As predicted Mr. Flaherty’s financial update and call for the cancellation of polical party funding was the enough to bring war cries from across the bench. The Conservatives are now backtracking from their calls to end of party funding linked to the proportion of federal votes (political parties currently receive a rate of $1.95 per vote in a federal election). Much like the cuts to Arts funding proposed during the election campaign and later retracted these proposed political funding cuts are getting swept away after public outcry.

Has it come to this? In two short years there is now talk of forming a coalition with NDP, Liberals and the Bloc. This is sobering and signals a potential search for a new Conservative leader. A separatist party is so dissatisfied with the current government (most notably with respect to the environment and crime) that they are willing to chum with their arch enemies the Liberals? The NDP who campaigned as an alternative to rule would consider to help form a coalition?

Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Harper have nowhere to run now. Talk of a strong economy, a technical recession, then a crisis “unlike and potentially as dangerous as anything we have faced since 1929”. A lot can change in a matter of weeks and the majority of elected MP’s look as though they will push Mr. Harper out of power based on mismanagement and myopic vision. Perhaps the “new” government will now be forced to bring in a sound budget and policies that will strengthen Canada during this recession. If elected MP’s can serve Canada as a whole, leave their party colours at home and form consensus despite differences we are better off. True blue Conservatives would be wise to join with this consensus. I’m hoping the “dream” of a government that can “meet in the middle” happens whether or not a coalition is formed after this tipping point. A multi-party coalition can’t be any worse than leadership that blatantly dropped the ball on the state of the economy and increased government spending more than 20% (some $40 Billion) putting us into a deficit after years of surpluses.

Jim Flaherty, the Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the GTA, is set to provide a fiscal update today. One of the talking points appears to be a measure to eliminate public subsidies for all political parties. This is proposed to save the government about $30 million. (The Conservatives have earned $10 million, the Liberals $7.7 million, the NDP $4.9 million, the Bloc $2.6 million and $1.8 million for the Greens)

Under the current system a polical party would receive $1.95 for every vote cast in a federal election, provided they win at least 2% of the national popular vote. With the abysmal turnout during the last election at a cost of $300 million this subsidy cut seems insane. Are the Conservatives now saying that they would prefer to have parties spend more time fund raising? Sounds like a calling card for more special interests and corporate slush fund adventures. With the Conservatives and the Liberals already dabbling in “adscams” of $1 million what new lows would be achieved by this plan. The current government, which has bloated spending, reduced tax revenues and increased the size of cabinet even after winning a minority, is more than a bit irresponsible on this issue. Talk of “belt tightening”, technical recessions and necessary deficits aside reality must set in.

A subsidy that, by its nature, promotes a diverse political base at a cost of about $1 per citizen is not the first area which should be cut. Mr. Flaherty’s proposal seems to be more in tune with disarming the opposition, much like the first term of the government under its confidence vote debauchery. On paper the Conservatives stand to lose the most, $10 million. That amount is less than 40% of their operating revenues, it wont hurt as much of what all opposition parties will feel. The current subsidy accounts for about 60% for the other parties (over 80% for the Bloc). Other measures like a cancellation of April’s $2 million MP salary increase are a step in the right direction as is potential relief for Canadians faced with mandated withdrawals from registered retirement income funds (RRIFs).

The inaction on several other integral portfolios is criminal. Hopefully the opposition can make Mr. Flaherty come to his senses but will this be at the cost of another election? The GTA and Canada as a whole can’t afford any further mismanagement or political posturing. The political party sudsidies are not campaign welfare Mr. Flaherty but are more likely Democracy assistance that should be preserved, and not slashed.

Last week Toronto MP Joe Volpe was the first party member to publicly call for Dion’s resignation after the weak Liberal election result. Today Dion was man enough to admit his failings to sell Canadian’s on his platform of income tax cuts and taxes on pollution, “The Green Shift”. Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett won her seat despite despicable vandals but Dion felt the most damaging instrument this election campaign was the Conservative ad machine. (Sad that it seemed there was no denouncement of the vandalism but it was good to hear some people from the community banding together and asking for signs even if they were not planning on voting Liberal).

Dion will stand the course as leader until the next convention. The speculators can only guess as to whom will succeed him but at least he has accepted his fate and is moving on in the interest of the party. As the dust settles one can only smile not to cry. We still have spent massive amounts of taxpayers money to re-elect a minority government. About $300 million!!! Talk of a coalition continues and Canadians are still quaking in fear over the prospect of another dysfunctional parliament. An economic crisis is looming. It’s not the best time for MP’s to be distracted from the needs of Canadians.

Mr. Harper called this election to cement a Conservative Majority, the third swing at the plate as leader of the Conservative party in just four years! Harper, like Dion, has put forth an strong effort but perhaps he should consider stepping down as leader as the Conservatives regroup for their Convention in November. Reviving the Reform Party talk of Senate reform in the midst of recession is insulting. Perhaps some Conservatives will talk sense into to the PM? He’s a hockey lover and Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan and all but…Whoa??? Hasn’t he pissed off Quebec enough to invigorate the Bloc (and lose all chance for a majority)?!!!

Get your sticks on the ice and giv’er people. Canada expects more from it’s “all-stars” no matter what colour their home jersey is. You guys actually have to DO something more than call an election and send money to ad agencies every couple years!