LES PERREAUX
MONTREAL — Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 12:16PM EST Last updated on Thursday, Apr. 09, 2009 10:04PM EDT
Gilles Duceppe says the coalition remains the best option to deal with the economic crisis, even if the Liberal-NDP alliance supported by the Bloc enjoys little support outside of Quebec.
Mr. Duceppe also maintains Michael Ignatieff has not gone wobbly in his support for the proposed government-in-waiting.
The Bloc Québécois Leader dismissed as "spin" the idea the Liberal Leader would prefer to let the Jan. 27 budget pass and look for an opportunity to go to the polls later.
He also said it's highly unlikely Prime Minister Stephen Harper will come up with a budget that answers coalition demands to boost unemployment insurance payments, boost the forestry and manufacturing sectors, create social housing or adopt measures proposed under the Kyoto climate change agreement.
"It would take a major change of direction from Mr. Harper's position in the very ideological economic update," Mr. Duceppe said Monday as he set out on a tour of Quebec.
"Instead of taking [Bloc proposals] seriously, Mr. Harper preferred to denounce the Bloc as dirty separatists and people trying to destroy Canada. He's put an X on Quebec; he's finished with his hopes for Quebec."
Mr. Duceppe also blasted the Prime Minister for his sudden about-face on the shape of the Canadian economy. The Conservatives have gone from saying Canada would weather the storm without a deficit during the fall election to admitting the economy is in recession and predicting a big deficit.
"He intentionally hid this crisis and the scope of this crisis," Mr. Duceppe said.
Mr. Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have said the budget will provide billions of dollars in economic stimulus, including spending on infrastructure and possibly tax cuts.
Mr. Duceppe says tax cuts are a poor choice to relaunch the economy because they will provide relief to those who need it least.
Mr. Ignatieff appeared cool to the coalition when it was formed in late November in reaction to Mr. Flaherty's economic update, however he signed the agreement along with all Bloc, NDP and Liberal MPs.
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