth Games 2022.

 

This mega sports project, with broader community support and commitment, certainly has the potential to throw us into the world spotlight, grow our community and give it a huge economic boost.

 

But with the current political instability in BC, the issue of obtaining provincial and federal financial support to hold the Games and mitigate any downsides is far from certain and poses an undue risk to taxpayers.

 

After all is said and done, local taxpayers want to know if they can still afford to feed seagulls at the beach.

[VicHockeyFan]

I've been walking by this place for 15 years, never seen them trying so hard to find workers.  They also drive workers to jobsite now, they used to just send you on the bus.

 

Talking yesterday to a bartender friend, her husband is a supervisor for a house-builder.  They have 2 homes on the go on Bear Mountain that they simply can find no trades to work on.  Work is stalled out at lock-up.

 

 

 

 

[Bingo]

I've been walking by this place for 15 years, never seen them trying so hard to find workers.  

 

Did you see if they needed help with their photography?  

 

[VicHockeyFan]

They need to cut back on beer, that's for sure.

[Citified.ca]

$1 million: that's the average net worth of a Victoria household

http://victoria.citi...toria-resident/

 

[Edited]

[UDeMan]

the article talks about average "household" net worth, not individual net worth

 

what is considered a "household" in their study and what is the median. 

[Citified.ca]

Indeed, lol. Updated.

[Nparker]

the article talks about average "household" net worth, not individual net worth...

That is a considerable distinction. At best, as a single person, I am only worth about half that much...and I probably have to die to even achieve that.

[UDeMan]

Yeah, I've read their articles before.  They also include present value of pensions in there.  That would include CPP, OAS and any work pensions. 

 

You would be surprised how rich you are if you take the present value of just your CPP and OAS for someone that lived to 80.  It works out to $200,000 and up per person.  Live longer and the present value increases.

 

Add a government work pension in there and could add another $300,000 to $500,000 to your net worth based on present value.

 

It's not real money until you have it in your hands and can spend it though.

[Nparker]

...You would be surprised how rich you are if you take the present value of just your CPP and OAS for someone that lived to 80.  It works out to $200,000 and up per person.  Live longer and the present value increases. Add a government work pension in there and could add another $300,000 to $500,000 to your net worth based on present value...

I was only looking at my semi-liquid assets. I suppose if my future pensions are added then I come closer to the millionaire level.

[Mike K.]

I was speaking with a teller at a downtown branch of a bank and she was saying that they were finding it very difficult to attract and retain staff. She said suburban locations, with free parking and a far more passive clientele, have no problems. But the downtown branch was notorious for turnover and requires staff to not only handle difficult clients, but also resolve issues/questions that are more common for a central branch with varied client needs.

 

The reason we got into the conversation was there were three tellers for approximately 15 people standing in line. By the time I left one of the teller's disappeared for lunch (at 2PM)  and there were two tellers with over 20 people in line.

[lanforod]

It doesn't help that an individual going by the name, 'Mike', held up one of the tellers for that conversation...

[Mattjvd]

I was speaking with a teller at a downtown branch of a bank and she was saying that they were finding it very difficult to attract and retain staff. She said suburban locations, with free parking and a far more passive clientele, have no problems. But the downtown branch was notorious for turnover and requires staff to not only handle difficult clients, but also resolve issues/questions that are more common for a central branch with varied client needs.

The reason we got into the conversation was there were three tellers for approximately 15 people standing in line. By the time I left one of the teller's disappeared for lunch (at 2PM) and there were two tellers with over 20 people in line.

I applied for a part-time teller position not too long ago. I found the scheduling and expectations really bizarre and decided not to go through with it.

I'm an accounting student and, at the time, had classes just two days per week and was completely available the other 5 days. They liked my application but said they were only interested in full time and casual employees, not traditional part time, and I may be required to work on days I had classes.
I'm not sure how they expect to attract good employees if they want your only priority to be a $15/ hour job, with no accomodations for education and self/career development.

But hey, maybe they just didn't like me very much and that was an easy way to get me to go away

[johnk]

Thrifty's are hiring. Ads in-store.

[Nparker]

Thrifty's are hiring...

So is Wellburn's. I bet that's got to be a tough choice for potential applicants.

[jonny]

Almost everybody is having a tough time hiring right now. It's a super competitive market out there. 

[spanky123]

Almost everybody is having a tough time hiring right now. It's a super competitive market out there. 

 

You would think that one or more of the 600 odd people that we have provided free housing and meals to might put up their hand. It is not like working in a grocery store or café requires a university degree. The sad thing is that they probably can't afford to work as any income they would make would not be enough to offset the thousands a month in freebies they are currently getting.