I get the sense that you are under the impression Quebec receives equalization transfers because the government chooses to spend more than it earns. That is not how it works.
I would like to take a moment to wish everyone Bonne Fête Nationale tomorrow. Our opinions may differ widely on the relationship between Québec and the rest of Canada; I will still raise a toast tomorrow in honour of Québec. Vive le Québec!
HJ - it’s already St. Jean Baptiste in Italy. I still hope to meet you some day and split a fantastic meal. Bonne fête, mon ami!
Uzi if every province ran a surplus there would still be equalization payments. It is based on Provincial revenue capacity on a per capita basis and whether or not that value resides above the combined provincial average or below it. If above, you’re a “Have”, if below you’re a “Have not”.
Bah - subsidized CBC and their shows that no one except the Toronto elite and university student watch. Besides how do we know that isn’t an Maritime bear in Ontario for the benefits?
lord it’s late. 
Ya ! I’m heading there this August for a 7 night canoe trip. Can’t wait. Hopefully I’ll get to hear some wolves for the first time.
If every province ran a surplus there would be no need for them to get equalization payments as they would have the money to support themselves.
But you are correct and I am wrong on this issue.
Yet, am I wrong that without the equalization payments that most of these provinces would be far deeper in debt than they are because none of them run surpluses? And that if they weren’t running deficits, those on the ‘have’ side would probably end up paying less taxes?
If it were a Quebec bear, the cubs could be in daycare and mama bear could be out contributing to society. If only the ROC would listen!!! 
I know you say “yet” in just a moment but again you’re missing the point. Equalization payments are not to “top off” provincial budgets. If that was the case BC with its 900 million deficit would not be considered a “have” province. Equalization payments exist to allow provinces with wildly differing revenue capacities to provide relatively similar services at relatively similar tax rates. Hell the money comes from general federal revenue – it isn’t as if the “haves” cut a check and mail it in just to watch it go out to slacker provinces.
I’m not sure how you could determine that. “If they had less money to spend would they spend less money?”, maybe I guess. But it currently appears that almost all provinces spend more than they take in. Consider Alberta (and I hope I get this more or less right)
Revenues 2010-11 – 34 Billion (11 Billion from Personal/Corporate Taxes)
Expenses 2010-11 – 39 Billion
Withdrawal from Surplus fund – 5 Billion (Fund will be at 2.3 billion in 2013)
Quebec has its own challenges, not just from a language perspective but from a political perspective. It’s been a 2 party province split along separatist/federalist lines instead of economic or social issue ones. I get the feeling there’s a hunger for a party that says “the separatism debate is irrelevant to us, this is our economical platform”. I mean honestly, Charest is begging to be punted out but the opposition is off imploding thanks to some damn fool ideological purity test.
As for federal taxes and equalization payments I suppose we could see a decrease. Based on the 2011 budget
Revenue 2010-11 – 235 Billion (152 from Personal/Corporate Taxes and 30 billion from GST)
Expenses 2010-11- 276 Billion
So let’s say that 14 billion in equalization only comes from the 182 billion Income/GST tax base only. Remove it and we’d see a 7% drop in those taxes (5% GTS goes to 4.6, 16% corporate goes to 14.8 and 46% personal income goes to 42.5). numbers more or less off the top of my head. The question you’d have to ask is “Would the impact in those provinces of the 10% or so of revenue loss be a net gain or loss in excess of the equalization payments?”
I have no idea.
snerk
If it was a BC Bear it would be asking for money to ensure that it’s hibernation habit could be properly managed.
If it was…I’ll stop now.
Well, it is an Ontario bear. So I suppose it’s hibernating till its manufacturing job returns.
If it was an Alberta bear, it would select a den for hibernation based on whether there was enough room for its pickup truck.
Is it one of the elitist Toronto bears whinging about cuts to art funding or worse, is it from Ottawa?
And no I am not Googling Ottawa Political Bears - shudder.
If it was a Saskatchewan bear, it would be complaining about snow/rain/hail/drought/flooding/federal Liberals.
ETA: And you could see it running away for three days. 
What will be your route?
Hey, Muffin - I got to steer last night! Only 4 people showed up (this wasn’t a regular practice time, and the weather sucked) so it’s not like I had to handle a full boat, but I didn’t crash into any walls, buoys or other boats, and managed a beautiful narrow turn! My coach paddled and did one-on-one with the girls, who are all newbies. It was awesome. Here’s a crappy photo for proof 
Dragon boating? Our city’s annual Dragon Boat festival is tomorrow. I’m not participating, but I know a number of people who are, and I plan on going to see them race. And to have a beer with them after. 
And to keep this within the “current events and politics” specification of the OP, this is happening tomorrow (so it’s a current event), and the mayor and members of council (i.e. politicians) will be in attendance. 
Oh yeah, in keeping with politics and politicians, our new mayor and his henchman were both in attendance at our local Comics Convention last weekend. Mayor Naheed Nenshi presented a symbolic white hat to William Shatner,which we were privileged to watch. His Worship also tossed off a couple of incredibly geeky one-liners, proving his geek cred is impeccable. 
ETA: I see from that article that all the nicely-dressed people we saw at the other event were from a Jehovah’s Witness convention. The best line we heard was from a couple of teenagers who had been at the comics convention like us; they were saying, “Why are all those people cosplaying as Men In Black?”
Yep, dragon boating. I’ve been paddling for 5 years now, though a back injury limits what I can do since last year (I do a lot more outrigger canoeing!). I’m captain of one team (women’s community) and sub or drum for another (community mixed). We have a small event tomorrow too, then one in August and another at the end of September. We can’t afford to do more!
Dragon boating for beer is a good thing - local events often give cases of beer to race winners! It’s a really fun sport, and pretty much anyone can do it.
“Must … thank … mayor … forthe … hat!”
Well, my friends’ team never wins its races, but they seem to have a lot of fun trying. And while they don’t get a case of beer, they sure do enjoy the beer garden after the race!