HUMBOLDT — Humboldt's local MP opposes the latest federal budget, saying that it doesn't provide a plan to bolster economic prosperity or address the rising cost of living.
"Canadians are worse off today than they were six years ago. What they needed was a break. What they were looking for was a plan," said Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block in a statement.
"Instead, the NDP-Liberal government has doubled down on their uncontrolled spending and higher taxes."
The federal budget, released April 7 by the federal Liberal government, has $452.3 billion in program spending. Revenues are expected to be $408.4 billion. Once actuarial losses are accounted for, the deficit is projected to be $52.8 billion. In 2021-22, the deficit was $113.8 billion, while in 2020-21 it was $327.7 billion.
The budget will pass with support from the New Democrats, who have signed a confidence-and-supply with the Liberals. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois will vote against.
"Budget 2022 is exactly what we feared," the Conservative MP said. "Inflation is at a 30 year high, yet this budget does nothing to address it. In fact, with a projected deficit of $52.8 billion for the 2022-23 fiscal year, it will contribute to continued inflation. Canada’s federal debt is now $1.12 trillion."
Highlights of the budget include $5.3 billion over five years to provide dental care to Canadians, $4 billion over the next five years to create a new fund to help cities and municipalities create more affordable housing, $1 billion over five years to create an independent federal innovation and investment agency, $8 billion over five years to better equip the Canadian Armed Forces, and $1.7 billion over five years to help make zero-emission vehicles more affordable for people.
"With this high tax, high spend budget, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided to buy the NDP’s support so that he can continue to govern rather than earn the trust of the Canadian electorate," Block said. "The price tag for this NDP support is billions more in federal debt. The impact of this added debt will be felt by current and future generations of Canadians even more as interest rates rise in the future."
Block said the Liberal government has hampered Saskatchewan’s growth by increasing regulations, increasing taxes, and scaring away investment over the past seven years.
"Saskatchewanians and all Canadians needed a budget that would address record high inflation and a skyrocketing cost of living that has led to higher grocery and gas prices and a growing housing affordability crisis," she said.
"What we got instead was more of the same."
— Written with files from the Canadian Press
