Layton Promises Balanced Ndp Budget

[Michael Hardner]

Toronto Star

OTTAWA (CP) - Balanced books, zero deficit, close scrutiny of federal spending programs - these will be planks in Jack Layton's new NDP platform and policies that might almost fit comfortably into Liberal campaign literature.

Layton, soon to celebrate his first anniversary as New Democrat leader, is working to repair what has long been the party's Achilles heel: economic and fiscal issues.

...

He may be on to something, said pollster Donna Dasko, vice-president of Environics.

"Canadians do want governments to be fiscally prudent and not running amuck. . .and that is where the voters are that the NDP want to get," she said from Toronto.

Layton's plan will include:

Balanced books in each fiscal year.

No federal deficit, except in national emergencies such as a major SARS outbreak, war, or a natural disaster.

Ongoing reviews of all federal spending programs.

Introduction of the so-called Tobin tax on daily cross-currency trading to discourage short-term disruptions in currencies.

Very smart political move. As Layton drives for the political centre, his vote totals will only go up.

This could be a dangerous scenario for Martin. If Harper and Layton both move to the centre and present themselves as capable, trustworthy leaders Martin will risk being squeezed out by both sides.

[maplesyrup]

I wonder if Jack Layton's NDP are going to propose a taxation strategy based on Tom Kent's recent report entitled "Repair of Taxation".

[Craig Read]

Who Cares. NDP are a joke. Equal misery for all.

[sir_springer]

Layton can promise the moon...and probably will before he's done.

He's not ever going to Prime Minister.

He'll be lucky to win his own seat.

A federal NDP government?

Now if that isn't our worst nightmare come true, eh?

[Pellaken]

if the NDP is a joke, the conservative party is an entire stand-up routine!

[westcoast99]

if the NDP is a joke, the conservative party is an entire stand-up routine!

The NDP is at 12% in the polls. The CPC is at 25%, without a leader or policies.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Gugsy

[sir_springer]

Can anyone here imagine the NDP in charge of the gun registry?

And what they would do with it, given half a chance?

It would be Britain and Australia all over again...only worse.

Which is one good reason I'm so opposed to registration.

We have no idea today who is going to end up in control of that time bomb tomorrow.

One other thought...

The NDP gets elected, Alberta separatism would go ballistic. It would be the final straw for them. I know it would be for me...and I live in BC.

[Pellaken]

Can anyone here imagine the NDP in charge of the gun registry?

And what they would do with it, given half a chance?

It would be Britain and Australia all over again...only worse.

Which is one good reason I'm so opposed to registration.

We have no idea today who is going to end up in control of that time bomb tomorrow.

One other thought...

The NDP gets elected, Alberta separatism would go ballistic. It would be the final straw for them. I know it would be for me...and I live in BC.

IIRC, every year in britain, 100 people are killed by guns

in the US?

64,000

the US has 5 times the populaiton of the UK