The NDP is less than impressed with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's ability to wring concessions from the government in return for his party's support. You will no doubt hear the following from every NDP spinner on every platform over the next 24-48 hours:
In 2005, Jack Layton won $4.6 billion in new investments in housing and transit in exchange for supporting the minority government of Paul Martin.
In 2009, Michael Ignatieff got a working group and an opposition day for supporting the minority government of Stephen Harper.
That's the NDP talking-point David, but have you got any sense of its veracity?
I believe the Martin government fell (with the NDP's help) before the bulk of that funding (much of which was multi-year anyways) could go to transit, to fighting poverty, and so on.
My question being, I suppose, did the NDP really get anything from Martin besides a nice piece of paper?
You may think that but you'd be wrong.
100% of the funding secured by the NDP in it's budget deal was maintained in subsequent budgets and flowed as scheduled.
I hear Stephane Dion wants Michael Ignatieff charged with identity theft.
The idea that Paul Martin's Libs fell with help from the NDP is not supported by the facts. The Conservatives, Independants and Bloc had more seats than the NDP and Libs combined. Do the math! If you want to whine about ancient history at least get your facts straight.
“Do the math!”
Well, the results of the June 2004 election were as follows:
135 Libs + 19 NDP = 154
and
99 Cons + 54 Bloc + 1 Ind. = 154
Thus, what you stated is not quite accurate, i.e. “The Conservatives, Independants and Bloc had more seats than the NDP and Libs combined.”
The standings after the 2004 election did not remain constant through to the confidence vote in late 2005.
You're right, but the standings were not as far apart as was previously suggested, either.