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# Keeping it Real...

## Posts

- [If Trump Goes Ahead with 50% Tariff Attack: Canada MUST Retaliate!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/if-trump-goes-ahead-with-50-tariff-attack-canada-must-retaliate/) - First of all, I don't think Donald Trump is that dumb: I predict, if there's no deal with Canada before Wednesday's "deadline", the US President will extend the date for his threatened new tariffs on Canada. BUT, since the Mad Hatter indeed seems to be mad, in every definition of the word, Canada must be
- [Bizarre BC Government Requirements Add Ideology to Public Service Health Hiring.](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bizarre-bc-government-requirements-add-ideology-to-public-service-health-hiring/) - The most obvious symptom that a public health system is itself in critical condition is when the Emergency Department of a hospital is shut down! The Emergency Department! Closed! Just imagine how the chances of a tragic outcome increase if someone suffers a heart attack, a stroke or a terrible accident ... and a closed
- [Elbows UP, Canada! Trump’s Tariffs, Taunts, Tantrums Taking their Toll on the US Too!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/elbows-up-canada-trumps-tariffs-taunts-tantrums-taking-their-toll-on-the-us-too/) - This is no time for Prime Minister Mark Carney to cave in any more to Donald Trump's bullying. Canadians for months now have suffered job losses, economic hardships and emotional hurt and anger as a result of the US President’s tariffs, threats and insults ... with Canada doing little or nothing to push back. The
- [Billions of Federal Bucks Fail to Boost Eby's Popularity](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/billions-of-federal-bucks-fail-to-boost-ebys-popularity/) - The poll results surprised me. Premier David Eby on July 2 had scored some of the biggest commitments ever and $20 Billion from the federal government for BC projects. (I wrote about it on the blog:https://harveyoberfeld.ca/david-ebys-best-week-in-a-year-but-will-it-save-his-leadership/). There was $10 Billion in federal spending for port improvements, $3.5 Billion for a new transmission line, $3 Billion
- [New "CentreBC" Leader Takes Aim at Both the NDP and Conservatives](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/new-centrebc-leader-takes-aim-at-both-the-ndp-and-conservatives/) - British Columbians are largely centrist by nature: voting patterns for decades have favoured provincial parties and politicians who rejected extreme ideologies and policies on both the left and the right. Former Liberal cabinet minister Mike Bernier took the leadership of the new political party CentreBC, formed in April, 2025, aimed at voters who don't like
- [Why Canadians are Losing Trust in "News"](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/why-canadians-are-losing-trust-in-news/) - ((Pictures from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad social media, Facebook, social media; Used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law ...collated and reproduced in Times of Israel.) They were Palestinian terrorist group members ... killed in Gaza strikes by the Israeli Defence Forces many weeks ago ... but only recently paid tribute to
- [David Eby's BEST Week in a Year ... But Will It Save His Leadership?](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/david-ebys-best-week-in-a-year-but-will-it-save-his-leadership/) - It was almost as if I went to sleep in British Columbia and woke up in Ontario or Quebec. There was Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing $10 Billion in federal spending for port improvements, $3.5 Billion for a new transmission line, $3 Billion for a tunnel project, $500 million for a mine expansion, etc. etc.
- [Canada: A Beautiful Tapestry of Many Colours, Faiths, Followings.](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-a-beautiful-tapestry-of-many-colours-faiths-followings/) - Who knew a FIFA World Soccer game played in Los Angeles would unite our country from coast to coast to coast! But it did. Sunday, sitting in Vancouver, I could swear I heard the cheering in St. John's, Newfoundland; Inuvik too; and even Quebec City. Team Canada ... made up of players from across the
- [BC Government Takes up Comedy ... but No One is Laughing](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-government-takes-up-comedy-but-no-one-is-laughing/) - Governments, by necessity, must multi-task: but the current NDP provincial government has bungled some of it terribly. They took the province from an $6 Billion surplus in 2022 when Premier David Eby took office to a projected $13.3 Billion deficit this year; ran up BC's debt to $116.5 Billion this year, projected to grow to
- [Wake Up, Canada! The Jihadists are HERE!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/wake-up-canada-the-jihadists-are-here/) - This week, the Pinizzoto children, Domenic and Dani, along with their mom, Marisa, will bury their dad, Marc Pinizzoto. Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto was shot and murdered last week while doing his duty as a member of the Toronto Police Force. An 18-year veteran of the force, he was only 43 years old. Pinizzoto
- [NHL: Why a Canadian Team will NEVER Again Win  the Stanley Cup](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/nhl-why-a-canadian-team-will-never-again-win-the-stanley-cup/) - Your calendar has a flaw if it says no special Canadian historical event happened on June 9. That's wrong. On June 9, 1993 the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup and lifted it high, as millions of Canadians celebrated from coast to coast to coast! Sadly, that was the last time a Canadian team will
- [BC Conservatives' Major Blunder!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-conservatives-major-blunder/) - In politics ... and comedy ... timing is critical! But no one in the BC Conservative Party should be laughing at how the vote results/announcement of their new Leader were rolled out Saturday. The Conservatives, although Official Opposition in the BC Legislature, are barely known by most British Columbians ... I'd bet most could not
- [FIFA 2022/2026: a Tale of Two Cities](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/fifa-2022-2026-a-tale-of-two-cities/) - First, a quick test: Where were the last FIFA games held? What did you learn about the CITY where the games were held? What did you learn about the REGION where the games were held? When the games were over, did you plan a visit or make investments in the city, region, country? Some may
