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Liberals cut taxes as election looms
CBC News Viewpoint | November 2005
 Finance Minister Ralph Goodale delivers his economic report.
Appearing in front of the House of Commons finance committee Monday, Goodale presented what the government insists on calling an "economic and fiscal update," though it contains the kind of spending commitments traditionally seen only in budgets.
Finance Department officials say all the changes, even those labelled as "immediate," must be approved by parliamentary vote.
That means none will take effect without the good will of opposition party leaders who on Sunday pledged unanimously to bring down Martin's minority government as soon as possible.
A no-confidence motion could come as early as this week, triggering an election in late December or early January.
Your letters:
It's disgusting really; how the Liberal Government - who's greatest contribution to this country since the minority leadership began has been the entertainment value of the Gomery Report.
They are now sitting on 30 billion and are now promising to give it back to us, while we watch dumb-founded as the education system falters, the sick getting sicker, the military is listing in the harbour, and the homeless freeze this Christmas.
Shame on you Mr. Goodale for boasting Liberal Fiscal responsibility; it is pretty easy to find surplus after surplus if you simply stop paying for all those fundamental needs that Canadians rely on. But then to grandstand on that social policy of thievery and starvation is simply unforgivable.
—Knox J. Davidson | Calgary
My dad's words of wisdom:"It don't matter what party you vote for, cause they're all out to fill their own pockets. You have to vote for the one that hurts your pocket least".
The mini-budget has impressed me, so I guess I am voting Liberal this time around.
—Gerry Barber | Kingston
Tax cuts and spending promises in order to get re-elected are glaringly obvious - but the government knows that. They're betting that Canadians who see through their thinly disguised ruse won't care - just as long as the money flows to them.
We have to watch the West Wing on TV to see someone in politics we could actually respect!
—Peter Blanding
Dear Mr. Martin and Mr. Goodale! I must say as a member of the
middle class (or so I'm told ) that for a measly 2% income tax, one percent
of which won't take effect until 2010, let me turn my other cheek so that
you can slap it as well.
With a projected 500 million dollar surplus now
suddenly turning into a 8.2 billion dollar surplus for 2005-06, how about
giving Canadians a real ssignificantincome tax break, one that will actually
show up in their pockets and give families a break.
If you are trying to buy
my vote in the soon to be called federal election, you're going to have to
try a lot harder then that.
—Mike Comeau | Oromocto, N.B
Goodale says 8 straight surpluses, thats only because this corrupt government are robbing the Canadian taxpayer (like myself) blind. Where were the tax cuts before if we had 8 straight surpluses.
Keep your tax cuts, this bunch of cons will only get it back some other way. The only reason they are doing it now is because they (the government ) are about to fall.
—Terry Cooke | Peace River, Alberta
This announcement does nothing for the middle class, the mini budget with the personal exemption only offsets the provincial health care tax which still leaves nothing.
When will the politicians start to do something real constructive for the middle class, we are the ones who are footing the bill for the others. This needs to stop, all groups need to pay their fair share, the more I work the less I receive.
I was told by my father the harder you work the better your life is. It could have been true years ago but not now, I am sick and tired literally of long hours for less but taxed more. Brag some more Ottawa.
—Mark Lange
With the massive surpluses projected and the advance notice that the middle-class would benefit from today's "Update" or "Mini-budget", I would have thought that the "immediate" changes would have been much higher.
Big deal! The few dollars that I and my family could and would get is not even close to the yearly inflation rate.
My income is fixed as a retiree. As they say in popular circles: "Show me the money!".
Unfortunately, in the upcoming electoral campaign, the Conservatives will promise me more but, Conservatives being Conservatives, they will grab more if they get to form a government.
I prefer the devil I know (awful)!
—Gilles Lebrun
The Federal Debt of $500 Billion results in a $20 Billion Per Annum interest
charge (at 4% interest). We need all the surpluses we can get to pay down
this debt.
Fortunately the economy is good. Cutting taxes now will only risk an
increase in inflation and/or result in higher interest rates. A 2% increase
in interest rates will wipe out the Surplus.
Tax cuts should be saved for when the next inevitable downturn in the
economy when they can do the most good.
—Michael Seidel
What a transparent and pathetic attempt to sway voters. I mean, really, tax cuts? Does anyone really believe that we'll actually get them, or that cutting taxes is the way to effectively govern a country? Isn't tax revenue what ensures that our country runs smoothly in the first place?
—Mike Lane | Vernon, B.C.
Is this the kind of Government we want? A Government that will only bring in tax cuts when they are in trouble.
During the last election the Liberalcriticizeded the Conservatives for their proposed tax cuts now it's ok because they need votes. The only reason they have this huge surplus is because they have been over taxing all Canadians for 12 years and now they want to buy our votes with OUR money.
Bring on an election now! The sooner we can get rid of the most corrupt Government in Canadian history the better.
