Flaherty urges senators to pass budget bill

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is calling on members of the Senate finance committee to pass the budget implementation bill quickly to bolster the weakened Canadian economy.

"I urge you to pass the bill without delay," Flaherty said Tuesday, urging committee members to pass the bill before leaving for March break holidays next week. "Do not dally."

Flaherty pointed out that February unemployment numbers due out Friday from Statistics Canada will be a sign of the economy's current state.

"These numbers are not likely to be good," he said.

In January, Canada lost 129,000 jobs, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate to 7.2 per cent. The Canadian economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2008, with gross domestic product shrinking at an annualized rate of 3.4 per cent.

Flaherty sparred with Liberal members of the committee, who called on him to divide the bill between economic stimulus measures and non-stimulus moves.

In addition to the stimulus measures, the budget implementation bill also includes changes to pay equity for civil servants, and to acts concerning navigable waters and industry competition.

"You've thrown in the kitchen sink here," said Liberal Senator Art Eggleton.