Is Ontario the patsy because of equalization?

[CHIMO]

TORONTO — From where Dwight Duncan is standing, the lights are beginning to dim.

The stupendous growth in the Ontario government's revenues in recent years has slowed and the forecasts are for weak economic growth in the next couple of years.

The Finance Minister is putting on a brave face even as the U.S. mortgage crisis casts a shadow and Ontario's auto industry endures a crisis that is killing thousands of well-paying jobs. He is promising no tax increases and perhaps even a modest surplus in the budget he will bring down next month.

But here's the thing: Like other finance ministers before him, Mr. Duncan is effectively giving away money to the other provinces that he can ill afford because he has no other choice.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080209.wcampbell0209/BNStory/National/home

[daleo]

1. Harper's name calling of Ontario is very peculiar

There is no way he can win a majority without a good number of Ontario seats. Trash-talking the Ontario government, which was just re-elected by Ontario voters, is a bad idea.