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With oil prices dropping, many Canadians around the country are wondering how the Conservatives will keep to their $1.6 billion surplus promise; others are slouched on their couches, drinking beers, and watching the NHL as usual because they don’t care at all about politics or economics. But with a new budget approaching before the next election, those couch potato Canadians might start paying attention and asking questions: when will it come? Why should I care? Does the budget include party money for the World Junior’s win? Can’t the Conservatives do whatever they want anyway? How will we balance this budget? Since when is Jamie Oliver the federal Finance Minister?

 

Toronto Star

For the last time, it’s Joe, not Jaime.
SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

 

We know the budget will come at some point within the next year. The Conservatives suggest April, but their lack of a clear delivery deadline means they could delay even longer. With the dissolution of parliament and elections occurring somewhere between August and October 2015–barring a military coup by Gilles Duceppe or Harper taking complete dictatorial control–a budget will eventually arrive under a new government. If that budget fails, however, we might go much longer without any direction from the federal government.

As you read this article on your electronic device of choice, you may wonder why you should care. To be completely honest, you shouldn’t. Caring takes a lot of effort and mental energy, neither of which are worth it. That energy could be better spent at the gym every day—especially since your personal health management is becoming more important as national healthcare tumbles with cuts to the Health Council of Canada.

The Conservatives also announced that more spending cuts may come with the new budget. Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney says falling oil revenue may require “some adjustments.” With all this vagueness, we should probably assume World Junior party packs will get the axe–a sad day for all Canadians.

 

Overall, redistribution favours the Conservatives. They still win most of the seats based on the results of the last vote.
CBC

 

Could the Conservatives not do whatever they wanted, budget or no budget? Hypothetically, they could. Hypothetically, they could have influenced the redrawing of federal ridings for the next election. Hypothetically, the redrawing of boundaries could disproportionately favour the Conservatives. Hypothetically, the Conservatives could have rewritten elections laws in various ways that limit Elections Canada and Canadians’ abilities to vote. But, just like Joe Oliver, I don’t want to get into “negative hypotheticals” on the Canadian government.

Although the Finance Minister is Joe Oliver, not Jaime Oliver, with the way Canada’s economy is going, it might be better to have the celebrity chef serve Canadians. At least the news would be tasty.

 

Let’s Shred Some Parma on this Budget.
Richard Austin/Rex Features