March 28, 2007 - Most Canadians are well aware that free spending Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty didn't see fit to offer Canadians an income tax cut. It has also become common knowledge that the province of Quebec got an additional $2.3 billion in equalization and transfer payments for the coming fiscal year.

My first question - how is Flaherty's blessing with regards to the promised $700 million tax cut in any way relevant? It's almost as though he is trying to rub the rest of Canada's noses in Quebec's windfall, which came about on the backs of the other provinces (provinces that won't likely be able to offer the same kind of relief to their citizens).

Secondly, how can Flaherty possible use the equalization provision in the constitution for "reasonable, comparable services in all areas of the country" as the basis of his logic, when Quebec faces such massive problems in delivering services? Substantial debt, alarming poverty, a rapidly aging population, and the country's worst health care system - but let's give a tax break so that Jean Charest can win the election.

Great work Jim.

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