Thursday, June 11, 2015

Bennett's Ghost

                                                    http://en.wikipedia.org/

Stephen Harper continues to repeat the same mantra -- cutting taxes on corporations and the wealthy creates jobs. But, Mel Hurtig writes, economist Jim Stanford knows that the reality is quite different:

Economist Jim Stanford has made careful comparisons of Harper's claims against his actual performance in articles for the Globe and Mail and others. Stanford says that there are some 400,000 discouraged unemployed workers who do not appear in the official unemployment statistics and that with other forms of hidden unemployment, the true unemployment rate in recent years is above 12 per cent. New job creation in Canada has barely kept pace with its population growth; indeed, in 2013 Canada ranked in the lower half of industrial countries with net job creation lagging 1.4 points behind population growth.

"When Canadian officials boast that the pace of job-creation or GDP growth is relatively high," Stanford states, "they neglect to mention that Canada's economy must generate more growth and jobs just to stand still.... Canada's real GDP growth since the pre-recession peak (in 2007) ranks an uninspiring 17th among the 34 countries of the OECD.... Real per capita GDP remains 1.4 per cent lower than it was at the beginning of 2008. In fact, real per capita GDP is still lower in Canada than it was at the beginning of 2006 (when the Harper Conservative government first took power); during almost six years of Conservative 'stewardship,' therefore, Canadians have experienced no economic progress (by this measure) whatsoever."

Hurtig has been fighting an uphill battle for decades, as the Canadian economy was sold off to foreign interests. Besides corporate assets, Canadian jobs are now being sold as part of the bargain:

Regarding unemployment figures, 19 OECD countries have lower rates of unemployment in a recent three year average.

We lag at 14th position in terms of annual growth in compensation per hours worked. All of these countries have seen higher growth in wage rates: Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Mexico, Korea, Norway, the Czech Republic, Australia, Poland, Great Britain, Luxembourg and Denmark.
Conservatives like to argue that the best job creator is a growing economy. But as Saskatchewan MP Ralph Goodale notes, the Harper government's growth record is the worst since the early 1930s under then prime minister R.B. Bennett. 

Strange, isn't it? Another prime minister with roots in the Maritimes, who went to Calgary and became rich. Perhaps when he retires, Harper -- like Bennett -- will take up residence in Britain. Perhaps Stephen Harper is really R.B. Bennett's ghost.


10 comments:

Hugh said...

I think what we want is a healthy, sustainable economy, rather than economic growth.

And, most things we purchase in Canada seem to be manufactured somewhere else. That means money is leaving Canada.

Owen Gray said...

Harper has returned us to the 19th century, Hugh, where we were hewers of wood and drawers of water. He has ignored manufacturing all together. And, therefore, we are all poorer.

Unknown said...

Harper economics evolves from his Neo-Liberal agenda Owen. Nothing will stop him from implementing his Neo-Liberal policies, including bankrupting Canada. As he creeps around Europe and we listen to his various speeches and comments , I realize how off the wall and out of touch he really is. Canadians do not embrace the values of Neo-liberalism, but that literally does not matter to Harper.He is forcing these policies, on the country, incrementally and behind closed doors. Harper is like the rat you know is in your house. You know he's there by the damage he is causing . He, like the rat, when a light is shone on what he's doing skitters away. Time to clean house. I really like your quote today.

Owen Gray said...

By pure happenstance, Pam, it encapsulates what today's post is all about.

Lorne said...

I was reading an article the other day, Owen, about how the City of Toronto is putting some performance requirements into contracts for LRT work that include hiring local workers and apprenticeships. With the free-trade agreements Harper is negotiating in Europe and the Pacific, local sourcing, etc. well be expressly forbidden, as bidding will have to be extended to members of those pacts, yet another way this self-proclaimed economist is wreaking havoc on Canada.

Mogs Moglio said...

Um ya Owen Grey Harper is a skunk stripped liar. "Oh we have the best economy in the world" wrong. "We are protecting you from terrorists hiding under your bed" wrong again. "I am the best Prime Minister since sliced bread" wrong again. "I am in bed with Benji and if you don't like it you are a terrorist" wrong again. "I am a Christian Alliance Reform teetotaler" lies once more.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/09/16/stephen-harper-alcohol-beer-wine-booze-drinking-photos_n_3935054.html

Stevie is a total phoney...

Mogs

Owen Gray said...

The man is simply not who he claims to be, Mogs.

Owen Gray said...

His free trade agreements institutionalize unemployment, Lorne. Those for whom he works will reward him handsomely.

Mogs Moglio said...

Yes Owen we are not the only ones to notice but apparently his rabid base believes he speaks the 'word of god'= nonsense :)

Cheers,
Mogs

Owen Gray said...

His base appears to be unshakeable, Mogs.