Dion says he won't trigger election over budget

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Tuesday the federal budget "touches everything but accomplishes very little," but that his party would not force an election over the document.

"Under the circumstances, I don't see enough that would justify that we precipitate an election that Canadians do not want -- for now," he told reporters.

He said the budget included proposals that had been pushed by his own party, including more investment in infrastructure and public transit, and help for the automotive sector.

But he added that the budget did not seem to go far enough in many areas.

"It's a very modest budget that is one-mile wide and one-inch thick -- a budget that touches everything and accomplishes very little," said Dion.

He did not specify whether the Liberals would vote yes to the budget or abstain from voting, as the party has done when confronted with past confidence motions.

Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae, who will try to win a seat in Parliament in one of four byelections set for March 17, also said it wasn't necessary to topple the government on the budget.

"With money for infrastructure and research and all those proposals, it's pretty hard to say, 'Well, I object to that,'" Rae told CTV's Mike Duffy Live. "Will there be a crisis over this budget? I would be very surprised."

NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party would not support the document because it gives too much away in corporate tax cuts.

"It's a budget that really leaves working families behind," Layton told CTV News.

"When you look at the figures, six times as much money is being given away in corporate tax cuts as is being invested in programs."

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe also said his party wouldn't support the budget, just moments after it was unveiled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

But without the Liberals voting against the document, it's likely to pass when it comes to a House of Commons vote on March 5.

The budget also included measures to help Canada's major urban centres, including money for crumbling roads and bridges, and making the gas tax fund for infrastructure permanent.

The gas tax fund is expected to be worth $2 billion in 2009.

"I was delighted to see the gas tax made more permanent, and I was also pleased to see more money for affordable housing -- not as much as I would have liked, but it's a start," said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan.

He also said he appreciated the $400 million devoted to hiring 2,500 new police officers in Canada's provinces and territories.

"We have been looking for a contribution to our police departments to fight organized crime and violence, and I know that will be very well received here in Vancouver and across the country."

Comments are now closed for this story

Harper is driving the bus Mr. Dion!
said

Dion can say and do whatever he likes... he isn't in the drivers seat.. Prime Minister Stephen Harper clearly is by a wide margin!
Good budget, great new savings plan is terrific for Canadians.

Paul
said

When is the Liberal Party going to kick Dion out. His leadership is killing the party. Get him out. I do not want to support a conservative government who just signed a treaty with the US that allows the United States to send their troop across our boarders in a civil emergency! HARPER JUST SOLD OUT CANADA!

Let me tell you want this all means. If there is a shortage of water, oil, or petroleum in the US, there will be a "civil emergency." They now have the power to seize our lakes, our oil, and our mines.

Ask yourself this: Why has the Harper Government kept silent on the deal? Because he just sold out Canada! When are people going to learn that this conservative government is not serving Canada's national interests.

Michaelm
said

Shame on Dion. He knows Harper is dangerous, but wont defeat him. It doesn't make sense for him to do this. I hope they kick him out and replace him with a better Liberal leader. One that comes to mind is Belinda Stronach. If this won't happen, then I have to say Canada needs a Social Democratic government, and if that person isn't Belinda then I say the NDP will do good.

living in saskatchewan
said

This budget especially about the accounts help the richer get richer and the poorer well not help them that much.

As stated earlier in the other documents on the saving account, someone in the lower tax brackets that can only save and not take risks and earn 4% that's a savings of 200/year and 16.67/month how does htat help with bills and rising gas?

Someone who can afford capital gains type investments, so take a stock at $40/share, 100 shares, the shares rise to $60/share and they sell, it's tax free at $2000.00 gain which works out to 166.67/mo. Sure that will help with bills and gas. DON'T BE FOOLED. There should have been more in income tax cuts for the lower and lower middle classes to even out the parity a little more. The two figures sure show how it could be a BIG Difference for the rich and poor.

GM
said

I don't mind that the NDP is the voice for needy and the "little guy" but they should give up on the "Robin Hood" theory of "tax the rich and give to the poor".

Thirty years ago Ireland was mired in high unemployment, high taxes and high debt. Today, the "Celtic Tiger" has record employment rates, the government is fiscally sound and is one of the most prosperous countries in the EU.

What did they do?....

Ireland cut CORPORATE taxes in HALF.