- [Oil Corporations Profit from Consumers' Suffering!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/oil-corporations-profit-from-consumers-suffering/) - Canada needs a Windfall Profits Tax for Oil Companies using the Iran War to shake down consumers. Sunday afternoon, I spotted a "deal" ... gasoline "on sale" at Petro-Canada in Vancouver for $2.17.9 per litre ... down 5 cents a litre from the price in the morning! And while I was pumping my $48 purchase
- [History Will Highlight Trump's BIGGEST Gaffe: Pushing Canada Into the Grasp of China!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/history-will-highlight-trumps-biggest-gaffe-pushing-canada-into-the-grasp-of-china/) - The American President, the American people, the American media are all consumed right now with Iran. And the price of gas. And the cost of groceries. And even the deterioration of US democracy, gerrymandering, women's, gay, abortion rights and, of course, the Epstein files. But 10 years from now ... when today's "news" fades into
- [Whitecaps Deserve Better Deal ... But No Public Cash Bailout](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/whitecaps-deserve-better-deal-but-no-public-cash-bailout/) - Way back in the late 70s, I remember being downtown, celebrating the original version of the White Caps (in the North America Soccer League) winning the Soccer Bowl championship. "White is the colour; soccer is the game ... " thousands sang in unison. But the truth is neither I ... nor I dare say many
- [NDP's ONLY Hope is for Eby to Go!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/ndps-only-hope-is-for-eby-to-go/) - He doesn't have to cite the REAL reasons: David Eby can blame "wanting to spend more time with his family"; personal health issues; yearning for a new professional challenge; or, he just needs more time to read the blogs. Of course, Eby won't admit how British Columbians have tired of his endless pandering/give-aways/caving in to
- [Eby’s DRIPA “Solution” Is NO Solution At All!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/ebys-dripa-solution-is-no-solution-at-all/) - Put yourself in the position of a major global corporation considering/looking for resource/industrial investment/development opportunities. How many of your millions (or billions) would you be willing to pump into B.C. when the Premier says he will only temporarily suspend parts of a piece of legislation that threatens your entire investment and operation in the province?
- [The World … Not Just the US … MUST Re-Open Hormuz to Free Navigation!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/the-world-not-just-the-us-must-re-open-hormuz-to-free-navigation/) - It’s time for Canada , the Europeans, the Arab nations and even China to stand up to Iran on the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran gets away with declaring the Strait of Hormuz as its own waterway, with passage subject to its control, the implications for world trade through other similar international waterways around the
- [Never Mind NATO: Where the Hell are the Arab Gulf Nations???](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/never-mind-nato-where-the-hell-are-the-arab-gulf-nations/) - Iran has attacked them with ballistic missiles and drones; destroyed several key parts of their economic infrastructure; set several of their ships ablaze; paralysed their economy; killed civilians and terrorized their populations… including children. Iran targeting Israel again? No! These are Arab states in and around the Persian Gulf: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab
- [Federal NDP Votes Itself into Irrelevancy](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/federal-ndp-votes-itself-into-irrelevancy/) - It's very sad. The federal party that once championed the hopes and beliefs of the majority of middle and working class Canadians has now completed its transition to just being the fringe voice of far left revolutionery activists, anti-business obstructionists and environmental extremists. Not a formula for electoral victory these days ANYWHERE in Canada! The
- [Blog on Travel Break to March 30](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-travel-break-to-march-30/) - Just remembered ... I'm retired. 😁 Time to enjoy some travel again! Back blogging in two weeks. Ho 🇨🇦🇨🇦 Check the labels: Buy Canadian! 🇨🇦🇨🇦
- [By-election Results Could Trigger Full Spring Federal Election](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/by-election-results-could-trigger-full-spring-federal-election/) - Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced three federal by-elections April 13 to fill vacancies two vacancies in Toronto and one in Quebec. Watch those results very closely! Victories in all three would give the Liberals majority government. However, anything less could lead to ALL Canadians going to the polls again this Spring. Here's why: Carney
- [On Iran, Trump Got it Right --- Maybe](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/on-iran-trump-got-it-right-maybe/) - Most Canadians really dislike (too mild a word?) Donald Trump; regard him as quite a disgusting person; a liar; a racist; and, many even believe he's mentally unstable. But that doesn't mean Trump is always wrong. For 40 years, the Iranian government has been the most brutal, repressive, intolerant, terrorist-supporting regime ... in not just
- [A Hockey Game That Was Much More Than a Hockey Game](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/a-hockey-game-that-was-much-more-than-a-hockey-game/) - A week ago a Norwegian friend of mine asked if i had noticed the total medal count at the 2026 Winter Olympics? "No," I replied. "No one will remember any of it a few days after the Games end ... except the hockey." That's what hurts, will hurt for some time ... and not be
- [BC Should Just File For a "Consumer Proposal"!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-should-just-file-for-a-consumer-proposal/) - BC is not only broke ... it's going further into debt this year ... and says next year will be even worse! Finance Minister Brenda Bailey predicted in her 2026 BC Budget the province's deficit (spending more than it takes in) will hit $9.6 BILLION ... and next year, she plans to overspend by another
- [BC Budget Day Tuesday: Blog Thursday](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-budget-day-tuesday-blog-thursday/) - Let’s see what Premier David Eby’s government has planned for us in the coming year … for better or worse!
