Harper demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending

[jdobbin]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...y/politics/home

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is demanding MPs let his government bypass normal approval processes for $3-billion of stimulus spending, saying it's imperative to rush aid as the economy falters, and warning he's willing to head to another election should opposition parties block it.

The Tories are proposing the fund's cash be spent over 90 days between April 1 and June 30 and want to take shortcuts in allocating it – although they promise to report back afterward on its disbursement. Under normal procedures, money wouldn't have started flowing until June.

Liberal Finance critic John McCallum called the fund a “blank cheque” and his NDP counterpart Thomas Mulcair likened it to a “slush fund” – a charge that made Mr. Harper bristle yesterday while talking to reporters in Vancouver.

It looks like Harper the sociopath is back.

What is it about normal approvals is that escapes him? He wants to go to an election if he doesn't get his way without debate?

He wants no oversight by Parliament until after he spends money?

[eyeball]

He wants no oversight by Parliament until after he spends money?

No, he just wants to use the money to build prisons, arm every cop with a Taser and then paint anyone who says otherwise as being soft on crime.

You've got to admit a full blown escalation of the war on drugs would make a dandy stimulus plan. I bet they offer a juicy tax break to Taser International in exchange for building a manufacturing plant in Canada. Win, win win...

[charter.rights]

No, he just wants to use the money to build prisons, arm every cop with a Taser and then paint anyone who says otherwise as being soft on crime.

You've got to admit a full blown escalation of the war on drugs would make a dandy stimulus plan. I bet they offer a juicy tax break to Taser International in exchange for building a manufacturing plant in Canada. Win, win win...

War has been known to stimulate a weakened economy. Maybe Harper wants to turn the troops inward on Canadians and create his own war of terror?

Of all the bad moves that Harper could make, calling an election of not spending money is a bonehead move. You see, the problem isn;t with Parliamentary approval by bureaucratic red tape and if he calls an election over something like this it will prove that he does not have control over the government administration....opening a door for Ignatief to step right in. As, well his first parliamentary review is coming up and he has done little to move money out of Ottawa, except making announcements and more announcements that it is coming. When? NO one knows but since they can't even free up money promised 1 1/2 years ago from the Build Canada fund it is likely that Canadians will see their renovation tax credits long before any infrastructure money gets spent.

Harper is doomed. He can't win with this strategy and waiting just digs him in a bigger hole.

[Progressive Tory]

Of all the bad moves that Harper could make, calling an election of not spending money is a bonehead move. Harper is doomed. He can't win with this strategy and waiting just digs him in a bigger hole.

Harper doesn't want an election but he must also hate having his hands tied the way they are. Maybe he's just looking for a way out. It's not just the opposition who believe we must proceed with caution:

Don't rush infrastructure spending, industry group warns

"Rushing to get shovels in the ground on new infrastructure projects could push Canada in the wrong direction, a task force chaired by former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt will warn Parliament on Thursday. The industry-led group is urging the Harper government to ensure sustainability planning will be incorporated into its infrastructure stimulus package."

He probably has cronies waiting in the wings for contracts that eliminate competition.

[Muddy]

Good gosh we have some real Harper haters here! I am not a real big fan of Harper ,but the remarks of some here are not worthy of child school banter. I am against these bail outs but the speculation of what Harper would do with them is just beyond the pale.

He is not the murdering dictator like the left has produced. It is the Liberals and NDP who cry he is not doing enough fast enough ,yet are the ones holding up the legislation. They are sucking and blowing at the same time. I personally still believe any bail out to reward incompetence is stupid. But I can`t believe the vile comments you people use to describe Harper. Disgusting bunch of drivel.

[madmax]

They are sucking and blowing at the same time. I personally still believe any bail out to reward incompetence is stupid. But I can`t believe the vile comments you people use to describe Harper. Disgusting bunch of drivel.

I hear what you are saying. I would like to point out, that there are many companies that have been humming right along, have strong contracts, and their source of capital has vapourized for a variety of reasons, from tight fisted banks, to dramatic stock market collapse. A tightening of the market can take a strong company or a company that is solvent and send it quickly spiralling out of control or into bankruptcy protection, which then means even more people get screwed, (except the banks) who get their money back regardless.

