2617 replies to this topic

[jonny]

I’m one of those affected civil servants - privatized in the name of deficit/debt reduction...except I really don’t see how it’s going to save the taxpayers money. Most of my coworkers are going to the private contractor for the same salary and roughly the same benefits and pension ( those that aren’t will need to be replaced, with the attendant costs) the planes still need the same maintenance and fuel; the only thing that is extra is the profit for the (large, multi-national) company that has picked up the contract. I’ll believe the savings when I see an honest accounting of them....

1. Profit incentive makes private orgs more efficient (typically).
2. Competition incentivizes innovation, efficiency, improvement and better service.
3. Your company will do well if it wants it's contract renewed.
4. The private benefits package is likely cheaper.
5. Easier to cancel or rework your contract than to lay off unionized government workers.
6. Removes or reduces political interference.

[spanky123]

I’m one of those affected civil servants - privatized in the name of deficit/debt reduction...except I really don’t see how it’s going to save the taxpayers money. Most of my coworkers are going to the private contractor for the same salary and roughly the same benefits and pension ( those that aren’t will need to be replaced, with the attendant costs) the planes still need the same maintenance and fuel; the only thing that is extra is the profit for the (large, multi-national) company that has picked up the contract. I’ll believe the savings when I see an honest accounting of them....

 

Usually the biggest difference is in the pension. The amounts may be similar but usually survivor benefits and indexing rates are not. That is where most of the money is saved. 

[lanforod]

Just see Sweden for an example of how privatization can work wonders. People call Sweden a socialist country, but it really isn't.

[Mike K.]

One thing is certain, if our water supply was in private hands the reservoir would never unnecessarily spill (there is some spillage to keep the river flowing) and a portion of the water would be sold to other jurisdictions or bottled, decreasing the cost of the water supply to local residents.

Only a government operation would demand water conservation in a rainforest. We live in one of the wettest climates on earth and due to water restrictions our lawns in the heat of summer look worse than they do in SoCal. How is that possible?

[PraiseKek]

It's really quaint that any of you really believe what we have is a legitimate democracy. Once you learn to accept it and move on life will get better for you.

[Victoria Watcher]

The by-election for the Nanaimo electoral district has been called for Jan. 30, 2019. The seat became vacant when Leonard Krog, who is now the mayor of Nanaimo, resigned as MLA. If the NDP loses this by-election, it could mean a seat tie between the NDP/Green partnership and the BC Liberals.

 

if i were the liberals i might not know how to approach this. "vote for our guy (tony harris) and we promise chaos!".  it might be easiest to not try.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 January 2019 - 11:48 AM.

[Mike K.]

Wouldn’t a Liberal win in Nanaimo force an election?

[lanforod]

Not necessarily, as Plecas would be the tie-breaker, but likely the NDP would need to call an election early.

[Mike K.]

Same facts regarding the Nanaimo riding:
- Krog has been in power since 2005
- the NDP has controlled the riding since ‘76 save for 2001-2005 when it went to the Liberals in their cross-province sweep
- Krog secured 51% of the vote, the Liberals 36%.

[Victoria Watcher]

some polls have it quite close

[jonny]

By-elections (federally and provincially) typically go to an opposition party, but this is a very safe NDP seat.

Edited by jonny, 02 January 2019 - 02:49 PM.

[spanky123]

some polls have it quite close

 

From what I hear, a number of local developers are pouring as much money into that riding to support the Liberal as they legally can. Hope is that it would force the Government to drop the various measures in place to discourage foreign and non-resident owners.

[Victoria Watcher]

yes perhaps. the candidate is a developer himself.

[Victoria Watcher]

from nov:

Mainstreet Research's latest survey reports that NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson has the support of 39.2 percent of "decided and leaning" voters in the supposedly safe NDP seat.

The B.C. Liberal candidate, Tony Harris, is at 38.2 percent.

[Victoria Watcher]

and after that poll the greens nominated ney

https://www.google.c...546558257055234

[RFS]

Is that Harris of car dealership fame?

[Victoria Watcher]

yes the son

[Coreyburger]

Mainstreet Research

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yep, real trustworthy source there. Google Calgary election Nenshi

[rjag]

So an NDP MP swaps a $170k job that she's only been in for 3 years so doesnt get much of a pension but would have been pretty well assured a 2nd term therefore a pension to gamble on winning a $105k job....I wonder what Horgan offered her that he didnt offer Krog as thats a big move for her.

 

Mind you, with the current numbers, the federal NDP is being relegated to serious backwater non relevance....makes u wonder about the relevance of the BC NDP, especially as they needed the 3 seats from the Greens plus Plecas...this is going to be an interesting year for sure 

Edited by rjag, 02 January 2019 - 09:56 PM.

[Coreyburger]

needed the 3 seats from the Greens plus Plecas...this is going to be an interesting year for sure 

 

They don't need Plecas assuming they keep Nanaimo