The Liberal government’s final federal budget raises concerns about what’s to come for local MPs.
The 2019 federal budget was presented last week with a $19.8-billion deficit projected for 2019-2020, along with $22.8-million in new spending projected over the next five years.
Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs noted Canadians should be concerned about this.
“The budget that they tabled had a (nearly) $20-million deficit, and there’s no end in sight for their deficit budget plans. The main issue... they have is this out of control deficit, because what they’re really doing in budget 2019 is spending up to $41-billion in brand new spending,” she detailed.
Due to spending, Fort McMurray-Cold Lake MP David Yurdiga worries what this could mean for the future.
“We had to borrow, and put it on our credit cards... Quite frankly, I think everybody is paying too much (taxes) the way it is. The more we borrow, the more we have to pay back and that looks like future taxes. That’s going to be my children and my grandchildren paying for the lavish spending down the road. I think that’s not good management of our resources.”
Minister of Finance Bill Morneau tabled the budget on Tuesday, March 19, which focuses on Canada’s middle class. Included are measures aimed at improving home affordability, lowering energy costs, and preparing young workers for jobs through learning opportunities in school.
“The central idea of the budget is this: middle-class Canadians helped grow the economy, so they should benefit from the growth. They need a plan that makes long-term and responsible investments in their success. A plan that builds stronger and healthier communities creates well-paying jobs, and leaves all Canadians better off,” he said in a press release.
The Canada Training Benefit is a new federal program that was introduced, however, Stubbs believes the finer details weren’t worked out ahead of the budget announcement.
“They have announced this worker and skills training program, but it’s completely and entirely dependent on the provinces agreeing to implement it, and they didn’t do that work in the budget. That’s part of their budget, they have no ability to say they can actually deliver, and this is a pattern of the Liberals over the past three years,” she said.
It also proposed support for workers through Employment Insurance (EI) while on training without regular pay. Expected to launch in 2020, eligible workers would receive 55 per cent of their average weekly earnings for up to four weeks.
Included to back municipalities’ building priorities was $2.2-billion. This money will assist with paying for crucial repairs and other important infrastructure projects.
“There’s some municipal money, which will help with some of our challenges infrastructure wise. But, there’s always money for infrastructure so that’s a given,” Yurdiga noted.
Following suit from their previous budgets, the federal government highlighted improving indigenous infrastructures with $4.7-million slated for initiatives such as improving drinking water conditions on reserves and expanding health and social services.
Among this section was $29-million for discussions with indigenous communities about the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
“They’ve got money earmarked for the indigenous consultations on the Trans Mountain Expansion, but no money earmarked for the construction on the project, and still to this moment, refuse to give a start date for that construction or an end date for the indigenous consultation for when they will make their next decision,” Stubbs exclaimed.
Seniors will benefit from measures included in the budget that aim at improving the lives and security of those nearing or who are already retired.
Those who are eligible will be enrolled in the Canadian Pension Plan to ensure people don’t miss out on the benefits.
The federal government also budgeted for an increase to the guaranteed income supplement earnings exemptions for low-income seniors. This will bump it from $3,500 to $5,000. Seniors will be able to expempt $1,500 or more in income each year.
Making sure the programs are done correctly is crucial for Yurdiga.
“It’s important for us to hold the government accountable to ensure that when these programs are laid out and implemented, we want to ensure that the money is going to the right places,” he said.
Stubbs said the budget isn’t a benefit for the Lakeland riding as a whole.
“They should be spending less, lowering taxes, and getting rid of their anti-energy policies and legislation. That’s what would actually help western Canada and Alberta bring investors back into resource development and bring back jobs.”
