Want To Know Who Will Fix The Economy -You

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 03:45 AM

The province may have a 450 million dollar surplus down from a projected 1 billion in the current fiscal year but we should all bear in mind that these are just projections. Six months ago who would have thought that we would be facing a recession?

To this point, the saving grace has been our natural gas lease sales and if the price goes into the tank, so goes the fortunes of BC. In Alberta it has been said that if the price of a barrel of crude dropped to $40 dollars the projects on the go would dry up like the Sahara desert.

The Finance Minister says that there is little room for new programs as we could come up short $3 billion in the next three years. Now does that factor in the 2010, which with an expected tab of $1 billion for security could change all that? Just how much has the province set aside for the 2010 rainy day fund?

Colin Hansen says we need to reduce our expectations, which suggest that, for example, the people trying to build a new Performing Arts center and looking for a provincial grant will need to go shopping elsewhere. Problem there is ,that when they come knocking on the federal door they will be told that the feds are predicting a $3.9 billion dollar fiscal deficit and a further $1.4 billion the year after. That kind of puts a dent into any effort there. So regardless of how the society and the city want to act on the issue, it may be dead for the immediate future.

Now we are being told that if we don’t spend we will see the economy slip further into the red. That may be okay to say, but try telling that to the people say from Mackenzie, or Ft St James. Spend what with what?

In the end there is that feeling that the average taxpayer did not get the country into the mess and why should we be called on to fix it. History however will show that it is these same average taxpayers who will be called upon to fix the problem by way of taxes.

I’ Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 03:45 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Eagleone on November 26 2008 7:28 AM

Time I think for the province to invest in the infrastructure for the economy of tomorrow (roads, bridges, water sewer, hydro access ect) to employ the people of today, so that any money that is spent at least ends up in our communities rather than a bankster executive's monthly bonus....

Posted by: swingline on November 26 2008 7:59 AM

I've seen a whole whack of infrastructure spending up in the Peace for the past few years, from roads to water and sewer expansion. Seems like you can't drive 20km without seeing one of those "Best Place on Earth" signs with a big COMPLETED sticker over top. Though, some of those signs have been up for years... But I agree, no better time than now to up the infrastructure spending.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on November 26 2008 8:19 AM

I agree with both of you, but unfortunately,the only infrastructure the B.C. government is concerned with right now is call the "Olympics".
And that's where the cash will be going in the run-up to 2010.
They won't talk about that much if they can help it,but that's what is happening now and will continue to do so.
Infrastructure upgrading IS the key, but that will likely be the first place that takes a hard hit after the Olympics, when the big bill come due.
Tie that in with the state of the economy and I really don't think we will see much being done for quite a while, unless the B.C. government can find someone to "partner" with!

Posted by: Bridge on November 26 2008 10:11 AM

Your on the money Ben.

there is no tomorrow. The cup is half full. Now its payback time.

Cheers

Posted by: gus on November 26 2008 10:20 AM

The economy that we have been used to is an economy based on consumerism. It goes beyond buying new when the old breaks. It has gone to buying new and bigger, even though the old has not yet worn out and the bigger is not actually required other than as bragging rights.

That economy is not going to be fixed through taxes. It can only be fixed through consumers consuming.

Consumers need to keep consuming. If we want to change it to a more balanced economy, then we should be doing it in a more planned way. But, I think most people are not ready for that. So, a revolutionary and abrupt change seems to be the only way.

If we look at the economy as being diverse, then we have to couple a consumer based economy which says that money in the hands of consumers and money in the hands of businesses to hire people is what drives the economy, to one which includes the money spent on public projects and programs.

So, rather than spending so much money on toys and living space we do not need and name brand watches and runners we do not need, we should be spending money maintaining our infrastructre and our bodies.

Health, education, recreation, transportation systems, communication systems, recycling, energy capacity building and distribution systems, etc. etc.

Focusing a bit more on those types of services will still employ people who will still make money to feed the economy. The cycle of create, pay, tax, purchase, reap benefits will still continue. The only thing that will be changed is what benefits we will reap from our labour.

