Liberals demand action in budget.

The Liberals are pathetic. They have absolutely no backbone. If the polls were suddenly to shift strongly to the Liberals then they would finally find the gumption to topple the Conservatives but otherwise whether the Conservatives take decisive action or not the Liberals will take dramatic action themselves by abstaining. If the Conservatives should actually provide a stimulus package that the Liberals find people approve then you can bet your bottom dollar the Liberals will vote for the budget.
Canadians need to take advantage of the fact that Canada has a multi-party system We can vote for other parties and fork the two main parties on to the compost heap. Of course the main parties have so few grass roots organic material they may not even make good compost.
By asking for action in the budget the Liberals are in effect asking for an addition to what they have already called a bribe, the promised Harper aid program.




Liberals demand action in budget

Tories urged to address possibility of recession and help Canadians

Jan 22, 2008 04:30 AM
Les Whittington
Ottawa Bureau

KITCHENER–Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is demanding the Conservative government take decisive action in its upcoming budget to help Canadians steer clear of a recession.

"We hope that the government will not be passive, that the government for once will have a plan to help this country face the economic difficulties that this government did not foresee at all," he said after meeting with his caucus.

Behind Dion's demand is the threat that the Liberals could join other parties to defeat the minority Conservatives – forcing an election – if the budget fails to adequately address the economy's woes.

"We all agree that we need to look at the budget to see if it is in the interests of Canadians to accept this budget or not accept this budget," Dion said.

The sudden prospect of a recession in Canada's industrial heartland added an urgent new note to the Liberals' three-day caucus retreat, where pre-election strategy is the dominant theme.

While some MPs and senators want to hold off to give their leader more time to establish his reputation with voters, Dion is said to be impatient to dump Stephen Harper's government, which he passionately believes has shirked its economic management responsibilities.

"The burden of responsibilities on the shoulders of all of us is bigger than ever and it includes the Prime Minister, who has been unable to prepare the nation for these international (economic) difficulties," Dion said.

Liberals are confident that they can only benefit when voters compare Harper's approach with Dion's willingness to use Ottawa's resources to soften the economic shocks. The Conservatives have often rejected pleas for help from manufacturers, the provinces and cities, preferring to rely mainly on tax cuts to stimulate the economy.

"Where we really differ from the Conservatives – and this is particularly important when the economy is showing weakness – is that we think it's crucial for the government to play an active role in partnership with sectors that are in trouble, with cities and communities and with individuals who are in trouble," said John McCallum, Liberal MP and finance critic.

He contrasted this approach with that of the Conservatives. "Stephen Harper is the ideological soulmate of (former Ontario premier) Mike Harris – and (Finance Minister) Jim Flaherty worked for Mike Harris – so they are taking a totally stand-off approach to the economy."

With economic uncertainty mounting, Flaherty may move up the date of the next budget to early February. But the Conservatives appear to have precious little resources to undertake the spending and new programs that might be needed to inoculate the economy from the recession threatening to take root in the U.S.

By increasing program spending by a whopping 14 per cent over two years while chopping income taxes and the GST, Flaherty has left his cupboard mostly bare. Projected planning surpluses amount to only $1.4 billion in 2008-09 and $1.3 billion in 2009-10.

Aside from a promised extension in the two-year tax break for companies buying machinery and the $1 billion in aid for one-industry towns announced earlier this month, there are few indications of what, if anything, Flaherty is planning to put in his next budget.

Dion is calling for targeted spending measures to help individuals and businesses weather the likely economic storm.

Gerard Kennedy, the Liberal candidate in Parkdale-High Park, said: "I think we have to protect Canadians. I think we have to protect the Canadian economy."

But he and other Liberals expressed fear that toppling the government during a period of economic trouble might be seen as unsavoury political opportunism.

"Mr. Harper has had a dearth of initiatives and stewardship on that front but we have to also be mindful that there may be measures required where government has to be in place."

The caucus meeting wraps up today with a speech by Dion. MPs return to Parliament next week.