Trudeau Angers China Again: Trudeau's Usage of Both Official Languages is Reckless

http://nationalpost.com/news/chinese-embassy-takes-swipe-at-some-politicians-over-talk-of-freeing-canadians

Morneau's "Nothing-to-See-Here" Approach On Economy Must Wake Up Soon - Canada's Economy Down Last Month, Cracks Appearing

http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/canadian-economy-shrinks-for-the-first-time-in-eight-months-hit-by-u-s-auto-strike

SNC Lavlin Shares Halted - What Could This Mean?

https://web.tmxmoney.com/article.php?newsid=8780206292745263&qm_symbol=SNC

Ottawa Botches Up the Credibility of its First Nations File...To Its Own Election Benefit

Ironic Ottawa accused of a lack of consultation...

"Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett opted to move ahead with extending eligibility for Indian status to possibly hundreds of thousands of people ahead of the last election, despite concerns from the federal bureaucracy about a lack of consultation and inadequate resources.

"...This last step, known as the removal of the 1951 cut-off, has received a mixed reaction from First Nations, some of which are concerned about a possible influx of new registrants looking to join their communities and benefit from Indian status. Estimates suggest removal of the cut-off could entitle 270,000 to 450,000 people to registration under the Indian Act over the next decade..."

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/bill-s-3

B.C. Looking To Beef Up Securities Enforcement Concerns

Forget the fines, "...Another aspect of the act, which Boyle says is “very unusual” is a provision providing that, if someone owes the B.C. Securities Commission more than $3,000, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia can refuse to give them a driver’s license or car insurance..."

https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial/b.c.-government-making-unprecedented-changes-to-securities-act/323941

Saudi ARAMCO Begins Trading as the World's Largest Publicly Traded Company - Watch for Oil Prices to be Trending Upward

At nearly twice the size of Apple at US$1.9T (yes, trillion, with a "t") and Saudi pride on the line, look for all factors that can be managed (not only the lack of credible stock exchanges to traded but also oil prices). 

Up 10% on the first day, this will need to be a successful IPO for the many involved. 

Citizenship Revocation: Liberals Overturning Their Own Immigration Rules and Interfering With Court Decisions; Pipeline Court Decisions Do Not Work The Same Way

According the new rules of citizenship revocation, from the Liberals, one can perform all the treasonous and terrorist acts against Canada they can and continue to be/apply to be a Canadian citizen.  However, if you lie or commit fraud on an application, these are the only grounds for revocation of Citizenship. 

Fast forward to MP Maryam Monsef - not only a fraudulent Canadian (see her family history of application) but somehow is elected AGAIN as an MP for Peterborough-Kawarthas!!!

Now we have another case that clearly defines the new Liberal rules, yet the decision is simply overturned.  Unfortunately, other important Canadian files (eg. pipelines) do not work this way and continue to be held hostage ("economic terrorism") to certain key groups that have infiltrated the federal Liberals. 

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto-teens-facing-monday-deportation-to-u-s-get-last-minute-reprieve-with-help-from-mp?fbclid=IwAR19cxn92-Q4KkOd91ZhqNXYxSqRUznYINYUU_Sigk6h-wQ6BNVhOZdZZCE

Not Even Two Months into His Term and Two Gaffes already by Mr. Sunny Ways

As lessons have not been learned from his first term, the Justin gaffes continue. 

Now as an "experienced" Prime Minister, during Justin's first media appearance, and en francais, he mixes up "nationalist", "sovereignist" and "separatist".  Too many categories to keep straight in his mind. 

Barely 40 days into his second term, he is caught making childish comments among his left leaning, social Euro counterparts.  Although Justin has graduated from being a high school drama teacher, it seems he has not graduated from how to behave in high school.

Our fearlerss, elected, non-learning leader. 

Shootings In Toronto: Some Numbers and Context, We Need Changes

After hearing about a brazen and targetted shooting on Highway 400 (yes on the highway) on a Friday evening, I read some data in a recent article about Toronto shooting totals.  I went to the source for this information, and found this. 

We need something different - whether it is bringing back carding (regardless of concerns from some groups), re-gaining control of our borders, better monitoring and surveillance of illegal guns coming across the border and through our often-forgotten-about ports (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver).  Also, politicians need to show leadership ignoring the repercussions that a group may play the race/religion/ethnicity card no matter how global or "inclusive" the solution.

Figuring out who the criminals are at the time of a shooting is not helping innocent by-standers nor Canadians in general.

Hopefully a reprieve at this time of year...Merry Christmas.

http://data.torontopolice.on.ca/pages/shootings

Capital Gains Tax? Just Leave It (Jagmeet, Justin)!

Hopefully such nonsense as proposed by the likes of Jagmeet will not see the light of day, but we have seen crazier things over the last term.  Maybe just maybe logic will prevail, "...Politicians seem determined to equalize the tax rate, so that taxes on dividends and capital gains become more similar. But they don’t get it. An investment in a junior gold mine is dramatically different than an investment in a Canadian bank paying dividends. Risk capital needs to be rewarded, and the low tax rate on capital gains is the best incentive investors have to support small and growing companies. Considering that the mining and energy sectors are still very large parts of our economy, certain segments of the economy could be devastated as risk capital disappears and heads for safer investments that are taxed exactly the same as risky investments..."

http://business.financialpost.com/investing/investing-pro/five-reasons-why-raising-the-capital-gains-inclusion-rate-could-be-devastating-for-the-economy

While Canada Sleeps on the Pipeline File, Other Countries Are Moving Ahead

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/while-canada-hesitates-russia-builds-3000-km-gas-pipeline-to-china-in-just-five-years

Trans Mountain a Go for 2019? Apparently a start Before Christmas

http://nationalpost.com/commodities/energy/trans-mountain-construction-set-to-begin-with-pipe-in-the-ground-before-christmas/wcm/1d61d7bd-28bb-4cd1-be1c-af6624c285bb

"...Trans Mountain spokesperson Ali Hounsell confirmed there would be “pipe on the ground” with the intention of putting “pipe in the ground before Christmas.” She said an event was planned for Tuesday to mark the beginning of right of way construction on the pipeline project..."

Canada Is Losing the (Non) Battle for Sovereignty in the Arctic

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-canadas-defence-free-ride-is-ending-and-our-sovereignty-could-be-at-stake

"...the Russian military presence in the Arctic is growing rapidly. Their Arctic region is already more developed than ours, giving them inherent advantages compared to Canada, with our sparse populated North. Those advantages, combined with their military buildup, would leave Canada completely unable to enforce its sovereignty if Russia chose to cause problems for us. China, likewise, is developing its naval power, including Arctic capabilities. Meanwhile, we content ourselves with a few thousand lightly armed rangers, and took a bafflingly long time to even replace their rifles — the most fundamental piece of military equipment of all. Our Arctic patrol ships are not capable of year-round Arctic operations and are behind schedule anyways. Talk during the Harper years of building a proper military base in the Arctic is essentially forgotten..."

Where oh Where is Thou Justin?

Since the election results and brief yet underwhelming meetings with various premiers and mayors, Justin has kept himself holed up (likely with his caucus, and Butts), even though there is a national unity fight as well as another national issue - a rail strike! Where farmers are unable to heat their crops in silos or heat their animals in large shelters.  As well, a major potash mine is closing for a couple of week sending 500 workers on dole for the Christmas season.

The only presence of any federal government is marching out the new Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, a bewildering character when she has been interviewed in her last role.  Nowhere the same "sunny ways" start from 2015. 

If You Don't Have a Pension Fund You're Not Alone; However DO NOT Invest in Mutual Funds!

When your employer is contributing $0.50 to $1.00 for every contribution you make, obviously a company pension plan is an attractive benefit, so much that annual salaries or compensation are reduced for this above average and advantageous benefit. 

