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Can Canadians Spare $1.95?
Two months was all it took for Stephen Harper to unite the political parties - against him and his Tory-minority government. Last week Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented a "fiscal update" that proposed slashing $30 million a year in funding to political parties. The spin was the conservatives would lose the most ($10 million) compared to the other parties (Liberals: $7.7 million NDP: $4.9 million Bloc Quebecois: $2.6 million Green Party: $1.8 million). Problem is most of the funding for the Tories come from outside sources. One-party rule is not acceptable in a democracy; nor is government by the rich for the rich which is certainly an element of this proposal. The rule is the political parties receive $1.95 for each vote annually. Flaherty wasn't quite finished his "fiscal update". He also proposed to suspend the right to strike for public employees only until 2011. Pleased with his day's work Flaherty commented, "without a doubt, here in Canada and around the world, these are difficult times that will require difficult choices," adding, "we cannot ask Canadians to tighten their belts during tougher times without looking in the mirror. We have a responsibility to show restraint and respect for tax dollars." The NDP's Jack Layton got to work and called on well-respected and former NDP Leader Ed Broadbent to get in touch with former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien to work out a coalition. A statement was quickly issued: Monday, December 1, 2008 To our fellow citizens, Canada is facing a global economic crisis. Since the recent federal election, it has become clear that the government headed by Stephen Harper has no plan, no competence and, no will to effectively address this crisis. Therefore, the majority of Parliament has lost confidence in Mr. Harper’s government, and believes that the formation of a new Government that will effectively, prudently, promptly and competently address these critical economic times is necessary. The contrast between the inaction of Mr. Harper’s government and the common action taken by all other Western democracies is striking. We cannot accept this. A majority of Canadians and Quebecers voted for our parties on October 14, 2008. Our Members of Parliament make up 55 percent of the House of Commons. In light of the critical situation facing our citizens, and the Harper government’s unwillingness and inability to address the crisis, we are resolved to support a new government that will address the interests of the people. Today we respectfully inform the Governor General that, as soon as the appropriate opportunity arises, she should call on the Leader of the Official Opposition to form a new government, supported as set out in the accompanying accords by all three of our parties.
Respectfully,
In the meantime the Tories backed down and dropped the slash in cash to the political parties but it looks like it isn't enough. The Tories have lost the trust of the opposition not to do something like this again. |
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