Hello!
The comments on this profile are unclaimed and thus are unverified.
Do they belong to you? Claim these comments.
Werner Patels
Is this you? Claim Profile »
2 months ago
in Larry Summer nods off on Stephen Taylor - a blog about Canadian politics
In all fairness to Larry, I think we're all so utterly bored by the "numbers game" at this point that we'd all like to simply sleep through this ordeal.
1 reply
Stephen Taylor
Larry is an economist!
2 months ago
in Dion was an unexpected gift, but Ignatieff was an original Tory prospect on Stephen Taylor - a blog about Canadian politics
I share most of your views on the subjects you covered here, but all your predictions assume one crucial key element: an electorate from coast to coast that is actually capable of common sense, and that's exactly what we don't have in this country, with the number of common-sense thinkers dwindling every day.
Let's not forget that so many Torontonians, for example, positively love being taxed to death. If a national leader like Iggy says he'll raise taxes, they'll probably kiss his feet and build him a statue.
We're not dealing with intelligent, educated people capable of common sense in this country.
Let's not forget that so many Torontonians, for example, positively love being taxed to death. If a national leader like Iggy says he'll raise taxes, they'll probably kiss his feet and build him a statue.
We're not dealing with intelligent, educated people capable of common sense in this country.
2 replies
Nick
Werner, while I understand your outrage towards Torontonians, I think painting the city with such a broad stroke neglects the droves of non-traditional voters that the Conservatives have access to in the city. Also, I feel that you're confusing a lack of "common sense" with an opposition towards your own personal political leanings. I think if we can take anything away from the Conservative's reign as a minority government, its that there is no "common" sense in politics, but rather an informed and uninformed citizenry that holds various views on many issues, all of which must be heard and understood. Only from this point is a political party able to properly govern a nation.
Christian Conservative
Yes, Toronto does love to be taxed, hence David Miller's mayoralty. However, that's actaully something we've got going for us... THERE'S NO MORE SEATS IN TORONTO FOR THE LIBERALS TO WIN.
3 months ago
in Newspapers’ decline is a sign of democracy, not a symptom of its death on eaves.ca
Well, as it turns out there isn't much decline in Canada -- quite to the contrary in fact!
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=...
and
http://www.calgaryherald.com/News/Herald+newspa...
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=...
and
http://www.calgaryherald.com/News/Herald+newspa...
1 reply
david_a_eaves
Hi Werner, thank you for commenting...
I don't think the first link has much to say that is interesting. Citing the number of Canadians who pick "a" newspaper at least once a week? Almost certainly the majority of which are the free Metros... These are not stats for the industry to seek security in.
The second piece is also troubling. The 7.3% growth rate in people who look at the newspaper "once a week" includes online growth! Once you break down the numbers the newspaper experienced an actual growth (again in the number of people who looked at the newspaper at least once(!) a week) of 2.86%. This from a city that has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in the country. Moreover, just because someone looked at your newspaper once a week, doesn't mean they paid for the privilege. Indeed, newspapers have been known to give away copies during ratings periods to "boost" their numbers.
More instructive then asking "did you look at the newspaper at least once this week" is to examine subscription rates. Here the numbers are more bleak for the Herald. According toits own marketing materials they had a subscription base of 126,052 in 2006. Today, wikipedia lists their subscription base as 115,612. That's a decline of 9%. It's also lower than their 2004 numbers of 119,476. These aren't figures that are going to save the industry. My strong suspicion is that even Calgary, this is a business that will struggle.
I don't think the first link has much to say that is interesting. Citing the number of Canadians who pick "a" newspaper at least once a week? Almost certainly the majority of which are the free Metros... These are not stats for the industry to seek security in.
The second piece is also troubling. The 7.3% growth rate in people who look at the newspaper "once a week" includes online growth! Once you break down the numbers the newspaper experienced an actual growth (again in the number of people who looked at the newspaper at least once(!) a week) of 2.86%. This from a city that has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in the country. Moreover, just because someone looked at your newspaper once a week, doesn't mean they paid for the privilege. Indeed, newspapers have been known to give away copies during ratings periods to "boost" their numbers.
More instructive then asking "did you look at the newspaper at least once this week" is to examine subscription rates. Here the numbers are more bleak for the Herald. According toits own marketing materials they had a subscription base of 126,052 in 2006. Today, wikipedia lists their subscription base as 115,612. That's a decline of 9%. It's also lower than their 2004 numbers of 119,476. These aren't figures that are going to save the industry. My strong suspicion is that even Calgary, this is a business that will struggle.
