tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804513671389132165.post8663404485109261116..comments2023-07-25T07:08:51.934-06:00Comments on Bill Longstaff: Paul Martin—Canada's greatest finance minister?Bill Longstaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15883751372039947365noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804513671389132165.post-62173422314572764002016-05-14T09:22:36.071-06:002016-05-14T09:22:36.071-06:00Martin's cuts hurt the poor and struggling, wh...Martin's cuts hurt the poor and struggling, while the rich and well connected got favours that gave them more wealth and power. The elites did not have to tighten their belts or make sacrifices for the common good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804513671389132165.post-71720409122435328232016-05-13T17:37:31.156-06:002016-05-13T17:37:31.156-06:00We often focus on Martin's contributions to fi...We often focus on Martin's contributions to finance and overlook his social programs which were equally impressive. The Kelowna Accord is a good example. Another is his national day care plan, signed with all 10 provinces but unfortunately scrapped under Harper.Bill Longstaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883751372039947365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804513671389132165.post-2513963170662119172016-05-13T16:53:33.762-06:002016-05-13T16:53:33.762-06:00I agree with you Bill. I remember the economy was ...I agree with you Bill. I remember the economy was in the tank when Martin became Minister of Finance. He step by step not only brought it back, but made it into a thriving success. Remember the cover of the Economist titled "Cool Canada". A country with successful fiscal policy and healthy social programs. That was mainly because of Paul Martin. Also what he did with First Nations. "The Kelowna agreement was like no other and was negotiated with First Nations at the table. It would have accomplished so much for First Nations. Harper rejected it.One of the most important is what you said about Martin refusing to deregulate the banks. I may be wrong ,but I thought he even added more regulations to banks. He also master minded the G20, adding many more countries in global decision making. He was a highly respected man on the world stage. He was also an idealist,believing in self dermination for Canada's First Nations. I would love if he was our PM now. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07842215982128591742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804513671389132165.post-71777711221109521932016-05-13T10:13:36.630-06:002016-05-13T10:13:36.630-06:00Very well done, Bill. There are a great many on th...Very well done, Bill. There are a great many on the Left today who still vilify Martin. It's partisan pap of course. He did cut and the cuts hurt but we were in a mess. To his critics I invite them to remember how generalissimo Rick Hillier rejoiced, flinging himself into the lap of Shifty Steve Harper, his personal savior, for rescuing the Canadian forces from their penurious "decade of darkness" under the Liberals.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.com