Author Archives: CanucksBanter

Historic petition demonstrates there is no mandate to privatize

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REGINA – 19,346 Saskatchewan voters have signed an online and physical petition saying no to privatization. Today the Own It! campaign and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) delivered 17,247 physical petition signatures to the Legislature, calling on the Sask Party government to stop its risky and costly privatization agenda.

“The Sask Party government has outright sold a number of crown corporations, weakened our utility crowns, and has privatized bypasses, hospital laundry services, correctional food services, MRIs, and is even building privatized schools and a privatized prison,” said SFL President Larry Hubich. “The broad support for this petition demonstrates that there is no appetite in Saskatchewan for privatization,” he added.

This petition is one of the largest in Saskatchewan’s history, and shows that Saskatchewan voters are looking for investment into their crowns and public services, not a sell-off to out-of-province corporations.

“This is the last Legislative sitting before next Spring’s provincial election,” said Hubich. “This clearly shows that it doesn’t matter which party wins the upcoming election, no government has a mandate to privatize and take away the benefits of strong crowns and public services,” he added.

In addition to the 17,247 Saskatchewan voters from 447 communities that signed the physical Own It! petition, 2,099 signed the online petition. All of those who signed the petitions are expecting the Sask Party government to stop its privatization schemes and instead invest in Crowns and public services.

The SFL represents over 100,000 working people across the province in 37 affiliated unions.

Source: Historic petition demonstrates there is no mandate to privatize | Canadian Union of Public Employees

CUPE stands in solidarity with Paris, Beirut

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In response to shocking and disturbing violence that took place last week, including the events in Paris on November 13 and in Beirut on November 12, CUPE National President Mark Hancock spoke out on behalf of CUPE members.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out the family and friends of those killed and injured,” said Hancock. “Our thoughts are also with the first responders and health care workers who are on the front lines of the fight against terrorism. We thank them for their work, leadership and dedication in such difficult times.”

CUPE pledged its solidarity with the people of France, Lebanon, and all those around the world affected by senseless violence.

“We deplore these acts of violence,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury. “We will continue to work for peace and call on our government to end military aggression abroad, and on the international community to ensure that democracy and human rights prevail over violence and fear.”

Source: CUPE stands in solidarity with Paris, Beirut | Canadian Union of Public Employees

Expectations Sub-indice sets another twelve month high, consumer sentiment continues to climb in most regions of the country (released November 16, 2015)

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Bloomberg-Nanos Economic Banner

Bloomberg Nanos Weekly Consumer Confidence Tracking

Overall consumer confidence continues its upward trajectory, increasing for the eighth week in succession according to the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Consumer Confidence Index.

“Forward looking views of the strength of the Canadian economy continue to climb sitting well above its 2015 average. Since mid-September perceptions that the Canadian economy will strengthen in the next six months have almost doubled”, said Nanos Research Group Chairman Nik Nanos.

“The outlook from the OECD is for Canada’s economic growth to recover in 2016; longer-term growth will depend in part on a transition toward innovation-based activity. The election results and the concurrent upward shift in household sentiment appear to confirm those perceptions”, said Robert Lawrie of Bloomberg Economics.

The BNCCI, a composite of a weekly measure of financial health and economic expectations, registered at 58.62 compared with last week’s 58.31. The twelve month high stands at 58.62.

The Bloomberg Nanos Pocketbook Index is based on survey responses to questions on personal finances and job security. This sub-indice was at 59.69 this week compared to 59.50 the previous week. The Bloomberg Nanos Expectations Index, based on surveys for the outlook for the economy and real estate prices, was at 57.56 this week (compared to 57.11 last week).

The average for the BNCCI since 2008 has been 56.75 with a low of 43.28 in December 2008 and a high of 62.92 in December 2009. The index has averaged 55.40 this year.

To view the weekly tracking visit our website. 

Methodology

The BNCCI is produced by the Nanos Research Corporation, headquartered in Canada,  which operates in Canada and the United States.  The data is based on random telephone interviews with 1,000 Canadian consumers (land- and cell-lines), using a four week rolling average of 250 respondents each week, 18 years of age and over. The random sample of 1,000 respondents may be weighted by age and gender using the latest census information for Canada and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada. The interviews are compiled into a four week rolling average of 1,000 interviews where each week, the oldest group of 250 interviews is dropped and a new group of 250 interviews is added. The views of 1,000 respondents are compiled into a diffusion index from 0 to 100. A score of 50 on the diffusion index indicates that positive and negative views are a wash while scores above 50 suggest net positive views, while those below 50 suggest net negative views in terms of the economic mood of Canadians.

A random telephone survey of 1,000 consumers in Canada is accurate 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

All references or use of this data must cite Bloomberg Nanos as the source. 

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NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 16, 2015

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NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 16, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
NY RANGERS 4, Toronto 3
CHICAGO 4, Calgary 1

ZUCCARELLO’S LATE GOAL LIFTS RANGERS OVER MAPLE LEAFS

Mats Zuccarello (1-2—3) scored the tiebreaking goal with 53.8 seconds remaining in regulation to help the Rangers extend a trio of streaks: they won their ninth consecutive game overall, stretched their point streak to 13 games (11-0-2) and ran their home winning streak to eight contests.

