CP: Ottawa posts surprise $1.9B surplus, balances books one year early
50 Replies to “This Is Awkward”
Maybe we’re not going to hell in an orange hand-basket after all.
Hopefully this news breaks the logjam on the CTV website mast head, and exposes the lies of the left to the public.
No doubt the left will portray it as bad news.
SURPRISE?!!!
The real surprise would be if the Libs or the NDP ever had a one cent surplus.
“You know this is a deficit, a really big deficit … in the negative. Yeah that’s it it’s a negative deficit and it’s really big. Did I tell you it’s big and negative?” Any reporter for CTV, CBC or Global.
Funny how stuff like this always seems to happen right before an election, eh? I’m rolling my eyes here.
This should not be taken as a reason to trash the Conservatives, I hasten to add. Manipulating little beeotches they may be, but in this election a vote for anything other than CPC is a self-inflicted wound.
Try to imagine the Shiny Pony as Prime Minister. Just think Boob Rae as Premiere of Ontario back in the ’90’s, then multiply by 100. We are still not dug out of the hole he started.
Ken Ken Ken, a smart man like you cannot even expect things like that. This will be announced on CTV by their favourite little pit yorkie Fifee as Harper government misplaces 1.9 billion. On CBC as, 1.9 billion found before Harper could spend it on military things to hurt poor isis folks, “thanks Wendy” And on Globals Gaysome, !.9 billion found in the Harper governments treasury that should go to help the ducks in the tailing ponds of the tarrrrrr sands to at least clean them up before the season. These scum of the earth talking heads have no remorse, loyalty, or shame, they all make the Kardashians look honorable. Dont consume the medias product and tell their advertisers how despicable they are.
CTV Liberal vision, this morning showed Trudeau (twice) commenting (with a straight face) on how it was really a deficit, never has been a surplus and the so-called news girl spinning like the surplus came from the massive, unfair, harsh cuts Harper made to seniors, native etc etc. Then switch to Don Martin for some snickering, mocking and snide comments. If these journalists weren’t so full of themselves they might see how embarrassing they are.
Trudeau has now been caught in a tactical blunder and he has to try and BS his way out of it.
The entire Liberal idea that there has to be deficits is based on the Kenyesean theory that governments have to step in to stimulate the economy in bad times.
Their narrative was built on the perception that Canada is in recession.
Trouble being, the economy started to recover in June, the last month of the six-month period in which back-to-back quarters showed negative growth.
Increased revenue, despited the slump in oil prices, due to increased economic activity, has allegedly put Canada in the black (I know books can be cooked).
So, by the time there’s a leaders debate, Harper has a huge hammer. Since Harper is an economist, he fully understands that Kenysean theory says you save in good times and spend in bad times … and the people of Canada have managed to pull the economy into the black all by themselves without the help of Big Brothers like Trudeau.
Should be and interesting six weeks coming up, watching how the media and Trudeau attempt to escape from their credibility crisis.
Harper must’ve hired the old Librano family book keeper. Mmmmmm surpluses – consider them spent already
Why would Trudeau think this was a deficit instead of a surplus? Don’t budgets balance themselves?
No doubt this is good news for the country and shows that Harper and the CPC are the only ones capable of running the show in good times or bad. Unfortunately the average liv has little or no interest in the economy. Rather they are mesmerized by such things as free daycare, Syrian refugees, mindless platitudes and scoldings from Jean Chretien. Who, by the way, should know enough to mind his own business. I know that if I had a hand in bilking the taxpayer of $40 million, I would have sense enough to keep my head down.
Surpluses, deficits, debt, income splitting, tax free savings accounts … these are all subjects that the liv doesn’t understand and has absolutely no desire to explore further. They have to be made to understand that a p*ss poor economy always results in higher taxation and, more within their sphere of knowledge, less “free” stuff.
soooooo I guess the answer to the national debt is to call an election every 6 mos. until it goes away?
such timing of the announcement . . . .
and remember boys and girls on the right, conservatives whatever the official party name and whatever the country and even whatever the year, are ALL 1st cousins of fascism.
spin spin spin !!!!
You know, if used properly, this news could be the only thing the cons need for another victory.
I hope this will be trumpeted on high.
And it still misses the real picture. Look at the graphic, still available at the cbc (of all places), which shows the steady improvement over the last few years. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/fiscal-year-ottawa-surplus-1.3226969
I wish there was a graphic showing this overlaid with the various provincial budgets.
How do you define fascism?
What policies do fascists promote?
I am truly curious what you think. Can you define it sans circular logic? (i.e. fascists are conservatives! What are conservatives? They are fascists!).
