[sm_love_dc]

I have never heard if Ignatieff and Harper have a fair relationship or not. Does anyone know?

[sunnykerr]

I have no clue myself. But, whatever kind of relationship they have, they seem to have a healthy sort of respect for one another. Well, Ignatieff seems to have a healthy respect for Harper. I haven't seen Harper talk about Ignatieff yet.

I like that Ignatieff said he wouldn't vote for non-confidence before he saw a budget (because, hello?), but also said he would absolutely vote for non-confidence if the budget wasn't in Canadian interests. Of course, it begs the question of what are Canadian interests and how is Ignatieff aware of what said interests are...

That's two questions. Oh, well.

[Mio]

Yeah, exactly. How can one vote non-confidence before they see something. Unless their psychic, which I think they are not, there is no way to understand what the budget will look like.

So far, our economy is doing good compared to other economic markets. Sure our dollar is way down from where it was in October, but we are still holding our own. Economists have said that Canada won't face an economic downfall such as the U.S. and it's current recession, but we will see a slight slump but still be in good standing.

[sunnykerr]

Well, I don't see how we're gonna totally avoid the economic crisis. The whole world's affected.

The thing that might save us from getting it as bad as it happened in the States is that we have way more government oversight than they do (big duh on that one). The bailouts distabilized the system they had/have in the States as it's predicated on "free entreprise." Mind you, I'm not saying it wasn't necessary, I'm merely saying that it's thrown the normal course of action off its usual path.

We already have government involvement in banks. And we don't have nearly as many branches, which can be both a good and a bad thing. My point, though, is that, between the few large banks and the government oversight... I don't see the government "allowing" RBC, BMO or CIBC to get into too much trouble.

[sunnykerr]

So, it looks like Ignatieff has sorta given the okay to the new budget (while, of course, allowing himself the right to criticize it at every turn). Ergo, no new elections.

Now, I have no use for a Harper government, but I have to admit I'm a bit relieved that I won't have to go back to the polls for the third time in less than a year.

Anyone else?