The Budget Vote

[geoffrey]

12,000 people still did. Good enough for me to for Ottawa to be saving first time home buyers a wallop of cash.

[Nocrap]

Not a whole lot of stuff in this budget for me, but I do believe that young families and and the low and mid incomes earn ers will be far better off now then they were before. That to me is more important then my own personal position. I do get a bit of a tax break as mose of my income is from investments, and non-taxable disability pension.

I see this as a good step forward and the first of what will become known as the return to our senses budgets. The Liberals will not be ready to even try and challenge this government or any other for at least a decade, as any move now will only drop them to below NDP status. There is not one person run ning for their party leader that will instll any kind of support from the voters, and as long as the CPC can run and make budgets like this, they will have np problem making the minority work. The only thing that may make a change and that is id the CPC see it it ripe for an election to be held to gain a majority government. That could be a wild card for now. But as for any party being able to bring down this minority on their own goes, that is not even an option.

The value of the budget (with its many specific measures) almost has to be examined on a case-by case basis. My daughter (a stay at home with twin 2-yr olds and no source of income) is very happy. With the Liberals she was offered a day care plan of no use to her.

Being interesting to see how the Liberal leadership candidates react. I suspect it will be typical. Not enough money for the environment, for aboriginals, for day care etc, etc. In other words, same-old, same-old.

Does your daughter realize that the CPC have rolled the 249.00 per year per child, provided to parents who did not claim childcare expenses, into the cash hand out? This had previously been added to the income based child tax credit, so depending on how much your son-in-law earns, this will further reduce her benefit. Add to that the fact that the 249.00 was non-taxable, while the 1200.00 must be claimed as 'income'this will hurt many stay at home parents.

Also, the 2400.00 per year will be added to her families' total income when calculating things like GST rebates and child tax credits (both non-taxable benefits)....for most this will aslo take another little piece of the pie.

And of course, her husband will be bringing home a little less in his paycheque now, so she'll have to factor that in as well.

[shoop]

Hmmm, where does that come from?

The 1/2 % *hike* in the lowest rate is the only way that could work.

But wait, that should more than be made up for by the GST cut, and some of the 28 other tax cuts in this budget.

Sad, sad, sad nocrap. We all know you hate Harper, but at least try and tell the truth.

And of course, her husband will be bringing home a little less in his paycheque now, so she'll have to factor that in as well.

[scribblet]

Not likely as working people also get another 3,000 credit, middle class earners are the winners in that one.

This st budget is an exercise in political expediency,as they have watered down conservativism in order to win votes - necessary in a minority situation.

John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said a simple straight-forward tax system would be better to let Canadians themselves decide what they want to do with their money. I agree with that, hopefully the next budget will reduce taxes again.

[Kiraly]

The Economist's take on the Budget

Snippet:

HIS brusque and bossy manner means that Stephen Harper may never win the affection of Canadians. But after three months as prime minister, the Conservative leader is winning respect as a politician who gets things done. The past few days brought two examples of that. On April 27th, Mr Harper announced a surprise settlement of a protracted trade war with the United States over softwood lumber. Five days later, his finance minister, Jim Flaherty, presented a budget which won applause for lowering taxes without sacrificing fiscal discipline.

To some Canadians, the lumber deal looked like surrender. In 2002, for the fourth time since 1982, the United States levied countervailing duties on exports of wood from Canada, its partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The American government has mainly failed to persuade NAFTA (and other) panels of its case that Canada subsidises lumber. It seemed that the battle would be fought to the last lawyer.

But Mr Harper is eager to improve relations with George Bush's government. After a week of talks, both sides agreed a draft deal which in essence returns to the previous regime of managed trade. The Americans will drop the sanctions, and return $4 billion of the $5 billion they have collected in duties. Canada accepted that its share of the American market be capped at 34%. It agreed to impose export taxes and limit shipments if prices in the United States fall much below their current—unusually high—levels.

