New Nanos National Poll - CP, 32%, LP 30%, NDP 20%, GP 10%, BQ 9%

Well well it appears that Canadians are having second thoughts about Harper and his band of incompetent clowns. The very fact that Liberal supporters sat on their hands in the last election was of some comfort to me because they didn't and couldn't vote for Harper or lyin Jack, the greens, etc.

And with the Libs getting a NEW LEADER they should get lots or press while the economy goes down the tubes from Tory mismanagement.

I believe the Libs will try and topple the cons b/f the end of this year.

[updated Wed Nov 19 16:46:50 -0500 2008]

Honestly - i think conservative supporters just don't answer telephone polls as much between elections. This is about what we saw from nic's numbers just before the election - where suddenly they jumped up and stayed fairly high thru the election, and now nosedive back to where they've been for a while.

It is interesting to note that almost every pollster missed calling this election badly.

I think that there's going to have to be a serious rethink about how we conduct polls to gain better accuracy. I have seen absolutely zero increase in liberal support around here, nor have i heard of any anywhere else, nor is there really an event that would tend to suggest there should be (other than dion quitting, which admittedly might bump them up a bit. The guy was an albatross around their neck).

Something's changed, and we're just not seeing the kind of accuracy we used to. Perhaps voters are just more volitile, or perhaps more people refuse to take polls.

[updated Wed Nov 19 16:51:07 -0500 2008]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081118.weconomy19/BNStory/politics/home

"OTTAWA — Jim Flaherty may be set to become the first federal finance minister in nearly 40 years to oversee a return to budget deficits,"

IHS Global Insight Canada managing director Dale Orr said Mr. Flaherty and the Conservatives should have taken better precautions against a deficit, noting they cut some rainy-day cushions and drove program spending up 13.8 per cent in their first two years.

It's also hard to find an economist who supports the Conservatives' decision to forgo $11-billion of annual revenue and cut the goods and services tax by two points, instead of using that fiscal room for productivity-enhancing, broad-based income-tax cuts.

That notwithstanding, Mr. Orr said, he believes Mr. Flaherty “is certainly the best person in the Conservative cabinet to be the finance minister.”

"If Ottawa runs a deficit in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, as bank economists have predicted, it will be the first in 13 years. It will also be the first time Ottawa has slid into the red from a surplus since 1970-1971.

That's despite the fact that Mr. Flaherty – a soldier in Mike Harris's Common Sense Revolution – declared several times this year that he wouldn't be the finance minister who oversees the return of deficits."

[updated Wed Nov 19 17:26:02 -0500 2008]

It is far too early to determine what the trend will be in the coming days/weeks.

However, there is one thing I have noted. The government is being much more proactive about promoting and explaining their agenda. That is a good thing, The Libs, NDP and Bloc will have a hard time getting away with their sometimes outrageous comments about what the government is doing when government ministers are front and centre.

It is also clear we as a country are in for a tough ride and the government is signalling that everyday. They are making the right noises and that is good. Keep Canadians in the loop.

Canadians will decide whether they are doing the right things over time and not the opposition parties.

[updated Wed Nov 19 17:58:24 -0500 2008]

It all goes to show that elections are related to the stock market whose prime motivating force is emotion rather than common sense. The volatity of the voter at large is surprising but looking back at recent previous elections it is easy to see those surprising swings when something negative pops up or is deliberately introduced into the election process.

The fact a new Liberal leader is in the offing has to be positive for the Grits. The deficit word is a negative and, seemingly, the electorate expects the Government to have some foolproof crystal ball in these economic times to predict the future begs common sense. One usually has difficulty predicting the future in their own family with stable economic times but governments are supposed to have Extra Sensory Perception ? ? ?Governments are made up of people like you and me with all our flaws but Governments employ a trained Civil Service to give them the best advice possible but even that is not flawless assuming Ministers listen.

Yes, job losses in the manufacturing belt understandably will be a big negative when Government, at this moment, appears to have no plan to implement. This is where the "huge" Unemployment Insurance surplus should be readily available to give some relief. The melt down of the Alberta Heritage Fund must be a real shocker to the core area of Conservative support and a further discussion of a cutback in Alberta's per capita spending must be another shocker for Conservativeland. It would seem to me common sense to cut back provincial spending when the bottom has been knocked out of your revenues.

I believe another consideration has to have come out of the Winnipeg Policy Convention where the far right of the party---the Reform element--- indicated they were alive and well and they "would have their way" if at all possible-----if not now, then in the future. They got the press and, in my opinion, they have somewhat devalued the Conservative persona in the eyes of the electorate at large. I referred to this particular aspect as Harper's threat from within.

One positive is that time heals all and the electorate has a short term memory and usually no long term memory.

[updated Wed Nov 19 18:26:04 -0500 2008]

The next election is a long way off. What was the purpose of this poll? Seems rather useless except for a few political junkies to argue over.

[updated Wed Nov 19 18:41:12 -0500 2008]

Warning Warning do not listen to any Liberals or the EDC about exporting to China, Civil unrest is happening and Canadian (BC) companies are not getting paid by Chinese Banks, Do not let a Chinese in Canada scam you about investing or visiting China!!!!!
Stay Away For Your Own Good!!!!!!!

[updated Wed Nov 19 22:24:57 -0500 2008]

I was a little surprised with this poll and the direction it's going in. It's immaterial . It has no significance now that the election is over , other than to satisfy the curiosity of some of us (me included). It has no intrinsic value.

Nik's comments on the Mike Duffy show were spot on. So I won't rehash them here.
I cannot help but think that Harper's response to the economy crisis and reaction to the convention in Winnipeg will be eroding his popularity over time.

As Tom so often reminds us governments engineer their own demise.

[updated Thu Nov 20 08:28:01 -0500 2008]

Rubbish ! The "Greens" at 10% more like .01%.This poll is worthy of the trash bin.

[updated Thu Nov 20 08:35:01 -0500 2008]

Certainly some of the Liberal rebound will be as a result of the Dion resignation, although I think voters may well find Rae and Ignatieff equally unpalatable. I think the drop in Conservative support is largely Harper's pre-election comments about recession, deficits and the market (bargain hunting anyone? the markets off another 3000 points since then!) coming back on him.

We are pretty much back to where we were a month before the election. A lot will depend, going forward, on how Harper conducts himself and his Party in Parliament over the next few months, and on his first budget.

[updated Thu Nov 20 12:01:20 -0500 2008]

Martha Hall Findley is acting like a bit of an ass in Parliament right now at 11:41 am pacific do you not think, Habs was this your choice for Leader of the Liberal Party, I think so!

[updated Thu Nov 20 14:42:09 -0500 2008]

Deflation now tops policy-makers' hit list

Cars are piling up in storage because dealers don't want bloated inventories. Chinese factories are running out of room for all the appliances they're turning out but can't ship. The prices of flat-screen TVs are plummeting; and Americans are so sure housing prices will continue falling that they would rather wait than take the plunge back into real estate.

These are some of the disquieting signs that the once-distant spectre of deflation is looming larger on the horizon, now that economies around the world have fallen into the iron grip of a deep recession.