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deficit, surplus… who cares about all those big, complicated words… we all the know “the budget will balance itself… from the heart outwards.” “Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is sticking with his three-year deficit spending planDESPITE FIGURES RELEASED MONDAY that show the federal government registered a surprise surplus in the last fiscal year.”
a plan is a plan, right shiny pony?
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@imemine…so, Mr. Internationale, care to tell us what the ‘S’ stands for in NSDAP?
Great. Doesn’t change all of the other terrible stuff he’s done. The fact of the matter is that more than 70% of the country wants this goon gone.
And here’s what’s confusing… Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit. And since there is zero chance he’ll get a majority that means even if they win, we don’t know who will be PM. (Unless Harper is lying, which wouldn’t be the first time.)
So if the Cons win… we don’t know who will lead the minority gov. And if this is the case we know that this minority Con gov will last just a few months before we hold another expensive election. So YAY Cons! Way to waste time and rack up the bills!
Honestly… 80% of the polarization in this country is due entirely to conservative thinkers. When you’re not bullying your way through things forcing your ideas on the majority, you’re busy whining and crying victim. Cripes… you’ve had control of the country for nearly a decade and all this blog does is moan and complain about how hard done by you all are. Sheesh.
John >
“Great. Doesn’t change all of the other terrible stuff he’s done”
I keep hearing that. Care to elaborate on what “terrible stuff” so we can be informed instead of mudslinging CBC talking points?
Thanks, you saved me lots of typing.
Also cynical of politics in general but am honestly worried for my children’s future quality of life under this current self-destructive leftist plague.
Eagle and Kursk, shame on you both for falling for such obvious troll gibberish.
Exactly! You know the old maxim, ‘If a lie is repeated often enough, it is perceived as the truth.’? This NAZI/fascist crap is repeated so often by the left, they believe it themselves. Mustn’t let facts get in the way.
John: if the CPC have a minority gov’t and in a few months it is brought down by the ndp and libs – it’s their fault (CPC)?
As for whining and crying please refer to the post at 12:06PM……. Circular logic at it’s finest.
I am proud of my colleagues at both CBC and CTV who are saying “Ottawa” posted a surplus or “Canada” has. The “Feds” have is another great choice. If we make reference to the “Conservative gov’t” having done so as we no doubt would have if it was a deficit story, then Harper and the CPC might curry favor with Canadians, crediting the party in power for getting us there. We need to condition Canadians into associating “conservative” with everything negative and using generic descriptors when that party may get a benefit from good news. Bravo CBC and CTV. We must not lose our focus and must do everything in our power to influence the final result at the ballot box.
John you mean according to the corrupt Media Party / CBC / CTV and various Liberal partisans posing as journalists that want the goon gone
When the truth hurts, truth becomes hate speech?
Sheesh. What a hater.
After some consideration, I have serious concern that the timing of such an announcement under these current political circumstances runs the risk of a backfire. How many ignorant borderline socialists now believe Harper was hiding a boatload of cash and that we can now afford to party on the NDP Gravy Train?
As we all could have predicted, the CBC and JT are already wailing the exact same tune on this story. How dare the heartless Harper government not spend that money on our veterans, elderly, homeless, etc.?
Eagle and Kursk, shame on you both for falling for such obvious troll gibberish.
I cant help myself. I have a problem. I blindly think that most people are open to rational conversation.
And yet, there are no government programs for people like me. The doctor says there is no cure for my condition. But it can be treated with a consistent application of conservative majorities.
But the progressive types are selfishly holding back the funding.
See the budget will balance itself
I
Harper is a meanie. Harper lies about stuff. Everybody dislikes Harper and wants him gone. Harper enacts legislation without 100% approval from everyone. If Harper gets a minority government and is then toppled by the Liberals and NDP, it’s all his fault.
You will never get a straight answer or a concrete example out of John who just loves to come on this forum and run his mouth ad nauseam. His odious postings, while never considered to be clever, were at times amusing. Now they are simply tedious.
“Honestly… 80% of the polarization in this country is due entirely to conservative thinkers. When you’re not bullying your way through things forcing your ideas on the majority, you’re busy whining and crying victim”
Pot-kettle-black
It’s hard to understand how someone can have such a reversed view of realities – unless they’ve been so thoroughly lobotomized by disinformation and their own ignorance they are a danger to themselves and society.
Here’s a reality you can take to the bank John – A)the majority of Canadians do not think like you, just you and a small cocoon of intolerant leftard trolls. And B)people who disagree with your ignoramus utopianism are not going away, will NOT be silenced or bullied into silence.
So your dream of the authoritarian single party, single ideology secularist police state only exists in your mind
Becoming curious about “John’s” “terrible Things” I decided to Google bad things Harpers done, finding an online 25 bad things list.
It was hilarious because of the 25 “Bad Things” there were at least 20 or more things I agreed with Harper 100%.