- [CBC's Anti-Israel Bias Independently Documented](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/cbcs-anti-israel-bias-independently-documented/) - It's about time! For two years, CBC radio and television viewers have been subjected to what I have repeatedly drawn attention to: biased, one-sided anti-Israel propaganda, disguised as news reporting and analysis. The CBC, in covering the Gaza conflict, has … in my view … taken sides, favouring the terrorists. We're not complaining here about
- [Good News and Bad News for Eby Government in Latest Poll](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/good-news-and-bad-news-for-eby-government-in-latest-poll/) - The good news for the NDP, according to a just-released poll by the Leger group, is that David Eby and the NDP would win a majority government, if a provincial election was held now. The bad news for the NDP, though, is that there is no election scheduled right now ... and the NDP's lead
- [Canada NEEDS Point Roberts: One Way or Another, We Should Take It!!!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-needs-point-roberts-one-way-or-another-we-should-take-it/) - It’s a whole new world out there! Might makes right; selfishness triumphs principles; mutual respect no longer has any place in global relations; and, the will of the local population need not reign supreme. Donald Trump has introduced new norms and new rules. “One way of another” the US President vowed his country NEEDS and
- [Canada Should Wait Trump Out, Rather than KowTow to China/India](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-should-wait-trump-out-rather-than-kowtow-to-china-india/) - Donald Trump has wreaked havoc on global trade; upset the free world's co-operation and defence alliances; ignored International laws; threatened America's traditional allies; and, used the US military against his own citizens. In the case of Canada ... the Mad Hatter has done ALL of the above .. and shown no real interest in resolving
- [Tinkering/Amending DRIPA ... Instead of FULL REPEAL ...Will Cripple BC's Economy Even Further!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/tinkering-amending-dripa-instead-of-full-repeal-will-cripple-bcs-economy-even-further/) - BC's economy, since David Eby became Premier, leading his version of an NDP government, has slid steadily downhill ... beginning well before US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Eby became Premier in November, 2022 ... inheriting a $6 Billion SURPLUS from John Horgan's NDP government: just a year later, 2023-2024, BC recorded a DEFICIT of $7.3
- [Blog on Holiday Break to Jan. 12](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-holiday-break-to-jan-12/) - Time for a holiday break .... the blog will return Jan 12. Wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah 🕎 , Merry Christmas 🎄… and Happy and Healthy New Year! Ho
- [Despite BC Conservatives' Chaos, Eby Will NOT Call a Spring Election](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/despite-bc-conservatives-chaos-eby-will-not-call-a-spring-election/) - In politics ... as in comedy ... timing is crucial. So, with the Official Opposition BC Conservatives in turmoil (at one point last week, they had two MLAs claiming to be Leader) and now a new leadership campaign under way, it must be tempting for Premier David Eby to call a snap Spring election. In
- [Vaughn Palmer: A Bright Light in a Landscape of Dimming and Extinguished Media Torchbearers](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/vaughn-palmer-a-bright-light-in-a-landscape-of-dimming-and-extinguished-media-torchbearers/) - It has been more than 40 years since Vaughn Palmer became part of the The Vancouver Sun's Legislative Bureau. He is still there, and BC journalism is all the richer for that. At a time when today's "political" reporters are increasingly dwindling in number and too many of those remaining have basically become political "messengers"
- [Eby/NDP Must Put BC/Canada's Economy Ahead of Pandering to First Nations Militants!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/eby-ndp-must-put-bc-canadas-economy-ahead-of-pandering-to-first-nations-militants/) - Is David Eby still Premier of BC? Too often, whenever I hear him these days, Eby sounds more like a spokesman/agent for militant First Nations ... not the workers/taxpayers of BC! And ... once more ... the BC NDP are lining up on the WRONG side of history. Have we already forgotten how in 2013,
- [Hang in There Canada: Americans are Tiring of Trump’s Tariffs and Chaos!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/hang-in-there-canada-americans-are-tiring-of-trumps-tariffs-and-chaos/) - (NOTE: The Blog is back up after some technical problems last week: will leave this topic up a few extra days to allow for full comments and reaction. Special thanks to my technical friends C and H who knew how to give it life again! NEW blog topic Thursday Nov 27! ) The morning drive-thru
- [Blog on Break till Nov. 17](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-break-till-nov-17/) - It's getting cooler, the leaves are falling and it's raining more often ... reminds me, I'm retired! :) Time to travel, visit family, friends ... and, of course, take a cruise! Back blogging Nov 17. Ho
- [Canada Must NOT Let Eby and Coastal First Nations Force Us to Keep Selling Oil to U.S. at Discount Prices.](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-must-not-let-eby-and-coastal-first-nations-force-us-to-keep-selling-oil-to-u-s-at-discount-prices/) - Canada has been selling 94% of our oil to the U.S. at below world market prices for decades. "The US buys Canadian oil at a discount and exports at full price, which currently yields a US$19 billion annual windfall," the CD Howe Institute reported earlier this year. "The 4.4 million barrels per day imports from
