OTTAWA -- Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Tuesday his party will support legislation enabling Ontario and British Columbia to harmonize their sales taxes with the federal GST.
Its the right thing not necessarily because Harmonization is the right thing--I am still of two minds over that--but because it would be irresponsible for a federal opposition party to throw a monkey wrench into a process so thoroughly underway in two of Canada's largest provinces, where the local business communities are already deeply involved in making ready for the new tax regime. Let the political battles over this be fought at the provincial level, and let those on the contra side of the issue be honest about what they will do about the HST if they are elected. Here in Ontario at least, the Hudak Tories have been reluctant to answer that question, preferring instead to bang on desks and have their party look like a gang of poo flinging monkeys.
And I agree entirely with Iggy when he says:
"Let me just observe that Stephen Harper's walked away from this issue, not taking any responsibility for it, trying to pretend he has nothing to do with it," Mr. Ignatieff said. "This is initiated by Mr. Harper, and leadership means taking responsibility for your decisions. I've done so today. I wonder why he has not."
Let's be clear: there is absolutely no need for this vote. The Tories could advance this legislation through an order in council, but have instead decided to palm off the responsibility for moving government legislation through parliament onto the opposition parties, which is to say that the so-called"party of small business" seems willing to sacrifice its allies for a cheap political stunt.
A bit of courage from Iggy. Nice to see that, whatever the issue might be. And a lotta of cowardice from the Harper Tories.
I'm not sure if it's the right thing, or the courageous thing (because I don't really care about HST...people will forget about a month after it's implemented), but it is clarity.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope this trend continues. It's exhausting waiting around all the time for the politico-journalistic class to come out and communicate anything definitively.
Thank you, that was a wonderful piece! We should want to maximize consumption taxes in order to decrease reckless consuming, slowing factory production, and therefor reducing Greenhouse gas emmissions. It is imperative.
ReplyDeleteprogressivemarxist.blogspot.com/2009/11/time-to-act-is-now.html
Why would a Marxist want to reduce factory production?
ReplyDeleteI smell a rat here. I think Progressive Bloggers might be being had.
Yup. Definitely being had:
ReplyDeleteI hope that you don't think because I have monetized my blog that I am being corrupted by the bourgeois elite who assert dominance over us all. Honestly, my mom has been bugging me to pay rent for my basement suite, and that woman is getting on my nerves. Until socialist utopia is in place in our society and economy, this enlightened manifesto has to somehow pay the bills of capitalism. I am so sorry.
And now he deleted my comment and slammed down comment moderation when I pointed out to Jerome that it's a parody. And not a very good one at that.
ReplyDeletePB can probably get it removed from Blogger for unauthorised use of its copyrighted banner.
And now he deleted my comment and slammed down comment moderation when I pointed out to Jerome that it's a parody.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad because he put a link here for his blog. Why invite people over if you didn't want them to participate? Plus, you'd think his skin would be thicker considering it's a parody site.
Going back on topic.... Amazing the lack of courage the Conservatives show on the issue. When something tough needs to be done, their main concern is to find some sort of scapegoat.
It's the only position for Iggy to take. It's perfectly consistent with Liberal policy for the past 17 years, and it would look foolish to reverse it now. It is also the right thing to do. Hudak, on the other hand, does not seem to mind looking like an ass.
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