* At 14-2-2 (30 points), the League-leading Rangers are off to their best 18-game start – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 89-year history.
* The Rangers improved to 9-1-1 (19 points) this season at Madison Square Garden. Their nine home wins and 19 home points also pace the NHL.
* Zuccarello posted his eighth career three-point performance and third of the season, two of which have come against the Maple Leafs (also Oct. 30 vs. TOR: 3-0—3). He leads the Rangers with 9-9—18 overall (18 GP), including 5-7—12 in his past eight outings.
* Antti Raanta turned aside 23 shots to improve to 4-0-0 in his first four outings with the Rangers (1.25 GAA, .955 SV%, 1 SO). Via Elias, Raanta became the second goaltender in Rangers history to win each of his first four appearances with the team (also Glenn Healy: Oct. 7-15, 1993) and the first to accomplish that feat in each of his first four starts with the club.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: THE STREAKING RANGERS

A closer look at the Rangers’ three active streaks:

* The Rangers have won nine consecutive games overall for the first time since Jan. 19 – Feb. 10, 1973 (10-0-0). That is one game shy of the longest winning streak in franchise history, achieved twice (also Dec. 19, 1939 – Jan. 13, 1940).
* The Rangers have collected points in 13 straight games (11-0-2) for the first time since Feb. 9 – March 10, 2008 (10-0-3). That is six games shy of the longest point streak in club history, set Nov. 23, 1939 – Jan. 13, 1940 (14-0-5).
* The Rangers have won eight consecutive home games for the first time since Oct. 8-31, 1990 (8-0-0). That is six games shy of the longest home winning streak in team history, set Dec. 19, 1939 – Feb. 25, 1940 (14-0-0).

DID YOU KNOW?

Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello (19:06) scored the third tiebreaking goal in the final minute of regulation this season. The others: by Flames forward Michael Frolik on Oct. 31 at EDM (19:51) and Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen on Nov. 7 vs. VAN (19:43).

KANE POWERS BLACKHAWKS PAST FLAMES

Down 1-0 early in the second period, the Blackhawks scored four unanswered goals – including three in a span of 1:55 – to improve to 8-2-1 (17 points) this season at United Center.
* The Blackhawks rank second in the NHL in both home wins and home points, behind only the Rangers (9-1-1, 19 points).
* Patrick Kane registered 1-1—2 to extend a pair of streaks: he has 10-12—22 during a 13-game point streak and 7-7—14 during a seven-game goal streak.
* Kane’s 13-game point streak is one shy of his career high, set Nov. 30 – Dec. 28, 2013 (8-17—25 in 14 GP). His seven-game goal streak is a career high; via Elias, it also is the longest by a Blackhawks player since Oct. 23 – Nov. 6, 1987 (Steve Larmer: 8-1—9 in 7 GP) and the longest by any NHL player since March 18-30, 2014 (Patrice Bergeron: 8-2—10 in 7 GP).
* Kane has collected at least one point in 16 of 18 games this season, pacing the NHL with 13 goals and 28 points. He also has posted eight multi-point performances, including five in his past seven outings.

LOOSE PUCKS

The Blackhawks improved to 12-0-2 in their last 14 regular-season home games against the Flames dating to Nov. 9, 2008 (CGY: 2-11-1) . . . Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin scored to extend his point streak to five games (4-3—7). He leads all rookies with 6-12—18 overall (18 GP), three more points than Coyotes forward Max Domi (8-7—15 in 17 GP) . . . Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh collected 1-1—2. He has 3-3—6 in his last six outings after totaling one assist through the opening 12 games of the season . . . Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf posted 1-1—2. He (2-9—11) and fellow defenseman Morgan Rielly (3-8—11) share the team lead with 11 points apiece . . . Flames forward David Jones notched his 99th career goal (406 GP) . . . ICYMI: Both Madison Square Garden and United Center held moments of silence in honor of the recent tragedy in Paris.

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SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Arizona @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., MSG+
Anaheim @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., PRIME, FS-SD, FS-SE
Vancouver @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., SNP, SNE, RDS
Detroit @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., FS-D, TSN5, RDSI
Tampa Bay @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, SUN, FS-F
Winnipeg @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., TSN3, FS-MW

PANTHERS, LIGHTNING COMPLETE HOME-AND-HOME SERIES

The Panthers and Lightning play the second half of their home-and-home series when they face off at BB&T Center. On Saturday, Florida overcame a 4-3 deficit – aided by the tying goal from Aaron Ekblad with 37.9 seconds remaining in regulation – to defeat Tampa Bay in a shootout, 5-4. Overall, this marks the 119th all-time meeting between these intrastate rivals; the Panthers own a 59-37-22 head-to-head record (140 points), while the Lightning are 49-47-22 (120 points). They will play each other three more times this season: Jan. 17 at TBL, Jan. 23 at FLA and March 26 at TBL.

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