Best Countries For Doing Business

Source: Bloomberg


10: Sweden
Total score: 76.2

2013 rank: 12

9: Spain
Total score: 77.0

2013 rank: 16

8: Netherlands
Total score: 78.0

2013 rank: 4

7: United Kingdom
Total score: 79.4

2013 rank: 10

5 (tie): Germany
Total score: 79.9

2013 rank: 5

5 (tie): Australia
Total score: 79.9

2013 rank: 6

4: Singapore
Total score: 80.1

2013 rank: 8

3: United States
Total score: 80.2

2013 rank: 2

2: Canada
Total score: 81.5

2013 rank: 6

1: Hong Kong
Total score: 83.4

2013 rank: 1

Facts About The Oilsands

Fort McMurray, a.k.a. 'Oilsands City'

Stunning Population Growth
Fort McMurray, Alberta, has seen its population grow from 926 in 1951, to more than 60,000 today -- a growth rate of 70,000 per cent over 60 years. The city grew by 14,000 people, or 29 per cent, in just the 2006 to 2011 period. 


Source: StatsCan

Far More Men Than Women

Whereas in Alberta in general there are approximately 99 to 104 men for every 100 women, in Fort McMurray, where male-dominated oil jobs dominate, that ratio is skewed well towards men. There are 110 to 140 men for every 100 women in Fort McMurray, depending on the neighbourhood. 

Source: Kevin Correia 

Arm And A Leg For Housing

The average price of a two-bedroom apartment in April, 2011, was $2,152 -- comparable to major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver. For those rates to be affordable, you'd need to earn at least $80,000 per year. But given that oil workers can earn as much as $120,000, that is, actually, affordable by Fort McMurray standards. 

Source: Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality

Third Largest Oil Reserves In The World

Fort McMurray sits at the centre of what is now recognized as the third-largest proven supply of oil in the world. Alberta has 170.8 billion barrels of oil in the ground, about 12 per cent of the world's total. By comparison, Saudi Arabia has 260 billion barrels, and Venezuela 211 billion. The oil sands' share of that total continues to grow, and with it, Fort McMurray's importance to the industry. The city is expected to quadruple in size, to about 231,000, within 20 years. 

Source: Government of Alberta

 

Giant Job Machine

There are 140,000 people employed in Alberta's oil and gas extraction industry -- a very large number, considering the province's total population of 3.6 million. In all, energy counts for 23.4 per cent of Alberta's economy. 

Source: Government of Alberta

Now That's Cold

Classified as a sub-Arctic zone, Fort McMurray is bitingly cold, even by Canadians' standards. The average night-time low in January is minus-24 Celsius, or minus-11 Fahrenheit, though the average daytime high in July does reach a decent 23 Celsius (73 Fahrenheit). 

Source: The Weather Network

 

 

 

Celebs Against The Oilsands

Actress Neve Campbell

Rocker Neil Young 

Actress Daryl Hannah 

Musician Gord Downie
Lead singer for the Tragically Hip

 Musician Jim Cuddy
From Blue Rodeo

 Dr. David Suzuki 

Musician Sarah Harmer 

Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein 

The 7 Most Overused Tory Talking Points

7. Strong, Stable Majority Government
Majority governments are by definition strong and stable, so this talking point essentially means nothing. Do the Tories really think they'll win another majority by reminding us they already have one?

6. The NDP's Illegal Union Donations
Curious about the questionable campaign fundraising done by Tory ministers Peter Penashue and Dean Del Mastro? Well the Conservatives have an answer for you. The NDP is much, much worse. While the New Democrats did pay back nearly $350,000 in sponsorship money from unions after Elections Canada found the party guilty of violating campaign finance laws, that doesn't give the Tories the right to ignore legitimate questions about their own fundraising practices. Then again, why answer questions when you can just blame the other guy?

5. Alexandre Boulerice's Separatist Past
When NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice asks the government something in question period he usually already knows the Tories' answer. 'Remember when you were a separatist?' Boulerice has long since admitted he used to sympathize with separatists and it's time for the Tories (we're looking at you Pierre Poilievre) to let this one go.