It is like switching from a junk food diet to a more balanced diet. The body, in this case the country and the world, will be better off for it.

The crisis is that there are so few people who appear to understand such a simple notion. We are junk food addicts and do not realize it.

Posted by: astro on November 26 2008 11:03 AM

We need an economy that is not based on consumer buying things that they don't need. We need to have a different model for our economy based on a sustainable environment, not on buying useless and unnecessary things. We have to start listening to environmental scientists, not economists who have no understanding of what sustainability means.

Posted by: Shellshadow on November 26 2008 11:17 AM

The lay-offs have started throughout the construction world. This is just the beggining. This will trickle down starting with the design teams then the construction companies and finally all small businesses that supply to all these diciplines. I will recieve my lay off papers at the end of this week. I am part of the design group (engineers, architects and drafting. The word is starting to trickle in from the construction companies that lay-offs are coming if not already started. Next, the business who profit from all these levels will suffer.

In this womans opinion I believe that we are being kept in the dark about how bad things are. Keep us stupid and we do not panic! None of the governments have started anything to create work for anyone. Our governments are walking in unknown teritory and they do not have a clue as to how to fix this. Everyone is on the "sit and wait and see". LOL!!!! It will be wayyy to late for help for many by the time they even discuss what to do. Yeahhhhh!! Lets just wait and see what happens. LOLOL

I hope the best for everyone for 2009 and feel for those already affected by the rich and their stupidity who created this mess.

Posted by: MrPG on November 26 2008 11:21 AM

Ah yes, that's the solution -- stop buying things we don't need. Who gets to determine what everyone needs?

I think it's more appropriate to say that people should live more within their means. I do not want someone dicating to me what I can and can't spend my hard earned money on.

I do think that people need to reign in their debtloads and stop spending when the money's gone. But this won't be easy for some.

Posted by: polar7018 on November 26 2008 4:38 PM

are the people who want anew performing arts centre built aware of the performing arts predicament in vancouver?

Posted by: Palopu on November 26 2008 8:04 PM

I think the Old Council and Mayor, and Initiatives, Prince George were the ones to get the PAC back into the limelight.

It would appear to me that the real reason for building the PAC is to give out multi million dollar contracts. The same applies to the new Police Station. Neither one are actually needed, however it seems they will be built regardless.

There are only a small number of people who support, or belong to the PAC Society, and they are no doubt aware of the problems in Vancouver, but you can bet your boots they dont give a Hoot.

Posted by: astro on November 26 2008 10:13 PM

As well, the new Duchess Park Secondary School was not necessary. The French Immersion school could be in Lakewood and the other secondary students could have gone to the other secondary schools. Some of the money could have been used to upgrade the other secondary schools and the rest stay ingeneral revenue or be used to fund other programs in the schools that are underfunded.

Posted by: NMG on November 26 2008 10:34 PM

"Colin Hansen says we need to reduce our expectations, which suggest that, for example, the people trying to build a new Performing Arts center and looking for a provincial grant will need to go shopping elsewhere. Problem there is ,that when they come knocking on the federal door they will be told that the feds are predicting a $3.9 billion dollar fiscal deficit and a further $1.4 billion the year after. That kind of puts a dent into any effort there. So regardless of how the society and the city want to act on the issue, it may be dead for the immediate future"

If they can't get government funding right now then the next step is obvious. They'll have to hold off until the funding is available. The economic downturns will not last forever and at some point in time in the future, governments WILL again invest in projects like these. Best to do it right when the timing is good as opposed to rushing in when it just isn't the right time. Sometimes patience is a virtue.

Posted by: taxinapothole on November 27 2008 5:03 AM

we better get a vote on the PAC!! If we don't, I think, all hell will break loose.

Danny boy, you better deliver this time, no fence sitting! The people of PG deserve a vote on the PAC. Don't be scared Dan, there is way more of us, than the .3% that support, and attend the arts!!

$60,000,000.00........for a Performing Arts Center..... what a bunch of bu-----t!!