We still have a left and right wing. This is a right wing conservative budget. It looks as if it will cause the minority government defeat Friday. Then an election.

>You guys have an enviable government. Maybe part of it is politicians not thinking they are waging jihad against the other party.
>
>>From http://www.cbcnews.ca
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>>On the economy:
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>>- No tax hikes or cuts, no major new spending programs and no substantial spending cuts.
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>>- Keeps government on track for a balanced budget within six years through the combination of economic growth and spending restraints. The end of the federal stimulus program, by itself, will cut the 2011-12 deficit to $27.6 billion from a revised $40.5 billion in 2010-11.
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>>- Economic growth (real gross domestic product) of 2.9 per cent, based on the average outlook of private sector economists.
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>>- Government acknowledging risk of global uncertainty by downgrading predicted growth in nominal GDP to $10 billion over previous year, from economists' projection of $20 billion.
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>>For families and seniors:
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>>- A family caregiver tax credit of up to $300 for people caring for infirm spouses, common-law partners and children.
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>>- A tax credit on children's art programs, amounting to $75 on $500 spent
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>>- A top-up for the lowest third of seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, up to $50 a month for singles and $70 a month for couples
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>>For communities and cities:
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>>- Tax credit equal to $450 a year for volunteer firefighters in rural areas
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>>- Forgiveness of student loans of up to $40,000 for new doctors and $20,000 for nurses in remote and rural areas
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>>- Legislation to enshrine as permanent the annual $2 billion Gas Tax transfer for municipal infrastructure
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>>For business and workers:
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>>- A hiring credit that provides a one-year EI break of up to $1,000 for 525,000 small businesses.
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>>- Continuation of the temporary accelerated capital cost allowance on machinery and equipment
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>>- A "Helmets to Hardhats" program to help ex-military members to find work in the construction industry.
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>>- Elimination of mandatory retirement for federally regulated employees
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>>- Creation of 10 new Canada Excellence Research Chairs at universities and 30 industrial research chairs at colleges and polytechniques
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>>- No change in plan to cut corporate taxes to 15 per cent by 2012.
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>>Other initiatives:
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>>- Return — for one year — of the ecoEnergy Home Retrofit program to encourage residential energy efficiency
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>>- Renewal of the $22-million Own the Podium program to support elite Olympic athletes.
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>>- $100 million over five years for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to improve food inspection capacity.