Nice person. But I don't see any major pivot, no hint at dealing with the existential crisis that we're in now, just same old, same old "we're listening to Canadians, we'll twiddle a few knobs, adjust the furniture, etc."
Karina Gould listens to and responds to the actual question (as far as I could tell). Her replies seemed fresh and interesting and not just an attempt to avoid trouble. I consider this interview a service to us as Canadians. Thank you.
Mr Wells:- Don't worry about the Grit no-shows:--> Carney is franticly honing his "en francais". Your fav. ...> Ms Gould will survive the coming Fed. Election:--on May5, 2025.
Poillievre will be Majority PM of Canada Peter D. Marshall in Oakville
I can never forget her explanation of how we "make every vote count... One two three... " Such an inane response! As far I can tell, she's still a clueless ladder climber.
Thank you for making the interview happen. I enjoy her poise and refreshing self-reflection. The interviews I have heard (and there are not many) have shown a calm person that does not shy away from correcting the record, acknowledging poor decisions in the past by government, and a good load of political acumen. She could be accused of being too nice, but we sure need more of that in this day and age. I am hopeful for her future in the long-term.
I should add a note that I am not typically a supporter of a party but rather of the MP that represents me in Parliament - a quaint notion in this day and age of "presidential" politics. If she was running as my MP she would get my vote. But then I am getting old! LOL
Ms. Gould styles herself as a progressive. It would have been interesting to explore that, especially as the electorate in Canada as in many other countries seems to be shifting leftward, or at least away from progressivism.
You did ask about two policies which, I guess, can be seen as progressive. First, the temporary reduction in the GST. I remember how vocal the Liberals were when Stephen Harper cut the GST from 7% to 5%. In retrospect, was that a good move? Also, Ms. Gould supports some level of carbon tax, saying that economists support it as an efficient way to cut carbon emissions. But economists also generally support consumption taxes as superior to income taxes (for favoring savings and investment). Do we no longer rely on economsist when their recommendations are not progressive enough? (Consumption taxes can be made to be progressive.)
Second, Ms. Gould would increase corporate income taxes on large corporations. There is a general consensus that this would decrease investment by private sector, and hence hurt Canada's productivity. Does this worry Ms. Gould?
Finally, when she announced her candidacy, he set out a third policy -- enshrining in law that supply management would never be on the table during trade negotiations. Does Ms. Gould still promote that policy?
Good questions. Honestly I find the rush to cut GST horrifying, as a part-time member of the Economists Party. And I did gently suggest in this interview that there simply isn't enough revenue to pay for the government Liberals want to provide. I haven't done the math, but I'd be surprised if her tax on large corporations does much to close recent deficits.
In general: I can't debate my interview subjects on everything, but I can rely on readers to spot the weaknesses in everyone's arguments, as they usually do.
I am afraid that you are absolutely right, and that the GST is going up. Or our debt is going up, up, up; and I suspect capital markets will disapprove of that, as they did in the mid 1990s. You can't vote or borrow yourself rich, despite the efforts of the last decade.
None, they all want to win and no one outside of Quebec takes notice.
In 1982 I left Quebec and put a bumper sticker on my car, once over the border. I drove across the country to BC, the sticker I made said “ This is illegal in Quebec”, one person in Calgary asked what was illegal and I said that any English only sign was not allowed in Quebec, he had no idea.
As a former Montrealer myself, I follow QC politics very closely, and I also do my best to tell folks, who may not be aware, of the very real issues anglophone Québécois are facing. Unfortunately, the situation is now far worse than it was in 1982. However, I also do believe that more and more people in the ROC have become aware.
Excellent interview, Paul. I would love to have someone ask a Liberal if they feel pot-committed with their climate hysteria or if they TRULY believe that paying taxes will save the earth.
Tom, I'm nobody in the Liberal Party, but for me, as a Liberal, two things can be true:
1. I'm absolutely pot-committed with my climate hysteria.
2. I think this issue is actually so serious, and that we're so far gone, that there's not too much the 37th-most-populous country in the world can do about it.
If I understand what you wrote correctly, you read campaign literature and other interviews and decided not to interview Frank Baylis. Perhaps you could have unearthed some interesting information. I guess we'll never know.
I'm a little surprised this isn't obvious, but I'm not running a 200-person newsroom here. I have finite time and resources and I make decisions all the time about how to allocate them. Sorry I don't have a recipes section either.
You were also just so damned unequivocal in your initial post that you'd interview *any* Liberal leadership candidate, damn the torpedoes, which made this a bit of a shock, but also...it's Frank Baylis. I agree that you, and we, aren't missing much.
Ok: so … no recipes section. But how about some sports? Kelly is ‘too good to be true’ ( most excellent) … but some high powered competition could be attractive
You're a hop and a skip from a cooking segment on your Christmas variety show. That's a weird part of this accursed timeline that I can get behind.
Back in reality, it makes sense to prioritize contenders and/or unique messaging. Especially with the siren song of responding to "current events"/insanity that can easily court burnout.
Glad you have checked out Baylis: I’m sorta trusting you on this … but other than what you have very (too?) briefly surmised, can you fill this in a bit more please
I never doubted her love for the Liberal Party. If she and her type had a love of Canada, that would be a better starting point. Like a decade ago.
Nice person. But I don't see any major pivot, no hint at dealing with the existential crisis that we're in now, just same old, same old "we're listening to Canadians, we'll twiddle a few knobs, adjust the furniture, etc."
Karina Gould listens to and responds to the actual question (as far as I could tell). Her replies seemed fresh and interesting and not just an attempt to avoid trouble. I consider this interview a service to us as Canadians. Thank you.
