[R-G] Harper government response to economic crisis out of step

[Anthony Fenton]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 27, 2008

Federal government response to economic crisis out of step

OTTAWA -- The federal government’s response to Canada’s shaky economic  
situation is wildly out of step with what governments around the world  
are doing to protect their citizens, says the Canadian Centre for  
Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“This economic statement will deepen and lengthen Canada’s recession  
instead of cushioning the blow,” says CCPA Senior Economist Armine  
Yalnizyan. “Slashing and burning federal spending and the government’s  
indecision on an economic stimulus package will actually contribute to  
a downward economic spiral.”

“Today’s announcement contained no stimulus package; rather, it  
focused on ideological commitments to cutting government, restraining  
workers’ legal right to strike, scrapping pay equity and enhancing the  
Conservatives’ fundraising advantage over other political parties,”  
says CCPA Executive Director Bruce Campbell. “They are taking  
advantage of Canadians’ worry and using it for their own political  
gain.”

The CCPA says the federal government should act immediately to cushion  
the blow of the global economic crisis, with the following actions:

·       * Fix the cracks in Canada’s Employment Insurance program,  
which fails to cover the majority of unemployed Canadians and will  
prolong and deepen hardship in the event of a recession unless the  
government acts now to repair it.

·       *  Stimulate the economy with an immediate injection of  
capital to kick-start infrastructure renewal and expansion that  
municipalities have long had ready to roll.  That will create jobs  
while improving Canada’s aging transportation, water and energy  
infrastructure, as well as protecting our assets in housing, health  
care, and education facilities.

·       * Offer immediate support to provinces moving ahead with  
poverty reduction plans during tough times.  We need an economic  
stimulus package that helps Main Street, not just Bay Street.

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For more information contact Kerri-Anne Finn, CCPA Communications  
Officer, at 613-563-1341 x 306 or 613-266-9491.


--
Kerri-Anne Finn
Communications Officer
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
tel: 613-563-1341 x306 cel: 613-266-9491
http://www.policyalternatives.ca
caw567