Happenings

As many know we are relocating to Saskatchewan in a few weeks. This morning said 'good bye' to many folks at our synagogue here in Ottawa. Had expected some mention of our departure but was surprised to receive annual volunteer award. Quite touched at being recognized for our volunteer work in our synagogue.

I have mentioned to more than one person, that the Rabbi at Ottawa's Reform Jewish synagogue is in many ways a 'coach' as well as 'teacher'. He is very good at enabling volunteers. Not all professional staff in non-government organizations are good at doing this. But the professional staff at Temple Israel in Ottawa are different.

Today was one of a series of 'farewell' type events we are having the past few weeks into early June. Even though we have been in eastern Ontario for only 7 1/2 years we have established wonderful relationships. I have ongoing relationships with over 300 people as a result of my seasonal income tax preparation business. We have relationships with many folks both in synagogues in Ottawa and Kingston.

The wonderful thing about living in the 21st century is the ease with which one can maintain relationships despite vast geographical distances. Almost all the relationships I have discussed in this post will continue after our relocation.

Long Weekend Musings

Isn't it nice there is almost universal agreement respecting the Auditor General's request for MP's to let her office view their expenses. My sense is most MP's are feeling the heat during their recent break and a way will be found to let her office view their expensees.

It's a bit unfortunate that some more 'right wing' folks in our society will use this to again 'whip' up hysteria about politicians' expenses. A more 'savvy' attitude by MP's when the request was made would have saved everyone a lot of grief.

Social media (or social networking) continues to increase it impact on our society. Retweeted an article saying Twitter may have saved lives in the turmoil in Bangkok.

I agree with those who have decried the individuals responsible for the RBC Bank in Ottawa. What an effective way to put the breaks on real social change.

Getting closer to major relocation in early June. Had enjoyable visit with inlaws yesterday...

Coalitions and Electoral Reform

We need electoral reform in Canada!! People are cynical about politics and politicians. Why is our turnout so low in elections? More and more people just don't care!!

We need to explore coalition governing and politics in Canada. We need to not be afraid of compromising at least some long-held principles.

Our political system is broke. An ideological-based party seems 'entrenched' in power with only 30-35% of the popular vote. It is really unfair.

So-called progressive Canadians need to work together to restore the Canadian political system. So-called conservative Canadians have shown it can be done.

I am coming of the view we need Liberals and New Democrats to get over years of hostility to each other. Otherwise we are 'doomed' to more years of what are called 'George Bush lite' policies of our current federal government.

HST

Attended a seminar on the coming HST in Ontario yesterday. Had one question to find answer out and got it quite easily. I needed to know the answer, as I am relocating to a province that doesn't have a HST and sounds like it is in no hurry to get one. I run a small income tax preparation business and have clients in several provinces.

My new understanding is as a GST registrant, I will automatically be a HST registrant. I will have to collect HST if a client resides in (as of July 1, 2010) BC, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. If a client lives in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, or Prince Edward Island, or the territories I have to collect GST only.

My understanding is that the type of service I provide is not a taxable (provincially) service in the non-HST jurisdictions and even if it is, I am not obliged to collect it. Of course that could change if other provinces sign on to an HST type agreement with the federal government.

Elsewhere I have indicated my own views on the HST - a 'necessary evil' whose regressive impact needs to be 'cushioned' by credits/grants paid to low and moderate income earning individuals/families. I am also alarmed at the anti-tax coalition against the HST. I find the anti-tax coalitions are composed of unholy alliances made up of what are frankly 'opportunists'.

Bank Tax

See media full of Canadian government Cabinet Ministers 'globetrotting' around the world campaigning against a bank tax to cover future bailouts...

Let's see...our government opposed a bank tax because our banks did relatively well during the recession. Hmmmm...as if doing well means one should not take steps to protect a whole industry/economy to ensure problems don't arise again.

Seems this is a case where our government is once against pitting folks against each other. The 'folks against each other' are now the banks in Canada and elsewhere. In this age of globalization what affects one financial sector seems to affect all financial sectors worldwide. Should all banks participate in providing necessary resources to help bail out any future difficulties? Or should governments, like ours, continue to appeal to nationalistic sentiments suggesting that 'our" banks shouldn't be asked to help out other banks?...

Of course bank profits have been rising rapidly in recent months. My own particular bank made $1.3 billion in just 90 days some time ago.. they are so so hard done by!!

"us against them" seems to be a mantra of the current federal government.

Equity and Diversity

I am writing this while participating in my last meeting of the City of Ottawa's Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee. This is group of up to 15 residents of Ottawa who meet monthly to 'advance' the city's commitment to equity and diversity. They are a sincere group of folks who really do want to make an impact.

