[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Barrister]

A Neil sighting!

My friend - I think I owe you a supper from 4 years ago when some stupid virus from China shut down the world.  Let me know if you're interested (and still in E-town).

[Neil]

A Neil sighting!

My friend - I think I owe you a supper from 4 years ago when some stupid virus from China shut down the world.  Let me know if you're interested (and still in E-town).

I am still.  It'll probably be in the new year though, as I'm departing on a South Seas holiday soon, and by the time I get back it'll be Christmas. 

[Barrister]

A Neil sighting!

My friend - I think I owe you a supper from 4 years ago when some stupid virus from China shut down the world.  Let me know if you're interested (and still in E-town).

I am still.  It'll probably be in the new year though, as I'm departing on a South Seas holiday soon, and by the time I get back it'll be Christmas. 

Nice!

[Barrister]

So Trudeau is handing out cheques for $250 to any person earning under $150k in 2023, plus eliminating the GST on almost all forms of groceries, alcohol under 7% per volume, kids toys, and Christmas trees.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-gst-vacation-christmas-1.7389206

So although I am very much a partisan, I try to look at politics as dispassionately as I can.  And heck - I like free money!  Even though I won't get a cheque, as worded I think my wife will.  Plus no GST on stuff for Christmas is always nice!

But still - the federal deficit was projected to be $39.8 billion - before this giveaway.  The economy is doing reasonably well, so there's not really any reason to fiscal stimulus that I can see.

This does seem like a straight-up vote buying scheme.

Thoughts?

[Neil]

I think the intent is to be seen to do something in the face of current economic struggles on the part of the average Canadian.  The Liberal government is working hard on their optics right now, between this and the new tack on immigration.  They can't move the needle on housing, but this is something that they can do that might bump them in the polls. 

That said, I think it's already too late and the Trudeau brand has already turned sour. 

[crazy canuck]

I think the intent is to be seen to do something in the face of current economic struggles on the part of the average Canadian.  The Liberal government is working hard on their optics right now, between this and the new tack on immigration.  They can't move the needle on housing, but this is something that they can do that might bump them in the polls. 

That said, I think it's already too late and the Trudeau brand has already turned sour. 

Yes, and that also explains the GST holiday they announced, for a limited time starting Dec. 15.  We have reached the stage of desperate performative politics.

[viper37]

I think the intent is to be seen to do something in the face of current economic struggles on the part of the average Canadian.  The Liberal government is working hard on their optics right now, between this and the new tack on immigration.  They can't move the needle on housing, but this is something that they can do that might bump them in the polls. 

That said, I think it's already too late and the Trudeau brand has already turned sour. 

Yes, and that also explains the GST holiday they announced, for a limited time starting Dec. 15.  We have reached the stage of desperate performative politics.

So... which one of you is buying that PS5 Pro on Dec 15th?

[Barrister]

Apparently the tax holiday will cost $1.6 billion, while the $250 cheques will cost $4.6 billion.

Look - it would be one thing if the Government had a one-time windfall for some reason.  Alberta has sent cheques a couple of times when there's a one-time surge in oil prices.  It's still not a wonderful policy (we'd be better off just putting the money in the Heritage Savings Trust Fund) but it's kind of defensible.

The Federal Government is not having a one-time windfall.  This money is just going to be borrowed and added to the debt.  It's just bad public policy - and likely to increase inflation.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/gst-holiday-what-you-need-to-know-1.7390054