Allow Me To Blow Away All of the Coalition's Arguments
Lie: The PM doesn't understand the extent of the economic decline, and therefore should lose the confidence of the House of Commons for not including an economic stimulus package in last Thursday's update.
Truth: The fall fiscal update is not a budget. It is not meant to be a budget. It is a report on the financial position of the Government of Canada halfway through its fiscal year. Changes made to fiscal policy are meant to achieve the goals set out in the budget six months earlier. The Government of Canada has a strict budget process, including estimates, supplementary estimates and a budget.
Truth: Canada will not wither and die if a stimulus package is not delivered right away. It would be more wise to wait for the next Federal budget so that spending can be appropriated during that fiscal year and compensated for without leading to a huge deficit.
Truth: Canada is not in recession. That would be 2 consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. Canada's GDP growth was still positive in the last quarter. Retail sales were up in September. The Government of Canada is on track for a small surplus in this fiscal year.
Lie: The Prime Minister is a bully whose attempt to eliminate the taxpayer subsidy of political parties is reason enough to lose the confidence of the House of Commons.
Truth: The Prime Minister has backed down on the taxpayer subsidy issue. His own party stood to lose 10 million dollars, the most of any party. While his party relied upon the subsidy the least, we cannot be expected to believe that the party that has ruled Canada throughout most of its history and has support in every region of Canada cannot raise funds through individual donations. If we are to believe that Canada is a left leaning country then they should be able to out-fundraise the Conservatives easily.
Truth: The Finance Minister has caved to the opposition and moved up the date of the budget to January. The earliest planned budget in Canadian history. Again, this was done to please the opposition. The minority worked as it should.
Lie: The Liberal/NDP/BQ coalition is what is best for the country.
Truth: Canada elected a minority Conservative government. The Conservatives have backed off on what was unacceptable to the rest of the House of Commons. The minority system worked as it should.
Truth: While the Bloc Quebecois are an official party and have every right to run in only one Province, they are a party committed to the destruction of Canada. For the Liberals to form a coalition with them is grossly irresponsible and unconscionable. Above all, it takes Canada for granted. The emboldened Bloc Quebecois will have renewed strength and credibility. That takes us further away from national unity and further away from the goal of defeating the sovereigntist movement. It is dangerous for the country.
Lie: A million people voted for Elizabeth May, so she should be part of government.
Truth: The same system that technically allows for this coalition also shut her out of Parliament. She won no seats, not even her own. She increased the Green vote share to 7%. A 2 point increase after hefty media coverage and participation in the debates with a national slate. For May to be willing to accept a cabinet post or Senate seat in exchange for support for a coalition backed by soveriegntists is nothing more than personal ambition and reckless disregard for the welfare of Canada.
Truth: The fall fiscal update is not a budget. It is not meant to be a budget. It is a report on the financial position of the Government of Canada halfway through its fiscal year. Changes made to fiscal policy are meant to achieve the goals set out in the budget six months earlier. The Government of Canada has a strict budget process, including estimates, supplementary estimates and a budget.
Truth: Canada will not wither and die if a stimulus package is not delivered right away. It would be more wise to wait for the next Federal budget so that spending can be appropriated during that fiscal year and compensated for without leading to a huge deficit.
Truth: Canada is not in recession. That would be 2 consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. Canada's GDP growth was still positive in the last quarter. Retail sales were up in September. The Government of Canada is on track for a small surplus in this fiscal year.
Lie: The Prime Minister is a bully whose attempt to eliminate the taxpayer subsidy of political parties is reason enough to lose the confidence of the House of Commons.
Truth: The Prime Minister has backed down on the taxpayer subsidy issue. His own party stood to lose 10 million dollars, the most of any party. While his party relied upon the subsidy the least, we cannot be expected to believe that the party that has ruled Canada throughout most of its history and has support in every region of Canada cannot raise funds through individual donations. If we are to believe that Canada is a left leaning country then they should be able to out-fundraise the Conservatives easily.
Truth: The Finance Minister has caved to the opposition and moved up the date of the budget to January. The earliest planned budget in Canadian history. Again, this was done to please the opposition. The minority worked as it should.
Lie: The Liberal/NDP/BQ coalition is what is best for the country.
Truth: Canada elected a minority Conservative government. The Conservatives have backed off on what was unacceptable to the rest of the House of Commons. The minority system worked as it should.
Truth: While the Bloc Quebecois are an official party and have every right to run in only one Province, they are a party committed to the destruction of Canada. For the Liberals to form a coalition with them is grossly irresponsible and unconscionable. Above all, it takes Canada for granted. The emboldened Bloc Quebecois will have renewed strength and credibility. That takes us further away from national unity and further away from the goal of defeating the sovereigntist movement. It is dangerous for the country.
Lie: A million people voted for Elizabeth May, so she should be part of government.
Truth: The same system that technically allows for this coalition also shut her out of Parliament. She won no seats, not even her own. She increased the Green vote share to 7%. A 2 point increase after hefty media coverage and participation in the debates with a national slate. For May to be willing to accept a cabinet post or Senate seat in exchange for support for a coalition backed by soveriegntists is nothing more than personal ambition and reckless disregard for the welfare of Canada.
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