Taxpayers told not to send in tax returns...

Ottawa orders halt to online tax filing

Check out the big yellow alert box on the Canadian Revenue Agency's website. I bet their gratefull it didn't happen around April 30th :)

To Be or Not to BEE

Honeybees Vanish, Leaving Keepers in Peril

Maple Leaf blames ethanol for losses

Thats a new reason why Toronto will miss the playoffs. Afterall if Maple Leaf foods can't make a profit how can the Maple Leafs make the playoffs. :)

The Canadian Beaver

Which is better the beaver or the hawk? One animal preys on others were as the other stays busy and out of trouble. The national animals of the USA and Canada are quite fitting to each respective nation. Anyways for more impressive facts about the beaver go to this website.

Just think if it wasn't for the beaver North America may never have been settled. Afterall the ambition of the fur trade brought most of the Europeans to a land bitterly cold in the winter and sometimes too hot in the summer :).

Pennies to be nickled and dimed out?

According to a Desjardins Group said in a research report Canadians would be better off without the penny. They claim that of the 30 billion pennies issued since 1908 almost 10 billion are in childrens piggy banks or at the bottom of some body of water.

Today on the news Prime Minister Harper said that his only attachment to the penny was as a long time coin collector, which could mean the penny could be dropped out of circulation.

Whatever will happen to the saying a "penny saved is a penny earned"? They'll have to change it to a dime saved is a dime earned?

They claim that prices won't be adversly affected. Amounts coming to 3 or 4 cents wil be rounded up to 5 cents and amounts at 1 or 2 cents will be rounded down to 0. The Canadian consumers will pay for it in the long run as I would imagine that most prices would raise because of this action.

Just think if a large corporation made purchases of one billion dollars which every 100 dollars was increased by 2 cents the gross cost would be $200,000 increase (due to two cent increases). Who said a few pennies aren't worth anything.

Harper to pick judges by ideology!

Its almost comical hearing the Liberals complain about this. Its not like they didn't try to stack the federal superior courts when they were in power. The liberal leaders complaint would be like the Democrat house leader complaining that President Bush isn't appointing enough Democrats to the Supreme Court. Only in Canada, would the opposition except to have the power to rule.

Splitting Up Familes part of Government Budget?

The proposed family income tax splitting will save a family on average around $1000-2000 in taxes each year. But the tax cut in favour of families will depend heavily on the fate of the finance ministers economic report. If its in the next budget, Harper will be betting on a spring election. If the Conservatives can hold off until the Fall, I think they'll save the tax cutting measure until then (give the Canadian voters something to think about... The conservative party who gives tax cuts versis the liberal party who spends your tax dollars).

Student Finds $10,000

And turns it in!?

Top Tax Software

1) QuickTax Canadian Tax Software

• User Friendly
• Interview is in plain English
• Tax Planning scenarios
• Many versions to suit your needs

2) TAXWIZ Canadian Tax Software

• Similar to QuickTax, but limited to Windows users (but what else is there besides Microsoft Windows:)

3) TaxTron Canadian Tax Software

• Used to be called GriffTax
• User friendly and completely bilingual
• Is supported by Macintosh OS or Windows
• T1 and T2 returns

4) GenuTax Canadian Tax Software

• Purchase this software once, and all future updates are free
• No limit to the number of tax returns
• Can't be used for Corporations in Quebec

5) UFile for Windows Canadian Tax Software

• Can only do T1 returns
• Can be used in Quebec
• Online tax preparation and filing

Tax Software

NASA Looses Moon Walk Taps

I bet NASA officials are asking themselves "how could you loose the original documentation of the 1969 moon walk?

It gives the conspiracy theorist some leverage in claiming that there was no moon walk. Oh well I guess the lack of the original footage will mean that other nations like China or Russia can claim to have landed on the moon first (if they ever get there).

Can't "Trust" the Conservatives?

Some Canadian and American investors are complaining because the Canadian Conservative party cancelled the tax free trusts (October 31 announcement, not to be put in effect until 2010).

Finance Minister John Flaherty said that he won't back down from the planned cancellation of the tax free status of income trusts saying that "You have to act in the interest of the whole country.”

At least Politicians are returning to the grass roots of caring for the interest of the majority of the population. It almost seems like their preparing for an election :).

