Liberals’ Letter to Flaherty

[Chris]

Today The Honourable John McCallum P.C., M.P. (Markham—Unionville), the Chair of the Economic Advisory Committee of the Liberal Party of Canada, and The Honourable Scott Brison P.C., M.P. (Kings—Hants), the Finance Critic for Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, released a letter to The Honourable Jim Flaherty P.C., M.P. (Whitby—Oshawa), the Minister of Finance.

Let us hope that Her Majesty’s Government for Canada takes these recommendations of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition seriously. The Government’s conduct during the previous session was perhaps the most arrogant few days of governance that the people of Canada have ever seen, spanning our entire history of responsible government. A serious attempt by the Government to accept the wishes of the progressive majority of the House of Commons may yet salvage the 40th Parliament of Canada.

Canada is facing an unprecedented economic downturn and our foremost duty as parliamentarians is therefore to demonstrate to Canadians that we recognize the challenges they face and are prepared to provide solutions to mitigate the impacts of the economic hardship.

The Liberal Caucus recognizes the need to work cooperatively with all Members of Parliament but success requires both a sufficient level of trust and a shared vision on how best to achieve the desired result.

If the Liberal Party is to be actively involved in the budget process, the first thing the Liberal Caucus and all Canadians need to know is the true state of the government’s books. Meaningful discussion and input requires honest budgetary numbers. The government's recent Economic and Fiscal Statement has presented many questions for which we need answers in order to proceed further.

Few economists believe the numbers in the Statement. In particular, growth forecasts are already much worse than when the document was written. Accordingly, we would like to see updated economic forecasts and their implications for the fiscal plan as well as a detailed reconciliation of national and public accounts projections.

I hold out hope that the Government may respond with the same respect and good-natured care for Canada that the Opposition has quite clearly demonstrated with this letter. Unfortunately, previous experiences with the Conservative Party of Canada would lead me to predict some sort of partisan manœuvre to attack the Opposition (once again).

I very much look forward to the release of the budget on 27 January. One of two situations can come of that budget: (a) The budget is a sound and non-partisan one, and the Government and Commons work together to resolve our economic issues; or, (b) The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister of Canada once again insults the opposition side of the Commons, in which case the Government—and most probably both Mr. Harper’s and Mr. Flaherty’s careers—ends.

Source

• Liberal Party of Canada : homepage / article

[JoeSchmoe]

can they not call or meet face to face? Did they send the letter via snail-mail? What a bunch of buffoons.

[wonder]

Funny, just reminded me, on Sunday, driving down Garden St in Whitby, saw Jim Flaherty at the end of his long driveway of his century home, waiting to turn out, in his Cadillac SUV....nice eh?

[Muz]

Funny, just reminded me, on Sunday, driving down Garden St in Whitby, saw Jim Flaherty at the end of his long driveway of his century home, waiting to turn out, in his Cadillac SUV....nice eh?

At least he drives a North American gas guzzler and not some Lexus or Accura...

Muz

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I am sure that the real reason the Liberal party would want to see the books would not be for political gain?

[DurkaDurka]

the economy is going down the crapper, that should be apparent to all. Sad thing is, I don't trust any one of the parties to do much to fix things.

[s243a]

I am sure that the real reason the Liberal party would want to see the books would not be for political gain?

That’s kind of what I wonder but then again why isn’t all this information public domain?

[Gerryh]

we'll just have to wait and see what harper does. He had stated that he wanted to put this budget together with the co-operation of the opposition party. Now the Liberals have extended their hand, we'll see if harper takes that hand or tries to bite it.

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

we'll just have to wait and see what harper does. He had stated that he wanted to put this budget together with the co-operation of the opposition party. Now the Liberals have extended their hand, we'll see if harper takes that hand or tries to bite it.

It doesn't seem they have any suggestions just a demand/request.

[Gerryh]

It doesn't seem they have any suggestions just a demand/request.

and how, do you propose, would they come up with suggestions without knowing the full finacial health of this Country?