Globe and Mail political columnist Jeffrey Simpson took your questions on the political implications of the budget Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, personal finance columnist Rob Carrick and economist Stephen Gordon took questions on the budget, which may not even be implemented depending on what the opposition parties do and what Canadians might do at the polls.
To get more background on exactly what the budget means, and what it means for an election, here are highlights of the Q&A.
Say there is an election and a new government is formed, would they have to provide a new budget? (Question from a guest reader)
Jeffrey Simpson: Guest: If the government was "new" in the sense of another party or parties, obviously it (they) would present a new budget. If the Conservatives were re-elected, they could present this one again, or bring in another somewhat different one. If they got a majority, they wouldn't have to include some of the political sweeteners they added to this one, as they have to all their previous ones.
When would the vote for the budget happen? Would it happen before any non-confidence motions? (Question from reader Shane)
Jeffrey Simpson: Shane: The government can call for debate on the budget and vote when it wants, and the opposition parties can staple on amendments which would be, in essence, votes of confidence. The Liberals could use an opposition day -- one I think is provisionally set for Friday -- to move non-confidence.
If the budget gets defeated and we go to the polls early May, when would the next parliamentary session be? (Question from reader Connie)
Jeffrey Simpson: Connie: you asked a pertinent question. Yesterday, I attended a two-hour seminar organized by the Public Policy Forum in which a dozen or so of us discussed the formation of governments. Professor Ned Franks from Queen's presented data about the length of time between an election vote and the recall of parliament. The upshot of his research was the time varied considerably and that sometimes it was very long. The consensus around the table was that, as in other parliamentary democracies, there should be a time limit within which a govenrment should meet Parliament to determine if it has the confidence of the House and can therefore carry on. If memory serves, for example, Joe Clark was elected in early June but did not meet Parliament until October, and he was in a minority situation.
Want are the rumors coming in about what the Liberals have in their campaign platform? Anything that would move the numbers for them? What are they counting on to change the national narrative? (Question from reader Darryl)
Jeffrey Simpson: Darryl: My guess is that the Liberals will present some form of "democratic" reform agenda, trying to contrast their openness and respect for democracy with what they allege is Mr. Harper closed and disrespectful style. I would bet that just as the Conservatives' Accountability Act went over the top in response to the sponsorship scandal, so the Liberals might go over the top with a democratic reform agenda. They will probably have more on social programs and, if they read the polls, something big on health-care, although I must say that the party's position on health-care as artciulated recently in speeches by leading MPs is irresponsible in that if is full of rhetoric and illusions and very short of serious policy. And they have decided to get down in the gutter with Mr. Harper and slug it out with negative ads, thereby paying him and his gang the ultimate political compliment that such tactics are necessary because they are seen to work, for which we electors are responsible.
Is it clear if Elizabeth May will be on the ballot this spring or will the other parties fight to block her again? (Question from reader Joshua)
