tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955434501734780752024-03-08T11:39:07.996-05:00Michelle's PerspectiveMichelle expresses her opinion and vision on issues effecting community, Ontario, Canada, world events and the environment to initiate debate and organize support for innovation and change in society.Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295543450173478075.post-19604143035952331772012-05-31T11:18:00.000-04:002012-06-01T11:19:30.645-04:00If this is cured, what was the disease?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Earlier
this month NDP leader Thomas Mulcair caused a furor in the west and among
conservatives for having the audacity to suggest that the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>singular focus on a resource based economy
with total disregard for the impact on the environment and the economy in the
rest of Canada may not be the best approach and that there should be public
discussion and consultation about alternatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Mr.
Mulcair’s “Dutch disease” reference was the final straw and erupted into a
media storm, both print and social, that is ongoing – a good thing as the issue
is now receiving a great deal of attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Brad Wall,
Saskatchewan’s Premier, has emerged as the defender of the West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a recent tweet Mr. Wall stated “Resources
have been the cure not the problem”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Perhaps I’m
missing something, but continued high unemployment, record deficits, ravaging
of our environment and the widening inequality in wealth distribution, while
oil companies make record profits, doesn’t sound very healthy to me, let alone
“cured”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The
economic debate about whether we have “Dutch disease”, or not, is largely
irrelevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a disease that is
common in resource based economies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are sacrificing our natural resources and environment on the alter of economic
expediency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We allow (even encourage)
mining companies to plunder our finite resources with impunity from the
destruction they cause to our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>environment
or other segments of the economy and without any consideration for economic
longevity and environmental sustainability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We provide lucrative tax breaks to corporations that make billions in
profit and allow them to export raw materials without even the attempt to
establish secondary industry in Canada. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we don’t make them pay for the damage they
cause to our environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was generally
the outcome from colonization – what is it called when it is self-inflicted?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The way I
see it we are not immune and we are not “cured”, not by a long shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s not “Dutch disease” in the
purest sense – maybe it’s mutated into a local strain – say “Canadian
malaise”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever it is we are far
from healthy and we can and must do better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Mr. Mulcair
has struck the debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Canadians
from coast to coast to coast must become active and vocal about this issue of
great concern to all, now and for future generations!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295543450173478075.post-69029614110178391082012-05-19T11:16:00.000-04:002012-06-01T11:19:47.733-04:00Doubling down on dumb!<br />
<div class="MsoSubtitle">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again the conservative government seems incapable or
unwilling to make decisions to create a better Canada – this time with regards
to immigration.<br />
<br />
While the immigration minister acknowledges that Canada needs m<span class="textexposedshow">ore skilled immigrants, he is only prepared to welcome
more once the statistics for existing migrants improve – statistics that are
the result of years of inadequate policies from Liberal and Conservative
governments. This is akin to the old adage: "Punishment will continue
until performance improves".</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Innovative thinking is required to remove
constraints to Canadian growth. What is needed is immediate action to increase
the immigration for skilled and professional workers coupled with programs to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span class="textexposedshow"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span class="textexposedshow">facilitate an
on-ramp to productive employment in their area of expertise</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span class="textexposedshow"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span class="textexposedshow">provide a
fast-track process to attain Canadian accreditation for their qualifications
(starting before they reach Canada)</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span class="textexposedshow">provide ESL / FSL
training as required </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexposedshow">With such programs in place the
rest of the world would see Canada as a country that not only welcomes new immigrants
but also provides real opportunity for them to be productive and successful in
their new home. Over time these programs would also rectify the statistics that
the immigration minister is rightly concerned about.</span><span lang="EN-CA"></span></div>Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295543450173478075.post-19115429693742880302012-05-15T11:14:00.000-04:002012-06-01T11:20:35.879-04:00EI reform. Really?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Conservative government is giving its clearest signal
yet that a hard line is coming on employment insurance. Once again the focus of the conservative
government is on cost control. This is the same caged thinking that arrives
at mega-prisons as a good idea. <br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Canada has suffered under this approach of treating the symptoms rather than the
underlying cause from decades of Liberal and Conservative governments. It has proven to be a recipe for inertia at best,
and has resulted in the slow decline of Canadian society and the quality of
life and standard of living for the majority of Canadians.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It is time to stop addressing the symptom of rising and chronic unemployment with draconian
measures to control the cost of EI by redefining “suitable work”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Why not show leadership and vision? Rather
than “punish” those who find themselves unemployed, let’s tackle the issues
that cause unemployment in the first place.