If you are handling your own affairs (either by choice or default), then do not invest in mutual funds.  Read this...

"Private sector employees have seen a decline in already low pension plan coverage from 28 per cent to 23 per cent over the same period. That means only one private sector employee has a pension for every four in the public sector. Clearly it is the private sector that should be the focus of any effort to increase pension plan coverage."

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/a-workplace-pension-could-be-worth-three-times-an-rrsp-yet-only-37-of-canadians-have-one

Trudea's Cabinet: Improvement? Apeasement? Weaker/Stronger? More "Thought Police"?

"...Trudeau has taken a full month since winning re-election to put together his new cabinet, twice as long as he took in 2015....".

And after all that, here's what it boils down to...Jonathan Wilkinson, from BC and previously of Sask NDP is Minister of environment. An environmental extremist wolf in sheep's clothing. Enough said.

I can't see how Catherine McKenna is going to lead the charge for infrastructure - how can anything be built in Canada in her " tax all carbon" world?

A pushover Seamus O'Regan for the Natural Resources file (not sure if an improvement over the last place holder, Sohi).

Navdeep Bains continues to be minister of innovation, science and industry leaving us wondering...what a minister of innovation, science and industry does all day for the next two to four years.

Pablo Rodriguez has also been named political "minister for Quebec" - there is actually a Ministry for Quebec! And he will also be "Chief Corruption Officer" as he is charged with "crucial task of ensuring that government legislation passes with the support of at least one opposition party".

Mona Fortier, who takes on the newly created post of minister of middle-class prosperity. Read that again - "newly created post of minister of middle-class prosperity". Huh?

And for more fans of the "Thought Police", the underwhelming and ever unimplressive Bardish Chagger, previously House leader (and electoral reform pre-meditated naysayer), is the Minister of the newly created post of "diversity, inclusion and youth". (So Justin can deflect his blackface episodes?).

The ever bewildering and confusing Marie-Claude Bibeau somehow continues to be in the cabinet and is somehow Agriculture Minister. Will she be one to go knocking on CN's door during this strike within the next week to end it and let farmers receive some revenue?

Lastly, everyone's favourite Chrystia Freeland is "promoted" in "bridging the divide between the federal Liberal government and irate conservative-led provinces, including Ontario and in the West, as deputy prime minister and minister in charge of a beefed-up intergovernmental affairs department, to be renamed domestic affairs.". Those "insult the leader on their own soil" strategies should work here in Canada.. Looking forward to the fireworks.


https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/justin-trudeau-to-name-new-ministers-for-minority-mandate-wednesday

Where is Trudeau and the Liberals' Concern for Northern Canada and the Arctic? China, Russia Already There

“…But the big news of the white paper was the announcement that China would now include Arctic states in its “Belt and Road Initiative,” one of the most significant economic and geopolitical developments in our 21st-century world. A “Polar Silk Road” if built, will make China a major Arctic influence for decades to come…”.  

For those not familiar with "One Belt, One Road" initiative out of China - an unprecedented infrastructure program (rail, shipping, highways, telecommunications) that will extend throughout and into the southern points of Africa, with goods/commodities/resources hauled out through Kenya/Djibouti through to China by way of Indie and Indonesia, along with transportation infrastructure through many countries out to the port city of Rotterdam in Amsterdam.  Basically a pan-Asian/African/European infrastructure network while picking up "friends" (countries, influence on UN votes) along the way by funding, building and constructing this infrastructure (Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, possilby Iraq, Turkey...).

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/thomas-s-axworthy-as-russia-and-china-step-up-their-arctic-activity-canada-misses-the-boat

SNC Trial Is On: Little Media Coverage

And after being such a prominent election issue, how much media coverage is now on this SNC Lavalin trial?  Justin wanted to protect all of this through a deferred prosecution process?  I wonder what would have happened if SNC was say, an oil and gas company, and facing similar corruption charges?

"...The Crown said it will prove during the trial that SNC-Lavalin eventually transferred more than $113 million to the new company..."

http://nationalpost.com/news/local-news/he-made-calls-says-former-snc-lavalin-executive-of-support-from-gadhafis-son/wcm/a4de24ab-d6a1-4457-afd9-15cab7b9c8ff

Vermillion: Is It Thr Bottom For One of Canada's Most Geographically Diverse Energy Names?

The company and others have been touting the stability of Vermillion's dividend, one of the highest yields in the industry (15.9%) signaling distress.  

It has among other Euripean exposure and is not beholden to Albeta like others.  

Has it reached an inflection point this week? Yes, but if the recession is on the horizon and with Aramco's IPO scheduled soaking up a lot of equity, there could be continued weakness or at nest "flatlining" during this time. 

As juicy as this dividend is the risks of a dividend cut are high.  Mayne not in the next two quarters but within the year . 

Senate: Rarely Any News On the Senate But Now There Is...

Wow the Senate doing what it is supposed to be doing -  acting for regional interests. Shocking!  

At least Alberta/Saskatchewan have another (small) voice beyond opposition party status in a minority government.

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/new-senators-group-of-11-could-complicate-liberal-efforts-to-get-legislation-passed

Vermillion: Is It Thr Bottom For One of Canada's Most Geographically Diverse Energy Names?

The company and others have been touting the stability of Vermillion's dividend, one of the highest yields in the industry (15.9%) signaling distress.  

It has among other Euripean exposure and is not beholden to Albeta like others.  

Has it reached an inflection point this week? Yes, but if the recession is on the horizon and with Aramco's IPO scheduled soaking up a lot of equity, there could be continued weakness or at nest "flatlining" during this time. 

As juicy as this dividend is the risks of a dividend cut are high.  Mayne not in the next two quarters but within the year . 

China's Control and Influence Beyond Its Own Borders

"...“I strongly condemn this kind of activity. I don’t know in what degree they call themselves Canadian,” said Anna Wang, a Chinese-Canadian writer who just published a book detailing her first-hand observations of the Tiananmen protests. “I think they are taking advantage of the freedom of speech in western countries..."

"...They took advantage of democracy, of the Canadian system,” said Lai, an adjunct professor at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. “But communism, the PLA is not compatible with democracy and the rule of law … Before their nostalgia, there is a very bloody history.”  That PLA history includes fighting Canadian and other UN troops in the Korean War, he noted..."

"...“We all said our oath of citizenship,” said Wang, who came to Canada in 2006. “The moment we became a Canadian, we swore to be loyal to our adopted country and abandon our loyalty to the home country. If they are permanent residents, I suggest the government take this record into consideration when they apply for citizenship.”

http://nationalpost.com/news/canadian-veterans-of-peoples-liberation-army-form-association-sing-of-chinas-martial-glory

Four Liberal Broken Promises To Watch

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/four-big-platform-promises-to-watch-in-the-liberal-minority-government

China's One Belt One Road: It Is On!

But what do the people of Laos think...

https://www.ft.com/content/a8d0bdae-e5bc-11e9-9743-db5a370481bc

Canadian Dollar - Watch Out

One to watch over the next 18 months at least as federal Liberal spending/deficits increase (satisfying NDP and possibly BQ agendas in addition to Liberal agendas), adding to the total $768 Billion of federal debt ($22,000 for every Canadian, including debt of all the provinces would be ~$44,000) and Canadian GDP that may not live up to its projections for example due to the further self-destruction of Canada's own energy industry.

SNC: Expect the New AG Lametti to Make Announcement Regards to DPA, Before the Average 18 Months Life of a Minority Government (That is, Soon)

SNC Lavalin: One Day After a Liberal Minority Win - Up 12%, Hello Jarislowsky Fraser

I suppose Jarislowsky Fraser (Montreal money manager and past adviser to Justin's investment company) is a happy shareholder after increasing its shares ownership to 11% in September...hmmm.  Is that a coincidence?

