Hypocrisy aplenty: CEO salaries rise with federal tax breaks while workers and small business told to make due.

As published in The Brantford Expositor January 7th, 2011.

Lately and prominently, from right-of-centre authors in these pages and others we have seen editorials with titles like "Envy Blinds the Left Wing Regarding The Realities of CEO Salaries."

At the same time in London, Ont., controversy brews because workers there won't take a 50% wage cut from a profitable company, with high paid CEOs that received millions in federal tax breaks.

In this scenario corporate interests says CEOs should get paid more than they do now, but that other hard working Canadians should be paid less.

How does anyone make sense of this hypocrisy?

The average working Canadian makes between $33,000 and 42,000 a year. Many make far less than that and the cost of living continues to rise - especially energy costs -so that working Canadians are finding it tougher to get by and get ahead.

At the same time, companies like Electro-Motive in London, have been given millions in tax cuts without any strings attached. The companies have benefited while the workers have not. Where has that money gone?

Many of these companies, like Electro- Motive, have increased the salaries of their CEOs, sat on the cash or worse yet have used it to fund moving their operations out of Canada.

We saw a similar and unfortunate result here in Brantford with the workers at ECP. We've seen similar issues across the country as the gap between the rich and other working people gets wider.

This isn't a left versus right issue as Greg Van Moorsel declared. Nor is it a business versus union argument.

I am not in a union and, in fact, I own a small business. I'm dealing with accounts receivable and payable everyday.

And every day small business owners like me have been seeing these breaks to CEO's and these large companies while smaller businesses are looking to grow, looking to hire and can't.

I'm just a small business owner, one who wants to hire Canadians and grow the economy.

The breaks for me and small business owners like me are few while companies like Electro-Motive and their CEOs receive millions in tax breaks.

Top 20 Federal Brant NDP stories of 2011

An article in the Brant News recently named myself, along with Mayor Chris Friel and MPP and Speaker of the House Dave Levac as the Top Newsmakers of 2011.  The criteria were “the quality of the candidates and quantity of headlines they made” as well as the need for those headlines to “carry some importance.”

The Brant News article looked at the federal election campaign, community volunteer work and the creation of The Brant Advocate (a new community publication/small business venture) as the basis for their nomination.

For the purposes of this blog I’d like to just focus on the political work of the Federal Brant NDP.  It was a whirlwind year of activity, organizing and yes even tragedy.  Looking back on it though we see so many reasons to continue the work we do.  If you would like to help us continue onwards in our organizing efforts in 2012 and help us gear up for a win in 2015 please consider making a donation before midnight tonight to get up to 75% back on you 2011 taxes.

Normally we do a top 10 list at the end of the year but with so much happening in 2011 we had to create an expanded top 20 list.  Just click each story for more details.

Top 20 Federal Brant NDP stories of 2011 in chronological order:

1. MP Charlie Angus’ visits riding
2. Brant NDP Shines a Light to Fight HST
3. Brant NDP key to overturning CRTC ruling on Usage Based Billing
4. Brant NDP starts annual Brantford Youth Leadership Conference
5. Brant NDP proposes proactive fund to settle land claims
6. Laferriere only Candidate to unviel Job Creation Strategy
7. Laferriere nominated for JS Woodsworth Award
8. The 2011 Campaign Begins
9. Layton makes first policy announcement of the 2011 campaign in Brantford
10. Street Nurse Cathy Crowe comes to Brantford to campaign on issues of poverty and homelessness
11. Laferriere named one of the “most engaged” social media candidates in Canada by Global News.
12. Laferriere stands up for Seniors, holds McColeman to account on stimulus spending.
13. Obama’s Campaign Organizer endorses Laferriere and Brant NDP for new kind of politics.
14. Derek Blackburn returns for full day of campaigning
15. Andrea Horwath joins Brant NDP canvass team
16. Election results see largest growth of any local party.  Best result in 2 decades with strong 2nd place finish.  Laferriere vows to keep working.
17. NDP choice of local students.
18. Brant NDP mourns passing of Jack Layton with the community
19. Brant NDP Leadership Candidates Romeo Saganash and Paul Dewar Visit Brant and declare it one of the “next 60 seats” needed to form government in 2015.
20. Elections Canada reports Brant NDP does more with less and spent wisely on 2011 campaign. 

The last story on that list just came out so I’d like to go into a bit of detail there.  Elections Canada just released a report showing the Brant NDP spent a fraction of what the Conservatives and Liberals spent yet grew more than any other local party. 

Further we spent your money most wisely and had the most economically sound local campaign in last federal election.  We did not go into any debt and we spent $1.72 per vote, while the Conservatives spent $3.17, and Liberals a whopping $8.06. 

We also listened to voters and spent $0 dollars on those annoying phone polls. In fact the Conservatives and Liberals in Brant spent more on those surveys than we spent on the entire campaign. 

Looking at the statistics and the poll-by-poll breakdowns we see plenty of opportunity to win in 2015 but the work has to start today.  With more organization and support we will make a breakthrough in 2015.

