Ignatieff says Canadians sick of budget 'guestimates'

The deficit has become the$50 billion question on Parliament Hill. While the opposition has pounced on the government and the finance minister over the growing figure, the Conservatives are hitting back with charges of hypocrisy against the Liberals.

CTV News Channel: Tom Clark, host of CTV's Power Play, on the question period antics

EI and CPP executive bonuses were front and center during question period Thursday, and many are questioning whether the cost of EI changes make it a wise move during an economic downturn.

CTV News Channel: Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife with election buzz around Parliament Hill

Smelling blood, the opposition demanded that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty be fired Wednesday, a day after his announcement that the deficit was now $50 billion.

Canada AM: Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty on the growing deficit

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has called for Minister Flaherty's resignation after it was announced the federal deficit is expected to balloon from $33 billion to $50 billion. Minister Flaherty said the number only reflects a short term deficit and the objective is to create new and save existing jobs.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (208) Tweet

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. May. 28 2009 9:46 PM ET

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused the government of playing guessing games with Canadians' tax dollars Thursday as the political fallout widened from this week's $50-billion deficit announcement.

Ignatieff also demanded that the government reveal how much more the deficit could grow in the coming months.

"Canadians are tired of these sorry guestimates, they want the truth," said Ignatieff in Parliament Thursday afternoon.

"How much more prime minister, how much more?"

In response, Prime Minister Stephen Harper accused the Liberals of hypocrisy.

Harper said the Liberals have been demanding increased spending on Employment Insurance, but they aren't prepared to deal with the final budget costs.

Still, Harper declined to give an exact figure for the deficit and said it "will depend, obviously, on the performance of the economy."

The Tory budget for this fiscal year far outstripped government predictions of $34 billion and is believed to be the largest-ever budget deficit in numeric terms.

Since the deficit announcement, the opposition has seized on the numbers and said it is proof the government and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty can't be trusted with Canadians' tax dollars.

Earlier in the day, Flaherty defended the government's deficit, saying it's the "right thing to do for Canada" during a recession.

Flaherty told CTV's Canada AM that this is a "difficult year" but said he had no qualms about assisting the unemployed and bailing out the struggling auto sector.

"We're spending billions more because we have more unemployment and we're helping out the auto sector to save jobs," Flaherty said.

The finance minister also accused the opposition of doublespeak.

"The opposition has been screaming that we have to do more to help the unemployed. That's exactly what we're doing," Flaherty said. "But at the same time they say don't run a larger deficit, which quite frankly is nonsense in terms of logic."

On Wednesday, the opposition parties demanded Flaherty be fired.

The Tories haven't altered next year's prediction of a $30-billion deficit, even though economists believe that target will be nearly impossible to meet.

Meanwhile, Flaherty is sticking to predictions that the budget will be balanced in only four years.

Comments are now closed for this story

Fredhu in Mtl
said

@ Independently Minded

The issue here is Iggy and the Liberals whining as usual, not whether a separatists should be called a sovereigntists.

For the record I am from Montreal. Why would I pretend and / or hide behind a pseudonym like you? Who are you trying to fool??

JMC from Ontarion
said

When Ignatieff became the new Liberal leader and a few months ago I felt he was a sensible person compared to the childish political gamesmanship of Dion, Layton, and Duceppe. But seeing the crap this Canadian-turned-American-turned-Canadian again is now resorting to I think it is safe to say the Liberals serve a special type of kool-aid at their leadership conventions that cause their new hopefuls to lose their mind.

Iggy here's the deal: You came in preaching moderation and respect for both the government and the role of the LOYAL opposition, that the opposition should let the government do its job - whats changed? You were suppose to bring discipline and honour back to a traditionally centrist, national party that got into bed with dogmatic socialists and disgusting separatists. Now you are giving the government and the budget you supported criticism because there is going to be a deficit - everyone knew it was coming and if your former leader had gotten his way the liberals would have caused one of the same or greater value. But I bet you wouldn't be crying foul then. You seem to think that you can speak for Canadians, when you don't have a stake in our political system (besides your own personal objectives). He hasn't paid tax in years and he has the right to say he knows the best way to spend ours?

I hope the kool-aid tasted good at the time, but I can guarantee you won't be able to stomach the results of an election if you force one over this "surprise" deficit; hopefully your boys in Obama's camp can help you out after. George Grant would be disgusted...

John
said

NB what would the alternative be eh? Iggy and his gang gonna tax the crap out of us and give away billions to let people sit on EI all year.

Reece - Vancouver
said

The last time the liberals were spenders was back in the Trudeau era. Today it's the conservatives that have the reputation of being drunken spenders. I don't remember Trudeau - too young in those days. But all I do know is that the only party that's responsible with our money are the liberals especially under Martin/Chretien.

Harper would like to blame it on the world recession but not ALLLL can be blamed for that. HE is the dude that cut the GST by 1% (equates to about a case of beer per month). THAT is what cost us billions. Are you really thinking that some Canadians would see Canada fail economically for the price of a case of beer per month?

JDfromBC
said

To all you Canadian posters on here....It's time for all us Canadians to take our heads out of the sand and take a good look at what our political parties are doing and what they have become. What we have ALLOWED them to become. I for one am disgusted and outraged at their behavior, ALL of them!!!

This is not the time for attacks, criticisms, threats and demands. This is the time to show all us Canadians that they can make us proud and work together, that they care for us and our country more than they care for themselves and their own political agendas..

Instead of all parties working together, as they should, they are CAMPAIGNING at our expense. And yes they are campaigning!! Just listen to them. They are getting uglier by the day! All they are concerned about is scoring political points and the hell with Canadians and Canada.....I am sick of their BS and all the crap that goes on in the so called question period.. They should all be ashamed of themselves!!!

We as Canadians should DEMAND that all the parties put their own political agendas aside, and work ( for once ) together to protect Canadians and Canada as much as possible during this global crisis. This should be a priority with all of them.

I urge all of you to write all the parties, to express your outrage at their behavior. Tell them to stop playing politics at our expense and start working for us who elected them!!

keith
said

Iggy if you are going to hold a gun to the governments head and demand money for everything under the sun or else you and the rest of the opposition are going to trigger an election then man up and realize that your ongoing governmental terrorism is as responsible if not more than Harper's government for this mess!

Gary
said

This is our money!

We need a government that is open and honest as to what's happening with our money!

This is infuriating!

Federal Liberal
said

The polls are up for Liberals, and Iggy wants an election so he can be Prime Minister. He MAY be picking the wrong issue for the election: Both Flaherty and Harper are doing the best they can on the recession issue under the circumstances. Does Iggy think that he can do better? Iggy was a Journalist and a Professor - has he ever run ANYTHING larger than his household budget?

Ottawa Ron
said

Liberal kool-aiders are out in force this evening....Libs want more spending or they will bring down gov't...Cons spend and Libs still not happy....perhaps Iggy needs to bring down the Gov't so that we can tell him what we really think of him....please?

Edmonton Vic
said

You know what Canadians are fed up with Mr. Iggy? Sir it is you and the endless bull you are telling Canadians! You keep asking for more money but yet you yell and scream when they spend it, stop the bull and get on with fixing the economy!

Bruce
said

$7 Billion of that deficit is the bail out for GM, would Iggy like to see all of GM Canada's jobs disappear, along with all of the jobs form GM's suppliers?

Chrysler is another $3 Billion.

The opposition asks for bail outs and stimulus, says it still isn't enough and has the gall to decry the deficit? Hypocrites, all of them and there brain dead supporters.

Mrs. Ogga
said

I've done the math, and it's actually $50,000,000,001.
Duh.

Eyes Wide Open
said

We sure have to give Mr Ignatieff credit for the great job he's doing.
He will make a great Prime Minister.
The conservatives are losing more votes daily.

Dissillunsioned canadian
said

We need to give the harper gov't 4 years like any democratic country their pace is slow but the alternatives are nothing (coalition slimeball-jack layton,the liberals under cretian had 10 years of incompetence &iggy has yet to prove himself loyal to canada,and to show he's just not in it for the $$.

kenny g
said

if iggy forces an election and wins and becomes the next pm. in probrally in 6 months you will see the american star and stripes flying over parliament, he might been born in canada, however he is 100% american

CD - toronto
said

The Liberals, NDP and Block put a gun to the Conservative party's head to spend massive stimulus dollars. Now this American guy Ignatieff is freaking about deficit. Maybe he needs to go back to the good ole USA, oh wait don't they have like a trillion dollar deficit?

These opposition people are clowns.

DJ in Manitoba
said

I say bring down the GOV and let the Liberal form the Gov. Then we will see the "Liberals TRUE COLORS" One minute they say run the deficit, the next the double talk and say it is out of control ( get rid of the Finance minister) I guess they don't know what to do either!!!!!!!!!! What an absolute bunch of "Bull ...."

Naveed
said

I think that this Conservative government can't be trusted. They misrepresented the deficit, and indeed in November were claiming we were still in surplus! Now they are falsely indicating a lower deficit for next year! Lies of Harper and his Cons. Canada needs an intelligent and more sincere Prime Minister. Vote for Ignatieff and the Liberals, whenever the dishonest moron Harper can face the electorate again.

Mike Stokes
said

Canadians are sick of all the Liberal double speak.

realityseeker
said

It's a myth that the conservatives are good money managers. They are good, however, at transferring money into the pockets of the wealthy. May I remind you all that the liberals ran a surplus from 1997 onwards. It was difficult to reach that goal because of the excesses of the Mulroney conservative governments previously. Too many people have been duped by the huge amount of conservative propaganda funded by big business. There is am old saying, "If you tell someone something enough times, they'll come to believe it." The conservatives and big business know that very well.

Joel Bain
said

I am so tired of the Liberal Party beginning their statements/attacks with "Canadians are..." when they are really speaking for the Liberal Party and its views, which do not represent the views of all Canadians.

Speak for yourself, Mr. Ignatieff!

Ron in the West
said

Mr. Ignatieff, you haven't been here very long and I'm already sick of YOU. How hypocritical to now blame government and Mr. Flaherty for delivering on exactly what you and your little coalition gambit demanded. Shame on you, and Layton, and Dion. What have you done or proposed to encourage me to vote for you, Mr. Ignatieff or Mr. Layton? No platform, no policy statements, no plans, silence on the auto industry, only hypocritical opposition for the sake of opposing and gaining power. Not on my watch you won't. Anybody else agree???

Eyes Wide Open
said

Marie: "My guess is that the only people supporting Harper at this time is Alberta."

Please tell me you're kidding. The polls in Ontario are going UP for the Conservatives. Oh and did you know that here are only SEVEN Liberal seats in all of western Canada? Something to think about!
The Liberals are the embarrassment. It's all about power..not the good of the country. Sickening.
I'd love to hear TRUE policies from the Liberals. The problem with the Liberals is that the same old elite are pulling the strings. They refuse to change with the Canadian people. SO they will continue to lose.
Period.

Oh and...NJam1..I am not being paid!!!

Ron in the West
said

The opposition parties have no credibility on this matter. It was they who called for the spending stimulus of 30-40B under threat of bringing down the government. Just proves that gov't should never do what the opposition demands, 'cause it will come back on them just as it is now. Give the conservatives the majority they (and any other party) needs to truly run a government...enough of this minority crap which just leads to bad decisions all around.

Pete, Burlington
said

Given that Ignatieff has chosen to speak on my behalf, I would like to offer a correction for him.

This Canadian is not sick of the guestimates as I do not believe that any politician anywhere in the world can currently predict what the defecits will be or what will happen next. Everyone is guessing and hoping they are right, even the economists don't know as it is just a very bad global situation.

What I am sick of though is Iggy trying to score points at a time when we need our politicians to stand united and talk up Canada for the strengths we clearly have as one of the best positioned G7 countries.

Iggy and Layton seem to have very short memories as they were the ones who pushed so hard for the government to run a big defecit in this crisis, so its a bit odd that they now critisize their own policy????

Do us all a favour Iggy and put a sock in your mouth!

Dave In Mission
said

Iggy you should kiss Harpers feet every morning. He is governing Canada through a resession, a large one at that. It is very,very easy to be crtical. So Iggy I have never voted Liberal in my life. But if you want my vote give me your number on the deficit if your numbers are right then you get my vote Like I said I have never voted Liberal. Remember the 90's EI money spent on debt reduction and envelope's of cash.

Marcel Northern Ontario
said

No different to Dion!