- [Deaths/Injuries Pile Up ... as Police Ignore PEDESTRIAN Arrogance, Stupidity and Traffic Infractions](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/deaths-injuries-pile-up-as-police-ignore-pedestrian-arrogance-stupidity-and-traffic-infractions/) - A 38-year-old pedestrian died Thursday after being struck by a car on Terminal Avenue; a man in his mid-60s was killed Sept. 18 crossing Victoria Drive; and, on Sept. 1 an 81 year old pedestrian was killed on SE Marine Drive. That's THREE pedestrian deaths on Vancouver streets in September alone ... and who knows
- [If King Henry VIII had a Public-paid Jester, Why Not Eby too?](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/if-king-henry-viii-had-a-public-paid-jester-why-not-eby-too/) - Governing the serfs, placating the nobles and rewarding all your loyal knights is no easy task. The King (or Queen) sometimes need a good laugh. And what better way to have one than get someone to write speeches and pen jokes just for you ... and have your subjects pay for it! Henry II had
- [Parliament is Back ... But Canadians Need ACTION, Not Talk](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/parliament-is-back-but-canadians-need-action-not-talk/) - The first known use of the word "parliament" was in 11th century France, referring to the practice of holding discussions or negotiations ... expanding in early 1200s Britain to meetings of the governing council. Canada's Parliament ... our 45th ... is now back in session and there will be LOTS of talk ... much of
- [BC/Canada Should Not Use Temporary Foreign Workers and Students as Scapegoats!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-canada-should-not-use-temporary-foreign-workers-and-students-as-scapegoats/) - First, they came for the International students ... blaming them for crowded colleges/university classes, apartment shortages, high rents and lack of jobs for young Canadians. So the federal government proudly announced it would cap the number of foreign students admitted into Canada. "Refugees and Citizenship Canada has said it will issue 437,000 permits to foreign
- [Federal NDP MUST Choose a New Direction as Well as a New Leader!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/federal-ndp-must-choose-a-new-direction-as-well-as-a-new-leader/) - Labour Day marks the beginning of the federal NDP's leadership campaign to replace Jagmeet Singh. But the NDP had better do more than just replace the man who delivered the party's worst election defeat in modern history: the party needs a NEW direction as well! I told them so months BEFORE the last federal election
- [CBC Spending/Salaries/Raises SOAR While Viewership Plummets](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/cbc-spending-salaries-raises-soar-while-viewership-plummets/) - It's a level of publicly-funded budgeting, salary increases and bonuses staff that private broadcasting outlets can only dream of these days! In 2015, there were 438 CBC employees taking home six-figure salaries, at a total cost of $59.6 million to the public, according to the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation. This year, a whopping 1,831 CBC employees
- [Why is Extremist Islamic Brutality Downplayed or Hidden by Canada's Media?](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/why-is-extremist-islamic-brutality-downplayed-or-hidden-by-canadas-media/) - The Christian worshippers had come from near and far to celebrate their church's Silver Jubilee and, ironically, "pray for peace". "Attackers came in and they beheaded Christians in the church," a witness later reported. "The jihadis killed those they met in the church hall. Those who tried to flee, they caught them and killed them
- [Why Other Countries LOVE the Foreign Property Buyers BC/Canada HATE](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/why-other-countries-love-the-foreign-property-buyers-bc-canada-hate/) - I am a foreign property owner: blog readers know I own a "snowbird" condo in Florida, where I spend most of the winter. I am not alone. Over a million Canadian snowbirds migrate to the U.S. each year. They are not alone. In my 16-unit garden condo building, there are eight permanent American residents, three
- [How Mahmoud Abbas Snookered Mark Carney into a "Peace For Our Time" Declaration](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/how-mahmoud-abbas-snookered-mark-carney-into-a-peace-for-our-time-declaration/) - Well, maybe we should at least be thankful, Prime Minister Mark Carney didn't wave before the cameras ... for the historical record ... Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' signed letter promising peace, democracy and disarmament. But Carney was certainly impressed! "I spoke today to President Abbas at length to reaffirm his commitment," Carney told reporters
- [Alberta Voters Who Believe Poilievre Would LOSE to Carney Again in Next Election Should Send Him Packing ... NOW!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/alberta-voters-who-believe-poilievre-would-lose-to-carney-again-in-next-election-should-send-him-packing-now/) - Pierre Poilievre is struggling. After almost a lifetime in politics ... with no other notable business or professional career ... Poilievre's own Ottawa voters tossed him out as their MP in the last federal election. How embarrassing! And making it worse, as Conservative Leader, Poilievre snatched defeat from the jaws of victory ... the Conservatives
- [Canada's Economic Crisis: Militant First Nations Must Not be Allowed to Shake Down, Extort or Blackmail the Nation's Access to Foreign Markets](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canadas-economic-crisis-militant-first-nations-must-not-be-allowed-to-shake-down-extort-or-blackmail-the-nations-access-to-foreign-markets/) - Thousands of Canadians have already suffered layoffs; tens of thousands of Canadian companies are seeing reduced exports, higher import tariffs and many are even vulnerable to potential collapse; while millions of Canadians face an economic future full of uncertainty, more layoffs/closures ... and all levels of government are already struggling to pay for public services.