The latest news has only added to growing fears that the existing global credit mess and feeble economies could be the springboard for a crippling bout of deflation of the sort that derailed the once-thriving Japanese economy for about a decade.

http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081119.wdeflation20/BNStory/Business/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp

[updated Thu Nov 20 18:04:47 -0500 2008]

I’m a westerner that voted Con last election and I will not be happy with a deficit. However the odds of the Liberals ever getting my vote is about as likely as them trying to get my vote. I will be watch the Liberal leadership race and listening intently. I’m cynical and I highly highly doubt they’ll even try to resonate out here is Saskatchewan. The Liberal party here is a joke they were under 10% of the vote for the last provincial election they’d be under 10% federally too if it wasn’t for Goodale. Most of the candidates they ran were Green party quality in their knowledge and experience. This would be all fine and great if you’re a hard core Con however some of us would like a realistic choice (no the NDP isn’t one). Here’s to hoping the Liberals try to resonate out here otherwise I’ll just keep stumbling into the voting booth to mark my X by the Con again next time.
Cheers Chris

[updated Fri Nov 21 00:18:53 -0500 2008]

Here's a report by the Commons guy who was appointed by Harper and has given /flaherty failing grades.
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/540348

" The report by Kevin Page, the new Parliamentary Budget Officer, concludes that the federal Conservatives are likely to run budget deficits "in the near term," possibly beginning this year, and that the fault lies as much with Flaherty as it does with the weak economy."

Further.........

"Page says the deterioration of the federal government's financial picture in the first nine months of 2008 is not so much the result of the weakened economy as Flaherty's policies, particularly the latest reduction in the GST tax and reduced corporate income taxes. This has caused federal revenues to decline by $353 million in the first nine months of this year.
Assuming no changes in Flaherty's policies, "the downgraded economic outlook suggests the government would record modest and temporary deficits in the near term," Page says."

[updated Fri Nov 21 01:06:05 -0500 2008]

Budget chief's deficit forecast forces Ottawa to face reality
$3.9-billion shortfall estimate leaves Flaherty weighing amount of spending necessary to stave off recession

Why the economic outlook appears gloomy

1. Plunging commodity prices will reduce the government's revenue

by shrinking corporate profits and personal incomes.

2. Exports will slump because of weaker demand from the United States

and other countries, making layoffs at factories likely.

3. The government's decision to cut the Goods

and Services Tax and boost spending has

shrunk the surplus to its smallest in years.

4. Canada's economy is on track to grow at a fraction

of the 1.7-per-cent pace the government expected

in February, and even risks contracting.

5. Consumer and business confidence has deteriorated
=============================================

This article is typical of biased idealogy or fuzzy math.

A solution agreed to by the G20 is a financial stimulus to increase or spur spending by all groups.

Consumer and business confidence has MELTED: orders inventory are not moving. Trust in our financial industry has evaporated as massive bailouts and halving of pensions are being reported daily.

Until the Banks lend: Business and consumers spend again we are heading towards the "recession/depression" model.

The suggestion lowering the GST by 2% is responsible for NOT stimulating consumer spending and only emptying the federal coffers is INACCURATE. We have had modest growth in the last 2 years. 2009 will see much bigger Revenue shortfalls as EXPORTS vanish.

It's not about our national domestic economy, we are dependent on EXPORTING our good and services for our economic health.

I agree with non-essential spending needs to be FROZEN and CUT but the CPC wants to get re-elected and cutting the programs regardless of necessity will be played by the media, premiers, opposition as attacks and "idealogical mean spirited" based decisions.

I don't think spending between $10-26 Billion on "projects" will fix the "problem" in Canada. It is beyond our borders.

Having the CPC/Liberal Party agree on budget cuts in a cooperative fashion would be nice optics but I don't live in Disneyland.

Expect a return to a bitter HOC with Liberal leaders blaming the CPC for not waving the magic wand and not hoarding billions for rainy day. The aggressive Martin downloading to the provinces won't be adopted by the CPC, so look for modest across the board freezes and cuts in spending.

Proof is the opposition platforms to increase ARTS funding of the Federal Government by $100+ million in the election campaign. They have no genuine interest in supporting the tough measures.

Anyone believe anyother "reality" in the HOC going forward?

Harper will try to keep his party from appearing "mean-spirited" but will push his agenda through when the other parties continue to attack and blame idealogy for the global economy and refuse to cooperate.

Increasing taxes is the NDP, Bloc, Liberal idea to pay for their "needed" social programs.

[updated Fri Nov 21 09:00:47 -0500 2008]

Bank meltdown a matter of trust
Andrew Willis, today at 7:52 AM EST

Here's a simple explanation for what's ailing banks in general and Citigroup in particular: There's a lack of trust.

Citi can drop 20-something per cent for two straight days because investors who aren't Saudi billionaires have lost confidence in its management. They don't have faith in executives who blame others for what are clearly self-inflicted problems. As TD Waterhouse pointing out Friday, “ Management is blaming short-sellers, but they also appear to be at fault with some questionable balance-sheet maneuvers that included the unwinding of its SIVs and the reclassification of about $80-billion in assets so that they would not have to be marked to market prices.”

As we saw with Lehman Brothers, this can end badly, and quickly. The Wall Street Journal is reporting Friday that Citi's board of directors is beginning to consider radical strategic moves – a bust up or sale of the bank.

Citi's market capitalization is now much smaller than that Royal Bank of Canada's, and on par with the mid-tier Canadian players. And Cit, remember, is expected to write a $13-billion cheque for its share of the BCE buyout loans by Dec. 11.

The credibility issue looms large at Citi, but hangs over other banks too. When Toronto-Dominion Bank highlights its ability to avoid the credit mess, then takes a $350-million writedown on its $10-billion proprietary credit portfolio, the stage is set for Thursday's one-day, 13-per-cent drop in the stock.

Once lost, trust is devilishly difficult to rebuild. It will be some time before the banks enjoy premium valuations.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/streetwise?cid=al_gam_nletter_maropen

[updated Fri Nov 21 10:33:02 -0500 2008]

How many of you out there are as amazed as I am that a month ago Harper was saying how sound and safe our economy was? Now he thinks deficits are essential. Bob Rae did exactly what Harper is about to do . Rae tried to spend his way out of a recession and still gets blamed for the mess Ontario got into. When the economy turns around in 5 or 6 years we will just go back to the same policy that got the world into this fiasco. I am a retired electrician but could see this coming months ago and said so on this site in May. I could have told you sooner but only joined this illustrious group of experts during that month. I have been told by the real experts here that I am ignorant ,ill informed and don't have a clue about anything . Sure am glad I'm not as knowledgeable as some of you think you are. How long before WW3 starts to stimulate the world out of this economic mess? Maybe if we got out of phoney wars we could spend those billions rebuilding our country instead of blowing one up to rebuild it. We would at least create a few jobs at Timmy's for all those soldiers coming home. Can you imagine a franchise on every military base?

[updated Sun Nov 23 10:00:13 -0500 2008]

Should taxpayers funds be used to keep the Detroit 3 plants open in Canada? If yes what conditions are acceptable?

Should Canada act before OBAMA is in office January 20, 2009?

If yes, what other industries should be allowed to apply for taxpayers funds?

If no, will the current government bear the brunt in the next election, or will the Canadians against any bailout with taxpayers shift support as a result. Opinions?

[updated Sun Nov 23 20:03:08 -0500 2008]

Here's a few novel idea from a left wing govt of a EU country. Wonder where they got it from?

