Like many Canadians, I was very curious what Finance Minister Flaherty would announce in his budget. Would there be anything of substance for Canadian families? Would there be something for Diamond Aircraft here in London?
The answer was unfortunately no.
There were a few small, minimal items here and there. So minimal that Mr. Harper spent more in one day of his G20 meeting than he is spending on seniors in this budget.
So why nothing larger?
It’s because the Harper government’s hands are tied by giving $6 billion in tax cuts to large corporations. Not small businesses, mind you, but large corporations like banks and oil companies. Their tax rates are already 25% less than the rates in the US. Why is Mr. Harper so anxious to give them more tax cuts?
These tax cuts are crippling the government’s ability to invest in people. But that’s not all.
The Harper government intends to spend $13 billion on US style mega-prisons and $30 billion on an untendered fighter jet contract. Just think… $13 billion will pay four years of tuition for 650,000 students. Will our nation be better off with more prisons or with more university graduates?
Health care is going to need more money as baby boomers age. Post-secondary education is crucial to our economic success. This government will have nothing left to put into these areas.
Liberals have different priorities. As Michael Ignatieff has said “We think Canadians want a different kind of Canada. An ambitious Canada. An entrepreneurial, innovative Canada. Where equal opportunity is back at the centre of Canadian life. “
We want to cancel these corporate tax cuts and invest in people. “Jobs, health care and pensions you can count on, affordable post-secondary education and training, support for family caregivers, and child care and early learning for our kids.”
I have not had a single person in London West tell me that we need more prisons and more fighter jets.
They do tell me that they are worried about their jobs, their financial situation, and making ends meet. Parents want their children to be well-educated and successful. Seniors want the dignity of remaining in their homes. Hard working immigrants want the opportunity find employment and build a new life here.
The Harper government is out of touch with Londoners. Liberals cannot support this budget. And we will not support a government that deceives Canadians, breaks the law, and attacks our democracy.
It is time for a change. It is time for a new government.
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