At an event in Toronto, Chrystia Freeland, the MP for University–Rosedale, Ont., and former deputy prime minister and finance minister, launches her bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Following the event, she responds to questions from reporters.
Other than repetitions of “I will fight, we will fight, we will win, because Canadian” I heard:
I didn’t hear much about how she plans to tackle the economic issues facing us.
I think now might be the time you don’t want to balance the budget, when you’re expecting a brutal trade war and lots of layoffs.
But the last few years we should have been rebuilding that war chest.
It’s going to be the fucking status quo plus austerity. I’m tired of those politicians who only worry about the economy and spending. It’s funny how they never talk about taxing the rich or implementing real measures to fight rent and home prices.
I’m cautiously optimistic that Carney might have more progressive ideas around increasing median wages and taxing the rich. I’ve heard a few things from him during interviews and such that tell me he’s not the austerity type, but we’ll know when he lays out something concrete.
Well he appeared on the Jon’s Stewart’s Daily Show and what he said seemed in line with what you said. Who knows.
My choice next election is still going to be between the NDP and the Bloc Québécois. If the NDP really don’t stand a chance, I’m voting Bloc because I know they are strong in the polls and they’ll fight for Québec. They represent Québec’s more progressive values and as the official oppositon (yes, that’s a very probable scenario) they might be able to push back and protect those values.
This is an especially hilarious take for someone who was actually Finance minister. I guess politics isn’t possible without some pandering?
I mean, it’s not like finance ministers haven’t treated government finances this way with bad results for the average people.