Ontario, a fair representation of Canada?

The most densely populated area of Canada is without doubt Southern Ontario. This small part of the country is home to over 12 million people as of 2008 according to statistics Canada. Ontario is also home to the national capital of Ottawa, the question becomes what truly is being Canadian? Such a diverse and open country becomes difficult for us to represent it. Are the citizens of Ontario a true representation of what Canada is or should we look to the praries or coastal areas for this identity. It is an interesting topic as the GTA has a larger population than British Columbia, in fact adding the populations of all other provinces and territiories equals only marginaly more than that of Ontario. Their is always concerns raised that each area of the country is not represented fairly at the national level, or that northern regions of Ontario are not represented fairly in provincial politics. With such a dense populations in one area though it is undeniable that Ontario and specifically Souther Ontario deserves the majority of the representation. What is being Candian? This is a difficult question but it seems that our representation model works as well as one can hope in this situation.

A Safer Drive??

In an effort to make Ontarios roads safer the Provincial government has decided to make it illegal to use not only cell phones but also ipods, GPS units or essentialy any hand held electronic device while driving. This move has not come without it's controversey, many motorists who enjoy a multi hour commute through the GTA are able to conduct important business during their commute by using wireless devices. This ban will therefore either force them to work longer hours or be less productive. This ban will also effect a great number of people, according to Canada's office of consumer affairs there are over 16.8 million wireless subscribers in Canada.
In a country of thirty million, minus children and the elderly, it is easily the great majority that use wireless technologies. Offenders of this law will face a fine of up to $500! The most recent data from the United States showed that 5,800 people have died and 515,000 were injured as a result of vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers. Of course I'm sure if the cell phone companies hired a "third Party" to investigate these numbers that they would drop. Regardless, that this may be an inconvenience to many motorists if it is able to save one life it seems worth it. Perhaps the problem is not that people need these devices to stay productive at all times, but rather that this is what as a society we expect. America and Canada, democratic and capitalistic countries, free people enjoying a great quality of life. Why then are people crippled by stress in our societies? Why is debt out of control? What ever happened to the middle class? I digress yet this topic is sooooo much further reaching than it appears on the surface.
I for one applaud this move by the Ontario Liberals. Business, greed and profit must not always come first, now perhaps they can enact some legislation for a shorter work week and increased holidays???

E- Health Scandal

Ontario Health Minister David Caplan has resigned as a result of the recent investigation into Ontarios ehealth system. This is a system designed to increase efficiency in Ontarios healthcare system, instead it has cost taxpayers dearly and resulted in no real benefits according to Auditor General Jim McCarter. McCarter's report into the ehealth system revealed that over one billion dollars of taxpayers money was wasted. The ehealth system was designed to actualy save money and increase effeciency by creating online health records. It appears that once again the taxpayers are being robbed of their investments, the auditor writes the ehealth program branch had "fewer than 30 full-time employees but was engaging more than 300 consultants." McCarter also went on to say that these "consultants" were not picked based on merit, implying back door politics and favours.
So once again in Canadian politics we have a scandal wasting our tax money, are we not taxed enough? Do we not deserve to have the ludicris amount of money we give to the government used properly? The problem with Ontarians and Canadians as a whole is our passive nature, this should outrage people, instead it will be forgotten in a week. The health minister resigns and this should appease the people? Billions of dollars taken from Ontarians wasted and services not provided? Canada is one of the highest taxed countries in the world yet we do not hold our governments accountable. This story is not only one of shame and incompetance on the Ontarian government but also one of passivness and cowardice on the part of Ontario's citizens. If we keep accepting this corrupt system why should it change?

A more human leader

By now I am sure everyone has seen clips of Stephen Harper playing piano and singing beatles songs at a charity event with Yo Yo Ma over the weekend, if not check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOt2Qp0H9G8 The question that this has brought about in the political world seems to be of whether this helps or hurts his political standing. It appears to many that this shows him as much less rigid and more human, while members of the opposition find a way to put a negative spin on it. Personaly I think it is very beneficial to any politician to show themselves as a "regular" person, many of us remember the famous picture of Jean Chretien water skiing that became public when people started to question if he was to old to be prime minister. This picture singlehandedly seemed to sway public opinion on this issue. This shows that this very simple public relations move can have incredible benefits to the politician. Perhaps something that Dalton McGuinty should try???

Hi Everyone

Well this is my first attempt at blogging, and considering I am about as tech savy as a dinosaur I consider this to be a big step forward. Just a quick intro I am a 24, employed at a menial minimum wage part-time job and am a third year poli-sci/soci student at Brock University, which is what has gotton me into writing this block. Over the next few months I will be discussing various topics all related to Ontario politics, assuming I can get this all set up.
Hope you enjoy what you read
let me know if you do, or dont!
Thanks