- [BC/Quebec Pipeline, Tanker Bans are America's "Trump" Card](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-quebec-pipeline-tanker-bans-are-americas-trump-card/) - The US has Canada over a barrel ... literally. BC's refusal (so far) to lift its objections to oil tanker travel along our west coast, and Quebec's refusal (so far) to allow oil/natural gas pipelines to the east coast are playing right into the US's hands. Canada will never be able to break free from
- [The NDP Government Savaged Granville Street; the NDP Government Should PAY to Re-Civilize It!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/the-ndp-government-savaged-granville-street-the-ndp-government-should-pay-to-re-civilize-it/) - When you see Granville Street today, from Hastings to Drake, it's hard to believe how far downhill it has has declined. I remember. I remember when there was not just the Hudson Bay store at Granville and Georgia, but Henry Birks and Eaton's stores kitty-corner and more recently Sears, Nordstrom's too; a Future Shop, the
- [BC Ferries' "China is Cheaper" Excuse Makes Fools of Canadians Who Pay More to "Buy Canadian"](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-ferries-china-is-cheaper-excuse-makes-fools-of-canadians-who-pay-more-to-buy-canadian/) - Millions of Canadians have stood up for months now ... elbows up ... to Buy Canadian! In many cases ... purchasing fruits, vegetables, canned/packaged goods, clothing, shoes, appliances ... we've paid more than if we had chosen similar products made in other countries. And it hasn't been just wealthy Canadians earning the big bucks: working
- [Iran Got What it Deserved ... 42Years Late](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/iran-got-what-it-deserved-42years-late/) - Once again, the anti-US, anti-Israel, pro-Islamic media got it wrong. Saturday night and Sunday, several "news" outlets reported that the Americans had bombed Iran after Israel "began direct hostilities when it attacked Iran 10 days ago" (BBC). Sunday, CBC's The National (not surprised!) called the latest conflict "the war started by Israel". Wrong! I have
- [Kananaskis 2025: China, India Know Canada's Politicians Talk Principles, But Money Speaks Louder!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/kananaskis-2025-china-india-know-canadas-politicians-talk-principles-but-money-speaks-louder/) - India isn't even a member of the G-7 .... but Prime Minister Narinder Modi was personally invited to attend by Prime Minister Mark Carney. That invite came even though the Canadian government has accused Modi's government of violating Canada's sovereignty and assassinating Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, BC in June, 2023. Canada had
- [History Will Condemn Media's One-sided Anti- Israel Coverage of the Gaza War](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/history-will-condemn-medias-one-sided-anti-israel-coverage-of-the-gaza-war/) - Ravid Haim died last week ... only 15 days old. Doctors had tried valiantly to save the baby, born through an Emergency C-Section after his pregnant mother, Tzeela Gez, was shot in her car and murdered. Sure seemed like a newsworthy story to me: a pregnant mother shot and killed ... then extraordinary efforts to
- [Caution Needed in Lowering ALL Inter-Provincial Barriers](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/caution-needed-in-lowering-all-inter-provincial-barriers/) - At first glance, removing all inter-provincial trade/services barriers seems such a good idea. After all, why should anyone in BC be prevented (or severely discouraged through rules/restrictions) from buying wine or cheese or beef or fruits/vegetables or any goods made in any other province of Canada? Or vice versa? Surely, producers/suppliers/manufacturers should be able to
- [Spring: Time for Renewal ... but will the Federal NDP get the message?](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/spring-time-for-renewal-but-will-the-federal-ndp-get-the-message/) - Canada's federal calendar this week will be full of new beginnings. A new Parliament, a new government, a new Prime Minister, a new Cabinet, 112 new MPs, five new Commons seats, a new Speaker, and a new King to read a new Speech from the Throne. A time of change ... hopefully! Canadians re-elected the
- [Bill 15: Consultation, Yes; Veto Power, Shakedowns,  No!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bill-15-consultation-yes-veto-power-shakedowns-no/) - BC's economy is in bigger trouble than many people realize. The province's GDP growth rate in 2023 was only 1.6% ... down considerably from 3.8% in 2022; for 2024, it was projected to be even worse, only .08%; the unemployment rate in December 2024 was 6%, up from 5.6% the same month in 2023; the
- [David Eby: Case Study of How Power Can Damage a Politician](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/david-eby-case-study-of-how-power-can-damage-a-politician/) - Hard to believe there were times when Justin Trudeau was beloved by tens of millions of Canadians; Gordon Campbell was elected and even re-elected as British Columbia's most popular provincial leader; and, even Brian Mulroney managed to achieve two back-to-back majority governments. And then ... they lost it: rejected, replaced and even reviled by many
- [Finishing my cruise: Blog back May 12](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/finishing-my-cruise-blog-back-may-12/) - Well, whoever you voted for, there will be a lot to discuss/debate over the next four years! But first, time to finish my cruise and take care of some personal tasks when I get home. After all, I’m retired! Back blogging May 12. Ho
- [It’s Time for Change](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/its-time-for-change/) - I know most of us are not Pierre Poilievre fans. But after 10 years in power, are we such great Carney/Liberal fans that they deserve another four years in charge … bringing their term in power up to 14 years? I say no. Four more years of squeezing the middle class despite families and seniors
