Nater Disappointed as Budget 2017 lacks much-needed support for Perth—Wellington

For Immediate Release

Ottawa – John Nater, Member of Parliament For Perth—Wellington is disappointed by the Budget released by the Minister of Finance earlier today.

“Once again, we see a government giving Canadians empty rhetoric rather than real action” said M.P. Nater following the address in the House of Commons by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Bill Morneau.

“The deficit is already out of control and getting worse. The Liberal Government promised a modest deficit of $10 Billion. Today’s budget promised $142.8 Billion in new debt over the next six fiscal years. This new debt is simply a tax on our children and their children,” said Nater. “You cannot invest in the priorities of Canadians with out-of-control debt, and putting the country on track to deficits until 2055 is beyond reasonable. By choosing this path, the Prime Minister is ensuring billions of dollars for decades to come will not be spent on health care, roads or housing; it will be spent covering the interest on his debt.”

Budget 2017 saw little in tangible support for rural and small-town Canada. No changes were announced to Business Risk Management Programs for farmers, and support for rural infrastructure is lacking. “In fact, $860 Million of funding under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund has not been allocated. This is a disappointment to communities across Perth—Wellington which could benefit from much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure” said Nater “A commitment of $2 Billion in funding for rural and northern infrastructure is welcome, however when distributed across 10 provinces, 3 territories, and over eleven years, the significance of the fund is greatly diminished.”

M.P. Nater added, “While I serve as an Opposition Member of Parliament, I am nonetheless committed to working with the government and all parties to ensure Canadians are well served. That is why I look forward to receiving more details on the government’s plans, particularly as they relate to skills training and housing. I look forward to seeing how these amounts may benefit the communities which are facing serious labour and housing shortages.”

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Contact

Keith Mitchell

Legislative Assistant

613-992-6124