—Jim Sarafin | Geraldton, Ontario
Having a Liberal minority government is the next best thing to a
Conservative majority. The Liberals are forced listen to Canadians
outside of Ontario if they wish to retain power.
This situation gives me pause when discussing a new election. We could
wind up with a majority Liberal government which would be bad news for
anyone outside of Ontario. All I'm after is a government in Ottawa who is
responsive to all of us. Supposedly a FEDERAL government is supposed to
help ALL of Canada not just the one province that elected them.
—Brian Dofka | Edmonton
The Liberals are not serious if they call this afternoon announcement serious tax cutting. This is the same old liberal meal reheated and served again. In my opinion this is too little too late.
I am tired to hear that the Liberals are entitled to their entitlement. There is no entitlement in politics, you are there to serve and serving should be considered an honor and a privilege. The Liberal should be served a notice at the next election and be send to the penalty box.
—Jacques Dion | St.Catharines, Ontario
Typical Liberal pre-election propaganda. Where were all of these proposals over the past dozen years? The federal Fiberals will say ANYTHING to con voters into supporting their corrupt government, and then after elected, will do as they please.
I hope that the electorate, especially in Ontario will not be foolish enough to be coned by the smoke and mirrors of this last ditch effort to stay in power.
Bring on the election and toss the Fiberals out!
—Saverio Prato
Basically the Liberals have cut the throats of their political allies the NDP by reintroducing the corporate tax cut in an attempt to force the hand of the opposition to force an election and hope the voters punish the opposition parties for doing so. It's amazing how our political system has become so Americanized. Mr. Martin should be ashamed of himself spending money buying votes in this manner that should go to the paying off debt, that my generation is saddled to pay off.
—Marc J. Gagne
Isn't it interesting that the Liberal Government will announce all these
goodies now when they are facing an election? This Liberal government only
seem to act when they are "caught" and not when they ought. Then they
claim that everybody else (Conservatives and others) are incapable of doing
the same thing, only the Liberals can deliver on these promises.
The
Liberals have had the power to do it for 12 years... why didn't they do all
of this then?
No, it is time for someone else (the Conservatives) to have a go at all the
things that the government "ought" to do. Liberal had the chance to do it
and got "caught" wasting millions of our tax dollars.
—Samuel Park, | Toronto
Hmm, the Liberals mismanage $100-million of taxpayers money and in exchange for our forgiveness, they offer $30-billion in tax cuts. Sounds like a good deal to me and better than anything that clowns like Harper or Layton can offer!!
—Jason Clark | Toronto
I am so sick of this!! Call an election and get it over with!!
I'm not at all surprised that this turned into a mini budget. More goodies for the campaign trail and fodder for the media.
And immigration to boot! Why don't we just stand in a foreign countries airport and hand out visas. What about the people who live in the country now. In our area we cannot find jobs!
Perhaps we should open the governments book on an monthly basis for all to see how much of a surplus or deficit we have. Then the Canadian citizens can truly find out where the it sits.
But then the government would excuse themselves of that responsibility by accusing the general public of being incapable of reading!
—Sheryl Stewart | St Catharines, Ontario
Again, we need to listen to those tired Liberals in Ottawa who continue to promise things that never seem to materialize. When will Canadians start seeing the true colours of the “Liberish” party of Canada?
—Brian Fraser
How can anybody look at this “Economic Update” and not see it for what it is; a pre-election goodies basket designed to buy votes and make people forget about corruption and scandal. The tax cuts are meaningless and paltry.
The sad part is this attempt at bribing voters with their own money will probably work in their favour as history has shown this tact yields results, which is why they do something like this before every election. And on and on it goes.
—Mark J. Morabito | Vancouver
It is quite clear the Liberals are in election mode. Bring it on, it is
time to get rid of the Liberal Lie Cheat and Steal Machine.
—Terry Geiger
A cynical almost corrupt ploy designed to buy our votes with our own money. This is why so many Canadians are disgusted with the Liberal Party and its leader; who says one thing about integrity in government and promptly and enthusiastically does the exact opposite.
It is a disguising shameful culture of Liberal Party entitlement culture masquerading as public policy. Shame on Paul Martin.
—James H. Cooke | Windsor, Ontario
Oh brother! Please people in Ontario open your eyes. These liberals are willing to steal from us with the sponsorship scandal and then have the audacity to try to bribe us with the money that should be either used to pay down our debt or give it back to us.
How can you trust the party that blatantly misused our money? The sponsorship scandal is what we were able to uncover, how many other smaller programs are still going on? Twelve years of self absorbed Chretien who wants to sue someone for something that he was responsible for. Let's maybe start with an apology. If the Liberals remain in power after this, I'm joining the separation party or moving to the U.S.
—Jeff Nielson | Kelowna
Goodale's rosy predications about the Canadian economy does little for average Canadians.