- [Election Canada’s Archaic Rules Deny Thousands of Canadians the Right to Vote!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/election-canadas-archaic-rules-deny-thousands-of-canadians-the-right-to-vote/) - I won’t be able to vote in our federal election… and neither will tens of thousands other Canadians! We are citizens who happen to be away from home, traveling, overseas, or in the United States. Probably more than 100,000 Canadians are away from home internationally at any one time, on the road by car, on
- [Local Crime/Courts/Bail/Sentences Should be Federal Campaign Issue!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/local-crime-courts-bail-sentences-should-be-federal-campaign-issue/) - It's no wonder downtown city streets in some many Canadian cities are seeing fewer shoppers, diners and retailers. Shoplifters, muggers, druggies and crazies have taken them over ... not just at night, but even during daytime ... thanks to our incompetent justice system that handcuffs/punishes more law-abiding citizens than criminals! Why? Because FEDERAL bail and
- [Poilievre Should Serve Up More Substance, Less Slogans](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/poilievre-should-serve-up-more-substance-less-slogans/) - "Axe the Tax" was great ... perhaps the most memorable political slogans in modern Canadian political history. Successful too! Effective enough to force the Conservatives' arch rival Liberals to drop the tax ... at least temporarily. But Pierre Poilievre's subsequent slew of slogans and catch phrases have not done so well ... and are even
- [Election 2025 Should be About MORE than Trump/Tariffs!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/election-2025-should-be-about-more-than-trump-tariffs/) - So on April 28, Canadians will finally get what millions have yearned for/demanded over many, many months ... even years: a federal election! At last!!! YET, it looks like millions of Canadians ... many of the same ones who wanted this vote for so long ... could vote based entirely on a single, emotional issues
- [Carney Revives Old Liberal Tradition: "Screw the West ... "](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/carney-revives-old-liberal-tradition-screw-the-west/) - Would somebody in BC PLEASE wake up those still working in BC politics and BC media! (I'm retired.) They should all be screaming like hell ... so loudly that Mark Carney and the other self-absorbed Eastern egotists in charge of the federal Liberal Party hear BC's anger and outrage at how our province was just
- [Blog Takes Winter Break ... Back March 3](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-takes-winter-break-back-march-3/) - Sometimes I forget (senior moment?) ... I'm retired! Time to take a break, enjoy warmer climes and a brief rest away from politics/world crises ... or least ranting about it! Back blogging Monday, March 3. H.o)
- [Carney's Background, Maturity May Trump Poilievre's Slogans, Rhetoric](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/carneys-background-maturity-may-trump-poilievres-slogans-rhetoric/) - Former Bank of Canada governor and current candidate for the Liberal leadership, Mark Carney, is not a man of many public words ... or, until recently, TV appearances. Then suddenly, there he was: live on the Daily show in the US, being interviewed at length by late-night TV host Jon Stewart. "I think in a
- [Canada's Greens Make a Mockery ... of  Themselves!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canadas-greens-make-a-mockery-of-themselves/) - Canadians may find it hard to believe, but there are countries in the world where "Greens" are actually a serious, credible political force ... and not so much a collection of extremists, bigots and just plain wackos! In 2004, Indulis Emsis became Prime Minister of Latvia, the world's first Green head of government. Greens have
- [Poilievre  Should Pledge to Purge CBC, Not Just Defund It.](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/poilievre-should-pledge-to-purge-cbc-not-just-defund-it/) - I believe in the CBC ... or, at least, the CBC that used to honour its actual mandate. "The CBC's mandate is set out in the 1991 Broadcasting Act. It says the public broadcaster should "provide broadcasting services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens and entertains," a CTV story reported this past
- [Canada 2025: the Year of Pierre Poilievre](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-2025-the-year-of-pierre-poilievre/) - Justin Trudeau is gone ... or at least he WILL be politically in a matter of weeks. Liberal strategists and supporters have already begun spinning that a new leader, with a new team and new policies could actually win the upcoming election ... with another minority government. Not! On Saturday, the price of a litre
- [Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy and Peaceful New Year!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/merry-christmas-happy-chanukah-and-a-happy-and-peaceful-new-year/) - The Blog is taking a holiday break ... back Jan 6. Wishing all my readers a wonderful holiday season ... with appreciation for everyone's participation in this wonderful, stimulating exercise of democracy! H.o
- [As Christmas and Chanukah Approach, Judeo-Christian Values Are Under Increasing Attack by Jihadists](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/as-christmas-and-chanukah-approach-judeo-christian-values-are-under-increasing-attack-by-jihadists/) - Al-Qaida linked Jihadists have taken over Syria; in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed strict Islamic restrictions on women ... now forbidden treatment in hospitals or to even have their voices heard in public; while in Canada, the UK and Europe, Jihadists have stepped up their attacks on not just Jews and Jewish community centers and
- [Blog on Travel Break: Back Dec. 2](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-travel-break-back-dec-2/) - Time to get away, enjoy some warmer weather, and put politics, world stresses and media frustrations aside ... well, for a couple of weeks. :) After all, I'm retired! Back blogging Monday Dec. 2. Ho