DGRose
said

The Liberals threatened to force an election over the budget if the CPC didn't agree to spend! spend! spend!... So the CPC did what the Liberals demanded and now the Liberals are threatening to, uh, force an election over the budget. I wish Harper and the CPC had stuck to their guns on the budget because appeasement never works; in any event, if Johnny-come-lately Ignatief wants to force an election I still won't be voting for him. As for complaints that the CPC squandered a Liberal surplus, that surplus was built on onerus over-taxation and slight of hand. The people wanted their money back and the CP spent it on the people, aka they gave it back. Quit crying because other people's money isn't in a big socialist slop bucket for you to dip into at your leisure.

Liberalazzi
said

Not nearly as sick as I am of Iggy...

Marie
said

My guess is that the only people supporting Harper at this time is Alberta. I would be ashamed of that. Alberta is now in the red asking Ottawa for help. And they still think that they are paying for everybody. Why is that the province that has the most bankrupcies is Alberta and the complainers here are in the 20's or 30's. Grow up Albertans, face the facts and see exactly what your dictorial leader is doing for your province as well. I would say nil. The only person he cares is himself, no one else.

Henry Wysmulek
said

Yet we still have not heard what the three stooges will do to save Canada?

Oh what now I remember, it was spend our way out and into a deficit! Now it's why are you spending and going into a deficit!

NJam101 in Northern Ontario
said

Can you believe that the Conservative Party pays people to type in comments here pretending to be from different parts of the country? Not even 40% of voters supported the CPC yet it often seems on here that almost everybody supports him. Don't believe everything you see here.

Who is his guy?
said

Sit down Mr. Ignatieff until you have something worthwhile to say otherwise suck it up"

Better still, take your arrogant attitude and go back to the U.S. or anywhere else you think you will have an ability to try to feel important.

As far as I'm concerned your one of the most dangerous people to ever have the audacity to speak to the Canadian people as though you are a shining knight and you're here to save us all.

Many can see right through you and as every day goes by, more see through you as well.

What exactly were you planning to do to save the country anyway? We've never heard a word from you or your pirates.

Just go away.

DCR-Toronto
said

Mr. Ignatieff. One question. If the defecit is 50 billion dollars now (because of the coalition). What would it be when you increase EI eligibility? Or would you raise taxes? K..that was two..

Liberals = no policy
= higher taxes
= hypocritical to the maximum
= more of a nanny state
= will align with ANY party for power.
= BAD FOR CANADA!

This man makes my blood boil. Does he actually think Canadians are so stupid? I don't!

Linda in Vancouver
said

"Iggy" can whine all he wants because he was still in the USA when Liberal budget esimates were the big joke around town.Martin would low-ball his guesses every year.Then they could all go on a big spending spree at the end of the fiscal year.
This recession is ot a good thing no matter who holds office.But I believe Harper will have smaller deficits that would be he case if the Fiberals were in office.It may be a bitter pill for him to swallow,but he is the one doing the compromising here.It was only a few months ago that the infamous coalition was calling for even more big spending.In fact,the current Liberals already have a lot of very expensive handouts in their policy book.
I'm not expert enough to calculate whether or not this auto bailout will be profitable in the future.But I see by some of the nonsense posted here,that I'm not alone in that.But really,does anyone think that either the Liberals,the NDP,or the government of Ontario would stand quietly by if Harper refused to offer them help?? With the USA stepping up there,all those Ontario jobs would go to the USA.
C'mon "Iggy".Quit your whining and put some policy proposals up for debate and discussion.Ah! You don't have any?? Why am I not surprised by that? That tells me you can "oppose",but I shouldn't trust you to govern. Then,the best thing you can do is get the heck out of the way.You and your whining party fooled me for decades.I will not let you do it again.

Greg in Cambridge
said

Would you expect any less from a Liberal.Get lost and stop acting like Children.

Canadians are sick of Flaherty's bizarre fantasies
said

Stop the stupidity, Flaherty, and start dealing with Canada's problems instead of just funneling money to your corporate cronies.

Idiot Flaherty hasn't made a right move yet. He should be kicked out of government forever.

Independently Minded
said

@fredhu in mtl

Sir if you "truly" were from Montreal, you would NEVER refer to the Sovereigntists as "separatists", that is a non-quebec term.

You are not fooling anyone trying to claim you are from a different part of the country.

Harper is deliberately trying to destroy Canada.
said

He wants to sell us out to the US.

Ray in AB
said

I say sell of a chunk of the arctic to the russians for 50 Billion, then sell a bigger chunk to to the states for another 500 billion, solves 3 problems.

1 russia is gonna take the arctic anyways. may as well make a profit
2 500 billion sale to the states would wipe out our National Debt
3 with no debt, we wouldnt have to all get upset over stupid little things that ctv writes then blog about them

Independently Minded
said

@Concerned Canadian.

Ditto sir!

We need more independents like you to look at the situation in Ottawa objectively...

Dave - Vernon, BC
said

Fact 1) Harpo had Canada in a recession before BEFORE the US and obscured it with government spending: "The only reason Canada avoided a technical recession -- defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction -- in the first half was due to a continued expansion in the public sector� quoted from the Financial Post (July 2008)

Fact 2) 55,000 jobs were lost in Canada in July 2008- months BEFORE the US went into meltdown: 'Gruesome' job report startles economists

Fact 3) The Liberals called for stimulus spending of $30 Billion. They left Canada with a $16 billion SURPLUS. Therefore, $30 billion in spending would have left Canada with a $14 deficit -not OVER $50 Billion.

Fact 4) the Cons had Canada in deficit BEFORE this meltdown began: �Federal government runs $517M deficit in April, May� [2008],

Fact 5) The Cons government killed the manufacturing sector in Ontario by allowing the Canadian dollar to skyrocket without any benefits in lower process to Canadians: "
Canadian consumers missing out on benefits of higher dollar: report"

Fact 6) The Cons further encouraged the downturn in t Ontario's economy (pre-recession) by discouraging investment in Ontario: "
Economists warn against Flaherty's attacks on Ontario"

Fact 7) The Cons destroyed the surplus through the terrible economic policy of cutting the GST poor for economic stimulus and leaving Canada in a vulnerable position in an economic downturn: "Economists dump on Harper's GST-lowering plan"

Fact 8) Almost half the current deficit is due to pre-election vote-buying by the Cons: �The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today updated its tally of pre-election spending announcements made by the Conservative government to $19.2-billion.�
( �Taxpayers Federation Updates Conservative�s Pre-Election Spending to $19.2-billion�,

Paul In Ajax
said

A noted TD economist predicted a $39 billion deficit two months ago, off by $11 billion.

Why is this important? He is helping Ignatieff plan Liberal policy on the economy. Is Ignatieff as outraged over this economist's wrong prediction? I doubt it.

Binnie in Brantford
said

No Iggy, you're the one tired of guestimates. It is a global recession buddy. It's Eating away at your inheritance when you become a bumbling prime minister. Ahh, yes, you will elect him, you fools! He's the one screaming and holding our government hostage for more money to be spent. Then he turns around and says "enough". haha. And yes, he is just visiting and that has nothing to do with immigration. Maybe we should invite some other Harvard grad to run the country? Just invite them all in to decide our fate. The sooner you go home Iggy, the better!

Concerned Canadian
said

Professor Pye Chart

I'm not tracking the impact of the stimulus personally, just going by what some pundits are currently saying.

Initially the financial markets seemed to be becoming more optimistic, given the rallies we've seen sporadically occurring. The real question is whether that's spreading into the "real" economy.

One positive indicator is that the rate of job loss seems to have slowed- unemployment continues to rise, but the rate has decreased. I understand some consumer purchase figures (for major items)are also up, and as consumer purchase is a major driver of the American economy, this is fairly good news.Consumer confidence is also up, strangely, and that's another good sign. And from what I understand, a complete collapse of GM may not now be inevitable, because restructuring through equity offerings to bond holders may give the firm some breathing space. Some major banks are also reporting strong profits.The collapse of the real estate market has also slowed.

But perhaps the most that can be said is that the hemoraging has slowed, but the patient is still bleeding. I don't have any more of a crystal ball than anyone else, and although I've been a stockbroker and bank manager during my career, as well as an academic, I can only look upon these few signs with hope, not certainty.

My point essentially is that the potential disaster of world-wide depression seems to have yielded to a fairly long drawn out recession. We can only hope (except of course if we're Rush Limbaugh) that Mr. Obama is successful, as well as Mr. Harper, in preventing our economies from further deterioration.

As for the coalition forcing Mr. Harper into a responsible budget- what evidence do you have that Mr. Harper would have done that anyway? You constantly ask people for evidence (which is a good idea) but where is yours?

Alex (Toronto)
said

Questions that should be asked of the Finance Minister:

* Why did he present optimistic estimates in the fall that were in conflict with the academic and business community's best available information? Why did he do so again in April?

* Is there any logical foundation for his current estimates (or his recent ones from a few weeks ago, which were radically more optimistic)? Can he provide a scientific basis for these claims, or is the government simply using budget estimates for political reasons rather than policy reasons?

* Does the government have the capacity to respond to new information with new policy initiatives, or as the prime minister has said, is the government going to force itself to implement plans based on clearly inaccurate assumptions? Does the government understand that the reason for the legislation calling for quarterly updates was to allow the government to respond to changing circumstances?

* Can the government tell when the recession is over? If not, can we expect the government to continue operating a structural deficit after the recession? Or if so, on what basis does the government claim that its economic response to the recession would somehow be based on a different time frame than the opposition's plan to deal with the recession?

* Does the finance minister understand that his consistently inaccurate and overly optimistic projections are causing delays in implementing policy which in turn are increasing the cost of the policies required and increasing the deficit? In other words, does he realize that spending more in the short term means spending less in the long term?

Tim from Calgary
said

The deficit was forced on the government by the coalition threat formulated by both the Liberals and the NDP. Both of these parties wanted the government to spend, spend, spend. Now it's totally hypocritical of the Liberals to be crying over the deficit that they themselves forced on Canadians. Unforunately not many people will recognize that the Liberals and the NDP are to blame.

Dean in YYZ
said

What I am sick of is this LIBERAL STOOGE leader Michael Ignatieff.

It was he and the 2 other punk, opposition leaders who squeezed our current government into spending like drunken sailors.

Now you have the gall to stand up and point fingers at the government of the day.Grand standing about how much more the deficit is.

Who care,35 billion 50 billion makes no diff still 1 big UGLY DEFICIT PERIOD.Which he and he alone demanded from our government,in order for his useless Liberal party to support PM Harpers budget.

So now you yankee stooge,shut and live with it.

YOU SUPPORTED IT CLOWN!

Louis Ottawa
said

The Conservatives underestimated the deficit (under relatively difficult circumstances). The Liberals continuously underestimated their surpluses (under very easy circumstances). The Conservatives put a little money back in my pocket, the Liberals continuously took it out. Who is right? Pick one.

Kris D.
said

So many of you are missing the point:

Nobody is blaming them for running a deficit, but when your estimates are 16 BILLION DOLLARS off, well, some of us have a problem with that.

Especially since I don't see any projects underway yet with all that money that's supposedly being spent.

THAT'S THE ISSUE HERE FOLKS

You may be happy with an incompetent Finance Minister, but I'm not. That's our money!

Peter in Edmonton
said

Guy says:

"2) Comparing Liberals to the right side of Parliament ("you'll never see the right side of parliament again")"

The right side as in the winning side. This was obvious. If all you can do is nitpick about spelling then you had no counter point to offer. Thank you.

Jim in Edmonton
said

Guessing games? If that's the case that the government guessed spending pretty well in these globally challanging times since we are spending an extra 3-4% of GDP. Obama can't say that neither can the gov'ts in Japan or Great Britian. The Canadian economy is structurally sound and Iggy and his gang know that next year Canada will be in much better shape so he has to strike now. Also the conservative attach adds are working - we didn't know who this Michael guy who would be the prime minister is. If the conservative attack adds are wrong then sue them, if they are not then it's fair to wonder if we want Iggy as our prime minister or not, where do his loyalties lie?

Harvard, Yale, Orford, the USA. Michael I. doesn't have a vested interest in Canada yet he wants to be prime minister. If Stephen Harper stays the course we will come out of this better off than most countries. Iggy knows this and is howling now because he stock has peaked and will decline. People aren't stupid, while I don't agree that we should be spending all this money, I do agree that it's better than making my fellow citizens suffer any more than they have to. Good on PM Harper for spending it ... after all that what the other three parties wanted him to do.

Peter in Edmonton
said

"If that liar ever calls Liberals crooks again, - I will sue."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA.

You mean the way Arar sued when the Liberals handed him to the US? Yeah I remember that.

Peter in Edmonton
said

Guy says:
"I do believe that you just lost credibility in your argument, for two reasons:"

Meh. Typical dance-around-the-point non-answer. Go ahead. Keep your head in the sand about your party and Iggy and your favorite enemy the Conservatives will remain in power for years to come.