Why not try a different approach – an approach with a vision to enrich
Canadian society for all and develop a work environment filled with hope and
opportunity?</div>Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295543450173478075.post-64567074852565829532011-07-24T23:47:00.000-04:002011-07-24T23:47:31.854-04:00HERE WE GO AGAIN!If women feel at risk with the Conservatives in power federally for four more years let's draw strength from the women of Ontario in 1990 - and with luck again in 2011.<br />
<br />
A New Democratic Party government reigned at Queen's Park. Here's a description from p.16 of the book Women, Power, Politics - The Hidden Story of Canada's Unfinished Democracy, by Sylvia Bashevkin:<br />
<i>"Among the highest percentages ever of women in a government caucus or cabinet were those in the Ontario NDP, between 1990 and 1995. Caucus included 20 women (out of 74 members or 27%) at least half of whom had been active in second-wave feminist organizations."</i><br />
<br />
Add to that the fact that 11 women were appointed to a Cabinet of 26, which meant women held 42.3% of the portfolios.<br />
<br />
"What did the Ontario NDP government accomplish? It widened childcare provision, increased funding for shelters for battered women, raised the minimum wage, strengthened pay equity laws, and legalized midwifery."<br />
<br />
So much for 20 years ago. Now the NDP has a constructive, articulate, and smart woman leader and lots of women candidates.<br />
<br />
I say we can't lose.<br />
<br />
from Edna Toth<br />
Chair of Peel Poverty Action Group<br />
Mississauga-Streetsville NDP exec<br />
Mississauga Citizen of the Year 2011Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295543450173478075.post-1703505291484249772011-07-24T23:38:00.000-04:002011-07-24T23:38:30.794-04:00Prove me wrong Mr. Harper - PLEASE!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA">In the Mississauga – Erindale debate on Rogers TV the statement I made was reported by the Mississauga News in the April 12, 2011 Editorial as follows: <span class="td-endpagebody">In another poignant moment, Mississauga-Erindale NDP hopeful Michelle Bilek turned away from the camera as she told viewers, sadly, that “(Prime Minister) Stephen Harper doesn’t care about you or your family.” (</span><a href="http://www.mississauga.com/opinion/editorial/article/979965--future-looks-bright">http://www.mississauga.com/opinion/editorial/article/979965--future-looks-bright</a><span class="td-endpagebody">)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">After decades of Conservative and Liberal governments it is clear neither party is focused on supporting you or your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fortunate have full-time jobs providing a reasonable wage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, wages have been stagnant for years with people taking home less today than 10+ years ago while working hours, cost of living and taxation have increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is significant poverty in Peel with over 15,000 on waiting lists for 20+ years for cooperative housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another hidden demographic prevalent in Mississauga are the mortgage/rent poor – families with little or no disposable income remaining after paying for housing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And child care costs for the working poor can be as much as the mortgage/rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">The current social structure is clearly broken as it does not provide for all Canadians in a fair and equitable manner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world yet we tolerate real hardship and inequality for significant portions of our population – youth, women, seniors, single parents, two+ income families, first nations, etc. – a percentage that is growing every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever these issues are raised, no matter what the government of the day, the response is we can’t afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This response is seeing things through the existing “lens”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my view this is not about just spending more – it is about Governments raising revenue and spending differently – targeting the existing money on programs that build the society we want, providing tax incentives based on real metrics of job creation or services provided, etc. We must strive for a society and economy that provides for all members of society in Mississauga, Ontario and Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strong economy is fundamental to improving the standard of living for all Canadians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To achieve this we must show a holistic approach to redefining Canadian society with innovation in four key areas:</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 37.5pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">in society to ensure all have a liveable wage and health care, our seniors live in dignity, the services required to support our changing demographic </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 37.5pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">business, education, labour and government working together for technology innovation, education reform focused on required job skills, and creating jobs in a world-leading new economy</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 37.5pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>management of the environment sustainability</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 37.5pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">and Canada approaching the world with peace and understanding.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">When the Mississauga News endorsed the Conservatives in the April 26, 2011 Editorial they said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Conservatives must work with the other parties — and we believe the country will benefit if the New Democrats form the official opposition — to prove that Mississauga-Erindale NDP hopeful Michelle Bilek was wrong when she said that, "Stephen Harper doesn't care about you and your family." (</span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.mississauga.com/opinion/editorial/article/998443--tory-majority-means-strong-jobs-economy">http://www.mississauga.com/opinion/editorial/article/998443--tory-majority-means-strong-jobs-economy</a><span class="td-endpagebody">)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="td-endpagebody"><span lang="EN-CA">After five years of Conservative government there has been no demonstrable program or initiative to create the Canadian society we all want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the election campaign there were promises made but no track record so it is difficult to believe the promises will be delivered. So my plea is: For the sake of all Canadians, prove me wrong Mr Harper – PLEASE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Michelle Bilekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239253932675512013noreply@blogger.com0