The author represents a socialist view of Canada that idealizes a period from '75 to '95 when federal parties spent lavishly on the social system funded via nat

The author represents a socialist view of Canada that idealizes a period from '75 to '95 when federal parties spent lavishly on the social system funded via national debt. This resulted in Canada's own debt crisis (peaking at 70% of GDP), which we were able to resolve by devaluing our currency and running surplus for most of the next decade (now hovering below 40% of GDP). This is epitomized by her statement: "Since the 1990s, the centrist Liberal Party has embraced a hysteria about balanced budgets and debt repayment to justify cuts to social welfare programs and taxation" The widespread "right-wing conspiracy" amongst the media & political class is rooted in the reality that any Canadian politician that actually increased taxes to fund social programs was quickly & loudly removed from office. The current Conservative government has been removing environmental restrictions, silencing the federal scientists tasked with regulating them, and slowly reducing federal environmental research. These actions appear to be designed to spur more resource development & resulting government extraction fees. Its important to note that this Conservative leadership came from the province of Alberta, which has benefitted from a two decade resource boom. Alberta has had the strongest economic growth and lowest tax rates in Canada. A template for success in some eyes.