4. Liberals Are The Only Ones To Be Found Guilty Of Misleading Robocalls
Instead of answering questions about allegations of misleading robocalls during the 2011 election, the Tories generally pivot and remind people the Liberals are the only party that has actually been found guilty of phone-call shenanigans. While this is true, it doesn't erase the fact that Elections Canada's investigation seems to have a fair bit to do with the CPC. Canadians deserve to know what really happened on election day, but the Tories seem content to remind us of their rival's misdeeds. Let's hope all that ends in 2013.

3. No Money Has Been Spent On The F-35 Acquisition
No answer regarding the now-scuttled acquisition of the F-35 is complete without reminding the audience that no money has been spent on the purchase. Well, as long as you don't count all the cash spent on the flashy press conference in 2010 when Peter MacKay got to sit in the cockpit right? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say plenty of money has been spent trying to replace Canada's ageing CF-18s, it's just that none of it has actually been on new planes? The Tories aren't fooling anyone here. It's time to admit mistakes were made.

2. One Of The Strongest Economies In The Developed World
Concerned about a housing bubble? Worried about Canada's shift toward a more resource-based economy? Put those fears to rest, things are much worse everywhere else. At least, that's what the Tories keep telling us. But are they really? Two problems: 1. Were the Tories responsible for the relative stability of Canada's banking system after the crash? Not so much. The IMF has credited regulations introduced by former Liberal finance minister Paul Martin in the 1990s. 2. Things are now better in the U.S., at least in terms of GDP growth, than they are here. The U.S.'s GDP grew nearly 5 times faster than Canada's in the third quarter of 2012. It's time for the Tories to admit that while Canada weathered the economic crisis well, the country now faces new problems that will require new solutions and not more tired talking points.

1. Job-Killing Carbon Tax
Even though the NDP has never proposed a carbon tax, the Tories continue to hammer this talking point home every chance they get. Got a question about the F-35? Remind them about the carbon tax. Allegations of misleading robocalls? Did we tell you about the carbon tax? The phrase has become such a predictable refrain that it has inspired one of the most dangerous drinking games in Ottawa's history. Let's hope this one evaporates in 2013.

                                                        **********************

Most Financially Irresponsible Cities

*Difference between a city's planned spending changes, and what it actually reports, 2003 to 2012.

24 (WORST): Halton Region, Ont.
Includes Burlington, Oakville.

Budget inaccuracy*: 22.2%

23: Vaughan, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 19.9%

22: Brampton, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 18.7%

21: Peel Region, Ont.
Includes Mississauga, Brampton.

Budget inaccuracy*: 13.7%

20: Markham, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 12.7%

19: York Region, Ont.
Includes Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan.

Budget inaccuracy*: 12.6%

18: Edmonton, Alta.
Budget inaccuracy*: 11.4%

17: Ottawa, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 11%

16: Vancouver, B.C.
Budget inaccuracy*: 9.8%

15: Mississauga, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 9.5%

14: Windsor, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 8.5%

13: Montreal, Que.
Budget inaccuracy*: 8.3%

12: Surrey, B.C.
Budget inaccuracy*: 8.1%

11: Saskatoon, Sask.
Budget inaccuracy*: 8%

10: Sudbury, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 7.7%

9: Hamilton, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 7%

8: London, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 6.7%

7: Calgary, Alta.
Budget inaccuracy*: 6.1%

6: Durham Region, Ont.
Includes Oshawa, Pickering Ajax.

Budget inaccuracy*: 5.9%

5: Winnipeg, Man.
Budget inaccuracy*: 5.6%

4: Halifax, N.S.
Budget inaccuracy*: 5.5%

3: Niagara Region, Ont.
Includes St. Catharines, Niagara Falls.

Budget inaccuracy*: 5.3%

2: Waterloo Region, Ont.
Includes Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo.

Budget inaccuracy*: 4.7%

1 (BEST): Toronto, Ont.
Budget inaccuracy*: 3.7%


Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has a lot of support in the 905 — the sprawling suburban region surrounding Toronto — thanks to his image as a fiscally responsible leader.

But maybe those 905 residents should be asking Rob Ford to jump ship to their own cities, because while Toronto comes out on top in a ranking of most fiscally accountable cities in Canada, the suburban cities of the 905 rank among the worst, according to a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute.

That's despite the fact some of these 905 cities are actually running large surpluses. The study says these cities' accounting methods are causing them to overstate the costs of projects at their start, then understate the costs later on.

