Gheorghe Curelet-Balan Blog

Sunday, October 14, 2007

(No change) = (potential for change).

Even contradictory, the above equation characterize in my opinion the historical political choice, voting Ontarians made last Wednesday.

It is historical since on one hand Dalton McGuinty's victory matches a 70 years old achievement of back to back majority Liberal reelection.

On another hand the victory is contradictory since right after elections a family man grants Ontarians an extra holiday, the Family Day. Some are thinking that the decision was gratuitous and unnecessary since in their old way political thinking, the government party should get votes by "offering things" during their campaign.

For me, the Family Day fulfilled promise is a sign of things to come. A responsible leader cares not only before elections but from his first day on the job. As for those whiners that worry of lost profits caused by the extra holiday... first of all they don't know what they are worring about since the families could spend the Family day by going shopping :)

Then, maybe we should remind them that the status of the current exhausted workforce doesn't reflect the predictions and promises made 40-50 years ago by the technological revolutions pundits that were forecasting an excess of free time given by people replacement with machines. Well, it didn't work that way...

McGuinty move sends a clear message for change. So, Ontarians choice for no change is actually a choice for potential change as he already promised to fix the healthcare and education systems.

As for the referendum, the above equation holds also true. The choice of not changing the current electoral system was made by the voting Ontarians that reached a record low of around 52%. If this trend continues then something needs to be changed. And if more people vote it is hard to predict the results of the next referendum. So the potential for change is there.

Some of the people that wanted to vote complained of not having time. It is a lame excuse that could suggest the idea of elections held when people have free time. How about during Family Day? :)

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Saturday, October 13, 2007

Are we ready for the workforce challenges of the next decade?

Are we too complacent in the face of the rapid changes that surround us? Intriguing questions that could raise lots of debates. Some of them were debated during the launch of the first Waterloo Region Vital Signs report.

In the next few days a Conference ("2017 The Workplace"), that celebrates the 50th anniversary of University of Waterloo and Cooperative Education in Canada, will try to find answers to the question.

I'm glad that at its 50th anniversary the University of Waterloo is thinking ahead, as always proven during its visionary history.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Provincial elections and referendum.

Tomorrow is big day in Ontario's political life. Besides the provincial elections, Ontarians will be given a chance to change the provincial electoral system.

Make sure you understand the question otherwise you'll vote for a random electoral system and you couldn't complain that you were not given a chance to be more involved in the political decisions.

Click here to watch the debate on the Referendum.

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Friday, October 05, 2007

Five Vital Signs Photo Awards!

The first Vital Signs report that takes the pulse of the Waterloo Region, has been released. I'm proud that I was able to contribute to this report with 33 photos. Five of them have been awarded and included in the printed report [pdf]. See all of them on page 29 and individual enlarged on page 13 and 24.

The picture on page 13 shows Kaufman lofts reflection in the windows of TD Canada Trust Bank on King Street in Downtown Kitchener while the picture on page 24 was taken on University of Waterloo's campus.

A TV broadcast of the Town Hall debate on the first Vital Sign report will be shown on the local TV channel on Sunday, October 7th at 6:30 pm as part of the regular weekly Province Wide shows.

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East Asian Festival 2007.

Part of the University of Waterloo's Homecoming 2007 celebrations the Gala Evening of the East Asian Festival 2007 was a delight. Besides artistic performances the event featured the Art Exhibit Opening of Dr. Annie Wong.

Click here to see my video montage of the event.

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