A Back-Door Tax Increase
The 2025 Manitoba budget includes an income tax increase you probably didn’t know about
Around: Boston
I spent a few days in Boston. What follows is a disjointed series of pictures observations from that trip. Getting Around Look at Boston on google maps and you’ll see freeways cutting through the middle of the city. Route 90 shoots west, straight through the historic Back Bay neighbourhood (or should I type “neighborhood” because…
#WPG22 Candidates: Part 2
I covered the top two candidates in my last post. There are 9 more, and unfortunately I don’t have time to cover them all. I probably don’t have time to do any of them justice to be honest, but I feel compelled to at least post something because many of them are worth consideration. Below…
#WPG22 Candidates: Part 1 – Murray and Gillingham
I have no connection to any candidate, and no clear preference yet. I may not know who I’m voting for when I walk into the booth, but I reviewed the platforms of the candidates for mayor in the 2022 Winnipeg election, paying particular attention to the issues I highlighted last time, to help myself make…
What we need from Winnipeg’s new mayor
11 people are in the race to be the new boss of Winnipeg. Although one candidate has more name recognition and support in the polls, the winner is not quite a foregone conclusion. I find it refreshing to have a civic election where there is no incumbent mayor and many different visions and personalities to…
The South Perimeter Project: a preview (featuring roundabouts)
A couple of years ago the government of Manitoba announced that it was going to upgrade the South Perimeter Highway. Work has begun. This whole summer equipment has been digging and plowing and getting land ready for new split-grade intersections at the St. Anne’s Rd. and St. Mary’s Rd crossings of the Perimeter. Yes!! It’s…
A bit of Portland
The customs officer studied my passport. “Where are you going?” “Portland” I answered. “Have you been there before?” “Nope, first time.” “Are you bringing brass knuckles?” “Um .. no. Do I need them?” I’m not certain it’s legal to bring brass knuckles in my carry-on, but apparently it is advisable if you’re staying in downtown…
The uncertain future of Blumberg
The future of the Blumberg golf complex has been uncertain for the better part of a decade. It was 2013 when the city-owned property outside of city limits was declared surplus. Throughout that time the complex, which includes an 18 hole and a 9 hole golf course, has managed to evade the wrecking ball, but…
What is the right jet for Canada? – UPDATED
My earliest memory of the murky world of military procurement was back around 1991 when PM Brian Mulroney announced the purchase of 50 new EH101 helicopters to replace our ancient fleet of Sea Kings, knowing he would likely not be around to see the sale through. As expected, new PM Jean Chrétien cancelled the order…
Billions of dollars going out to sea
The government of Canada is potentially wasting tens of billions of dollars and nobody is talking about it. Reports have been written about it, but politicians of all stripes ignore it, and it fails to capture any attention. “It” is the purchase of 15 new frigates for the Canadian navy, to replace our aging and…
The Three CEOs
I have been employed by a large firm that went through a dramatic restructuring. I will not tell you which one, though some of you know and some will guess, but I can tell you that we were a publicly traded company operating in a duopoly environment, meaning there was limited competition. I was hired…
Around This Town 