Canada's Corporation & their effect on Govt? (house, to buy)

[ethanre]

It is not news that corporations and their lobbyists have far too much power over the US govt and the laws.

I just watched Food Inc and highly recommend it. It inspired me to post this question:

My question is directed at Canadians,

How is the situation in Canada when it comes to corporations, their power over the Canadian gvt and Canadian laws/regulations?

Are small farmers being bought out by mega farm companies?

Do Canadian farmers have the same problem US farmers do?

Is unhealthy fast food less expensive than real vegetables and fruits as is the case in the US?

I am asking about Canada in general and BC in particular.

[netwit]

[quote=ethanre;9787137]It is not news that corporations and their lobbyists have far too much power over the US govt and the laws.

I just watched Food Inc and highly recommend it. It inspired me to post this question:

My question is directed at Canadians,

How is the situation in Canada when it comes to corporations, their power over the Canadian gvt and Canadian laws/regulations?

Not sure what you mean by that. Like companies lobbying for certain things and the government caving in? I think not so much as appears to be the case in the US but certainly when you want to attract business to an area, you would listen, perhaps hold public hearings on the issues.

Are small farmers being bought out by mega farm companies?

Small farms are dying everywhere. In order to survive you have to use expensive fertilizers, expensive equipment and in order to justify all that, you have to own more and more land. It's a vicious cycle unless you find a niche market and until you are established, you had better have an income coming in from somewhere else. The point you have to realise is that people who farm do not farm purely on the basis of making money. It is a lifestyle and a mentality, and it has to be accepted that in exchange for a certain rural lifestyle, there will also be drawbacks, like not having vacations every year, and not making those home improvements because your thirty-year-old tractor died and you have to buy a newer (but not new) one.

Market gardeners do quite well. .

In Manitoba it's mostly humongous pig farms polluting the landscape.

I have an aunt and uncle in BC, near Cranbrook, doing niche things with sheep that city people like. Like sheep milk soap, cheese, and other sort of crafty things.

Other people I know have small vineyards. If you do it right and have the start-up money, you can have nice little wine tasting vineyards that locals and tourists will come to. BC consistently places high internationally for ice wine.

Do Canadian farmers have the same problem US farmers do?

Farmers have the same problems everywhere in the world. They are weather dependent and no one will notice the difficulties they have surviving until everyone is starving. How a steak can sell for so much at a supermarket and the farmer get so little for a whole cow remains a mystery to me.

Is unhealthy fast food less expensive than real vegetables and fruits as is the case in the US?

Yes.

[ethanre]

Thanks, it makes sense that farmers no matter where they are have the same challenges, not just the weather (and nature) but also economically, equipment, seeds, chemicals, machinery etc..

Does the canadian gvt subsidize farmers for certain crops?

[mikeyyc]

Originally Posted by ethanre

Thanks, it makes sense that farmers no matter where they are have the same challenges, not just the weather (and nature) but also economically, equipment, seeds, chemicals, machinery etc..

Does the canadian gvt subsidize farmers for certain crops?

Less than the US does.

[Fred Derf]

Originally Posted by ethanre

It is not news that corporations and their lobbyists have far too much power over the US govt and the laws.

I would argue that lobbyists have relatively less power in Canada. In the United States each Senator or House Representative is an independent agent and with enough wining and dining you could potentially convince enough undecided members to side with your bill. It is quite common for a Congressman to trade his vote with someone else' in a "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" type of relationship.

That type of stuff will not happen in Canada because our elected members are not free to vote how they choose. Lobbyists would need to convince enough of the party caucus to direct the backbenchers to vote for a proposed bill. In Canada, if you vote against your own party you will find yourself quickly kicked out of the party except in very rare circumstances.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by Fred Derf

That type of stuff will not happen in Canada because our elected members are not free to vote how they choose. Lobbyists would need to convince enough of the party caucus to direct the backbenchers to vote for a proposed bill. In Canada, if you vote against your own party you will find yourself quickly kicked out of the party except in very rare circumstances.

Interesting. So, while the system in Canada may limit lobbyist influence to a degree, it also would appear to prevent MPs from voting their conscience. I'm not knocking it, BTW. Just an interesting point.

[Fred Derf]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Interesting. So, while the system in Canada may limit lobbyist influence to a degree, it also would appear to prevent MPs from voting their conscience. I'm not knocking it, BTW. Just an interesting point.

That is somewhat balanced by the fact that there are 4 or 5 major political parties. Chances are then better of you finding an ideological match.

[ethanre]

so, in Canada you have more than just 2 strong parties? what are they called? do you have a right and a left party?

[mikeyyc]

Conservatives
Liberals
New Democrats
Bloc Quebecois
Green
Rhino

[ethanre]

Thanks!

Which are the largest / strongest?

What are the major differences between the Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats?