Some days I miss Mike Wilson. Some days I even miss Paul Martin. This would be one of them. The legacy of the resolute, deficit-wary, steady-as-she-goes, parsimonious great grey minister of finance has been shattered. Instead we have a jolly little spend-happy GO-train kind of guy delighted to blow the national wad on buying everyone in the house a few drinks. All he asks in return is that they vote for him. Oh yeah, and his friend, Steve.
Sadly I have to conclude that the Conservative Party has crapped out. Dead and gone. Blown off in a wave of tax-and-spendiness that would have put Wilson on Depends.
Jim Flaherty and his boss have gambled everything on the election they are planning to happen in the next few days or weeks. No – no election was contemplated today, as PMSH always knew the Bloc Quebecois could be bought off with $3 billion and change. No, the vote thing comes later – probably next week.
But of greater concern to all Canadians, at least it should be, is the fact the guys on the fiscal right have just flipped out. Totally. The Harper Tories are now in charge of the freest-spending federal government in history, and it hasn’t happened by accident. Federal spending in the year ending month will be a record at $223 billion including debt payments, and that jumps by twice the rate of inflation next year. In fact, one year from now program spending – which takes no debt interest at all into account – will pass $200 billion. Hell, if was only 18 months ago we were slagging Paul Martin for spending that much on all programs and all debt payments combined.
But it gets worse. Flaherty and Harper are handing over $39 billion in new money so that provincial governments can grow more bloated. They’re increasing spending on social programs by more than $4 billion a year, and hiking total spending by the equivalent of $5,800 for every citizen over the next 12 months.
The federal surplus is therefore planned to travel from $13 billion to just $300 million. If the economy slows (certain), or interest rates rise (count on that, too), or more manufacturing jobs are lost and government revenues fall (a given), then the itsy little surplus can yawn into a deficit very quickly. The national debt goes up, not down. The cupboard is bare. And it’s ooops time.
Maybe it’s just me, but when I was a conservative, or a Progressive Conservative, or even just a Conservative, the idea was to worry about long-term financial stability and try to resist being a hedonistic bobblehead. But now the Harper Cons have clearly made the decision to try and spend their way into a majority government by giving government money to anything that moves. Spending goes nuts, but what’s the legacy?
I guess it’s this – as I said a few hours ago – that really perplexes me.
Besides showering cash on Quebec and other levels of government, where the hell did that extra $13 billion go, and what do we get for locking ourselves into a national overhead of more than $200 billion a year?
No promised GST cut. No promised capital gains tax holiday. No broad-based income tax cut. No family income splitting. No climate change strategy to even try to achieve Kyoto. No great new national projects or legacies a generation can look back on and swell.
Worse, we’re doing nothing about the demographic time bomb of an aging population. Nothing about a national savings rate of zero. Nothing about $33,000 in average debt for each university grad. Nothing about the threat of higher inflation and higher interest rates that follow higher government spending. Nothing about getting less competitive or productive.
In fact, this budget will probably add to the financial stress of those “working families†all politicians like to talk about. Face it – the economic cycle has passed high noon. There simply aren’t enough people to keep buying houses from each other to push prices up forever. Half of the Boomers have no money saved for retirement. Higher inflation will cause higher mortgage rates and less family income. Manufacturing jobs are fleeing Canada for India and China. Wealth is being unevenly concentrated, thanks to resources. And so long as income taxes stay where they are, as Flaherty is counting on, then disposable incomes are going to fall – the inevitable result of free-spending, inflationary, live-for-the-moment politicians.
They used to be called Liberals. Today, well, not so much.
Have never been so convinced of the rightness of my recent decision, as now.
97 comments ↓
I need a big freaking drink!
Good night people.
The second GST cut wasn’t promised for this budget. Perhaps you forgot, but that cut was promised within the fifth year of a Conservative government. I would’ve preferred to see an income tax cut in this budget, but I can understand the logic behind it. If Jim had presented a truly “conservative” budget, you’d be calling him a neanderthalic Reformer and writing how you could never support a party that does nothing for the provinces and nothing for the average family.
Don’tcha just love politics?
Garth:
How exactly do you see the vote going down next week?
If you want exact, ask PMSH. But I expect he will call a confidence vote on one of several candidate bills. — Garth
Hey, there we go, finally you recognise that spending money on other levels of governments pisses people off.
If only you coulda let flaherty know that while you were in his caucus.
I’ve been whining about this massive problem for quite some time and I’m quite happy to see you getting back to your knitting and sticking federal dollars to federal purposes.
If only the Conservatives could get the message. Its quite simple — regional issues, regional representation, regional taxation. Go Trains in Toronto don’t help me in Alberta, and my federal tax dollars have no business being spent there.
If you want exact, ask PMSH. But I expect he will call a confidence vote on one of several candidate bills. — Garth
That would be fine with me Garth as long as the BQ are the ones that keep propping up the Government. Then that will really make Harper Pi–ed off if he can’t get a election his way. I still think the opposition should let them go for a few months and be held accountable for all these promises that they are making. Don’t give him his way and let him have an election.
Which is it Garth? Today you call them Liberals, yesterday you called them Reformers…..make up your mind or is schizophrenia a Liberal prerequisite?
Randy, the truth is the Grits are the ones wanting an election….they want to broom Dion as fast as possible……..
I have to wonder what would a Liberal Government be doing if you were in power now? I really doubt it would be much different. Sure, the programs being funded might change, like a national bloated daycare scheme or steak-knife registry. But the net effect is that Canadians respond well to being bribed with their own money. Government bloat served the Libs well for the previous 13 years. Your new party would surely be throwing our money back at us to earn another go at the trough.
Folks, I get it now! This budget is based on Jim Flaherty’s own version of Ulysses! It is essentially a day in the life of Jim Flaherty! Whatever Flaherty sees, hears, touches, smells, and tastes is what the Canadian public should get in a budget! Jim Flaherty rides the GO train to work, but he doesn’t want to give them a huge whack of cash, so he buys ten ride passes! In the budget now. Jim Flaherty’s son plays hockey, presto, you can buy your kids skates! Flaherty doesn’t own income trusts, then they don’t matter, he never discusses them. Flaherty hates getting charged for using another bank’s machine, he calls for banks to cut it out. Folks feel free to add onto Jim Flaherty’s Ulysses. Perhaps soon we will all experience Flaherty’s Wake! A truly incomprehensible and mind boggling exploration into the mind of Jim Flaherty.
Thanks for the bad news, Garth. Good night to you, and to everyone else –
Écrasez l’infamie!
I have to agree that as a fiscal conservative I am not very pleased with the budget. Personally, I think the government is spending too freely, and getting involved in areas it does not belong.
However I am also forced to accept the reality of the situation. Liberal administrations have proven over the years that the way to Canadian hearts is to push inflated American style budgets (George Grants Lament for a Nation provides a great commentary on the Liberals using American politics). Even to the point that modern Liberals have shown that they believe totally unaccounted for money being sent out of the PMO to finance the Liberal party is justified if it means just…one ….more…term.
So yes I agree that the budget is horrid. However, I also agree that it had to be done to get the Conservatives to a point where they are able to write and pass a fiscally conservative budget. Hopefully a year from now we will see a budget that will start fixing the system that has been broken by “Canada’s natural governing party.”
If being part of the party that has forced our system to this makes you proud, then I’m sure the Government’s Ontario Caucus is also currently convinced of the rightness of their decision.
Looks like James Flaherty snuck in the “Tax Fairness Plan.”
Previously Announced Measures
Budget 2007 confirms the Government’s intention to proceed with the following previously announced tax measures, as modified to take into account consultations and deliberations:
…
* The Tax Fairness Plan announced on October 31, 2006;
…
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpa5ae.html#transit
The Budget Plan
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bptoce.html
Lowering taxes is not enough: the tax system must also be fair and it must leave investment decisions in the hands of Canadians. Business taxes must be competitive for all sectors, industries and business structures, and the tax system should be neutral to ensure that tax considerations do not unduly influence business and investment decisions.
The Government is committed to building a business tax advantage—grounded in a tax system that is internationally competitive. This commitment is evident in Budget 2006 and the Tax Fairness Plan, which move Canada in the right direction by:
* Reducing the general corporate income tax rate to 18.5 per cent from 21 per cent by 2011.
* Accelerating the elimination of the federal capital tax by two years to January 2006.
* Eliminating the corporate surtax for all corporations in 2008.
* Levelling the playing field in the taxation of publicly-traded income trusts, partnerships and corporations.
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc5ee.html
Geoffrey L :
Yea, kinda like ‘Being John Malkovich ‘you get dumped in a ditch at the side of the interchange on the Jersey turnpike .
I have to wonder what would a Liberal Government be doing if you were in power now? I really doubt it would be much different. Sure, the programs being funded might change, like a national bloated daycare scheme or steak-knife registry. But the net effect is that Canadians respond well to being bribed with their own money. Government bloat served the Libs well for the previous 13 years. Your new party would surely be throwing our money back at us to earn another go at the trough.
By Paully on 03.19.07 11:35 pm
Ohhh someone who can tell alternate futures! Do you work for a psychic call in service too??
Come on, you don’t have a bloody CLUE what the liberals would have done. You can say whatever you want, but the truth of the matter is, the liberals in the past helped to mold a steady, solid Canadian infrastructure that has fallen apart at the seams because of this joke of a government. They haven’t done a DAMN thing to help keep Canada sustainable and they are doing NOTHING but turning us into the sh*tter.
Ya. Lookin forward to these fools govern. I welcome an election….and hope like HELL it’s the liberals who get in.
btw did anyone check this video out
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lk–Iv0wz5Y
tories are now spying on dion. What a ditto copy of George W bush
Well as a babyboomer who just realized freedom 55, this budget leaves me cold and wondering who gave the piggy bank to the Conservatives.
Some votes can be bought, but if SH thinks he bought the Quebec populace vote with the transfer to the province – he wasn’t reared in the province, and the Quebec govt will be lauging at him all the way to the bank while Harper tries to cling to his minority.
“The 2006 Child Care Plan was a complete failure.”
You defended this failed plan over the Libral agreements. You posted that more families in your riding could be helped through cutting a cheque then through a new social program.
Is this a change of heart or party?
That is not my quote. — Garth
Mr. Turner, I’m one of your constituents in Halton, and I’m proud that you’re my representative in parliament, and now that you’ve joined a political party instead of Harper’s band of nodding heads, I can actually vote for you next time around.
Your refusal to simply carry the standard for a dictatorial Prime Minister who does not value the input of his caucus or the needs of the electorate (except at election time, of course), and who engages in petty political stunts at every opportunity instead of taking care of Canada’s business, your outspoken criticism of, well, pretty much everything that’s wrong in this country’s government today and your principled attempts to remain true to the core tenets of a functioning democracy have restored my faith in the political process in this country.
We’re facing some pressing economic and political challenges in the very near future, to be sure, but people like you are the reason there is still hope for brighter days ahead.
You’re quite right about something you’ve said: the Progressive Conservative party has truly been eliminated, and the ghost of the Reform Party is all that remains. Our own neocons have hijacked conservative politics in this country, and when such folks aren’t happily expanding the scope of government or increasing its spending, they’re busy consolidating power, which is all they really give a damn about. Jack Layton’s ideas about fiscal restraint would probably look more “conservative” than Flaherty’s.
It seems that nobody is paying any attention to the fact that Preston Manning regularly had to tell “Scary Stephen” Harper to “tone it down” as the Reform party’s helmet-haired ideologue, which makes him absolutely the wrong person to lead a healthy, free and tolerant society like Canada – a society which would be far better off if someone would remind it’s “conservative” government what “conservative” means.
Reading your blog and the comments, it’s nice to see that I’m not the only Canadian who knows when he’s being bribed with his own money, or who can read between the lines of political pandering like the steaming pile that Flaherty handed down today.
Keep up the good work, and thanks again.
Mr Turner
I’ve already emailed you in regards to this budget and I do not know if you have passed it along to Mr Dion or not, and that is a moot point right now. Regardless of that or not, what is being asked on your party’s part is to see if you blink or not, i.e. election called. This is what everyone is gearing up for whether any party will admit to it or not. The best tactic I can expect is to let things run their current course, as much as it hurts me to think of higher mortgage rates forcing hard working families to foreclose on their homes but if it provides a more goal driven government that is not out of ideas, then it is something to contemplate. Don’t get me wrong, I am most certain that PMSH & Co will be on your collective backs by attacking the lack of decision makers in the Liberal party, but it would be a better move on your behalf to wait for the right moment to move into the public’s attention.
Of course, all of this speculation is pending the results in Quebec…
However that may come out, wait until the numbers are in for spending/cash flow into Ottawa’s coffers. You are an economist and are aware of the impending economic turndown we will inevitably experience. Yes, it does not look good for any politician to allow his or her country’s economy to go into the crapper, but we are in an unique scenario where things are in a minority government where things can change overnight.
I think those who visit your website regularly are of the opinion that our *cough* wonderful PM is out of goals and ambitions and is desperately trying to get out of probationary period into a full time 4 year no holds barred majority. Do not give him the pleasure of getting 4 years. We have had a total of 8 years of insanity south of the border (sorry to any American bloggers) and nothing is more upsetting than getting a running nose from Capital Hill but wait for a year to have your battle plans put together.
Have the numbers speak for themselves. Economic factors (mortgage ratees, interest rates), unemployment figures, inflation as well as this jack of all trades mater of nothing budget that does a whole lot of little things and nothing really big anywhere.
Wasn;t Uylesses an adventurer and a sailor? My ancient Greek mythology may be rusty but I would think the reference should be Midas. If so, perhaps we will see everything JF touches turn into gold, including his food. No food, no energy to live on and *gasp* no more JF!
smilin jack just got kicked out of the sack by tubby.is he mad or what!and he thought they were buddies.
can,t blame the bloq for supporting this budget.they,d be fools to turn down this money with the election going on.if an election happens it will be a minority for cons or libs.smilin jack will get hammered and he deserves just that.a hypocrite of hypocrites. i wouldn,t think the bloq to be as naive as smilin jack. my biggest concern with harper is, who is supporting his hidden agenda.power corp comes to mind.among others.makes no sense to pi$$ seniors off when he needs their votes.harper(tubby)is a shrewd man.what or who is behind all this? time will tell i suppose but i know one thing and that,s i don,t trust this sob.i keep feeling i,m being stalked by this guy.i think this will be a major problem for him if and when a election happens.
I’m surprised that you’re not writing about your friend Ms. May. Apparently, she is in talks with Mr. Dion about the Peter MacKay’s riding not to run and help her win that riding. I wonder how that Liberal riding is feeling about their democratic grass roots will be overruled by another the Liberal Master Dion’s anti-democratic move? I wonder how the Green’s feel about her cozying up with the Liberals?
Then you have more insider information than I do. SD has said nothing about this. Your proof? — Garth
I guess we’re following the trail of the U.S. federal government. In the near future, we may have trillions of national debts that awaits the future generations to pay them off.
I’m giving serious thought to trading in my fuel efficent car for a tractor trailor and stuffing it full of Lacrosse equipment and Canadian footballs. I will drive this vehicle to and from work stopping off at drive thru’s along the way so I can claim 80% of the meal expenses. This really is the only break I see in this budget for me. The reaction so far is muted or tepid to this document, unless it gets REALLY SOLD over the next few days I can’t see an election. Of course Garth this gives you and the Liberals a real chance to craft an alternate plan for all of us and courtesy of the conservatives you have their blue to work with.
There are good thing for me in the budget have to think fodder i will never vote for that idiot he going to screw this country up back 110 years
Just can’t read your comments anymore with the same enthusiasm since you switched parties.There is a nagging feeling in my gut that you would be much more positive about the budget if you were still a conservative.Probably due to getting older and seeing everyone crap on a federal budget after it is released.I have been voting for 28 years and as soon as a budget is released the opposing parties howl at the moon about it.Most of them probably don’t even understand it.
I read it. All of it. Did you? — Garth
Actually, Stephane Dion claimed that he would support this budget unless it was harmful and then, once he saw that the BQ would support it, he decided to vote against it. If the BQ did not support it, Dion would have voted for it or abstained. Clearly, the BQ gave the Libs a way out, and the Libs took it.
Wrong. I saw the moment when Dion made up his mind, and that was when he was briefed on the contents, before he knew what the BQ position was. Stop making things up. — Garth
Kaniz, Scott Reid of the Libs follows the Conservatives in the same way, except that he’s not anonymous.
Lots of tinkering on personal taxes…$2000 tax credit ($310 is what you’ll see), is this refundable? If not does nothing for those who pay no tax in the first place.
Elimation of the marriage discrepancy re: tax exemptions. Increases in annual RESP grants (but not the lifetime max.)
But that’s what it is tinkering.
Then you’ve got the Quebec buy out.
Only difference between this and the AdScam is that only difference is the handful of Liberals who pocketed illegally. The end goal is the same as far as the Liberal and Conservative governments were/are concerned. Buy Quebec votes.
NL is unhappy with the budget. Go get them Danny, as once again PMSH turns back the clock on a previous provincial agreement with the Feds, this time on oil revenues being included in transfer/equalisation calculations.
Lots of promises made and not yet kept..GST cut, Capital Gains deferral if re-invested. If an election is called, these can go as promises broken as they had their chance and missed it.
From what I can see this is a do little budget except try and buy votes. At least Paul Martin tried to buy votes by doing something constructive in his budgets after he elimated the deficit!
A budget with no direction. I hope he used recycled paper to print it on!
BOREDOM 55
I am one of those over 55 guys that watched the Budget. I quickly realized it did nothing for me except for a vague Promise to reduce my taxes in future years after the national debt is paid down. I had to wear my Depends when Flaherty announced I didn’t have to RRIF until I am 71. This was one of my real concerns in life! But wait, I was thinking of buying a Jeep Cherokee to safely travel up north in the winter to protect myself and I knew that the gas was going to cost me especially since the government collects a huge percentage of tax on my every fill up. Will I pay $4,000 extra to buy a new Jeep Cherokee? Probably not. I then started to think like Flaherty…you know…the down home feel good stuff like he says ” I talk to a lot of families in the hockey rinks and with average people in coffee shops and this is what they are telling me they want”. I then thought to myself…the auto workers that produce these gas guzzlers just got another dagger. Some of the new cars slated for the future are also gas guzzlers. Well, enough of the JIM FOOLERY for me! Where was the PROMISE to defer capital gains tax? Even Mintz and Partners said he could have tinkered with the Tax Act in a hundred ways to improve the so called “Tax Fairness”. The Libs and NDP couldn’t do a damn thing about this useless budget because Flaherty sold out to a Separatist!
Enough BROKEN PROMISES for me.
Now Garth, when will the Election take place? You earlier called April 23, but that may be too soon.
No way Garth. This was Dion’s way out, there was no way he would call an election right now. I don’t believe it.
Who cares? — Garth
You do, otherwise you would let the comment stand.
Your comment is 100% factually incorrect. — Garth
Wrong. I saw the moment when Dion made up his mind, and that was when he was briefed on the contents, before he knew what the BQ position was. Stop making things up. — Garth
And we’re suppost to take your word for it?
I was there. Where were you? — Garth
Catherine,
You are making things up. Your descent into gutter politics is almost as clumsy and comical as Leasa’s claim that Dion is a spy for the French government!
I’ve been thinking over night, trying to put my finger on what is wrong with this budget.
It sort of dithers doesn’t it?
Scattered all over the place, no focus, all that money pissed away leading where exactly?
After it was delivered I had this creepy feeling, kind of like I left all my Christmas shopping until the last minute and ran around spending ALL of my money in a few hours. Spending much more than I should have, on anything I could find.
The budget was unsatisfying.
And despite what some of the Pundits say, or Harper thinks, I suspect he’ll get little political capital from the budget.
By the time that we see any provincial results from the Fed spending spree, where exactly the money came from will be long forgotten.
There was no income tax cut, so voters won’t see an immediate relief each and every week on their pay stub. No monthly cheque in the mail.
Yah, next year parents will get their $300 buck tax credit, but Harper won’t get much mileage out of that, an entire year after the fact. A tax credit is not cash in hand.
In short, the budget is a jumbled, confusing mess.
What a waste.
OH yah, I noticed that they have revived the sponsorship program, and shaded it a slightly blue, Sheesh!
Very interesting budget…. At first glance it sounds pretty good… but then one gets a closer look… that $2000 child tax credit is really nothing. Maybe it’s $310 if I owe taxes, but if I don’t, it’s completely useless. How can I buy new skates with it?? (and why are they calling it $2000 when it’s only $310?)
And as for the gas guzzler tax…. so I guess we don’t want families to drive safe 4wd vehicles in our Canadian winters? Not to mention families who have lots of kids and need a larger van or SUV with extra seats – or families who camp in the summer and need a truck to pull the camper. Or should we load the 4 kids into two little cars and take them both up to the provincial park? I don’t think this was thought out.
They could have done so much more. SO much more. Moving the tax brackets or income splitting.
And as for transfering more money to the provinces… I’m still not sure why they keep doling out money without any kind of plan. This is the second time (first was Liberals) that they’ve just sent money out with no plan. And guess what – waiting times are worse. It’s like a bottomless pit.
There’s nothing in this budget for me. I’m disappointed. Oh – actually I’m wrong. I guess there is something in it for me – inflation and higher interest rates. Gee thanks.
I was there. Where were you? — Garth
I guess I’m saying that I don’t trust you.
Then it’s time to find a new blog to hang out in, right? — Garth
I was just answering your question about who cares. I stand by my comments. For me, Dion has made quite a flipflop within a few hours.
From what, to what? I was with the guy Sunday night, Monday morning and Monday afternoon, and heard the same, consistent message: No pre-judgment of the budget, wait to see if he could support the actual measures, then decide on the best course for the country. Sounded to me like what a leader should say. — Garth
It’s a Liberal Budget, you wankers! For all those central Canukistanians, and Garth, you wouldn’t vote for it? Suckers, you got canned by a better chess master than all the Liberal brain trust could ever come up with. And in the Liberal way – buy votes with our money. You have a short memory Garth. Your leader is an idiot for not voting for this budget, and a poor political strategist to boot. Thank God Mr Dueceppe is showing his true colors, because if he didn’t vote for this budget, you Liberals would have to, ’cause you aint ready for an election yet. Thems the facts, cowboy!
Then it’s time to find a new blog to hang out in, right? — Garth
You’re my MP. I actually voted for you in the last election.
What it boils down to is that I don’t trust you. Now, either that’s my problem, or you’ve done something to warrant this.
I am interested in government, politics and what my MP is doing.
Find another blog. Valid comment, if you weren’t my MP (are you stepping down?)…
Trust me or not. It’s your choice. Just try to make a decent contribution to the argument, instead of sniping. I’m your MP. You are stuck with me! Let’s move on and talk about what’s best for everyone. — Garth
Garth, You have to admit it would of been interesting to have the Bloq say no. Mr. Dion would then of been forced to see just how dead set against this budget he really was. Come on for argument sakes you have to admit it would of been interesting. I think if Mr. Dion had been forced to support it to avoid an election he could of found something he liked.
OK Garth, So DION said the Liberals would support unless the budget harmed Canadians. Please outline exactly the measures in the budget that the Liberals say would cause harm to Canadians..
Well, then this over and above what you have heard from Mr. Dion.
I can’t remember word for word what was said on the radio this morning by the commentator. He stated that Dion said that he will support this budget unless its very bad for the country. This budget isn’t like that at all and not worthy of an election call. Dion knows this and didn’t put out his public announcement til after the BQ stated that they will support this. Done and done.
The CBC is calling this a “Paul Martin” budget.
$3.2 Billion out the window.
Today Bloc leader Duceppe thanked Flaherty in the press saying “That money will help us build a strong sovereigntist government”.
$3.2 Billion to aid a party intent on having Quebec leave Canada? Has this PC government fuelled the flames again with this noble gesture? Stay tuned folks.
If the BQ were to reverse its decision on supporting the budget, then I have no doubt that Mr. Dion would flip-flop and support the budget.
The Liberals do not want an election now at any cost. The Liberal Party currently has a leader with no charisma and can’t speak English. It also doesen’t have any policy (i.e. but, of course, all Conservative policy is still bad, right?).
That’s your constructive contribution? As a Halton resident, did you bother to come out last Friday and meet Stephane Dion for yourself? — Garth
The budget neglected more people than it addressed.
Seniors only get relief if only one is receiving a pension.
The rest get nothing.