Mr Wells:- Don't worry about the Grit no-shows:--> Carney is franticly honing his "en francais". Your fav. ...> Ms Gould will survive the coming Fed. Election:--on May5, 2025.
Poillievre will be Majority PM of Canada Peter D. Marshall in Oakville
I can never forget her explanation of how we "make every vote count... One two three... " Such an inane response! As far I can tell, she's still a clueless ladder climber.
Thank you for making the interview happen. I enjoy her poise and refreshing self-reflection. The interviews I have heard (and there are not many) have shown a calm person that does not shy away from correcting the record, acknowledging poor decisions in the past by government, and a good load of political acumen. She could be accused of being too nice, but we sure need more of that in this day and age. I am hopeful for her future in the long-term.
I should add a note that I am not typically a supporter of a party but rather of the MP that represents me in Parliament - a quaint notion in this day and age of "presidential" politics. If she was running as my MP she would get my vote. But then I am getting old! LOL
Thank you, Mr. Wells.
Ms. Gould styles herself as a progressive. It would have been interesting to explore that, especially as the electorate in Canada as in many other countries seems to be shifting leftward, or at least away from progressivism.
You did ask about two policies which, I guess, can be seen as progressive. First, the temporary reduction in the GST. I remember how vocal the Liberals were when Stephen Harper cut the GST from 7% to 5%. In retrospect, was that a good move? Also, Ms. Gould supports some level of carbon tax, saying that economists support it as an efficient way to cut carbon emissions. But economists also generally support consumption taxes as superior to income taxes (for favoring savings and investment). Do we no longer rely on economsist when their recommendations are not progressive enough? (Consumption taxes can be made to be progressive.)
Second, Ms. Gould would increase corporate income taxes on large corporations. There is a general consensus that this would decrease investment by private sector, and hence hurt Canada's productivity. Does this worry Ms. Gould?
Finally, when she announced her candidacy, he set out a third policy -- enshrining in law that supply management would never be on the table during trade negotiations. Does Ms. Gould still promote that policy?
Good questions. Honestly I find the rush to cut GST horrifying, as a part-time member of the Economists Party. And I did gently suggest in this interview that there simply isn't enough revenue to pay for the government Liberals want to provide. I haven't done the math, but I'd be surprised if her tax on large corporations does much to close recent deficits.
In general: I can't debate my interview subjects on everything, but I can rely on readers to spot the weaknesses in everyone's arguments, as they usually do.
I am afraid that you are absolutely right, and that the GST is going up. Or our debt is going up, up, up; and I suspect capital markets will disapprove of that, as they did in the mid 1990s. You can't vote or borrow yourself rich, despite the efforts of the last decade.
Which candidate will speak up for, and defend, Québec anglophone rights?
None, they all want to win and no one outside of Quebec takes notice.
In 1982 I left Quebec and put a bumper sticker on my car, once over the border. I drove across the country to BC, the sticker I made said “ This is illegal in Quebec”, one person in Calgary asked what was illegal and I said that any English only sign was not allowed in Quebec, he had no idea.
As a former Montrealer myself, I follow QC politics very closely, and I also do my best to tell folks, who may not be aware, of the very real issues anglophone Québécois are facing. Unfortunately, the situation is now far worse than it was in 1982. However, I also do believe that more and more people in the ROC have become aware.
Likely none. Spoken as a former Montrealer.
I thought that perhaps Baylis was the only one? But he's not getting much press.
Excellent interview, Paul. I would love to have someone ask a Liberal if they feel pot-committed with their climate hysteria or if they TRULY believe that paying taxes will save the earth.
Tom, I'm nobody in the Liberal Party, but for me, as a Liberal, two things can be true:
1. I'm absolutely pot-committed with my climate hysteria.
2. I think this issue is actually so serious, and that we're so far gone, that there's not too much the 37th-most-populous country in the world can do about it.
So in answer to your questions, yes and no.
That's pot-committed as in poker, not pot. :)
Climate hysteria - nobody mentions Canada has less than 2% of global emissions. Nothing Canada does would make any practical difference.
If I understand what you wrote correctly, you read campaign literature and other interviews and decided not to interview Frank Baylis. Perhaps you could have unearthed some interesting information. I guess we'll never know.
Yeah, I guess we won't.
I'm a little surprised this isn't obvious, but I'm not running a 200-person newsroom here. I have finite time and resources and I make decisions all the time about how to allocate them. Sorry I don't have a recipes section either.
I think it’s more that you raised some intrigue with your comment on Baylis. Like there’s more to the story.
Fair. Honestly I was just unimpressed.
You were also just so damned unequivocal in your initial post that you'd interview *any* Liberal leadership candidate, damn the torpedoes, which made this a bit of a shock, but also...it's Frank Baylis. I agree that you, and we, aren't missing much.
Ok: so … no recipes section. But how about some sports? Kelly is ‘too good to be true’ ( most excellent) … but some high powered competition could be attractive
You're a hop and a skip from a cooking segment on your Christmas variety show. That's a weird part of this accursed timeline that I can get behind.
Back in reality, it makes sense to prioritize contenders and/or unique messaging. Especially with the siren song of responding to "current events"/insanity that can easily court burnout.
Glad you have checked out Baylis: I’m sorta trusting you on this … but other than what you have very (too?) briefly surmised, can you fill this in a bit more please
We need to save the world from our 1.4% of carbon emissions.
She sounds like Danielle Smith.... in terms of how to deal with Trump.
Open transparent honest until someone say the speaker of the house of Parliament brings up the green slush fund
She may be the agent of modern change but her time is not yet here, yet she’s planting a stake
Ms Gould was refreshingly candid - an enjoyable interview. She could give a lesson-or-two to the current front runner.