“We always have to remember that if the federal government has a deficit, then it means some other sector has a surplus. We need to understand which sector that is and, more importantly, if it’s desirable. In this case, the surplus will likely be created for high-income households and large, foreign-owned companies benefiting from defence spending—they are on the other side of this deficit.”
“This didn’t have to be the case. The government could have provided more support for unemployed workers through better Employment Insurance (EI) or beefed up one of the various low-income transfers. It could also have raised taxes on the rich in order to protect and improve public services.”
Seems like once again Pierre saves the Liberals. Look like there’s at least 1 more Conservative that will cross over of not more.
I really don’t know how Conservatives even attempt to defend this guy.
- 2 decades of office with nothing to show for it.
- Then loses one of the easiest election ever.
- and still losing seats 6 months later to seemingly give the Liberals majority.
You forgot “rejected by his own constituents so gloms on to the surest seat in all the land instead of gracing us all with a quick exit”.
If he keeps doing what he’s doing, I kinda want him to stick around…
This style of politics where you only have to be better than your plausible opposition will end poorly for Canada especially when the bar is set so low. See America for reference.
I’ll also add C2(more power in guise of security) and C5(more power in guise of economy) that people have problems with during a Liberal cabinet wait until Conservatives are in power and they abuse them.
Agree on both points.
No one actually wants an election right now (not even the Conservatives, if they’re honest about it). I predict that several Opposition MPs are going to mysteriously come down with the flu on the day of the vote, so that it can be passed without anyone admitting why.
I can’t remember where I heard it (maybe on a CBC panel?) but MPs can vote remotely now, like on their phone or whatever. I wasn’t aware of this before, but it does mean that an abstention can no longer be handwaved away.
@patatas Not a chance. This is passing, one way or another.
My best guess at this point is that any potential floor-crosser is currently trying to extract as much federal spending for their riding as they can. Carney will be happy to oblige, of course; he just wants power.
My secret hope is that a couple of the Liberals that still care about climate and social programs (Gould? Erskine-Smith?) will leave the party, but I don’t think any of them have real backbone. Happy to be surprised though.
I don’t see how any good can come from a liberal majority.
Too bad the NDP self destructed.
@patatas It’s a tough situation for the PM, and I really don’t think he’s too worried about the power, but more the ability to get things done. He doesn’t seem to be one to mess around too much. And none of the parties are even close to ready for an election, and I honestly think the liberals would get a majority in a walk anyways. So there might be slight shift in seats, but lots of work to do still for all involved. And like the idea of distancing ourselves from the US…so let’s go!
Minority governments require negotiation. Every leader met w/ Carney pre-budget; none got anything they asked for. If Carney wanted to “get things done”, then why is he not working with the other elected members of parliament to do so?
Edit: also recent polling doesn’t look that amazing for the Liberals or Carney. The NDP could regain official party status in a new election, and disapproval of Carney and the Liberals has been rising. A majority is still within reach, but it’s not a foregone conclusion IMO.
