Canadian Government Executive - Volume 25 - Issue 03

10 / Canadian Government Executive // August/September 2019 GOVERNMENT 50 years ago the budget speech “See Andy build. See Justin wreck. Hear Bill read. See Andy wreck.” In these cap- tions from the Hamilton Spectator’s March 21 editorial cartoon, we can hear a certain frustration with childishness in politics, a frustration that many surely felt if they tried to listen to Morneau’s budget speech or suffered Poilievre’s lecture on the Mag- na Carta during the budget debate. And yet maybe some unintended good will come from this episode. I say this because the Conservatives’ tactics reminded me of the PC and NDP response to Finance Minister Walter Gor- don’s budget in 1963. Gordon’s budget was presented a mere 60 days into the first term of a new Liberal government, a very different situation from Morneau’s pre-election moment. But, like Morneau’s recent effort, Gordon’s attracted partisan fury in forms that had nothing to do with the substance of the budget. The impact of Gordon’s trauma would be major improve- ments in budget process. In 1963, the newly elected Liberals’ bud- get process was bold but, frankly, bad. The Pearson Liberals had only recently won a minority government in a fierce contest with the staggering Diefenbaker Tories. The Liberals’ slogan had been “It’s Time for Action.” Action they delivered, in a budget presented on June 13, just two months into their term. Walter Gordon was new to elected of- fice. He had been an MP only since June 1962. But he brought expertise and well- deserved prestige to his new cabinet posi- tion. His accomplishments during the war had enabled him to influence the terms of post-war tax taxation. In 1956-57, as chair of a royal commission on the Canadian economy, he delivered results with ex- ceptional dispatch, submitting a report in 1957, 18 months from beginning to end. This fast-working business consultant brought an exuberant and justifiable con- fidence to the assuredly challenging task at hand. Conflicting economic indicators Lessons from of over By Shirley Tillotson Photo: Michel Loiselle