The child tax benefit is of no use for low income workers.
People who can afford a Lincoln Navigator could care less about the $4000. guzzler tax.
Flaherty says he fixed the fiscal imbalance. The premiers say otherwise.
No mention of the failure to produce 125,000 new child care spaces. Failed policy.
No mention of aboriginals. Failed policy
No mention of income splitting for all families.
No lowering of income taxes across the board.
One person who is going to benefit is the guy who lives outside of town with a dozen old vehicles in his yard. I believe he will get $100. a piece to junk them.
Oh, yeah and the oil and gas billionaires will still be getting welfare to further pollute and rack up record profits. Way to go, Jim!!!
To Bart, First let me say I am not voting Conservative or Liberal, so therefore I am somewhat objective regarding your comments. If you do not trust your own MP (and mine), then why are you engaging him on here. You are making yourself look pretty foolish. Or is there another agenda at work here?
Sure seems like it!
I have a hunch that the great strategist and engineer has given Quebec what it wants (not to help Duceppe) so that Charest can win his election. After that the PM will likely call an election. I really think this is a great Duceppe Duception.
Bart,
And Harper’s charisma is oozing all over the country ? Is that what you are saying ?
As Garth said, where were you last Friday where Dion showed all present what charisma he has . A man with a very subtle sense of humor. A man who speaks without teleprompter with a very nice French accent, completely understandable. This man, Dion, can handle easy questions and difficult questions. Don’t forget he is a professor and has now spent 11 years in parliament. If you were little “worldsmart” you’ would understand that man. Do you realize that in Canada close to half the adult population speaks with one foreign foreign accent or another. Quebec is full of French accents but Dion’s is more refined.
That’s your constructive contribution? As a Halton resident, did you bother to come out last Friday and meet Stephane Dion for yourself? — Garth
Why
Gee, I dunno. To counter ignorance? — Garth
Bob, you sound just as partisan as you’re accusing Bart. Did Bart compare Dion to Harper? Obviously not, but why did you feel the need to inject Harper into the conversation where Bart didn’t bring him in? At the same time, if Bart cannot understand Dion’s English, is that his failure or Dion’s? An arrogant answer would be Bart’s failure. So far, that’s what I have heard from Garth and now, yourself.
That’s your constructive contribution? As a Halton resident, did you bother to come out last Friday and meet Stephane Dion for yourself? — Garth
Yes, I was there. I’ve met Stephane Dion, Steven Harper, Paul Martin, Jean Chretien, Brain Mulroney, Joe Clark, etc.
If you want “constructive contribution”, maybe you wouldn’t let the Liberal contingent here get away with murder, while censoring any constructive Conservative input (but I guess you would argue that no Conservative input is constructive).
This blog, while once fair and balanced, has become a joke.
Bye.
That’s why I didn’t come because of the ingnorance.
Then you have more insider information than I do. SD has said nothing about this. Your proof? — Garth
Oh,Garth don’t you know by now that Catherine gets the information from one of the many voices that reside in her cranium.
Sean, when I talk or write about Stephane Dion I write about one of the major Party leaders and when it is appropriate to make comparisons I do hence my inclusion of Harper. Check again Harper has no sense of humor.
Eric, your loss !!
Harper is engineering an election, but he needs an excuse to blame those horrible Liberals. This time he does not have the help of the Auditor General and the RCMP.
He is on his own this time though.
Liberals did Sponsorship to win Quebeckers’ hearts and now the Conservatives do the Fiscal Imbalance to win the hearts of Quebeckers.
Quebeckers how do you feel about it this time ?? The last time you were inslted. If and when PMSH calls the election he has been campaigning for for more than 14 months including slimy ads, it will probably be before the budget passes and what do WQuebeckers have then ??? Nothing.
This does not seem to be a budget that can last a year and Harper knows it.
Actually, it wasn’t a comparison Bob. Shall I repeat your quote? You asked if Bart was stating something about Harper. Not trying to nitpick, am just stating facts here that counter what you have just said.
Bob R, would you say that the slimy ads were more or less or equal to the ads the Liberals put out last election?
Keep in mind: Soldiers, in our cities and so forth.
Wasn’t that ad pulled before it aired? Was it not only shown by media outlets? Just asking. — Garth
Sean , so, tell Garth which Newspaper or TV/Radio organisation you work for/
I don’t think the Liberals will lower themselves to the level Harper has already lowered himself to many times.
The only reason Liberals have been made to look bad is because of the lies, innuendo,smears,exagerations
and slimy ads Harper and his team have lowered themselves to. Shouting all their garbage to win an election cannot possibly leave a LASTING good impression.
I hope CPC leaning Canadians wake up soon
He fights dirty and he does not even let his own people know what trick he is going to pull next. I think he enjoys keeping his caucus on their toes.
Wasn’t that ad pulled before it aired?
“What idiot approved that ad?” – Keith Martin MP
“I approved that ad.” – PM Paul Martin
Wasn’t that ad pulled before it aired? Was it not only shown by media outlets? Just asking. — Garth
Absolutely correct:
Martin pulled the plug on those ads before they ever aired .