As I said - and you have no answer for: Canada didn't become more conservative, the liberals lost crediblity and that's why they're stuck at what? 24 seats? Even less than last election. So go ahead. Laugh it up. Make non-points out of spelling mistakes. Correcting my spelling is no replacement for actually knowing what you're talking about which you obviously don't. Like I said: did you read Iggy's resume? No you didn't. Now if there's no spelling errors in this post, now what are you going to do?

Either you have a counter point or you don't. Obviously you don't. Thank you.

Sir Grant
said

Dear Iggy:

As Her Majersty's Loyal Opposition, you have a fully taxpayer-funded research team, not to mention all of your MPs, aids, etc. So why don't YOU tell us what the numbers should be, and then YOU can resign if you're wrong.

I know you honour us by comming back to Canada to govern us poor peasants, but is it too much to ask for a little accountability for the things that spill out of your head? Pogey for everyone, damn the cost! Obama's a hero for defiit spending, but Harper's an idiot for doing the same! Save the auto workers, just be sure it doesn't cost anything!

I know the national IQ of Canada has dropped, but hopefully people are still smart enough to see through you.

Frankly Frank
said

"Canadians sick of budget 'guestimates'"

I am sorry, was I included in this? Are you speaking for me? Maybe you can say 'some' Canadians? Because you do not speak for me, nor will you ever.

Take your sneer back to the States please.

The only people playing games now are you and showboat jack. You both wanted the Conservatives to spend more, they have.

You are responsible for the deficit.

Own up to it.

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said

Mr. Ignatieff you and I both know that NO HUMAN BEING CAN FORECAST WHAT THE DEFICIT WILL BE AT FISCAL YEAR END.

AS SMART as you claim to be even you do not KNOW.

YOU are HAPPY that you ARE NOT THE PRIME MINISTER RIGHT NOW. YOU KNOW IN YOUR OWN HEART THAT YOU WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO!

YOU TALK TOUGH BUT THE TOUGH DO NOT TALK THEY GOVERN AND THAT IS WHAT OUR ELECTED CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT IS DOING, GOVERNING!

Mark in Thornhill
said

Canadians were warned 3 years ago that this guy screwed Ontario. Now he's doing it to the whole country. This is what you get when an ambulance-chasing personal injury lawyer is holding the purse strings

BMIA
said

Tax cuts aren't the cause for our budget deficits. I feel I'm taxed enough as it is!

It's spending that is causing our deficits. Wanton spending! Bloated government spending!

The services we are being provided by our government (a la where our taxes go) are woeful and inefficient (my opinion and I choose not to write an entire dissertation on why I feel that is the case).

I'd rather try to get by on less government involvement and lower government spending than try to get by on more government spending, higher taxes, and increased government involvement.

Government spending is the problem, not lower taxes.

Canadian
said

Captin American(IGGY) wrong, Canadians are sick of hearing you bitch and complain about everything you asked for. Time to finish your visit to our great Country! Bye Bye next time at the election IGGY!

Guy
said

Peter in Edmonton:

I do believe that you just lost credibility in your argument, for two reasons:

1) Bad spelling (communication is important..."consious", "credability"), and

2) Comparing Liberals to the right side of Parliament ("you'll never see the right side of parliament again")

Plan your argument before you post it.

Jay-TO
said

Peter 1951

The problem is that we are 50 billion in deficit and only 6% of the stimulus money has flowed. Where did the debt come from? Not the stimulus package as that will sink us deeper. We have no answers just partisan attacks. One would think what one calls a "tory" these days would care about fiscal matters. Obviously you don't. They seem to be nothing more than propaganda pushers.

Ted Ontario
said

Sorry Iggy, Canadians are sick of politicians showboating rather than working with the government. Get of your podium and do your job. You were asked by Mr. Harper for your input before he spent a penny. All you asked was to spend more...

Next you will want an election so we can waste even more money.

Work with the government or go back to "your country" I am sure the U.S. is missing you... or is it England, I am losing track.

Ray Jacques, Glen Robertson, ON
said

The Opposition's job (all opposition parties - just like Harper did when he was in Opoosition) is to criticize - NOT TO MAKE POLICY. Compromise is the key

All you Conservative suppoerters are either mental midgits or think that we Centrists Liberals are all stupid because:

1st: you complain about even the legal formation of a majority of Members o Parliament deciding that they have lost cvonfident in the Government (And rightfully so)

2nd: Michael Ignatieff decided not to procedd with the Coalition because he did not to futher polarize Canadians (even thought the procedure was 100# legal and Constitutional

3rd: Now, some of you Reform /Conservative supporters who are over-the-top, hateful, not very honrest and not too bright, are trying to BLAME THE COLAITION which did not even officially form for HArper's lack of vision, incomptenece, dis-honesty, useless and very low class acttions actions.

You folk, ans I jknow that you know who your are, make me sick.

Harper has convinced you to be venemous, unreasnable, dishonest and hateful.

And you wonder why I firmly believe that Haroper is the worst Prime Minister that we have ever had barr none.

Mickey mouse would be a bettrer Prime Minister.

Either Stephane Dion or Michael Ignatieff in education, political smarts, honesty and integrity and many time the men that low class Harper is.

It is time for an elecetion, unless Harper's mama, the GG, come to his protection once again.

I want a Canadian Prime Minister that I can be proud of for a change.

Trying to find dirt on one's political adversaries is not high class politics - is not the Canadian way - and it must stop ASAP !!

PS: Adscam was blown out of all proportion by Harper. The Liberals were found to be not guilty. If that liar ever calls Liberals crooks again, - I will sue.

Adam in Ottawa
said

Normally I'll take any chance to bash the Conservatives, but even I have to admit you can't really lay all the blame on them for this!

Gabe
said

SuzyB Alta...

Liberal Deficits?! I seem to remember large surpluses, in fact.

Interesting clashing of viewpoints.

Scott
said

Well when Michael is the Finance minister he can do the books and give us a perfectly clear out look on the budget.

Does any one remember when the liberals were in power the out look was always worse. The liberals wasted money, they never gave canadians a clear picture.

Ignatieff should watch what he says.

terri
said

Hunter mars.
What are you talking about?

rich people buying houses,cars and major appliances(like a fridge or stove maybe)I think it is more middle class people. Are you saying it is wrong to have a home, wrong to have a frige or stove and wrong to own a car.I really don't understand this rich people thing. I am not rich but I own all of these things.I deserve them and I deserve a tax cut on them .I work damn hard for my money and I have held a job all of my life. I don't care what the economists say. They change their mind all the time on everything anyway.

Layton in Moncton
said

Mr. Harper cannot estimate the economic performance because he has no idea what is going on or why. Had he any idea what was about to happen to our economy during the last election then he lied to use, knowingly. Either way it is becoming clearer and clearer that he has outlived his usefulness to the taxpayers and, should take a walk. ELECTION!

gerald
said

Yes it is true. The Conservatives haven't even justified or rationalized the deficit. It is a guestimate. There is no confidence in this

Iggy go home
said

to whatever country you claim to be from this week. Canadians are sick of this crap.

Rubicon
said

Liberal posters don't seem to have a grasp of economics. What Iggy says leads folks who don't understand to say stuff like "Harper should live within his budget like I do." I won't even try to set them straight. But Iggy knows they'll draw the wrong conclusions from his remarks. He preys on their lack of understanding of the playing field.

Areostar BC
said

Let me guess Iggy! If you where the man in the drivers seat there would be no recession in Canada Everyone would be working full time high paying jobs Bank accounts would be bulgeing and food aplenty on the table. Hell if you are so good at it why are you not the PM.

Do you honestly think Canadians are that stupid to beleive your garbage. Im no fan of the Cons either but if you can come up with the correct deficit amounts within lets say $100000 Id vote for ya. Until then trying to topple the government is only going to put us further behind. And buy the way this economic crisis in which you claim you can fix is worldwide. So quit blaming the current govt and finding faults. Find a cost effective solution without burying Canada and work together with the current govt. Maybe then you may earn some brownie points.

bw, Ontario
said

One definition of Politics is, "Saying the nastiest things in the nicest way." The Liberals are becoming desperate to gain POWER and will utter the most unreasonable comments to sway public opinion. Of course, no one can know how deep the recession will go. It has to be followed closely and both predictions and responses will be made as circumsances change. Why clutter up the news media with irresponsible election chatter?

Sam C
said

No, Iggy... what Canadians are sick of is whatever party is in Opposition constantly whining about everything the governing party does, dos not do, or can be blamed for.

Perhaps everyone could stuff their egos somewhere warm and dark, and try to work together to SOLVE problems, rather than just COMPLAIN about them.

Ralph Eddy in New Brunswick
said

what the big problem when the liberals were in power with mr Trudeau they ran 25 to 30 billion deficites in the seventies every year thats about 80 billion in todays dollars oh ya thats ok it was the liberals.Didnt they want this 6 months ago when they were going to take down the government?

Peter in Edmonton
said

Guy says:
"I find it quite annoying how Conservative supporters (who are panicking) continue to use the "go back to the US" defence against Iggy. ENOUGH ALREADY."

You first. First off it's not slander if it's the truth, unlike the Liberal "Harper=Bush" ambiguous slander and the "Albertain seperatist" (even though he was born and raised in Ontario) that they bleet out anytime they haven't a real answer.

Have you looked at Iggy's resume? His wiki? of course you haven't. If you had you'd understand not a single word of the Conservative ads are untrue. I don't know what happened to liberals in this country. they used to be politically consious now they're all asleep.

Guess that's why the Conservatives won the last two elections and why they're going to win the next one too.

Wake up Liberal Canada: Canada didn't become more conservative, the Liberals have lost all credability and just like the GOP down south until you come to grips with that reality and deal with it (that means change) you'll never see the right side of parliament again.

Hunter Mars
said

GST is a consumption tax and only affects people,rich people, who make large purchases ie: Homes,cars,major appliances et cetera .
Cutting the GST has cost the Government over twelve billion in income revenue .
Every economist in the nation says it was a stupid idea .

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ Concerned Canadian

"Now everyone sees the wisdom of the stimulus package (which seems to be working well in the States, to the consternation of Obama bashers)."
_____________________

Really? Hmm. As an academic (you've previously indicated that you have a Ph.D. in Philosophy) who surely appreciates the necessary qualification and quantification of assertions (deemed to be facts), how, specifically, are you measuring or determining this? I've read a couple economic pieces suggesting that the jury is still out, and that any positivity we're presently witnessing is largely of "natural" occurrence.

Are you personally tracking all the stimulus money, and objectively determining its legitimate impact? If so, I'm impressed.

Forget about banks, investment brokerages, the auto industry, etc. Much of the stimulus money, here and south of the 49th Parallel, hasn't reached its intended economic destination (at ground level) yet. Are you accounting for this fact? I doubt it. Me thinks you're exercising wishful thinking to support an argument.

Convince me I'm wrong. Show me your proof that billions of dollars of public (taxpayer) money are being effective and paying direct dividends, and that billions aren't being squandered needlessly.

P.S. The circular argument that PM Harper and FM Flaherty hoodwinked you and the rest of Canada, despite you already knowing the truth, isn't worth any more time. As for the Prime Minister being "forced" to table an appropriate budget, it was coming anyway. The Crazy Coalition was just playing a parliamentary game.

AWinnipeg
said

First the Liberals want a larger budget and now they are complaining of a greater deficit. Seems like they don't know their math, here.

Aside from pointing fingers, what constructive ideas does Ignatieff have that may help Canada? Does he want to spend more and reduce the debt his spending will create by raising the tax? Most government spending doesn't trickle down to the poorest Canadian but the taxation definitely will. That's an undisputable fact.

Mark the Ontario Boy
said

It's understandable that the deficit is hard to predict.
Canada has been hit with a dramatic reduction in demand from the US and other parts of the world.
The stock market crash last year wiped out a ton of capital gains taxes which would have come from investors. The huge job layoffs have resulted in a loss of taxes brought in and increased money going out in UI payments.
Business are earning less so less taxes are coming in there. And the federal revenues from oil, gas and mineral production has been dramatically reduced.

This is not Harper's doing. It is mainly a result of what the U.S. did.

A recession like this is really now a big clear-out sale. We have had too much production so inventory and production has to be cleared out. Then, once that is done and things are brought back into balance, away we go again.

I think Harper is doing the correct thing. It will just take a while for it all to work out.

As for Iggy and Layton (Squiggly and Lamebrain) - they don't have a clue.
All they have is a thirst for power.

observer
said

I am SICK of Iggy's contradictions;on the one hand he wants MORE spending;on the other hand he wants a smaller deficit. THIS works on the lecture circuit but not in real life......

