• sbv
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    3 days ago

    That’s the thing: running a central bank is nothing like being a finance minister. Central banks should be apolitical and focus on whatever data they consume, while finance ministers need to get reelected (and should do what’s best for the country). I’m not sure how those skillsets overlap.

    In an ideal world, the finance minister would have stopped the gimmicky cheques and would have focused on helping those in need, reducing costs (maybe with OAS/GIS reform?), and growing the economy. But the PM doesn’t want that.

    • RandAlThor@lemmy.caOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      The cheques are gimmicky yes, but they are communicative and have also been effective. Ontario’s conservatives did this to get re-elected, and they’re doing it again. It is also a direct re-distribution of wealth to the 99%, the same way our governments have been giving handouts to the corps and wealth. There are a lot of things I fault Trudeau for but not this one.

      • sbv
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        3 days ago

        It’s a one time payout. It isn’t a long term solution. The feds could provide cash for people who need it. Maybe increase GST payouts for low income Canadians? It could be covered by reforming OAS.

        • RandAlThor@lemmy.caOP
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          3 days ago

          I agree. It’s a gimmick. That didn’t stop Doug Ford. He’s doing it again. Nobody’s complaining. I won’t. I won’t complain against re-distribution of money to average joe no matter what form it takes.

          • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            3 days ago

            What do you mean, “nobody’s complaining?!” Not only are people complaining in this very thread, Freeland herself specifically calls it out in her resignation letter!!

            • RandAlThor@lemmy.caOP
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              3 days ago

              Yeah just here. Didn’t you see Douggie get re-elected with the same gimmick? that’s what I meant.

              • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                edit-2
                3 days ago

                Everyone complained!! No one voted!! Both things happened, but there is no evidence the rebate cheque had anything to do with his re-election. Do you seriously think it is going to work for Trudeau?!

                • RandAlThor@lemmy.caOP
                  link
                  fedilink
                  arrow-up
                  1
                  ·
                  2 days ago

                  Do you have evidence that rebate cheques didn’t work? Show ME. There isn’t any published saying EITHER way.