Harper's surprise visit to Baghdad

Shady · May 5, 2015

A 13 billion dollar surplus turned into a 6 billion dollar deficit in 2 budgets, mostly by cutting gst. Its not calculus...

Yes, it's just a coincidence that the deficit started at the time of the recession, and has been shrinking ever since, now entering a balance and surplus again.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

Yes, it's just a coincidence that the deficit started at the time of the recession, and has been shrinking ever since, now entering a balance and surplus again.

Smoke and mirrors my friend. Got the surplus by raiding the rainy day fund of 2 billion, selling off GM shares and, the one they have tried to hide, the wheat board. Those are one timers. Dont fall for Joe Olivers or Harpers BS.

GostHacked · May 5, 2015

Thanks for proving my point. It clearly started in 2008, when the recession hit, was at it's biggest in 2009, and has been shrinking ever since. You're "it clearly started well before the recession" is completly and utterly false.

So, what happened in 2008 that would cause a recession? Better yet, what happened a couple years before the recession?

Edited May 5, 2015 by GostHacked

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

How about sub prime mortgage lending courtesy of the lovely Mr. Bush for starters.

Smallc · May 5, 2015

Smoke and mirrors my friend. Got the surplus by raiding the rainy day fund of 2 billion,

You understand, as you've already been told, that there is no rainy day fund? The $3B (now $1B) is a buffer zone between surplus and deficit. The buffer has been shrunk for this year. What this means is that they're actually forecasting a $2.4B surplus, because at the end of the year, the buffer becomes part of the surplus.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

You understand, as you've already been told, that there is no rainy day fund? The $3B (now $1B) is a buffer zone between surplus and deficit. The buffer has been shrunk for this year. What this means is that they're actually forecasting a $2.4B surplus, because at the end of the year, the buffer becomes part of the surplus.

Its actually properly called a contingency fund. And as such it was created to offset some sort of non predictable event such as a flood etc. Using it arbitrarily to put on a show of a balanced budget coming into an election cycle is not its purpose, and is clearly a sign of desperation.

Shady · May 5, 2015

How about sub prime mortgage lending courtesy of the lovely Mr. Bush for starters.

Lol, now you're just purposely lying.

Shady · May 5, 2015

Its actually properly called a contingency fund. And as such it was created to offset some sort of non predictable event such as a flood etc. Using it arbitrarily to put on a show of a balanced budget coming into an election cycle is not its purpose, and is clearly a sign of desperation.

You really can't stand that there's a surplus can you.

Smallc · May 5, 2015

Its actually properly called a contingency fund.

No, actually it isn't. What you're talking about is a pot of money built up over the years to cover future deficits. This isn't that. This money doesn't actually exist.

Topaz · May 5, 2015

The opposition parties have also said the Tories were in a deficit before the global turn turn and the Tories have never denied it. The have added 164 Billion to the national debt and using the excuse of the "global downturn" but when ever a province , like Ontario, used it, it wasn't good enough. By reducing the GST, its added to the debt and increased the interest on that debt. The Tories have raise taxes but many are hidden and many are in those huge budgets take 1000 years to read! As far as Harper going to Baghdad, they have made of mess with the vets and now with an election, he needs every vote he can get and that 's why many MP's also went to Holland, that have never gone before.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

No, actually it isn't. What you're talking about is a pot of money built up over the years to cover future deficits. This isn't that. This money doesn't actually exist.

Well you better tell Harper that because that what he calls it. But you are partially right, 2 billion of it no longer exists.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

You really can't stand that there's a surplus can you.

After almost a decade, dont you think its about time. Even if it is a bit of a phony one.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

Lol, now you're just purposely lying.

You never heard of the sub prime mortgage lending fiasco....where ya been..

Smallc · May 5, 2015

Well you better tell Harper that because that what he calls it. But you are partially right, 2 billion of it no longer exists.

It never did exist. It's not my fault you don't understand

Smallc · May 5, 2015

After almost a decade, dont you think its about time. Even if it is a bit of a phony one.

How many other G7 economies are running a surplus? How many provinces?

Smallc · May 5, 2015

The opposition parties have also said the Tories were in a deficit before the global turn turn and the Tories have never denied it.

I'm quite sure they have, since that isn't true.

The have added 164 Billion to the national debt and using the excuse of the "global downturn" but when ever a province , like Ontario, used it, it wasn't good enough.

The difference of course being that Ottawa no longer has a deficit, and Ontario has a larger one than last year.

By reducing the GST, its added to the debt and increased the interest on that debt.

It's not actually quite that simple.

The Tories have raise taxes but many are hidden and many are in those huge budgets take 1000 years to read!

Give us some examples.

As far as Harper going to Baghdad, they have made of mess with the vets and now with an election, he needs every vote he can get and that 's why many MP's also went to Holland, that have never gone before.

After this many years, there's no way he should be ahead in the polls, yet he is.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

It never did exist. It's not my fault you don't understand

So you think 3 billion bucks doesnt exist...not my fault you dont understand. How about the GM stocks, are those not real as well I wonder...

Edited May 5, 2015 by On Guard for Thee

Smallc · May 5, 2015

So you think 3 billion bucks doesnt exist...not my fault you dont understand. How about the GM stocks, are those not real as well I wonder...

The $3B was a deficit cushion. What that meant is that the budget surplus always came in at $3B more at the end of the year. Now it will be $1B more. As for the GM stocks, yes, they are the reason that the budget balanced this year. The reason that it almost didn't was the collapse in the price of oil, something no one was forcasting.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

The $3B was a deficit cushion. What that meant is that the budget surplus always came in at $3B more at the end of the year. Now it will be $1B more. As for the GM stocks, yes, they are the reason that the budget balanced this year. The reason that it almost didn't was the collapse in the price of oil, something no one was forcasting.

The federal emergency fund (or rainy day fund) is typically not included in deficit or surplus calculations. Harper just clawed back 2 of the 3 billion available ad did include it in those calculations, since he was off by about 5 billion in his previous surplus forecast. And yes a lot of that was due to falling oil revenues, which brings us back to the all the eggs in one basket idea.

Smallc · May 5, 2015

The federal emergency fund (or rainy day fund) is typically not included in deficit or surplus calculations.

It is after the fact. After the budget year has ended it simply becomes part of the surplus money, as it was never allocated to anything (barring a major chaing in spending where budgets are blown).

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

It is after the fact. After the budget year has ended it simply becomes part of the surplus money, as it was never allocated to anything (barring a major chaing in spending where budgets are blown).

Well after the fact of this budget, there will be 2 billion less not to factor in. Unless you still think it doesnt, or didnt exist. Lets hope there is not some sort of (non existent) emergency lurking.

Smallc · May 5, 2015

Well after the fact of this budget, there will be 2 billion less not to factor in. Unless you still think it doesnt, or didnt exist. Lets hope there is not some sort of (non existent) emergency lurking.

A small deficit at this point would be irrelevant anyway.

On Guard for Thee · May 5, 2015

A small deficit at this point would be irrelevant anyway.

It would be illegal if Harper and Oliver have their way.

Keepitsimple · May 5, 2015

Well after the fact of this budget, there will be 2 billion less not to factor in. Unless you still think it doesnt, or didnt exist. Lets hope there is not some sort of (non existent) emergency lurking.

Now you're at least starting to get it!