The Latest Polling Predicted Even Less of a Liberal Minority

Until Canadians get off the couch and tick a box, it will always be hard to accurately predict these outcomes.  Regardless, the net result was correct.

Popular Vote to the Conservatives, But a Liberal Win: Will Albertans come East?

After two ethics breaches, SNC-Lavalin legal pressure scandals, RCMP knocking at the door, shocking past behaviours from a high profile son of a previous PM, patronizing apologies, forced marijuan legalization upon the provinces, financial recklessness from ballooning deficits, bungled pipeline throwing thousands out of work, lost control of our borders, thumbing his nose at Veterans, open admiration of dictatorships and communists, deteriorating relationships with key countries, non-answer after non-answer, a groping allegation, numerous hypocritic examples, Canadians forgave everything and elected the Liberals and Justin Trudeau?...Again?

If labour is mobile, we will see how many Albertans come east.

Liberals to Crack Down On Foreign Interference During an Election - What Foreign Interference?

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/election-2019/kelly-mcparland-now-whos-interfering-in-an-election-and-the-liberals-dont-seem-at-all-concerned

Who Says Buying Bank Stocks Is Boring? See: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

With a 6.4% capital appreciation in a month and a near 6% dividend yield (for a total 12% return) what is not to like ? Hello mutual fund managers, that would be a 9% at best.

Thomas Cook "Co#ks" it Up

"Thomas Cook collapse leaves hundreds of thousands stranded, sparking Britain’s largest repatriation effort since World War II"

http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/hundreds-of-thousands-stranded-as-british-travel-firm-thomas-cook-collapses

Canada's Cannabis Industry: The Industry's Bre-X Moment, Valuations, Biological Assets Accounting and Missed Financial Results

In biting my tongue during the last weeks of Canadian election campaigning (the leaders' gaffes, debates, "accredited" and unaccredited media coverage and exponentially more social media coverage speak for themselves) I have refrained from adding to the internet's traffic and storage space.  My mind has been made up and as of Friday October, 11th I voted with that.

In the meantime, I have been watching the cannabis industry.  As predicted on this blog previously, the bubble has not burst but is deflating.  We have had our Bre-X moment in the cannabis industry of "the gold is there"; however, was fraudulently grown versus fraudulently portrayed.  Valuations have come down from the stratosphere (see: FSD Pharma, HUGE:CSE - yes, you read that ticker symbol correctly).  The financial results have been a shock of reality for investors with the hope of edibles later this year becoming the industry's saviour.

Perhaps the only cure for the industry, like many other ailments, may be itself - CBD and THC.

https://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/cannabis-news/cannabis-legalization/a-year-in-the-weeds-why-the-cannabis-industry-didnt-take-off-the-way-everyone-planned?video_autoplay=true

Have We Reached a Technological Plateau or Limit? Ask a Recent Canadian CPA Candidate

In a world where we blindly expect and demand from every place we visit whether it be work, a coffee shop, a public transit station or a shopping mall, that we have access to Wifi and have the ability to be "on line" at the tip of our fingers or a moment's  notice.

Now an exam that depends on the authenticity and the auditing capabilities to graduate its candidates to do just that in the  business world has failed. How ironic.

http://business.financialpost.com/news/fp-street/major-law-firm-leading-psychometrician-brought-in-to-review-accounting-exam-problems

Commentary: Justin's Record (of Gaffes)

The following appeared by a reader in the comments section of a recent article ("Liberal backbencher accuses his own government of 'pandering' to Sikh separatists").  A very quick summary of gaffe riddled Liberal term.

https://nationalpost.com/news/liberal-backbencher-accuses-his-own-government-of-pandering-to-sikh-separatists#comments-area

How Wrong Was Justin and Virtuous Liberals With Bill C-24 Citizenship Revocation? We Are Finding Out But Is No One Hearing This Due to Electikn Noise (Selfies, Photo Ops and Throwing Funds, Promises Around)?

"...Frankly, this is another blunder by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who rescinded the Conservatives’ Bill C-24, which revoked Canadian citizenship from a dual citizen if the person was convicted of terrorism or treason or fraud..."

"...A Dec. 2018 report by the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness says it is “’conceivable’ all of the 60 known returnees could commit ‘low-sophistication’ terrorism attacks, including knife and vehicle attacks,” CBC reported..."

http://nationalpost.com/diane-francis/diane-francis-jihadi-jack-and-those-like-him-have-no-place-in-canada/wcm/d1a70927-df6e-48ae-9cb4-ff12381f4108

Justin: All Apologies

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/all-apologies-ten-mea-culpas-issued-in-the-trudeau-era-and-one-rejected-apology-request

If Pierre Teudeau Was the Father of Bilingualism, His Son Justin Has Bettered Him With His Tri-Lingual Status: Doublespeak

With the SNC report out by the ethics commissioner and Justin and his merry band clearly in the wrong, Justin has the gall to take responsibility for what happened yet disagree with the findings. And no apology on the horizon from someone that hands them out like candies, sometimes with tears involved.

The arrogance meter is now broken as it had exceeded its limits.

If Canadians vote this PM in again, in either a minority or majority government , we only have ourselves to blame.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-i-accept-and-i-disagree-justin-trudeaus-amazing-doublespeak

Liberals Trying For a Housing Solution Yet Also Adding Fuel to the Fire

http://business.financialpost.com/real-estate/property-post/developers-cant-get-enough-of-canadas-new-loans-to-build-rental-housing

Just When Everyone Thought Beyond Meat Burgers Were the Veggie Saviour, Think Again...

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/beyond-meat-health-vegan-burger-plant-based

Just When Everyone Thought Beyond Meat Burgers Were the Veggie Saviour, Think Again...

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/beyond-meat-health-vegan-burger-plant-based

Climate Changers - a Must Read From the Other Side

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/gwyn-morgan-here-are-a-few-climate-change-head-scratchers-for-canadian-voters-to-ponder

Cannabis: As Mentioned Before, a Rushed Policy Rammed Down the Provinces' Throats - Just Look To CannTrust

A misnomer of a company name if ever there was one

http://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/diane-francis-canntrust-is-the-fruit-of-a-reckless-rushed-liberal-cannabis-policy

Beyond Meat Is Not Beyond Financial Expectations...Terrible Results Out of the Gate

Although a loss of $9.4M in the latest quarter (three months) and a $16M loss for the six months period, a signficant portion was attributed to "Remeasurement fo warrant liability".  I will need to investigate, but from experience, this is a non-cash measure (ie. accounting treatment only, as is "Net Loss").

However, further up the income statement, what stands out are the "Selling, General and Administrative Expenses" of $15M (three months) and $26M (six months)!  I have yet to investigate further the components of this and also need to check that depreciation has been included in "Costs of Goods Sold", another non-cash measure.

In addition, insiders have the GALL to file a secondary offering (that is, management are selling their shares during a time where such insiders are not allowed to sell their shares after going public, otherwise known as a "lock up").

Regardless, at first pass, despite the significant revenues (and fake meat) this company is making, Beyond Meat is not posting "income" as per accounting rules, nor making "cash" after ignoring the non-cash items in the income statement.  Throw in a large short position (ie. investors that believe the shares are going to decrease in value) and you have its significant down day after an incredilbe share price run since its IPO.

Cannabis: Health Canada's Monitoring Who's Naughty (CannTrust or Not?) and Nice....All Publicly Available

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/industry-licensees-applicants/licensed-cultivators-processors-sellers.html#wb-auto-5

Gerald Butts, The Puppeteer, Is Back (Did He Ever Really Leave?)

Butts should have had the same fate as McCallum. But no, shutting down committees left the crooked SNC affair unresolved.