Bill
said

Great Budget! I am Conservative to the core! I'll always vote Conservative as long as they don't betray their own "moral" stance. That said, I have a brother with disabilities in oil rich Alberta. My parents haven't had a full night's rest in 13 years.... we could really use some social program help in this case. Crazy, even though we truly need the help, I could never vote NDP cuz they'd probably euthanize my brother if they got the chance.

david
said

Dion is only thinking about his own political skin, and personal ambitions. He is an embarassment to the Liberal party, and for parliament in general. Mr. Harper essentially has a majority now because of Dion's lack of leadership/knowledge.
Conservatives are exhibiting good government.

Cordy
said

Stephen Dion is the poorest excuse for a leader I've ever seen. He will never be Prime Minister. He seems terrified of an election. If he supports the budget then it's like saying it's actually what he would have done. So in other words it's like saying he doesn't care about the poor, he favours the rich. Who cares if the liberals are low in the polls, or if 'Canadians don't want an election'... he should get out there and fight. Convince us that he should form a gov't.

CJM
said

JOE CANADA: I could not have said it better! Also to Michael Ignatieff who said that "if we feel that the budget and the government's whole economic policy, is not responding to the economic situation, particularly in manufacturing, then we'll vote against budget and trigger an election." I hope the people of Etobicoke-Lakeshore are happy with your decision to go back on your word to them.

Wes
said

If Dion doesn't think that this accomplishes much ( a point apparently Bob Rae disagrees with) then he should vote against it. Why send people to Ottawa if they are just going to grumble about how bad things are and then do nothing? I think that this budget is a good thing, especially the 10.2 billion to pay down the debt. However I am tired of hearing the Liberals whine and complain. Simply put to Mr. Dion, put up or shut up.

Josh
said

What a surprise... Dion can't oppose the budget because:

a) his party would be decimated at the polls, but more importantly,

b)Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have proven time and time again that they can best represent the views of Canadians.

So much for "soldiers with guns... in our cities."

RA
said

Harper is showing himself and the Conservative party to be pragmatic, willing to compromise when necessary, willing to be tough when necessary - straddling the centre of the political spectrum albeit somewhat to the right.
This is the most workable minority parliament since Pearson in the sixties.
The Conservatives have proved that they can govern, that they are not scary right-wing fanatics, that they are not Bush-lites, and that they do NOT have a "hidden agenda".
They have shown the most willingness to adjust their ideological stance of any of the parties in Ottawa. I find it interesting that both the NDP and the Bloc were already pre-disposed to vote against the budget - even before it was given, and the Liberals, had the polls been in their favour, would have voted against it as well.
The Harper government has done much over the past 2 years to restore some honour to the political process and some faith that the Parliamentary system, established to operate on behalf of its constituents, can actually function.
The next step on this journey would be for members of all parties, irrespective of political stripe or ideological positions, to begin to show each other respect, as something given, not earned... believing that a person's own words, and not the words of another, will either vindicate or condemn their own actions.
Its time too, for us to begin to show the same respect for our elected officials and regard them as human beings, with enormous responsibility on their shoulders, rather than regard them as some sort of sub-species beneath our contempt.
When I was growing up in the sixties, I was taught to respect those in positions of responsibility and authority, and even more, to actually pray for those in government, even when (especially when) I did not agree with them or their positions on issues.
Respect given, and praying for our MPs and MLAs, is a good place for us to return to - and we might be surprised at the changes that we will see beginning to happen.
While this budget satisfies no one completely, it attempts to achieve some consensus across a broad base of issues.
Kudos to Harper and the government! I'll be praying that they continue to govern wisely... making the best decisions they can and continuing to build consensus wherever possible.

Joe Canada
said

And why is Stephane Dion a leader? I have been supporting him now for two years but I cannot support Harper's regime. I think Dion's fiduciary responsibility to Canada is to trigger an election and he is failing. I want an election. I suppose killing Kyoto, destroying the environment, mismanaging the books of Canada, mismanaging the military and letting Canada drift towards the extreme right are not grounds for an election...no? Dion is now weak and has now been rendered powerless. I am a proud Liberal and sir, you have truly disappointed me.

Dave K.
said

The budget is the first decent move I have seen from Harper and his neo-cons. It's at least partial atonement for financially stupid moves, like slashing the GST, and cancelling reductions to the lowest income tax bracket. To have a productive economy, tax consumption, but leave savings and income alone.

And then the fact the neo-cons are the only western government NOT to intervene on behalf of its child citizens in Guantanamo, refusal to seek clemency for Canadians sentenced to death abroad, cowardly, selfish idiocy on the environment, cancellation of Liberal environment programs - then trying to take credit for copy-cat programs, attack on the scientists, ideological dogmatic stupidity over factual science, unprecedented muzzling of civil servants, firings of what are supposed to be arms length regulators, the most secretive, unacccountable, dishonest, devious, power hungry government in modern history despite empty promises to be the exact opposite.... and on and on..... the fact they have even 1% of voter support in polls boggles my mind! what are people thinking?? or are they??