Do they? If one is looking for concrete results sometimes one can wonder. But clearly from anecdotal if not 'scientifically proven' experience the committee has had some real success since its inception about a decade ago.

Varia

Well still working on tax returns.. not nearly as hectic as during tax season but still few to do...why do some clients wait until after tax season...many do so willingly so it's less hectic; others do so as they don't owe money; and others.. well just procrastinate ((:-)). But my clients are the 'lifeblood' of my business so who am I to complain ((:-)).

Spent a week in Saskatchewan a few days ago. Saw our family. Grandsons are growing...newest one (4 months old) contributed to 2 sleepless nights for my wife and me. But he's loads of fun...

Glad our federal politicians came to an agreement on document disclosure. Gee they CAN work together when they want to...but only because no one of them wants an election...which is becoming long overdue in my view....

Speaking of not wanting something I see most MP's don't want Auditor General reviewing their expenses.. have they something to hide.....

As many of you know we are returning to Saskatchewan next month.. tomorrow we get to say 'best wishes' to lots of friends and customers....

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Today and tomorrow have an opportunity to cheer on our 7 year old grandson (the one whose father is sick) at a ball practice and game (weather permitting). It will be great to see him involved in this type of activity.

Our 12 year old grandson (when he is not 'hanging out' with friends) tells me his major sporting interest is playing football. As we are going to be much closer to him we may be able to make his interest a reality.

Oh and we intend to take him to a Riders game... GO RIDERS GO

Saw some old friends yesterday which was quite nice.....visiting a very dear friend later on today.

Really enjoying current trip now... housing arrangements for after our move are in place....

Saskatchewan Goings On

In middle of week long visit to Saskatchewan. Looking forward to relocation here in June.. Yes if you haven't guessed it from earlier posts we are returning to this province in middle of June. We spent 33 years in Saskatchewan (31 in Regina) and it has become 'home' to us.. While we grew up in eastern Ontario, the bulk of our 'lives' have been in Saskatchewan.

My wife and I first talked about moving back to Saskatchewan last summer when we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in both Regina and Ottawa. But a severe health challenge affecting the caregiver of our second grandson made us move up our move back. Our families in eastern Ontario first expressed serious concern over such a move.. but health crisis for our son-in-law makes them fully understand why we have moved this relocation forward by several years.

We have seen our son-in-law twice so far. He is trying to keep a good face but is in a high level of pain and knows he is quite sick. Apparently there is a considerable family history of this condition.

We hope any of you who believe in any supreme power will offer your requests for healing for Gerry Laliberte, 46 years old, fighting colon cancer (3rd stage).

Thank you very much for reading this post and any prayers you say for our son-in-law.

Various Stuff

Writing this post from Calgary airport en route for visit to family and friends in Saskatchewan. A good 'post tax season' get away even though not everything is done... But pressure time is over at least for now.

Still have some responsibilities in NGO's in Ottawa. Dealt with one of them by phone and email from here.

Very happy at upbeat mood of son-in-law with whom I spoke a day or so ago.

Others are commenting on current happenings in Parliament. From where I sit, the Speaker's ruling on detainee documents was a good one. Parliamentarians of all stripes must co-operate to ensure MPs have access.

I hear folks still venting about HST. Do those who vent have an alternative to ensure public agency has resources to carry on all the worthwhile public programs and services? Consumption taxes like HST are regressive but low income earner tax credits/rebates lessen impact. One can argue about levels of credits/rebates but the reality is consumption taxes are here to stay.

winding down and going forward

Slowly but surely unwinding from income tax season... lots of loose ends to clean up ..but easily manageable in next little while.

Pleasant job in days ahead.. get to visit our daughter and grandsons in Saskatchewan.. always an important part of one's life. Family is important.

Some readers here may know we are relocating from current residence in Canada's capital back to Saskatchewan to be closer to family. We've heard of lots of people moving to be closer to children and grandchildren. Never really thought we would be doing same.. but so is life.

Have advised income tax clients this is 'in the works'.. hope to retain most of them next year - the wonders of email/scan/fax/PDF makes life so much more convenien these days.

It's Over (Sort of)

April 30, 2010 has come and gone. Glad that the high intensity workload of income tax preparation season has completed. Still have a number of files to clean up or should I say clear up. Once again the 300+ folks have shown wonderful support for my income tax preparation business.

But in this world and this life things keep moving along...just three days to wind stuff up (at least partly wind stuff up) from tax season and then off to another 'adventure' in our lives. More to come later