[Nocrap]

The Economist's take on the Budget

Snippet:

HIS brusque and bossy manner means that Stephen Harper may never win the affection of Canadians. But after three months as prime minister, the Conservative leader is winning respect as a politician who gets things done. The past few days brought two examples of that. On April 27th, Mr Harper announced a surprise settlement of a protracted trade war with the United States over softwood lumber. Five days later, his finance minister, Jim Flaherty, presented a budget which won applause for lowering taxes without sacrificing fiscal discipline.

To some Canadians, the lumber deal looked like surrender. In 2002, for the fourth time since 1982, the United States levied countervailing duties on exports of wood from Canada, its partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The American government has mainly failed to persuade NAFTA (and other) panels of its case that Canada subsidises lumber. It seemed that the battle would be fought to the last lawyer.

But Mr Harper is eager to improve relations with George Bush's government. After a week of talks, both sides agreed a draft deal which in essence returns to the previous regime of managed trade. The Americans will drop the sanctions, and return $4 billion of the $5 billion they have collected in duties. Canada accepted that its share of the American market be capped at 34%. It agreed to impose export taxes and limit shipments if prices in the United States fall much below their current—unusually high—levels.

And what did the Softwood Deal cost us? We have now provided soldiers for American aggression or as I like to call it "poking sticks at the terrorists'. Harper is revisiting Missile Defense and scrapping Kyoto. He has become Bush's American Dream.

As for the budget...like Jeffrey Simpson from the Globe said 'The Budget is All Show'. And what will that cost us? Despite their obvious lack of math skills, the CPC cannot cut taxes without slashing vital programs.

Bank of Nova Scotia Analysis

Aboriginals Weigh In

Education Big Loser

We already know that Healthcare got squat and children were forced to pay for corporate tax cuts, but did you also know that he is tapping into the surplus to make himself look good. Also from the Globe:

Government to tap surplus for $3.3-billion

By STEVEN CHASE AND BRIAN LAGHI

Tuesday, April 25, 2006, Page A4

OTTAWA -- The Conservative government is dipping into last year's budget surplus for

$3.3-billion, the bulk of which is going to the provinces under a controversial measure the

Tories fervently fought while in opposition.

The only real winners in this budget are corporations and the wealthy.

And by the way....the cheerleading section is becoming a bit over the top; whooping it up with every word that came out of Flaherty's mouth when reading this vote grab budget.

Besides, it's very easy to deliver what on the surface looks like a good news budget, when you inherited a government with scads of extra cash. I wonder how good they would look if they took over right after Mulroney's mess, when they would have to tighten their belts? Not much to cheer about then.

[Nocrap]

The Economist's take on the Budget

Snippet:

HIS brusque and bossy manner means that Stephen Harper may never win the affection of Canadians. But after three months as prime minister, the Conservative leader is winning respect as a politician who gets things done. The past few days brought two examples of that. On April 27th, Mr Harper announced a surprise settlement of a protracted trade war with the United States over softwood lumber. Five days later, his finance minister, Jim Flaherty, presented a budget which won applause for lowering taxes without sacrificing fiscal discipline.

To some Canadians, the lumber deal looked like surrender. In 2002, for the fourth time since 1982, the United States levied countervailing duties on exports of wood from Canada, its partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The American government has mainly failed to persuade NAFTA (and other) panels of its case that Canada subsidises lumber. It seemed that the battle would be fought to the last lawyer.

But Mr Harper is eager to improve relations with George Bush's government. After a week of talks, both sides agreed a draft deal which in essence returns to the previous regime of managed trade. The Americans will drop the sanctions, and return $4 billion of the $5 billion they have collected in duties. Canada accepted that its share of the American market be capped at 34%. It agreed to impose export taxes and limit shipments if prices in the United States fall much below their current—unusually high—levels.

And what did the Softwood Deal cost us? We have now provided soldiers for American aggression or as I like to call it "poking sticks at the terrorists'. Harper is revisiting Missile Defense and scrapping Kyoto. He has become Bush's American Dream.