Canadian Charter: Bid at $7,800

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms copy is currently available at a bid of $7,800 on Ebay. And some people said that the Charter wasn't worth the paper it was written on. I think Cousin Angie should buy it to preserve Canadian history :)

Ford Sets Record

Ford lost a record 12.7 billion dollars in 2006 . At least the shortfall in one of the worlds leading automakers wasn't the largest in 2006, the US Government's 2006 budget deficit.

The Japanese Automakers are setting records too. The only difference is the colour, red or black.

History to be Auctioned off on EBAY

I've come to the conclusion that eBay is evil. Montreal publisher Robert Davies is auctioning off a signed copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the first Canadian amendement to the British North American Act). It doesn't have the queen's signature, but it does have the long reigning Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's signature. People will sell anything on eBay, even a piece of Canadian history for a few dollars.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

There’s a voice that whispers

To the willing heart,

And its words so tender

Joy and peace impart;

When in doubt or trouble,

To your heart be true,

Hear the Spirit saying:

What would Jesus do

What would Jesus do?

What would Jesus do?

Hear the Spirit saying:

What would Jesus do?

When some strong temptation

Holds you in its pow’r,

When a fear of failure

Haunts each waking hour,

You can end the conflict

And your fears subdue,

If you heed the message,

What would Jesus do?

Refrain

Then no longer falter,

Then no longer fear,

Ev’ry path of duty

Will be bright and clear;

If you pray for wisdom,

It will come to you,

While the Spirit whispers,

What would Jesus do?

Refrain

Lan­ta W. Smith

It happened on January 21

• 2002 - Canadian Dollar sets all-time low against the US Dollar (US$0.6179).
• 1793 - After being found guilty of treason by the French Convention, Louis XVI of France is guillotined.
• 1907 - The Kenora Thistles win the Stanley Cup, representing the smallest town (Kenora, Ontario) ever to win ice hockey's ultimate prize, or any major North American sports title.
• 1908 - New York City passes the Sullivan Ordinance, making it illegal for women to smoke in public, only to have the measure vetoed by the mayor.
• 1921 - The Italian Communist Party is founded at Livorno.
• 1924 - Vladimir Lenin dies and Joseph Stalin begins to purge his rivals to clear way for his leadership.

Japanese Cancels trip to Moon

First the Japanese trip to Mars was cancelled and now the trip to the Moon. Whats next? Cancelling the trip to the Canadian Arctic?

They are evidently offering their technology to Russia. Maybe it will allow them to catch up to the USA space program that has lagged for decades after landing on the moon.

Canadian's Admit to being Racist

In a Léger poll, 47% of the 2092 Canadians surveyed admited to having some racist tendencies.

Throughout Canada the one ethinic group that the majority of those surveyed felt racist against were the Arabs (50% in Quebec), I wonder why?

THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL TRAIN

Are you at your station ready,

For the near approaching train?

Are you fully contemplating

That a pass you will obtain?

Is there some important matter,

You have left behind undone,

That will keep you hesitating,

Till too late to make the run?

Refrain

O be ready for the glorious Gospel train,

Quickly make your preparation,

And your passport have in hand;

O be ready for the glorious Gospel train,

It will take you safely over,

To the glory spirit land.

Has your title been recorded,

That no question can be made?

Does your preparation warrant,

That you shall not be delayed?

When you see the headlight gleamings,

As around the curves they climb,

Have you any fears and doubtings,

That you’ll not get in on time?

Refrain

Are your garments nicely fitted,

That accepted you may be,

As a guest on board for Heaven,

Trav’ling for eternity?

Do you hold the bloodstained banner,

Of Emmanuel in your hand,

With your claims inscribed upon it,

And a ride for Heav’n demand?

Refrain

’Tis the only signal, brother,

That will make your passage sure,

That will stop the mighty engine,

And a seat to you secure;

That will give you close connection,

And a never failing hand,

That will take you safely over,

To the glory spirit land.

Frank­lin L. Ei­land

Happy New Year

As the editor of the BBB put it so gracefully, 2007 has arrived without a post from the editor of "An Accountant's Perspective". Its sad that now I have only one more post than Ribs in this new year. Oh ya, I also want to wish my Cousin Angie a Merry Christmas :).

On a more important note, last Thursday, January 11, 2007, was John A. Macdonald Day. The day is in recognition of the birthday of the first prime minister of the great nation of Canada. Don't forget, Sir John A. was Conservative (which could be considered Republican for my many American readers).