Peter in Edmonton
said

Peter 1951 says...
"The Liberal, NDP and the Bloc are all calling for Finance minister Jim Flaherty to be fired, but for some reason they seem to forget that just 6 months ago when those three parties formed the Separatist coalition to bring down the conservatives, it was the Coalition that said the stimulus package should be 30 to 40 billion dollars. Now the conservatives have done what they want they are all screaming fire Jim fire Jim."

BINGO! Right on the money. Liberals who sit there accusing Harper of being Bush and American don't want to read the fine print of Ingatieff's resume. Go wiki him right now and come back and tell us how "Liberal" he is...how "Canadian" he is. The liberals in this country used to be politically consious, now they're asleep and most would rather be american democrats than Canadian liberals.

Peter in Edmonton
said

Whatever....
Go back home Ignatieff. We don't need more yanks screwing with our politics.

fredhu in mtl
said

From what I remember, didn't the Liberals always underestimate their surpluses when they were in power???

Economic forecasting is always very hard.

The Liberals should stop complaining as back in December 2008 they threatened to topple the government with their separatist and socialist friends unless the budget was revised to include major stimulus in the $30 to $40Billion range.

The Liberals are so power hungry, they'll try anything to get back in....

Iggy is so power hungry, it's unbelievable!.

Politics are so lame and dirty games!

Elaine
said

Excuse me! But how does Iggy know what we are sick of? Personally, I an SICK of him! He always seems to be putting words in the mouths of Canadians, and putting his own spin on what our Prime Misister is saying. Thankfully, Mr. Harper is a much more intellegent man, with a lot more savoir faire.

Baltic316
said

We would not have this deficit crisis had the Conservatives obtained a majority in the last election. The Liberals and the NDP forced the government into spending huge amounts of money by threatening to form a coalition. The liberals fully supported this budget. The hypocrisy and lack of opposition leadership is numbing. Perhaps its time for Iggy to end his visit and go home.

AB
said

I think Ignatieff is right - we should know where the money is going, and how much further they are going to put us in the hole. After all, it is OUR money right?

I find the finance minister being elected in a riding that probably (I don't have the numbers) has an overwhelming number of auto workers a conflict of interest. As an elected member of parliament, he is to represent his riding, and also as finance minister to benefit every Canadian in the best possible manner with spending. By supporting the auto sector, he is really only helping the people in and around his riding, I'm not sure how much it benefits Canadians in other provinces. Obviously, there are other industries that the auto industry supports - manufacturing, research, etc. However, I think that is mostly in Ontario.

What I don't understand is that they are so concerned about the number of jobs lost, and the "economy is job 1" as Harper said, but they never recognize that maybe we have too many people for the number of available jobs? If the number of jobs is dwindling, why don't they do CANADIANS a favour and put a moratorium on immigration. That way our money could more directly support Canadians. It's simple economics - the supply of labour is high, and the demand for labour is low - that devalues labour. If there are so many people that can't find a job, why bring more people into the equation?

Residing in Ontario
said

Canada's economy is affected by a world recession - so there is bound to be changes in numbers as we move through the recession. We need to remember that Canada's banking system is strong, stable & the best example to the rest of the world. What Canadians are 'sick of' are the liberals, their unelected leader along with their less-than-stellar neighbour, layton's ndp & the constant demeaning attempts by the opposition to undermine and derail the gov't - both in the HoC & the senate. As a resident of Ontario I know all too well the effects of a, promise them everything, give them nothing, style of liberal government. What sickens me is the fake, pompous way Ignatieff has & wish the liberals had left him at his university desk. It sickens me that Ignatieff actually tried to compare himself to a hardworking immigrant to distract attention from the truth about his 34 yr absence from Canada. Ignatieff, you're no immigrant & I'm not certain you're even Canadian any longer.

Peter Rapsey
said

Prof Pye Charrt, should be Pye in the face - If there is a god, we will get there eventually...and it's not socialism, its human decency. As to the second part of my original message...I travel a lot and the comments I hear from the overseas populace matches what I said.

M. B. Ont
said

So Iggy is sick of budget guestimates is he?? Well I for one am sick of Iggy flapping his lips on everything the gov't is trying to do to help this country along. Perhaps if he used those flappers to tell Canadians what he would do and how much HIS budget deficit would be with all the spending spending spending he is flapping his flippers that HE the KING wants.
This guy is scary folks ! The Liberals would have us taxed to death and a hugh surplus as well. They would dole out those money filled envelopes without a thought to you and I ! Think about it.

Sarah
said

Budget 'guestimates', Mr. Ignatieff?

You mean like the ones Canadians were consistently subjected to when the Liberals were in power? Guestimates that resulted in canadians being overtaxed by billions of dollars every single year? Your party has no room to talk. We put up with thirteen years of Liberal 'Guestimates'.

John Baltic in Eh-jax
said

Months ago Flaherty and the Conservatives weren't spending enough. Today, Iggy and the Liberals together with Jack and his NDP want his resignation. Surely Canadians deserve better opposition leaders than this. Perhaps both of them should acknowledge their lack of leadership skills and resign?

BMM
said

What Canadians are really �sick of� is Iggy and his Liberal elitists. They believe that it is their right to govern and that the treasury is their personal piggybank to do with what they please.

Perhaps if we could get back the $200 Million that they stole from taxpayers under Adscam we could put that on the deficit. Or the $1 Billion that went �missing� in Human Resources or the $2 Billion wasted on the Long Gun Registry etc etc etc�.

If Iggy wants the FM fired he should do what he has been shrilling about for months and vote down the government. Then we can vote them in and they can create the illusion of a surplus by cutting transfer payments to the provinces, raising taxes and robbing EI of $18 Billion a year all to create a $13 Billion �surplus�. That way there will be plenty left over can fill their party coffers again.

Tim in Ottawa
said

I find it hilarious that the Conservatives are trying to make the Liberals sound stupid. They are not complaining about spending and then asking for more money, they are complaining about HOW the deficit is being spent, and the fact that the stimulus the Conservatives created is not working, yet they're pumping more money into it.

And yes, the auto industry really needs to be let go. Enough funelling money into an industry that is on it's way out.

And frankly, I'm all for higher taxes. It was Harper's stupid cuts that helped deepen the hole we're now in.

Justin
said

Wow, one day Iggy's demanding the gov't reform EI which would cost the gov't even more money and the next he's criticizing the gov't for spending so much. Perhaps he should go write a book on hypocrisy! What a joke.

Dani - Red Deer
said

I don't have a big issue with the deficit climbing (though I didn't want it in the first place). This is uncharted territory for most modern governments, and no one really knows what to expect with the recession. I would, however, like to know exactly why the deficit is growing, and why we are putting money in to a failing auto industry that Canadians almost unanimously do not want to support.

As for the Liberals...well, we know what they're all about. Remember how well they managed our country's finances just a few years back? I'm not prepared to trust them in that capacity again.

Andy
said

Iggy is getting sick of guestimates and the Canadian public are getting sick of Iggy!!!!! Nothing positive seems to come from this man.

ric
said

even tho I view myself as mostly Liberal I dont care for this guy. The problem is he REALLY comes off as "Say whatever to impress" but really has no values of his own.

I couldn't stand Dion, but he had strong views, you knew where you stood with him and if you subscribed to his views you knew you had someone in office that would truly represent you... Ignatieff is in it for personal politics.

DD from ON
said

I'm sick of the word "guestimate".

Anne
said

You know what Mr. Ignatieff...quit your grandstanding and false outraged persona. These times are what they are - every country in the world is working through extraordinarily difficult economic challenges. You couldn't do any better, except maybe raise my taxes through the roof, so please sit down and be quiet.

Amar
said

$50 billion is nothing! If the Libs were in... it would be at least triple!

Independently Minded
said

@Large recessions = large deficits

What happened to the $14 Billion surplus that we had when the Cons took over in 2006?

I'm sure that would have cushioned the budget after the balloon burst, which apparently was not going to affect Canada according to the Finance minister & PM...

The call for Flaherty's dismissal is based on his whole mis-management of the nation's tax dollars, not just the latest forecast of the deficit.

The Cons spent the surplus on what appears to be tax cuts for their sponsors and to bribe Canadians with our own money in the form of a GST cut.

Then lived in denial during the initial months of the Great Recession, when they should have been preparing for the worst.

The relaxation of the EI requirements will see abuses, however, a two year short term change will not cripple us. Most economists agree that the quickest stimulus to our economy is to get money into the hands of the unemployed. The make work projects are fine, but they are taking forever to get through the go vernment departments for approval and then they require minicipal and provincial cash which there is very little of.

If Harper wants to save face, he needs to dump this guy and get a fresh perspective...

Alysha Ont
said

"Guy
I find it quite annoying how Conservative supporters (who are panicking) continue to use the "go back to the US" defence against Iggy. ENOUGH ALREADY.

At least he hasn't created slander against Harper, in the form of TV commercials, about his past as a Reform Party member who had some rather interesting views, I seem to recall.

The issue here is TRUST. It was a minor consideration in the last election, and will be a MAJOR component of the next one. The current Conservative party, its platform, and its cabinet have lost the trust and confidence, and are now making excuses."

Iggy may not have created slander against Harper, but please read and learn some of the things Iggy has said about CANADA in his books and speeches! He has slandered Canadians! He has even said 'the only good thing about Canada is Algonquin Park'. This is what he thinks of us Canadians !

Concerned Canadian
said

Professor Pye Chart

It's not a matter of honesty concerning the tabling of a proposed budget- that's not the job of the opposition. Their role is to critique the budget proposed by the government.

That's exactly what they did, and when Mr. Harper wouldn't see the looming crisis (or refused to acknowledge that he'd been wrong) they forced his hand.

Now everyone sees the wisdom of the stimulus package (which seems to be working well in the States, to the consternation of Obama bashers).

That's why it's foolish to attack Mr.Harper for doing what he was forced to do, but absurd to either deny that he initially refused to do it, or praise him for it.

Mr. Harper reluctantly did what was needed, after misleading the electorate. He wasn't 'protecting us from panic"; he was hoping to get elected on a lie.

Only someone with partisan glasses on would refuse to admit what is obvious on a fair reading of the facts.

Keith in Brampton
said

The poll related to this article asks if Flaherty should be fired over the ballooning deficit.

I don't like Flaherty (or the Harper government generally), and there have been a number of times when I think he SHOULD have been fired, but any attempt to figure out where we would end up, financially, in this storm is going to be a wild guess.

Unless the opposition parties can show that they had more accurate forecasting and can further show just where Flaherty went wrong AND should have known he had done so, then they are just blowing hot air. I haven't heard strenuous objections from them yet on ONE fiscal decision on the grounds the government was spending too much; if anything, it's been just the opposite.

Red X
said

Based on the trend line next year's planned $30 billion deficit will be substantially higher given additional debt interest charges...

The thing that should gall taxpayers is their money going to private business

After all isn't the private sector suppose to be efficient...so 50 is the new 34! You business types want to give Flaherty a CEO bonus for management?

Linda in Vancouver
said

Liberals,BLOC,and NDPers seem to be speaking out both sides of their collective mouths.If I'n not mistaken they have been leading the charge for the auto industry bail outs."Iggy" has also said his EI changes would cost $1.5 billion every year,and that tax increases may be needed to fulfill all of their promises.Of course raising taxes in a recession will do wonders for the rest of the economy.
My suggestion.Quit whining and get back to work.You were elected last year,and taxpayers have a right to expect you to do the best you can in difficult times.
If you don't like Harper go speak to his economic advisory panel.There are some very succesful,and well educated people on that panel.Viable ideas almost always find a way to come to fruitition.
But these political games are getting in the way of the real issues.Harper want to succeed in lowering our taxes and our debt so he can form a majority."Iggy" and Layton want him to fail so they can win the next election,so they,of course are busy trying to force policies they know will fail.
In the mean time,the MP's get the "gold mine",and the taxpayers get the "shaft".
Believe none of them when they talk economics.It's all "spin".Get information about economics from other sources.There are many reliable sources.

Richard in Ontario
said

It still amazes me that some Liberal posters keep referring to the supposed debt left in Ontario by the PC's of Mike Harris and Mr Flaherty. Try, if possible, to remember that Pinochio McGuinty and his caucus lied about not knowing there was a deficit. In addition, this was in the middle of a fiscal year and the budget was going to balanced. The lie about the deficit led to the Health Premium, (TAX) that the Liberals put in place and amazingly enough, voila they balanced the budget. Plus adding millions to the surplus on the back of the taxpayers of Ontario. Liberal governments tax and spend so if you vote for them be careful, you might get what you wish for.

hatrock
said

Even before the spending, gov't is still too big. Cut the fat and learn to live within your means, just like the rest of us.