It was a rough copy done in jest by the ad company and a Tory snitch saw them and reported to God .
Canadians are certainly a greedy lot .
The First Nations got nothing in this budget making it a racist document .
Thousands of them live in conditions that are worse than what most farm animals have to endure .
No,drinking water or safe housing,or educational opportunities devastated by alcoholism and drug addiction forming street gangs and perpetrating violence against themselves and others .
Prentice sure talks a good game but when it comes down to the short strokes-nothing .
Tom Flanagan has made certain that a Harpo government(?)will never,ever, give these people what is needed unless it is their total and complete assimilation into white culture .
No it wasn’t Garth. It was still being played in Quebec. The Liberals said it was pulled but it wasn’t in Quebec. It’s hard for me to give them credit for pulling the ad when they still allowed it.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/01/12/elxn-libs-research-military.html
I am interested in finding out which ads Bob R felt was slimy by the CPC. I would like to view them and judge them for myself.
It was a rough copy done in jest by the ad company…
That’s a new one… Not a credible one, but a new one.
Bob R, I don’t work for any newspapers, radio stations or television companies. As well, I am not a member of any political party, nor am I a lobbyist of any sort. I’m not sure what has led you to this statement but I can assure you that I don’t represent anyone but myself.
Hmmmmmm — Garth
Postscript.
Regarding the “Soldiers in Cities” ad; a French Version of the ad ran in Quebec for 3 weeks after the English version was pulled.
Just saying…
Martin said it was when he and his campaign team saw the ad, and not just read the transcript, that they realized it was going to be misconstrued.
“When we saw what the ad looked like, it was very clear the message we were trying to convey would not be conveyed by that ad,” Martin said.
What is your point ?
Doesn’t say anywhere the ad appeared in Quebec or anywhere else .
It was still a rough copy and was never approved for broadcast .
Steve,
The Ulysses that Geoffrey L. references is the novel by James Joyce not the figure of Greek mythology.
You know, novels? You buy them in bookstore or loan them from a library? Or read them online? Read?
The constant nagging about the few missteps the Liberal Party made amongst the hundreds if not thousands of things they did well is dishonest.
Is that the way CPC members were treated at home , at school, at their bootcamps etc ?
Is that the way you are treated by your superiors at work ?
Is that the way your Banker treats you ?
Take away the few rotten apples out of the huge barrel of good apples and you’ll see that Canada is a better place because of the Liberal Government from 1993 to 2005.
Sean P. Hogan. The CBC link you provided yourself completely destroys your premise and your arguments. Did you even read the link before you posted?
The story clearly states:
Which part of ‘never broadcast’ are you having difficulty with, the ‘never’ or the ‘broadcast’?
Be as partisan as you wish, but please be truthful.
And no, I am not a Liberal or a Conservative.
Be as partisan as you wish, but please be truthful.
Good advice. The ad was broadcast (even if your article declares otherwise) numerous times on the news and it was also posted on the internet on the Liberal party website (which is also a broadcast). If you like you can still see it today at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68toCAiPIjo
And, as already mentioned, a french version of the ad ran in Quebec for 3 weeks after the english ad was formally withdrawn.
I think what your cited article was getting at is that it was never broadcast as a paid political advertisement on television. That much is true, but the article you cite is not accurately worded. The ad was broadcast widely in other ways.
Since you’re not a Liberal partisan, it would be easy for you to say what the Liberals ought to have said; “it was a really stupid mistake and we are really ashamed of that particular low point in our campaign.”
Not my link – it was Sean P. Hogan’s link.
I’m getting tired of this.
IT WAS NEVER BROADCAST.
Thanks Frank :
They won’t listen . Their brains are stuffed with partisan clap-trap .
It doesn’t suit their purpose to admit they are wrong . They will bleat about it all day long .
Saying it in BIG BOLD LETTERS adds nothing to the strength of your argument. In fact it was broadcast, repeatedly, else none of us would have ever seen it…
Look up broadcast in the dictionary if you like. Maybe that will help.
Then you have more insider information than I do. SD has said nothing about this. Your proof? — Garth
Have your staff review CBC interviews with Ms. May on Monday after the budget. She stated that she had met with Stephane Dion about the possibilities to get rid of Peter Mackay, because he is part of Stephen Harper’s government.
After you confirm this, will support this move or not?
Ah, Mr. Mackay’s opponent spinning to a reporter. V-e-r-y reliable source! — Garth
Judy’s statement “No mention of aboriginals. Failed policy”
The aboriginal file currently is federally budgetted at over 9 BILLION dollars. There are about 1 million Aboriginals. That is about 9,000 for each Aboriginal (man, woman, and child). So for a family of 4, that is 36,000 per year. But, since many Aboriginals are gainfully employed and don’t live on reserves, the per capita is much, much higher. So, don’t you think that this file is very, very broken? Don’t you think a thorough audit of why some Aboriginals are still living in 3rd world conditions? I would say that either the bureaucracy in Ottawa has created a jobs for life or someone pockets are loaded!
