Harper speech at FCM

[Topaz]

Harper made a speech to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities telling them that the stimulus money won't last forever and I 'm sure with experiences, the mayors well know this. The mayors also said that it shouldn't take an economic crisis to get help from the Feds. When the package runs out in March 31, 2011, we will see EI go up again and unemployment. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100528/national/harper_mayors_1

[Smallc]

I see no projections from anyone that fit your predictions. I have however, seen projections that show the exact opposite:

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said in a report issued Wednesday that the central bank should tighten its policy lending rate gradually, but without delay.

“The Bank of Canada should start normalizing its policy rate without delay and tighten gradually” through 2011, the OECD said in its latest Economic Outlook.

“Governments should let remaining temporary stimulus measures expire to avoid over-stimulating the economy as it recovers on its own.”

Article by Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew

In other words, Harper is right.

Edited May 28, 2010 by Smallc

[Shady]

Exactly. If you don't let temporary government stimulus expire, then you create an artificial bubble. March of 2011 is quite a long time from now. And the economy should have had 4 or 5 quarters of solid growth under its belt.

Edited May 28, 2010 by Shady

[Borg]

Stimulua money is money stolen from the little guy who works his ass off to make big companies happy and support multi million dollar salaries

Borg

[Topaz]

I'm not saying the stimlus money shouldn't stop I'm just saying its a temporary fix and I still don't believe there are going to be good paying jobs for those who will find themselves on EI, plus the 500-700,000 unemployed now. We are seeing now in some provinces the welfare cases going up and the food banks are very busy. Most of these jobs are in construction and not everyone can do those jobs and if you are over 50, you have a tougher time find a job.

[Keepitsimple]

I'm really having trouble with the concept of cities somehow being able to deal directly with the Federal Government. Harper hasw it right. Our Constitution puts cities under the realm of Provinces - and why would it be any other way? Why would anyone want to create yet another level of government to cause squabbles. Today for example, there is some "inequity" in that many immigrants and refugees settle in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. There is already a mechanism in place for the Provinces to work with the Feds to provide some reasonable accomodation for that. There's a big cry about infrastructure.......but again, this should be a cooperative plan between the Province and the city. It's up to the Province to work with the Feds to resolve any genuine inequities.....it's their responsibility - and voters should hold then accountable. Every level of government will always try to get money if you give them a "source" to pry it from. I see no rationale for cities to demand funds directly from the Feds - gas tax notwithstanding.

Perhaps some posters can bring up circumstances that they think there really needs to be a City/Fed relationship - one that cannot be fulfilled by the Province/Fed relationship.