ERIC REGULY

From Monday's Globe and Mail

E-mail Eric Reguly | Read Bio | Latest Columns
November 23, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

ROME — Britain's Labour government will shift its attention from fixing the banks to propping up consumers Monday with the expected announcement of a massive economic stimulus package dominated by a cut in the value-added tax.

In the so-called pre-budget report, Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is expected to reduce the VAT, the equivalent of Canada's GST, to 15 per cent from 17.5 per cent.

Mr. Darling is expected to scrap plans to increase the corporation tax on small companies, postpone rises in vehicle excise duties and extend a £120-a-year rebate to basic-rate taxpayers. He might also announce infrastructure projects and plans to encourage the banks, which were offered a £50-billion rescue package, to resume lending.

[updated Sun Nov 23 23:23:23 -0500 2008]

Flaherty and Harper being called out on Deficit lies:

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=c26755ed-9e2a-477b-a9f8-88f4da3c99ce

"Ottawa underestimating potential deficit: think tank
ERIC BEAUCHESNE, Canwest News Service
Published: 2 hours ago
Even a mild recession would leave the federal government with a deficit of more than $12 billion next year and in excess of $20 billion the year after, while a major recession would put Canada nearly $28 billion in the red next year and almost $50 billion a year later, according to a think tank that has a better budget-forecasting track record than the government itself.

And those figures don't take into account the costs of any economic stimulus package, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which advocates such government action, said in a report being released today."

[updated Tue Nov 25 07:06:29 -0500 2008]

More Tory hypocrisy and lies:

Kevin Donovan
Staff Reporter

Federal politicians and public servants are blowing the bank on travel – taking a multitude of trips at high-class prices to London, Paris, Geneva, Sydney and various North American destinations.

A Star investigation found spending by ministers, political staff and bureaucrats that is far from the frugal image of the Stephen Harper government.

Some federal travellers can't seem to get to London, England, for less than $6,000, even though economy seats were available for $1,000 to $2,000. In our analysis of 60,000 travel records over four years, we found $18,000 flights to Australia, $7,000 flights to Paris, $11,000 flights to Indonesia and $8,000 flights to Switzerland.

By contrast, travel surveys show businesses are reducing costs by choosing more economical flights. At least one other government, Alberta, has shown more care with taxpayer dollars. For example, the Alberta environment minister and an aide spent $3,200 each to fly to Bali for a United Nations conference on climate change last year. The former federal environment minister, John Baird, took a $10,920 flight to the same conference. Three political aides and two bureaucrats joined him at similar rates. Total airfare was $61,000.

In the Star's investigation, we found that Harper's ministers often travel with a large entourage, at a high cost.

[updated Tue Nov 25 07:11:15 -0500 2008]

B.C. Premier calls 'timber!' on auto aid
Campbell says any rescue plan should help workers in all struggling industries, including forestry; Ontario Premier downplays tensions

“They [auto makers] have a cost structure that is not sustainable. I don't like talking about that. I'm not saying that an automobile worker doesn't deserve the money they get, but that's part of the system,” Mr. Campbell said.

“It's pretty hard for someone who's getting paid in the $20-an-hour range to say that they should be doing something for someone that's getting paid in the $60-an-hour range.”

The three auto companies are seeking loans, loan guarantees or backing for short-term borrowings as their cash-strapped U.S. parents plead for at least $25-billion (U.S.) in financial aid from the U.S. government. Chrysler last week asked Ottawa and Ontario for $1-billion in aid, while officials with GM Canada have suggested that Canadian governments would need to spend $3.5-billion to match possible assistance from the U.S. government.

Mr. Campbell said Ottawa should consider an aid package that targets workers through measures such as skills development and training, transition programs for older workers to help them ease into retirement, and short-term funding to help one-industry towns survive.

Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of the Forest Products Association, said governments need to focus on the long-term viability of his industry. He said he doesn't want a bailout for individual mills, but rather a comprehensive strategy to get credit markets working again, competitive taxes, infrastructure and rail that work for resource industries, and investment in research and technology.

“It's not enough to just provide assistance to people losing their jobs. The government has to invest so that people can keep their jobs,” he said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081124.wforestry25/BNStory/Front/home

[updated Tue Nov 25 17:59:42 -0500 2008]

In his official reply, the Prime Minister provided additional details about the priorities outlined by the Governor General in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne including:

http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/107628

1)The Harper Government will conduct a thorough strategic review of all program spending to streamline operations and save taxpayers money and this review will also include all Crown corporations and assets. As part of this review, all Departments and agencies will be required to produce detailed quarterly financial statements accessible to the public.
2)The Harper Government will encourage investment in the uranium mining and airline sectors by raising the threshold for foreign investment while retaining the right to block foreign investment if it jeopardizes national security.
T3)The Harper Government will provided targeted supports to industries by reducing tariffs on imported machinery and equipment, extending the mineral exploration tax credit, extending support for international marketing of forestry products and providing incentives for energy-from-biomass.
4)The Harper Government will restore funding to Canada’s regional economic development agencies, make regional economic development funding available in high-unemployment Southern Ontario for the first time ever and create a new agency dedicated to the economic development in Canada’s North.
5)The Harper Government will support small businesses by further raising the small business tax threshold, indexing the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to Inflation and establishing a new venture capital fund for entrepreneurs.
6)The Harper Government push for an agreement on a Canadian internal economic union that would reduce interprovincial trade barriers, improve labour mobility and increase investment.

===============================================

Which priority will the LIBERALS not support?

Will they stand up in the HOC and decry when the CBC budget is cut?
Will they stand up in the HOC and decry more CORP tax cuts for small business?

[updated Tue Nov 25 18:23:47 -0500 2008]

Larryl ask yourself which policy did the Liberal Party of Canada DID NOT support? Which policy did they stand up and vote against in 2007 and which Bill will they defeat in 2008?

ROFL

Budget 2007

$510 million to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support the modernization of research infrastructure.
$120 million to CANARIE Inc. to maintain the CA*net network for the next five years and to develop the next generation CA*net5.
$10 million over two years to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research to help Canadian students and researchers participate in and lead groundbreaking research on the international stage.
$6 million towards the relocation of Natural Resources Canada’s CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory to the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, Ontario.
An additional $85 million per year through the federal granting councils for research targeted on key priorities: health sciences, energy, the environment, information and communications technologies, management, business and finance.
An additional $15 million per year to cover the indirect costs of research, including the operation and maintenance of research facilities.
An investment of $350 million to support leading Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research.
An additional $100 million to Genome Canada to extend promising research projects and sustain funding for regional genome centres and related technology platforms.
$30 million to The Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation to translate research into practical benefits for Canadians living with spinal cord injuries.

Budget 2008

Investing in knowledge by providing an additional $80 million per year to Canada’s three university granting councils for research in support of industrial innovation, health priorities and social and economic development in the North.
Providing an additional $15 million per year to the Indirect Costs of Research program.
Building on Canada’s knowledge and people advantage in genomics with an additional $140 million for Genome Canada.
Providing an additional $10 million over two years to strengthen the operations of the Canadian Light Source research synchrotron in Saskatoon.
Providing $250 million over five years to support strategic, large-scale research and development projects in the automotive sector in developing innovative, greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Enhancing Export Development Canada’s guarantee programs to support the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/107105

[updated Tue Nov 25 19:52:12 -0500 2008]

October 08, 2008

Conservative Government acted to reduce inappropriate risks

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today said that the Conservative Government’s early actions helped put Canada’s banks in a better position to deal with the ongoing global financial problems.

