Sunday, September 13, 2009

"The budget is not good for Canada, it's not good for Canadian families"

So, as usual, I was spending my Sunday evening unwinding by watching the NDP YouTube channel, when I came across this gem - Jack Layton's response's to the Conservative budget. Remember, this Friday's confidence vote on the ways and means motion is for that very same budget, and there's been a lot of noise about the NDP supporting the Conservatives in that vote. So let's see what Jack had to say back in January:



Among the highlights:

So, because a budget vote is a confidence vote, on behalf of the tens of thousands who are going to be thrown out of work but will not get any help from this government or this budget, on behalf of the people who have waited too long for child care or health care, on behalf of the seniors who have lived too long in poverty, and on behalf of future generations who are counting on us to take strong, urgent and bold action on the environment, we will vote no confidence in this government.

Our former leader and respected member of this House, Tommy Douglas, once said, “Courage my friends, 'tis not too late to build a better world”.

I am disappointed that others in this House are not willing to show that same courage and that same conviction at this important moment in time. Meaningless amendments will not change the fundamental failures of this budget or repair the trust that this government has broken with the Canadian people.

We cannot support such a budget or such a government.

My, how times have changed. What would Tommy Douglas think Jack?

posted by calgarygrit at 11:08 p.m.

20 Comments:

  • So lets see if I have this right. The NDP didn't support the budget back in January but now they might and the Liberals did support the budget in January and now they won't. Dosen't seem like much difference between the two parties does there?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:34 p.m.  

  • Aren't you a couple of days early with this post?

    By Blogger Jae/Jennie, at 11:39 p.m.  

  • I agree with Jennie/Jae. It seems like Ignatieff wants to vote No on his own motion, so he may prop Harper on this motion. Let's wait till after the vote till we start the partisan slander (I would prefer Friday to mark Fall for Harper, in more ways than one!)

    By Blogger Ian, at 11:45 p.m.  

  • So... the Liberals support the Tories in the winter and spring, and now the NDP might do the same for a time in the fall.

    What's that about stones and glass houses? Not that it much matters, of course, since - supposedly - mindless opposition as a matter of policy is not a good policy.

    By Blogger JG, at 12:58 a.m.  

  • So lets see if I have this right. The NDP didn't support the budget back in January but now they might and the Liberals did support the budget in January and now they won't. Dosen't seem like much difference between the two parties does there?

    That's the point. The horror!

    By Blogger Steve V, at 1:00 a.m.  

  • Ignatieff could always call on Harper to surrender government to the Liberals without a non-confidence vote or an election.

    Jack Pickersgill would be proud.

    By Blogger Patrick Ross, at 1:36 a.m.  

  • You Liberals have no shame, have you?

    What's been your record on Harper's budgeting?

    I dare you to answer.

    By Blogger Stephen, at 3:27 a.m.  

  • Is it really a smart move for so many libfloggers to hang whats left of their shredded credibility on something that hasn't even happened yet.

    By Blogger Robert McClelland, at 8:10 a.m.  

  • So lets see if I have this right. The NDP didn't support the budget back in January but now they might and the Liberals did support the budget in January and now they won't. Dosen't seem like much difference between the two parties does there?

    Bingo.

    And the NDP was merciless in their attacks on the Liberals for this. So it's only fair to return the favour, n'est-ce-pas?

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 10:14 a.m.  

  • And the NDP was merciless in their attacks on the Liberals for this.

    Liberals began falsely accusing the NDP of propping up the Harper Conservatives after the `06 election forcing them to respond in this manner.

    By Blogger Robert McClelland, at 11:07 a.m.  

  • Not to mention nearly four years of Liberals crying about being out of government and blaming the NDP.

    Blaming the NDP for toppling the Paul Martin government.

    Blaming the NDP for competing against them in an election.

    Blaming the RCMP for investigating something (Income Trust leak) that the Liberals themsselves should have been investigating in the first place.

    Blaming everyone but themselves.

    By Blogger Patrick Ross, at 12:06 p.m.  

  • "Liberals began falsely accusing the NDP of propping up the Harper Conservatives after the `06 election forcing them to respond in this manner."

    Funniest thing I've read in ages: that the NDP have their policies driven by the schoolyard taunts of others.

    By Blogger Paul, at 12:40 p.m.  

  • Liberals began falsely accusing the NDP of propping up the Harper Conservatives after the `06 election forcing them to respond in this manner.

    Nuh-uh. You started it.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 1:10 p.m.  

  • And the NDP was merciless in their attacks on the Liberals for this. So it's only fair to return the favour, n'est-ce-pas?

    Sure. But by the same token, weren't the Libs calling the NDP irresponsible back in January for saying that they'd vote against whatever the Tories put in the window before even reading it...

    ... which is now what the Liberals have said they're going to do, no?

    By Blogger Jason Hickman, at 1:17 p.m.  

  • Jason - Good point. And fair enouh. If I can find a juicy quote on that from Iggy, I'll post it.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 2:44 p.m.  

  • Harpercons must be loving reading threads like this one. Divide and conquer, rinse and repeat.

    By Blogger Scott in Montreal, at 4:09 p.m.  

  • September 9, 2004

    Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson,
    C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
    Governor General
    Rideau Hall
    1 Sussex Drive
    Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1

    Excellency,
    As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister
    to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.
    We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
    Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
    Sincerely,
    Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
    Leader of the Opposition
    Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
    Also signed by Duceppe and Layton. Okay Harper lovers. A little reminder of Harper calling the pot black

    By Blogger marie, at 4:15 p.m.  

  • OOPs,The end part should of read, look who's calling the pot black.

    By Blogger marie, at 4:16 p.m.  

  • Maybe its time for Liberals and Democrats to stop pounding the shit out of each other as the most basic element of the respective, and mutual political strategies.

    Just a thought.

    The parties agree on 80% (OK, 50%) of issues. If Iggy was a real progressive leader, he'd reach out to the NDP.

    Ditto Jack. We all need to realize the left is the new right in Canada. Shut up and vote Liberal isn't gonna cut it. The party's brand is too tarnished with too many. Nor is the NDP alone going to win government.

    Maybe both parties need to lose a few more elections to the right before we'll all realize the obvious... it's time for a realignment of progressive politics in Canada.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:00 p.m.  

  • I'm not surprised it took nearly 4 years for the day to come when the NDP would finally pass some confidence motion put forward by the Conservatives. They are ideologicaly the furthest apart.

    It has always made more sense to work with the Liberals and the Bloc. Extending EI benefits in a recession is probably fine with Tommy. Its not like the motion would privitize health care. I get the sense that this would be an extremely limited support of the government as well, not any kind of coalition per see.

    4 elections in 5 years is just a tad excessive after all.

    By Blogger bza, at 12:05 a.m.  

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