Integrity, Honesty, Transparency

[CHIMO]

Didn't verify all of Tory platform, economist says
Jan. 15, 2006. 04:05 PM
DENNIS BUECKERT

OTTAWA — A prominent economist commissioned by the Conservatives to assess the financial soundness of their election platform says major items were omitted from the version he was given.

Paul Darby, deputy chief economist of the Conference Board of Canada, originally concluded that Stephen Harper's Conservative platform "is affordable in each fiscal year from 2005-2006 through 2010-2011."

"We're reluctant to put any numbers in precisely because it has to be negotiated," Solberg said.

Despite those holes, a Conservative news release says the party's platform is "fully budgeted — it maintains a balanced budget, every year, with money left over."

Add the Conservatives: "It has been independently verified by the Conference Board of Canada. . .is fully costed — it covers all our commitments."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1137328267940&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News

I guess it depends on who one is comparing things to...Mulroney?