Billions Upon Billions

I am not normally a fan of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, but this piece contains s a nice, compact analysis by Adam Taylor of spending promises made by the various parties before and during the election campaign:

Even before the start of the official campaign, the Conservatives had pledged to spend more than $19 billion, according to the CTF, which tracked the party's spending announcements from June 2 through Sept. 6.

Some of that spending is broken down here, and includes $2,000 for the Shag UFO Festival. That in particular doesn't bother me as much as it should I suppose (I am strongly pro-UFO), but keep it in mind when Harper unleashes some fake outrage about other parties' irresponsible campaign promises.

The Liberal Green Shift plan, which has been sold as "revenue neutral," would raise an estimated $15 billion in taxes and yet only return about $9.5 billion in corporate and personal income tax reductions, says Taylor.

I support Green Shift Plan in principle, and a carbon tax as the most efficient means of achieving its goals in practice, but this kind of thing gives credence to the notion that it is all just a tax grab. I really wish the Libs had made it truly 1$ in = 1$ out.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth May's Greens seem to make promises without attaching a price tag, says Taylor.

Something I was unaware of. Now that E. May is in the debates, The Green's don't want to fritter away their new-found credibility, and rolling out completely uncosted promises is a good way to do it. Although: increasing the GST? The NDP obviously aren't the only ones smoking something.