The top few for was Scrapping the Gun Registry and Freezing Foreign Aid. What’s not to like?
biffjr >
Sounds like School children who hate their mommy and daddy. Guess that’s what we get in this BIG government entitlement age. Exactly why we will head into the Slave for the State age.
window.alert(“test”)
John’s incessant Harper carping only reveals his inner mantra;
“Government can spend money better than I can!”
John worships at the government altar; only the state can save you…its unthinking
gravy train economics at its worst.
Maybe John hasn’t heard how the NDP was using government money to get elected…
NDP MPs told to repay $2.7M in satellite office expenses http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-mps-told-to-repay-2-7m-in-satellite-office-expenses-1.2944163
Ottawa – February 3, 2015 – The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons and Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, has confirmed that the Board has determined the remedies it will be seeking further to its August 12, 2014 finding that some New Democratic Party (NDP) Members inappropriately used parliamentary resources for certain employment, telecommunication and travel expenses.
Since individual Members’ Office Budgets were used to supplement the NDP Research Office Budget, the Board will be directing that each participating Member personally reimburse the salary costs under question. As such,
Each participating Member or House Officer will be directed to reimburse, as a personal expense, all salary costs incurred from May 2, 2011 to December 31, 2014. There were 68 Members, including House Officers and one former Member, who participated in this shared employment arrangement on behalf of the Research Office.
The total amount to be reimbursed is $2,749,362.
As per the Board’s By-laws and policies, Members are the employers of their employees and have full discretion in the direction and control of the work performed on their behalf by their employees. Since Members are responsible for the use of House resources, they bear sole responsibility for any inappropriate use.
Cheers
Hans Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group ‘True North’
I’m starting to wonder if Harper isn’t playing these fools like good ole Br’er Rabbit.
Oh but Trudeau argues the Parliamentary Budget Officer says were in deficit. Let’s review the PBO mandate:
“The mandate of the Parliamentary Budget Officer is to provide independent analysis to Parliament on the state of the nation’s finances, the government’s estimates and trends in the Canadian economy; and upon request from a committee or parliamentarian, to estimate the financial cost of any proposal for matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction.”
So, the PBO said the government estimate of surplus was wrong, but now we know that he was wrong. Oh well, can’t win ’em all; he can find another axe to grind while continuing to acting outside his mandate. BTW, it is not in the PBO’s mandate to inject themselves into the political debate; or hold adversarial press conferences; or change the parameters for costing government programs, then declare the finance authorities “incorrect; or act as the de facto auditor general, all of which he and his silly predecessor, Kevin Page, have done.
Any questions Mr Trudeau? You seem to have trouble keeping up. How many “facts” will he have to cherry pick to show Canada is in crisis, and only he can help. Maybe he can get a Ouija board, channel his dad, so his spirit can tsk tsk what has become of their Canada. While you have him Justin, could your let dad know we finally paid off his debt.
John – PMSH had minority governments in 2006 and 2008. Not until May 2011, did he gain a majority government so, in my book, he has had ‘control’ of the country for only four years.
“I’m starting to wonder if Harper isn’t playing these fools like good ole Br’er Rabbit.”
So do I.
Tell me, is this a good time to ask that the temporary sales tax be scrapped?
Now would be the opportune time for PMSH to announce some genuine goodies for the liv to lap up.
Never mind reducing the GST. Eliminate it entirely.
Up the ante on Mulcair’s child care scheme. Make it $150 per day. Sky’s the limit.
Eliminate personal income taxes and small business tax. Up the corporate tax rate. Make the rich pay.
Eliminate EI premiums. Everybody deserves an income even when they’re not working.
Eliminate CPP contributions and allow the individual to pick the retirement age of his or her choice. Everybody deserves an income after they retire even if they haven’t worked.
And to attract the “green” vote, offer grants to cover the entire cost to anyone purchasing his or her own wind turbine or solar panel.
Where’s the money going to come from? Who cares? The media doesn’t seem concerned in the least about how Mulcair is going to pay for his fantasies. Besides … the budget balances itself, doesn’t it?
Imagine this poll being conducted of a random set of Canadians:
Which of the following do you generally support:
A) A government that strives to balance the federal budget and lower the debt.
B) A government that is focused on growing the social programs for Canadians, such as health & education, even if they have to borrow money to do so.
I would suspect that 95% of Leftists, which arguably comprise 60% of the population, would unquestionably answer ‘B’.
John, what terrible stuff has Harper done? The only one I can think of is that he didn’t shut down the CBC.
According to John: “Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit.”
