Naheed Nenshi "Making Stuff Up"

The Nenshi New Math

Naheed Nenshi - re Calgary Union Contracts:

Wow.

The Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi, makes stuff up.

But to understand the depth of his depravity, let's go back a ways, shall we?

Back to last week-end, and examine the Twitter brouhaha between Naheed Nenshi and The Sun Newspaper, where Nenshi got a little hot under the collar and accused Sun Columnist Ricky Leong of "making things up".

Exhibit 1: The Exchange:

SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong

@jabest @nenshi For example, city rolled over in contract talks with unions. A bit of effort from all sides could have saved millions.
3 Jul


in reply to ↑
@nenshiNaheed Nenshi

@SUNRickyLeong let's see, we got a long-term deal significantly below inflation. Explain to me how that's "rolling over" exactly.
3 Julvia Twitter for iPhone


replies ↓
»
SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi And what if we can't afford wage increases commensurate with inflation? Calgary is short millions, as everyone points out.
3 JulF

»
SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi Inflation closer to 0% than 3% lately.
3 Jul

replies ↓
»
nenshiNaheed Nenshi
@SunRickyLeong Wow. The Sun makes stuff up. Awesome. Here are the latest stats: 3.7% this month and going up. http://t.co/IcT0bDY


SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi @stateofhtecity Last set#yyc Inflation 2009 Dec 0.2 Nov 0.1 Oct 0.1 Sep -1.2 Aug -1.8 Jul -1.1 Jun -1.5 May -0.7 Apr...
3 Jul

»
SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi @stateofthecity @SUNMichaelPlatt#yyc Inflation 2010 Q1/Q2 Jun 0.7 May 1.1 Apr 1.3 Mar 0.8 Feb 0.7 Jan 1.4 Any...
3 Jul

»
SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi @stateofthecity @SUNMichaelPlatt#yyc Inflation 2010 Q3/Q4 Dec 0.6 Nov 0.0 Oct 0.8 Sep 0.8 Aug 0.5 July 1.4
3 Jul

»
SUNRickyLeongRicky Leong
@nenshi @stateofthecity @SUNMichaelPlatt#yyc Inflation 2011 May 2.4 Apr 2.6 Mar 1.6 Feb 1.1 Jan 0.7


Exhibit 2: The Facts:
According to the City of Calgary Monthly Inflation Review - prepared by Calgary Finance and Supply - while Statistics Canada pegs the NATIONAL inflation rate at 3.7%, in fact, the inflation rate in the City of Calgary for the same period was 2.4%.

Beyond that, however, Leong is exactly correct in pointing out that according to the same City of Calgary Inflation Review, over the past few years, the inflation rate in Calgary has hovered between 0 and 1.5%, only spiking recently with the increased cost of gasoline.

So.

Then.

Nenshi, is firstly, "making things up" when he suggests Calgary has encountered a 3.7% inflation rate, but beyond that, once Leong pointed out his own source information - at best there was a disagreement on the numbers applicable to the argument, with Leong saying that, historically, over the last few years inflation has been benign and Nenshi preferring to look at the last 60 to 90 days.

Yet Nenshi will not back down from his assertion that the Sun "makes stuff up".


Exhibit 3: The Results for Calgary Taxpayers:

Nenshi is proposing an increase of property taxes in Calgary of 16.4% over the next three years - following an inflation rate of only 2.4% - which is much higher than has historically been experienced by the City.

And let's get back to Nenshi's bold assertion defending the complaint that he "rolled over in contract talks" with the Unions:

"We got a long-term deal significantly below inflation"

As stated, Calgary's inflation rate - which is high by historical standards for the past few years - is 2.4%.

Wages over the last two years for Calgary city employees have increased by 9%, and under the new contract, will increase by 2.5% for 2011, 3% for 2012 and 3% for 2013.

On average, then, under the new contract, employee salaries will increase by 2.83% per year.

According to Nenshi, increases of 2.83% are "significantly below" the rate of inflation, in Calgary being 2.4%.

Wow.

Naheed Nenshi sure likes to make stuff up.

Awesome.

"We got a long-term deal significantly below inflation"