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Ontario Provincial Elections 2011 Discussion (pg. 4)
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by jchung52
So you are one of the believers that the FIT program is raising your bills? Come on Jay, I would expect you to have better researched your stance. Yes the "green" sector is bringing up everyone's rates but not nearly at the amount many have been led to believe. The OPA is adjusting the rates in October (as per the 2 year program period). The rate per kWh is going down (not due to political reasons but rather to make the program sustainable). There are quota's that are set and have been met. The OPA is no longer accepting large-scale projects as this allotment has been fulfilled and also due to capacity constraints. As I stated before, 80cents/kWh is only for rooftop projects under 10kW (800 sq ft). Less than 1% of our generating capacity is under that. Wind pays 13.5cents.
The "50%" increase is due to our ty grid that the PCs regretted to maintain and thus costing us billions presently to refurbish...Oh don't forget the billions spent on nuclear that we are still paying for (debt retirement charge). Hydro rates going up due to Liberal green programs? How bout Harris's overspending on his energy program? How bout the inefficency of delivering voltage long distances (average 7%)? Localized power generation can help eliminate that. Take that 7% cost per kWh and put it towards local power + green (fixed costs) and the result is a pretty sustainable system...I can keep going all day on this as this is an industry I'm quite involved with. I am still waiting for Hudak to show evidence of his platform. If he can prove me wrong, I will humbly accept it. Till then, I will continue my defense |
Whilst I dont have the exact breakdown of costs, there is no doubt the Samsung deal is raising our costs as you have yourself admitted. We are spending billions of dollars on this at a time when we can least afford it. 200 new jobs sounds sexy until you realize that they are in fact not creating any new wealth and are actually a net drain to our economy. I am all for the idea of "green power" but not when it is not economically viable and especially in an economy like ours. Look at our record debt as an example. If the infrastructure is an issue like you said, lets put resources into that instead of samsung? |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by devnull
One issue I have not seen discussed in any of the platforms (perhaps because they are too busy nagging at each other's plans) is the issue of transportation.
Transportation is a big issue in Toronto from a subway expansion and highway gridlock
From my perspective, I commute from Hamilton -> Burl/Oakvile daily. 2 years ago, the stretch from skyway to Ford drive was entirely redone to add an HOV lane (and remove exit lanes). This was a weak attempt at social engineering and a total failure at easing traffic gridlock. So millions were wasted for no improvement (except for the few who commute in groups).
This year, this same stretch was repaved....why would u repave a 1yr old highway.... again more millions wasted for something not needed yet. I would have preferred that they fix the big jam happening at Guelph line (3 lanes + hov merging, in a curve, + 2 large on ramps, + everyone switching lanes) and expand the number of lines all the way to the split for QEW/403 hamilton.
I would like to hear for each parties how they plan on easing traffic gridlock. Solving/easing this issue would allow businesses to be more effective and also allow families to spend more time with each other instead of wasting time in traffic. And for the green thumbs....ease on pollution.
After research:
http://www.ontariopc.com/pdf/Changebook_en.pdf Page19 (does not speak to HOV crap tho)
http://www.ontariopc.com/issues/tra...infrastructure/
http://www.ontarioliberal.ca/OurPla...orm_english.pdf Page 42 speaks about transit, nothing about highways
http://ontariondp.ca/wp-content/upl...able-change.pdf NDP only speaks about transit and freezing fees. Nothing about highways |
I agree and while the tories are the only ones that discuss roads, they still dont go far enough for me. I want to see a comprehensive plan designed to ease bottlenecks. Another big one for me is the 404/401/DVP interchange. The design there is a disaster. Also they need to widen the bridges over the river at 16th avenue that causes daily backups in both directions due only to the fact that drivers seem to be afraid of the concrete barrier being close to the lanes. |
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| daves |
If you put Hudak in, expect a mirror of the Rob Ford gongshow:
"We will balance the budget and wipe out the deficit because there is gravy to be found... just a bit of efficiencies"
- (sorry sir, we just spent 1/3 of a million on consultants, no gravy has been found)
"Well what I meant was, taxpayers will have to make a sacrifice on some of their dear programs and services... they can either choose that or a 35% tax rate increase!"
This is a very common bait-and-switch, expect it to be used again. |
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| smuncky |
| expanding roads will not ease traffic. |
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| jchung52 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Whilst I dont have the exact breakdown of costs, there is no doubt the Samsung deal is raising our costs as you have yourself admitted. We are spending billions of dollars on this at a time when we can least afford it. 200 new jobs sounds sexy until you realize that they are in fact not creating any new wealth and are actually a net drain to our economy. I am all for the idea of "green power" but not when it is not economically viable and especially in an economy like ours. Look at our record debt as an example. If the infrastructure is an issue like you said, lets put resources into that instead of samsung? |
$7 billion investment by Samsung (not us paying 7). $435 million by Ontario |
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| malek |
The only federal government that cut back on social transfers are the Liberals under Chretien.
And the one who got the ball rolling for our colossal debt is another Liberal: Trudeau.
Read about it. |
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| PivotTechno |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Whilst I dont have the exact breakdown of costs, there is no doubt the Samsung deal is raising our costs as you have yourself admitted. We are spending billions of dollars on this at a time when we can least afford it. 200 new jobs sounds sexy until you realize that they are in fact not creating any new wealth and are actually a net drain to our economy. I am all for the idea of "green power" but not when it is not economically viable and especially in an economy like ours. Look at our record debt as an example. If the infrastructure is an issue like you said, lets put resources into that instead of samsung? |
I'm sure all of this sounds great while you're making it up in your head, but the majority of it is incorrect. For someone who seems to be so civic-minded, you sure are misinformed. |
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| patpicos |
| quote: | Originally posted by smuncky
expanding roads will not ease traffic. |
In areas where public transit is not really an option.....its pretty much the only option I think.
My commute from Hamilton->Oakville is 25-45mins by car. By transit, its at least 1-1.5hr. It would be ridiculous to even bother.
Even if I were to take transit, it would not relieve me from having a car since I would still need it for day to day activities in Hamilton. So I still need my car + insurance + all other costs + transit costs.
The only place in ontario i would live w/o a car is Toronto and even then..
So, had the gov. not sold the 407, more people would use it and it would free up capacity on QEW from Hamilton->Mississauga.
Also, the plan for another highway around Hamilton to connect to 403 by Sauga is also on hold because of green thumb activists..
What we need is proper planning for highways. I guess its a problem everywhere, but I am sure we can do better. |
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| Yohan |
http://votecompass.cbc.ca/en
According to this site, I should really consider voting Green. which is really a surprise to me because I never thought I'd be so much in common with the Greens. (and Elizabeth May scares me) |
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| Adamo |
| crooks and theives, all of them... |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by jchung52
$7 billion investment by Samsung (not us paying 7). $435 million by Ontario |
And who pays for Samsung's portion through higher electricity rates?
My point still stands. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Yohan
http://votecompass.cbc.ca/en
According to this site, I should really consider voting Green. which is really a surprise to me because I never thought I'd be so much in common with the Greens. (and Elizabeth May scares me) |
Green party is decent until they get into all the nanny state ideas that they have. Taxing junk food and trying sneaky ways to make driving impossible.. no thanks |
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