[Canadaka]

$1:

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Finance Critic John McCallum announced today the launch of www.OnProbation.ca, an online public accountability project that will work with Canadians to keep the government on track as it allocates the stimulus package.

“Since the January budget, we’ve seen a clearer picture of the economic challenges we face, from record job losses and growing unemployment, to reduced expectations for growth,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Yet this government has ignored these changing circumstances, and continues to paint a rosy picture of our economy that just doesn’t line up with the facts.

“We want to make sure that Canadians have the facts and can decide for themselves whether the Conservatives are doing enough to get us through this crisis,” he said.

OnProbation.ca is designed around the five tests set out in the Liberal amendment to the budget, which required the Conservatives to report back to Parliament on the progress of the budget in protecting the most vulnerable Canadians, preserving the jobs of today, creating the jobs of tomorrow, ensuring regional fairness, and preventing a legacy of debt for future generations.

“Bringing forward a budget is only the first step,” said Mr. McCallum. “Canadians deserve to know that the budgeted funds are going to flow, that the foundation for recovery is being built, and that programs will reach right to the front door of Canadian families where help is needed most.

“The budget has just been passed, so this site will help us follow the dollars as they begin to flow in the coming weeks and to hear from Canadians directly on how this crisis continues to affect them,” he said.

As Mr. McCallum explained, the website is expected to grow and develop as Canadians share their stories, contribute their ideas and research for the site, and as new economic information comes to light.

http://www.onprobation.ca/

[stokes]

Yeah because like Dion he's got the balls to actually make a difference....fuckin Liberals amaze me with their bullshit....lol

[dino_bobba_renno]

Well I'd have to take a look at the sight myself but my first impression is "A site dedicated to pointing out any and all flaws made with stimulus spending that will completely ignore anything that is beneficial". In other words, they will more than likely use it for partisan purpose all the while completely ignoring the fact that it was they (the opposition parties of the time) who pressured the Government to immediately role out stimulus with out any pre planning or assessments on if it was even needed.

[hurley_108]

Like notaleader.ca (via the wayback machine because it's been taken down)?

Interestigly enough, it's longer on substance, and shorter on self-aggrandisement than www.actionplan.gc.ca, even while being paid for by party funds rather than out of the pockets of the taxpayer. You can bet your ass actionplan.gc.ca will ignore all the flaws and present only the benefits, with Harper's face all over the place to boot.

In short:
OnProbation - biased Liberal party website paid for by Liberal party
actionpplan - biased Conservative party website paid for by Government of Canada

Now what was that about the publicly-funded CBC should be unbiased?

[ridenrain]

Did the steal the name for this site from someone else too?

[Bodah]

Here ya go...

Here's their first piece of dirt they can sling any way they please.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/Business

Harper ain't protecting Canadian workers !!! /sarcasmoff

[Bibbi]

The title of the web site is a joke, since Ignatieff will support absolutely anything that Harper proposes no matter how anti-liberal it is, until he thinks he can win an election and beat the Tories.

Anyone who has looked at the Liberals, would say: "What's the difference?". Ignatieff is not offering any alternatives and certainly not a different vision for Canada.

[ridenrain]

You think a better name might have been "Carry-On-Abstaining"?

[Kerozine]

I like the initiative, although it isn't an original idea (http://www.recovery.gov/).

Bravo, nonetheless.

[mtbr]

you're on probation until I have enough party donations to have an election.

Stimulus funding hasn't even left the wallet yet and the Lieberals are all ready impatient.

[Bibbi]

mtbr mtbr:

:lol:

you're on probation until I have enough party donations to have an election.

Stimulus funding hasn't even left the wallet yet and the Lieberals are all ready impatient.

Harper seems to be trying to push the funding through without open accountability, while at the same time ignoring environmental and other community assessments and input.

Ignatieff may be shooting himself and his party in the foot, by supporting this approach, if the money does not get to where it is supposed to go, and there are a lot of scandals and mismanagement of funds along the way...a la AIG in the United States. There is a gamble there on the outcome.

Unfortunately, the result could be that the only one who loses will be the Canadian taxpayer.

[DerbyX]

ridenrain ridenrain:

You think a better name might have been "Carry-On-Abstaining"?

Nope its doing exactly what they say they would an exactly what you say you want. You have already stated that you want fiscal accountability and you have said you want the government to get on with governing (we all have).

The Libs said they were willing to set aside partisan politics in order to deal with the economic crisis as long as the Cons kept up their end of the bargain which was to present accountable spending initiatives that did what they promised.

If the Liberals did anything to prevent any budget initiative (including ones you hate) you would have labeled them obstructionist and claimed it was proof positive that only a Harper majority can overcome this.

When they allow the budget initiatives to pass with support you claim they are abstaining but in fact they are holding Harper accountable and on notice which is exactly what the Liberals promised.

The only person playing partisan games seems to be yourself.

[ridenrain]

We all agree that there needs to be an effective and constructive opposition but saying one thing and abstaining 43 times isn't getting it done. I think Jack is right saying the NDP is more of an opposition than the Liberals are.

[DerbyX]

First off, if you keep holding the Iggy Libs responsible for Dions Liberal at the same time you claim that Harper should not be held accountable for anything he did as far back as last month then I will hold Harper accountable for everything Day did as well as everything bad every con has done in the existence of history.

That would be fair.

Iggy is doing exactly what he said he would do. He isn't responsible for anything more. Harper however has done everything he said he wouldn't or have you forgotten his claims and promises of not running a deficit ever?

We won't even go into his broken military promises nor him cutting and running from Afghanistan (according to you last June anyway). I'll let Boots do that to you.

[ridenrain]

I'm reluctant to call someone a leader when they were appointed by back room kingmakers, rather than elected by the members.
People follow leader because they set an example, rather than being placed in charge. Perhaps I will call him the Liberal czar instead. That might be more fitting.

The Grits are simply not ready for an election and everyone knows it, so the Professor had no alternative but to say something and then pass the budget. Iggy might see how all those abstentions made Dion look impotent and foolish, and maybe he will work with the government instead.