It's no surprise, then, that [Ralph Goodale] is dangling personal as well as corporate tax cuts. Or that more will be spent settling Liberal- voting new Canadians and that a trading nation's competitiveness will get a boost from investment in innovation, education and a bigger sales force abroad.

Here's a revealing quote pulled from Goodale's upbeat update documents. "With more and better jobs, rising incomes and lower interest rates, Canadians have been able to invest in our families, skills, homes and businesses. Over the same period, the federal government has reinvested in our social foundations including healthcare, childcare and education.''

Liberals are hoping grateful voters will rush to say thank you. But the ruling party is also indirectly asking Canadians to complete an easy test Liberals may not pass.