From the transcript of the CBC/Mansbridge interview with Stephen Harper, available here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2105-full-text-of-peter-mansbridge-s-interview-with-stephen-harper-1.3218399
(Please note the capital letter format was used by the CBC site, not by me)
“PM: HERE’S THE QUESTION THOUGH. UM IS IT A CORRECT ASSUMPTION TO MAKE THAT WHICHEVER PARTY ENDS UP, IF WE’RE IN A MINORITY SITUATION, WHICHEVER PARTY ENDS UP WITH THE MOST SEATS SHOULD FORM THE GOVERNMENT?
SH: Yeah that’s my – that’s I think how conventionally our system works and for good reason and that’s – that’s my position. Obviously our view is we’re going to win and we’re going to win strong. Ah but ah my position has always been if we win the most seats I will expect to form the government and if we don’t, I won’t.
PM: SO EVEN AS THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT, IS YOU’RE JUST A COUPLE OF SEATS BEHIND, YOU WOULDN’T TRY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO –
SH: No. No.
PM: YOU WOULD RESIGN.
SH: Yeah. Well I would not serve as prime minister. No I think you – you have to have the most seats in Parliament to go to the governor general and that’s – you know, in this country in our system, we have what’s called a Westminster style system, um and we don’t – we don’t, you know, elect a bunch of parties who then as in some countries, get together and decide who will – who will govern. We ask people to make a choice of a government. And so I think that the party that wins the most seats should form the government.”
“Well I would not serve as prime minister” implies Mr. Harper would become leader of the opposition in a minority situation. He would NOT try to hold on to power if he lost only by a few seats.
QED: “Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit.” is false.
Already heard a radio show this afternoon pooh-poohing this announcement as just another political lie by just another politician. Thing is, you can bs about these sorts of numbers a little, but even if it isn’t in surplus (and I think it likely is), it’s not out by much
Yes, Brian but the Grits and Dippers always tell the “truth.” Actually kudos to Mr Trudeau for at least being honest about his statism, unlike Mulcair statist wolf in moderate sheep clothing mendacity.
Just in reference to one or two comments above, wherein there is a suggestion that the date of this announcement has been “manipulated” or something, it would be important to show in support of such a contention that the date of release has been materially changed, in comparison to previous years.
The comparable information for 2013-2014 was apparently released on October 6, 2014, while the 2012-2013 information was evidently released on October 22, 2013. So, between 2013 and 2014, the release date moved forward 16 days, and between 2014 and 2015 the release date moved forward 22 days. The fiscal year of the Government of Canada ended in all cases on March 31 of the reporting year, or between 5.5 and 6.5 months earlier. I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder whether the move up of the reporting dates constitutes “manipulation”, or whether it’s a sign of more effective information management within and more timely reporting standards by a government that is better run. I’m personally guessing it’s the latter, given Mr. Clements’s efforts to invest in better information technology, the general advance of the technology itself, and the inherently non-partisan role that the Department of Finance must play in its reporting, given the sensitivity of bond-holders and credit rating agencies.
Nevertheless, the situation reminds me in many ways of the improvement in the fiscal position of the Province of Ontario during the first term of the Harris government. Not only were:
– provincial basic personal income tax rates reduced by 30 percent, along with other taxes;
– federal (Chretien-Martin) transfers to the provinces cut dramatically; and
– health care and education spending increased annually at greater than the rate of inflation,
but,
– the provincial deficit hangover from the Bob Rae years (can’t remember if he was NDP or Liberal back then; can anyone here help me with that?) was virtually eliminated.
Now, Harris had the advantage of a huge economic recovery (partly as a result of his policies) both in Canada and the United States and a even lower CD$:US$ Canadian dollar exchange rate.
By comparison, not only has today’s Government of Canada:
– reduced tax rates such that it takes in $30 billion less annually in tax revenue than if it had maintained tax rates prevailing at the end of the Chretien-Martin era;
– committed to stable and annually increasing (at much more than the rate of inflation) health care transfers to the provinces;
and
– committed to tripling investment (Justin, just for fun, pulled the number 2X that increase out of the air),
but,
– it has moved into a surplus position ahead of schedule, despite slow economic growth around the globe and collapsing oil prices.
I suppose it’s in the eye of the beholder, as well, whether this is indicative of the something working or not working. I’d say it’s working.
Hey everybody!!
Doncha just love John?
Yeah, no. Fascists are only far right of the far left. Both are far left of centre. There is no far right in Europe. Never has been. Why do you think America became so popular?
@David
Rae was NDP when he was Premier of Ontariariario.
Heh…I, on the other hand, am just an incorrigible red-baiter, who sees leftist dogma/doctrine as a thin gruel to be sucked into one’s mouth and spit back into their faces.
Someone has to say something while our compatriots pretend to take the high road.
Maybe we’re not going to hell in an orange hand-basket after all.
Hopefully this news breaks the logjam on the CTV website mast head, and exposes the lies of the left to the public.
