There really ought to be a law against majority Parliaments. Consider this:
The politicians met for about 20 minutes in Harper's Langevin Block offices, sources say. The Prime Minister told the two MPs he was prepared to spend the cash if the NDP was ready to commit its support for two years. Sources say the NDP had no intention of accepting an offer that could spell political suicide.My main worry is that the Tories, in their way, are going to allocate every penny and leave no contingencies. Love 'em or have 'em, the Liberal contingencies, wiggle room and underestimating were a hallmark of the reinvention of the Federal role in the economy that have passed Harper The Great Gift to build upon or to squander.Instead, the New Democrats quietly called the groups and governments counting on the cash that could be lost from C-48, such as provinces, municipalities and transit agencies, setting in motion a furious backroom lobbying effort to save the spending program. "They were all convinced the money was secure and, in fact, it was already in their budgets," said one federal official. It appears that effort succeeded. Last month, it was revealed the government will set up independent trust funds to distribute about $3.6 billion from C-48.
But these are good times. The budget should be interesting.
Comments
Flea - May 2, 2006 3:58 PM
I am wondering if this is a week lots of people are on holiday. Traffic is down slightly but I am mainly noticed fewer comments out there in the "blogosphere".
Alan - May 2, 2006 4:20 PM
I fear it is only you, me and the Tiger left. The rest are bots. Either that or it is spring. Are you tiring of blogging yet? I know I go on but you and I are the only lucid daily voices left as far as I can tell.
Arthur - May 2, 2006 5:46 PM
I fear it is only you, me and the Tiger left
Ahem.
Alan - May 2, 2006 6:48 PM
Oh, yes! Hello Arthur. You know, maybe we need to hire a VIA rail train and go on a coast to coast tour to renew interest in blogging. Maybe the Flea should run across Canada for increased comment activity.
Arthur - May 2, 2006 6:53 PM
You know, maybe we need to hire a VIA rail train and go on a coast to coast tour to renew interest in blogging.
Wait: I can already go coast to coast using the Internet!
Arthur - May 2, 2006 6:54 PM
Oops sorry. Halifax! Because there are cute looking ducks in Halifax!
David Janes - May 2, 2006 8:59 PM
With the train, we could take a few decks of cards and we can plays Hearts across the country.
Alan - May 2, 2006 9:17 PM
..and drink milky tea all afternoon. I'm in as long as I can walk around in my wool socks without you fellas giving me the gears.
Flea - May 3, 2006 12:21 AM
I am having serious server issues so there may be a delayed Flea if ever tomorrow. Otherwise, I am still happy to be cranking out the blog. It is the rest of my life I am not certain what to do with.
No milky tea for me, thanks. Strong and sweet!
Flea - May 3, 2006 12:27 AM
"It is the rest of my life I am not certain what to do with."
Excepting my new Butz-Choquin "Concerto" churchwarden pipe in honey briar. Also my New Haven tabacco, a blend of Black Cavendish and vanilla. A nice, cool smoke.
cm - May 3, 2006 8:52 AM
On the train Alan can also play his banjo. Alas, Flea will have to do without his pipe.
Alan - May 3, 2006 8:57 AM
That is why trains have separate cars. I am all for pipes and banjos. I do note that the Flea has coyly avoided the question of his "Cross-Canada Run for Blogging."
cm - May 3, 2006 9:42 AM
Trains are all non-smoking now, but on the eastern run they will let you off in Belleville and Rimouski.
Alan - May 3, 2006 9:58 AM
Private carriage being hauled by VIA, then.
Flea - May 3, 2006 12:13 PM
I am ready for private hire cross-country train run for blogging. Actual running would have to be restricted to... well, I won't be doing any. I regard it as an enormously unhealthful and unproductive activity. Cycling, by contrast, is quite sensible.
Arthur - May 3, 2006 6:26 PM
OMG I can see it right before me:
Blogging On Rails!