Canadian Press previews Michael Ignatieff’s speech in London tomorrow and what’s to come next.
Canadian Press previews Michael Ignatieff’s speech in London tomorrow and what’s to come next.
Michael Ignatieff is preparing to embark on a politically risky “adult conversation” with Canadians about the painful measures necessary to eliminate the country’s ballooning deficit—including the possibility of tax hikes.
Senior party insiders told The Canadian Press that the Liberal leader is about to launch a blunt discussion of the realistic options available for staunching the flow of red ink. That includes tax increases, major spending cuts, remaining mired in deficit for years longer than anticipated, or some combination of the three.
Ignatieff won’t disclose his own prescription for taming the deficit until the brink of an election, which now seems unlikely this year. Insiders say he wants a better idea of just how bad the fiscal books are and how willing voters are to bite the bullet before making any detailed proposal…
Ignatieff intends to kick off discussion of the tough choices ahead with a speech Thursday to the Chamber of Commerce in London, Ont. That will be followed by a series of townhall-style meetings to engage Canadians in the debate.