PM Harper: Big Government Conservative?

This week’s Throne Speech and budget made it clear: Prime Minister Stephen Harper loves government. Sure, he tossed some bones to the small-c conservative crowd. Mr. Harper will reduce foreign aid. He will eliminate manufacturing tariffs. He says he will open the telecom industry to foreign competition. He will grant western barley farmers a divorce from the Canadian Wheat Board. But he will still support supply-side management in dairy and poultry, and “partner” with the forestry industry. Business taxes will go down, but next year payroll taxes will start rising again. And though spending will grow less, it will continue to grow.