Name the next CPC and NDP leaders

[Argus]

When you claimed there was no reason to run a deficit because there was nothing wrong with the economy. You said that Harper only did it when there was an actual recession. We now know, of course, that the economy is the worst it's been since the 2009 recession, having the largest contraction since then last quarter. It seems that Trudeau was not wrong to run a $30B deficit aimed at economic improvement, getting money to people with less of it and increasing money for infrastructure.

I said there was no reason to run a deficit and there wasn't. The economists say we had a mild technical recession due to oil price and it lasted one quarter. Virtually none of the $30b deficits Trudeau is planning to run have anything to do with fighting a deficit or economic incentives anyway. Alberta, which is the center of the problem, is getting almost nothing. Federal arts programs are getting almost as much as Alberta. And they're giving WAY more money overseas to fund Trudeau's desperate effort to gain a security council seat.

[Smallc]

I said there was no reason to run a deficit and there wasn't. The economists say we had a mild technical recession due to oil price and it lasted one quarter. Virtually none of the $30b deficits Trudeau is planning to run have anything to do with fighting a deficit or economic incentives anyway. Alberta, which is the center of the problem, is getting almost nothing. Federal arts programs are getting almost as much as Alberta. And they're giving WAY more money overseas to fund Trudeau's desperate effort to gain a security council seat.

First, recessions have to last two quarters. Second, you're wrong. People don't say that anymore. The last quarter saw the largest drop in GDP since 2009. The reason? The slow economy in China and the shallow recovery in the US (some of the numbers look great, but the underlying data is weak). This means that we haven't seen much of anything in the way of positive economic news for almost two years.

Thirdly - Alberta will benefit from changes to EI, increased employment programs, increase infrastructure money, the new CCB, and emergency funds from Ottawa. Saying they get nothing is completely dishonest.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Smallc

[bush_cheney2004]

First, recessions have to last two quarters. Second, you're wrong. People don't say that anymore. The last quarter saw the largest drop in GDP since 2009. The reason? The slow economy in China and the shallow recovery in the US (some of the numbers look great, but the underlying data is weak). This means that we haven't seen much of anything in the way of positive economic news for almost two years.

Can't have it both ways...if Canada's economy was the least impacted by the recession then why are China and the U.S. more relevant now when Trudeau has the ruling government ? This does not seem to be consistent.

[Smallc]

Can't have it both ways...if Canada's economy was the least impacted by the recession then why are China and the U.S. more relevant now when Trudeau has the ruling government ? This does not seem to be consistent.

Reality has made it go 'both ways'. Therefore, it's not about me.

[bush_cheney2004]

Reality has made it go 'both ways'. Therefore, it's not about me.

It never was about you...my comment simply points out the political inconsistency, regardless of ruling party. Canada's economy is first and foremost impacted by Canadian decisions/policies in many sectors, not what happens in China or the USA, depending on which party has the votes.

Edited September 14, 2016 by bush_cheney2004

[Smallc]

It never was about you...my comment simply points out the political inconsistency, regardless of ruling party. Canada's economy is first and foremost impacted by Canadian decisions/policies in many sectors, not what happens in China or the USA, depending on which party has the votes.

Canada's economy is impacted by world events, just like everyone else's.

[Argus]

Thirdly - Alberta will benefit from changes to EI, increased employment programs, increase infrastructure money, the new CCB, and emergency funds from Ottawa. Saying they get nothing is completely dishonest.

Welfare. All you're talking about is welfare. Where's the huge economic incentive program that supposedly justifies putting us another hundred and fifty dollars in the hole?

And another hundred and fifty billion - if we're lucky - if Trudeau gets re-elected.

The truth is the economy is the last thing on this government's mind. It's simply not a priority. Social and environmental policy is the priority, as well as foreign affairs so Trudeau can get a security council seat. The economy - as long as they can keep borrowing money to please the ignorant herd - is irrelevant to them.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Argus

[bush_cheney2004]

Canada's economy is impacted by world events, just like everyone else's.

Except when Conservatives are in power ? Trudeau has been in power almost a year, so his "supporters" are going to the China/USA excuse right away ? Take a look at what the Liberals have done in/to Ontariowe....it wasn't the Chinese.