Dave from Toronto
said

Flaherty/Harper should have been honest with CDNS from the start. They weren't. Just hoping we wouldn't notice and think that nothing is their fault. They need to be held accountable for their policies and actions. Flaherty did the same "padding" of the books in Ontario, now he's doing it to the whole country. It will only lead to one thing....higher taxes...and it will be the Conservatives fault. If only they had been honest.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ Concerned Canadian

I appreciate your honesty.

However, I find it rather amusing that certain people keep whining and complaining about PM Harper and FM Flaherty, supposedly, not telling them what, in their own brilliance, they already knew.

To me, it doesn't seem "adult" to keep harping on this worthless notion that one was lied to when asserting, at the same time, that everyone on the planet knew that the truth was otherwise. It seems silly.

You know that I'm ticked off about this "surprise" deficit. It marks a significant communicative failure, I believe. The argument supporting "The Big Lie" is more than weak, in my humble estimation.

Onward we go.

P.S. The Crazy Coalition comprised of the infamous "Three Stooges" neither possessed nor tabled any formal economic alternative or budgetary plan for Canada. Their effort was simply an attempt to grab power. You're not being honest on this one.

Alan
said

Ridiculous!
You would think/hope that Iggy, ,that "so worldly travelled quasi, little c ex-pat canadian" would be able to come up with something, anything, more constructive than "fire him"!
Just another "I'm all for me - let's vote" loser...
IMO

Will
said

Stick to the facts, people! The Tories inherited a $14 billion surplus from the Liberals. They then cut the GST by 2% which cost the treasury about $12 billion a year. Hard times hit and now they find they have no revenues. Liberal governments under Chretien and Martin ran surpluses for 10 years. Right wing governments (Bush included) run huge deficits because they cut taxes too low and spend too much on war. These are irrefutible facts. Go Iggy!

concerned!
said

The deficit will grow bigger and bigger everyday until this government is defeated.
The next government, whether it be Conservative, Liberal or NDP will have no choice but to raise Taxes and cut Social Spending.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to let the Tories govern for the next 6 years. You bet! the conservatives will be forced by circumstances to change their colours if they are required to remain in power to fix the mess that they bundled up for Canadians for the coming years.

jen
said

This finance minister was responsible for the financial mess Ontario got into.When he became a federal minister, Harper made him finance minister. BIG MISTAKE. Harper's govt, 3years ago, had a very healthy SURPLUS,(thanks to Paul Martin) but after he started spending to be popular,with the help of his new finance minister, he spent it all.
Nows folks, we have a 50 billion dollar deficit.Harper and Flatherty should both be FIRED. They are totally irresponsible. It is disgusting what they've done with the finances.

LAL
said

It's a pretty sad state of affairs when our "leaders" blame the opposition for their mismanagement and ignorance.

If the Conservatives had any concept of running a fiscally responsible government, they would not have been "forced" to do anything by the opposition. These imbeciles hold positions of power and are reduced to infantile behavior at the taxpayers expense.

The specific dollar amount of the deficit is extraneous compared to the lack of integrity shown by all parties. An injection of money was needed to stimulate the economy. The Conservatives were incompetent in devising a plan to accomplish this feat, instead offering more tax breaks for the wealthy and reducing the GST at an enormous cost to the fiscal future of the country. What is even more exasperating is their unmitigated gall to blame the opposition.

I am saddened and appalled by the amount of politically illiterate Canadians that perceive this government as anything but mindless demagogues whose only agenda is preserving their own political careers.

Dunny from Manotick
said

Flaherty made a decision and is sticking to it until we at least see how things progress. The NDP are against everything no matter what and the Liberals can't decide between spend and don't spend depending on what direction the wind is blowing or the colour of Iggy's urine.

Red X
said

To the conservative posters; the budget year just started April 1. Flaherty and the Conservatives budgetted a $34 billion deficit that is now $50 billion plus which also means that the other four years will be wrong.

For fiscal conservatives the blame lies with Flaherty for bad planning in the so called Economic Action Plan.

Raise taxes. Especially tax the rich.
said

Tax tax tax.

Raise those taxes to pay for Conservative mismanagement.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

RE: HOW BIG WOULD A "LIBERAL" DEFICIT BE?

@ Brett in Alberta

"That is easy, ZERO, no deficit. They would increases taxes to pay for it. GST would be raised to 10% so nobody would want to buy anything. Income Tax would be raised so high that nobody would want to work. And Unemployment would sky rocket because you would have only to work 2 months before you took the rest of the year off."
--------------

Good answer.
__________________

@ Jay, Ottawa

"Now how would blind speculation be more material and constructive that discussing the current reality?"
--------------

Well, Jay, the current reality is just that; and is, thus, unalterable presently, given the economic circumstances and the apparent Canadian support for a massive stimulus package...which includes an Opposition that would gladly spend even MORE money if the opportunity arose.

Let's not pretend otherwise. (By the way, I've noted that you avoided the actual question altogether. I'm disappointed.)
__________________

@ Peter Rapsey

"What it is really about is the mean spirited tone of government, it is about how we deal with the less fortunate in our society. We have lost a great amount of our international reputation since this government took over."
-------------

With the first part, you've left me speechless, Peter. However, to the utter falsehood contained in the second part, I can only reply that PM Harper is, actually, well regarded internationally, as clearly evidenced during the Economic Summits. Sorry.

Hopefully, one day, we'll achieve that kinder, gentler, socialist utopia that you long for.

Michel (Ottawa)
said

The same idiots in Parliament that bullied the government into spending billions is now calling for the Finance Minister to resign? The hypocrisy of the Liberals, NDP and Bloc never ceases to amaze me.
Unfortunately, even an election doesn't rid us of these wingnut opposition MPs.

Gilbert
said

Please find below my suggestion for fixing Canada's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to banks and car companies, that will squander
the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan:

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new Canadian CAR. Twenty million cars ordered -
Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing
Crisis fixed.

4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime
rate fixed

5) Buy $50 of alcohol / tobacco / petrol a week... there's your money
back in duty / tax etc

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back
their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

terri
said

Ok Gabe
Here goes. I am thinking of the 45 billion that Liberals took from ei to pay down the debt.(illegal) I am thinking of the useless two billion dollar gun registry. I am thinking of the sponsership scandel.How much money would that be? I still like the gst cut and I don't want any more taxes.

Doug BC
said

This is not a recession that anyone outside of the former "coalition" wanted.I don't like the big spending either,but,as long as it's done properly,I think one can make a case that it is the right thing to do.We have global responsibilities in regards to stimulating the economy,for one thing.I see the IMF is saying Canada can afford to spend more.
What concerns me,is that they government does not bring in programs that will go on long the recession is over,thus creating costs that impede recovery.Today I agree completely with "Chris in Ontariariari-Oh!
Think global my friends.I know we want less debt and lower taxes in Canada.But no matter who is in power,they can only operate within the parameters of the global economy.I'm not keen on Flaherty's spending.BUT,at least I see new transit,new roads,some new equipment for our military,and some hard assets for the money we spent.Unlike Liberals,who spent the money,but no one knows where,or how.
They have ZERO credibility on this file.They were,after all,threatening to bring down the government they claimed was not spending enough.This recession has dealt the current government a poor hand.All they can do is play that hand in the most prudent way possible.
Even as someone who voted mostly Liberal,I think this government will keep these unwanted deficits lower than the political lefties in the Liberal party.They are working well with the BC government.
Altering the foundation of our economy is a worthwhile objective.We MUST NOT pass on a huge debt to our children.On that file,Harper has been consistant in his belief.This spending is a MAJOR concession by him and the party.REAL conservatives would be cutting services in a big way.Like California.

James in New Brunswick
said

$50B, as a percentage of our GDP, is only about 3%. In the past, Canadian Federal Govts ran deficits of 3-9% at times when necessary.

I think the Govt is doing a rather good job of balancing pressure from the international community to increase the fiscal stimulus with calls from the Opposition to reduce the deficit. It really is a "no win" situation, regardless of which party unfortunate enough to be in power at the time of a deficit.

To all those who think this is too much of a deficit, what programs would YOU cut if you were in Govt in order to reduce the deficit?

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of bailing out the auto industry or the banks the way we did but I think it was necessary. Even with the baleouts, the mood in Southern Ontario is not good. People are afraid in a way that hasn't been seen in decades.

SuzyB in Alta
said

Gabe,

Yes, I do feel that the GST cut was good policy. It unfortunately coincided with the worst economic downturn in 80 years, which has compounded the problem (no disagreement there) but that doesn't mean that it was bad policy...just bad timing. Cutting taxes DOES stimulate the economy.

And let's be clear...I didn't say that the sponsorship scandal caused this defecit. What I was saying is that at least this deficit is being racked up for the right reasons - stimulating the economy, improving EI benefits for those people whose jobs have been affected, and so on whereas the Liberals racked up defecits while giving away wads of taxpayer money in envelopes to their cronies for services that were never rendered. Little different scenario, no?

CB in Ontario
said

Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the World.

50 Billion is pocket change for our nation.

To those who are cashing in cheques from EI or GM Pensions, you should be cheering for Harper.

The Liberals would have no deficit if they were in power, but I'd pay more taxes, more GST, more for fuel and utilities, more for food. Our military would still be driving gators through minefields, driving old buckets of rust through warzones and firing old ammo from US garbage piles.

Ya, I think I'll stick with Harper.

Alysha Ont
said

I am tired of everyone referring to Mr Flaherty's tenure as Finance Minister in Ontario. That was then.. this is now. Back then, Harris was Premier and he all but decimated Health care and education in Ontario! Flaherty would have had to act on Harris' plans for the Province at that time.
Today, this country is in a global recession. I believe Harper when he told us back a few months ago that we were not in a recession then and it has been proven that were were not at that time. But he also said that we would not be free of one either and he was right.
You Liberals are complaining about the cuts to GST and taxes by Harper. These cuts have helped some people. I am sure had taxes been raised and GST been raised, you would all be screaming again at the Conservatives for doing so. You can't have it both ways and that is exactly what Iggy wants. he wants more spending.. lots more spending but no more deficit. Vote Iggy and the Liberals into power and you will have a higher deficit, but they will steal from EI of Canada Pension or Old age Security or some pot of money to 'fudge' their figures and tell you that they have a surplus. That is exactly what they did last time in power.
It was your dear Mr Martin who changed the rules for people to qualify for EI and HE is the one who lowered the amount you can collect to 55% of earnings. Why?? Was it because they could not afford to pay a decent EI to the unemployed after stealing billions from the fund to balance their budget.
Harper needs a majority so he can keep Canada afloat and not listen to opposition squawking.

Jim-Surrey
said

The recession is not going to heal itself. Money has to be injected into the system to help restore the economy!
Oh and will someone stuff a sock in Iggy's mouth and send him back to the USA, where he came from and spent most of his life there.
He is not Canadian and shouldn't even be allowed into politics here in Canada as he has admitted most of his life he lived outside of Canada.
He is only trying to obtain a position he shouldn't be allowed. He could really careless about Canada or he would have stayed here!!!

Spence in Ontario
said

Some people are looking at this the wrong way. Yes this is a political maneuver by the Liberals, but the issue they are jumping on is a somewhat valid one. What they are jumping on is the fact that the deficit jumped from $34 billion to $50 billion out of no where in such a short time. It is not the fact that we have a deficit it is the fact that the deficit increased so much in such a short period of time with little to no explanation. It really does bring into question Flaherty's financial management abilities. $16 billion regardless of what everyone says is not a small number to appear this randomly and I highly doubt this error in projections was simply discovered overnight. Flaherty has also failed to give an adequate explanation as to how this happened beyond that their projections were wrong. What factors in the projections were wrong and how is this extra $16 billion going to be spent beyond simply arbitrarily answering 'stimulus'? Furthermore almost none of the stimulus money has not even been released. Honestly what are the Cons doing with that money? I have not seen or heard of almost any of the public works projects and other things that the stimulus money was to be spent on.

I was personally against Flaherty's appointment as federal finance minister after his stint in the Harris administration in Ontario and I think he was a very stupid pick for Harper. What he is probably most well known for here is helping to hide a large amount of Ontario's deficit from public eye, I believe around $6 billion dollars. I wouldn't put it past the guy to pull that stunt again only this time at the federal level which will be an even bigger disaster.

Concerned Canadian
said

How big would the deficit be under the Liberals?

Probably 50 billion. That's why I'm not criticising Mr. Harper for this new deficit number. He's doing exactly what he has to do to stimulate the economy (provided the money's being spent efficiently) and I trust that the Liberals would be doing exactly the same thing.

