Posts Tagged ‘US financial crisis’
Ignatieff demands 360 hours for EI eligibility
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 Harper on Sky News London
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.
Ignatieff clears Senate roadblock to enhanced EI benefits
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.
Harper’s optimistic economic outlook
Stephen Harper predicts Canada will emerge from the global recession faster than other countries, and stronger than before.
Canada was the last advanced country to fall into this recession, we will make sure its effects here are the least severe, and we will come out of this faster than anyone, and stronger than ever.
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Barack Obama visits Canada
President Obama and Prime Minister Harper answer questions from the media during Obama’s first foreign visit to Ottawa.
Afghanistan
Climate Change
Free Trade and Economic Integration
Coalition dies as Liberals support Conservative budget
The Liberal Party will support the 2009/10 Federal Budget against the wishes of their coalition partners in the Bloc and NDP.
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he is putting the government “on probation” with a budget amendment requiring the government to report back to Parliament in March, June and December.
Ignatieff refused to consult with the government on the creation of the budget, and the Liberals did not include any specific policy proposals in their budget amendment.
I did not consult him in advance, I see no obligation to … I told the Prime Minister very clearly: I’m the leader of the oppostion, he’s the Prime Minister. Its his budget, not mine.- Michael Ignatieff
NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe say the move effectively kills the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition.
Stephen Harper is going to remain in office because Michael Ignatieff has decided to to keep him there.
- Jack Layton
The coalition is dead, its finished, its over.
- Gilles Duceppe
Flaherty announces $34 billion deficit, prepared for more
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced the Canadian government will return to deficit spending as he tables the first recession budget in over a decade.
The budget includes stimulus spending on infrastructure projects, a home renovation tax credit, and income tax cuts for those earning less than $80,000 per year. The government is expected to run a deficit of $33.7 billion for the 2009-10 fiscal year and $29.8 billion in 2010/11.
Flaherty said the uncertain economic outlook may still get worse, and the government is prepared to for larger deficits if current forecasts prove optimistic.
The budget includes a plan to return spending to a surplus after 5 years, and promises any future surpluses would be used to pay off the debt accumulated from deficit spending during the recession.
Links:
Ignatieff launches scathing attack on Harper
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff launches a scathing attack on Stephen Harper during his first keynote speech at a luncheon hosted by the Canadian Club of Toronto and the Empire Club of Canada.
Ignatieff rejects Harper’s budget consultation offers
January 9 to 19, 2009 - Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he will not consult with the Harper government on the upcoming federal budget.
The Conservative government invited opposition parties to make specific policy proposals.
Ignatieff refused, saying he will wait and evaluate the budget but not take part in the government’s consultation process.
I’m not writing the budget. I’m not in consultultation with Mr. Harper about the budget … it’s the Prime Minister’s responsibility to write that budget, not mine.
- Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff
New Liberal leader Ignatieff prepared to lead coalition government
The Liberal Party executive have appointed Micheal Ignatieff as the interim leader of the Liberal Party until he is acclaimed at a formal leadership convention in May 2009.
Ignatieff took direct aim at Stephen Harper in his first press conference as Liberal leader, saying he is prepared to defeat the Conservatives and lead a coalition government.
I am prepared to vote non-confidence in this government. And I am prepared to enter into a coalition government with our partners.
- Micheal Ignatieff
Related videos:
- Video: Dion attacks Harper at debut press conference (December 14, 2006)
