{"id":2900,"date":"2011-03-22T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-03-22T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.calgarygrit.ca\/?p=2900"},"modified":"2012-05-30T09:45:28","modified_gmt":"2012-05-30T13:45:28","slug":"budget-day-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.calgarygrit.ca\/?p=2900","title":{"rendered":"Budget Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back in January, the NDP laid out 5 demands<\/a> in exchange for their support on the federal budget:<\/p>\n

In a new memo prepared by the NDP, the party costs its main requests. The NDP wants the budget to include $700-million to raise the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors; a doubling of the Canada Pension Plan benefit through higher premiums; a $700-million proposal to cut the GST on home heating fuels; $200-million to revive the home energy retrofit incentive, and longer-term pledges to improve health care.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Budget leaks<\/a> have confirmed the final two of those demands will be met. There will likely be something<\/em> for seniors (there always is), but Jack is unlikely to see his demands for an expanded CPP or a cut to the GST on home heating fuels met. So, all in all, about a 50% grade – depending on the curve, that could either be a pass or a fail.<\/p>\n

In effect, Harper’s overtures give Layton a way out if he wants one. It may just be table scraps, but it’s enough to claim “results for people” and put off an election if Layton wants<\/em> to put off an election.<\/p>\n

It’s very similar to what Harper tossed Duceppe on the weekend, when it was leaked <\/a>there was a “draft deal” between Flaherty and Bachand on the HST. It’s not in the budget, so there’s no reason for Duceppe to support the budget…but he could probably justify<\/em> propping up the government to help finalize the deal.<\/p>\n

Without making any real concessions, Harper has given two of the opposition parties a way out if they want one. We’ll soon find out if they want one.<\/p>\n