The inaugural Jim Flaherty federal budget and the first Conservative financial plan in 13 years will be uneiled tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm. My plan is to spend a few hours studying the document prior to its release, since I have requested admission to the lock-up that always occurs in advance. As a member of Parliament, I feel it is my duty to be minutely informed on what my government intends doing that will affect my constituents.
As a member of the House of Commons finance committee, it is also my job to know this stuff, since I will be having a hand in guiding it through to reality.
In that lockup I will prepare a complete summary of the budget changes, and write a commentary on just what it means to the group I have promised to represent – middle-class families in Halton and, by extention, across the country. After all, why should they just receive an analysis done by the others in the lock-up, which will include (a) professional journalists, many of them have no financial background, (b) representatives of the major accounting firms, who ultimately sell this information, (c) lobbyists, who peddle the same info to their clients and (d) special interest group speokespeople, who will then scurry over to the House of Commons foyer where they will troll for microphones.
My intention is to release an email bulletin on exactly what this means to middle-class Canadians within several moments of his standing up to deliver the document. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, send me an email (garth@garth.ca).
Hey, that’s the plan. But I may have some news for you later today.
It’s 6:20 am Monday morning, and I am off to Oz.
14 comments ↓
So, if you were coming by to read my solutions to the crisis caused by the devaluation of the American dollar, the ascension of gold, reflation, exploding commodity prices and the unfizzing of the housing bubble, sorry.
Garth, I realize that you are terribly busy given that the budget is being released tomorrow, however, I was curious as to whether you still plan on doing PART II of your commentary on the economy?
Yes! — GARTH
Garth, the middle class families across the country are counting on you to look after our interest. Pse REDUCE TAX.
Hi Garth, I don’t know if it’s too late for budget suggestions, but it appears that the Kelowna accord and green programs are at risk in this budget. Is there any way to honor the Accord and perhaps come up with a “green” sales tax to fund our environmental programs & public transit? I know I will be shot for suggesting that but I think Canadians will support a 5-10% green tax on energy inefficient appliances, large cars etc. The money can then be used to lower the price on more expensive energy efficient and environmentally friendly goods & services.
I am very pleased to see this appointment for a number or reasons. Firstly, I am pleased for Garth, as I feel he deserves it. Secondly, as a Canadian concerned with truth and integrity, I am pleased because I feel that Garth can make constructive contributions to the committee. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is that I voted for Garth not the Conservative Party. In fact I had great reservations with regard to Harper. One of my “heroes†is Lee Iacocca who said that “any organization that can not tolerate a rebel, can not surviveâ€. I am pleased to see that Harper can tolerate a rebel.
Thank you for keeping me up to date
Regards,
Joe Fazzari
YOU KICKED RALPH GOODALES ASS ON QUESTION
PERIOD
Mark Gardner
I admire the way you always take comment like that from Chris L and Intcord without flinching! Your long experience as a columnist has prepared you well for a stint as a politician. As a WW ll bomber pilot, and the only survivor of a group of six who volunteered together on the first day of war, I experienced considerable grief at the loss of my comrades. The press never attended the memorial services conducted for the thousands who gave their all during those dark years. I had the sad task of escorting the remains of my best friend up to Scotland where I shared the private grief of his parents. All I can say is, “Thank God there were no reporters from the local press to invade the seclusion of this very personal time of anguish.”
I always looked forward to reading your weekly articles so keep up the good work on your website and dare to be a Daniel!
Sincerely, F. H. Finnis
I would appreciate receiving a copy of your budget commentary as soon as you release it.
I live in Kelowna, BC, and feel the information on your website is of interest to every middle-class Canadian, so we’re glad to be included, along with your constituents in Halton. I wish every MP would have this type of website so we would know what they’re doing in Ottawa. Our local MP had a welcome session at his new office last week (I think), but for people who are unable to get there it doesn’t help. We feel we know you and your views, but haven’t heard anything from our MP!! I tried sending him an email, but couldn’t find an address. So much for representation.
Thank you Garth for representing our interests, we hope you will continue. We’d vote for you!!
Regards
Marion Schneider
Mike Duffy just said that Conservative MP’s will not be allowed in the lock-up. Can you clarify this for us?
Thanks
Rob
Yes, I heard that too. I was told today there will be lockups for the media, opposition MPs, special interest groups and Hill employees. But MPs are not allowed in. I have asked for an explanation, which has yet to come. — Garth
TUESDAY UPDATE: Explanation received, and permission granted. I shall be in the lockup to prepare my report for you.
No Conservative MP’S allowed in lockup as ordered by party whip. Is this really true?? (as heard on Mike Duffy’s show via blackberry)
Already answered. — G
I heard on Mike Duffy, that he received an email that the Conservative House leader had requested that no Conservative MP be present in the lockout. Garth, what are you going to do?
After hearing this news I spent time this afternoon lobbying for the policy to be changed. I hope I made my case – that MPs should be given the same time to study and digest this document as reporters, special interest groups and staffers. That has certainly been my experience in the past. We shall see. — Garth
UPDATE: My points were apparently taken with some seriousness, and the bureaucracy has relented. I shall be in the lockup, and now able to effectively do my work.
Just heard on Duffy that NO government MPs will be allowed in the lock up for the budget embargo.
That comes from your house leader Jay Hill. Would make sense as you will get your copy at the same time as every other member of your caucus along with the government synopsis which all members get to help promote and communicate the talking points.
Interesting point, that. — G
Garth,
Since the some media, opposition members and special interest groups are the only ones allowed in the pre-budget lock up, is it possible to keep them there and forget that they were locked up in the first place?
Okay, here’s one for you Garth. You’ve already pointed out the inflationary pressures (rising energy and commodity prices, the growing asset bubble) that already exist in our country. Add to this an skilled labour shortage that gets worse every year and the fact that unemployment levels are already at their lowest in 30 years. Now consider that these last two factors are already causing an overall labour shortage in Alberta where wages are rising well beyond the rate of inflation.
If you believe that tax cuts stimulate economic growth–as all conservatives seem to believe–won’t tomorrow’s budget full of cuts stimulate our already healthy economy beyond its capacity to supply labour? And won’t this lead to an overall labour shortage in Canada that causes wages to rise nationwide? And won’t this trigger a rapid rise in inflation?
Please send me the up-date on the budget. Thank you.