“Our Government saw the U.S. problems coming more than a year ago, so we weatherproofed Canada’s banks before the storm hit,” the Prime Minister said.

“We ended risky practices like zero-down payment mortgages,” he said. “We brought in new rules for banks to disclose and discourage inappropriate risks. And since earlier this year, we have been working at home and with our international partners, to implement more than 60 measures and initiatives to strengthen and reform both the Canadian and global banking and financial sectors.”

Prime Minister Harper said that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will be meeting this weekend with other G7 Finance Ministers and the International Monetary Fund. At the meetings, Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty will indicate:

Canada supports the proposal for a summit of G7 heads of government to further develop a co-ordinated international response to the current banking crisis.
The actions of the Bank of Canada have already been increasing liquidity in the Canadian financial system – including an increase of $20 billion available to our banks.
We believe other nations should adopt Canada’s mortgage rules, which effectively do not allow people to purchase houses that they simply cannot afford.
“We’ve had a plan for the past year to deal with the banking crisis,” the Prime Minister said. “And it’s why our banks are safe and other countries’ banks are not.”
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/107027

[updated Tue Nov 25 19:55:31 -0500 2008]

Larryl ask about Seniors? http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/106655

Stéphane Dion threatens to raise seniors' taxes by cancelling pension income splitting
October 01, 2008
Today, on International Day of Older Persons, Stéphane Dion must come clean on his comments that he would cancel income splitting for pensioners.

Appearing on CTV’s Canada AM, Dion was asked: “[W]hat is your position on income splitting of pension income?” He responded, “Well, we, it is not our priority. It would be very, very costly.” The Liberals also voted against pension income splitting when the Conservatives introduced it in 2006 (Division No. 57, November 7, 2006).

“It is shocking that Stéphane Dion would cut programs and raise taxes for some of our most vulnerable Canadians – our seniors. In a time of rising prices and global economic uncertainty, seniors deserve stable, certain leadership from government. We must do more to let seniors keep more of their hard-earned dollars, not eliminate every positive tax measure our Conservative Government has delivered to them,” said Senator LeBreton.

LeBreton added: “Income splitting for pensioners has delivered real tax relief to senior couples. It has support from thousands of seniors across this country. Stéphane Dion is clearly out of touch if he thinks that seniors won’t notice when he cancels this program.”

In addition to income splitting, the Harper Conservatives have brought in other highly popular measures aimed specifically at easing the financial burden on our seniors, including:

Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to benefit more than 1.6 million seniors.

Passing legislation so seniors don’t have to reapply year after year to receive the GIS.

Increasing the age credit by $1000 to $5,066, and pledging to increase the credit by an additional $1000, if re-elected.
Stéphane Dion’s comments demonstrate a history of ignoring the needs of older Canadians. In a meeting with seniors in 2006, Dion wasted little time before rejecting their suggestion to have a cabinet minister for the elderly. "Please, do we have a better topic?" he asked impatiently. (Globe and Mail, September 6, 2006).

LeBreton concluded: “In total, our Conservative Government’s Tax Fairness Plan has put $1 billion into the pockets of Canadians, with a large portion going to seniors – and seniors deserve every penny. Dion would cancel income splitting for pensioners and pile on a risky carbon tax that would increase the cost of just about everything. That’s a risk our seniors can’t afford to take.

[updated Tue Nov 25 19:57:55 -0500 2008]

Risky Policies Would Take Gains Away

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today said that the Conservative Government’s tax relief and benefits have improved the lives of Canadian families and increased Canada’s standard of living.

“We have worked hard to put thousands of dollars back into the hands of the average Canadian family, because that’s the right direction for our standard of living and for our country,” Harper said.

Since 2006, the Harper Government has taken a number of steps to provide relief to Canadians families including:

Reducing the GST from 7 to 5 per cent.
Introducing a $100-a-month child benefit.
Providing targeted tax cuts for apprentice tools, transit passes and children’s fitness.
Establishing the Tax Free Savings Account.
The Prime Minister said that a typical family is saving more than $3,000 each year as a result of the Harper Government’s policies. Today, Harper met with Edwin and Fei Huang in the kitchen of their home to discuss how the Conservative Government’s tax relief and benefits have made a positive difference in their lives.

Prime Minister Harper said that voters face a clear choice in the coming election – to maintain the gains Canadian families have made since 2006 or to go backwards and jeopardize these accomplishments.

BACKGROUNDER

Since 2006, the Harper Conservatives have introduced tax relief and benefits that have improved the lives of average Canadian families across the country.

Typical Savings

A typical Canadian family earning $87,000 is saving $3,894 each year as a result of the Harper Government’s tax relief and benefits.

In this example, assume that one parent earns $52,000 and the second parent earns $35,000. They have two children – a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. One of the parents takes public transit to work. Thanks to the Harper Conservatives, the family would save:

GST Cut $800

Universal Child Care Benefit
$1,020

Canada Employment Credit
$306

Child Credit
$611

Transit Credit
$416

Child Fitness Credit
$150

Basic Personal Amount Increase
$96

Total Savings
$3,894

Cutting the GST

The Harper Conservatives have kept their promise to reduce the GST from 7 to 5 per cent.

The two-point reduction saves the average working family hundreds of dollars per year on day-to-day purchases, not to mention hundreds more on a new car or thousands on a new home. This tax cut benefits all Canadians regardless of age or income – including those whose incomes are too low to pay income tax. The total savings from the two per cent reduction are almost $12 billion a year.

Reducing the GST is part of the Conservative Government’s broader plan to ensure Canada’s long-term economic growth and prosperity. Since coming to office, the Conservative Government has taken action to cut sales, income and business taxes, reducing the overall tax burden for Canadians and businesses by close to $200 billion and bringing taxes to their lowest level in nearly 50 years.

$100 per month Child Care Benefit

Part of Canada’s Universal Child Care Plan, the Universal Child Care Benefit helps Canadians balance work and family by supporting their child care choices. This benefit of $100 a month — up to $1,200 a year per child — is paid to parents for all children under six years of age.

The Universal Child Care Benefit was introduced by the Harper Government in July 2006. Payments are made directly so that parents can choose the child care that is best for their children and their family’s needs.

Targeted tax relief

The Harper Government has introduced a number of targeted tax cuts to assist Canadian families, including:

The Public Transit Tax Credit, introduced on July 1, 2006, to help cover the cost of public transit.
The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit to cover up to $500 for enrolment in a physical activity program, effective January 1, 2007.
A new textbook tax credit, effective January 1, 2006, to help students pay for their costs of their education.
A $500 deduction for workers to offset the cost of tools, introduced January 1, 2006.
Tax Free Savings Account

The Harper Government has introduced the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) – a flexible, registered general-purpose account that will allow Canadians to earn tax-free investment income.

Starting in 2009, Canadians will be able to set aside up to $5,000 a year in a TFSA. Capital gains and investment income in the TFSA will not be taxed and withdrawals will be tax free.

Canadian families will be able to use the money saved in their TFSAs to start a small business, purchase a new home or a new car, or take a vacation. In these ways, savings contribute to a higher standard of living for Canadians.

