Elections Canada - Please Read post Number 1

[1st Vette]

As I posted previously on here, the Libs were the only ones to balance the budget and run a surplus back in the 90's Harper (( think he was/is a Con) was by far the worst to run a deficit.
So spout the usual political talking points depending on the colour of your stripe. They all blame each other and nothing gets done to address the situation.
At least M.C. has good financial creds. We'll see how he does.

Given that the Liberals were in power for 7 years during the 90’s I’m not sure where a comparison comes into play but here is a breakdown of the past couple of decades.
The last time the Canadian federal government ran a budget surplus was in the fiscal year 2007-2008. Since then, the government has operated at a deficit every year. The Harper government posted surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08, but deficits resumed from 2008-09 onward, including large deficits during the COVID-19 pandemic years. More recently, after two consecutive years of surpluses, the Canadian government returned to a deficit in 2024

The Harper government managed to post surpluses in the early 2000s primarily because they inherited a strong fiscal position and steady economic growth from the previous Liberal government, which had already achieved surpluses and reduced federal debt significantly by the mid-2000s. The booming Canadian economy generated high tax revenues, including increases in personal and corporate income taxes, which contributed to larger-than-expected surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The Conservatives did not drastically cut spending during this period; instead, spending continued to increase at a steady pace, and the surpluses were largely a result of continued economic growth and revenue generation rather than new fiscal austerity measures. They also implemented tax cuts, mainly to the GST, which used up some of the surplus funds. Additionally, underspending or “lapsed spending” in government departments helped balance the budget on paper, although this was a normal budgeting practice rather than a deliberate austerity strategy.
In summary, the early Harper surpluses were mainly due to inherited strong economic conditions and fiscal management continuity rather than aggressive new policies by his government .

 

[LE BARON]

Given that the Liberals were in power for 7 years during the 90’s I’m not sure where a comparison comes into play but here is a breakdown of the past couple of decades.
The last time the Canadian federal government ran a budget surplus was in the fiscal year 2007-2008. Since then, the government has operated at a deficit every year. The Harper government posted surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08, but deficits resumed from 2008-09 onward, including large deficits during the COVID-19 pandemic years. More recently, after two consecutive years of surpluses, the Canadian government returned to a deficit in 2024

The Harper government managed to post surpluses in the early 2000s primarily because they inherited a strong fiscal position and steady economic growth from the previous Liberal government, which had already achieved surpluses and reduced federal debt significantly by the mid-2000s. The booming Canadian economy generated high tax revenues, including increases in personal and corporate income taxes, which contributed to larger-than-expected surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The Conservatives did not drastically cut spending during this period; instead, spending continued to increase at a steady pace, and the surpluses were largely a result of continued economic growth and revenue generation rather than new fiscal austerity measures. They also implemented tax cuts, mainly to the GST, which used up some of the surplus funds. Additionally, underspending or “lapsed spending” in government departments helped balance the budget on paper, although this was a normal budgeting practice rather than a deliberate austerity strategy.
In summary, the early Harper surpluses were mainly due to inherited strong economic conditions and fiscal management continuity rather than aggressive new policies by his government .

As per your post
"The Harper government managed to post surpluses in the early 2000s primarily because they inherited a strong fiscal position and steady economic growth from the previous Liberal government, which had already achieved surpluses and reduced federal debt significantly by the mid-2000s. The booming Canadian economy generated high tax revenues, including increases in personal and corporate income taxes, which contributed to larger-than-expected surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08."

 

[WLGJ]

As per your post
"The Harper government managed to post surpluses in the early 2000s primarily because they inherited a strong fiscal position and steady economic growth from the previous Liberal government, which had already achieved surpluses and reduced federal debt significantly by the mid-2000s. The booming Canadian economy generated high tax revenues, including increases in personal and corporate income taxes, which contributed to larger-than-expected surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08."

