Government Will Survive
| 1/28/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Well the budget has been read, what hadn’t already been ‘leaked’ is now known. Ignatieff and his caucuse has had time to review it and made the call on if the government will stand, for now.
From what I saw of the tax cuts, they have hit some areas where tax relief should be like low income earners and seniors. The cuts for the middle income people was more about Conservative idealogy and vote buying than any true benefit. While middle income earners will save a bit (and I do mean a bit) on their income taxes each year, that collective ‘bit’ will mean we stay in deficit longer.
For the most part, Harper brought in the budget he had to bring in if he wanted to stay in office. The Liberals have said they will support the budget but with amendments. The primary part of those amendments is that the Conservatives will have to report to parliament with details of how much of the budget funds have been distributed by specific dates.
While the Conservative House leader tried to blow that off as meaningless because they do report to parliament, the amendments serve to hold the Conservatives feet to the fire. Each reporting deadline is an opportunity to bring a confidence motion if the Conservatives are not actually dispersing the funds promised in the budget.
Since the Conservatives are becoming known for promsing funds that never get delivered, the amendments are important. The stimulus effect of the budget will not happen if the money sits in Ottawa.
Not surprisingly Layton is now claiming that Ignatieff has a new coalition formed, one with the Conservatives. Hey Layton, shut up, your only real problem here is that you could taste being part of the government and cooler heads have prevailed against your hot air.
For the most part, I think Ignatieff did the responsible thing. Pass the budget, get on with dealing with the economy while keeping a close eye on Harper that he isn’t all talk and show and no action. Works for me.
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