The Chronicle Herald, March 14, 2011

Taxpayers on hook for ad costs
Ottawa's $26m campaign ‘obscene' abuse of public purse, Nova Scotia MP charges
By BRUCE CHEADLE The Canadian Press
Mon, Mar 14 - 3:58 PM
OTTAWA - Taxpayers are shelling out $26 million over three months for all those Economic Action Plan ads the Harper government is airing on TV and radio.

A marketing specialist says the outlay is more cash than a big advertiser like Procter and Gamble would spend in a year in Canada. The massive TV and radio buy is shared among three federal departments for slick ads that began airing Jan. 11 and wrap up by March 31.

The ads have been hitting some of Canada's priciest advertising real estate: the Super Bowl, the Oscars and Hockey Night in Canada.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada has budgeted $14.5 million on three separate advertisements over nine weeks. The Canada Revenue agency is shelling out $6.5 million over 11 weeks, and Finance would only say its $5 million campaign runs during February and March.

All the ads link to the Economic Action Plan website which has drawn the ire of critics across the political spectrum for its partisan tenor.

The current run of television ads is also coming under fire, in particular a Finance department spot that features actors singing the praises of the Harper government's 2009 budget plan.

"We're getting ready for the future," a student-like character tells the camera.

"The global economy is still fragile," a francophone mother figure quickly adds.

"But we have a plan we can rely one," chimes in someone dressed as a farmer.

A series of phrases in light lettering hint at specific measures in the plan: "Knowledge Infrastructure," "Small Business Tax Cuts." But they don't explain how people can access those measures.

Critics say the ads are aimed at promoting the government when they should be giving citizens specific program information.

"There is a clear difference between an ad selling Canada Savings Bonds - or perhaps where (and) how to get a passport dealt with - than EAP ads," said Kevin Gaudet of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The federation recently resurrected Canada's federal "Debt Clock" - last seen in the early 1990s - and Gaudet said "stopping the clock will involve scrapping this kind of advertising that smacks so much of partisanship."

Alan Middleton, marketing professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, called the dollars involved "huge."

"A major advertiser like Procter and Gamble wouldn't spend that within a year in Canada, it's that big," he said.

Annualized to about $100 million for a full year, "not even McDonald's and Tim Hortons spend anywhere near that."

Corporate giant Bell Canada spent $89.5 million on measured media in 2009, according to Marketing Magazine.

The Prime Minister's Office, although it advises and must sign off on all government ad campaigns, referred The Canadian Press to recent committee testimony from a senior civil servant for comment.

Anne-Marie Smart of the Privy Council Office told the government operations committee last week the overall strategy is designed by the prime minister and his cabinet. All ads must be "aligned to government priorities" and must "address the information needs of Canadians."

"All (EAP) advertising is aimed at driving people to the website," said Smart. She added that the site itself "is not considered advertising."

Total federal advertising cost taxpayers $136.3 million in 2009-10, including $53.2 million on the Economic Action Plan.

The 12-week total cost of the current campaign left opposition critics dumbfounded.

"This is an absolutely obscene amount of money to be spending, particularly promoting an ‘action plan' with no action left in it," said Liberal MP Mike Savage (Dartmouth-Cole Harbour)

"This is an abuse of government resources. It's offending Canadians, it's confusing Canadians and it's angering Canadians."

Pat Martin of the NDP called it "tantamount to a blitzkrieg."

"My God, they're carpet-bombing the country with self-serving messages at the taxpayers' expense."

The spending totals come on the heels of news that Finance has set aside another $4 million to advertise the March 22 federal budget during this current fiscal year which ends April 1.

John Baird, the Conservative House leader, dismissed Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's complaints about the $4-million budget as relative chump change.

"If he wants to complain about a million here or four million there, he'll have to respond why he wants to waste $300 or $400 million on an early, opportunistic election that no Canadian wants," Baird said.

But Middleton the marketer said the surest sign of a pending election is the government's own advertising blitz.

"It's amazing how spending by departments that make you feel the government's doing something goes up enormously before there's an election called."

Mike questions Minister Finley about poverty reduction and the concerns of Faith Leaders in Canada regarding the dramatic rise in poverty. March 8, 2011.

