government spending

Mars 20, 2012 3:00AM

Flaherty has opportunity to deliver the prudent budget that Falcon didn't

With economic uncertainty lurking around every corner, its critical that governments across Canada show fiscal discipline and put forth prudent budgets.

Here in B.C., Finance Minister Kevin Falcon reassured British Columbians that his governments 2012 budget was built on fiscal discipline and lays a firm foundation for the future. Falcon even warned of the perils of additional government taxes, spending and borrowing, calling such measures potentially catastrophic.

Étiquettes:

federal budget, canada, government spending, government debt, deficit

Mars 14, 2012 3:00AM

Nary a conservative budget in sight

Niels Veldhuis

Sitting down with my morning cup of coffee and Saturday's National Post, I was delighted to read Andrew Coyne's scathing criticism of the federal Conservatives' record in office, based on comments he was to make at this year's Manning Networking Conference (Is there a conservative in the House?, March 10).

Where has conservatism gone? Coyne asked. Unfortunately, Post readers didn't have to look far for the answer - the adjacent page to be precise.

Étiquettes:

government spending, provincial budget, bc budget, alberta budget, program spending, taxes, debt and deficits

Mars 9, 2012 2:00AM

BC's 2012 budget fails to lay foundation for the future

Niels Veldhuis, Charles Lammam

With economic uncertainty as the backdrop, it was critical for the BC government to put forth a prudent budget. Finance minister Kevin Falcon acknowledged as much by reassuring British Columbians that the budget was built on fiscal discipline and lays a firm foundation for the future. Falcon even warned of the perils of additional government taxes, spending, and borrowing in the current economic environment, calling such measures potentially catastrophic.

Étiquettes:

bc budget, government spending, bc budget deficit, bc investment climate, bc economy, provincial budget

Mars 6, 2012 2:00AM

Cut $10-billion now; Flaherty should drop entire departments and programs

Niels Veldhuis, Charles Lammam

On Monday, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty held his traditional pre-budget consultation with a number of private-sector economists, who all appear to be predicting improved growth in the Canadian economy for the coming year. This no doubt comes as welcome news to the Finance Minister, as he prepares to unveil his next budget on March 29.

But the Finance Minister should not be swayed by these optimistic growth projections; he needs to bring in a budget that will take serious aim at balancing the nation's book.

Étiquettes:

federal budget, government spending, program spending, debt, deficit

Mars 4, 2012 2:00AM

Ontario's problem: Ontario's government

Mark Milke

In his recent shot at Alberta, Ontarios premier Dalton McGuintywho blamed the Wests resource boom for a slowdown in Ontarios manufacturing sectorinvented a fascinating explanation for the relative decline of Ontario.

While McGuinty later backtracked and claimed his original clear point was not his actual opinion, what is yet transparent is how, in McGuintys world, Ontarios problems have nothing to do with his own policy choices, or events outside of Canadasay, worldwide competition in the manufacturing sector.

Étiquettes:

ontario government, government spending ontario, government spending, dalton mcguinty, ontario economy

Février 16, 2012 2:00AM

The government auto bailout: $474,000 per GM employee

Mark Milke

With sales and profits up at General Motors, proponents of the 2009 automotive bailout for GM (and Chrysler) now assert the taxpayer-financed rescue was a success. In a visit to Michigan in late January, U.S. president Barack Obama argued the deal saved jobs. Canadian politicians, including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who last summer incorrectly asserted taxpayers received all their money back, have made similar boasts.

Given the revisionist history in play, lets place that 2009 deal in proper context.

Étiquettes:

auto bailout, government spending, corporate welfare, general motors, gm bailout, general motors bailout, financial aid, stimulus, chrysler bailout

Février 13, 2012 2:00AM

What are the top fiscal landmines that B.C. could hit in 2012 and what can the Liberals do to avoid them?

Niels Veldhuis, Charles Lammam

In 2011, most economic forecasters began the year rather optimistic. British Columbia had rebounded nicely from the 2009 recession and saw its economy grow at 3.0% in 2010, robust growth most forecasters thought would continue. Indeed, the BC governments Economic Forecast Council, a group of private-sector economists, predicted growth of 2.7% in 2011 and 3.0% for 2012.

Étiquettes:

bc budget, bc government, british columbia government, government budget british columbia, government spending, provincial budget bc

Décembre 18, 2011 2:00AM

Santa Claus governments

Mark Milke

For those who look back on 2011 and wonder how European and American governments dug themselves into such a deep debt hole, consider this image as an explanation: Santa Claus.

Étiquettes:

government spending, government debt, government subsidies

Novembre 16, 2011 2:00AM

Provinces follow Ottawa's pattern of rosy revenue forecasts and unrealistic spending projections

Niels Veldhuis, Charles Lammam

When Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced last week that the Conservative government will miss its target for balancing the budget, he confirmed something that should be obvious to all students of recent Canadian economic history: Crossed-finger revenue forecasts and unrealistic spending growth projections are no basis for sound economic policy.

Étiquettes:

government spending, jim flaherty, federal government, federal budget, debt, deficit, program spending

Novembre 15, 2011 10:00AM