Parliament Opens, Let the Games Begin
Well, parliament has reopened without a lot of pomp and circumstance. The lack of show was more due to the frigid cold than any austerity move. I’ve been in Ottawa and around the Hill this time of year, it is VERY cold there. The throne speech, written by the government and delivered by the Governor General, was relatively brief as throne speeches go.
The big news of the day wasn’t really the throne speech anyways. The bigger news is the budget that will be delivered tomorrow. Many of the details of the budget has been ‘leaked’, although when the leaking gets done by government officials and ministers, that is deliberate.
It appears there is going to be a $64billion deficit in the next two years. That is a complete 180 degree turn for the Conservatives from just two months ago when they claimed that we first of all were not going into a recession and secondly that we would not be incurring a deficit if a downturn should occur.
It appears the government is heading towards infrastructure spending, assistance to certain groups hard hit by layoffs and plant closures and tax cuts. The devil is always in the details but so far it sounds like the threat of a coalition has pushed the Conservatives into bringing in a budget that is less idealogy and more for the people.
Like the Liberals, I’m particularly concerned about what the income tax cuts will be. Too broadly and the sum total will be lowered income while increased spending which will mean longer term deficits. The country is already going to be in a position of lowered income by virtue of the number of people no longer in high paying jobs. When personal incomes drop, so does the tax base.
Tomorrow will tell the tale.
I like that Ignatieff has planned to study the budget overnight and announce the Liberals position on Wednesday. Layton, being the dweeb that he is, has already announced his intention to not support the budget and of course what will save the day in Layton’s mind, will be the coalition taking the helm. He’s quite the hero in his own mind.
notice: The content of this post contains my opinions and my right to express them. I will respect your right to express your opinion in the comments as long as you’re not abusive and you respect my right to my opinion.
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