But the prime minister faced some vocal resistance to the plan for Roger Gallaway, a southwestern Ontario MP who said it is time to put the Red Book on the shelf. But while Mr. Chretien did not say if he supported an ambitious new social program, the idea got a cool response from John Manley, the Industry Minister and one of the cabinet s more conservative voices. Mr. Manley said it is unrealistic for the Liberal to launch such an ambitious new social program without co-operation from the provinces. Paul Martin, the Finance Minister and Mr. Rock s potential leadership challenger has so far deliberately avoided entering the caucus debate over tax cuts in Halifax, refusing to talk to reporters. But supporters of his leadership within the caucus have been sending a clear message they believe the Liberals priority must be to deliver tax relief.
Taxation is a very important part of a productivity agenda because it rewards success.
When the people of Canada get more back from what they earn, that will in itself be an incentive, to continue to work hard and be rewarded for that. The Liberals did not get re-elected in 1997 because of promises in the party s campaign, said Mr. Gallaway, but because voters saw the government s fiscal picture improving. The Red Book is not the Bible in the end. The advocates of tax cuts within the Liberal caucus got some support yesterday from an unlikely source Allan Rock, the federal health minister who has been touted as a champion of the party s left wing. Mr. Rock, a likely challenger for the Liberal leadership when Mr. Chretien retire, signaled he now shares the view that Canadians are overtaxed.