Today’s budget does not crack down on tax loopholes for the super-rich, it fails to make real progress on affordable housing, studies universal pharmacare rather than implementing it, and does not take strong enough action to address climate change.
“Today the Finance Minister spoke at length about helping the middle class, but my first impression of the budget plan, is it does little to address the growing inequality in our country” says Kootenay Columbia MP Wayne Stetski. “People in our region are rightfully asking, ‘if the economy is doing so well, why am I not feeling those benefits?’”
Stetski is also concerned that the Liberals are failing to respond to the urgency of climate change, by delaying most of the funding until after the next election.
“There seems to be gasp between the plans laid out in the budget, and the money to make them happen.” Action on climate change is one example, and pay equity is another” says Stetski. “The legislation on pay equity is long overdue, but there is actually no funding or estimate in the Liberals’ budget allocated to the implementation of pay equity legislation for Federal government employees.”
The lift in funding to support Parks and conservation is good news. Stetski continues to voice his concern about the continuing trend of deficit spending; this budget will add another $18.1 billion dollars to Canada’s deficit. “The Liberals continue to spend much more then they promised in the election.” says Stetski “I am not sure that the people of Kootenay-Columbia are benefiting today in a way that justifies leaving that burden to the next generation.”
