Turning Over Rocks by Phil Koning
Are we learning anything yet?
We were warned a worldwide pandemic was a certainty and there were plans developed in preparation, yet no one followed them. Now we’re facing an economic hangover, resulting from the decisions made on how to control viral spread. And both history and current realities...
Free flow of information solves problems
I’ve been reading news reports about municipal councils concerned about the cost of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. I wrote about the Integrity Commissioner process before and although FOI appeals are already handled by a central office, the Information and...
Rail passenger plan might miss the boat if intra-provincial tourism potential isn’t tapped soon
There was an upswing in the long-promised and turtle-slow passenger rail service commitment by the Progressive Conservative government recently. The announcement of the Initial Business Case (IBC) for reinstating the Northlander triggered a political firestorm as the...
Private enterprise too fickle to deliver public priorities
Greyhound Canada’s permanent parking of its passenger service has delivered another example of how private interests are fleeting at best during fair-weather and quick to depart when dark clouds arrive. The recent closure of the bus line in Ontario and Quebec, after...
Cost of municipal integrity not cheap
Ontario residents are being asked how to strengthen code of conduct policies for elected municipal officials, as well as revamping the appropriate penalties. Follow this LINK to add your two cents before the public consultation closes July 15. It’s been two years...
It’s a taxing situation
Fairness in taxation is much like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder. The concept attempts to balance the rights of the individual with the obligation to society and the success of that equalization is only evident in the lack of opposition to the tax. Property...