No doubt the left will portray it as bad news.
Best. PM. Ever.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/news-video/video-stephen-harper-responds-to-scathing-criticism-from-jean-chretien/article26347643/
SURPRISE?!!!
The real surprise would be if the Libs or the NDP ever had a one cent surplus.
“You know this is a deficit, a really big deficit … in the negative. Yeah that’s it it’s a negative deficit and it’s really big. Did I tell you it’s big and negative?” Any reporter for CTV, CBC or Global.
Funny how stuff like this always seems to happen right before an election, eh? I’m rolling my eyes here.
This should not be taken as a reason to trash the Conservatives, I hasten to add. Manipulating little beeotches they may be, but in this election a vote for anything other than CPC is a self-inflicted wound.
Try to imagine the Shiny Pony as Prime Minister. Just think Boob Rae as Premiere of Ontario back in the ’90’s, then multiply by 100. We are still not dug out of the hole he started.
Ken Ken Ken, a smart man like you cannot even expect things like that. This will be announced on CTV by their favourite little pit yorkie Fifee as Harper government misplaces 1.9 billion. On CBC as, 1.9 billion found before Harper could spend it on military things to hurt poor isis folks, “thanks Wendy” And on Globals Gaysome, !.9 billion found in the Harper governments treasury that should go to help the ducks in the tailing ponds of the tarrrrrr sands to at least clean them up before the season. These scum of the earth talking heads have no remorse, loyalty, or shame, they all make the Kardashians look honorable. Dont consume the medias product and tell their advertisers how despicable they are.
CTV Liberal vision, this morning showed Trudeau (twice) commenting (with a straight face) on how it was really a deficit, never has been a surplus and the so-called news girl spinning like the surplus came from the massive, unfair, harsh cuts Harper made to seniors, native etc etc. Then switch to Don Martin for some snickering, mocking and snide comments. If these journalists weren’t so full of themselves they might see how embarrassing they are.
Trudeau has now been caught in a tactical blunder and he has to try and BS his way out of it.
The entire Liberal idea that there has to be deficits is based on the Kenyesean theory that governments have to step in to stimulate the economy in bad times.
Their narrative was built on the perception that Canada is in recession.
Trouble being, the economy started to recover in June, the last month of the six-month period in which back-to-back quarters showed negative growth.
Increased revenue, despited the slump in oil prices, due to increased economic activity, has allegedly put Canada in the black (I know books can be cooked).
So, by the time there’s a leaders debate, Harper has a huge hammer. Since Harper is an economist, he fully understands that Kenysean theory says you save in good times and spend in bad times … and the people of Canada have managed to pull the economy into the black all by themselves without the help of Big Brothers like Trudeau.
Should be and interesting six weeks coming up, watching how the media and Trudeau attempt to escape from their credibility crisis.
Harper must’ve hired the old Librano family book keeper. Mmmmmm surpluses – consider them spent already
CFRA’s Steve Madely interviews PM Stephen Harper Sunday September 13/15.
http://cdn1-proxy.autopod.ca/podcasts/chum/194/35373/Stephen_Harper_Sept14.mp3
Why would Trudeau think this was a deficit instead of a surplus? Don’t budgets balance themselves?
No doubt this is good news for the country and shows that Harper and the CPC are the only ones capable of running the show in good times or bad. Unfortunately the average liv has little or no interest in the economy. Rather they are mesmerized by such things as free daycare, Syrian refugees, mindless platitudes and scoldings from Jean Chretien. Who, by the way, should know enough to mind his own business. I know that if I had a hand in bilking the taxpayer of $40 million, I would have sense enough to keep my head down.
Surpluses, deficits, debt, income splitting, tax free savings accounts … these are all subjects that the liv doesn’t understand and has absolutely no desire to explore further. They have to be made to understand that a p*ss poor economy always results in higher taxation and, more within their sphere of knowledge, less “free” stuff.
soooooo I guess the answer to the national debt is to call an election every 6 mos. until it goes away?
such timing of the announcement . . . .
and remember boys and girls on the right, conservatives whatever the official party name and whatever the country and even whatever the year, are ALL 1st cousins of fascism.
spin spin spin !!!!
You know, if used properly, this news could be the only thing the cons need for another victory.
I hope this will be trumpeted on high.
And it still misses the real picture. Look at the graphic, still available at the cbc (of all places), which shows the steady improvement over the last few years.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/fiscal-year-ottawa-surplus-1.3226969
I wish there was a graphic showing this overlaid with the various provincial budgets.
How do you define fascism?
What policies do fascists promote?
I am truly curious what you think. Can you define it sans circular logic? (i.e. fascists are conservatives! What are conservatives? They are fascists!).