As for the budget...like Jeffrey Simpson from the Globe said 'The Budget is All Show'. And what will that cost us? Despite their obvious lack of math skills, the CPC cannot cut taxes without slashing vital programs.

Bank of Nova Scotia Analysis

Aboriginals Weigh In

Education Big Loser

We already know that Healthcare got squat and children were forced to pay for corporate tax cuts, but did you also know that he is tapping into the surplus to make himself look good. Also from the Globe:

Government to tap surplus for $3.3-billion

By STEVEN CHASE AND BRIAN LAGHI

Tuesday, April 25, 2006, Page A4

OTTAWA -- The Conservative government is dipping into last year's budget surplus for

$3.3-billion, the bulk of which is going to the provinces under a controversial measure the

Tories fervently fought while in opposition.

The only real winners in this budget are corporations and the wealthy.

And by the way....the cheerleading section is becoming a bit over the top; whooping it up with every word that came out of Flaherty's mouth when reading this vote grab budget.

Besides, it's very easy to deliver what on the surface looks like a good news budget, when you inherited a government with scads of extra cash. I wonder how good they would look if they took over right after Mulroney's mess, when they would have to tighten their belts? Not much to cheer about then.

Sorry the Aboriginal link didn't work but this is what one group thought of Harper's backstabbing:

MAY 2, 2006 - 16:58 ET

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs Responds to Harper's Budget

Attention: Assignment Editor, Business/Financial Editor, News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

VANCOUVER, BC, PRESS RELEASE--(CCNMatthews - May 2, 2006) - The Union of BC Indian Chiefs responded to today's Budget Speech of the Government of Canada, stating that the fear of many First Nations leaders, that the Harper government would not honour the commitments made by the Government of Canada at the First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna, has now been realized.

"Our fear, suspicion and mistrust of Prime Minister Harper's Conservative government to support the historic Kelowna Accord were well placed. I had hoped, however, that the Harper government would have the integrity and political will to fully implement the historic Kelowna Accord representing a $5.1 billion dollar investment in Aboriginal communities." stated Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. "Today, Aboriginal People across Canada learned that Prime Minister Harper has a wooden heart to match his wooden smile."

"In addition, First Nations leaders in British Columbia now understand Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice speaks with a forked tongue. On March 9, 2006 Minister Prentice publicly committed to assembled Chiefs that he would work hard to put 'wheels on Kelowna'. Rather, the Harper government has chosen to junk the whole Accord and relegate it to the proverbial scrap heap" said Chief Phillip.

Chief Phillip concluded "Like many First Nations leaders, we waited for the Budget Speech to get a true sense of this government's commitment to collaborative approaches with First Nations. It is now beyond question; Prime Minister Harper has set an adversarial, if not outright hostile tone regarding Federal - First Nations relationships in Canada."

[August1991]

The fact of the matter is that this budget is popular, and it will be even more popular when the GST changes and the child cheques go out. It's so simple really. Harper promised a few things, his government enacted the promises and then people saw concretely the result.

This is the way government is supposed to work. For too long, Canadians have had a federal government that was all about spin, image, personal ambition and playing political games. Such people have had a deleterious effect on the Canadian federation, and how the federal government is perceived in Quebec.

Harper is doing things differently, and Canadians can see it.

The Harper government scored a major coup with the federal budget this week in its efforts to put together a majority victory in the next election, a CanWest poll reveals.

The Ipsos Reid poll for CanWest News/Global National found nearly half of Canadians think it is a "good" budget, which is nearly double the percentage who feel it is a "bad" budget. Forty-nine percent said it was "good" while only 26 per cent felt it was "bad", 10 per cent thought it was "neither" and 15 per cent didn't know or refused to respond.

But in Quebec, the percentage of those who viewed the budget positively jumped to 60 per cent while only 20 per cent felt it was "bad."

CanWest