Monday, January 14, 2008

On stewardship

The NDP's leadership summit earns an article in each of the Globe and Mail and the National Post. And in the latter, Jack Layton hits exactly the right note in highlighting the issue where the NDP can make up the most ground:
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Layton gave a glimpse of what could very well be a key plank in the NDP's platform heading into the next election, painting his party as better stewards of the economy than the Conservatives who tend to favour letting market forces prevail with little government intervention. "We believe that Mr. Harper has been reckless in the way that he has approached financial matters." For example, the Conservatives bring in tax cuts that help industries already doing well such as banks and oil companies, allowing them to make even greater profits, Mr. Layton argued. Meanwhile, high oil prices are fuelling the high dollar which is hitting other industries such as manufacturing, forestry and agriculture.
Of course, there's always room for debate as to the best mmeans of assisting a struggling industry. But it should be clear that the competing corporate tax cuts on offer from both the Libs and Cons will be of little use to employers who aren't in a profit position, along with the workers and communities who depend on them.

And the Cons' weak aid package only emphasizes the relative priorities of the Harper government. Having promised a $14 billion windfall in corporate tax cuts, they're only belatedly willing to offer up a small fraction of that in regional assistance - which in turn is conditional on passing the corporate tax cuts themselves.

Fortunately, it's not too late to start getting Canada's priorities in order. With even the Cons going out of their way to point out that the federal government's fiscal situation could turn sour in a hurry, the 2008 budget may offer a defining choice between social investment and gratuitous tax cuts. And the NDP can proudly stand not only as the most fiscally responsible party in Canada when it comes to public funds, but also as the lone national party willing to make the investments needed to ensure a broad economic base.

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