Having been in many companies, I can suggest that a company has many competent people but the organizations often appear incompetent, especially the larger they get. That hasn't stopped many an incompetent company from making huge profits. Sometimes it just can't be helped

[Topaz]

Ok, so now we know that the Tories over spent by 15 Billion and yet a secret 3 Billion shows up! I say keep that money were it is or put in into the EI were it probably needed more. If the PMO doesn't take care of the 500,000 on EI and they run out of support, he may be facing more "gangs" in the future. I saw him on the news getting tougher with the Libs and thought, your "meds" need adjusting!

[jdobbin]

It is the Liberals and NDP who cry he is not doing enough fast enough ,yet are the ones holding up the legislation.

That is why the Opposition is asking the government to present the spending proposals to Parliament now so that work can be done swiftly. Harper wants to bypass that normal process and if he can't wants to go to an election.

Do you want an election based on spending not having any oversight as it goes out the door?

[Topaz]

That is why the Opposition is asking the government to present the spending proposals to Parliament now so that work can be done swiftly. Harper wants to bypass that normal process and if he can't wants to go to an election.

Do you want an election based on spending not having any oversight as it goes out the door?

Jdobbin, isn't the question does Harper? Does he think he could get a majority? I would think the voters of the Libs in the past who haven't voted, would finally get fed up with these elections and come out and vote for a Lib majority and be done with it for at least the 4 years. I see nothing wrong with the present day Libs and if they can make amends with the NDP, Canada could come out ahead.

[85RZ500]

JD I didn't catch the whole blurb but one of the news anchors was saying the budget had to be passed by a certain date or the 3bil would end up in a slush fund with absolutely no accountability.

And I for one would love to see an election, LOL, it's mean out here, who would get the majority?

Edited February 27, 2009 by 85RZ500

[jdobbin]

JD I didn't catch the whole blurb but one of the news anchors was saying the budget had to be passed by a certain date or the 3bil would end up in a slush fund with absolutely no accountability.

The budget is going through its normal procedures. Harper wants to bypass that and have the money fit in the unallocated section immediately.

And I for one would love to see an election, LOL, it's mean out here, who would get the majority?

It would probably be a repeat of the last election or another minority this time with the Liberals. Either way nothing is likely to be settled.

Harper is a sociopath if he thinks that he can go to the polls over normal Parliamentary oversight. The pollsters says each time he does this, he hurts his party.

[jdobbin]

Does he think he could get a majority?

Who knows what he is thinking. He might just want to see if he can intimidate Parliament into giving him an election but if he think this is an issue that will do it, I think he is barking up the wrong tree.

[Alta4ever]

And here I thought the coalition was brought about becasue thir wasn't going to enough stimulus spending fast enough

[jdobbin]

And here I thought the coalition was brought about becasue thir wasn't going to enough stimulus spending fast enough

A little bit of re-writing here. It was because there was no real stimulus offered in the update period.

Going through Parliament for any budget is the common oversight. Harper just doesn't want any of that oversight for at least $3 billion of the money.

[Alta4ever]

A little bit of re-writing here. It was because there was no real stimulus offered in the update period.

Going through Parliament for any budget is the common oversight. Harper just doesn't want any of that oversight for at least $3 billion of the money.

Spin spin away.

[jdobbin]

Spin spin away.

Do you believe the money should have oversight or not? Or is speed more important to you even when Flaherty says it could lead to mistakes?

[robert_viera]

Mr. Harper wouldn't be in such a rush now if Parliament had sat for more than 13 days in the second half of 2008.

Mr. Harper's decision to call an election rather than resuming Parliament after the summer break meant that Parliament wasn't able to react to the financial crisis when it broke during the election. Parliament did not resume sitting for more than a month after the election.

When Parliament finally resumed sitting, Mr. Harper's decision to downplay both the severity of the economic crisis and the necessary response and Mr. Harper's decision to include poison-pill provisions in the economic update led the opposition parties to threaten a vote of non-confidence in Mr. Harper's government. Mr. Harper's response, to prorogue Parliament for most of the next two months, further delayed any action by Parliament in response to the economic crisis.

If Mr. Harper is in a rush now, he has primarily himself to blame.