Finances took wrong turn

Re: “PM takes credit where it’s not due,” by Stephen Maher, Ideas, Jan. 28.

Thank you to Stephen Maher for clearly identifying where the federal Conservatives have been driving Canada’s finances.

I believe that this story is not told often enough, and that it is the defining tale of the Harper administration.

Maher writes, “In September 2007, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that Canada had a surplus of $13.8 billion, which was thanks to Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien, who had brought the federal debt down to $467 billion … . This year, the deficit will be up about $30 billion and the debt is up to $570 billion.”

Economically in Canada, we do have a steady hand on the wheel, but it has been obvious since 2008 (before the financial crisis) where it has been steering us — into a hole.

David Stark, Edmonton