It is good to hear that some think tanks are taking a hard look at the Conservative government’s Economic Action Plan. They act surprised. What seems to puzzle the academics is that the Conservatives are spending more taxpayers’ money on the advertising than they are on the programs. Those of us who took the trouble to assess the budget when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered it in the spring had already figured it out. If it smelled like it, looked like it, it probably was bullshit.
The first thing that gave it away was the stipulation that the proposed corner-stone Canada Job Grant Program was only applicable in provinces that did not have its own program in place. We knew immediately that this stipulation would eliminate Ontario and Quebec and probably Manitoba and New Brunswick. At the same time, we were sure it could be implemented in Prince Edward Island. Like many federal programs, it would most likely cost more to administer there than the dollars delivered to the applicants.
The Caledon Institute senior researcher who co-authored the recent report said it simply when he is quoted as saying, “There is little evidence to suggest that the Canada Job Grant would help train workers to fill positions where there are actual job shortages.” The report is particularly concerned that the new program ignores all the progress previously made in federal-provincial co-operation in this field.
The federal government’s unilateral action actually takes back the $300 million per year contribution to the provinces and territories for their job training programs. They will be taking back more than they will be spending.
But the entire plan looks good in the print and television advertising program. This is where the real loonies are being spent. Look at all those smiling young people in the ads who are being trained for better jobs. You do know they are actors do you not? Even your local Conservative MPs are in on the plan with their heavy advertising of the federal economic action plan. And what really galls is that they are spending our money.
Our favourite part of the television ads is the ocean going oil tanker on a pristine sea—carrying bitumen from Alberta to some third world country that does not care how much it pollutes in converting it to synthetic oil. With this as our economic action plan, our country is in one hell of a lot of trouble!
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Copyright 2013 © Peter Lowry
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