Christmas in February

Yesterday was Christmas morning for politics and sports watchers like myself with the 2008 Federal Budget being announced on the same day as the NHL Trading Deadline. While my interest in the NHL has waned in recent years, the Trade Deadline is still an exciting part of the NHL season as blanket media coverage (at least in Canada) hypes the event to election-like proportions.

And now for something completely different...politics! The Federal Budget is always a government's most important annual document and aside from the Throne Speech, is the determinant of policy for the next year. People who manage their own finances know all too well how difficult it is to keep track of the numbers, where revenue is coming from, and where it should go. Now, imagine that on a macro-level, national scale. The Federal Budget is always a thorough, well-planned document designed to give taxpayers value for their money while maintaining the government's books.

That said, with the economy heading for an uncertain 12 months, yesterday's Budget urged fiscal restraint and prepared the country for whatever transpires in the near future. I have no problems with this budget as it addresses the nation's needs and ensures that the cupboard will not be bare, despite what critics may say. It is always interesting to hear the opposition's take on the budget, especially the Bloc and NDP, when one considers that they have never tabled a national budget of their own (and we all know how the NDP managed Ontario's finances in the early 1990's). The fact that the Liberals supported the budget tells me that they're not ready for an election. Indeed, they only have 2/3 of their candidates nominated and are behind in fund-raising so an election now would be a losing proposition.

I will turn to the NDP and their opposition of this budget. As readers know, my riding is represented by an NDP MP as are 2 others in Hamilton. Their opposition to the budget is unacceptable. Indeed, they even came out before the budget and said they would vote against it. I thought the whole idea of electing MP's was so they could go to Ottawa and represent their constituent's views. Stating that you are voting against something before it is even tabled is not representing people at all.

When looking at what the NDP are going to vote against, one wonders what brain they are thinking with. After saying that they would stand up for seniors, the NDP are voting against extending the Seniors' Guaranteed Income Supplement, despite my local MP, Chris Charlton, saying that she supports the GIS. They are also voting against making the 1 cent federal gas tax payment to cities (to be used for infrastructure projects) permanent, despite campaigning for improving infrastructure. The budget also extends student grants for post-secondary students from middle income backgrounds to the tune of $430 million 4 years from now. Also for students: a continuation of the textbook tax credit, more money for research, and a significant scholarship for graduates of PhD programs. NDP MP's are voting against all of these program, even though they apparently stand for higher quality post-secondary education. Also, the NDP have voted against the new savings account that allows Canadians to contribute up to $5000 annually, which is sensible for all income brackets, completely tax-free. Instead of supporting fiscal responsibility for its own constituents, the NDP are saying that Canadians shouldn't be prudent with their money and just spend, perhaps into debt. How appropriate, the NDP telling people to spend, spend, spend when they don't have the means to sustain it. If anyone is curious about how the NDP would manage the nation's finances, their questions have been answered in this budget.

The people of Hamilton deserve better than this from their 3 NDP MP's. At a time when the nation's economic outlook is uncertain, the NDP are voting against a responsible budget that offers incentives to Canadians who are equally responsible with their own money. Their lack of representation on issues such as the 2008 Federal Budget smacks of hypocrisy when the most recent party propaganda leads with the headline 'Representation You Can Count On'. Hamilton Mountain cannot count on the NDP for effective representation and should vote against Chris Charlton in the next election.