CORPORATE WELFARE BUMS

Back in the 70's the above phrase was coined by then leader of the federal NDP, David Lewis. Since then little has changed. Today's Woolwich Observer has an article by Editor Steve Kannon titled "Chrysler's latest gambit a sign of what's wrong with corporate welfare". "In a report chronicling Industry Canada's contribution to the corporate welfare rolls between 1961 and 2012, the fraser Institute's mark Milke, asserts Canadians don't see a return on billions they've "invested" in subsidies.".

Steve advises us that the corporate welfare bill is approximately $16 billion per year or double the cost of social welfare costs. Chrysler are back at the trough and Steve suggests that neither the federal Conservatives nor the provincial liberals can afford to lose votes for example in Windsor by not heeding Chrysler's call. Interestingly the three biggest employers in canada have never taken a dime in government corporate handouts. That would be Onex Corp., George Weston and Loblaws.

What really burns is the history of these corporate welfare bums. It includes unpaid loans, bankruptcies, undelivered jobs and shuttered factories despite promises otherwise. Or as Steve says "But as long as politicians are allowed to control the money, they'll keep on wasting it to benefit only themselves and a few well-heeled friends.".