Weighing In On The Harper Budget

Haves and have-nots
March 22, 2007

Harper's Bazaar
March 20.
It is a disappointing federal budget. Although not a Stephen Harper supporter, I was ready to accept an attempt to properly address some of the challenges facing Canadians now and in the future. Also, I expected a Tory government would produce a prudent and competent fiscal approach to balance growth and improve the welfare of disadvantaged Canadians. This did not happen. It is a missed opportunity.
There is no focused pattern or vision related to the increased level (almost three times the rate of inflation) of expenditures, other than the extraordinary, unjustified amount pledged to Premier Jean Charest and Quebec. Limited tax breaks are targeted specifically at areas where the Tories believe they can gain votes.
With our healthy surplus and strong economy, we should be taking this opportunity to make a significant and meaningful difference in areas such as: development of aboriginal self-sufficiency, as begun in Kelowna; a long-term commitment to the rebuilding and development of the necessary infrastructure of our cities, where 80 per cent of people live; a serious legal and financial commitment to a national and global effort to save the environment; and universal daycare programs to support working families.
It is time for long-term visionary perspective and action.
Donald Symonds, Unionville
Sounds a lot like what Cretin/Martin was selling over 13 years and other than shift many of the problems to the provinces they didn't meet your expectations but you probably still voted for them.

Charest proposes surprise tax cut
March 21.
The Tories have just given away a fortune to appease (read "buy") the Bloc Québécois. And what does Quebec Premier Jean Charest do with this largesse? He immediately announces a tax cut. This in a province that is in deep economic trouble.
I have no problem paying taxes or sharing the wealth. I do have an issue with subsidizing Quebec's path of overspending and lower productivity. I do have an issue with others enjoying a better social safety net than I do and that I have to subsidize. I do have an issue with the knowledge that I may one day have to lay people off because we are no longer competitive.
At least I know that if that sad day comes, I can advise them to go live in Quebec and enjoy a handout from the rest of Canada.
Robert McLellan, Mississauga

Quebec has been promised $1.6 billion more than any other province in the federal budget. Is that the price to stay part of Canada and not threaten to separate? Perhaps the other provinces should threaten to leave Canada in order to get their fair share of the budget.
Gary Slippoy, Toronto
Come on people how do you think the liberals stayed in power for 13 years. By sucking up to Quebec.

Tax credit offers way out of welfare
March 20.
The federal budget failed to demonstrate vision and leadership in formulating a national plan to tackle the problem of poverty. There should have been a national job strategy to get more disabled people working. There are many who could work from home or through structured scheduling that allows for several breaks in the day for those with energy and health issues. Incentives could have been given in the form of grants to employers specifically designed for the disabled and those on low incomes, so they could have real opportunities where their intelligence and determination would be rewarded.
Compassion is a word Finance Minister Jim Flaherty used a number of times in his budget speech. It's rather hypocritical, given his track record as finance minister in Ontario, when welfare rates were cut by more than 20 per cent.
Kevin Osborne, Toronto
Kevin like most left wingers seems to forget that Martin cut transfer payments to provinces and thanks to two previous left wing governments, liberal/ndp, the conservatives had to make cuts to take us from the brink of bankruptcy. Remember Harris told us what he was going to do and he got two majority governments.

No cash for arts – maybe
Column, March 20.
It seems that every year, Toronto art institutions are thrown by the wayside at budget time. The federal Conservative government continues to ignore the arts, but are we surprised? Charles Baillie, president of the Art Gallery of Ontario, is hopeful that perhaps Toronto's cultural projects will get funded through other means. I wouldn't hold your breath.
The province has placed more funding into art programs in schools. However, these same students have to face disappointment when they realize that in the private sector, this community is in fact diminishing. Why must arts and cultural institutions constantly have to beg for money to support them?
Michelle Thorn, Toronto
They don't have to....all they need to do is offer something to the public that the public is willing to pay fair market value.