- [Hamas Rocket Barrage Deliberately Aimed at Tel Aviv Shows Who Has the REAL Genocidal Intent!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/hamas-rocket-barrage-deliberately-aimed-at-tel-aviv-shows-who-has-the-real-genocidal-intent/) - The shower of rockets fired by Hamas from Rafah in Gaza Sunday morning was deliberately aimed at Israel's second largest city, Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv, on the Mediterranean coast, is " the economic and technological center of the country", according to Wikipedia. It also has a huge educational/university presence, a major beach-front tourism infrastructure and is the tiny
- [Attention Politicians: the Middle Class IS Mad as Hell and Not Taking it Anymore!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/attention-politicians-the-middle-class-is-mad-as-hell-and-not-taking-it-anymore/) - In 1976, that was just a rant by a fictional character Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) in the movie Network: today, it's reality, being acted out more and more by angry middle class voters in elections worldwide. This past week, India's Narendra Modi was expecting his BJP would comfortably win 370 seats in Parliamentary
- [US Election Results Foretell Canada's Next Election Outcome](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/us-election-results-foretell-canadas-next-election-outcome/) - Democrat strategist James Carville is credited with first saying it in 1992: "It's the economy, stupid!" Turned out to be a piece of advice that helped Bill Clinton capture the US Presidency. The maxim still holds true. Donald Trump re-captured his old job ... despite his character/credibility/ethical and even criminal flaws ... largely based on
- [BC Provincial Losses Signal Trouble Ahead for Federal NDP](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-provincial-losses-signal-trouble-ahead-for-federal-ndp/) - Nathan Cullen was one of the NDP's shining stars ... both provincially and federally. Notice I said "was". For more than 20 years, Cullen had served the people of of Skeena-Bulkley Valley: from 2004 to 2019 he won election, re-election and re-election again to Parliament in Ottawa as the local MP, served as NDP Finance
- [BC Greens Must Choose: Democracy or Blackmail](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-greens-must-choose-democracy-or-blackmail/) - The final winner between the NDP and the Conservatives is still to be determined, but one confirmed and undeniable result from the 2024 election is: BC Greens have fallen in public favour. The Greens, as of the latest count as I write this blog, attracted 167,822 votes across BC ... only 8.2% of the total
- [BC Voters Give David Eby a POOR Job Performance Review](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/bc-voters-give-david-eby-a-poor-job-performance-review/) - Politicians often forget they work FOR the people: they are hired BY the people; they are paid BY the people; they are supposed to deliver services FOR the people; and, they can be fired by the people! Once elected too many instead lord OVER us; push their own publicly-unendorsed agendas, ideologically-driven policies and programs; pander
- [Time for Change: I’m Voting Conservative](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/time-for-change-im-voting-conservative/) - I voted NDP in the past provincial election; I voted NDP in the provincial election before that. But not this time. I’m not even an enthusiastic Conservative fan, but I just can’t bring myself to endorse what David Eby and the NDP government have done to MY BC over the past seven years. They’ve been
- [Election Proves the Value of PRINT Journalism](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/election-highlights-value-of-print-journalism/) - I have always believed in the power of the written word. Whether it supports/promotes the ideals/values of a society or exposes/confronts the designs/deeds of dictators/tyrants, the written word provides a forever record that even banning or burning can never succeed to permanently eliminate. In fact, as many of the readers of this blog know, although
- [First Time in Modern BC History, "FEAR" is an Election Issue!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/first-time-in-modern-bc-history-fear-is-an-election-issue/) - Last Tuesday, I had an early morning appointment on Burrard Street near Davie. I parked on Davie towards Thurlow and headed east ... and there he was, in my path, a shabbily-dressed middle-aged (seemingly) homeless-type individual, grumbling out loud at some unseen foe, and carrying a long wooden stick as he careened down the sidewalk.
- [The "FOREVER" Issue that Should be Fully Discussed/Debated Before Election Day!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/the-forever-issue-that-should-be-fully-discussed-debated-before-election-day/) - Many of the issues getting attention this election ... housing, health, crime, carbon taxes etc ... can hopefully be solved over time, with judicious efforts, policy changes and better funding. But there's one issue that should get a lot more attention, because it could have FOREVER consequences for current and future generations of British Columbians:
- [The "A,B,C's" of the Oct 19 BC Election](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/the-abcs-of-the-oct-19-bc-election/) - For some British Columbians, time has flown; for others it seems an eternity! It is almost four years since the last BC provincial election, Oct. 24, 2020. And almost two years since David Eby took over as Premier on Oct. 21, 2022 , chosen by the NDP after John Horgan stepped down. Now, finally, voters
- [To Hell with a Gaza "Cease Fire" !! Here's Why....](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/to-hell-with-a-gaza-cease-fire-heres-why/) - A video released today by the Israel Defence Forces says it all! No reasonable, civilized person who sees this video of where Hamas kept and then murdered the latest six hostages , should want to see any of the Palestinian terrorist groups SAVED to fight another day. Here's the story (not yet reported by CBC,
- [Blog on Pre-Election Break .... Back Next Monday](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-pre-election-break-back-next-monday/) - Busy times ahead! The Blog is taking a pre-election rest. :) Back next Monday ... ready for the campaign that will end with BC's Oct 19 Provincial Election. Make sure, if qualified, you are registered to vote! H.o.