If not, then I'd criticise them for not responding to the crisis in a responsible manner, the way I criticised the Conservatives for their initial budget proposal, which didn't address the crisis either.

The threat of a coalition, for those who remember history accurately, was what it took for Mr. Harper to end his complacency and get serious about the looming finacial meltdown.Under threat of losing power, he did what he had to do, and now that the numbers are higher than initially projected, we need to cut him some slack.

Nor was his silence on this matter a way of avoiding a "self-fulfilling prophesy", as some posters like to argue. Many other economists had seen this coming, and with the meltdown in the States, we were sure to head the same way.

Personally I prefer the truth to lies, and I prefer to be treated like and adult by my government. It is absurd on the one hand to complain about how our politicians lie to us, then criticise them when they tell the truth, as Mr, Layton and Dion did.

So stop attacking Mr. Harper and the Conservatives on this point: we can afford this deficit, and if the money is spent correctly, we need the stimulus.

And equally rationally, stop defending Mr. Harper on his silence on the recession. He misled us, pure and simple.

Doug Ont
said

Monday: Mr ignatieff threatens to bring down the government for not spending enough on EI
Tuesday: Mr. McCallum threatens to defeat the government for not spending enough on the stimilus package.
Wednesday: Mr Ignatieff wants Mr. Flaherty to resign because the deficit is too big. Is he confused, or ignorant? Of course he dosen't want an election over this issue. In fact, both the PM and the finance minister warned that there were very difficult times ahead. At he same time they are rightly working to keep confidence in the Canadian markets. Two words for those who want a new finance minister; Bob Rae..

Besides the size of the deficit, it's misapplied
said

There are 18 million income tax filers in Canada. The government could GIVE each of them $1,000. That would provide IMMEDIATE STIMULUS to the economy and only cost the government $18 billion. Instead, Flaherty is trying to suck people into subsidizing Home Depot with reno jobs.
Let people decide which segment of economy gets the stimulus money.

FreakAlert
said

With such a low debt to GDP ratio Canada can afford to print hundreds of billions of dollars

Peter Rapsey
said

Prof. Pye charrt - It's not about the deficit. It probably would be approximately similar - minus the $13B that had been put aside for just such a day and squandered by the Harperites. What it is really about is the mean spirited tone of government, it is about how we deal with the less fortunate in our society. We have lost a great amount of our international reputation since this government took over. As an Ontarian and as a Canadian, I do not want to see done to Canada what Flaherty/Harris did to Ontario. No, it is not just about the deficit.

Mich
said

In my opinion this parliament acts like a bunch of kids in the playground squabbling back and forth
While the PM wastes his time looking thru tapes to degrade Ignatius its time he could better spend doing the Canadian peoples business and lest he forget he is the one who had secret meetings with Bush and the leader of Mexico(no press allowed)3 or 4 times trying to *join* the three countries together with *North American Union* an act that is being perpetrated behind the backs of Canadians , all sneaky like with NO canadian input at all.
He is just as pro-American as Ignatius!
I rest my case!

Elizabeth, Ontario
said

How quickly the opposition parties forget what their plans were just a few short months ago when they were forming the proposed coalition. Iggy needs to head back south. He is only interested in grandstanding. No surprise that Layton is making lots of noise - doing what he's good at. I believe our government has done exactly what needed to be done at this time given the economic trends worldwide. The opposition members can make all the noise they want -- no one is listening.

Edwin from Toronto
said

Solutions to get out of recession:

Use $20 billion to save 6,100 GM jobs
Buy stocks of bankrupt companies
Pay autoworkers $57/hr
Keep minimum wages below $10/hr

Jackie Barrett
said

BMM, you're mistaken about Japan having low deficits in comparison to Canada.

Currently, Japan is going through a major depression as their economy contracts over 15%.

Furthermore, Japan is still wrestling with the world's second high public debt levels at close to 200% of GDP, putting them in line with Zimbabwe, Lebanon, and Jamaica.

The only reason Japan is not bankrupt is because of their high savings account levels, which they can use to pay off their public debts easily.

However, if we don't get our deficits and debts under control, then developing countries like China will end up controlling Canadian finances like they are doing to the United States.

Jay, Ottawa
said

Prof. Pye Chartt said, "...let's move the discussion forward to something more material and constructive...Under Prime Minister Michael Ignatieff, what do you HONESTLY believe the federal deficit would be?"

Now how would blind speculation be more material and constructive that discussing the current reality? You need to stop seeing everything as political labels. Maybe that would help.

John
said

Either the fools who said that history shows conservatives run deficits and liberals run surpluss must be pretty young OR your just damn stupid. The beginning of deficit financing started with finance minister JEAN CREITION, I know that must hurt all of you liberals but the fact is that 1 dollar in my pocket is worth a dollar, in the governments hands it is worth a little better than 55 cents. The simple fact is the lib, dips and bloc demanded 30 to 45 billion deficit financing the cons gave them what they wanted and now polls show that this issue can give the libs power so Iggy does what he does best he flips on the issue and expects us all to drink the Kool-Aid. It always amazes me how history is so clear and objective on people in power, 16 year after leaving power history shows that Mulroneys policies are working and now the grits hold the gst, free trade and balanced budgets to there heart as their creations. Why 25 years after their suppossed greatest leader Trudeau almost non of his policies has lasted the only one that has is a Constitution that is not excepted by all provinces and a bill of rights that is seriously flawed. History actually shows that the Conservative party has always been good for this country, And the libs are the policy stealers and will do what ever it takes to get power. Just remember there are 5 different faces on our money the queen, 1 lib PM MacKenzie-King and 3 Cons MacDonald, Laurier, & Borden

George from Thunder Bay
said

Indeed as do the vast majority of the G7 and G20.It is the consensus of the majority,and agreed upon at their last meeting that the preferred policy to stimulate their economies is to invest heavily in infrastructure.in order to stimulate their economies.Almost all these countries, including most if not all, of the Industrialized countries are going into substantial deficits to do so.Many in the 10% of GNP range. Canada's you may ask? A controllable and moderate 3%

Gabe
said

To: SuzyB in Alta

"And at least the money that this government has spent actually goes to something useful (GST cut, Child Fitness Tax Credit, extended EI benefits, etc etc) unlike the Liberals who just squander it (remember the Sposorship scandal anyone?)"

Are you actually saying that cutting the GST was a good choice, seeing what's happening now????

And explain to me, exactly, how the Sponsorship Scandal has created out $50B deficit.

THINK, people, before you speak!

Jessica - Waterloo Region
said

I understand the need to help the average Canadian out and that takes money. What we should be concerned about however, is how that money is spent and how much of it is actually reaching the average Canadian.

I also question retraining as a focus for stimulus spending. Perhaps some of the people who are being laid off are not suitable to enter post secondary education, and don't or can't meet the standards set out by colleges and universities. Which means either more spending to provide the assistance needed to complete the courses or lowered standards, both of which will not help Canada once we come out of the recession.
Furthermore, as a recent university graduate education does not seem to mean much, as it I had difficulty finding any positions that matched my own skill set. It took almost a year to find full time employment and I am working for close to minium wage in a feild unrelated to my studies. How is educating someone going to help cut down the competition for good paying jobs?

Guy
said

I find it quite annoying how Conservative supporters (who are panicking) continue to use the "go back to the US" defence against Iggy. ENOUGH ALREADY.

At least he hasn't created slander against Harper, in the form of TV commercials, about his past as a Reform Party member who had some rather interesting views, I seem to recall.

The issue here is TRUST. It was a minor consideration in the last election, and will be a MAJOR component of the next one. The current Conservative party, its platform, and its cabinet have lost the trust and confidence, and are now making excuses.

Edwin from Toronto
said

Answer from government to bring us out of recession:

Use $20 billion to save 6,100 GM jobs.

Kevin in Toronto
said

I can't believe so many Canadian's buy into this Liberal junk.

I strongly urge everyone to read BMM's comments; particular his quote from the International Monetary Fund.

Canada took PREEMPTIVE measures to soften this recession. Canada has been criticized by the IMF because it can afford to offer DOUBLE the stimulus we already have.

Now you have the Liberal's complaining about a deficit?

I'll admit that Harper hasn't been forthcoming, even misleading - that's politics. I'm not saying it's right. But when I read what a lot of people supporting the Liberal rhetoric I almost can't blame him. Much of the electorate must actually be brain dead.

I can't say I ethically agree with how Harper has gone about things, but at the same time I don't think anyone can seriously complain about how Canada has performed during this recession. Look beyond our own backyard.

Kevin in Toronto
said

If you all think you're so good at projecting deficits then run for your party of choice instead of crying on here like an armchair quarterback. These economic times are unparalleled - we are in a low inflation, low interest rate, relatively low unemployment rate economy, yet there is a financial and manufacturing sector collapse. No one can predict 30 days from now let alone 1 year from now. Yet you're ready to lynch the finance minister. I'll tell you this much, I'd rather have him in there then any misfit from the Liberal or NDP party.

Brett in Alberta
said

@ Prof. Pye Chartt

HOW BIG WOULD A "LIBERAL" DEFICIT BE?

That is easy, ZERO, no deficit.

They would increases taxes to pay for it.

GST would be raised to 10% so nobody would want to buy anything.

Income Tax would be raised so high that nobody would want to work.

And Unemployment would sky rocket because you would have only to work 2 months before you took the rest of the year off.

Dan Ireland
said

I think many Canadians are asking the same question.
Why aren't the government employees taking a wage cut?
All the MP's and Senate earn over $ 100.000 per year plus all their freebies. At the taxpayers expense.
And why should the taxpayers keep on bailng out the auto companies.The CEO's and down the line have been milking the cow for years. Now the cow is empty and we haveto buy them a new cow so they can milk it dry again??
They are responible for their own downfall. It's called, " GREED "
I believe that it is time to revamp parliment and try a new way to govern this country.
Five people from each party to form the government.The rest are out the door.And cut the Senate in half. We pay thousand of $ per hour for these idiots to yell back and forth at each other. What a joke. We wouldn't let our children act like that!
I'll bet that 70% of parliment couldn't find their bum with both hands...
But, they are never late for lunch break.

Shirlee - SK
said

Nobody wants this debt, but reality is people everywhere are asking for financial help. Raising taxes right now would be the worst thing to do, it would result in our economy going in reverse. The people working have to stay that way and what we really need is the masses working again.

JB in Calgary
said

I need some help and explaination about something.

I don't understand what it is about the Liberals so many people support. From what I saw during the 90's it was a whole lot of overtaxation and broken promises. I seem to remember a campaign promise of getting rid of the GST and that never happened.

So many things were promised to the people and the military and when they got into power they said "oh ya sorry that isn't doable." After 13 years the Liberals were voted out, there was a short minority Lib. and then the Tories took over. So from all those years of over taxation and broken promises what has changed?

There was no major revamp of the Liberal Party, it's just another face on the package, it doesn't change the crap that is on the inside. I just don't understand how so many people can want to go back to the broken promises. 95% of the stuff they complain about they would themselves have done.

All I see is leader after leader scrambling to point the finger so the polls go in their favour. And when that leader doesn't get voted in they put another one in it's place, constantly changing the package without fixing the product.

So please tell me, what has the Liberal Party done differently from the 90's that so many people support? What is their platform now? All I see is finger pointing and no plan or are they just going to announce outlandish policies when an election happens? And then more broken promises?

Now ask yourself, what promises have the Conservatives broken? Nothing major that's for sure.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

HOW BIG WOULD A "LIBERAL" DEFICIT BE?

Rather than continuing into ANOTHER day of bitching and moaning about the size of FM Flaherty's "surprise" deficit, let's move the discussion forward to something more material and constructive for those Liberal partisans who insist on asserting that PM Harper and his Conservatives have, in the face of a global recession, single-handedly "wrecked" Canada:

Under Prime Minister Michael Ignatieff, what do you HONESTLY believe the federal deficit would be?

Here's your silver platter. Go for it!

Proud Canadian in Brampton
said

Deficits for a conservative are not an easy thing to accept. I would prefer to see the free-market system guide us out of this depression. Canada and Canadians are so blessed and so fortunate to live in this magnificent country.
Deficit spending is a reality, it�s something that has to be done to both maintain our standard of living and to help those who are most in need.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is doing the right thing for the country and her people.
Michael Ignatieff aka �Iggy�on the other hand is an opportunist. The man has spent more time as an American than he has a proud Canadian. I trust our country to the Harper government far more than to a man who came back to Canada to be Prime Minister, Iggy. Iggy has no credibility in my eyes and would not receive my vote when the next election is called. You simply can�t trust a man who is passionate about being an American to govern a country like Canada, it�s like oil and water, they don�t mix.
Let�s give Minister Flaherty the keys to the drive this country out of this recession, and not Iggy who has no vested interest or loyalty to our country and to her people.
I DON�T believe we should be bailing out the car company though. It�s like burning money. We have absolutely no guaranty or recourse when GM files for bankruptcy, Iggy knows that and should he be Prime Minster at the time, Canada and her people would be once again paying for American mismanagement.