He fails to mention that despite Canada's "lowest unemployment rate in 30 years" the vast majority of jobs created have been contract or part time jobs involving lower pay and little if any benefits (when compared to existing full time jobs). Goodale's predictions of Canada's expected economic growth will no doubt do little to curb the largest income gap Canadians have ever experienced.
While the days of believing in the welfare state have long since past, that does not mean that social programs that have built this nation need to be completely dismantled by tax cuts and government slashing in favour of making money hand over fist.
Naturally, Goodale's surplus predictions last year have now turned out to be higher then expected (a political tactic Canadians are more than aware of now). With this "new" surplus the same tired cliches of tax cuts and corporate tax cuts still manage to dominate the political agenda. It is an agenda that I cannot see any political party in Canada not subscribing too despite the rhetoric of the Conservatives or the NDP.
At least with Goodale's rosy economic predictions the average Canadian can feel assured that someone will be benefitting in Canada. Although they should be more than aware that it will not be them.
—Dennis Molinaro | Oshawa, Ontario
I can't believe the nerve and arrogance of this government, promising to
throw our money at us, and portraying that it will solve all issues.
This only when pressed by the threat of an election. I hope Canadians
can see through this charade.
—Darrel Danyluk
Well, this latest budget "update" is one more in a string of promises that the Liberals have made in an effort to bolster their ratings and ensure that when the inevitable election comes they can hold on to power, whether minority or majority.
The frustration that I have (shared by many in the west) is that the majority of people in eastern Canada fall for these tactics time and time again.
Lie, cheat, steal? No matter, "better the devil you know ...", shoots back Liberal supporters. Seems that it is time to elect a new devil, perhaps one what will be a little more sympathetic to all of Canada and not one that simply panders to Ontario (South eastern) and Quebec.
— Dennis Maione
The Liberals continue to do what they know best...buy votes. It's a practice that's as old as politics in Canada. Promises, promises and more promises. It's amazing how they can turn the sky blue just before an election.
The sad and unfortunate part is Canadians will once again fall for it.
—Joe Jesso | Stratford, Ontario
In probably less than two months, the people will be going to the polls. This is evident from the Liberals' lavish spending of taxpayers' money. Such a serious flaw in our electoral system badly needs to be eliminated.
Instead, the government in power should be judged by past performance and not allowed to buy votes. Prior to an election, by some criteria, there should be a time period where no more program spending is possible. What do others think?
— Dieter Godt | Vernon, B.C.
Let's have an election, now. Who does the work in an election? The Politicians. I think the Liberals are afraid of the work of defending their record. It is not work for me. The Liberals need to get the boot. I don't want a Finance Minister turn PM who did not know where the money went in sponsorship scandal.
— Kevin Greenshields | Whitehorse
Harper, Layton and Duceppe seeking a Christmas season election just goes to prove that they are only interested in their self-glory and egos. They aren't in touch or in synch with Canadians. Forcing an election on Canadians at this time of the year is political suicide...theirs.
— Kevin Languedoc | Montreal
If Jack really was concerned about Canadians he would have made sure that electoral reform had been one of the first things on the table.
I would encourage all voters to elect independent candidates that stand for the things you want as a Canadian and that will defend the Canadian values you would want defended.
The Liberals and Conservatives no longer represent the people of Canada they are both corporate owned parties that form corporate owned governments. They do not answer to the people they answer only to corporate greed and power. Get rid of them both!
— K. Neufeld | B.C.
They spoke of working to uphold a minority government and then you see Jack in the Hen house looking for some eggs that look like Giles and Harper.
A supposedly New Democratic party aaligningitself with a separatist and a neo-con. I thought I saw everything but I was wrong. Now they want to force an election in the middle of the second Gomery report, if that is not opportunistic politics I do not know what is.
— Ivan Balic | Mississauga, Ontario
Who do the federal party leaders think they're fooling? It is obvious that the opposition parties want an election as soon as possible, because clearly the electorate has a very short memory when it comes to the Liberals. Therefore it makes sense that the opposition wants to strike while the proverbial iron is hot, to capitalize on the anger over the sponsorship scandal, which will fade over time.
However, they want to wait until the budget goodies they want are passed. Tony Valeri is right: if the opposition no longer has the confidence of the government, then bring it down now.
However, the Liberals are not blameless. They believe that voters will be angry with a Christmas election. If the Government falls this week or next, I will guarantee you that they will push the message "don't blame us for this election you don't want, the opposition forced it on us!" and the media has bought this hook, line and sinker.
What nobody has said is that the 36-day election calendar is a MINIMUM. This means that responsibility for setting the election date rest squarely with the PM. The Government could fall today and the PM could theoretically set the election date in late January. (It's possible as it's not like Parliament gets anything done in December and January anyway.)
With all this manipulations and hi jinx by all the parties, the electorate will probably end up punishing all the parties, and we will see record low turnouts.
— Stephen Cooper | Ottawa
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