Canada's Federal Budget Passed in Senate, EI Delay Avoided

by TDH | March 13, 2009 at 08:49 am

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All Canadians really wanted was some proactive leadership and the feeling that their government is doing something to stimulate the faltering Canadian economy. The oft toothless Senate has stepped to the plate to act on our behalf by passing the Conservative Federal budget. In a move that sidesteps much of the political blithering that has plagued Canadian parliament for the past several months, the Liberal dominated Senate voted 50-4 in favor of some economic action.

The passage of the budget was hurried along by a renewed sense of urgency - Liberals had previously stated their intention to further examine the budget before allowing its passage, but upon learning that such a delay would essentially deny Canadians their much needed employment insurance benefits for weeks, Ignatief and the Liberals moved quickly to pass the bill.

Urgent passage was needed to give unemployed Canadians access to the stimulus funds and an extra five weeks of EI, which could add $2,000 in eligible benefits, he said during a testy appearance before the Senate finance committee on Tuesday.

"A Liberal will never come between an unemployed worker and the employment insurance that he or she needs," Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said at a hastily arranged news conference. Hours later, the Liberal-dominated Senate passed the budget 50-4, with five abstentions.