[updated Tue Nov 25 20:29:33 -0500 2008]

The fall of the Celtic Tiger
The property market is in genuine crisis throughout Ireland. Yesterday, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in its Outlook report, predicted the downturn will hit Ireland particularly hard. "Activity is contracting as the severe housing market correction has weakened the wider economy, and the weakness will persist well into 2009," it said.
Greed, easy credit, immigration, massive foreign investment inflows and government spending certainly fuelled the boom.
Until the 1960s or so, Ireland was a poor, largely agricultural country. In the 1970s and early 1980s, the country tried to drag itself out of virtual Third World status, but largely failed. Each attempt was overwhelmed by high taxes, the jobs-for-life mentality and absent entrepreneurial flare. Emigration drained talent from the country.

IBEC first warned of the potential dangers of the construction and government spending free-for-all in 2002, to no avail. The per-capita rate of house construction, at its peak, was about 20 times the British rate.

The government funded a staggering array of infrastructure projects while not forgetting to take care of itself. In this decade alone, the number of public servants soared by 80,000 to 370,000.

http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081126.wrmiddleclassireland26/BNStory/Business/home/?pageRequested=2
==========================================

I hope the CPC will take those lessons to heart and not repeat the same mistakes. We have monetary policy control they dont. We dont have a large subprime mortgage market and our banks are not failing. We are shielded much better by our balanced approach and restraint by our government.

[updated Wed Nov 26 11:24:47 -0500 2008]

Less than one week in the 40th Parliament.

Opposition screaming for Billions NOW!

Forestry Bailout Part 2, Billions aleady sent, including tax cuts. But they want more.

Detroit 3 branch plants, Automobile Dealerships, Automobile Suppliers, CAW, PSAC (public service employees), Omar Khadr, did I miss something?

Change EI so everyone including part-timers can collect, eliminate the 2 week delay.

In the same breath screaming about going into a deficit for 2009.

To date NO viable business plan presented to the Government in the US/Canada but apparently dumping billions of taxpayers money is necessary.

Did I miss anything else the opposition want billionis spent on? Are these the priorities they want to go back to the polls?

=================================
Flaherty to slash public funding for federal parties
Updated Wed. Nov. 26 2008 10:18 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will slash almost $30 million a year in public funding for federal parties, in a move that would save taxpayers' money but deal a major financial blow to opposition parties, CTV News has learned.

Flaherty will present the measures in his fiscal update at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

"The government intends to run the economy and run the budget in a responsible way," he said Wednesday.

Currently, the major federal parties get $1.95 per vote on an annual basis. In the last election, roughly 14 million eligible voters cast their ballots, which translated to $27 million in taxpayers' money for the parties each year.

Under the new proposal, this is how much the parties stand to lose:

Conservatives: $10 million
Liberals: $7.7 million
NDP: $4.9 million
Bloc Quebecois: $2.6 million
Green Party: $1.8 million
While the Conservatives would lose the most money, it would be a smaller share of their overall revenue because they get most of their funding through private donations.

"They're going to have a hell of a fight on their hands. This is not the way to behave in a democracy," Liberal leadership contender Bob Rae told CTV News.

In 2007, the Conservative Party received just 37 per cent of its funding from the public subsidy, according to The Canadian Press. That's far lower than the other parties, including the Liberals:

Bloc Quebecois: 86 per cent
Green Party: 65 per cent
Liberals: 63 per cent
NDP: 57 per cent
===============================================

Harper has had ENOUGH, and will table a BILL eliminate Funding for political parties with taxpayers money. That means the end of the Liberal Party, greatly reduced ability of the Bloc, Greens to obstruct the business of parliament. It will be a non-confidence vote and will illustrate the "entitlement" to taxpayers funds position of several parties.

I can't wait to watch the MP scream about their "entitlement" to taxpayers money for their party. $ 30 Million saved!

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081126/party_budgets_081126/20081126?hub=TopStories

[updated Wed Nov 26 23:01:16 -0500 2008]

Will the government's intention to abolish public financing for political parties provoke an election? And if so, will it lead to a Harper majority or conversely, a bad case of buyer's remorse?

[updated Thu Nov 27 16:03:32 -0500 2008]

The Do Not Call List has turned into a Call List, because we have given them our numbers and receiving more calls than ever including automated voice messages. This is due to the incompetant Civil Service and Government Employee's in this country and Beaucrats that should be looking for new Careers, This save money! No New Agreements For These Duds they can never do a job properly, this also to do with where they live! CRTC must close it branches across the country and just use the Internet. Are you a lazy and imcompetant Civil Servant who is overpaid in operating the Canadian government, regardless of Department or Agency!

[updated Thu Nov 27 17:53:01 -0500 2008]

I think its time to have a coalition government that represents the full majority of Canadian voters. The cons have once again proved their lunacy and its time to boot them and have the Country governed by the majority in a coalition.

[updated Thu Nov 27 20:53:20 -0500 2008]

whilst I think polls like this are a bit of a waste of time seeing that the Libs have no leader I do want to add my 2cents. I think Harper's arrogance has begun to put him on the " outs" with the Canadian public - wouldn't it be funny if the NDP and Libs did get together against today's financial update - vote no confidence and bring the g'ment down -- Mr Dion would end up as PM anyway - ha !! wouldn't that be karma ?

[updated Thu Nov 27 21:12:45 -0500 2008]

Opposition hold coalition talks, Grits may dump Dion
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081127/national/fiscal_update_opposition

Should the country be propelled into an election, Dion is still legally the Liberal leader until his successor is elected. However, few Liberal MPs are likely to want to fight another election under Dion and could put pressure on him to resign.

Moreover, both the Bloc and NDP have signalled that they wouldn't take part in a coalition if it meant installing Dion as prime minister.

Hence, Liberal MPs have begun privately exploring whether there is some way to speed up Dion's departure.

Some MPs said former prime minister Jean Chretien had been approached for advice on how to massage Dion's early exit. But sources close to Chretien said he has not been contacted and is in no way involved.

Senior strategists with both the Rae and Igatieff camps also said that their teams are not involved in trying to accelerate the leadership contest.

Under the Liberal constitution, the party's national executive, in consultation with caucus, has emergency power to appoint a successor should the leader resign or die.
=========================================================

If Dion has an accident this weekend look for Iggy in the kitchen with the leadpipe.

NOT A CLUE....rofl

[updated Thu Nov 27 22:34:29 -0500 2008]

Harper's playing politics in the face of the storm
Publication:
National Post
By Bob Rae:
Posted: November 27, 2008
The public financing of Canada’s political system and its parties is prudent, cost-effective and grows democracy. Like most Western nations, Canada rightly rejected corporate and union contributions in the last few years by amending our election finance laws. Personal contributions to political parties have been set at modest levels. At the same time, to promote a diversity of political voices and views, Canada adopted its current model of proportional public investment.

The approximate $30-million that Canadians currently annually invest in legitimate, significant voter-supported political parties could not be better spent. The system ensures that new parties have a chance to grow if they speak for a sizeable constituency. It protects Canadians from the abuse of existing financial advantage that our traditional political parties might enjoy. Simply, it keeps the system open, fair and modestly funded by any international standard. It ensures transparency, motivates our electorate to exercise their franchise as investors and resists political hegemony for any one player by ensuring a fairer playing field for all.

