Well, it seems there are some interesting times ahead for Canadian politics following the tabling of Stephen Harper’s new budget. As expected, the budget features many concessions to sway the opposition parties to support the Conservative budget and allow them to remain in the seat of government. And while the NDP and the Bloc Québécois have held steadfast to their plans of bringing Harper’s government down by rejecting this budget, it would appear that Michael Ignatieff has other plans in mind despite his earlier support for this opposition-led coalition. Following the release of the full budget, Ignatieff has changed his position to express conditional support for this budget – the condition being the inclusion of an amendment that would require the Conservatives to submit three economic reports to follow-up on whether this economic stimulus package is indeed having the desired effect or whether it is simply pulling Canada into debt.

It’s certainly a bold move, one that will be closely watched to see what impact it will have down the road on Harper’s Conservatives, that is should Harper agree to this amendment. After all, Harper has already made numerous concessions to the opposition parties; despite whatever spin Flaherty and Harper try to put on their budget, I don’t think anyone sees this as being Click here to continue reading »”Ignatieff’s Budgetary Gambit – Win, Lose, or Draw?”

With the start of the new session in Parliament yesterday, and the much anticipated release of the federal budget today, all eyes are once again on Stephen Harper’s Conservative government for clues as to just how far they will go to acquiesce the opposition parties in another attempt to maintain their weakened hold as the ruling government of Canada.

So far, the orchestrated leaks of certain details from today’s budget indicate a significant shift from Harper’s initial position that Canada would post a budget surplus this year as well his party’s stubbornness in not willing to acknowledge that Canada has indeed entered into a recession. The spin doctors will undoubtedly try to present this as being indicative of Harper’s ability to adjust his position and policies to reflect changes in the economy and the acquisition of new data or information. However, the simple fact is that Harper’s change in position has less to do with a recognition of the Click here to continue reading »”How Long Can Harper’s Government Last?”