Jim Flaherty Cool with Occupy Wall Street

The finance minister says he understands the protesters' 'legitimate frustration' and that it's up to governments to fix the situation.

The Occupy Wall Street protest has slowly gained support from a number of prominent left-leaning American politicians, but one wouldn't suspect that Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty would lend his sympathies to the protesters. With Occupy Canada protests set for cities across Canada tomorrow, Flaherty said he "can understand some legitimate frustration arising" over income inequality and unemployment. He also said it's up to governments to make sure that all citizens have an equal opportunity to make money, adding that Canada's taxation system has helped keep income disparity here a little less chasmic. So, way to go, Jim, for failing to resort to typical media caricatures of conservative politicians and actually saying something sensible on the protests. Perhaps we'll see him banging drums and sporting facepaint at King and Bay tomorrow.