The study ranks municipalities according to the difference between what they say they will spend in their budgets, and what they end up actually spending.

On that measure, Toronto is tops in Canada, with a 3.7 per cent difference between planned and actual spending. Compare that to nearby Halton Region, where Oakville and Burlington are located, and where the difference is a full 22.2 per cent.

How Much Do Our MPs Make?

Here's a rundown of how much our MPs make depending on their position in the House.

MP - $157,731
The base salary for a Member of Parliament is $157,731. Being named to cabinet or other positions nets an MP extra pay.

Government and Opposition Whip - $186,151
NDP MP Nycole Turmel is the Official Opposition Whip.

Leaders of Other Parties - $211,425
Bob Rae is the interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Minister of State - $214,368
Tim Uppal is the Minister of State for Democratic Reform. Ministers of State are essentially junior cabinet ministers.

Cabinet Minister - $233,247
Jim Flaherty is Minister of Finance.  All ministers also receive a car allowance of $2,122.

Leader of the Opposition - $233,247
As NDP chief, Thomas Mulair is leader of the Official Opposition. He also receives a $2,122 car allowance.

Speaker of the House - $233,247
Andrew Scheer is currently serving as speaker. On top of his salary, Scheer receives a rent allowance of $3,000 and a car allowance of $1,061.

Prime Minister - $315,462
As Prime Minister, Stephen Harper also receives a car allowance of $2,112

Most Admired Canadians

List from Angus Reid Global. 

View the full results here.

Mike Duffy
Admire: 4%
Don't admire: 70%
Don't know this person: 22%

Conrad Black
Admire: 5%
Don't admire: 69%
Don't know this person: 18%

John Furlong
Admire: 6%
Don't admire: 23%
Don't know this person: 63%

Pamela Wallin
Admire: 7%
Don't admire: 59%
Don't know this person: 25%

Belinda Stronach
Admire: 11%
Don't admire: 45%
Don't know this person: 29%

Tom Mulcair
Admire: 20%
Don't admire: 40%
Don't know this person: 23%

Stephen Lewis
Admire: 20%
Don't admire: 21%
Don't know this person: 51%

Elizabeth May
Admire: 22%
Don't admire: 34%
Don't know this person: 29%

Stephen Harper
Admire: 23%
Don't admire: 63%
Don't know this person: 1%

Don Cherry
Admire: 27%
Don't admire: 52%
Don't know this person: 8%

Justin Trudeau
Admire: 34%
Don't admire: 45%
Don't know this person: 4%

Margaret Atwood
Admire: 34%
Don't admire: 23%
Don't know this person: 28%

Peter Mansbridge
Admire: 48%
Don't admire: 16%
Don't know this person: 22%

Rick Hansen
Admire: 50%
Don't admire: 13%
Don't know this person: 28%

David Suzuki
Admire: 57%
Don't admire: 23%
Don't know this person: 7%

Canadian Politicians Who Tried Pot

Rob Ford
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he has had his fair share of marijuana.

"Oh, yeah. I've smoked a lot of it."

Justin Trudeau

"Sometimes, I guess, I have gotten a buzz, but other times no. I’m not really crazy about it.”

Tom Mulcair

The Opposition leader's office said that Mulcair has smoked in the past but not since he was elected to office. Mulcair was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec in 1994.

Jim Flaherty

Said the Tory finance minister:

"Yeah, in my teenage years... a couple of times, I have to admit: I didn’t like it."

Marc Garneau

The Liberal MP and Canada's first astronaut said he tried marijuana as a student in the 1970s in England. 

"It's not my thing. I stopped because it wasn't doing anything for me."

Kathleen Wynne
The premier of Ontario said she smoked pot decades ago.

"I have smoked marijuana but not for the last 35 years."

Darrell Dexter
Said the former premier of Nova Scotia:

"Like every other person I knew back in the '70s when I went to university, some of whom are actually in this room, I would have tried it, the same as other people at that time."

Christy Clark
Said the premier of British Columbia:

"I graduated from Burnaby South Senior Secondary in 1983 and there was a lot of that going on when I was in high school and I didn't avoid it all together."

Tim Hudak
The leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario admitted he's puffed in the past.

"I was a normal kid, I had a normal upbringing, a normal life in university. I experimented from time to time with marijuana. It’s a long time ago in the past and in the grand scheme of things."

