Apart from the CIC issue we haven't talked of the federal budget. Apart from the usual smoke and mirrors there was one little gem. Extra money for the CRA to "audit" charities than criticize government policy.

Sadly that kind of apparent vindictiveness doesn't much surprise me. I had low expectations for this administration, and they are seldom challenged.

Ditching Katimavik only raised an eyebrow because I was surprised they hadnt done it before. Too expensive at $14m for the number of kids in the program, but they can find $200m for the military cadets programs.

There's already sales tax on hot prepared food here plus the pasties are shite.

I thought ditching the penny was a beaut. It makes sense, obviously, because the thing costs more to make than it's worth.

It could cause some amusement in convenience stores. Old dears paying in cash have way more time on their hands than they have cash. Flaherty has made it clear that he expects retailers and customers to sort it out between themselves (round up or down?). I foresee the Zimmer Frame becoming a lethal weapon.

Love pasties in UK have not found a good one here

I liked the cutting bureaucracy but not services as if, somehow, there was no connection.

Why should political lobbyists of any type have charitable status?

Charities should be for helping people, not paying lobbyists. This is why I no longer donate to any charity other than local ones run by volunteers.

I had to make my own. They actually came out OK.

I agree with JBE, it's a cynical move by the government. WTH is an environmental group supposed to do if not lobby if they don't agree with environmental policy? That's just weird. You can't change things unless you engage with the government and there's no point trying to save, say, salmon habitat if you are hamstrung by crap legislation.

I'm still mad about how the conservatives tried to claim all opposition to stupid pipeline was funded by foreign money. What a load of crap. and an insult to the first nations and locals who don't agree with it, btw, harper.

Here is one charity that is in no danger whatsoever of being audited.

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/default.aspx

Or this

https://canadawestfoundation.worldse....com/about-us/

Still, I don't suppose they would try and lobby the government.

ha ha ha. Good one JB

I had never heard of the Katimavik program (just googled it), sounds like a good thing. I'm very interested to see how the new funding for the Cadet program will work as they have made cuts in the last couple of years, with things like uniforms and supplies and summer training being affected.

Hi, Could someone point me in the right direction for finding info about the ditching of Katimavik please. I've had a quick browse of the budget but didn't see any mention of it.

I understand it's all about money but I have to say it would be a shame, my son took part in Katimavik and loved it. I would really recommend it.

TIA

I started here...
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03...n_1385668.html

Thanks for that Iaink.

As a family we are very much into volunteering and that was one of the things we liked about the programme. It really opened his eyes to so much.