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deficit, surplus… who cares about all those big, complicated words… we all the know “the budget will balance itself… from the heart outwards.”
“Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is sticking with his three-year deficit spending plan DESPITE FIGURES RELEASED MONDAY that show the federal government registered a surprise surplus in the last fiscal year.”
a plan is a plan, right shiny pony?
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@imemine…so, Mr. Internationale, care to tell us what the ‘S’ stands for in NSDAP?
Great. Doesn’t change all of the other terrible stuff he’s done. The fact of the matter is that more than 70% of the country wants this goon gone.
And here’s what’s confusing… Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit. And since there is zero chance he’ll get a majority that means even if they win, we don’t know who will be PM. (Unless Harper is lying, which wouldn’t be the first time.)
So if the Cons win… we don’t know who will lead the minority gov. And if this is the case we know that this minority Con gov will last just a few months before we hold another expensive election. So YAY Cons! Way to waste time and rack up the bills!
Honestly… 80% of the polarization in this country is due entirely to conservative thinkers. When you’re not bullying your way through things forcing your ideas on the majority, you’re busy whining and crying victim. Cripes… you’ve had control of the country for nearly a decade and all this blog does is moan and complain about how hard done by you all are. Sheesh.
John >
“Great. Doesn’t change all of the other terrible stuff he’s done”
I keep hearing that. Care to elaborate on what “terrible stuff” so we can be informed instead of mudslinging CBC talking points?
Thanks, you saved me lots of typing.
Also cynical of politics in general but am honestly worried for my children’s future quality of life under this current self-destructive leftist plague.
Eagle and Kursk, shame on you both for falling for such obvious troll gibberish.
Exactly! You know the old maxim, ‘If a lie is repeated often enough, it is perceived as the truth.’? This NAZI/fascist crap is repeated so often by the left, they believe it themselves. Mustn’t let facts get in the way.
John: if the CPC have a minority gov’t and in a few months it is brought down by the ndp and libs – it’s their fault (CPC)?
As for whining and crying please refer to the post at 12:06PM……. Circular logic at it’s finest.
I am proud of my colleagues at both CBC and CTV who are saying “Ottawa” posted a surplus or “Canada” has. The “Feds” have is another great choice. If we make reference to the “Conservative gov’t” having done so as we no doubt would have if it was a deficit story, then Harper and the CPC might curry favor with Canadians, crediting the party in power for getting us there. We need to condition Canadians into associating “conservative” with everything negative and using generic descriptors when that party may get a benefit from good news. Bravo CBC and CTV. We must not lose our focus and must do everything in our power to influence the final result at the ballot box.
John you mean according to the corrupt Media Party / CBC / CTV and various Liberal partisans posing as journalists that want the goon gone
When the truth hurts, truth becomes hate speech?
Sheesh. What a hater.
After some consideration, I have serious concern that the timing of such an announcement under these current political circumstances runs the risk of a backfire. How many ignorant borderline socialists now believe Harper was hiding a boatload of cash and that we can now afford to party on the NDP Gravy Train?
As we all could have predicted, the CBC and JT are already wailing the exact same tune on this story. How dare the heartless Harper government not spend that money on our veterans, elderly, homeless, etc.?
Eagle and Kursk, shame on you both for falling for such obvious troll gibberish.
I cant help myself. I have a problem. I blindly think that most people are open to rational conversation.
And yet, there are no government programs for people like me. The doctor says there is no cure for my condition. But it can be treated with a consistent application of conservative majorities.
But the progressive types are selfishly holding back the funding.
See the budget will balance itself
I
Harper is a meanie. Harper lies about stuff. Everybody dislikes Harper and wants him gone. Harper enacts legislation without 100% approval from everyone. If Harper gets a minority government and is then toppled by the Liberals and NDP, it’s all his fault.
You will never get a straight answer or a concrete example out of John who just loves to come on this forum and run his mouth ad nauseam. His odious postings, while never considered to be clever, were at times amusing. Now they are simply tedious.
“Honestly… 80% of the polarization in this country is due entirely to conservative thinkers. When you’re not bullying your way through things forcing your ideas on the majority, you’re busy whining and crying victim”
Pot-kettle-black
It’s hard to understand how someone can have such a reversed view of realities – unless they’ve been so thoroughly lobotomized by disinformation and their own ignorance they are a danger to themselves and society.
Here’s a reality you can take to the bank John – A)the majority of Canadians do not think like you, just you and a small cocoon of intolerant leftard trolls. And B)people who disagree with your ignoramus utopianism are not going away, will NOT be silenced or bullied into silence.
So your dream of the authoritarian single party, single ideology secularist police state only exists in your mind
Becoming curious about “John’s” “terrible Things” I decided to Google bad things Harpers done, finding an online 25 bad things list.
