Dion will cancel $1200 universal child care benefit

Today the Conservative Party of Canada led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched a public information campaign warning parents about theLiberal's intention to scrap the universal child care benefit. The universal child care benefit was introduced in 2006 by the Conservative Government which provided parents $100 a month for every child under the age of six. "By January 2008, the Universal Child Care Benefit was paid out to 1,478,272 families and 1,973,415 kids under six." Since 2006 when the benefit was introduced $4,045,307,880 of payments were given to Canadian families. However, the Liberal's true intentions were not to cancel the universal child care benefit but institute a new refundable tax credit worth $350 per child per year and invest in creating more child care spaces for Canadians. In addition, a new Guaranteed Family Supplement will be provided for lower-income families, which is worth up to $1,225 per child. The Liberals quote, "Liberals do intend to replace the Conservative plan to create child care spaces, because their plan didn't work."

 

In my opinion I think that the Conservatives are at fault in this argument. They try to advertise that the Liberal's are taking away child care benefits for good when really they are promising to improve child care in ways the Conservatives could not. This issue seems like an attack on the Liberal party which can only gather support from people who do not know both sides of the story. I think if Conservative citizens read the Liberal's position in child care, it would change their opinion completely.

http://www.liberal.ca/story_14440_e.aspx

900,000 evacuate in Cuba as Hurricane Ike approaches

Hurricane Ike hit Cuba on Monday sending fifty foot swells crashing over the coastline. About 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed as the massive waves ploughed through the island near Baracoa, Cuba. Over 900,000 people were forced to evacuate to higher ground. About 9,000 tourists were evacuated from Varadera, a popular tourist destination. The storm started as a category 2 hurricane and intensified to a category 3 before hitting Cuba. This hurricane came only nine days after hurricane Gustav and may devastate the island's economy that is dependant on nickel mines, sugar plantations, as well as tourism.

In my opinion I think this storm is an example of Global Warming's devastating effects. A CNN reporter described the hurricane like "the end of the world." If this storm cause 900,000 people to evacuate when it was only a category 3 then other countries within this hurricane's path should prepare. The effects of this storm to Cuba seem similar to Katrina in New Orleans. I don't think much could be done to prepare for storms like these after seeing the devastation they cause.