China, Just What’s In It For Us?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 @ 3:45 AM
It was hard to accept the fact that a good deal of the time of Council last night was taken up in dealing with a proposed reduction in the tax exemptions for non profits , while on the other hand a trip to China by the Mayor , a couple of councillors and the Acting City Manager got lightning speed approval.
As it now stands the permissive tax exemptions are hitting the 1.54% mark of the 2013 tax levy.
The ceiling is 1.5% of the value of the tax levy. At 100% the exemptions would be $1,233.417.00 under the proposal before council that would drop to 97% or $1,197.610.00.
That equates to a saving of $35,807.00 dollars in 2013.
Gee Whiz what a coincidence, just about the same amount as the group that is heading for China to talk to a possible twin is spending.
The purpose of this exercise is to simply point out that when it comes to council’s wishes, the matters can receive passage much quicker than the matter of deciding which non for profit should receive a tax break.
But of course we should remember that the Core review will deal with the matter of permissive tax exemptions for Non Profits, just as they won’t be dealing with the manner in which the council spends its money on what can only described as frivolous projects.
There is a strong argument to be made that the Federal Government and the Province should be involved in trying to drum up trade with the Chinese. The Chinese like to do business with the people who make the major decisions and that has been apparent in the agreements that have been reached.
But to suggest that somehow the Mayor of the city (going back to Colin Kinsley’s days) is going to arrive in China and suddenly make a splash, speaks to our complete lack of understanding of the country that we are in.
Twinning Prince George with a city in China is akin to suggesting that a flea is going to control the movements of an elephant.
I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.
Comments
we are all shocked and frusterated with this decision that council approved this. All that we can do is remember who voted in favour of this for the next election. This council is out of control and I wish there was something the voter could do. But as it appears, we can just sit back and bitch onto deaf ears.
Now the public has a better understanding how the Haldi folks felt trying to get a message to council.
The Citizen used to run the breakdown of votes on each motion before council so one could keep a running score, should one choose, and use the information to help with election decision-making. Maybe O250 should take up this worthy cause.
Comments, Ben?
The Chinese are slowly but surely taking over the world. May as well cozy up to our new masters while the time is right.
Maybe we want to cozy up to India instead.
“The Citizen used to run the breakdown of votes on each motion”
I do not think it was on each motion. It was on select motions as I recall.
In either case, it would be worthwhile to have that. I fact, it would be very easy for the City to do that as they prepare the mionutes and put it on their web site. All in the interest of “tranparency”.
Oh, sorry, I forgot that based on past action, Stolz would argue that will cost another hour of someone’s time for each of the 25 or so Council meetings and since tranparency is not as high on the list as connecting with our Chinese friends, it gets cut …. ;-)
What saddens me about this situation is that everyone BUT the Mayor and Council seem to see this as a fruitless expedition. Perhaps the Mayor’s efforts would be better spent going to Quesnel and speaking with their Mayor about the economic benefits of having an Asian Twin City.
Funny how if the rest of us didn’t do our jobs properly, or continued to mismanage company funds, we would promptly be removed from our position within the organization we are employed be, yet politicians continue to lie, deceive and pursue their own agendas with no immediate consequence from the people who elected them and continue to pay their wages.
Considering all the investents China has made in B C and Canada and the involment of the Canadian and BC governments with China this trip is not just a duplication, but a triplication.
Has the mayor made a business case, laid out details of this taxpayer paid holiday? The arrogance of this bunch has has made the next election very easy for me.
China and India are in trouble…another 18 months and they are broke. Just a prediction. :)
Well Harper gave Canada to the Chinese I gues Qeen Green is following in has foot steps.
Cheers
Canada has been trading with the Chinese long before Harper came along.
Its time we found something else to blame our problems on rather than Harper. He would have to be a superhuman, comic hero, with special powers to be responsible for everything he is accused of.
Im surprised he is not responsbile for the low attendence at Cougar games, the lack of direct flights to Victoria, Calgary, Seattle, etc; etc;.