All this, still does not fix the problem, that these liberals are all incompetent( trudeau, joly, etc.) covid was so mismanaged and wasteful, by buying votes with our money, giving teenagers 300$ a week, to not go and get a job, prisoners got checks , foreigners got money , abusive, every April first,( raise taxes on booze, soda, etc.) and give themselves a hefty raise every 1st of April, while giving f all to seniors, etc., and corrupt(CHINA) etc. All this and they are also soft on crimes , criminals and illegal immigrants!!!! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me but this is what, 4 times! This makes us idiots.

 

[Jack Raccoon!]

They didn't fool me at all, just you 4 times...

 

[1st Vette]

As per your post
"The Harper government managed to post surpluses in the early 2000s primarily because they inherited a strong fiscal position and steady economic growth from the previous Liberal government, which had already achieved surpluses and reduced federal debt significantly by the mid-2000s. The booming Canadian economy generated high tax revenues, including increases in personal and corporate income taxes, which contributed to larger-than-expected surpluses in 2006-07 and 2007-08."

I did read the post. Does somewhat support your position I thought. Of course the need to run a deficit varies regardless of the party in charge depending on many factors. The large deficits run up recently though can’t all be attributed to COVD as they have continued and increased well after it was necessary. The actual numbers bear this out. I’m not necessarily being critical, just showing the facts. Personally I have always been fiscally conservative for several reasons. Spending money just because you can never made a lot of sense to me especially if your cost of expenditure is compounded by interest charges.

Here is a summary of Canada’s federal deficits over the last ten years:
• The federal government deficit was about $52.3 billion in 2023, up $43.1 billion from 2022, representing 1.8% of GDP.
• The deficit for 2024-25 is projected at approximately $48.3 billion or 1.3% of GDP.
• Deficits have fluctuated but generally increased since the early 2010s, with significant rises during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
• Canada’s federal debt reached historic highs, with gross debt hitting $1.87 trillion in 2021 and government debt at 1173.01 CAD billion in 2023.
• The combined federal and provincial net debt nearly doubled from $1.2 trillion in 2007/08 to an estimated $2.3 trillion in 2024/25, reflecting ongoing deficits and spending growth.
• Despite deficits, Canada’s federal deficit as a percentage of GDP remains relatively low compared to the US, with Canada at around 0.66% of GDP in 2023 versus 7.1% for the US.
In summary, Canada has run federal deficits every year in the last decade, with amounts rising notably during and after the pandemic, contributing to record-high federal debt levels currently exceeding $1.8 trillion CAD. Deficit-to-GDP ratios have been mostly under 2%, with recent projections around 1.3-1.8% for 2023-2025. In summary, federal deficits were large immediately after 2009 but steadily declined toward balanced budgets by 2015, with significant debt accumulation during these years as the government responded to economic challenges. Interesting what happened with the direction of deficits starting in 2015 . And of course we know who had just came into office in October of 2015 .

 

[LE BARON]

I did read the post. Does somewhat support your position I thought. Of course the need to run a deficit varies regardless of the party in charge depending on many factors. The large deficits run up recently though can’t all be attributed to COVD as they have continued and increased well after it was necessary. The actual numbers bear this out. I’m not necessarily being critical, just showing the facts. Personally I have always been fiscally conservative for several reasons. Spending money just because you can never made a lot of sense to me especially if your cost of expenditure is compounded by interest charges.

