The federal finance critic says the upcoming budget needs to be about investment, not cuts.
Peter Julian (NDP, Burnaby-New Westminster) was in Thunder Bay Friday evening hosting two meetings on the federal budget along with MPs John Rafferty (NDP, Thunder Bay-Rainy River) and Bruce Hyer (NDP, Thunder Bay-Superior North). Before the first meeting, held with more than 20 representatives from local business, Julian said the Conservative government has signaled cuts are coming to Canada in everything from pensions to social services.
“We don’t think that’s the right approach,” he said.
Instead, the government needs to invest in those areas in order to build a healthy economy. The country also needs to address its infrastructure deficit not only for job creation but because it has to.
“In the same way you maintain a home you have to the roads and you have to maintain the sewer system and everything else that is gradually falling apart because there hasn’t been enough substantial investment done,” he said.
A focus on job creation needs to happen instead of corporate tax cuts as well Julian said.
“Canada has experienced some real difficulties with the economy we think in part because of the approach of the government.”
Although the Conservatives have a majority, Julian said he’s confident the government will listen to the NDP.
“We think we have public opinion on our side,” he said. “If the government doesn’t heed public opinion, that certainly signals trouble for them down the road."
Another meeting will be held starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Prince Arthur Hotel.
