To put it in a nutshell, my analysis, as I watched Finance Minister Jim Flaherty deliver the 2007 Federal Budget via his speech in the House of Commons, is:This budget is about productivity and family. It's about the long-term health of the Canadian economy via real incentives for business to invest in productivity enhancements and via boosting funding for education and training. The budget also strengthens Canadian families by significantly easing their tax burden.
Is it everything I hoped for at this time? Well, no, but then again, when is it ever?
And don't forget... it's just this year's budget. Those who complain about the hike in overall spending must realize that such hikes aren't necessarily going to be repeated.
Besides, with the emphasis on business productivity, with incentives for increased technology purchases and development, Canada is ensured rising productivity for the future, entailing growing revenues to the federal treasury to make up for the money invested. And the skilled workforce to support the expanding economy, thanks to expanded funding for training for skills. This, combined with interest savings on a rapidly shrinking national debt, and the resultant personal income tax relief therefrom, will continue to boost Canadian economic productivity and international competitiveness. And continue to enhance Canadians' standard of living. This is badly needed, and the Conservatives have indeed delivered on this score.
All in all, there's plenty of good, responsible stuff in this budget, making badly needed investments in important areas, such as in infrastructure, in encouraging energy efficiency and promoting a cleaner environment and granting serious tax relief for families, especially those with children, who are, after all, the future of Canada.
And I was particularly pleased when Mr. Flaherty proudly told the story of Vimy Ridge, where Canada was victorious in a matter of hours on April 9th, 1917, liberating France where others had tried and failed. And his mention of Canada's liberation of the Netherlands. And his tying this European liberation into the ongoing liberation of Afghanistan and continuing rebuilding of that nation and its society, protecting the innocent Afghan people, women and children included, from the monstrously evil Taliban. How on earth can any good person oppose the liberation of an entire nation from bloodthirsty barbarians like the Taliban and the Nazis? We're doing the right thing! Let there be no doubt!
Mr. Flaherty properly took this opportunity to remind Canada and the world of this fact... that Canada makes a real, tangible difference in the world. And to remind the world that Canada is back... and is here to stay. We're going to be a model society, he said, a beacon for the world to look to and emulate. Now, that is something with which I can agree. We needn't be modest, submissive and mediocre, we Canadians. We can actually go right on and be all we can be... and build ourselves the greatest country on earth!