It was hilarious because of the 25 “Bad Things” there were at least 20 or more things I agreed with Harper 100%.
The top few for was Scrapping the Gun Registry and Freezing Foreign Aid. What’s not to like?
biffjr >
Sounds like School children who hate their mommy and daddy. Guess that’s what we get in this BIG government entitlement age. Exactly why we will head into the Slave for the State age.
window.alert(“test”)
John’s incessant Harper carping only reveals his inner mantra;
“Government can spend money better than I can!”
John worships at the government altar; only the state can save you…its unthinking
gravy train economics at its worst.
Maybe John hasn’t heard how the NDP was using government money to get elected…
NDP MPs told to repay $2.7M in satellite office expenses
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-mps-told-to-repay-2-7m-in-satellite-office-expenses-1.2944163
Ottawa – February 3, 2015 – The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons and Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, has confirmed that the Board has determined the remedies it will be seeking further to its August 12, 2014 finding that some New Democratic Party (NDP) Members inappropriately used parliamentary resources for certain employment, telecommunication and travel expenses.
Since individual Members’ Office Budgets were used to supplement the NDP Research Office Budget, the Board will be directing that each participating Member personally reimburse the salary costs under question. As such,
Each participating Member or House Officer will be directed to reimburse, as a personal expense, all salary costs incurred from May 2, 2011 to December 31, 2014. There were 68 Members, including House Officers and one former Member, who participated in this shared employment arrangement on behalf of the Research Office.
The total amount to be reimbursed is $2,749,362.
As per the Board’s By-laws and policies, Members are the employers of their employees and have full discretion in the direction and control of the work performed on their behalf by their employees. Since Members are responsible for the use of House resources, they bear sole responsibility for any inappropriate use.
Cheers
Hans Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group ‘True North’
I’m starting to wonder if Harper isn’t playing these fools like good ole Br’er Rabbit.
Oh but Trudeau argues the Parliamentary Budget Officer says were in deficit. Let’s review the PBO mandate:
“The mandate of the Parliamentary Budget Officer is to provide independent analysis to Parliament on the state of the nation’s finances, the government’s estimates and trends in the Canadian economy; and upon request from a committee or parliamentarian, to estimate the financial cost of any proposal for matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction.”
So, the PBO said the government estimate of surplus was wrong, but now we know that he was wrong. Oh well, can’t win ’em all; he can find another axe to grind while continuing to acting outside his mandate. BTW, it is not in the PBO’s mandate to inject themselves into the political debate; or hold adversarial press conferences; or change the parameters for costing government programs, then declare the finance authorities “incorrect; or act as the de facto auditor general, all of which he and his silly predecessor, Kevin Page, have done.
Any questions Mr Trudeau? You seem to have trouble keeping up. How many “facts” will he have to cherry pick to show Canada is in crisis, and only he can help. Maybe he can get a Ouija board, channel his dad, so his spirit can tsk tsk what has become of their Canada. While you have him Justin, could your let dad know we finally paid off his debt.
John – PMSH had minority governments in 2006 and 2008. Not until May 2011, did he gain a majority government so, in my book, he has had ‘control’ of the country for only four years.
“I’m starting to wonder if Harper isn’t playing these fools like good ole Br’er Rabbit.”
So do I.
Tell me, is this a good time to ask that the temporary sales tax be scrapped?
Now would be the opportune time for PMSH to announce some genuine goodies for the liv to lap up.
Never mind reducing the GST. Eliminate it entirely.
Up the ante on Mulcair’s child care scheme. Make it $150 per day. Sky’s the limit.
Eliminate personal income taxes and small business tax. Up the corporate tax rate. Make the rich pay.
Eliminate EI premiums. Everybody deserves an income even when they’re not working.
Eliminate CPP contributions and allow the individual to pick the retirement age of his or her choice. Everybody deserves an income after they retire even if they haven’t worked.
And to attract the “green” vote, offer grants to cover the entire cost to anyone purchasing his or her own wind turbine or solar panel.
Where’s the money going to come from? Who cares? The media doesn’t seem concerned in the least about how Mulcair is going to pay for his fantasies. Besides … the budget balances itself, doesn’t it?
Imagine this poll being conducted of a random set of Canadians:
Which of the following do you generally support:
A) A government that strives to balance the federal budget and lower the debt.
B) A government that is focused on growing the social programs for Canadians, such as health & education, even if they have to borrow money to do so.
I would suspect that 95% of Leftists, which arguably comprise 60% of the population, would unquestionably answer ‘B’.
John, what terrible stuff has Harper done? The only one I can think of is that he didn’t shut down the CBC.
According to John: “Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit.”
