Awash in cash, Tories expected to cut GST to 5 per cent

Government of Canada announce that they are planning to cut the GST to 8% to 5 %. It is because Ottawa’s swelling budget surplus. They have huge budget with commodity price boom for resource such as oil and coffer. Toronto – Dominion Bank chief economist Don Drummond forecasts Ottawa is headed for a surplus of 14.5 billion this year. It went to 3.3 billion before to now 14.5 billion dollar. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announce about this plan front of the House of Commons. This GST cut would benefit shoppers and businesses during the Christmas season. Also, help retailers losing business to cross border shopping. On the other hand, the Liberals have come out against GST cut.


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Council approves new tax, fee

New land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee was a controversial issue. However, now it has passed easily at Toronto city council. The land transfer tax was approved in a 26 to 19 vote which they expect $155 million next year and $240 million in following year. People have to pay 0.5 % on the first 55,000 of the home’s value. City council has voted 25 – 20 to approve the 60 year vehicle tax that will yield 20 million in 2008. There was people who were against the land tax waged by the Toronto Real Estate Board. There message was that the tax is unfair because a small percentage of citizens, home buyer, will shoulder most of the city’s budget. All of this decision was made for the people in the city and province. I strongly believe the decision that councils has made; New and transfer tax and vehicle registration fee is very good idea because with that tax they could run the city and use the money for the good cause of Toronto. Almost every single province has a people who are against the government’s decision. However, the vote is from the city council that represent the citizen which means majority of the people wants the New land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/269208

Controversial tax plan in the hands of swing votes

The mayor’s office and the key voters on the council’s negotiation is intensifying due to the tax debate at city hall in one week. This debate is about consensus to approve a land transfer tax on the purchase of a home and a car registration fee for 2008. Politician Mr. Milczyn helped the mayor to win the debate by one-vote in July, he supports the idea but he wants the cost to be reduced. The land transfer tax of up to 2 per cent and a 60 dollar fee to register car ownership. Many of the councillors believes that the mayor can make a good compromise and get a victory in the debate.

My opinion is that I support the tax and I believe that the mayor will win the debate, this is because many are supporting the mayor already, the mayor just have to make small adjustments to the plan and it will surely earn him votes. I support the tax because I would not think that this is a huge tax, it can bring $356-million a year in total which could be used for good deeds.

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Historic win for Liberals

First time won after 70 years ago, A triumphant Dalton McGuinty has won the majority government against Conservative leader John Tory. He is 52 years old and lawyer who has been estimated too low from people since his improbable Liberal leadership victory in 1996. Dalton McGuinty has strong disagreement with Conservative Leader John Tory $400 million plan to extend public funding to fairth based schools to his advantage. McGuinty mentioned that people in Ontario is free to be who you are and respect culture and faith. On the other hand, John Tory has bitter disappointment because Rogers Cable CEO and runner- up to David miller had high hopes of winning power by returning the Conservative to the political centre after the right wing policies of former premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.

I believe that politic is very tough job because one party Leader have to make citizen satisfy for them to vote for them. This means they have to understand citizen’s circumstances and know what going on around the country. I think people vote for Dalton McGuinty because they want to give him a chance.

http://www.thestar.com/OntarioElection/article/265746

Foreign Minister makes unannounced trip to Afghanistan

Foreign Affair Minister Maxime Bernier had

discussion with President of

Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. This is first visit to

Afghanistan since Prime Minister Harper. This

discussion was about the negotiation with Taliban

forces. Bernier maintain Canada’s perspective

and position on this negotiation has not changed. Currently, he is on whirlwind tour of Afghan

with International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda. Canadian minister ensure that security to

the Canadian troops and the children who are in school. Two minister is planning to tour

Canadian supported development project in the war – torn country. On the other hand, there

were bombing incident happen toward the U.S. Military in Kabul’s airport. One U.S. soldier and

a four Afghan civilians got killed 2007 has been most violent of the year effort since September

11th attack, more than 5,100 people have died all in 2007. Also, there were other bombing

incident in Kabul that bomb Afghan army bus. Also, bombing, gun battles, air strikes and

roadside bomb killed 5, 100 people. I believe that all country should support U.S. to dominate

the terrorist forces. If this does happen many of innocent civilian will die. Country will have to

upgrade their protection for the country and citizen. Also, they should support Canada and U.S.

which means that representative of country will have to negotiate between country to prevent

the terrorist attack and to dominate terrorist forces.


http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/264295

Thousands of South African miners rescued

On Thursday, October 4, 2007,

Harmony Gold’s Elandsrand Mine in

Carletonville, south west of Johannesburg South

Africa, About 2000 South African gold miner

was trapped and got rescued in a dramatic all

night operation. What happen was that

pressurized air pipe was snapped and caused elevator damage. It was huge problem for miners

because they are in deep underground and to able to come up, they had to use a elevator. The

mine owner and energy minister promised that they will improve their safety. There were no

injuries or death and most of them were women workers. The workers were given food and

water. This could make huge problem to the South Africa and whole world if all the workers

were just buried in underground. I think the owner and the company should upgrade their

protection. As much they work with an effort they should get pay more and get respect more.

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/263578

Korean leaders meet in historic summit

South Korea president Roh Moo – Hyun has cross the

DMZ between North and South Korea for the first

time. On 2000, President Kim Dae – Jung has flew to

North Korea but did not cross the DMZ boarder. Mr.

Roh mentioned that the goal is to keep the peace

between those two countries. Since 1953, Korea was

divided into North and South, they cross the DMZ

boarder which made the huge wall between two

countries. Mr. Roh also mentioned that “This line is a

wall that has divided the nation for a half-century. Our people have suffered from too many

hardships and development has been held up due to this wall,” before crossing the boarder.

When Mr. Roh arrived to the Pyongyang the capital city of North Korea, thousands of people

were welcoming, also, President of North Korea Kim jung il was welcoming the Mr. Roh. The

security was perfect and there was emergency jet. The talk between two president was about

the Nuclear weapons and keeping the peace. I believe that Mr. Roh crossed the DMZ is very

meaning to the both citizens that one day DMZ boarder will be gone and become united. Also,

President Kim Dae jung got a Novel prize for the peace keeping with North Korea. As same as

Mr. Roh should get Novel prize.

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