Barack Obama made his first call to Canada today. He discussed many issues with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which included the economy, the auto industry, energy, the environment, and Afghanistan, according to CBC.
What does this mean for Canada? Well, for starters, it is nice to know that Obama doesn’t just view Canada as the 51st state.
(more…)

Can Harper save the economy with his budget?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced some preliminary information on the upcoming budget today. Spending on infrastructure, tax cuts, and revamping the employment insurance program were all discussed as potential methods to revive our economy. As well, a discussion on how the money will be raised, in order to meet these goals, took place. Harper has definitely come an awful long way since denying there were any economic issues just a few months ago.

Will the budget stand its ground against the opposition parties? Based on this announcement, it seems like it can, as long as Harper genuinely intends to include said measures. Harper will also need to think of some creative way to procure the billions of dollars that are needed to see this plan come to fruition.
(more…)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had a far less dreary outlook on the state of the Canadian economy in a recent interview with Maclean’s magazine.

Harper believes that Canada is in a strong economic position compared with others and should be able to exit the recession relatively quickly.

Has Harper changed his tune for the benefit of the Canadian people? It’s obvious that this is a move of a political nature. Remember everyone, Parliament isn’t in session currently, and when it does come back, we may be heading back to the voting booths should the idea of a coalition government still be present. Yet, political observers believe that Harper will remain in power. As well, the Liberals have backed off from their attacks, and Harper himself has stated that he doesn’t want to go back to the polls.
(more…)