Lisa - the old-line politician

Lisa McLeod, the MPP for Nepean Carleton just couldn't wait to pounce all over the new provincial budget. From her safe chair at Queen's Park where the government is not likely to call an election if the opposition does not support them (contrast that to Ottawa, Lisa), the mighty mouth from Barrhaven chooses to bad mouth everything that moves - but not moos, that would upset her rural vote.

But let's not just centre on poor young Lisa. Her interim boss at Queen's Park, some guy named Runciman or something, has called the budget worthless. He says that the harmonization of the PST with the GST is the right thing to do but giving rebates (to offset the cost) to families under $160,000 per year is a bribe. Is he actually saying that the government should NOT give the rebates. Will he stand in front of a microphone and say that? I doubt it.

But there is another Con, a potential leader of the provincial party, that has a bit of a problem. Christine Elliott MPP is the wife of federal FinMin Jimmy Flaherty. Jim is in favour of the budget. Chrissy hates it. Want to be a fly on the wall in that master bedroom?

Is the provincial budget good? Given the times... yes. Can it be improved? Yes. Is the harmonization a good thing? Yes. Will it reduce costs in Ontario? Yes. It will reduce manufacturing costs and marginal tax rates for business, and will encourage companies to establish and expand in Ontario.

And that is a good thing.