DON’T FEED THE TROLLS!
Canadians are certainly a greedy lot .
The First Nations got nothing in this budget making it a racist document .
Thousands of them live in conditions that are worse than what most farm animals have to endure .
No,drinking water or safe housing,or educational opportunities devastated by alcoholism and drug addiction forming street gangs and perpetrating violence against themselves and others .
Prentice sure talks a good game but when it comes down to the short strokes-nothing .
Tom Flanagan has made certain that a Harpo government(?)will never,ever, give these people what is needed unless it is their total and complete assimilation into white culture .
and the liberals for 13 years did exactly what.
It amazes me how a, so called, intelligent western democracy can be so f’ing stupid .
Flaherty (the evil little Leprechaun) has pitted province against province with his dumb equalization formula .
Little doubt there are fewer votes in Nova Scotia,Newfoundland/Labrador than Ontario and Quebec .
“Budget 2007 takes historic action to…” They got that right. With this budget, Jim Flaherty officially becomes the biggest spending finance minister in the history of Canada. Great !
The $200-billion Mr. Flaherty proposes to spend this year works out to about $5,800 for every citizen. Even after you adjust for increases in prices and population, that’s more than the Martin government spent at its frenetic worst, when it was almost shovelling the stuff out the door. It is more than the Mulroney government spent in its last days, when it was past caring. It is more than the Trudeau government spent in the depths of the early 1980s recession. All of these past benchmarks of over-the-top, out-of-control spending must now be retired. Jim Flaherty has outdone them all.
The winner Little Jimmy Flaherty the loser all Canadians .
This government (?) must be stopped before they totally ruin our financial advantage that every Canadian suffered for .
This budget is out of control and the so called tax savings(there are none)non existent .
Way to go fools. Cheer on the all moron team.
You deserve it .
How about the Kelowna accord that the neostore up on day one.
Five billion dollars for FN’s initiatives.
Monte Solberg said it was written on the back of a napkin.
Some napkin .
Kelowna Accord negotiated in 2005 with the Liberal government of Paul Martin back to the table. The deal, aimed at improving living conditions and education for aboriginal people, was cancelled by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper.
I actually like this budget. With even Allen Greenspan warning of a recession at the end of 2007 a big doses of government spending maybe just what the doctor ordered.
Or how about the Liberals negotiating compensation for victims of residential schools.
Negotiating a treaty at Burnt Church over fishing rights……
And the name is Alan Greenspan .
Greenspan gems:
Whatever you tax, you get less of.
Alan Greenspan
The Fact that our economical models at The Fed, the best in the world, have been wrong for fourteen straight quarters, does not mean they will not be right in the fifteenth quarter.
Alan Greenspan
The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud, that you succeeded through your own endeavors without leaving a trail of casualties in your wake.
Alan Greenspan
Protectionism will do little to create jobs and if foreigners retaliate, we will surely lose jobs.
Alan Greenspan
Jackie, What confuses me about your argument is that this what not a surprise to anyone, the same as reverting the lowest tax bracket, the Cons announced during the campaign they were going to do these things and they still got elected. It is not like people did not know.
Ah, Mr. Mackay’s opponent spinning to a reporter. V-e-r-y reliable source! — Garth
So are you saying that Ms. May hasn’t talked to Stephane Dion in the last few days? So are you saying she is not telling the truth?
Are you saying she has? Are you saying she is? And what do you know the rest of us do not? — Garth
Frank Frink, it looks like I quoted the wrong article, because I read one yesterday where it said that the Conservatives stated its still being aired in Quebec. I do apologize for this and thanks for noticing my mistake.
Sorry, here is the article that I meant to quote: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/01/11/elxn-tory-lib-ads-reax.html
The Conservatives said the ad was running in Quebec, and that it was broadcast in English Canada before it was pulled.
Garth, your hmmmmmmm to me. I’m curious, do you think I’m not telling the truth? If so, what can I do to prove it?
Bob, those few bad apples included the leader of the party. You know, the guy who tells everyone else what to do? Jean Chretien and Paul Martin, have you heard of them? The PC’s have had their share of poor leaders, namely Mulroney and Clark. Bob, you really need to take off the rose-coloured glasses when it comes to the party that you support.
Bob R, as well, you seem to have gone on a tangent here. You stated that the CPC put out slimy ads, so, which ones were they? I have given you a comparison (military with guns), as most people found that slimy. No partisianship here please, just direct me to the slimy ads and tell me, in your opinion, if you found them to be equally, more or less slimy than the military ad. I haven’t seen them until yesterday on the CPC site and I’ve only had time to view a couple of them. I will view more today. But I would like to see the ones that you felt were slimy. Thanks Bob.
Oh,yea real reliable source the figgin’ cons .
Grow up Sean and get a grip on your life .
Again, leave the insults behind. It doesn’t reflect anything positive and your argument becomes lost.
Hardly an insult. Mere observation. — Garth
Garth, I took it as an insult and if you’ve taken it as an observation, that is fine. Its a misplaced and confusing observation to say the least.