Paul Martin
The former prime minister of Canada told CTV News:

"The answer is: I never smoked. I never smoked anything, but there was an earlier time, years ago, when (my wife) made some brownies and they did have a strange taste."

Kim Campbell
The former prime minister admitted while running for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives that she tried weed.

"And I inhaled the smoke."

Jack Layton
Said the former NDP leader:

"Yes, and some might say I never exhaled."

Dalton McGuinty
The former premier of Ontario said he experimented in his teens, but only twice.

Brad Wall
The premier of Saskatchewan said he was an "infrequent" user back in university.

"It didn't really do anything for me, luckily, because for some, it does lead to other things."

Least And Most Popular Premiers

Source: Angus Reid online survey, Dec. 2013
NOTE: Prince Edward Island was not polled.


9. Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador (PC)
Approve: 24%
Disapprove: 69%
Unsure: 7%

8. Greg Selinger, Manitoba (NDP)

Approve: 28%

Disapprove: 62%

Unsure: 10%

7. David Alward, New Brunswick (PC)

Approve: 31%

Disapprove: 57%

Unsure: 12%

6. Alison Redford, Alberta (PC)

Approve: 31%

Disapprove: 63%

Unsure: 6%

5. Pauline Marois, Quebec (PQ)

Approve: 32%

Disapprove: 62%

Unsure: 6%

4. Kathleen Wynne, Ontario (Liberal)

Approve: 35%

Disapprove: 50%

Unsure: 15%

3. Christy Clark, British Columbia (Liberal)

Approve: 42%

Disapprove: 51%

Unsure: 7%

2. Stephen McNeil , Nova Scotia (Liberal)

Approve: 57%

Disapprove: 28%

Unsure: 14%

1. Brad Wall, Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Party)

Approve: 66%

Disapprove: 27%

Unsure: 7%

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall earned the top spot yet again, with an approval rating of 66 per cent, down from 68 per cent in September, 2013. He has consistently earned an approval rating of at least 66 per cent since December 2012, the polling firm noted.

Recently elected Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, who led Liberals to victory by a wide margin in October, came in second with an approval rating of 57 per cent. His ousted predecessor Darrell Dexter received a 28 per cent approval rating in September's poll.

"Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia are the only provinces where more respondents approve of their premiers' performance than disapprove," according to Angus Reid Global.

Canada's Slide into Sleaze with Harper as CEO

Or, the problem of running government like a business.

The Senate scandal that will continue to plague Stephen Harper when the House resumes sitting is far more than just a run of the mill scandal, of which Canada has had many over the years. This one seems to present the result of an accumulation of rot, amorality, casual thuggery and complete lack of shame, as one politico put it. It feels like we are approaching the end point of the collapse of public morality.

I think it started as soon as the political, business and media elites decided that the new mantra for the state was that government needed to be run like a business. At first blush this may seem like an innocent precept because, as its advocates were careful to frame it, it could mean little more than just running things more efficiently.

But running government like a business begs the question of just what business you are talking about. The mom-and-pop grocery or Goldman Sachs? The local shoe store or Lehman Brothers? The local eatery or Enron? It does make a difference.

Retirement proving too pricey for many Canadians

A new study reveals that nearly a third of Canadians are going forced to return to work to pay the bills. 

The major reason

TORONTO - Nearly a third of retired Canadians, or 30 per cent, have returned to work and a major reason is that they misjudged how much their expected life of ease would cost.

Two new online surveys from ING Direct found that the divide between how much people saved, and how much they actually needed, was too wide to handle without a paycheque.

The surveys portray a notable disconnect between Canadians' expectations of life after the workforce and the reality of the cost.

                                                 ................................................


Young savers using TFSAs to purchase homes: survey
Younger Canadians, more than ever before, are using their Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to save money to buy their first home.

Bank CEOs refocus priorities as Canadians borrow less, turn to saving

TORONTO - Canada's biggest banks say consumers are reaching the limit on how much they can afford to borrow, and that's likely to slow loan growth this year.

