Federal government considering sale of Crown assets: Flaherty

[daleo]

The federal government is considering the sale of some of Crown assets as a way of balancing its budget and avoiding a deficit, Canada's finance minister said Thursday.

Speaking with reporters during the Conservative party's policy convention in Winnipeg, Jim Flaherty wasn't specific about which assets might be put up for grabs.

"Well, that's one way of reducing a deficit, or perhaps having a small surplus. I won't get into some of the things that Canadians own, but they'd be very surprised to know that they own things like the CN Tower," Flaherty said.

"It's a surprise to most Canadians that's an asset of the Government of Canada."
...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/13/flaherty-assets.html
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It's just like Ontario under the Harris government.

[HeresyLives]

1. Also a kick in the teeth to Ontario.

If you don't go along with the program, we'll sell off your assets.

[Caradoc]

2. I'm happy...

...that Harper's in power now, at this time. He's hoping to get ahead of the bad news, but I think the bad news is going to wash all over his party. Giving $50 billion to back mortgages when there is no mortgage crisis here is absurd and unnecessary. Bailouts are going to bust tory credibility because the obvious question is 'why give money to a failing company IN THE HOPES they'll not lay people off when instead you can spend the money directly on any laid-off workers by supporting them in personal business ventures or job retraining?' We at least get some of that back in taxes and we retrain workers and reduce dependence on a failing industry.

[Rainforestgoddess]

3. Straight out of the "shock doctrine"

Using a crisis to privatize national assets. Naomi Klein is probably nursing an ulcer...

[daleo]

4. And the assets will be sold at fire sale prices

To friends of the Conservatives.