More proof Stephen Harper will have to cut health care to pay for his election promises
An internal government report released by the media this week shows that Stephen Harper’s claim that he can find $11 billion in cuts to pay for his election commitments of jets, jails and corporate tax cuts simply doesn’t wash – leaving even less money to secure the future of health care.
Mr. Harper cited one of the chief sources for the savings as consolidating the federal government’s fragmented computer systems: “We know we can save all kinds of money there,” he said. (iPolitics.ca, April 17, 2011)
But according to the government officials in charge of those systems, this claim is simply not true.
Reality:
According to an internal report commissioned by Public Works and obtained by the media through Access to Information, overhauling the federal government’s computer systems is fraught with obstacles – such as labour and security problems. As a result, the savings would amount to as little as $40 million a year. (iPolitics, April 17, 2011)
The other area Mr. Harper said he will target for savings is in the federal public service, by not replacing many of the 80,000 public servants expected to retire over the next few years. However, even a 5% reduction in the workforce through attrition would only save about $1 billion. (iPolitics.ca, April 17, 2011)
As usual, Mr. Harper’s numbers simply do not add up. Given the $11-billion hole in his election platform, his expensive fighter jets, jails and corporate giveaways, and his past statements about in favour of private, for-profit health care, Canadians have every reason to be concerned about cuts to health care funding by a future Conservative government.
