Published by Senator James Cowan on 28 November 2008
It has been a fascinating week on Parliament Hill with the opening of the 40th Parliament.
The Government's much anticipated Economic Statement yesterday afternoon was greeted with anger and skepticism. The facts and figures put forward by Minister Flaherty were hardly credible to most observers and the political attacks on parliament and the public service were beyond the pale.
The accounting maneuvers - particularly with respect to the proposed sale of assets - would result in a failing grade for a first-year business student. As member of parliament Scott Brison made clear, the Liberals will not stoop to this level - it will be looking out for the best interests of Canadian workers and families.
In the Senate we have made it clear this will be our priority as well. As I said in the Senate earlier this week, Canadians expect and deserve considerably better than this.