When is a money bill not a money bill?

In my opinion, the Speaker pushed the limits of non-partisanship yesterday when he ruled that Dan McTeague's RESP bill which now heads to the Liberal-dominated Senate, "technically did not include a measure that would result in the government spending money." (H/T National Newswatch)

This could jeopardize the Finance Minister's attempt to not enter a deficit situation.

...Ted Menzies, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Finance, lashed out at the proposal and suggested Mr. McTeague explain how the government will pay for it. In addition to costing the federal government $900-million, the provinces would also be out $450-million if the plan goes through, he said.

"This is ridiculous. It is irresponsible and uncosted and comes one day after the Liberals supported our budget. If it would have been a good thing for Canadians and we felt it was the right thing to do, we would have done it in our budget," Mr. Menzies said...

The Globe reports that "Liberal MP Garth Turner said the government wouldn't like Mr. McTeague's proposal because families would choose the immediate tax breaks over Mr. Flaherty's proposed tax-free savings account, the centrepiece of last month's budget, which is only for after-tax income."

In very sophisticated, Parliamentary language, Mr. Turner declared: “It beats the poop out of it.”


Time for an election. We need a majority government in Canada.

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Update: COTM - Whose fault Liberal "money" bill passes?

On CBC's Politics, an expert from C.D. Howe said that this education bill is tax overkill.

Finn Poschmann calls it an untenable situation and said that the real issue is that it is an abuse of Parliamentary procedure.

He said that Dan McTeague's RESP Bill could cost 900 Million a year!!


Poschmann said that the fact this money bill got passed without the approval of the government, shows that it does not have the confidence of the opposition parties.

ELECTION TIME!!!!

Obligatory Budget Post

Yesterday's budget details and the plethora of related reactions reminded me of Aesop's fable about the Man, the Boy and the Donkey - try to please all and you end up pleasing none.

It was a budget meant to appeal to a broad base of Canadians - a little something for everyone - and yet the nitpickers still weren't happy. Jack Layton's stance is that any number of government handouts will never be enough (unless he co-writes the document himself).

Stephane Dion stated, "I've never seen a government ... do so little with so much."

Gilles Duceppe had to check with PQ leader Andre Boisclair before making up his mind. Apparently the response was, 'Take the money and run'.

MSM on the right feel that the CPC is selling out its traditional base, while those on the left parrot Jack by saying that it wasn't enough. Most seem to bemoan the lack of discernible differences and choice between parties these days, as they all become more and more centrist (well maybe not Jack). Many Blogging Tories have reiterated that sentiment.

Since 2/3 of the spending went to resolve the fiscal imbalance, this amount of aggressive spending should hopefully be a 'one off'. And it will be so worth it if McGuinty stops his whining!

On a personal level, I was pleased to see the measures included such as the Disability Savings Plan, designed to aid parents of children with severe disabilities. My cousin Ted Kuntz in BC was interviewed by CTV (video clip available at right side of this link). His adult son suffered brain damage as an infant and now has the mental capacity of a two-year-old. This support is a huge boost on an emotional as well as a financial level to such families.


Politically, it remains to be seen where this is all going. I suspect that PMSH has a trick or two up his sleeve.

And I'll bet he won't be too worried about asking anyone how he should take that donkey to market.

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Update: Wow! Check out the 'Election Fever Meter' towards the right of the National Newswatch page. It was hovering around 90% or higher the last week or so, and now it's plunged to 18%!!

Reader Florence pointed out this great post at Backseat Blogger - On that hidden agenda thingy.

Sandy - It was a Canadian Budget -- Conservative AND Liberal.

Heard on CTV's Mike Duffy - Lawrence Martin suggests that there may be some dissent in the Liberal caucus about the budget. It seems that some Quebec MP's want to support it.

Dissension in the ranks for sure - Liberal Joe Comuzzi to support budget!

CBC - Dion opposed to budget before reading it: PM