If this trio gets together again and is successful in another election well, then Canadians only have ourselves to blame.

Using the left leaning, pro-Liberal, taxpayer funded CBC as the source...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gerry-butts-justin-trudeau-2019-october-election-1.5218740?fbclid=IwAR0LeXxFg99o8p8Mi4MZUYPu5RdGe-fZ3A1QTEMXS7JA81vqdBOCVwTNdUI

Huawei Affair: Kevin O'Leary Has a Theory, And Appropriate Criticism of How The Liberals Have Handled Meng, China Since

This is a gold web site so a little unusual this O'Leary interview appears. But interesting and fascinating theory he has on the Huawei affair...

Love him or hate him, it's good to see that someone is going around to naively left leaning/Liberal dominated universities to really explain WHAT (NOT WHO) to vote for: competence in foreign policy and affairs, competence and prudence in financial policy, taxation and assisting not destroying our industries, governing with actual leadership and management skills versus selfies and bright socks.

Kitco News: Kevin O'Leary Says Trudeau is Toxic, Period (Part 1).

https://www.kitco.com/news/video/show/Kitco-NEWS/2482/2019-07-18/Kevin-OLeary-Says-Trudeau-is-Toxic-Period?fbclid=IwAR1dypB6boJ-cdUkr74nxAVDuyPN0RJCaXLbM5EdXY6xUSuND1aYJN-5RDg#_48_INSTANCE_puYLh9Vd66QY_=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitco.com%2Fnews%2Fvideo%2Flatest%3Fshow%3DKitco-NEWS

Sustainability is the Mantra for Everything, What About Canada's Debt?

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/william-watson-were-all-about-sustainability-except-when-it-comes-to-government-borrowing

I suppose for the Liberals, debt is a "renewable energy".  For anyone else it must be eliminated.

"...Thanks to Livio Di Matteo’s comprehensive 2017 history of our debt for the Fraser Institute (where, full disclosure, I’m a senior fellow) we know that Canada’s net debt in 1867 was just $75 million. Yes, government debt used to be calculated in millions, not billions of dollars. As of this year’s federal budget, that number, forecast for Fiscal Year 2019-20, was up to $793.7 billion — with a “b.”

...Many members of the current government seem willing to impose big costs on all of us in order to keep the planet healthy for our children and our children’s children, for instance, by giving up such obvious conveniences as plastics or fossil fuels. But, despite their professed preoccupation with our progeny, when it comes to public spending and taxes they are perfectly willing to load up the little tykes with...debt and the future tax obligations..."

Diane Francis: Telling It Like it Is For the (Sacred) Institution of Immigration in Canada

"Canada's immigration ministry should start behaving like an HR department — not an open-invitation dinner party"

https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/canadas-immigration-ministry-should-start-behaving-like-an-hr-department-not-an-open-invitation-dinner-party

In reference to the Justin Liberals' goal of one million (pinkie at side of mouth) immgrants over the next three years, there appears to be as no more thought than just picking a round number.

"...For starters, the setting of a static immigration goal for one or three years is foolish in and of itself. Migration should vary and be based, for the most part, on the need for unskilled or specialty labour as well as economic conditions.

Frankly, this one million — half of whom are family immigrants and not economically free-standing immigrants — is unsustainable. Equivalent to the population of both Ottawa and Edmonton, that’s a lot of health care, educational costs, infrastructure pressure, and housing shortages.

But the Liberals are undaunted. Trudeau’s Immigration Minister rebutted to polling results that immigration is not a “zero sum” situation and that more money (read tax dollars) will be invested in these areas for these newcomers. This is the argument of a trust-fund kid.

The Liberals claim that the huge increase in immigration is required to fill skills shortages. But nearly half of those admitted won’t be working, perhaps ever, and wouldn’t qualify to be admitted as economic immigrants with skills. Besides, this old chestnut of an excuse has been trotted out repeatedly forever and yet shortages persist.

The Liberals also add that more immigration is needed to boost the size of the country’s population overall. But the vast majority of new entrants will end up crowding into a handful of already-crowded cities.

Canada’s immigration department should return to behaving like the Human Resources Department of the country. People should be given entry if they fill a job that a Canadian cannot perform. Instead, the Liberals are like an HR Department that recruits people then hopes they find jobs or match those already posted..."

Justin's Lame Canada Day Speech, but His Score Card Received an A+ For....

As entered into the comments section at the end of the article, thanks to reader/commenter Steve Lupovich

"...Trudeau must be given an A+ in the follwing very important areas
1 parade attendance
2 apologies for wrongs he did not commit.
3 selfie availability..."

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-robson-trudeaus-uninspiring-canada-day-speech-betrays-an-apologetic-patriotism?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2oLTk5wOOLHwLH2GoqxFSafltfVZGWFefRwLQnE-aj8acLcBKCH8z1uBo#comments-area

When Will Canada Wake Up or Stand Up?

Our Navy is buzzed by a Chinse fighter jet and reported as "not a concern" and "played down as a threat"

China stops pork imports due to a cdrtain substance found in a shipment brought in by a "falsified" permit.  Really? 

And the media laps this up and claims "China has played by the rules" so it is up to Canada to prove this negative. 

Is Canada (headed by a Liberal government) that fearful of China as a bully?  Messages, facts, interpretations and reporting are skewed to avoid offending China?

Who is the communist country now?

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/trudeau-arrives-at-g20-summit-amid-growing-tensions-with-china-1.4484852?fbclid=IwAR35HRzL2AbhssmC5V2-MJQRjk3FmI6d90RHHvgtodYhJSpx-22yoRO9PlY

Perspective and Context: Carbon Emissions Reductions

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-why-the-great-fossil-fuel-phase-out-is-scientific-economic-and-political-fantasy-akin-to-time-travel

"...To produce the electric power needed to offset the lost fossil fuel energy, Canada would have to build 2.5 hydro power dams the size of British Columbia’s $13-billion Site C project somewhere in the country “every year for the foreseeable future” leading up to the proposed 2050 carbon reduction targets...

...In 2018, world consumption of fossil fuels rose to 11,865 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe)....University of Colorado scientist Roger Pielke Jr. did some of the rough numbers. “There are 11,161 days until 2050. Getting to net zero by 2050 requires replacing one mtoe of fossil fuel consumption every day starting now.” On a global basis, such a transition would require building the equivalent of one new 1.5-gigawatt nuclear plant every day for the next 30 years.

...According to a U.S. government site, it takes about three million solar panels to produce one gigawatt of energy, which means that by 2050 the world will need 3,000,000 X 11,865 solar panels to offset fossil fuels. The wind alternative would require about 430 new wind turbines each of the 11,865 days leading to 2050..."

Climate Emergency One Day, Pipeline Approval the Next...Another Day in the Liberal Tightrope Circus Act

After MP McKenna announced that $50 Billion (with a B) had already been spent on"investing in clean transition", what will happen with this taxpayer funded/government owned pipeline?  Latest numbers from Trudeau are that it will spin $500 million annually (accounting profit? actual cash flow? neither was mentioned nor clarified), then this would equate to approximately 35 to 40 years breakeven (again, not known if after capital or before capital) on the $4.5 Billion acquisition plus the $9.5 Billion construction cost.  But, wait! Did you think those proceeds were going to back to taxpayers?.....

"..In addition, he said the government intended to use the profits derived from the project to fund renewable energy in Canada. “We’ve decided that every dollar the federal government earns from this project will be invested in the clean energy transition,” Trudeau said..."

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/oilpatch-cheers-re-approval-of-trans-mountain-expansion-but-worries-about-further-delays

Don't Forget Trudeau's Company He Has Kept Come October 2019 Election

CBC News: Criminal charges stayed against controversial figure Jaspal Atwal. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/criminal-charges-stayed-against-controversial-figure-jaspal-atwal-1.5178717

Time Running Out for Legislation Approvals: Could Justin Use This To Continue to Play Both Hero and Finger Pointer?

