Canadians feel more prosperous and less secure than they did 10 years ago.

A Leger poll found the usual regional and demographic divides across the country. 41 percent believe they are further economically than they were 10 years ago, while 27 percent said they were less prosperous.
I’ve got to really wonder about the 3% that didn’t know. If the question was economically based, then they might profit from some credit counselling.

The poll suggested young, employed and wealthier Canadians were the most optimistic while women, retirees, the unemployed and the less affluent said their situations had deteriorated.

The attitudes were relatively consistent across the country, with 40 to 47 per cent of respondents in most regions claiming to be more prosperous. Albertans (47 per cent) were the most optimistic about their prosperity.

The exception was in Quebec, where only a third of respondents expressed such optimism.

Other regional breakdowns were: Atlantic provinces, 40 per cent; Ontario, 43 per cent; Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 44 per cent; British Columbia, 44 per cent.

Economic satisfaction aside, the ‘9/11 effect’ or the sense that North America is not safe is still high. 42 percent say Canada is less safe.
Western and Central Canada top the unease, while Quebec and the Maritimes feel more secure. Quebec receives less US news coverage which may factor into 79 percent of residents feeling safer.

World wide TV
A 21 month study of news stories in American, British, German and South Africa show that women are under-represented in the news. Of 392,374 news stories looked at by a German company, only 14% mentioned women. 20 networks were scrutinized.

“The news formats do not even remotely reflect the real power distribution in respective parliaments, governments and universities,” their study notes, and lambastes Germans, who lead the pack of female-shirking broadcasters.

My theory? Real women aren’t eye candy.
Germany’s lack of realistic coverage was followed by the US and Britian.
The study did find that broadcasters did cater to a female audience on certain themes.

In the United States, for example, women-themed news centered most often around health topics, followed by international politics, crime, safety, society, justice, environment, catastrophes, party politics and celebrity appearances.

In Britain, the stories centered on justice, followed by crime, health topics, society, international politics, catastrophes, education, domestic politics, research and culture.

Ethical? Don’t think so
It’s pathetic when the ethics counsellor for the federal department of Public Works attempts to justify this type of spending.

THE CHIEF of ethics for Public Works has billed taxpayers for a $19,000 plasma TV and almost $60,000 worth of computers and software since 1999, the Sun has learned. According to documents obtained under the Access to Information Act, Norman Steinberg, director general of audits and ethics at Public Works, bought a state-of-the-art entertainment system for $22,181 in 2002.

That includes a Pioneer gas Plasma TV, a Yamaha amplifier, speakers, a DVD player and a VCR.

And to enhance the enjoyment of the 50-inch TV mounted on the wall in Steinberg’s office, eight chairs and a two-seater sofa were bought for $6,400, according to invoices. Documents also show Steinberg has replaced both his office computer and his laptop three times since 1999. He favours the Sony VAIO Picture Book, a stylish $3,200 laptop.

The justification? The plasma TV is a ‘valuable training tool’ for staff.
He didn’t know how to explain a 356 dollar briefcase.

“That briefcase was bought for people who travel and needed a secure briefcase with wheels and handles,” he said. “I’ve never seen it.”

He’ll probably be seeing a committe of MP’s when Parliament returns February 2.

Ain’t nobody’s baby
Sheila Copps was born into politics and has had a er, colourful career.
I’m not unhappy to hear her yelling bloody murder about the riding boundaries and challenge by Transport Minister Tony Valeri. She is a survivor, and if Martin’s camp iqnores this, they stand to alienate more than a few voters in a riding.
I was chatting with friends over coffee about Copps public street fight and a Conservative Party faithful just snorted. He didn’t think this would hurt the Liberal left, the womans vote, or anything else.
But hey, they’ve got a Stronach with major Magna money stepping into the federal Conservative Party leadership race to deal with. Tony Clement’s entry into the race got a bit buried this week.
Rex Murphy waxed eloquent on this Liberal insider scuffle playing out.
And NDP leader Jack Layton is having a field day. Canadian politics are getting interesting again.