UNEMBSharing the nation’s wealth
Less than four years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper used the backdrop of the Electro-Motive locomotive assembly in London, Ont., to highlight the governments corporate tax policies.
A low-tax environment combined with a $1 billion capital investment tax break was touted as a way, in his words, to ensure job creators come to Canada and stay in Canada.
In the case of Electro-Motives decision to offer employees half pay during recent contract negotiations, it appears the only way this countrys manufacturing sector will live up to that claim is we can adopt a Third World wage standard.
Canadian government approval was necessary to allow foreign companies like Caterpillar to purchase Electro-Motive or US Steel to buy Stelcos Hamilton steel plant. They sealed the purchases with the promises to retain Canadian workers only to turn around and shut the workers out.
The governments public response has been muted at best.
But, God forbid, if airline flight attendants attempt to go on strike. Then its a national crisis requiring back-to-work legislation.
The Harper government recently all but rolled over for US Steel as they were poised to hammer in a lawsuit leveled against the American company for its broken promises.
Its becoming more apparent Canada is moving toward a Bizarro World-like country where stealing from the poor to give to the rich has become the countrys mantra.
A country where little is said about a repressive regimes like China scooping up Albertas oilsands and, yet, we call our crude Ethical Oil.
A country which protects Canadian workers by allowing their jobs to be shipped elsewhere.
A country in which mercurial CEOs can make more than the average Canadian buy noon on Jan. 3, justify the salary by stating the nature of the job requires a high level of responsibility and then dodge said responsibility when things go wrong.
While a return to nationalist protectionism ideology would be draconian when it comes to foreign investment it may be preferred to the current situation in which multi-national corporations are given carte blanche to the nations resources.
What is needed is a return to some semblance of balance in the nations economy which sees the needs of Canadians and corporations sharing in the nations wealth.
(Alex McCuaig is a reporter with the Medicine Hat News. You can comment on this and other editorials online at www.medicinehatnews.com/opinions)
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