- [Falcon's Move Well-timed for Rustad/Conservatives](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/falcons-move-well-timed-for-rustad-conservatives/) - There were actually TWO news stories last Wednesday which could have a significant impact on BC's Oct. 19 provincial election. The most obvious, of course, was the decision of BC United leader Kevin Falcon to "suspend" his party's participation in the election ... aimed at uniting conservative voters' support behind BC Conservative Party leader John
- [Eureka! A Solution to Translink's $600 Million Shortfall .... Without Squeezing Motorists Even More!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/eureka-a-solution-to-translinks-600-million-shortfall-without-squeezing-motorists-even-more/) - I've got it! Ever-willing to help out our fairness and logic-challenged municipal, regional and provincial politicians and bureaucrats, I have a solution to Translink's $600 million future funding shortfall. And I offer it as a public service: no need to pay me the hundreds of millions of dollars governments shell out each year to consultants!
- [Low Stock Value, Low Ratings, Staff Layoffs Expose Global BC's Vulnerability](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/low-stock-value-low-ratings-staff-layoffs-expose-global-bcs-vulnerability/) - Who would have ever thought we'd see the day that future of BC's iconic TV news leader would look so bleak! This past week, not even the money-making Global BC could escape the carnage carving up the Corus media empire. Ten Global BC staff, including several long-time employees, were approached by management and asked to
- [Why Can't Canadian "Justice" Take On Extremists  as Britain Does???](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/why-cant-canadian-justice-take-on-extremists-as-britain-does/) - First, they came for the Jews: insulting/attacking students/children, old men wearing yarmulkes; smearing graffiti on stores, businesses, schools and community centres; invading university buildings, smearing hate messages on walls, wrecking furnishings; smashing windows, with shots fired and fire bombings at synagogues. In Canada! Then, they came for the gays: a gender studies class was attacked
- ["Cover-Up" by Global BC Hinders Police Investigation into Weapons-Waving Partygoers](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/cover-up-by-global-bc-hinders-police-investigation-into-weapons-waving-partygoers/) - It was one of the most ludicrous "news" items I had seen in a very long time. On Friday's Global BC Newshour (my once BC-beloved old alma mater) anchor Chris Gailus informed viewers that RCMP had seized several weapons from a South Surrey home after a video surfaced on social media showing people at what
- [Trudeau Liberal Government Turns its Back on Israel and Canadian Jews as Muslims Dangle a Million Potential Votes](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/trudeau-liberal-government-turns-its-back-on-israel-and-canadian-jews-as-muslims-dangle-a-million-potential-votes/) - Historians one day (since the media has failed to do so) will connect the dots of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government's treatment of Israel and Canada's Jewish population over the past year ... and the picture that emerges will be an ugly one. Just a few days ago, the Canada Revenue Agency
- [Kamala Harris: Better for Trudeau; Not So much for Poilievre](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/kamala-harris-better-for-trudeau-not-so-much-for-poilievre/) - If Kamala Harris becomes the Democratic nominee for US President, her success or failure could have profound implications for Canada. Harris spent her most formative years ... as a teenager ... living in Montreal. Her mother worked as a cancer researcher at the Jewish General Hospital and Harris attended Westmount High School on the city's
- [Rail Trip to Seattle/San Francisco Shows Why Cruising is Booming ... and So Is Uber!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/rail-trip-to-seattle-san-francisco-shows-why-cruising-is-booming-and-so-is-uber/) - I'm a train buff. I have ridden the rails on The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver three times; from Florida to New York City four times; from Ottawa to Toronto and between Montreal and New York more times than I can remember. My love for trains goes back to when I was around five years
- [Voting in France, UK and Toronto Sends BIG Message to BC](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/voting-in-france-uk-and-toronto-send-big-message-to-bc/) - The politics have been different ... some moving left, others right ... but the overwhelming, consistent message voters across the world have been sending to their governments and politicians lately is: CHANGE! The people have had enough. Just last month, I pointed out that in democracies on every continent, as the famous line from Network
- [Canada Day in a Nation That Needs a Major Reset](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/canada-day-in-a-nation-that-needs-a-major-reset/) - Most Canadians love our country ... but on this Canada Day, far too many feel angry, unappreciated, left out, neglected, under-served and even unsafe. An Ipsos poll done last week shows a massive 70% of Canadians feel the country is "broken"; only 30% think it's okay. And as Canada Day 2024 approached, only 16% of
- [Blog on Travel Break Until July 1.](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog-on-travel-break-until-july-1/) - Time to get away for a bit more travel. The Blog is taking a break: back on Canada Day ... Ho
- [How the "Haters" are Smearing Canada!](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/how-the-haters-are-smearing-canada/) - The fire bombing of the Schara Tzedeck Synagogue on Oak Street last Thursday was a terrorist act. Plain an simple. According to B'nai Brith, the attack targeted "the oldest Jewish congregation in the city and one of the largest in Vancouver". (You can read the details of what happened here: https://www.bnaibrith.ca/bnai-brith-canada-outraged-after-fire-set-at-entrance-to-vancouver-synagogue/.) There were also violent

## Pages

- [About Me](https://harveyoberfeld.ca/about/) - My name is Harvey Oberfeld and I retired in 2006 after 38 years as a reporter in print and television; having won several B.C. and national reporting awards. (See my Wikipedia page). I was born March 1945 in Montreal, Quebec. Graduated from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia) in 1968 ... and began my Journalism career as

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