The budget tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in Ottawa deserves Canadians' support because it places them at the top of the agenda as the country struggles to pull out of the current economic tailspin, our elected member of Parliament said this week.
John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, said that in particular, the $40 billion economic stimulus package included in the budget - a combination of tax cuts, economic incentive programs and infrastructure money - is a direct result of the consultations Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper undertook over the past six weeks.
While the opposition New Democrats and Bloc Québécois said weeks ago that they would not support the budget, the Liberals and their new leader, Michael Ignatieff, had the power to bring down the government this week by giving the thumbs down to the budget. Weston said he thinks that would have been a mistake.
"This is not a Conser-vative budget, this is a budget for all Canadians and was created by all Canadians," Weston said. "Ignatieff said himself that we need an election like a hole in the head, and all I can say is I'll be supporting this budget and I urge my fellow parliamentarians to put their political differences aside and do the same."
Weston said the economic stimulus measures proposed under the budget are timely in that they are to be rolled out over the short term and are geared toward stimulating the economy over two years. They are specifically targeted at supporting job growth, boosting consumer confidence by putting more money into Canadians' pockets, and encouraging people to undertake economy-boosting activities such as home renovations.
He stressed that the deficit, projected at $33.7 billion for fiscal 2009, is designed to be temporary: Flaherty's projections show a small surplus of $700 million by fiscal 2013/14.
"I'd say it's a timely and targeted plan and a temporary deficit, and certainly a result of a lot of listening," Weston said.
Weston said local governments' chances of landing some of the $12 billion in new infrastructure money (in addition to the $33 billion Build Canada Fund announced earlier) have certainly improved. Gibsons, Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast Regional District are seeking cash for such things as harbour expansions and sewage-system upgrades.
Weston also pointed to the $25 million that the budget targeted for creation of a national trail system. Every portion of the riding has some sort of recreational trails initiative in the works, he said.
"No guarantees, but I'm hoping we can apply for some support there," he said.
Weston added that the $40 million going to the Canadian Tourism Commission for new marketing initiatives should be particularly helpful to tourism-based business in Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast.
Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster said he is pleased to see infrastructure funding earmarked for municipalities in the budget, but is also concerned by the deficit financing.
"There has to be a delivery mechanism to ensure areas that need the funding get in and that includes municipalities," Inkster said. "I'm hoping the work we've done with the province and the feds will ensure that Sechelt gets its share of the funding. Overall though, I am concerned about going into deficit financing. I know there are many people in Canada asking for help, but will we look back on this in five years and say this was the right thing? I'm afraid for our future, but I guess time will tell."
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk was also taking a cautious approach.
"There may be something in it for some local infrastructure projects, but we'll just have to wait and see," said Janyk. "The social component appears not to address what may soon be a local issue. I refer to the extension of employment insurance by five weeks, which seems pathetic. Why wouldn't one of the conditional issues have been to extend that aspect perhaps to 12 weeks? It is a question I have. For many families, it will soon be too late. "As far as the tax benefits being suggested, I am doubtful many who do realize the slight savings will actually be out on some bi-weekly spending spree. They will more than likely be hunkering down using the savings to pay for their overdue cablevision bill and waiting for the storm to pass."
Sunshine Coast Regional District board chair Donna Shugar said infrastructure funding is an area she is very interested in.
"We were all very interested in the sections on infrastructure, but I am concerned about the matching funds these projects will require," said Shugar. "Our own budget is challenging enough as it is. "I had hoped the stimulus would have addressed some environmental issues at the same time as it looks at the economy, for example, requiring the home renos to include improvements to energy consumption to be eligible for the credit. Assistance with transit would also have been helpful to us locally."
Shugar said she was also concerned with what the Conservatives refered to as "social housing."
"If it includes low cost housing for working singles and families, that's great. But if it only means supportive housing for the homeless and disabled, while necessary, that does not meet all the needs in our community," she said. "Whether we believe this budget will do the trick or not is largely a matter of philosophy. Of course we all hope that the current problems will be short lived and that all our citizens can enjoy the health, comfort and dignity that they deserve."- With files from David Burke/Whistler Question
