As the Commons and Canadians are distracted by the happenings in Quebec and Ottawa in the past week the Harper government introduces their budget.....
Conservatives introduce thick budget bill that includes unrelated items
OTTAWA -- The Conservative government has introduced another mammoth omnibus budget bill that includes a grab-bag of measures, ranging from tax breaks for beekeepers to provisions banning cable companies from charging for paper bills.
Much of the 458-page bill involves the complicated implementation of tax changes and other budget measures, including revisions to the Investment Canada Act.
There are some tax breaks for families and students.
However, one section broadens the scope of the national DNA bank. Another tightens the rules around the temporary foreign workers system. Still another establishes a long-promised Arctic research station.
One measure increases the maximum amount that may be claimed under the child fitness tax credit and makes that credit refundable starting in 2015.
Read more: http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/conservatives-introduce-thick-budget-bill-that-includes-unrelated-items-1.2068253#ixzz3H4LmDr4M
So called, omnibus bills, are intended to serve the interests of the party in power
ReplyDeleteat the expense of the broader national interest.
They are designed to do an end run around the legitimate role of parliament
and therefore an end run around democracy.
EB