CTV News: Last-minute push: A guide to the government bills left to pass this Parliament. https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/last-minute-push-the-government-bills-left-to-pass-this-parliament-1.4471667

Cannabis Trend?

From the Financial Post...

https://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/cannabis-business/cannabis-investing/five-ways-to-play-the-emerging-global-cannabis-industry-from-colombia-to-denmark

Quebec's Bill 21: One Journalist's Viewpoint When Considering "Integration" Into Canada (Anglo and Franco) Society, Not Just Banning Religious Symbols

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/barbara-kay-why-quebecs-immigration-and-secularism-bills-get-it-right#comments-area

Drum Roll Please: Trans Mountain Decision Expected Today

For a government that has spent $4.5 billion of taxpayers' money AND is seeking votes on both sides of the issue, let's see how Trudeau, Minister of Natural Resources Sohi spin this one today....

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trans-mountain-decision-to-come-as-pipeline-crunch-worsens-alternative-projects-languish-in-u-s

Pipeline Decision Tomorrow...

Let's see what i) other delay tactics, ii) new language and iii) targets of blame the Liberals will use.

Canada's Genocide: Media Reports Justin has Accepted "Genocide" from Report Release? What Did He Really Say?

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-someone-tell-trudeau-he-cant-be-a-reconciliation-champion-and-the-overseer-of-genocide-at-the-same-time

"...So cleanly carving genocide off as just some other historic wrong the prime minister can formally apologize for without needing to personally own any responsibility isn’t going to work, either..."

Regardless, even though Butts is gone, the Liberal "change the channel" mode is in high gear.  And was shown how hastily the Liberals wanted to change the channel with its banned plastics announcement.  Whereby Justin coukd not answer nor string a proper sentence together when it came to his lay up question about family use of water.

Thanks to the Liberals, Terrorist Group Receives Summer Jobs Grants

https://globalnews.ca/news/5382103/charity-suspended-gets-canada-summer-jobs-grant/

"...During Question Period on June 13, Employment Minister Patricia Hajdu said she had asked her department to review a summer jobs grant awarded to a group sanctioned over terrorist financing concerns.

A Toronto-area organization that was suspended by charities regulators and fined $550,000 over concerns it may have funded armed militants in Pakistan has been awarded a federal summer jobs grant..."

Hollywood Made a Movie about Bre-X (Fraud, Raising Funds, Deliberate Misrepresentation, Profit), Why Not About Alberta's Oil Sands and the Eco-Socialist Crusaders (Fraud, Raising Funds, Deliberate Misrepresentation, Profit)

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/the-plot-to-murder-canadas-resource-sector-is-one-script-hollywood-wont-touch

"...In her submissions, Krause evidenced the efforts of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and many other deep-pocketed U.S. donors, to shut down Canadian pipeline projects. She provided the Senate with a link to the pages of U.S. tax returns evidencing more than 400 payments to more than 100 groups involved in The Tar Sands Campaign in Canada, the U.S. and in Europe. Krause even evidenced the link between some of these donors and efforts to influence the recent Alberta election in favour of Rachel Notley.

While funds keep flowing in to block Canada’s resource sector, foreign investment in our natural resource industries is at an all-time low. That has been a direct contributor to Canada’s economy limping along at paltry 0.1-per-cent growth in GDP.

Collusion between foreign interests and local eco-radicals is shackling Canada’s economic potential for years, and perhaps decades, to come, and Canadians have a right to know about this plot. Businesses, once killed, are not easily resurrected. Investors scared off by a hostile investment and legal climate may never return. That impacts real jobs and real people. The facts are known. The question is, what will our government do about it?.."

When Trudeau Catches Foot In Mouth Disease: Banning Plastics

All that needed to be said was something much simpler for such a simple task, yet Trudeau's entourage missed informing him on what Canadians actually do to combat this plastics problem when it comes to drinking water.  When asked the easy layup question, our environmentalist Prime  Minister who lives his life by facts and science responds with:

“...We uh, we have uh recently switched to drinking water bottles out of uh, water out of uh, when we have water bottles out of uh plastic, sorry, away from plastic towards paper umm, like drink box water bottles sort of things...”  What?!?!

After four years in his new gig this will be an interesting election campaign.
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-captain-stumble-cant-explain-how-he-reduces-plastic-use

Justin Breaks Away From His Father's Mould: Adds Military Trivialization to His "Legacy"

Where Pierre Elliott Trudeau i) pissd off the USA (Nixon), ii) alienated the West (PETRO Canada) and iii) mocked the Queen (pirouette behind her back), Justin has i) pissed off the USA, Saudi Arabia, China, India (as well as annoyed Japan referring to it as "China" and welcoming Belgium with a German flag), ii) not only alienated Alberta but destroyed Alberta's economy in allowing the Trans Mountain debaucle.  While this instagram obsessed Prime Minister was deliberately on his best behaviour when visiting the Queen, perhaps this is Justin's replacement for the third major category: allowing Canada's military, its history and respect slipping into the abyss.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-retired-soldier-who-helped-bring-back-kandahar-memorial-is-furious-too-about-its-fate#comments-area

Fallout From Mark Norman Case: Even the CBC is Writing About the Blame Game the Liberals Are Playing

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mark-norman-supply-ship-trudeau-1.5141446?fbclid=IwAR10zOJmkU85AJd-AT2_78WkMXNNV7TGjPpLFKqhHLxNTZgIDnjsP8yyfKg

Cannabis: Although the Trend Is Growing Towards Legalization of Cannabis, Did Canada Have to be Second and Rammed Down Canadians' Throats?

https://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/nations-going-to-pot-where-cannabis-is-legal-around-the-world-and-where-it-isnt

Money Laundering and The Impacts on Canada's Housing Prices: What Most Canadians Have Been BLIND To

Originally published in the Financial Post....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-dSpzXNpkU

More Liberal Scandal and Cover Up: Liberals Reject Norman Appearing in Front of Inquiry

http://nationalpost.com/news/liberals-block-parliamentary-inquiry-into-mark-norman-case-reject-invitation-to-have-him-testify

Credit Card Rewards Helping You To Travel

https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/free-money-extra-points-and-travel-perks-get-the-most-out-of-your-credit-cards-with-these-tips?video_autoplay=true

Yes Virginia, There Is An Independent Senate: Senators Rejecting (Not Yet Rejected) Oil Tanker Ban

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/senators-defeat-ottawas-oil-tanker-ban-bill-in-rare-move-putting-legislation-on-life-support

Bill C-69 Absurdity

https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/this-goofy-clause-in-bill-c-69-will-ensure-resource-development-in-canada-stops-cold

The Impact of the Cannabis Industry on Canada's Capital Markets and Bread and Butter Industries (Eg. Mining)

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/mining/cash-crunch-canadas-shrinking-junior-mining-sector-struggles-for-relevance-and-deals

Bill C-69, C-48: Let the Idiocy and Liberals' Heads in the Sand Continue

https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/this-goofy-clause-in-bill-c-69-will-ensure-resource-development-in-canada-stops-cold

Justin and the GTA: Just in Time for Election in Five Months, $45 Million for the city of Toronto

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2019/05/additional-support-provided-to-ease-toronto-shelter-pressures.html

More Liberal Cover Up: Mark Norman Case to be Withdrawn, More Liberal Dirty Laundry Saved, the Irving Family Dodges a Bullet and ex-MP Scott Brison Avoids The Witness Stand

http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/charge-being-dropped-against-mark-norman-would-be-major-victory-for-senior-naval-officer

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/christie-blatchford-crown-expected-to-withdraw-breach-of-trust-charge-against-mark-norman

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/how-the-crowns-case-against-vice-admiral-mark-norman-unravelled?video_autoplay=true

Canada's Canola: Another Issue That Allows The Liberals to be Seen as Working Hard...but Likely No Progress Until After Election

Another silent victory for China on its relations with Canada?

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/agriculture/canadian-canola-farmers-left-with-record-unsold-surplus-amid-slumping-exports-falling-prices

Auditor Genral Gives Failing Grade to Canada's Government for Handling and Processing of Illegal Border Crossers

nationalpost.com/news/politics/canadas-rigid-asylum-system-unable-to-respond-to-spikes-in-refugee-claims-auditor-general-finds

"Canada Likely to Proceed With Trans Mountain Expansion": Bloomberg

I'll believe it when I see it.  Undetermined as to how much more consultation needs to be done. 

Predicted outcome: a stall until after the election in October 2019. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-07/canada-said-likely-to-proceed-with-trans-mountain-expansion?srnd=premium-canada

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-22/trans-mountain-regulatory-win-shifts-focus-to-trudeau-s-cabinet?srnd=premium-canada

Latest Polling Data Does Not Look Good for Liberals

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-canadians-have-fallen-desperately-out-of-love-with-justin-trudeau

Was it Caandians or Foreigners That Protested Alberta's Oil Sands?

http://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/when-foreigners-began-attacking-canadas-oil-industry-ottawa-turned-a-blind-eye-now-its-getting-worse

Surprise, Surprise: Elections Canada Claims No Wrongdoing in SNC Donations

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/elections-commissioner-says-no-political-input-into-snc-lavalin-deal

Was Canada's Cannabis Legalization Ill Conceived and Hasty? Just Ask Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli Whose Provincial Stores Cannot Be Filled

"...Ontario could allow several hundred cannabis stores to open but is being stymied by the federal government’s “bungling” of supply, according to the provincial finance minister.

More than six months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government legalized recreational pot in Canada, supply still “doesn’t line up,” Ontario’s Victor Fedeli said. That’s why Ontario has set a limit of 25 bricks and mortar stores, and outlets across the country are struggling to fill their shelves, he said.

“It’s all dependent on the federal government unleashing supply,” Fedeli said in an interview Tuesday at Bloomberg’s headquarters in New York. “Health Canada appears to be the area that is ill-prepared to license the producers...”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-30/federal-bungling-on-pot-is-stifling-ontario-shops-fedeli-says?srnd=premium-canada

BC: Carbon Taxes and...Casinos

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-29/vancouver-s-once-rollicking-casinos-hit-by-dirty-money-crackdown

When Reaping Millions in (Cannabis) Fees Revenue Isn't Enough, Build Your Own (Cannabis) Company to Reap More Fees

The world of Canaccord, cannabis and now SPACS...

http://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/cannabis-business/cannabis-investing/neo-emerging-as-cse-rival-as-u-s-pot-company-goes-public-with-canaccords-help

Trans Mountain Expansion: Surely the Sane Canadian Voting Public and the Blind Faith Liberal Voters Must Begin To See the Absurdity

"...The federal government can’t guarantee it will have a decision on the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion prior to the next election, Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said.

The deadline was pushed back to June 18 from May 22 on the recommendation of Indigenous communities and former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci, who is advising the government on the consultation process..."

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/federal-decision-on-trans-mountain-pipeline-before-election-not-guaranteed-sohi

Liberal Party: Diane Francis Says It All

'...Canada, in other words, is run by an elite who crush and spit out whoever breaks ranks or their code of omerta, or silence.

This is nothing new, nor is the building backlash. Every so often the Liberals are defeated in elections, but they leave behind unscathed unelected Liberals in crony appointments. These people move in and out as advisers, consultants, deputy ministers, Senators, Crown corporations, directors, bank bigshots, or CEOs of government agencies as well as regulated corporations, dependent on Ottawa...."

https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/the-crushing-of-wilson-raybould-and-philpott-is-proof-canada-is-run-by-a-liberal-cabal

Liberals Now Waking Up To Border Control?

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-in-two-years-liberals-go-from-welcometocanada-to-deportations-without-hearings?video_autoplay=true#comments-area

Over 300 Dead Due to Terrorist Attacks On Christians in Sri Lanka: How Much More Bland Could Our Prime Minister's Comments Be?

After the "Sikh Terrorism" debaucle, Justin and the Liberals have learned  to avoid mention of accusers and linking (obvious) terrorism to geographic/ethnic groups (ahem, voters). 

Bloomberg Report: College Kids Are Living Like Kings in Vancouver’s Empty Mansions

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-04-16/college-kids-are-living-like-kings-in-vancouver-s-empty-mansions?srnd=premium-canada

Prime Minister Is So Adamant About Chinese Relationships, Yet We Have All Seem the Warming Signals...Even an Aussie Will Warn Us

http://nationalpost.com/news/world/academic-who-blew-the-whistle-on-chinas-influence-on-australia-says-canada-is-in-even-worse-trouble

Your Local Cannabis Tax Dollars in Saskatchewan: When They Say "Go Green!" They Now Mean Something Else

https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-news/joint-rolling-workshops-in-saskatoon-yet-another-reason-to-support-your-local-library

Liberals Bowing, Folding, Caving to an Ethnic Group

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2019/04/statement-from-minister-goodale-on-the-public-report-on-the-terrorist-threat-in-canada.html

Your tax dollars and incompetent politicians at work...

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2019/04/statement-from-minister-goodale-on-the-public-report-on-the-terrorist-threat-in-canada.html

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/pblc-rprt-trrrsm-thrt-cnd-2018/index-en.aspx#s113

Looks like a "diversity" of terrorism...

Now the Liberals Are Acting on the Illegal/Irregular Border Crossers...?

...however, how coincident is it that with six months to the election, these will never ever pass.  In other words...that is just what it is...WORDS, no action.  Everyone can see the Liberal playbook now, it is time they changed it.

Where is MP and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship ("citizenship" being last in his title) Ahmed Hussen?

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-in-two-years-liberals-go-from-welcometocanada-to-deportations-without-hearings?video_autoplay=true#comments-area

Another Canadian Business Disappears: There it Was...Gone

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/mining/newmont-shareholders-ok-10-bln-goldcorp-takeover-creating-biggest-gold-producer

Although many would love to blame the "Big Bad Americans" for acquring such a leading company in an important industry, Goldcorp was the victim of its own demise.  Over the last 10+ years the company entered an aggressive acquisition history that needed to be done (as the gold industry works); however, the amount of assets and the capital required to finance and build them eventually caught up with Goldcorp.  Most of the downturn since Chuck Jeannes held a solid ship was unfortunately under the watch of David Garofalo (ex-Agnico Eagle, ex-Hudbay); however, with lessons learned no doubt Mr. Garofalo will appear out of retirement and will attract equity capital to run a much smaller, nimbler company on its way to a new growth trajectory (ie. pick the jockey, back the horse).

Not Just Another ETF, RRSP, TFSA Lecture: Some Scenarios to Think About...And This Guy Is Actually Doing It

You will not find personal finance laid out in plain language as this.  No fancy jargon either...

https://www.myownadvisor.ca/dividends/

(This is not an endorsement nor any fees being recieved for this)

also...

https://www.myownadvisor.ca/etfs/
https://www.myownadvisor.ca/march-2019-dividend-income-update/

And the Trudeau Absurdity Continues: Suing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-on-snc-lavalin-the-liberal-response-somehow-gets-even-dumber

According to precedents, this will likely be dropped.  However, it is amazing to watch how much sabotage Justin Trudeau is capable of.

"Tuesday Night Massacre": Will This Be A Moment Remembered in Canadian Politics, Not For Its Idiocy, But The Downfall Yet To Occur?

