Saturday, January 29, 2011

a Conservative budget is coming. also maybe an election.




Yo! So, whats happening? Having a good weekend? Ok, so there is going to be a new budget tabled by the Conservatives, and it is currently being discussed and debated. What is a budget you ask? It is framework for how the government plans to spend our tax dollars. If the Conservatives want to pass their budget, they will need to get the support of at least one other party.
Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe has requested a 5 billion dollar compensation package for Quebec, if he is to accept the budget. His reasons for asking for 5 billion: new stadium, cost of harmonizing sales tax, changes in the equalization payments, more money for education and social programs, and money for the 1998 ice storm...
Personally, I dont't see the conservatives giving into these requests. Maybe they will give over a bit of the money requested, but Duceppe has asked for the whole amount, or no deal. Anyways, if the Conservatives don't give into the requests it might cost them seats in Quebec.

NDP leader Jack Layton has some specific requests in the budget, and has said he is prepared to accept the budget and tango with the Conservatives if the budget meets his standards. In any event, his new "election war room", suggests he is prepared for the budget to fail and an election to occur.
A spokes person for Stephen Harper's Conservatives has said the party is not interested in holding an election at this point.
Michael Ignatieff has explicitly stated he will not vote for a budget that includes 16 billion for fighter jets. or corporate tax cuts. I get the impression the Liberals are the ones who want an election.

Will there be an election? Who knows. I don't think an election will have any major effect on parliament. Polls indicate the house of commons' current status quo is likely to endure even if an election is called.

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