DJ
said

Any program that helps me save money as a working family is a good thing. Here is a government that is providing tools for me to save money for the future. Alot of the working families could save money if they really wanted to instead of trying to keep up with their neighbours. It isn't too suprising to see that the NDP never gain in popularity after seeing Layton's comments. The NDP should be a party that is surging in the polls after tough times for both the Liberals and Conservatives. Their policies have little merit and as a result they stay around that 10% popularity year after year.

Anne Marie
said

wasn't Dion saying that he wanted an election because the Liberals wanted it?

So he has changed his tune!

"Under the circumstances, I don't see enough that would justify that we precipitate an election that Canadians do not want -- for now," he told reporters. Oh Eh! Now it is the Canadians who do not want! Wow what a way to twist the truth!

Carl Bainbridge
said

I think some of you people need to give your head a shake on the Layton bashing

there was a very specific reason for him not voting in favor of this budget

Under no circumstances was Harper going to provide funds to improve social programs. I am actually relieved he did not damage them more then he has in previous budgets.

Conservatives have one agenda cut taxes to the rich because the poor can be ignored. kinda the if we dont feed them they'll die then they cant vote against us attitude.

If you are in a lower income bracket or a unionized employee your best hope is a NDP government. middle class will do well under them also but only the rich profit from a harper government.

bjohnston
said

Dion proclaims the Conservative budget as a budget that "touches everything but accomplishes very little." What a profound statement coming from a former cabinet minister in a Liberal regime that oversaw some of the most significant economic growth in our country's history and did NOTHING of significance other than transfer the burden of service costs to the provinces and then proclaim themselves masterful economic and fiscal managers for eliminating the deficit!
It surprises me little that Dion and his pack of Liberals won�t vote against this budget � they are at least smart enough to realize that not only are the Conservatives able manage government and the country�s finances far better then the Liberals did or ever could, but that they would face certain defeat at the hands of a very content Canadian electorate!

freedom lover
said

There is not enough wrong with this budget to warrant calling Canadians to the election polls.

It is largely a do-nothing budget, but Harper won't dare lead until he feels politically safe.

Cam in Calgary
said

Programs,Programs, Programs, Where do I find these things?

Seriously, with regard to Mr. Layton, and many libs, All I hear is no more corporate tax cuts, and not enough social programs.

What's a Social Program at the Federal Level look like? Do they exist in Alberta? I can see social programs at the municipal and provincial levels. I know as a family of a relative of a small beef producer, when BSE hit, the Feds did jack all. Fortunately the province helped us out. But if no Social program was around to help out when our industry was hit so hard when my family needed it, frankly, give the damm money to the corporations. Either way it's next to useless.

Perhaps people crying about loosing their social programs are ones who are employed by such programs?

paul
said

I am really disappointed at the Liberals for not calling an election.

Cowards, they are. The conservatives would have won a majority

Paul

Ki-Som
said

Until they get a new Liberal Leader, the Liberal will never become the next government. Dion is a weak leader and that is why they are terrified to force an election. With Dion at the helm they will most likely lose seats then actually win the next election.

Matt
said

As a former liberal staffer on Parliament Hill, I can honestly say; that if there was an election today I could not vote Red because of Dion's lack of leadership and action. I voted liberal and so far he has not been my voice in parliament once since he's been leader. Walking out of votes and abstaining if foolish!

William Burtch
said

Of course Dion would not call an election. Quite frankly I am glad. This budget was well balanced and was well thought out for these uncertain times. Flaherty did a good job.

bunny
said

With all the back room meetings. Trouble with his leadership. There was never doubt in my mind that he would trigger an election. Not one

HL
said

There goes Jack Layton again. He will oppose just for the sake of opposing. Typical NDP, New Diddly Party, mentality. At least he provided a reason. Up until yesterday, he said he'll oppose the budget but without any specific reason. Bravo, Jack!

Raymond
said

"Under the circumstances, I don't see enough that would justify that we precipitate an election that Canadians do not want -- for now," he told reporters.
Translation: "If we were at 37% in the polls, we would trigger an election without hesitation because that is what Canadians want right now".
Rather funny, actually.

radar007
said

To the Bloc it not all about Quebec. The got to learn how to work with the rest of canada. NDP you have no chance of forming a government so knock it off.

Gord C.
said

With the polls indicating the Conservatives flirting with majority territory, was there any surprise that the Liberals weren't going to trigger an election?

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