Stronach, her recusals, $300 million in old world technology

In your story fawning over the riches of Belinda Stronach and her need to recuse herself from discussions around the cabinet table, and basically ignored the real issue of why the cabinet is even discussing the need to for the upcoming $300 million bail out of the old and tired North American dinosaur auto makers. Out of 20 inches of copy, two were about the $300 million. That is expensive copy.

If you have the time to dedicate three reporters, a 4 column wide photo, and 20 inches of copy to a story, why not report on what is really at issue.

What is at issue is that the Federal government is even discussing the $300 million in bailouts for tired technology and vehicles that are not looking to the future and have a limited shelf life.

These bailouts will not employ methods to fight green house gasses, reduce fuel consumption and even create sustainable long term environmentally friendly jobs. GM is laying off 25,000 employees world wide.

The story should have been about the fact California is rushing to endorse and legislate the use of hybrid cars in that state, in areas it has the power to do so, and in others they are using the carrot. It seams the Terminator, sees the future and is wooing Toyota to have the Prius plant built in California.

Now we hear Premier Dalton McGuinty and Economic Development Minister Joe Cordiano have promised $125-million in financial help from the Ontario and federal governments, for Toyota. Not to build the Prius their hybrid car, but RAV4 compact sport utility vehicles and possibly cars for Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand, a brand not sold in Canada.

Why does Canada always have to be the after-thinkers in the world?

What would happen if Canada took that $400 million and offered an incentive program of double GST and gas tax rebates to any and all commercial users switched to Prius' or other hybrid alternatives?

If Canada created incentives for people to buy Prius' they would create a demand that Toyota could not ignore and look at building the future car here in Canada, and we can sell and ship it to California.

Toyota if you look at hybrid sales have increased 81% year over year.

SUV sales have been plummeting last month by 30%.

GM announced that they would lay off another 25,000 people.

It has been shown that a taxi driver who drives a hybrid can save $1,200 a month on gas, which basically means the cab driver in Canada driving a hybrid is driving for free and putting a thousand bucks in their pocket.

Think about if all newspapers and media were mandated to use hybrids in their fleets or get no further subsidies, government advertising, or access to the press galleries in Ottawa?

Think if all of the provinces, cities, and agencies who want gas tax or GST rebates got double the amount if they used hybrids in their fleets?

It really is a no brainer.

Why then do three well paid Globe and Mail reporters waste so much time and money wondering out loud about the Stronach's wealth, and look at what is really important to Canadians?