[Smallc]

The $150B figure is something you made up. Given the economic situation we're in, and given much of the money is being spent in areas that will stimulate the economy, your argument doesn't really make any sense. Economists broadly disagree with your assessment as well.

[cybercoma]

It never was about you...my comment simply points out the political inconsistency

What inconsistency? Smallc consistently defended Harper's economic record, saying the world economy posed unique challenges. That's consistent with what he's saying now. We fared the past recession better than the US. That doesn't mean we did well. We were still affected by it.

Edited September 14, 2016 by cybercoma

[Smallc]

Except when Conservatives are in power ?

Who said that?

[bush_cheney2004]

Who said that?

I did...it is a logical question given that Canada "outperformed" other economies in the wake of the "Great Recession", but now is at the mercy of "world events" just because Trudeau/Liberals are in power ? Is Trudeau less capable of handling such matters, while increasing debt as they do in Ontariowe ?

[Argus]

The $150B figure is something you made up. Given the economic situation we're in, and given much of the money is being spent in areas that will stimulate the economy, your argument doesn't really make any sense. Economists broadly disagree with your assessment as well.

I'll make a prediction, just like I did well before the election when i said Trudeau would never meet his pledge of 'only' a $10b deficit.

This government will NEVER balance the budget. It will have large deficits as long as it is in power. It has the same lack of fiscal discipline and the same style over substance approach to governing as the Ontario Liberals, who will also never balance a budget.

Most of the additional spending is program spending without time limits. So it's not like it expires. It's only going to grow, along with the cost of financing the growing debt, year by year.

[Smallc]

Most of the additional spending is program spending without time limits. So it's not like it expires. It's only going to grow, along with the cost of financing the growing debt, year by year.

Your predictions don't jive with any from any respected economist.

Certainly not the PBO:

Edited September 14, 2016 by Smallc

[Argus]

Your predictions don't jive with any from any respected economist.

Certainly not the PBO:

The PBO is not paying attention to what the government is saying but has not officially put into the budget yet, like the billions extra for natives, as one example. You don't think that's coming? All the Liberals are doing is leaving themselves ample spending room for new stuff.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Argus

[Smallc]

In other words you're making things up.

[Argus]

In other words you're making things up.

Trudeau promised to implement every single one of the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Report. That'll cost billions every year.

Unless he was lying, of course.

[Michael Hardner]

We've been off on the tangent question of 'Is the Economy Doing Fine'... shall we get back to the new CPC and NDP leaders ?

[Newfoundlander]

We've been off on the tangent question of 'Is the Economy Doing Fine'... shall we get back to the new CPC and NDP leaders ?

I was just thinking the same thing.

[Smallc]

Like i said months ago - the race is executing virtually no one. That's true of either party.

[Argus]

In a surprise move Tony Clement has quit the Tory leadership race. I'm glad to see him go, myself, since he represented everything people hated about the party, but that leaves no 'big name' figures left in the race. All the remaining contenders were minor players in the last parliament. That may be a good thing, of course.

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tony-clement-drops-out-of-conservative-leadership-race/article32327388/

[cybercoma]

Sadly, there can't be any big names in the race. Harper never really let anyone shine in his party. The few big names that were there, have already left because they saw the writing on the wall. The biggest problem is that Harper never let anyone stand apart from him. It was a political necessity and a smart move to hold together a party of disparate interests, a mix of the political right in Canada. After the party established itself as a whole, however, he ought to have allowed dissent to show that the party was flexible and to give room for political succession. But, much like his policies while in office, there was no forward thinking for the party's longevity. He started campaigning in 2006 and never stopped. They never got around to governing. They never looked forward. It was always moment to moment with the party. It's now hurting them, as they look for a successor when no one was able to stand out.

[Argus]

Nonentity Chris Axworthy to throw his hat into the Tory race. Needless to say I would pick him LAST, since he starts his campaign by doing the old hack politician trick of using immigration to appeal to ethnic voters.

 

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/chris-alexander-announces-tory-leadership-bid-wants-canada-to-boost-immigration-to-400000-a-year

[?Impact]

If they can get someone who represent real positive change like Michael Chong, then the Conservative may stand a chance.

[cybercoma]

Michael Chong will never be leader of the CPC. He's too liberal. Harper could at least pander to the alt-right.