Why do highly-profitable, large corporations qualify at all?
Answer:
Large corporations have lots more capital to deploy into the political system to ensure they qualify. And if one gets it done, the whole class benefits. The result is, even more money from people working for a wage (salary or hourly) are shifted towards large corporate owner. Beyond what they already get over what they pay us.
There’s pretty strict donation limits in place in Canada, though. First hand, politicians spend their time trying to convince ordinary voters to vote for them, and to keep their rank-and-file party members on side and engaged.
True, which is why lobbying in Canada works through different channels. Like cushy pre/post-political jobs in the private sector. Supplying gov’ts with “experts” to hire for various roles. We already have a few of those around Carney. But one my fav examples, since I’ve been active in the net neuteality / independent ISP wars since 2007, is Ian Scott who chaired the CRTC, after working as gov’t lobbyist at Telus. But I’ll paste his foray from Wiki because it illustrates the point perfectly:
Scott was born in Montreal, Quebec. After graduating from the McGill University with an honours BA in political science in 1980, Scott joined the Competition Bureau. From 1990 to 1994, Scott worked in the telecom directorate at the CRTC.[4][5] Scott then joined the private sector, working for Call-Net Enterprises (now part of Rogers Telecom), the Canadian Cable Television Association, and Telus as a lobbyist with the title of vice-president of federal government relations.[6] Between 2007 and 2008, Scott also served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman at the CRTC.[5] Prior to his appointment to CRTC, Scott was serving as the executive director of government and regulatory affairs at Telesat.[6][7]
In July 2017, Scott’s appointment as the Chairperson of CRTC was announced.[4] The announcement and Scott’s background drew concerns from consumer advocacy group OpenMedia.ca.[6][1] Scott’s five-year term began on September 5, 2017,[6] succeeding Jean-Pierre Blais in the role.[1] He was succeeded by Vicky Eatrides.[8]
In December 2019, Scott was caught drinking beer with Bell executive Mirko Bibic (then COO of Bell, currently CEO) at D’Arcy McGee’s pub in Ottawa.[9][10] This meeting took place just one week after Bell filed their appeal of the CRTC’s 2019 wholesale rates.
In February 2022, Scott faced calls to recuse from files related to internet competition due to alleged bias, after the meeting with Bell executive resurfaced.[11] The call for recusal was refused by CRTC.
Just farcical.
That’s not to say that corpos don’t organize individual financial contributions to parties too. They do that. They also pay for attending “dinners” and whatnot. But the revolving door method is just as, if not more important.
E: This process is also involved in what policies politicians propose to voters. These days they rately come from union leadership’s laundry list. Instead they come from sets of policies corpos have the capital to develop and … suggest to politicians. Often via corporate-funded think tanks, if not via lobbyists.
E2: By capital I mean all sorts of capital, not just financial. Political, social capital, etc.
Wow, that is a pretty low bar. Technically, you did do some research and develop something, I guess.
I wonder if it’s as easy for a startup or individual to apply. If not, there’s the bad environment for innovation and competition you hear about.
I have a better / easier to answer question:
Why do highly-profitable, large corporations qualify at all?
Answer:
Large corporations have lots more capital to deploy into the political system to ensure they qualify. And if one gets it done, the whole class benefits. The result is, even more money from people working for a wage (salary or hourly) are shifted towards large corporate owner. Beyond what they already get over what they pay us.
There’s pretty strict donation limits in place in Canada, though. First hand, politicians spend their time trying to convince ordinary voters to vote for them, and to keep their rank-and-file party members on side and engaged.
True, which is why lobbying in Canada works through different channels. Like cushy pre/post-political jobs in the private sector. Supplying gov’ts with “experts” to hire for various roles. We already have a few of those around Carney. But one my fav examples, since I’ve been active in the net neuteality / independent ISP wars since 2007, is Ian Scott who chaired the CRTC, after working as gov’t lobbyist at Telus. But I’ll paste his foray from Wiki because it illustrates the point perfectly:
Just farcical.
That’s not to say that corpos don’t organize individual financial contributions to parties too. They do that. They also pay for attending “dinners” and whatnot. But the revolving door method is just as, if not more important.
E: This process is also involved in what policies politicians propose to voters. These days they rately come from union leadership’s laundry list. Instead they come from sets of policies corpos have the capital to develop and … suggest to politicians. Often via corporate-funded think tanks, if not via lobbyists.
E2: By capital I mean all sorts of capital, not just financial. Political, social capital, etc.