Here is a summary of Canada’s federal deficits over the last ten years:
• The federal government deficit was about $52.3 billion in 2023, up $43.1 billion from 2022, representing 1.8% of GDP.
• The deficit for 2024-25 is projected at approximately $48.3 billion or 1.3% of GDP.
• Deficits have fluctuated but generally increased since the early 2010s, with significant rises during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
• Canada’s federal debt reached historic highs, with gross debt hitting $1.87 trillion in 2021 and government debt at 1173.01 CAD billion in 2023.
• The combined federal and provincial net debt nearly doubled from $1.2 trillion in 2007/08 to an estimated $2.3 trillion in 2024/25, reflecting ongoing deficits and spending growth.
• Despite deficits, Canada’s federal deficit as a percentage of GDP remains relatively low compared to the US, with Canada at around 0.66% of GDP in 2023 versus 7.1% for the US.
In summary, Canada has run federal deficits every year in the last decade, with amounts rising notably during and after the pandemic, contributing to record-high federal debt levels currently exceeding $1.8 trillion CAD. Deficit-to-GDP ratios have been mostly under 2%, with recent projections around 1.3-1.8% for 2023-2025. In summary, federal deficits were large immediately after 2009 but steadily declined toward balanced budgets by 2015, with significant debt accumulation during these years as the government responded to economic challenges. Interesting what happened with the direction of deficits starting in 2015 . And of course we know who had just came into office in October of 2015 .

Seems to me that Harper had his hands fairly deep in our pockets as well. Ans as per my previous post, he could thank the Libs for having a strong financial position when he took over. Didn't take him long to whittle that down.
All this to say that we can find fault wherever we want depending on time lines of other optics
Stephen Harper
Conservative, February 2006 - present
$13.8BSurplus 2006-2007
$25.9BDeficit 2012-2013

Year​	Surplus/deficit​	Adjusted​	% of GDP​
2006​	13.8​	15.1​	0.9​
2007​	9.6​	10.3​	0.6​
2008​	-5.8​	-6.1​	-0.4​
2009​	-55.6​	-58.2​	-3.6​
2010​	-33.3​	-34.1​	-2.1​
2011​	-26.2​	-26.2​	-1.5​
2012​	-25.9​	-25.2​	-1.4​
2013​	-18.9​	-18.4​	-1.0​
2014​	-16.6​	-15.9​	-0.9​

 

[1st Vette]

Seems to me that Harper had his hands fairly deep in our pockets as well. Ans as per my previous post, he could thank the Libs for having a strong financial position when he took over. Didn't take him long to whittle that down.
All this to say that we can find fault wherever we want depending on time lines of other optics
Stephen Harper
Conservative, February 2006 - present
$13.8BSurplus 2006-2007
$25.9BDeficit 2012-2013

Year​	Surplus/deficit​	Adjusted​	% of GDP​
2006​	13.8​	15.1​	0.9​
2007​	9.6​	10.3​	0.6​
2008​	-5.8​	-6.1​	-0.4​
2009​	-55.6​	-58.2​	-3.6​
2010​	-33.3​	-34.1​	-2.1​
2011​	-26.2​	-26.2​	-1.5​
2012​	-25.9​	-25.2​	-1.4​
2013​	-18.9​	-18.4​	-1.0​
2014​	-16.6​	-15.9​	-0.9​

Lol . They have ALL for the most part had their hands deep in our pockets.

 

[Jack Raccoon!]

"Feel Good" story of the year...

 

[1st Vette]

"Feel Good" story of the year...

It certainly is if you’re one of the government’s creditors. Except for the Bank of Canada perhaps which holds the majority of the Government debt but is also a Crown Corporation.

 

[Jack Raccoon!]

I was referring to the hands deep in my pockets part. It feels good. It's my JR! angle on things...

 

[LE BARON]

I was referring to the hands deep in my pockets part. It feels good. It's my JR! angle on things...

As well as the angle of their hands. LOL

 

[Jack Raccoon!]

Guess it depends on how you lean. To the Left or to the Right...

 

[Jack Raccoon!]

600+ posts, and I can still derail a Thread. I pat myself on my on own back, cause no one else will...

 

[1st Vette]

600+ posts, and I can still derail a Thread. I pat myself on my on own back, cause no one else will...

There there now it will be alright…….