25th Anniversary of the "Man in Motion Tour"

House of Commons, Ottawa

February 17, 2011

Statement by Mike Savage, MP on the appointment of the

The Right Honourable Joe Clark, PC, as Honourary

Director Canada Without Poverty

The appointment of The Right Honourable Joe Clark as Honourary Director of Canada Without Poverty is wonderful news and a boost to the cause of eradicating poverty in Canada. Mr. Clark has been a progressive voice for social fairness for decades. As an elder statesman, his considerable standing in Canada will help highlight the struggle against poverty.

I’ve had the opportunity to work Canada Without Poverty, especially Rob Rainer and his dedicated staff. Each day they advocate for those who feel they have no voice and live in poverty. Seniors living in poverty, women and children living in poverty, aboriginal Canadians and persons with disabilities living in poverty, and many others, all lack access to services that most of us take for granted. We owe it them to level the playing field and provide the opportunity for all Canadians to live their lives with dignity.

It is worth noting that the Human Resources Committee of the House of Commons, of which I am a member, recently completed a comprehensive study on poverty in Canada. Among the recommendations made to the Conservative government called for a national strategy to fight poverty, lead by the Federal government in cooperation with the non for profit sector, faith communities as well as provincial and municipal governments.

I believe the addition of Mr. Clark in this fight against poverty is meaningful and substantive and will remind Canadians that fighting poverty is not a partisan political matter, rather a matter of social and economic justice. I congratulate both Mr. Clark and Canada Without Poverty for continuing this important fight.

Canada Games Kicks off today

February 11, 2011 Statement in the House of Commons:

Mr. Michael Savage (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, Halifax is abuzz as the Canada Games kicks off today. Athletes from across Canada gather in Nova Scotia to compete in 25 sports, to explore our beautiful province and to meet other young athletes and make lifelong friends. These will be fantastic games celebrating our best young athletes, but also celebrating Canada and featuring local culture and talent.

Congratulations to the organizers who have done a fabulous job preparing for these games. J.P. Deveau, a great Dartmouth boy, has worked tirelessly as chair of the board, Chuck Bridges as vice-chair, Chris Morrisey, the CEO, and their teams have ensured that these games will be fantastic now and leave a great legacy for our community. A year ago Canada was celebrating the Olympics, culminating in Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby's golden goals. Now we gather in Nova Scotia to cheer on our future Olympians.

Halifax is the place to be for the next two weeks. We will see people at the venues, at the oval, at Celebration Square and on the streets. Book tickets, get to the games. It is going to be rocking all the way through in Halifax for the Canada games.

Liberal motion calls for reversal of corporate tax cuts

February 8, 2011

The Liberal Party of Canada has put forward a motion today in the House of Commons calling on the Conservative government to reverse $6 billion in tax cuts for Canada’s largest corporations back to 2010 levels in the upcoming Budget.

read more here

Mike spoke in the House of Commons on February 8, 2011 to this Motion. 

I am pleased to have an opportunity to discuss our opposition motion today. I commend my colleague from Kings—Hants for his leadership on this file. Few people understand the economy better than the member for Kings—Hants. He has a long history and understanding of the corporate sector, as well as knowing what it takes to have a successful economy in this country. . . . .

read more here

Boys & Girls Club of East Dartmouth 9th Annual Community Breakfast

February 4, 2011

The Boys and Girls Club of East Dartmouth held their 9th Annual Community Breakfast Fundraiser, Friday February4, 2011 at the NSCC Akerley Campus.  This year's guest speaker was Bobby Smith, Owner/Coach of the Halifax Mooseheads.  All proceeds were for the Boys and Girls Breakfast / Nutritional Programs. 

Dartmouth Adult Service Centre Takes Next Step Toward New Building

January 29, 2011

Welcoming the Torch to Dartmouth

January 11, 2011

Canada Summer Jobs 2011

Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative that helps employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities while achieving tangible results for both students and their communities.

This initiative will provide funding to not-for-profit, public-sector and small private-sector employers with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.

You can find out more about Canada Summer Jobs 2011 and to obtain an application form here

2010 Annual Community Christmas Reception

Remembering Those Who Served

Remembrance Day 2010