After the unsuprising ousting of both Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpot, the Trudeau brand again becomes tarnished.  In a self claiming "Feminist" status, Trudeau and the Liberal Party do not realize the mistake they have made - two responsible women (yes at a time of  #MeToo and gender equality, a platform that dictated the near 50/50 split of males and females for Ministers) have stood independently up to the rest of their party for very valid principles and values that all Canadians should be concerned about, yet Trudeau pulls a Trump and gives them a "You're fired!". 

Playing Hardball with China? Not To Worry, Stepping Up To The Plate Is....Justin

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-28/china-s-canola-ban-adds-to-trudeau-s-woes-in-bitter-huawei-feud?srnd=premium-canada

"...China is ramping up pressure on Justin Trudeau in a feud that already had the Canadian prime minister facing few good options.

The Asian nation halted certain canola shipments from Canada this month in the aftermath of last year’s arrest of a top Huawei Technologies Co. executive in Vancouver on an American extradition request. Officials in Beijing are now, in the same breath, defending the canola move and invoking Canadian “previous mistakes,” in an apparent nod to the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the tech giant’s chief financial officer and daughter of its founder.

Trudeau doesn’t have a clear solution. His government can’t legally intervene in Meng’s case at this point, even after President Donald Trump hinted she could be a bargaining chip in U.S.-China trade talks. The prime minister was already grappling with China’s continued detention of two Canadians on national security grounds and a looming decision on banning Huawei from his country’s next-generation wireless networks. Now he’s getting an earful from farmers whose crops are being turned away..."

And Yet Another Trudeau Gaffe...And, Of Course, Apology: When Is Justin Going To Learn...And Grow Up?

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-pm-scores-a-direct-hit-on-the-core-of-brand-trudeau?video_autoplay=true

I do not understand how a room full of supposedly up and coming, intelligent, well(er) off than Trudeau's version of the middle class paying a $750 annual/entrance fee will continue to cast votes for this Liberal regime.

Liberals and SNC Lavalin: Two Committees, Two Shutdowns, What Will the Liberals Do Next - Ride This Out Until the Proposed New September 30 Statutory Holiday Just Before the Election?

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/pm-stays-mum-on-clash-with-wilson-raybould-over-high-court-pick-leak-of-info

What!? Are Not All Canadian Houses and Real Estate Purchased (By Foreign Buyers) With Well-Earned, After-Tax, Clean Money?

Sarcasm aside, it is about time Canadians wake up to what is happening under their noses. and realize that despite all the complaining from potential buyers, government measures, increased taxes on foreign buyers, mortgage changes and FINTRAC regulations to ease real estate and housing price inflation - IT IS OUR OWN PROBLEM that Canadians have IMPORTED due to a lack of restrictions between domestic and foreign buyers as well as a lack of checks and balances on where those funds are sourced (not just geographically, but legally versus illegally). 

https://business.financialpost.com/real-estate/toronto-housing-has-become-magnet-for-money-launderers-with-28-billion-in-real-estate-bought-by-anonymous-owners-study

"...Toronto’s housing market has become a target for money laundering or “snow washing,” thanks to anonymous property ownership, weak regulation and lax enforcement, according to a new study.

Since 2008, $28.4 billion worth of housing was acquired in the Toronto region largely through private entities where owners can remain anonymous, according to a report released Thursday by Transparency International Canada, Canadians for Tax Fairness and Publish What You Pay Canada.

In that period, $9.8 billion of housing was bought by companies through cash purchases, largely bypassing anti-money laundering checks on fund sources and beneficial owners, according to the study, which analyzed more than 1.4 million residential sales dating back to 2008..."

It is Official: Elected Liberal MPs and Now Appointed Liberal Senate Members Are Sabotaging Western Canada and Our Prosperity, Growth Opportunities

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/braid-leaders-erupt-as-senate-cuts-alberta-out-of-tanker-ban-hearings/wcm/41afeb6b-10ce-4e23-8841-23145975ec77

Inverted Yield Curve? Not Good, Hello Recession....

Be defensive out there (thanks to Larry Berman on BNN)...

The question is when - 18 months?

With a Chronic "Skills Shortage" in Canada, Unemployment Rate 50% Higher Than in the USA, and Three Major Cities Bursting at the Seams, Should The Institution of Immigration in Canada Be Reviewed and Seriously Reconsidered?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-25/canada-s-inverted-yield-curve-signals-holding-pattern-for-poloz?srnd=premium-canada

Interest Rates in Canada: Inverted Interest Rate Curve (Meaning - No Interest Rate Increases for the Near Term)

Despite what the Liberals are and will be spewing over the next six months leading up to the election, the economic landscape is nowhere near what they will be highlighting.

AS PROVEN by the bond market and world markets. 

"...The yield on Canada’s 10-year bond dipped to 1.6 percent Friday, or six basis points lower than the rate on the three-month Treasury bill. That hasn’t happened since 2007, at the start of the financial crisis sparked by a housing crash in the U.S.

Investors demand higher yield to hold 3-month bill than 10-year bonds
The so-called inverted yield curves in both the U.S. and Canada reflect concerns that a global economic slowdown will keep the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada from raising rates - and may even prompt a rate cut if it worsens.

“A rate cut would require signs that the economy is declining,” said Craig Alexander, chief economist at Deloitte Canada, in a television interview with BNN Bloomberg Friday. Still “the inverted yield curve is troubling. Inverted curves have often been accompanied by recession...”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-25/canada-s-inverted-yield-curve-signals-holding-pattern-for-poloz?srnd=premium-canada

Has the Channel Changed? No More Headlines Regarding SNC Lavalin? Have the Liberals Succeeded in Being Held Accountable?

As of March 26th, 2019...no.  The latest after another committee shutdown on behalf of your friendly, "transparent" Liberals.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/pm-stays-mum-on-clash-with-wilson-raybould-over-high-court-pick-leak-of-info

Some RRSP Thinking for the Future: Another Vehicle Available? Regardless, Will Likely Be a "Political" Issue For This or Future Elections

"Retirement planning needs to be a political issue in this country. Demographics will make it so. I will be surprised and disappointed if the upcoming Liberal budget and next year’s federal election campaign do not include retirement planning policies as key personal finance issues."

https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/why-retirement-planning-needs-to-be-a-major-political-issue-in-2019-and-beyond

https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/meet-the-budgets-new-rrsp-decumulation-option-that-every-retiree-should-know-about

Newmont's Latest Move For Goldcorp Will Be Something For the M&A Rule Book of the Future: US$0.88 Special Dividend to EXISTING Shareholders

Likely bowing to public pressure of the side Barrick-Newmont deal, Newmont has found a way to appease current shareholders and the synergies that were supposed to be shared from Nevada JV....pay them out now to current shareholders.

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/mining/newmont-mining-to-pay-special-dividend-if-goldcorp-takeover-approved

Canadian Debt? What Canadian Debt? Fitch Ratings Think Otherwise

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/close-to-a-level-that-is-incompatible-with-aaa-status-fitch-warns-about-canadas-credit-rating-161850591.html

Surprise, Surprise! A Federal Budget For Everyone! Spend, Spend, Spend! More Debt, More Debt, More Debt!