Tar Sands: The Most Destructive Project on Earth

TreeHugger

Environmental Defence just released a new report on the Alberta Oil Sands, calling it the most destructive project on Earth. DeSmogblog gleaned some facts from it:

-Oil sands mining is licensed to use twice the amount of fresh water that the entire city of Calgary uses in a year.-At least 90% of the fresh water used in the oil sands ends up in ends up in tailing ponds so toxic that propane cannons are used to keep ducks from landing.-Processing the oil sands uses enough natural gas in a day to heat 3 million homes. -The toxic tailing ponds are considered one of the largest human-made structures in the world. -The ponds span 50 square kilometers and can be seen from space.-Producing a barrel of oil from the oil sands produces three times more greenhouse gas emissions than a barrel of conventional oil.

 DeSmogBlog

Oil Companies and Alberta Government Go After Little Old Lady

Book Review: Stupid to the Last Drop

Edward Burtynsky on the Alberta Tar Sands

Renewable energy is America's cheapest option, study finds


William Marsden-Stupid to the Last Drop-author interview

Book : Stupid to the Last Drop: How Alberta Is Bringing Environmental Armageddon to Canada (And Doesn't Seem to Care)

Which Province Smokes The Most Pot?

Canada - 12.2 Per Cent
3,429,678 people

These are the StatsCan totals for Canadians age 15 years and older in the 12 months of 2012. Use included cannabis and hashish.

10. Saskatchewan - 10.1 Per Cent
81,676 people

9. P.E.I. - 10.4 Per Cent
12,437 people

8. New Brunswick - 11 Per Cent
68,444 people

7. Newfoundland And Labrador - 11.1 Per Cent
47,344 people

6. Quebec - 11.5 Per Cent
763,278 people

5. Manitoba - 11.5 Per Cent
110,235 people

4. Alberta - 11.8 Per Cent
361,247 people

3. Ontario - 12.1 Per Cent
1,331,299 people

2. B.C. - 14.2 Per Cent
538,434 people

1. Nova Scotia - 14.8 Per Cent
115,285 people

Trailer Park Boys thesis proved.



                                         Where In The World Do Kids Smoke The Most Pot?



29. Norway
- 4.55 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

All data from UNICEF'S Child Well-Being Index for 2013.


28. Sweden
- 5.54 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

27. Romania
- 6.08 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

26. Greece
- 6.6 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

25. Iceland
- 7 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

24. Finland
- 8.02 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

23. Germany
- 8.55 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

22. Austria
- 10.04 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

21. Portugal
- 10.05 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

20. Hungary
- 10.54 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

19. Denmark
- 11.51 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

18. Slovakia
- 13.04 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

17. Ireland
- 13.11 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

16. Lithuania
- 14.24 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

15. Poland
- 14.60 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

14. Estonia
- 14.69 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

13. Luxembourg
- 15 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

12. Belgium
- 16.07 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

11. Italy
- 16.62 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

10. Netherlands
- 17.05 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

9. The United Kingdom
- 17.45 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

8. Slovenia
- 18 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

7. Latvia
- 18.5 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

6. Czech Republic
- 21.49 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

5. The United States
- 22.05 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

4. France
- 22.54 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

3. Spain
- 24.06 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

2. Switzerland
- 24.13 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

1. Canada
- 28 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 report having used marijuana in the last year.

5 Countries With The Highest Military Expenditure In 2010

#5 Russian Federation
Russia spends about $59 Billion on military expenses, less than 10% of what the United States spends. Russia spends more on military than most other countries on both a per capita basis ($410) and as a percent of GDP (4.0%).

#4 France
France spends about $59 Billion on military expenses, less than 10% of what the United States spends. France spends more on military than most other countries on a per capita basis ($912) and less as a percent of GDP (2.3%).

# 3 United Kingdom
The United Kingdom spends about $60 Billion on military expenses, less than 10% of what the United States spends. The UK spends more on military than most other countries on both a per capita basis ($961) and as a percent of GDP (2.7%).

#2 China
China spends about $119 Billion on military expenses, roughly 7% of the entire world's expenses and less than 20% of the amount the US spends. China spends less on military than most other countries on both a per capita basis ($89) and on a percent of GDP (2.1%).

#1 United States of America
The United States spends about $700 Billion on military expenses or about 43% of the world's total. Its expenditure per capita ($2,240) and its percent of GDP spent on military (4.8%) are much higher than most other countries in the world. American military expenses have dramatically increased in the last decade due to the wars with the budget for defense more than twice what it spent in 2000 and about 20 percent of its entire federal budget.