So why would Mr. Harper choose to propose its elimination right now?

Surely, in the face of a multi-billion dollar deficit Canadians will understand that a savings of $30-million -- at the expense of a sound small investment in democracy -- makes little sense. Just days ago, Mr. Harper committed to working with all of Parliament in a co-operative, non-partisan spirit, so as to help Canada face the tough economic times ahead. Yet, faced by a justifiably nervous population, and having failed to produce or disclose an economic strategy to keep and grow jobs, provide security to seniors and settle markets, Mr. Harper comes out swinging.

Given the implausibility of the stated public policy rationale for cutting funding to political parties, I am forced to conclude that Mr. Harper’s proposal is driven by political interest. Caught off guard by a global recession and lacking an economic plan, Mr. Harper has chosen to play political games. Is the initiative intended to cover up the lack of a sound plan? Is it to hobble his opponents? Is it to force an election? It little matters which low motive is guiding the Conservatives in this partisan stunt. Canadians are looking to their government for leadership, for putting the country first, for a stimulus package to get the economy moving again. Instead we’re getting the worst of this government, the precise kind of behaviour that makes Canadians shake their heads about politics.

Now is not the time for political chicanery from a government that was re-elected to manage an economic crisis. I, for one, simply cannot believe that Stephen Harper intends to plunge this country into a constitutional crisis and a second election in two months over this partisan non-issue. There’s an outcry building among Canadians about this trickery. I am calling on Mr. Harper to act like a prime minister by reining in his Finance Minister and dropping this scheme to force an election in the midst of an economic crisis.

National Post

Bob Rae, MP, is a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada
http://www.bobrae.ca/en/media/opeds/nov28post

[updated Fri Nov 28 07:53:30 -0500 2008]

Tory minority in jeopardy as opposition talks coalition

The Liberal Party's constitution gives Mr. Dion the authority to decide what his parliamentary caucus will do. Pressure was growing on Mr. Dion Thursday night to be open to coalition talks, with threats of a party coup if he resisted.

In fact, Liberal MPs and party strategists in their meetings Thursday night found themselves confronting a deeper turmoil.

The party almost certainly would refuse to go into another election under Mr. Dion, with the likely result that the mantle of interim leadership would fall on Michael Ignatieff, who has the most support from the parliamentary caucus and influential backroom Liberals.

But that would upset supporters of MPs Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc, who are campaigning for the Liberal leadership and who were outraged Thursday when key Ignatieff organizer Steven MacKinnon used the proposed Harper legislation to send out an e-mail fundraising appeal for Mr. Ignatieff under the heading “Save Canada's Democracy – Stephen Harper is trying to undermine Canada's fair and open political system. Take action now!”

The Liberals held an emergency caucus Thursday and Mr. Layton Thursday morning cancelled a trip to British Columbia as talk grew of defeating the government.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081128.wfiscalparties28/BNStory/politics/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp

[updated Fri Nov 28 08:42:53 -0500 2008]

A day more about politics than bold moves
Tories deliver contradictory messages in economic address, expressing hope for Canada while crippling opposition budgets

BRIAN LAGHI

From Friday's Globe and Mail

November 28, 2008 at 4:13 AM EST

Tough times can often deliver historic opportunities for governments to put their stamp on the way their countries run, and Jim Flaherty's economic update yesterday suggests the federal Tories know it.

But whether they can retain enough of the public's goodwill to reach their goals is another question, particularly after a day that seemed more about politics than about doing big things.

Canadians were treated yesterday to two very contradictory messages from the government. On one hand, Mr. Flaherty held out the hope that the economic crisis, and his government's role in resolving it, would leave Canada stronger when it ultimately ends. At the same time, however, the Tories faced fire for using yesterday's statement to slice funding for the opposition parties and, in the process, picked up a razor cut they didn't need.

In his speech, Mr. Flaherty reminded Canadians that they have been through difficulties before and come out better at the end.

"The greatest histories are always written in the toughest times," he told the House of Commons. "I believe that we're in the midst of writing some bold new chapters in our country's long-running success story - an unfolding account of new accomplishments by a country that is compelled to grapple with global hard times, and that will emerge even stronger because of them."

What went unsaid, but not unappreciated, was that the challenges of an economy in turmoil also provide the Harper government with a chance to refocus the role of the federal government.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081128.wfiscalreport28/BNStory/Front

[updated Fri Nov 28 08:50:07 -0500 2008]

HEATHER SCOFFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
November 27, 2008 at 4:10 PM EST

The federal government is showing the slimmest of surpluses for next year and the year after, and warns that any fiscal stimulus package would likely put it over the edge into deficit territory for the first time in 12 years.

Ottawa is balancing the books — barely, and only for now — by chopping government spending, capping civil servant wages, and dramatically scaling back on equalization transfers to the provinces, its annual fall economic update shows.

The Conservative government is also removing the right of civil servants to strike for a year, considering selling off corporate assets, and ending the $1.95-per-vote funding that goes to political parties after elections.

All three opposition parties said they would not support the statement, raising the spectre of a showdown that could lead to yet another federal election.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tables the government's fiscal update in the House of Commons on Thursday, Nov. 27. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

The government also said it is injecting $700-million into the capital base of government-owned banks in order to boost financing to exporters and small business.

It is also making legislative changes to give it leeway to bail out commercial banks if need be. And it is reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 per cent for 2008.

"Any additional actions to support the economy will have an impact on the bottom-line numbers in our next budget," he told the House of Commons. "These actions, or a further deterioration in global economic conditions, could result in a deficit."

His priorities are accelerating infrastructure projects and improving opportunities for workers and suffering sectors, as long as new spending benefits the long-term development of the Canadian economy.

He projected a $100-million surplus for both fiscal 2009-10, and fiscal 2010-11. He expects a slightly bigger surplus of $800-million for this fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2009. The slim surplus numbers are well within the margin of error on a total budget of about $250-billion, and fly in the face of most private sector projections, as well as the Parliamentary Budget Office forecast of growing deficits next year and the year after.

The government surpluses are based on economic growth of 0.6 per cent in 2008, 0.3 per cent in 2009, and a recovery to 2.6 per cent in 2010.

"Canada has not faced such severe economic tests in a generation," Mr. Flaherty said.

Ottawa is able to show a surplus mainly by chopping $4.3-billion in government spending in 2009-2010. Those cuts will come in the form of capping salary increases, trimming departmental spending, and selling off corporate assets if need be.

"Canadian tax dollars are precious. They must not be spent frivolously or without regard to where they came from," Mr. Flaherty said. "We cannot ask Canadians to tighten their belts during tougher times without looking in the mirror."

The federal government is also avoiding forecasting a deficit by making $1.1-billion from commercial banks that partake in Ottawa's recent moves to buy back mortgage securities.

But the biggest savings come in a cap imposed on equalization payments to the provinces — a deal that was agreed to by the provincial premiers earlier this month. The cap allows equalization payments to growth in tandem with nominal growth in the country's gross domestic product.

Instead of giving have-not provinces $16-billion next year and $20-billion the year after, Ottawa will instead hand over $14.2-billion next year and about $14.5-billion in 2010-2011. That's a savings of about $7-billion over two years.

The new plan "will bring fairness and stability to both the provinces and the federal government, while reflecting changes in the Canadian economy," Mr. Flaherty said.

