Main

Politics

February 08, 2012

Amazon to open real-world store this year: report

Amazon doesn’t need any PR bumps, but let’s give it one anyway, shall we?

A_com_logo_RGBMy favourite Amazon story goes like this: one weeknight in 2010, I caught a late-night showing of The Social Network. Certainly, it was the year’s best movie, and so inspired was I that I came home and said, Hey, I oughtta read the book that was made from.

So sometime after midnight, well into the a.m., I placed an order for Ben Mezrich’s “The Accidental Billionaires.” Before the end of the next work day, it was at my door.

I’m not a paid Amazon advocate, just a fan of its convenience. So why, then, would a service as punctual as the web retailer actually open its own bricks-and-mortar store?

Continue reading »

Posted at 12:36 PM in Consumer news, Current affairs, Shopping | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 04, 2011

Should Harper make public service cuts, as planned?

Today, with taxes the way they are, it’s nearly impossible to defend public services in Canada.

Istockphoto_8595689-financial-belt-tightening Everyone wants their parks, swimming pools and community ice rinks, but we don’t want to pay for them, especially when there’s a nagging perception that anything government-run is a cash-haemorrhaging waste.

But no matter: Stephen Harper and his Conservatives have their majority government now, and they’ve made it clear public department cuts are a priority. Should they go ahead with them, though?

Continue reading »

Posted at 06:08 AM in Consumer news, Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (160) | TrackBack (0)

April 14, 2011

Which party leader is most fit to run Canada's economy?

The last two nights have been compelling TV for Canadians, if your definition of compelling TV means watching the nation’s PM squirm with a “How long do I have to let these creeps scream at me for buying fighter jets before I can squash them like bugs?” look on his face. In two different languages, no less.

985299_canadian_flag Indeed, Wednesday’s French language debate marked the end of two nights of bilingual bickering, but are we any better off because of them? Does anyone feel clearer about any of the candidates’ platforms, other than the notion Stephen Harper insists on standing like he’s strangling a wide-bodied Verne Troyer as he speaks?

From a money standpoint, there’s plenty of nitty-gritty facing this election. So, going forward, which candidate do you think is most fit to run Canada’s economy?

Continue reading »

Posted at 01:21 AM in Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (59) | TrackBack (0)

March 10, 2011

Gaddafi's money stretches all the way to Hollywood

If there’s one thing we can definitely say about Muammar al-Gaddafi, it’s that his money, at least from a PR standpoint, is toxic.

1099457_ciak After stories surfaced that Nelly Furtado, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Usher had taken dough for private concerts performed for the Libyan dictator’s family, they were forced to give it away. To save face, they donated the cash – up to $2 million in Beyoncé’s case – to charity.

Yet while these pop stars were able to proactively get out from under the Gaddafi Stink, a new report shows that a movie studio funded by the tyrant’s money is getting shunned by Hollywood for a similar affiliation.

Continue reading »

Posted at 03:39 PM in Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

February 28, 2011

Is this the end for public service unions?

It's tough to be a union man in the U.S. these days. As unionized private-sector jobs continue to disappear, the burden of paying for the seemingly lavish benefits of public employees has fallen on a shrinking base of disgruntled taxpayers.

That’s why Wisconsin and several other cash-strapped states are in the midst of turmoil as their Republican governors attempt to rein in spending by checking the growth in public employees' benefits.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s budget bill, for instance, would make civil servants – excluding local police, state troopers and firefighters – pay substantially more for pensions and benefits, and would, since it hopes to subject salary increases for government workers to a state-wide referendum, likely cripple public service unions as a force in both collective bargaining and politics.

Under the bill, state agencies would also no longer deduct union dues from workers’ paycheques, forcing unions to collect them on their own. And the legislation would also require unions to hold recertification votes annually.

Continue reading »

Posted at 12:00 AM in Compensation, Economic news, Politics, Workplace | | Comments (48) | TrackBack (0)

February 23, 2011

Bookies take bets on which dictators will be ousted next

Let’s call one thing like it is: for most Canadians, we don’t know what to think about all this mess in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Istockphoto_5091092-flag-of-libya It’s not that we don’t care. Certainly, we’re Canucks, for crying out loud – we’re the most compassionate people on earth. It’s just that, for the most part, we don’t really know enough about the Mubaraks and the Gadaffis of the world to form a sound opinion.

Of course, since Egypt ousted its ruler earlier this month, that doesn’t mean we can’t bet on who will be next to go.

Continue reading »

Posted at 02:07 PM in Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

October 29, 2010

Do Canadian politicians spend too much?

How does one measure progress?

1034792_canadian_flag Stephen Harper, for example, is Canada’s leader. You may not like it, but he is the voice of Canada for the world to hear. Surely, then, it’s important he visit foreign nations and fight for Canada’s agenda, not to mention what our country should be responsible for in the realm of global politics.

Yet how much is too much? A new report from the Vancouver Sun shows that Harper’s 15 trips, business and otherwise, cost about $7 million to taxpayers in the last year.

Continue reading »

Posted at 04:42 PM in Consumer news, Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)

October 26, 2010

What can Canada learn from Rob Ford?

Aside from the humbling of many entrenched politicians, the largest consequence of Canada’s recent swell of elections has been the new directions our country’s cities now face.

And, with respect to Calgary mayor-elect Naheed Nenshi, Canada’s first Muslim mayor, the headline-stealer of every campaign may be that of Rob Ford, who earned the top job in Toronto just last night.

Now, this is a national blog, yes, but the rough-around-the-edges Ford has a few interesting campaign promises perhaps all of Canada can learn from.

Continue reading »

Posted at 06:46 PM in Consumer news, Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)

May 26, 2010

Time to make MP expenses public: Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Almost daily it seems someone is squawking about how elected officials squander taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Witness the scandal in the UK where MP Eric Illsley is the latest politician to be charged in an expense-padding scheme. Illsley is alleged to have falsely claimed more than £20,000 in expenses on his second home in London.

Here at home, social media crusades have sprung up demanding the Board of Internal Economy (nine MPs from the four major parties) which oversees parliamentary spending, allow the public to review House of Commons expense accounts. 

Continue reading »

Posted at 06:45 AM in Current affairs, Politics | | Comments (58) | TrackBack (0)

January 20, 2009

The Presidential Blackberry

By Deirdre McMurdy, Sympatico / MSN Finance

Whether you were stirred by his Inaugural Speech or you remain cynical about his generous use of rhetorical flourish, there is one thing you've got to hand to President Obama - literally. The man knows how to boost a brand (other than his own) and when he comes to Canada, we've got to thank him for his aggressive determination to hold on to his beloved Blackberry.

In the aftermath of last week's dismal news about the bankruptcy of Nortel, Canada has found itself a little bit short on iconic corporate brands - especially in the high tech sector. But the new President's insistence that - security threats be damned - he must be allowed continued use of his 8830  World Edition, is heartening.

Continue reading »

Posted at 01:32 PM in Politics | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

advertisement

AUTHORS
Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...

TOP TAGS
ARCHIVES

More...