Promises, promises: Déjà vu all over again

Friday was rehash day on the campaign trail, with all parties reminding the populace of programs they have already promised.

The Conservatives trotted out six measures that were in the March 22 budget, including:

• a two year extension of the targeted initiative for older workers program;
• extending the work-sharing program for an additional 16 weeks;
• expanding the wage earner protection program to cover unpaid wages and vacation pay for laid off employees;
• extending EI programs for seasonal workers in areas of high unemployment;
• raising the income threshold for loans and grants to part-time students under the Canada Student Loans program
• eliminating mandatory retirement for workers in federally-regulated sectors

The Liberals expanded on their previously announced family care plan, pledging $1 billion a year to fund:

• a new family care Employment Insurance benefit modeled on the parental leave benefit, to allow Canadians the take up to six months off work to care for gravely ill family members;
• a new Family Care Tax Benefit, modeled on the Child Tax Benefit, of up to $1,350 annually, targeted to low- and middle-income family caregivers.

Speaking of healthcare, the NDP opted to wade into provincial jurisdiction, promising to invest in 1,200 new doctors and 6,000 new nurses. This too sounds somewhat familiar.

Final Analysis:

While these all sound good, you can’t just repeat your past promises as if they’re new and expect points in this derby. No winners today.

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.