More taxes to come down the road to pay for all of this.  It makes striving to be a teacher or a governemnt worker looking like the only way to "get ahead" in Trudeau terminology with a decent pension at the end of the day rathter being in the private sector and being taxed to pay for Canada's largest employer - Canadian Government.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/trudeau-spends-budget-windfall-on-laundry-list-for-voters?srnd=premium-canada

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/liberals-leave-themselves-little-wiggle-room-in-the-event-of-a-recession?video_autoplay=true

https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/this-years-federal-budget-is-built-for-voters-not-business?video_autoplay=true

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/another-sprawling-unfocused-budget-and-so-little-to-show-for-all-the-red-ink?video_autoplay=true

https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/autos/federal-budget-2019-electric-car-buyers-get-boost-with-5000-incentive-for-consumers-and-tax-write-offs-for-business

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-a-federal-budget-2019-from-a-government-that-has-abandoned-its-poetic-phase?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-this-budget-is-a-testament-to-the-pleasures-of-endless-growth-federal-budget-2019?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/federal-budget-2019-everything-you-need-to-know?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/jobs-for-dogs-safe-space-regulatory-sandboxes-and-other-curiosities-from-the-2019-federal-budget?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/liberals-promise-billions-for-dairy-chicken-farmers-affected-by-trade-deals?video_autoplay=true

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/federal-budget-2019-offers-first-time-home-buyers-a-break-with-1-25-billion-in-mortgage-relief?video_autoplay=true

Budget Day for Canada: Let's See What Tricks The Liberals Have Up Their Sleeve to Deflect Attention from SNC, Shipbuilding scandals

With no timeline to pay back Canada's billions of debt, no doubt the Liberals will take today's occasion to promise everything to all Canadians and run up more deficits.  The question is only how much and how patronizing will this budget be.

More On Canada's Stifling Income Tax Rates

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/canadas-income-tax-rates-have-become-uncompetitive-and-the-economy-will-pay-the-price

Canada's Tax Rates: Are They Helping?

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/canadas-rising-personal-tax-rates-and-falling-tax-competitiveness-2019

Barrick and Newmont Agree to Nevada JV! Hell Has Frozen Over and The Leafs Are Going to Win the Stanley Cup!

After decades of vying for top gold producer status, and conducting M&A almost out of spite, the two rivals have finally decided to tie up what should have been done decades ago.  A bonus for Goldcorp shareholders currently under a bid by Newmont due to synergies going forward.

(The more I watch these stories play out, the more I wonder how much of the script was pre-written)

https://www.barrick.com/English/news/news-details/2019/Barrick-and-Newmont-Forge-Nevada-Joint-Venture-Agreement/default.aspx

Newmont-Goldcorp: Despite Eyeing Eachother Up For Years, Courtship (Due Diligence), Engagement (Approving Deal) and Marriage (Shareholder Vote) All Happened Rapidly

All the deal history can be read in the Management Information Circular released March 7th, 2019.  However, page 62 outlines the rapidity of due diligence, magnified by the time it happened around Christmas/New Year's. 

What was the rush? Newmont CEO Goldberg's upcoming retirement?  Knowledge of an imminent Barrick bid? Something yet to be released by Goldcorp?

We are likely to find out after April 4th - shareholder vote day (writedowns have already been made by Goldcorp).

SNC Lavalin Affair: No Apologies, No Trudeau Tears

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-trudeaus-contrition-statement-a-bit-light-on-actual-contrition

Creating Canadians: Liberals' Response to Syrian Refugees Playing With Opportunity Costs In Order to Create and Buy Votes

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-has-spent-32-million-on-flights-for-syrian-refugees/article28922757/

An older article but in light of the recent bewildering events of this "Sunny Ways" federal government, the opportunity costs it is incurring are staggering - all with the aim of buying more votes.  In other words the government is essentially "creating Canadians" out of these refugees to vote Liberal as their thanks. If the refugee claim system operated genuinely and for compassionate purposes, then compassion does not work that way.

Later it was released that the level of refugees flown to Canada ( versus walking across the border or making their way to Canada in the aim of a refugee claim) was 50,000.  According to this article on average C$1,500 was the cost despite lower commercial flight costs and a "markup" on behalf of our friendly "International Organization for Migration" (who?) Of 7.0%, this equates to $75 million.

NEB Approves Trans Mountain Pipeline: Let's See What Teeth The Liberals, Courts and NEB Have With This Now in Hand

http://nationalpost.com/commodities/energy/national-energy-board-recommends-approval-of-trans-mountain-pipeline-subject-to-16-new-conditions/wcm/e07a690b-2d74-430a-b378-d5d6cb704f53

Why is the Loonie Still Above $0.75 CAD/USD? A Government in Crisis, Denial Mode, Nonsensical Carbon Taxes On The Horizon and Resources Sector In A Shambles By The Liberals Own Doing

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/crisis-of-our-own-making-regulatory-logjam-has-cost-100b-in-cancelled-resource-projects

Not only along with the Federal Liberals but also at the provincial level in BC and Alberta, Canada and its provinces are shooting itself in the foot....chronically.

Combined with a wishy washy outlook form our dear Bank of Canada Governor Poloz (citing a precarious real estate market, uncertain outlook due to trade agreements/tariffs and the unmentionable effect of carbon taxes - he's an economist, he should know better!), who seems to avoid panicking apathetic, heads in the sand Canadians.

What do the world markets (not) see?  Why does the Loonie maintain its $0.75 CAD/USD trading range?

Why is the Loonie Still Above $0.75 CAD/USD? A Government in Crisis, Denial Mode, Nonsensical Carbon Taxes On The Horizon and Resources Sector In A Shambles By The Liberals Own Doing

http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/crisis-of-our-own-making-regulatory-logjam-has-cost-100b-in-cancelled-resource-projects

Not only along with the Federal Liberals but also at the provincial level in BC and Alberta, Canada and its provinces are shooting itself in the foot....chronically.

Combined with a wishy washy outlook form our dear Bank of Canada Governor Poloz (citing a precarious real estate market, uncertain outlook due to trade agreements/tariffs and the unmentionable effect of carbon taxes - he's an economist, he should know better!), who seems to avoid panicking apathetic, heads in the sand Canadians.

What do the world markets (not) see?  Why does the Loonie maintain its $0.75 CAD/USD trading range?

Is "Sunny Ways" Governing Over For Justin?

After the resignation yesterday of Gerald Butts, Trudeau's trusted and sacrificial right hand man,  there is no shortage of negative federal Liberal news. 

As I scroll down the National Post phone app this morning, there are no less than six headlines about he SNC Lavalin affair and how the Liberals have botched the responses, messaging and strategy behind what actually was said between Wilson-Raybould and members of the governing Liberals.

The article that broke this consecutive string was another Liberal related articel titled, "This Photograph (and others) of Harjit Sajjan cost Canadians $161,000".   

How many more gaffes can this government perform before even the most apathetic Canadian voter casts his/her vote elsewhere come October, 2019?

Sunny Ways? Did it ever start?

Finally The Media Has Recognized the "Problem" of Canada's Housing Affordability - And It Is NOT a Supply Issue

https://business.financialpost.com/diane-francis/money-laundering-by-foreigners-is-whats-really-destroying-housing-affordability-in-canada?video_autoplay=true#comments-area

Diane Francis, once again, approaches a topic that sometimes ruffles feathers due to the mere mentions of  "Foreigner" activities and domestic activities. 

Her suggestions are spot on, but of course not exhaustive:

"The disclosure of beneficial owners is a key solution. Otherwise, for example, real estate can be bought by a proxy person or company. Typically, funds come from a trust, managed by a shell company owned by another trust with an account in Luxembourg or Vanuatu, managed by a Swiss or Singaporean banker who doesn’t know the owner. Such arrangements must be illegal. The U.S. Treasury Department now requires beneficial ownership disclosure.

This is what Canada must do to drive out dirty money and get prices in line:

— Create a public registry of beneficial owners, and penalties for non-disclosure;
— Lawyers, real estate agents and notaries must report suspicious owners and transactions, as is now required of banks;
—  Speculation must be stopped by taxing residences that are unoccupied, which will also free up supply; and
— Where real estate prices have soared above affordable levels for locals, bans on foreign ownership should be imposed as has been done in New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Denmark, Poland and Malta, among others."