If the NDP, or Liberals were to list their accomplishments on a sheet of foolscap, the sheet would be empty. Those losers have never done anything but bitch and bellyache, complain, whine, snivel, and in the case of the Liberals, become corrupt.
Palopu, do you foresee any potential issues with Canada forging close relationships with China?
– Do you like the idea of relinquishing control of our natural resources to another country?
– Do you like the idea of having close relationships with a country that our own intelligence agency has PUBLICLY warned us about (lord only knows what they have kept private)?
– Don’t you get a little concerned when other nations and allies do what they can to shut China out of being involved in critical economic or infrastructure projects on their own soil?
– Would you not think that buddying up so close to China is bound to cause us future problems with the country to the south of us in which we are still dependant on economically and in many ways, for our own security?
I don’t think this particular issue is about the Conservatives vs the Liberals vs the NDP. I think it’s actually about common sense. I actually can’t believe that the same governments and people who were upset that the US was calling us out FOR dumping wood actually now thinks that the better alternative is to forge relationships with a country that has virtually no respect for due process. People have gone absolutely bonkers IMHO.
China needs the fuel source from Canada so that the Chinese military can come over and lay claim to the arctic.
NMG. China is a big player on the world stage. Canada is a bit player. When it comes to Oil Exports to China, we are not even in the top 15 nations. This may change somewhat in the future, however at this point in time the majority of Chinese imported oil comes from the Middle East, primarily Saudia Arabia, Iran, and Irag etc;
The US is the biggest importer of Canadian Goods including oil, and in fact probably owns in excess of 75% of all industry in Canada. So we have already been taken over economically by the USA and have been for some time. Been to Walmart lately? Going to the new Target store soon?
We are a bit player when it comes to exports to China, the top five exporting Countries to China are Japan, European Union, ASEAN,South Korea, and Taiwan.
We are competing with all these Countries to get a share of the Chinese market, and of course the Chinese are trying to import as much as possible from us.
This is the way of the world today, However at the end of the day, China cannot operate at its present state without importing oil and other products from around the world. So are they beholden to us, or we to them???
@Palapu.
You said “Im surprised he is not responsbile for the low attendence at Cougar games, the lack of direct flights to Victoria, Calgary, Seattle, etc; etc;.”
OF COURSE HE IS! how silly of you.
And as for who is beholden to whom – don’t kid yourself. China may need the resources, but she is quickly buying up rights all over the world, and I doubt we will find ourselves holding a gun to the “Chinese” head.
We speak of having to fight to capture a piece of the market. Why play that game at all? Let’s use the resources here – if they are so valuable, there will be investors willing to utilise them – here.
I’m not liking the CoolAid around this water cooler. Needs some reflection and critical thought methinks.
I agree with you Sivil. The problem is, who is going to invest the money and develop these resources.
Most development in Canada is foreign owned.
In fact there was a recent article that showed that Canadians are the most timid investors in the Western World. We wont take a chance on anything. So how do we develop the resources without foreign money???
You can’t build a nation and grow to maturity if all you do is sit in front of a TV, watch sports, and entertainment, comedys, and soap opera’s, eat hot dogs, drink beer, and break wind. We have to do more than that.
Im open to suggestions.
“You can’t build a nation and grow to maturity if all you do is sit in front of a TV, watch sports, and entertainment, comedys, and soap opera’s, eat hot dogs, drink beer, and break wind. We have to do more than that”
You also can’t build a nation if you have governments that enact policies that handcuff us from ever achieving those higher goals.
I have no issue with foreign investment in Canada as that is required. I do have an issue with allowing foreign control of our primary assets and resources and with governments who can’t see beyond 5 years as to what that means for the future of this country. IMHO they are destroying the very foundation of what should be retained as a Canadian asset to be leveraged for the good of the Canadian people in perpetuity.
I agree NMG. However considering that all the oil sands, and oil companies in Canada are already foreign owned, what difference does it make if the Chinese get a piece of the action.
Does anyone know the details on the trade agreement due to be signed by Stephen Harper on the 31st of October?
Hey how come Stolzi is not going to China?
metalman.
Stolz needs votes in Canada. The Chinese have no vote in Canada …. not yet, anyway…..
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