Quote:
Originally Posted by iggy_oi
Cutting programs now, as I've said before, can be potentially more expensive than maintaining programs in the long run. If we want something eventually we will pay for it one way or another. I'm not saying it should not be considered on a case by case basis, but if there is an opportunity to fix the problem without reducing our services I think that option needs to be explored first. It's a gamble either way, and this is the more sensible option to take first in my opinion. If this way doesn't work, you can turn to cuts. But if you start with cuts and that doesn't work, do you really think taxpayers are going to want to have taxes raised after you've already cut programs?
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Iggy, in what scenario would you ever reduce (not kill, not wipe out, not massacre) programs if not in a record structural deficit, where your operating costs are clearly unsustainable? You want to get dependence off of oil and gas revenues, I get it. Then you cannot keep spending like you are still getting peak oil and gas revenue indefinitely into the future when it'll be the only thing possible to bail you out. And piling up -$11 billion year after year isn't a good time to experiment and dabble.
As for cutting and taxes, it's not binary. Not to sound like a jerk but it seems like you tend to believe things or envision scenarios that are all one way or another. When economists and rating agencies are saying that our credit rating is in trouble, it's not like they're saying to light the government on fire and wipe it out. A reasonable plan to pare some costs and adjust taxes aren't the end of the world. As Slava mentioned, there has basically been little to no material adjustments to spending with no future plans. Hell, I'd disagree with you and say that people would be way more amenable to the additional piling on of taxes if they made at least some token attempt to control spending. Our financial minister basically shrugged when asked about his estimate of when things might be balanced or adjustments in the future.
Nevermind the additional billions of dollars we pile up year after year in debt servicing costs while we continue to borrow just to operate and keep the lights on.