Parliamentary Journalism at it's best (en francais)

In the absence of the Liberal "leak 'o the day" and governance by polls, the Parliamentary Press actually have to go out and dig for stories now. The result?

Massive PS cuts feared
Nowhere else to curb spending: Grit

By KATHLEEN HARRIS, PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

THE TORY government will be forced to kill thousands of public sector jobs in the Ottawa area and across the country to curb spending growth and pay for pricey campaign promises, Opposition MPs warn.

Liberal finance critic John McCallum, who oversaw a massive spending review program when the Grits were in power, said yesterday he has already taken the "low-hanging fruit." There's nowhere left to find the projected $22 billion in spending cuts -- except on the labour side, he said.

Of course, we all know just how credible the Liberals are when it comes to budgetary figures. I guess in the Liberal world, limiting government spending increases to the rate of inflation instead of massive increases, constitutes "slashing" budgets.

Of course, never far behind is the NDP with their own doomsday predictions.

NDP MP and finance critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis shared McCallum's concerns that a rocky road with "major cuts" lies ahead for federal employees if the Tories move ahead with plans to slash spending.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis has some insight on a secret CPC plan to slash spending? Do tell.

Well Judy, I can assure you of one thing. There certainly won't be any $4.5 billion dollar bribes offered to the NDP this session. For that, the Canadian taxpayers can breathe a sigh of relief.

The only massive cuts to government have already been accomplished. With numerous ex-Liberal MPs moving out of their parliamentary digs, Cabinet reduced and Liberal staffers hitting the bricks, the toughest part of the job is complete. Ever tried coming between a Liberal and their entitlements? Give me a butter knife and an enraged, hungry grizzly bear any day.