Michael
said

The problem isn't the size of the deficit. It's that Harper's government has no idea what they're doing.

36 days ago...36 days!...Flaherty said his projections were good.

Now they're more than 40% wrong.

Any CFO of any private company would be fired for such gross incompetence, and in fact, if this was the private sector, the authorities would be investigating the possibility of fraud.

KP
said

Harper cut government revenue, by loweirng the GST and he cut taxes to the wealthy. Those surpluses that he burned through would have helped us in this time of economic uncertainty. Also what about all the money the government saved by cutting programs for women and aboriginals? Oh yeah right, he bought votes in Quebec with that a ago. well that is to say he spent money on the vote buying, I suspect that anything saved by cutting arts, womens, and aboriginal programs was used to fill the hole left by his pandering to Quebec to get votes. And what about the moeny save by "adjusting the Atlantic Accord, if Newfoundland and Labrador aren't getting the money who is? Why are they failing to provide for the unemplyed irhgt now, when the money that goes out to EI folks is only going to be used to make purchases and stimulate the economy, do the Cons thing that the unemployed can afford to simply squirrel away the money?

This government has been terrible for Canada, and the Liberals have been to, by virtue of being opportunistic and proping up this government in the hopes that it would fall on it's face trying to manage this rececssion.

And didn't Jim F. do this once in Ontario already... my my my what short memories we have, the better to elect you with I guess.

But I'm still voting Liberal next time around.

Retired Soldier in Kingston, ON
said

Canada, being an excedingly wealthy couuntry at present, can afford this massive $50 billion deficit and short term "stimulus" from the current Conservative Government.

However, the key word is short-term...no longer than 24 months maximum to preserve the ability of the Nation to bounce back and avoid substantially higher taxes in future!

This also implies that Parliamentarians of all political stripes must put the countries welfare over their own!

Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe must accept responsibility for their part in creating this massive deficit as well. Stephen Harper is just complying with their earlier threats to disolve Parliament if spending did'nt go up dramatically!

With a Federal Debt totalling approx $550 Billion+,
Canadians expect no less than prudent and transparent expenditures on all Stimulus, Automotive and Infra-structure programmes.

This will ensure that the countries fiscal balance sheet will not impair the prospects of our children!

Hopefully, Federal, Provincial & Municipal politicians are paying attention!

Pro Patria

ADM Saskatchewan
said

The Liberals, NDP and the Bloc demanded stimulus spending and help for the unemployed ... that's happening and they are still demanding and complaining. The Conservatives are doing all of this without raising our taxes. Yes the deficit will be hard to overcome but I believe worth it in the long run. Mr. Harper, keep it up!

SuzyB in Alta
said

This is all so incredibly stupid. PM Harper was FORCED by the liberals (in conjunction with their sidekick, the NDP) to spend spend spend and then spend MORE to help all those Canadians who were losing their jobs. Of course, that was all just grandstanding so that they looked sympathetic in front of their consituents, especially in liberal Ontario.

Give me a break. You scream for them to spend more, then you scream at them that they spent too much. It makes the Liberals look like opportunistic idiots.

And at least the money that this government has spent actually goes to something useful (GST cut, Child Fitness Tax Credit, extended EI benefits, etc etc) unlike the Liberals who just squander it (remember the Sposorship scandal anyone?)

Iggy, I used to think that even as a conservative I could have some respect for you as PM. Well, you have just obliterated any such sentiment. You have debased yourself with this hypocrasy. The Liberals would have us in a far greater mess if they were at the helm during this recession. Don't kid yourselves people.

whatfor
said

Defecit spending is only a positive when it's used to put back into the system and elleviate the taxpayers in services needed. But so far nothing has improved or even balanced out, people are still losing jobs, no new jobs are around or being created and price of oil seems to be on the rise again. And why should we trust Flaherty? He's the same one who put Ontario on the verge of bankruptcy when he was Finance Minister under Harris and he also sold off the highway to foreign companies for a short term solution that became a long term problem so his ability and word mean nothing to me.

Jim Leahy Sunnyvale Trailer Park Supervisor
said

I think it's time we all sat back and had a little drink. Having a little drink will stimulate the economy and everyone knows a little drink makes the world go round!

kate
said

The public overwhelmingly rejects the idea of an auto bailout and a CAW pension bail out. Yet we are now being told our debt has risen for that very same reason.

As a taxpayer I demand the government put it to a Canada wide vote - after all it's our money. And I'll save them some money by saying right now - I vote NO!! I'd rather see my tax dollars go to help the hundreds of thousands on EI instead of a select few who don't deserve it.

Edwin from Toronto
said

Federal - $16.3-billion auto bailout
Provincial - $3.6 billion auto bailout
Federal deficit - $50 billion

6,100 GM workers - created $20 billion deficit - $3 million each.

34 million Canadians - created $34 billion deficit - $10,000 each.

Most ridiculous thing in Canadian history.

Duane in SK
said

I agree spending had to happen, but if you can't predict financial budgets, deficits, they you should become a weatherman. Also, government (ultimately tax payers) should not be bailing out business (GM, Chrysler, Bombardier, etc). They are private corportations, owned by stockholders. If anyone should bail them out it should be the owners. They should have left the taxing of high income earners where it was until the debt was paid off. Remember the 3% debt reduction surtax, for those making over 70K.

Randy
said

I think Flaherty should get in line with all the other MP's from all parties that should be fired, if he can find the end of the line.

Mike
said

Raj: The 37 million you talk about is actually the 16 billion deficit they are talking about. The deficit is growing 1 billion per week.
We were lied to now their coming clean to a degree, their still hiding some to bring out later.

Red X
said

Compared to a year ago $50 billion plus is staggering considering the Harper Gov't pledged balanced budgets and surpluses during the Election.

The initial $34 billion was Flaherty's doing. Last November when he met with the IMF & World Bankers he agreed to spend 2% of GDP on STIMULUS...back then Dion was leader not Iggy. So Harpy & Flaherty are unprincipled fiscal conservatives willing to run huge taxpayer funded deficits/debt to hold power!

Rick in NB
said

And to think that back in 2002 Harper was blaming Atlantic Canada for having a defeatist attitude. Trying to sell us a 30 billion 2010 defecit is defeatistism at it's best.

Nick in Gatineau
said

Yes the defecit is the right thing to do. No-one is contesting that.

What is being contested is the fact that the Budget and the deficit were advertised as sufficient when the numbers were innacurate and inadequate from the get-go.

Second, the budget was constructed as a stimulus package above what the original budget would have been (Cancelled by Flaherty - Remember ?). The stimulus package itself was based on directives from the International bodies. Canada is a member of those International bodies. The Conservatives refused to listen to the Opposition parties who were calling for a stimulus but the moment Harper and Flaherty returned from their meetings with the membership of those international bodies, they did an about face and said a stimulus package was necessary and refused to acknowledge the opposition parties for their insight into our true economic state. A state that the Conservatives refused to discuss and admit to until it was too late.

Instead of listening to common sense domestically, they listened to the international common sense. So plainly put, the conservatives do not listen to Canadians, Canadians' Representatives or Canadian experts. Harper prefers American News than Canadians yet he is supposed to answer to Canadians.

Harper acts like an American , talks like an American and takes decisions like an American.

BTW, is he in a JFK look alike contest ?

Thirdly, you can't have a deficit is you haven't borrowed the money and haven't spent it. Otherwise, its fraudulent to say you are running one.

Fourthly, the amount of money that has been spent on Infrastructure is dismal compared to the numbers outlined as Ultra-urgent in the Budget. And these have been spent with monies that were already budgeted for those projects prior to the stimulus package.

So again...

WHERE IS THE MONEY ?

Edwin from Toronto
said

Federal - $16.3-billion auto bailout
Provincial - $3.6 billion auto bailout
Federal deficit - $50 billion

GM workers: 6,100 - created $20 billion deficit - $3 million each GM worker

Canada population: 34 million - created $34 billion deficit - $10,000 each canadian

George in Calgary
said

Out of work? Or underemployed? Or had to take a big pay cut recently? Waiting in line for EI? Don't complain. At the first chance you get join the government in some capicity. Have you seen any of the governemnt unions having to re-negotiate their contracts? Have you heard that in this economic downturn that masses of government workers have been laid off or even had to take a pay cut? Have you seen any MP's getting laid off or senators for that matter. Have you heard any of them having to take a pay cut? Have any of the MP's takene a pay cut? Or the PM? Or even "King" Iggy? Join the government folks because it is recession-proof! No cuts, no lost pensions, no lost positions; they talk but they have not had to suffer one iota.

Jason B
said

$50 billion is shocking, but, government estimates (regardless of political party) are often wrong, as we know from experience.

I am disappointed to see such a huge deficit, however, there's the pressure on governments to do something. And, The Conservatives are running a minority government, which means making concessions with the Opposition.

The Liberals, NDP, and BQ all demanded spending, and threatened to bring down the government. Under the circumstances, I think Harper and his government did what the could. Surely if they had a majority, there wouldn't be such a huge deficit now.

The GST did nothing but needlessly take even more money out of Canadians' pockets. It was irresponsibly introduced at the height of a recession, and did not deliver anything in terms of real debt reduction. Spending cuts, and better fiscal and monetary policies will bring the deficit down, not more taxation.

A good point was made about the bailout funds for the auto industry. That money would be better spent on getting individuals more training, and/or helping viable businesses and entrepaneurs.

Ray in Sask
said

First off those of you conservative supporters, you have to think why are we in this the first place this deep? let's see does the projection of the Tories last year thinking we are not in a recession to there is a small economic downturn but don't worry we will be fine to oh we'll have a small deficit, to we'll have a 34 billion dollar deficit, to now oh we'll have a 50 billion dollar deficit sound responsible and a well managed country? No it doesn't. What led up to this also is the fact that the Tories took away revenue and handed money out like candy that did not help anyone, did not create sustainable jobs. GST Cuts, income tax cuts, handing out little handouts like rather than day care funding we'll had you $100/mo child which doesn't cover diaper costs in a month all in the sake of buying your vote. Sorry TORIES HAVE GOT TO GO, Misguided, mismanaged. Just a poor party to govern the country.

Ray in Sask
said

Jim in Ontario
said

good luck to our government, and shame on Ignatieff for criticizing the deficit while demanding more spending!

Peter Rapsey
said

Balanced in 4 years??? It sounds familiar - it seems to me Flaherty indicated a surplus in Ontario when he was finance minister, the Harrisites got defeated and there was a $6B deficit on the books hidden from the legislature and the population of Ontario. Less than 6 months ago, he and Harper indicated there was no recession and there was no problem. They were wrong then and they are wrong now. We cannot afford this government much longer - not because of the deficit, but because of the incompetency.

Flaherty is wrong, as always!
said

This guy needs to be fired....along with the rest of the motley crew in charge of our country.

The cut of the GST to 5% is the very reason he is accumulating a deficit now. The CONS would like you to believe that it is the fault of everyone else but the fact of the matter is that they should have never touched the GST and follow experts advise on that subject. The ill-fated decision on the GST is hurting as the coffins are empty and they now have to borrow instead of using the safetynet that we had provided for. In short, we are paying big time for the CONS lack of maturity in governing a country.

The upside is that this country will probably never trust these reformist, sorry CONS again. Heck, Manning would have probably been a better PM. Harper's problem is that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth much like George Bush!.

It is nice to see the LEFT losing grounds in every part of the world. Time for social democracy to reign across the continents. Enough with the warmongering, economy challenged (and clueless) conservatives feeding big businesses and bleeding the populations.

Jay, Ottawa
said

CJ Alberta said, "...The liberals are power hungry, enough said."

You seem to imply that's negative. However, as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition they would have to be wouldn't they? What good would an apathetic opposition be to Canada?

Allan
said

What is so offensive is how the Conservatives tried to lie to the electorate. 'There would be no deficit', 'there might be a small deficit due to spending', and now this.

Harper says he's in control, then blames everyone else for his troubles. He played ostrich, he hid his head in the sand when he should have been thinking of the country rather than the party.

There was a time when Conservatives believed in thrift. We didn't get it under Mulroney, who we are still paying for, and we're not getting it under Harper. Bring back the Liberals - they not only balanced the budget, they paid down the debt!

Marg in Calgary
said

Harper is doing a great job!!! Our the deficit is growing 1 billion dollars per week!
The liberals are not pushing for an election.
Now that the liberals have good strong leadership, they are keeping the conservative reform alliance party (crap) in line.
Your doing a great job Mr Harper thanks for ruining Canada's economy!

