"The ball is in Mr. Harper's court": Liberals

Earlier today, Prime Minister Harper and newly appointed Liberal interim leader Michael Ignatieff met to discuss, according to reports, the economy and the upcoming budget. While the Liberals, during the election and the short-lived Parliament session, insisted on implementing measures rapidly, it looks as though they yet have to come up with a plan.

During this meeting, Ignatieff presented no concrete economic proposals. A Liberal spokesperson said following the hour-long meeting that:

"The ball is in Mr. Harper's court. [...] He needs to put forward a credible economic plan."

I was under the impression that Ignatieff was opening up to the Government, and showing a willingness to cooperate. Under those circumstances, you would think he would have been willing to share at least some of the party's ideas on how Canada can avoid getting into deeper economic trouble.

It seems however that, despite the oppositions loud-mouthed rhetoric about the Government's lack of stimulus package in the Fall economic statement, the Liberals still have not come up with a plan.

Ignatieff is currently meeting with experts (of sympathizing views, one might add) in order to finally create a plan. These include Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan; Frank McKenna, deputy chairman of TD Bank Financial Group; Don Drummond, a former senior Finance official and the TD's senior economist, as well as Liberal MPs John McCallum and Scott Brison.

Time is going by fast before the House resumes. I think I know what Ignatieff is asking Santa for this year: A concrete economic plan.