'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Bay Street
The brokers and traders had put up their feet.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
(Though the gift of a bonus was already theirs).
The bankers were tossing and turning in bed
While thoughts of recovery danced in their heads;
"Just think," said Gord Nixon, as he turned to his honey
"When the economy's good, we'll make even more money!"
When out on the sidewalk there arose such a clatter,
He sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash.
Saint Nick? Better yet - it was Flaherty, with cash!
The streetlamps shone down on the new-fallen snow
Giving light to the minister's face in full glow.
His smile was broad, and it stretched ear to ear
(As it should - for the Grits give him little to fear).
Then he opened his mouth, and he let out a shout
"I've defeated the critics! Erased all the doubts!
"The voters, they love me, 'cause of my simple plan:
"We'll spend the bucks now, pay the bills when we can!"
On hearing this, Clark, who lives right 'cross the Street
Clambered out from the covers, and onto his feet.
To the minister's boast, honest Ed just saw Red:
"If Jim thinks we're home free, then he's out of his head."
"I think we all know how to subtract and add.
"And by 2015, the books still will look bad.
"So how is it a man can react with such glee,
"When his deficits stretch far as my eyes can see?"
Elsewhere on the Street, the restless and rich
Had written to Santa their own Christmas pitch.
"Saint Nick," wrote the bankers, "we'd like more IPOs
And we hope that the feds leave our paycheques alone."
Weeks ago, when McCaughey sat on Santa's knee
He'd asked for a growth plan for CIBC.
Now Scotiabank's Waugh peers up into the sky,
Hoping Saint Nick will bring more of CI.
As for Manulife's chief, his wish list is narrow:
Something to protect him from shareholders' arrows.
For nothing brings quicker a CEO's end
Than messing with old ladies' prized dividends!
So busy's this season of asking and getting
That the people of Bay Street are prone to forgetting
How lucky they are to live in such a place
Where a guy like Mark Carney's the central bank ace.
Though we're scarred by the memory of two thousand and eight
Our Recession, it seems, maybe wasn't so Great.
Our holiday wish? That the economy takes flight
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!