 

[DDHRocks]

I'm just looking forward to someone being in power that actually understands economics on a country scale. He won't be uncomfortable talking with large business leaders on things that might actually help them out economically.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Well, whether we like him or not he is "our" PM now.
Sticking sticks in the the wheels and then complaining that he is not going fast enough is rather counter-productive, IMO.
Still better than PP proclaiming that he would use the N.W.C. to get what he thinks is best for his idea of Canada.
Lets see how Carney performs now that he has the gavel.
Seems quite level headed so far.

You have a problem with Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it appears. The notwithstanding clause is part of the Constitution for a reason and in my opinion, the proposed use of it by PP was more than justified. You want limits on sentencing mass murderers and let them back out on the streets, I don't really care, but keep it in your own jurisdiction. And by the way, your provincial government is famous for using the clause repeatedly. ie: A French Only sign law; Really? How about the blanket application of the clause to every law from 1982–1985. Or a law prohibiting state-affiliated employees from wearing religious symbols. WTF was that about? The French don't like turbans?
PP may not be your cup of tea but criminals don't belong on my streets and his platform in that area was worthy of consideration. Carney took most of the other Conservative promises and claimed them as his and he should have made the stand on crime his as well. Just my opinion.

 

[WLGJ]

You have a problem with Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it appears. The notwithstanding clause is part of the Constitution for a reason and in my opinion, the proposed use of it by PP was more than justified. You want limits on sentencing mass murderers and let them back out on the streets, I don't really care, but keep it in your own jurisdiction. And by the way, your provincial government is famous for using the clause repeatedly. ie: A French Only sign law; Really? How about the blanket application of the clause to every law from 1982–1985. Or a law prohibiting state-affiliated employees from wearing religious symbols. WTF was that about? The French don't like turbans?
PP may not be your cup of tea but criminals don't belong on my streets and his platform in that area was worthy of consideration. Carney took most of the other Conservative promises and claimed them as his and he should have made the stand on crime his as well. Just my opinion.

One correction, not only French signs but the French part must be twice the size of the English letters. Still a stupid law.

 

[LE BARON]

You have a problem with Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it appears. The notwithstanding clause is part of the Constitution for a reason and in my opinion, the proposed use of it by PP was more than justified. You want limits on sentencing mass murderers and let them back out on the streets, I don't really care, but keep it in your own jurisdiction. And by the way, your provincial government is famous for using the clause repeatedly. ie: A French Only sign law; Really? How about the blanket application of the clause to every law from 1982–1985. Or a law prohibiting state-affiliated employees from wearing religious symbols. WTF was that about? The French don't like turbans?
PP may not be your cup of tea but criminals don't belong on my streets and his platform in that area was worthy of consideration. Carney took most of the other Conservative promises and claimed them as his and he should have made the stand on crime his as well. Just my opinion.

Must have rruuffled some fur there. LOL
As far as I know, two wrongs don't make it right.

 

[LE BARON]

One correction, not only French signs but the French part must be twice the size of the English letters. Still a stupid law.

All political stupidity.
The politicians want to be more "French" than the Parisiennes at times.
However I do remember being at the Sheraton on the corner of the 404 & 407 and there was a US group playing there for one evening. The only thing in "English" was the price of the tickets. All he rest was Chinese. Big Chinses community quite near there back then.
So I don't have anything against mandatory French on adverts, they just go overboard with their OLF language police. Just hurting themselves making it at times out of logic.

 

[Rruuff Day]

All political stupidity.
The politicians want to be more "French" than the Parisiennes at times.
However I do remember being at the Sheraton on the corner of the 404 & 407 and there was a US group playing there for one evening. The only thing in "English" was the price of the tickets. All he rest was Chinese. Big Chinses community quite near there back then.
So I don't have anything against mandatory French on adverts, they just go overboard with their OLF language police. Just hurting themselves making it at times out of logic.

Many years ago I was working with a Motorcycle retail shop in NS and was sent to Montreal to pick up a trailer load of bikes. All went well and I found the distributer without too much difficulty. The next time I went, all the Quebec signage had black garbage bags stapled over what use to be the English portion. My last trip through Quebec 8 years ago I stayed on the Trans Canada.