Keep up the good work Iggy!!!

disband the liberal party
said

The liberal have forgotten their duty as Her Majesty's "Loyal Opposition". They are supposed to help make good government work, not be obstructionist boobs. And as for Iggy, just send him packing-he's the boob in chief.

ottawan
said

Wait a minute here. If Harper's campaign promises would have not been followed through with (albeit he kept them)we would not have lowered our income (lower taxes) and given all kinds of incentives to the voters. I call that buying votes. Now, not only is our nest egg gone, but we have less income to bail ourselves out of this mess. He should revoke his promises and raise the GST back up, so we could start paying for this. Might sound stupid to many of you who voted for him, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. I guess it will take the Liberals to come in and sweep the floors again, like they did in 1993. Some economist. As far as the coalition a few months back, I am sure some of you will want to turn responsibility over to them for this fiasco. Give it up. It was our parliament making sure something was being done. Mr. Harper seemed to avoid the economy far too long in order to get elected. So I guess he was in it for himself, aye!

AH in Ottawa
said

Now it is a 50 billion deficit, if we have this govt in the governing power, it will go up and up. Then what happens , our taxes will go up.

Something has to be done to ensure we don't go into the same problem we had in 1993.

So far it looks like we are heading in the same direction.

In 1993, Canada had a huge deficit. No wonder our taxes went up.

Raj
said

Of course it was the right thing to do.It doesn't help that the left are saying spend spend spend, then what's all this deficit spending.?? Out if all the G8 countries, we are doing the best with a PM that paid down our debt by soe 37 million, and he's a minority PM!

Canadian Dumb-Dumb
said

The Liberal party is insulting all Canadians intelligence, by blaming the budget deficit on the Conservatives. They must think we are all stupid and forgetful, and don't remember that they themselves are to blame for the deficit, by demanding the current govt. spend billions, or proceed with a coup against them with a coalition. If Canadians really agree with Iggy on this, then our country is in for serious trouble, by even considering someone displaying behaviour like Iggy for PM. Obviously the Liberals are banking on no one with a brain to be paying attention. Maybe they will start a Canadian version of ACORN, and drag every person off the street who wants a handout to vote for them?

Tk in BC
said

I wonder whether another cut in the GST by 1% would stimulate the economy further...

Wendy
said

Proud Conservative

Harper should have stood up for what he believes in, but he didn't, he got on his knees & said please don't fire me I want to dictate over my party members & to all of Canada if I can get away with it.
I'll promise tax cuts that will run the economy into the ground, I'll follow the americans on all there policies, I even hired a couple because I don't represent Canada very well myself, I introduced sub prime mortgages, you know the ones that cause the housing crisis in the usa.
I even tried to take away party funding so you would have a choice, I could dictate to all Canadians.
Please Canada can't you tell buy my childish attack ads how desperate I am to save my job so I can dictate to you all.
Harper wouldn't even make a good boy scout leader!

Andr� in Ontario
said

This is a bunch of incompetents that said not to long ago that Canada was going to have surplus for years to come & would not have a recession & would have had one by now if we would have one. Now we have a guesstimate of $50Billion plus dollars by a government that has no idea what it is doing. No leadership, no foresight & can't even battle on there record & don't want to battle on it because they're so embarrassed of how poor of a job they have done. Yes, a deficit was foreseen last summer by several out there & I myself was saying that Harper was hiding something since he was calling an election that no one needed but himself wanted to get a majority before all Canadians found out how bad they've been with managing Canada finances. All you Con can go ahead & blame the opposition & everything else when it come to the Canadian finances but it the guy running the country that decided on the road we're on now & he made that decision & must take responsibility like the Cons are always posting here for people to start taking responsibility for there own actions. But Harper wants to blame everyone else for his incompetence & I myself it's time to call an election & stop the inevitable bankruptcy of Canada under this so called economist. A true coward always blame other for there poor choices & decisions & that what the Conservatives & there supporters are when they blame the other for what they did & only them decided to do. Also remember all you Conservatives all said you didn't want a deficit but now agree with it since its Harpos.

SK Prairie Boy
said

It's what the opposition wanted him to do!! Now they're whining about it...besides, the deficit would be double that under the Iggy the American...

LAC
said

The Budget will be balanced in 4 years is laughable. I highly doubt it.

To Brad from Canada, this has nothing to do with public sector workers and unions. And also, the public service accepted and were actually forced to accept a very small pay increase after being without a contract for over a year to do its part during difficult times.

Niagara George
said

What all of this mess proves is that the Conservative mantra of low taxes, small government and the private sector will do it all; simply does not work.

If the policy doesn't work in hard times, when will it work?

If they had been in power during the good times, we would have the same banking system as the USA and our problems would be far worse.

The Liberals are far from perfect, but they sure are alot better than Harper and friends.

RVH
said

He'll prop up the Conservatives but won't take credit for all his actions. Spend or else tactics. They did this and noow you want the opposite. Gice me a break Iggy. I hear no complaints from you of Obama spending 20x that how come? Run for office in the USA, where you spent most of your life anyways

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Harper didn't create the world recession but he did create the mess Canada is in. Canada would not be in any where near this deep if the GST would not have been cut.
The GST is only pennies out of your pocket, but billion out of government coffers.
I guess its uneducated, selfish, low life type people hear tax cut & vote conservative. The have not a clue how to run a country only me me me, like Harper doing nothing for Canada. The attack ads are to try to save his job, he see's a great strong leader in Ignatief & is afraid for his job.
History shows the cons put us in a deficit & the liberals run a surplus.

TimT
said

Perhaps if the conservatives weren't so absolutely incompetent to cut the GST which as done NOTHING but cause a bigger deficit. The conservatives seem to think they can have their cake and eat it too. If you spend money, you have to have some revenue! This song and dance about raising the gst, is completely ludicrous. How on earth are they going to reverse the soaring deficits without increasing government revenue? You have to be a blithering fool to believe you can continue to cut taxes, and believe simply cutting a program or two will do the job.

It's time Canadian wake up to these incompetent fools, and realize, they are even worse than the mulroney conservatives.

Dorward
said

Ok ok.... Harper said Canada would be spared from the recession, then said a technical recession, then said we would have a slight deficit dealing with the now accepted recession, then he said $34B and now $50B, how can we trust that him and flaherty will be right about the next year, or the year after that.

Secondly, the opposition called for more spending, but now say there has been too much spending, so Harper and Flaherty are right about that.

It is politics like this that makes everybody hate politicians and for Canada to have such a pitiful voter turnout.
At least Bob Ray would have been honest about the spending from the start and would have had experience dealing with the recession.

And all of those who complain about politics and never vote... maybe if you voted politicians would know there is something to work for and that they will be held accountable.

KMC (Markham, ON)
said

It's a bit rich to hear the opposition parties howling about the deficit. Only a few months ago they were demanding a forty billion dollar "stimulus package and, if they didn't get it, they'd bring down the Government. This is, after all, a minority government and, had they refused to comply with the opposition's demands, they would have been accused of "acting like a majority" or failing to "work with" the opposition.
Now that we have the Liberal/NDP massive deficit,
their hypocrisy knows no bounds.

CJ Alberta
said

Liberals threaten to form coalition if the government does not spend, so conservatives spend and they are still not happy. The liberals are power hungry, enough said.

Joyce
said

The deficit wouldn't be as bad if he hadn't given tax cuts to people earning over $50,000, who are fortunate and can live comfortably without it. There are a lot of people who earn only $20,000 or less in this country, and now there are some who have lost their earnings. By the way, he didn't add a cent to the guaranteed supplement for seniors on low income, e.g.
$15,000, who would spend the money in Canada.
Those who earn over $50,000 often spend the money in the US or other countries.

Guy
said

The issue here is that the budget was passed by a confidence vote, and is now being altered.

Have another confidence motion on this new breech-of-budget and see what the outcome is.

That's all that needs done, really, instead of whining about it.

Just another example of the Conservatives mis-managing.

And yes - Mr. Harper, show some ownership/responsibility on YOUR cabinet and fire Flaherty for this. Canada will fire you, in turn, soon enough.

Large recessions = large deficits
said

For the Liberal party to be balking at the deficit is more than a little hypocritical given they all but forced the government into opening up the purse strings and now they are crying foul. Once again it shows that Liberals have no intention of helping make Canada strong but their only interest is getting power and looking after themselves.

We are in a severe recession and hopefully soon to come out of it. It calls for deficit spending to meet the needs and Prime Minister Harper and his team are doing just that.

"Sit down Mr. Ignatieff until you have something worthwhile to say otherwise suck it up"

BMM
said

Compared to other countries such as the US, all of the EU countries, China, Russia and Japan our deficit per capita is relatively small. Reuters reporter yesterday that this announcement had zero effect on the markets because it is so insignificant and because as the WMF report states �Canada has been proactive in taking pre-emptive monetary measures over the past three years to mitigate the effects of the recession. Particularly their significant debt reduction measures�� In fact the only thing that the WMF criticizes Canada for is not running a larger deficit saying that we �have the fiscal capacity to at least double our stimulus spending��

As for the Liberals, for them to assert that if they were in power they would be spending more on stimulus and there would be no deficit means one thing, higher taxes. They can�t have it both ways so which is it? It is more likely that since they don�t even have a platform yet they are just confused and have no plan at all? Like Iggy says- we are not the Government, it is not our job to come up with ideas and solutions, we are the opposition so our job is just to oppose. With that attitude we can only hope that he will have that job for many years to come.

NB
said

We need to get rid of this government ASAP.

Chris in Ontariariari-Oh!
said

The full extent of this recession will take year's to reconcile as the cost to service's,stimulus spending and lost tax revenue will saddle us with debt for year's to come.It will take year's to get out of deficit spending as this is a recession like none we have seen in the past except maybe the Great Depression.It will take a great toll on the government to meet the expectation's of Canadian's but the government can't be everything to everybody as this will only add a greater burden on government finance's and prolong this recession as we will take longer to get out of deficit financing.This talk of further loosening E.I. will lead to further cost to the government and lead to possible abuse's of the system.Let's face it all you have to do is get your boss to lay you off after 9 week's and you could sit on your ass for up to a year and collect pogey.Who is going to check up on you as the system is taxed and official's won't be capable to keep up with the demand's.I agree with the greater emphasis on training as this will get some of these people off the couch and into a classroom where they may learn something useful.Anyway, we are in a global recession and until demand for our good's increase's we will have to ride this thing out without too much pain and expect our lifestyle to reflect the circumstance's we are faced with.I think it is not as bad as the media make it out to be as there seem's to be a lot of contractor's getting by thank's to the tax rebate on renovation's.This has convinced people to spend on project's they were otherwise putting off and that seem's to be helping.

atlanticvision
said

Agree with first comment. The continued parliment dysfunction is tiring, huge disappointment and very expensive. We the people have created this mess, it is time to clean house AND the media needs to responsible for more valuable material to feed the minds of the masses

Brad from Canada
said

When will he do the right thing for all Canadians and ROLL back the over bloated pay and benifits of all government workers like MOST private sector companies have done? Sounds like a no brainer to save money and make EVERYONE feel the pain of the recession but that would take leadership and these guys have no control and don't even know how much into the hole we are going! Stand up to the Unions and just say NO MORE!!!!! If they go on strike just think of how much would be saved.

Peter 1951
said

The Liberal, NDP and the Bloc are all calling for Finance minister Jim Flaherty to be fired, but for some reason they seem to forget that just 6 months ago when those three parties formed the Separatist coalition to bring down the conservatives, it was the Coalition that said the stimulus package should be 30 to 40 billion dollars. Now the conservatives have done what they want they are all screaming fire Jim fire Jim. It is like I said before if "IGGY" and his band of pirates show me, and the rest of Canada what their plan for this country is, they just might get my vote. But right now all I see from �IGGY� is his bulling attitude that he learned while he was becoming an American. For years all we heard from Quebec is that we don�t like the Conservatives they are just like the Americans, but now they are going to vote in and American that has only live in Canada for 4 of his last 40 years, what a joke.

Ohh My 87
said

I have two opinions on this:

1. Of course we'll have a deficit due to the recession but we shouldn't be putting billions of dollars into the auto industry to "save it". It a dying industry. Putting money into it is like putting money into the Titanic as it hits the ice burg!! The money should be given to those affected by job loss so they can re-train and get into another career. I hear RIM is hiring!

2. Iggy only wants an election and will jump on anything so he can force an election. That causes more spending!! Can we please fire Parliment and bring in a whole new crowd that has some sort of comon sense instead of this non-sense