The Official Opposition Liberals decried the Conservative restraint exercise as a sham to delay declaring a deficit, saying a significant portion of the planned savings is for sales of government assets that haven't even been identified yet.

"It's a fudge-it, not a budget," Liberal finance critic Scott Brison said. He said selling government assets such as buildings and properties as a recession looms would amount to a fire sale giveaway.

"It's a buyer's market. I can see the signs going up: bargain basement sale, very motivated seller," he said.

With a report from Steven Chase and Kevin Carmichael in Ottawa
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081127.wPOLfiscalupdate1127/BNStory/politics/?cid=al_gam_nletter_maropen

[updated Fri Nov 28 09:29:10 -0500 2008]

Flaherty's Update

- Surplus for 2007-2008 is

$9.6 billion. Projected surplus for 2009-10 is $100 million.

- Government employees lose right to strike through 2010-11.

- Seniors granted one-time reduction in amount they must withdraw from their registered retirement income funds.

- No more stimulus to the economy now, but more steps could come early next year if global economy worsens.

- Aid to the ailing auto industry will depend on the industry presenting a sound plan.

- $1.95 per vote received by political parties cancelled.

- Tax cuts to individuals and business since 2006 will total $31 billion next fiscal year.

- Discretionary spending on travel, conferences, polling and consultants will be cut in every government department.

- Wage increases for MPs, senators and public servants will be capped at 1.5 per cent for the next several years.

- Length of time companies have to top up their pension plans will be doubled to 10 years, thus freeing up money for immediate investment.

- Pay equity will be reformed.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=ff1a21df-39f3-4935-b603-24e84c368a56&p=2

[updated Fri Nov 28 10:15:42 -0500 2008]

Here is the crux of the ugly politics Harper plays that only serves to demean our political system:
"The Conservatives raise money more easily than the others, so by eliminating the $1.75 per vote subsidy, they are trying to use this economic crisis for their partisan advantage. Canadians fought a long battle to get these inducements for people to give to political parties; they can't let one party's naked self-interest push back the progress."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081127.wcosimp28/BNStory/politics

Lets hope that the current discussions between Chretien and Broadbent come to fruition as its time to start uniting the center and left. The Bloc will follow and get onside, I believe.

[updated Fri Nov 28 10:51:11 -0500 2008]

Chretien and Broadbent have been mandated by Dion and Layton to work out a deal. They have been meeting for four (4) days and will meet again today...

[updated Fri Nov 28 11:25:33 -0500 2008]

Bringing this fool Chritien in to barter a Coalition is not going to help the Liberals outside of the (416) but Jack Layton will love it, his only chance to have some power. Time has come for BC to leave Confederation.

[updated Fri Nov 28 12:32:50 -0500 2008]

The PM’s latest move is win/win for the govt. It can only have three outcomes, all good for the govt:

1. The opposition takes down the govt and forms a coalition. In this case the NDP and Liberals get handed a shit ball called the economy. They will most certainly screw this up because they cannot get along unless the Grits sell their souls to the NDP and Bloc. For instance Dion has already agreed to the NDP demand for a $50B tax increase to business and the Bloc will only support them if they get more money for Quebec. How long does anyone think that a govt with Dion as PM, Layton as Min of Industry and Duceppe pulling the strings will last? Once it falls apart – Tory Majority!

2. The opposition takes down the govt but for the reasons stated above they cannot convince the GG to let them form a govt so we go to the polls. Canadians will be so angered by this and the leaderless, financially destitute Liberals in such disarray that the result will be - Tory Majority!

3. The most likely scenario is that given one more week to twist in the wind this whole scheme will fall apart and the motion will pass, hastening the demise of the LPC and the result at the next election, you guessed it - Tory Majority!

[updated Sat Nov 29 04:31:12 -0500 2008]

Media Releases Liberal Party
November 28, 2008
Stephen Harper’s Index
Amount former Conservative Minister Michael Fortier charged taxpayers for four one-hour flights on private jets between Montreal and his summer home in Portland, Maine: $22,000

Cost of four economy tickets between Montreal and Portland, Maine: $1,768

----

Amount Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty claims the federal government will be in deficit over the next three years: $0

Amount that the 2008 Fiscal Update reveals that the Conservative government will actually be in deficit over the next three years: $11.2 billion

---

Amount of fiscal stimulus recently announced by:

United States : $1,859 billion / 305 million people

China : $726 billion /1.3 BILLION people

United Kingdom : $518 billion /61 Million people

Japan : $341 billion /127 million people

Germany : $264 billion /82 million people

France : $93 billion /64 millioin people

Canada (2008 Fiscal Update): -4.3 billion /33 million people
===============================================================
I added populations to illustrate the fallacy doing something. The US and UK are the worst because their Banks were well ahead on this "Ponzi Scheme" of moving fake assets.

So we want to buy preferred shares in Insurance companies, Nationalize Banks, and Bailout Financial Services Companies like the US and Europe? Even though they have not failed. I guess that $ 100 Billion swap to CHMC does not count as AID because no taxpayers money was actually wasted. LOL

That $ 33 Billion already on the books from 2008 being expedited in the new year won't count either.

http://www.fin.gc.ca/ec2007/ec/ecc3e.html= The actual savings
The fact our housing, employment, bank failures are not in Canada yet are just those silly details that get in the way.

Why are they claiming the "sky is falling" when Canada is not in the DEPRESSION and financial meltdown that the other countries are?
=========================================
It was never about the economy, it was all about power and potical party welfare. The political funding cuts was "red meat" for the Liberals/NDP/Bloc and they took the bait. Now the red meat is off the table 2 parties are positioning their attempted "coup" as a democratic move to boost the economy. I suspect the election result from October is just another detail in the way.

Watch the new few days the results of the Liberal braintrust, and NDP explain this move.

[updated Sat Nov 29 09:50:01 -0500 2008]

Whoa. Stop right there! Your question was, "For those parties you would consider voting for federally, .... ". Didn't we just have an election? We made a decision. We are in the midst of a worldwide ecomonic crisis. We need stability for the next year or so. Any power-lusting Party that disturbs the current balance will justifiably face the wrath of the Canadian electorate. No excuses. It has only been two months. Get on with the job and leave the petty politics aside for awhile. Enough already.

[updated Sat Nov 29 10:00:12 -0500 2008]

Here comes the propaganda machine:
The Tory BS machine is in high gear
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081129.wtories_message1129/BNStory/Front

The memo urges MPs to fan out to their ridings this weekend and sell the government's message through forums such as talk radio. Mr. Giorno's e-mail stated that MPs must show that the current dispute with opposition parties is merely about the Liberals, NDP and Bloc trying to protect their share of the $27-million in public subsidies and steal power that they failed to win legitimately in the last federal election.

[updated Sat Nov 29 13:38:30 -0500 2008]

Payouts of tax dollars to political parties is not a long standing practice in Canada. It only started in 2006 when the Martin government was forced to introduce the Federal Accountability Act following rampant Liberal theft of public funds under the Sponsorship Scandal. The fact that the parties receive this funding is viewed as an obscene misuse of our money by many Canadians, me included. The notion that they need this handout because they cannot raise enough money like other parties is misguided. There is no systemic fund raising advantage favoring one party over another so presumably if Canadians will not donate money to them then voters don’t want them. Their inability to raise money should not entitle them to a handout. I also do not find $28 Million a "meager” amount as the opposition suggests, no matter how much the overall budget is. That money could do a lot of good for the taxpayers of this country. It is telling that the Bloc receives the highest percentage of funding. I guess the Separatists want to go it alone; they just don’t want to pay for it. Anyone who believes that the opposition is upset about the perceived lack of stimulus plan and not about losing their handout is naïve. This is all about the opposition parties believing that they are entitled to their entitlements.

