New Democrats Bask In Their Glory Today

[bigdude]

'Sit into the summer,' Liberals warned

Government House Leader Tony Valeri told his MPs yesterday they may have to work into the summer to ensure the budget is passed.

Some see the move as a means of showing good faith and shoring up the support of the New Democratic Party, support that Prime Minister Paul Martin and his Liberals will need to survive the fall and into the new year.

"Tony said we've got a 'big agenda coming up' and we'll 'stay here and get it done,' " a caucus source said about Mr. Valeri's presentation.

Another source said Mr. Valeri indicated the budget had to be through by June 23, the last scheduled day on the parliamentary calendar for the House to sit, "or sit into the summer."

Mr. Valeri repeated his vow in a television interview later in the day.

This is quite incredible how 19 New Democrat MPs control to some extent the government's agenda. If the NDP can be this effective with only 19 MPs, imagine what kind of impact they would have with only 40-50 MPs after the next election.

[mirror]

$1.6 billion for affordable housing construction, including aboriginal housing.

A $1.5-billion increase in transfers to provinces for tuition reduction and better training through EI.

$900 million for the environment, with one more cent of the federal gas tax going to public transit.

$500 million for foreign aid to bring Canada in line with a promise of 0.7 per cent of GDP.

$100 million for a pension protection fund for workers.

This is what New Democrats got for Canadians on top of the regular budget of course. I wonder how negotiations are going to go this Fall.