If you can help in any way we would appreciate it.  You can donate to the local riding association conveniently and securely until midnight tonight and receive up to 75% back in just a few short weeks when you file your 2011 taxes.

Every dollar you donate to the Brant Electoral District Association goes directly to a local campaign and local work. Your donation will help us support riding events such as public talks, youth leadership events and barbecues, as well as plan and save for the next election. Donating is also easier on your pocketbook than you may think. For example, a donation of $100 actually costs you only $25:

Thank you so much for an incredible 2011 and for your continued support in 2012 and beyond as we work together for a more prosperous, fairer and more progressive riding.  A loving, hopeful and optimistic New Year to all.

NDP Leadership Candidate Paul Dewar to Campaign in Brantford

BRANTFORD, ON – NDP leadership candidate Paul Dewar will campaign in Brantford on Wednesday, December 14th.  

Mr. Dewar is a former aid worker in Nicaragua, public school teacher, and teachers’ federation vice president.  In 2006 he was elected Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Centre, and in 2007 he was appointed Foreign Affairs critic under Jack Layton.

"I believe together we can build a stronger, more caring Canada," said Dewar. "I’m traveling the country to talk to families about the issues they care about and earn their support to form Canada’s next government.  Brant is a great example of a community where we can work together, engage residents and elect New Democrats so we can build a more progressive country.”

This will not be Dewar’s first time hearing from the people of Brant.  During the Harper Government’s unpopular prorogation of Parliament Dewar held meetings with Brant NDP Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere and Brant NDP Secretary Neil Macdonald regarding the recognition of foreign credentials, support for military families, and ways to engage youth.

“Paul’s and his team have always been a big help to us in the riding and we are happy to have Paul include Brantford in his leadership campaign tour,” said Brant NDP Secretary Neil Macdonald.  “Paul was actually my MP when I lived in Ottawa.  I know from first hand experience how smart, friendly and hard-working he is.  We hope as many people as possible join us Wednesday to talk about the country and the specific issues in our riding.” 

"I've heard a lot about Brant and I’m excited to hear more during the visit,” said Dewar.

Brant NDP Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere recently spoke with Mr. Dewar when they both presented at this year's Ontario New Democratic Youth Convention in Sudbury Ontario.  

"I asked Paul at that event if he would like to make a trip to Brant and he readily agreed," said Laferriere.  "It is great to see an interest in our riding during this leadership race.  It is a good sign for us as we look towards the 2015 federal election.  We want the people of Brant, no matter who they support for leader, to get involved and engaged.  A one member, one vote race for leader is very exciting because it allows people to really participate.  This is especially true when we have leadership candidates visit our ever-growing riding."

During his time in Brantford, Mr. Dewar will meet with community leaders and NDP party members and participate in a campaign meet and greet at The Piston Broke Pub in Harmony Square.

What: NDP leadership candidate Paul Dewar to campaign in Brantford

Where: The Piston Broke Pub, 93 Dalhousie St, Brantford, 7pm - 9pm.

Additional information is available at www.pauldewar.ca

Visit the event page on facebook by clicking here

Thank you to Dave Sargent

Earlier this year, when Jack Layton passed away the community came together for a non-partisan vigil at the Brant NDP office on Murray St.  So many great people, from all walks of life and from all sides of the political spectrum from our community showed up that week to pay their respects.

That is where I first met Dave Sargent.  On that night Dave spoke to many of us and said that he’d like to run in this year’s Terry Fox Run in honour of Jack Layton.  Dave, a multi-year Terry Fox runner, has always dedicated his run to someone he was close.  That night, he told us at Brant NDP headquarters, it “just felt like the right thing to do.”

At last week’s event with MP Romeo Saganash Dave presented us with the t-shirt he wore on this year’s run.  It said simply “I dedicate this run to the Late Rht. Honourable Jack Layton 1950-2011.”  A very kind gesture.

Dave’s raised thousands of dollars for cancer research and opened the evening by telling his own story about being a 2-time cancer survivor and what his yearly participation with the Terry Fox Foundation means to him.

On behalf of everyone there that evening I’d just like to thank Dave Sargent for sharing his story, sharing his time and sharing with our community his efforts to make the world a little bit better for those battling cancer everyday.

To donate to Dave in the future go to:  http://bit.ly/t1Jh

 

NDP Leadership Candidate Romeo Saganash Tours Brant Riding this Monday.

NDP MP and Leadership Candidate Romeo Saganash will be visiting Brantford and Six Nations on Monday Nov 21st and will be holding public events including a Town Hall-style meeting at Woodland Cultural Centre’s Orientation Room beginning at 6:30pm. 

The day promises to be quite productive as Saganash accompanied by recent Brant Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere will be meeting with city officials, and later with members of Six Nations Elected Council.  Also MP Saganash will be spending some time off of the campaign trail to share his inspirational story with youngsters at Princess Elizabeth School in Eagle Place and Hagersville Secondary School in the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk.

The new leader will be elected at a leadership convention in Toronto on March 24, 2012 and will be chosen via a one-member, one-vote model. For those interested in voting in the NDP leadership race membership kits will be available at the Woodland Cultural Centre event and online by clicking here.