Get ready to head to the polls Canada.
It seems a virtual lock that a federal election will be called for in May after all three opposition parties, the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois, rejected the Conservative federal budget on Tuesday.
The government could fall as quickly as today (March 25) when the House of Commons could be asked to vote on a non-confidence vote that the Liberals introduced on Tuesday.
We're more than a bit disappointed that it has come to this - another election costing taxpayers millions of dollars - dollars that should be spent elsewhere helping the economy, providing more educational and health care opportunities in this country. But no, instead we will be treated to the four parties locked in a battle for power - a power struggle that will most likely result in the same thing we have now - a Conservative minority government.
Oh sure, things could change and the Liberals may gain back power - albeit probably a minority government and the NDP could gain a few seats, but not enough to form government and the Bloc, well, they are in just for Quebec and only Quebec.
So what's the point? It appears to us that there never was any intention from any of the three parties to support the budget or work together in the House of Commons to move Canada forward.
The talks of the parties working together has been, it appears, just that - a lot of hot air from our politicians.
The budget tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was a cautious one, a budget that offered some measures for seniors, parents and small business, but did not offer much in the way of big-ticket spending items - all things that the opposition has been asking for. The budget also called for speeding up the Conservatives plan to eliminate the deficit - again, not a bad idea and something that is very much needed.
NDP leader Jack Layton said nothing in the budget shows Harper and the Conservatives have done anything for Canadians and is prepared to work with the other parties.
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said the budget wasn't credible and that the Conservatives have little or no respect for democracy or ordinary Canadians.
While these sentiments may be true, what about the apparent lack of respect that these leaders have shown for Canadians who are tired of these political games, tired of having to go to the polls for another possibly needless election? Are any of these leaders truly working on behalf of the people who elected them or are they just in it for their lust for power?
We believe the latter, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. It appears a spring election has sprung. Let the rhetoric and fighting continue.
- Ian Jacques
