Michael Ignatieff: $13-billion deficit demonstrates Harper government's economic mismanagement

Special to The Canadian

	Michael Ignatieff considers helping to topple Harper government with Coalition support from NDP.

OTTAWA – A new report forecasting a $13-billion deficit next year – even before the Harper government’s plans to include billions in economic stimulus measures in this week’s budget – reinforces the fiscal mismanagement of the Conservatives, Liberal Finance Critic Scott Brison and Economic Advisory Committee Chairman John McCallum says.

“Parliamentary Budget Office Kevin Page has reported that the Conservatives have positioned Canada to rack up at least $46 billion – possibly as much as $105 billion – in new debt over the next five years without any new spending planned in their stimulus budget,” said Mr. Brison.

“The Conservatives’ irresponsible spending and inability to protect Canada’s economy in the event of a recession have diminished our ability to respond to the current economic crisis and demonstrates their mismanagement of the economy,” he said.

Mr. McCallum said Mr. Page’s findings not only raise concerns about the government’s competence but also about their trustworthiness.

“Stephen Harper consistently told Canadians they would have a surplus as late as the November 27th economic update,” he said. “And yet here we are – our starting point going into this recession is a $13-billion deficit. This government was headed into the red but was not upfront with Canadians.

“These political games have simply got to stop. They’ve got to start thinking about the people – protecting their jobs, their savings and Canada’s future prosperity,” he said. Mr. Brison added that that’s exactly what Liberals – and all Canadians, in fact – are expecting from next week’s budget.

“Canadians expect a government that is honest and direct. They expect their government to put aside political games and work cooperatively to fix the economy,” he said.

“We believe it didn’t have to be this way, and Liberals are ready to turn things around.” New leader Michael Ignatieff is reportedly keep his options open in continuing a parliamentary effort to topple the Harper government, and forge a Progressive Coalition government.

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