Budget announcement laced with drama

Ottawa—Plenty of drama continues to unfold around the conservative budget announcement this afternoon.

Will the budget prompt an election? Likely.

Will the opposition’s attempts to discredit Stephen Harper’s federal government with a Contempt of Parliament ruling toss a wrench in the works? Unlikely. If Prime Minister Harper lets Thursday pass without forcing a vote on the budget, the opposition will get its chance to wallop the Conservatives.

Intrigue is surely afoot and our intrepid reporters are chained to their desks for the night to provide the latest in budget coverage and how the policies enacted in it will impact Canadian manufacturing. Check back often.

Here’s the latest:

	SMEs and clean energy highlight Budget 2011 Small and medium-sized businesses and clean energy investments were some of the highlights in this year’s—likely defunct—federal budget. Read more
	Did politics trump prudence on budget day? If there’s one thing that’s sure to dampen business investment and growth in an advanced industrial economy, it’s uncertainty. Read more
	Canada’s plastics sector welcomes 2011 federal budget Budget measures such as equipment write-offs, funding for young entrepreneurs will help plastic companies: CPIA Read more
	Corporate tax cuts: key budget debate rages on CanadianManufacturing.com reporter Matt Powell looks at both sides of the debate and whether their should be a debate at all. Read more
	Government coffers open for Quebec before election In last two weeks alone, Harper government has announced more than $3 million in funding support for the manufacturing sector, but most went to Quebec. Read more
	Canadian economy losing ground on international competition Will this budget help stop Canada’s sliding fiscal performance? Read more