Liberal deficit set at 18.4 billion

[Argus]

That comes from a flawed analysis that counted the cost of the new child benefit program, but not the money recouped from ending all of the old programs. The cost of the child benefit program in net terms is about the same as the infrastructure program, meaning 1/3 of new Liberal spending is for each.

Suuuure. Except the Liberals define 'infrastructure' as "anything we want to spend money on".

Not much of it is going to be roads and bridges.

[Smallc]

Suuuure. Except the Liberals define 'infrastructure' as "anything we want to spend money on".

Not much of it is going to be roads and bridges.

There is no additional money for roads and bridges. There is additional money for streetcars, subways, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, jails, schools, social housing, etc. That means the original Harper money can be better directed at roads and bridges.

[Argus]

There is no additional money for roads and bridges. There is additional money for streetcars, subways, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, jails, schools, social housing, etc. That means the original Harper money can be better directed at roads and bridges.

I don't suppose it's occurred to you that it's not the federal government's job to build schools and social housing. If Trudeau had wanted to worry himself about such things, along with public transit, he should have run for mayor.

[Smallc]

I don't suppose it's occurred to you that it's not the federal government's job to build schools and social housing.

And the federal government won't be doing those things (99% of infrastructure is not their responsibility, after all). What the federal government can do (and historically has done) is come to the table as a funding partner with a national strategy. The infrastructure deficit is largely a problem across the country, after all.

[waldo]

Given no one but a complete blithering idiot would suggest Page was any sort of Tory supporter I would say his words, which question Liberal accounting, should certainly be carefully looked at.

say what? Just because Page did his job and actually pointed out the failings of Harper Conservatives, that does not give you latitude to suggest he didn't perform that role... his job... in an independent manner, free of partisanship. For years Page was scorned by Harper and crew and CPC supporters... now he's quite the astute guy, hey?

.

[Topaz]

The feds could still bring in additional tax revenues if they would close more of the tax loopholes the top 10% use on capital gains from investments and costing taxpayers 12 bil. yearly. Tax haven alone cost 2 bil. and the small-business tax credit is being abused by higher professional like doctors, dentist etc. Either Canada is going to have a fair tax system or we are not and with so many lower income workers having go to their RRSP's for living costs Canada's tax system NEEDS an review. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/02/24/tax-loopholes-canada-toby-sanger_n_9309578.html

[Argus]

say what? Just because Page did his job and actually pointed out the failings of Harper Conservatives, that does not give you latitude to suggest he didn't perform that role... his job... in an independent manner, free of partisanship. For years Page was scorned by Harper and crew and CPC supporters... now he's quite the astute guy, hey?

.

For years he was worshiped by Liberals and now he's an incompetent who doesn't know what he's talking about, right?

My only problem with him was that he sought the limelight too much, which made the office seem politicised. Did you ever see the head of the US GAO on TV panels discussing the government's failings? Never. They produce accurate data for congress and that's that.

[Shady]

I don't suppose it's occurred to you that it's not the federal government's job to build schools and social housing. If Trudeau had wanted to worry himself about such things, along with public transit, he should have run for mayor.

Yep, or Premier. And no, it definitely hasn't occurred to the biggest Justin fan if the forum of the responsibilities of federal vs provincial and municipal.

[SunnyWays]

For years he was worshiped by Liberals and now he's an incompetent who doesn't know what he's talking about, right?

My only problem with him was that he sought the limelight too much, which made the office seem politicised. Did you ever see the head of the US GAO on TV panels discussing the government's failings? Never. They produce accurate data for congress and that's that.

In Page's defence, the CBC actively and continuously sought him out and fed him softball questions. That said, he certainly didn't shrink from the spotlight. It remains to be seen how active they will be with Page now - or his replacement.

[ParkdaleCon]

Page was on The House today basically saying the Liberals are even less transparent with their financial data than the Conservatives were. He says the trend they are displaying is very alarming and they have only been in office a few months.

This budget will be the most interesting in years, I can't wait to see how many "promises" are scaled back or canceled all together and the spin will be that Harper left them in more of a mess than they could have imagined. Is this the Trudeau government or the McGuinty government?

Get ready folks, OHIP Tax 2.0 is coming

[cybercoma]

Have they even tabled a budget yet?

[msj]

No budget yet and all this talk of doom and gloom.

The Liberals will put any and everything they can in this budget to drive up the deficit as to reduce the deficit in following years.

It's called front loading and this type of thing happens all the time.

You even see it in the business world. When a new CEO comes in after a disastrous run by the previous CEO, everything possible will be accrued as a expense to make that one year look as bad as possible (all under the cover of "management estimates" and "changing synergies" and other gobbly gook).

Then the following years will look better by comparison.

Same old same old.

For the CPC it ignites fear while for many others it inspires confidence since this is the way it works and Trudeau knows it rather than being the guy who was "just not ready."

[Topaz]

I think everyone should just relax and see what happens and at the end of the 4 years, if people don't like it, vote out. Although, if they can spend the money where people can see where their money is being spent, it may not be bad for the liberals. As my Mayor said to council... the taxpayer may be angry with increase taxes but they are going to be madder every time they go down that pot-hole road.

[Smallc]

I think everyone should just relax and see what happens and at the end of the 4 years

When did you ever give Harper that much benefit?

[GostHacked]

When did you ever give Harper that much benefit?

It took 10 years for Harper to mess things up. Trudeau did it in only a few months. Wait, that can't be right now can it?

[Argus]

I think everyone should just relax and see what happens and at the end of the 4 years, if people don't like it, vote out. Although, if they can spend the money where people can see where their money is being spent, it may not be bad for the liberals. As my Mayor said to council... the taxpayer may be angry with increase taxes but they are going to be madder every time they go down that pot-hole road.

The Ontario liberals have hugely increased spending - and taxes - and the debt - over the past ten years. I have noticed no improvement in ANYTHING.

The roads still suck. Hospitals are still overcrowded, with long waits. Teachers are still whining and bitching. There is no sign all that extra money did anything positive except make a lot of government workers richer.