As for the so called coalition, anyone who thinks that this is a good idea needs their head examined. Dion as PM and Layton as Minister of Industry will be disastrous for this country. Dion will go ahead with his Carbon Tax and has already agreed to a $50B tax increase to business to get Layton’s support. While the Bloc is not part of the coalition Duceppe says he will only support then if Quebec gets more money. So since the coalition will have fewer sets than the Tories they will need to pay of the Bloc off in order to survive making Duceppe the defacto leader of this country as he will hold the balance of power on every vote. Apparently the Liberals are so desperate for power they will sell their souls and sell out the country to get it.

In closing I will only add that the so called spirit of co-operation that everyone is accusing the Tories of ruining never existed. Anyone listening to the opposition parties leading up to the Economic update could see that. All of the opposition parties were issuing lists of demands to be included in the update as a condition of their support. Hardly a “budding spirit of co-operation”. What I am sure the author meant was that the Tories should have bribed the opposition parties into supporting them by giving them what they want. Conversely this government has achieved a very good level of cooperation with Provinces which is far more important in solving the current crisis than getting along with a bunch of greedy, childish opposition members who when faced with doing what is right for them or the country they will pick looking out for themselves every time.

[updated Sat Nov 29 16:21:59 -0500 2008]

This nonsense has caused much animosity so a little levity might be in order. Dion still hanging on like this reminds me of a little joke I heard recently. Young Johnny was squirming and scratching himself . His teacher ask what was wrong and he explained that he had been circumsized recently and it was bothering him . The teacher sent the boy to the office to call his mother. He returned and went back to his seat. A commotion led the teacher back to Johnny's desk where she found him with his problem in full view. The teacher asked why he did that and Johnny told her his mother had told him to stick it out until noon and she would come pick him up then. I think Dion might be trying to stick it out until he gets another chance .

[updated Sat Nov 29 21:54:37 -0500 2008]

The history books will say:

The government was forced to run a deficit because of opposition pressure to stimulate the economy.

The opposition would have taken down the government over the subsidies payed out from tax dollars.

I say Harper won this bout, simple politics 101

[updated Sun Nov 30 08:33:18 -0500 2008]

LIberals, NDP, Bloq found guilty of using illegal tatics without the knowledge of the Canadian voter. Liberals will do anything to gain power, they are no longer a force in Canada they only represent the (416) area. Bringing the Town Fool in like Chretien what nonsense. Liberals are scum of the earth, they must be connect to the Communist Party in China thanks to Chretien. Get this Fact in your g.d. head, we in BC do not like the Liberals or any Quebec ministers or Prime Minister, if you cannot stand the truth go home, this is our opinion!

[updated Sun Nov 30 15:29:34 -0500 2008]

It's the end of the month and we need a new topic. Who can come up with the best choice for an interim leader for the coalition government. He/she would have to be acceptable to the 3 partners and it would be great if the Conservatives also approved. If they make the right choice it would be difficult for the CPC to defeat the minority coalition anytime soon. This might be the important decision in our history. If the right person is chosen and the coalition works the LIberals could postpone their leadership convention until just before the next election in 3 or 4 years and they could then pick from a new batch of hopefuls.Harper would leave in disgrace and Iggy and Rae would be to old to run again. Well any body have a suggestion? Maybe we should ask Belinda and she could bail out the country with her father's money or why not ask Frank himself.

[updated Sun Nov 30 15:51:36 -0500 2008]

Conservatives, as the song goes: "All we are saying, is give peace a chance. All we are saying, is..." give Harper's chief of staff a chance!

Isn't this just predictable. Is anyone surprised? Conservatives are mad as hell about this whole debacle but rather than laying blame squarely where it belongs -- in the PM's lap, they are turning on Guy Giorno.

It's Harper who called the tune and should bear the consequences. But we know the party doesn't have the guts to read him the riot act -- much less tell him to take a hike. And this is the party who portend that they are Canada's competent economic managers. God help us.

[updated Mon Dec 01 05:43:08 -0500 2008]

Jack and Gilles went up the hill
to dupe a pack of Liberals;
Jack fell down, and broke his crown,
And Gilles came tumbling after.

Sp Jack was conspiring with the separatists to overthrow the govt only three days after the election, just waiting for an opportune moment to stage a coup. This will surely end any hope of the GG granting a coalition. To bad really, I had hoped that the GG would give the coalition a mandate to govern. This will not be the best thing for the country in the short term because they will do great damage to the economy, not to mention our reputation internationally as a stable democracy but it will be the best thing in the long term. Once the coalition fails and they will because they cannot get along and their left wing policies are just wrong, the Tories will get a majority and clean the whole mess up.

It seems that the three Liberal leadership hopefuls had a dinner meeting last night and all agreed that despite what the great political guru gohabs says Dion will be the leader of the coalition. Mainly because no one else is dumb enough to take the job. He will take it because it is the only way he will ever get to be PM. Kind of sad isn’t it? What concerns me most about a coalition is that Dion as PM and Layton as Minister of Industry will be disastrous for this country. Dion will go ahead with his Carbon Tax and has already agreed to a $50B tax increase to business to get Layton’s support. While the Bloc is not part of the coalition, Duceppe says he will only support them if Quebec gets more money and has been promised both cash and “influence at the cabinet table”. So the coalition will need to keep paying off the Bloc in order to survive making Duceppe the defacto leader of this country as he will hold the balance of power on every vote in the House.

This latest revelation means that the GG cannot grant a coalition. The NDP and the Bloc have been caught red handed plotting to overthrow the govt and in the process made the Liberals look as dumb as they actually are which will only cause further dissent and mistrust between the parties. The Bloc may even pull out because this move will so anger many of their base and I am guessing that the Grit base will not be real happy with being made fools of either. There is also the fact that the coalition will have fewer seats than the Tories and no cohesive plan to govern. This will all play into the GGs decision not to grant the coalition a mandate.

I hope they keep trying though because it will only serve to outrage a vast majority of voters. If they go ahead with this now it will be apparent that the Liberals are so desperate for power they will sell their souls and sell out the country to get it. This move already shows that this is the case with the NDP. Deposing a democratically elected govt and handing the country over to the separatists and Dion who the voters have just said a resounding and historic NO to will not resonate well with voters but they have my support and I believe the support of many other conservatives as well.

[updated Mon Dec 01 08:50:23 -0500 2008]

So much has happened since this poll. I would very much like some poll numbers on how people feel about a coalition lead by Michael Ignatieff.

Personally I am furious with Mr. Harper, CTV and the CBC for misleading the public on the legality of the coalition and it taking power after a vote of non-confidence.
see http://mindprod.com/politics/harper.html

They successfully bamboozled the public into thinking an illegal insurrection, a coup d'état is underway.

It might be fun to to poll to see how successful that bamboozlement was, which is a quite different matter than which group the people would prefer govern.

[updated Thu Dec 11 06:24:49 -0500 2008]