From the transcript of the CBC/Mansbridge interview with Stephen Harper, available here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2105-full-text-of-peter-mansbridge-s-interview-with-stephen-harper-1.3218399
(Please note the capital letter format was used by the CBC site, not by me)
“PM: HERE’S THE QUESTION THOUGH. UM IS IT A CORRECT ASSUMPTION TO MAKE THAT WHICHEVER PARTY ENDS UP, IF WE’RE IN A MINORITY SITUATION, WHICHEVER PARTY ENDS UP WITH THE MOST SEATS SHOULD FORM THE GOVERNMENT?
SH: Yeah that’s my – that’s I think how conventionally our system works and for good reason and that’s – that’s my position. Obviously our view is we’re going to win and we’re going to win strong. Ah but ah my position has always been if we win the most seats I will expect to form the government and if we don’t, I won’t.
PM: SO EVEN AS THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT, IS YOU’RE JUST A COUPLE OF SEATS BEHIND, YOU WOULDN’T TRY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO –
SH: No. No.
PM: YOU WOULD RESIGN.
SH: Yeah. Well I would not serve as prime minister. No I think you – you have to have the most seats in Parliament to go to the governor general and that’s – you know, in this country in our system, we have what’s called a Westminster style system, um and we don’t – we don’t, you know, elect a bunch of parties who then as in some countries, get together and decide who will – who will govern. We ask people to make a choice of a government. And so I think that the party that wins the most seats should form the government.”
“Well I would not serve as prime minister” implies Mr. Harper would become leader of the opposition in a minority situation. He would NOT try to hold on to power if he lost only by a few seats.
QED: “Harper says that if he doesn’t get a majority, he’ll quit.” is false.
Already heard a radio show this afternoon pooh-poohing this announcement as just another political lie by just another politician. Thing is, you can bs about these sorts of numbers a little, but even if it isn’t in surplus (and I think it likely is), it’s not out by much
Yes, Brian but the Grits and Dippers always tell the “truth.” Actually kudos to Mr Trudeau for at least being honest about his statism, unlike Mulcair statist wolf in moderate sheep clothing mendacity.
Just in reference to one or two comments above, wherein there is a suggestion that the date of this announcement has been “manipulated” or something, it would be important to show in support of such a contention that the date of release has been materially changed, in comparison to previous years.
The comparable information for 2013-2014 was apparently released on October 6, 2014, while the 2012-2013 information was evidently released on October 22, 2013. So, between 2013 and 2014, the release date moved forward 16 days, and between 2014 and 2015 the release date moved forward 22 days. The fiscal year of the Government of Canada ended in all cases on March 31 of the reporting year, or between 5.5 and 6.5 months earlier. I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder whether the move up of the reporting dates constitutes “manipulation”, or whether it’s a sign of more effective information management within and more timely reporting standards by a government that is better run. I’m personally guessing it’s the latter, given Mr. Clements’s efforts to invest in better information technology, the general advance of the technology itself, and the inherently non-partisan role that the Department of Finance must play in its reporting, given the sensitivity of bond-holders and credit rating agencies.
Nevertheless, the situation reminds me in many ways of the improvement in the fiscal position of the Province of Ontario during the first term of the Harris government. Not only were:
– provincial basic personal income tax rates reduced by 30 percent, along with other taxes;
– federal (Chretien-Martin) transfers to the provinces cut dramatically; and
– health care and education spending increased annually at greater than the rate of inflation,
but,
– the provincial deficit hangover from the Bob Rae years (can’t remember if he was NDP or Liberal back then; can anyone here help me with that?) was virtually eliminated.
Now, Harris had the advantage of a huge economic recovery (partly as a result of his policies) both in Canada and the United States and a even lower CD$:US$ Canadian dollar exchange rate.
By comparison, not only has today’s Government of Canada:
– reduced tax rates such that it takes in $30 billion less annually in tax revenue than if it had maintained tax rates prevailing at the end of the Chretien-Martin era;
– committed to stable and annually increasing (at much more than the rate of inflation) health care transfers to the provinces;
and
– committed to tripling investment (Justin, just for fun, pulled the number 2X that increase out of the air),
but,
– it has moved into a surplus position ahead of schedule, despite slow economic growth around the globe and collapsing oil prices.
I suppose it’s in the eye of the beholder, as well, whether this is indicative of the something working or not working. I’d say it’s working.
Hey everybody!!
Doncha just love John?
Yeah, no. Fascists are only far right of the far left. Both are far left of centre. There is no far right in Europe. Never has been. Why do you think America became so popular?
@David
Rae was NDP when he was Premier of Ontariariario.
Heh…I, on the other hand, am just an incorrigible red-baiter, who sees leftist dogma/doctrine as a thin gruel to be sucked into one’s mouth and spit back into their faces.
Someone has to say something while our compatriots pretend to take the high road.