Canuck Politics

Stephen Harper defended his government’s economic stimulus package in response to a recent Fraser Institute report claiming the stimulus had no effect on GDP.

We’re not going to act on the basis of ideology, we’re going to act on the basis of what the economy needs.  And that is what we have done.

- Stephen Harper

Related Links:

• Fraser Institute: With all due respect Mr. Harper, you are wrong. Stimulus spending doesn’t work

Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered an anti-protectionist message to top officials representing the leaders of the G20 as he presented five priorities for their upcoming meeting in Toronto.

Liberals Michael Ignatieff and Gerard Kennedy accuse the Harper government of allocating more infrastructure spending to Conservative-held ridings than to ridings held by opposition parties.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff defended taxes and promoted an activist roll for government in a luncheon speech at the Toronto Board of Trade.

Links:

• Transcript of Ignatieff’s speech to the Toronto Board of Trade
• Tax hike likely unavoidable, Liberal leader says

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canada will run deficits until budget year 2014/15, two years longer than originally projected.

Opposition parties say Flaherty is incompetent and cannot be trusted.  Liberals promise their alternative plan will be unveiled during the next election.

Links:

• Update of Economic and Fiscal Projections (September 2009)

May 26 to 28, 2009 - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canada’s 2009/10 budget deficit will grow to over $50 billion, about 50% higher than the $34 billion deficit projected in January.

Liberals demanded Flaherty’s resignation for ‘gross incompetence’.

The government defended its deficit, saying it is necessary during a recession and affordable given Canada’s favourable fiscal position relative to other leading economies.

Links:

• The Economist: How indebted rich countries will be in 2014

May 13 to May 26, 2009 – Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff demands a national eligibility standard for Employment Insurance that would allow jobless workers to qualify for benefits after working 360 hours.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is interviewed on Sky News while at the G-20 meeting in London, England.

Harper rejects a global financial regulator, saying soverign countries will never accept international regulation of their monetary policies.

March 3 to 12, 2009 - Micheal Ignatieff tells Liberal Senators to pass the Conservative budget without any further delay.

Liberal Senators were intending to examine the budget, break it up into several parts, and pass the stimulus measures by March 27.

Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty urged Liberals to pass the budget immediately so unemployed Canadians can access expanded Employment Insurance benefits.