Advice for the Opposition
Hopefully, we'll hear from Ralph Goodale tomorrow about the state of Canada's finance - unless, that is, the three-ring circus known as the Opposition doesn't pull a stunt or two and prevent him from doing so. I have to say, all of the recent plans from the Opposition to commandeer the House of Commons, launch filibusters and the like have not gone over well with me. Rather than seeing a principled Opposition, I see one that is grasping at any straw it can find to take advantage of current poll numbers and make gains.The Conservatives in particular would come off looking so much better if they stepped back and let the Government do its work. "We're going to let Ralph Goodale make his economic statement and try and woo taxpayers with their own money," the Tories should say. "We're going to let Paul Martin try and divert attention from the real issues, because we think Canadians are smarter than that and we're not going to sink to that level. If Martin wants an election in April, he can have it. The case for Liberal corruption will be equally strong then, if not more so after Canadians have seen their continued efforts to stay in power."
Alternatively: "This Government is corrupt and has got to go. Consequently, we'll be moving non-confidence tomorrow. See you on the hustings."
But all of this waffling back and forth and games is just no good at all. It's the PM's job to call elections (for the most part), and it's also the Government's job to update Canadians on the country's fiscal position. It might not be very good long-term thinking to use a fiscal update as a campaign platform, but that's just more ammunition for the Tories to use in the campaign. So, my message to the Opposition: stop beating around the bush. Either wait out April and build a stronger case and get some actual policies under your wing besides the fact that you're not the Liberals, or take 'em down now. One or the other.
