The government’s second federal budget, “Building a Strong Middle Class,” takes an important next step to revitalize the Canadian economy, make smart investments that will create jobs, grow our economy and provide more opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
Budget 2017 reflects our Government’s ambitious agenda to support middle class Canadians at every stage of their lives, transform our neighbourhoods and communities, and give every Canadian a real and fair chance at success. Budget 2017 commits new money for job training, child care and social housing and offers immediate help to those who need it most. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said his aim was to put Canadians to work, and to make Canada more innovative and more globally competitive.
"Our continued investment in infrastructure and sustainable economic growth will create more good middle class jobs for Canadians," said John Oliver, Member of Parliament for Oakville. "By making smart investments like improving access to capital with tools like the Strategic Innovation Fund, by strengthening our universal health care system, and by launching a new National Housing Strategy, our Government is ensuring a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
With its strong focus on innovation, skills, partnerships and fairness, Budget 2017 takes the next steps in securing a more prosperous future for all Canadians. It is also the first Federal Budget to have been filtered through its own gender-analysis to ensure the lives of men and women are made more equal.
I am pleased to see Budget 2017 respond to the recommendations put forward by the residents of Oakville North-Burlington. This budget takes concrete action to improve the quality of life of all Canadians. There are initiatives designed to build a clean-growth economy, enhance transit and improve access to mental health and home care. I am particularly happy to see our government take an important step towards gender equality with Canada’s first ever Gender Statement. By investing in early learning and child care, a national housing strategy, more flexible benefits for family caregivers, more supports for Indigenous women, and $101-million to support a national strategy to address gender-based violence, our government demonstrates its commitment to our communities and our future.
Budget 2017 takes action to improve the lives of all Canadians through a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Increased investment in infrastructure and faster, more efficient transit systems;
- Strengthening Canada’s health care system by reaching Health Accord agreements with provinces and territories to provide better and more support for mental health and home care;
- Creating a new Canada Caregiver tax credit;
- Improved access to prescription medications, lower drug prices and focusing on the ongoing opioid crisis; ensuring veterans receive skills training and mental health support;
- Addressing gender-based violence; and,
- Enhancing the fairness of our tax system by closing tax loopholes, cracking down on tax evasion and improving existing tax measures for individuals and families.
“I am proud to be a part of a government that is delivering for Canadians," said the Hon. Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington and Minister of Democratic Institutions. “The investments we are making in key social infrastructure such as Childcare and Early Learning and Affordable Housing, $7 and $11 billion respectively over the next decade, have the potential to be transformative for Canadians and their families. In addition, the commitments to public transit, health care – including $11 billion for mental health and home care – extended parental and caregiver leave will strengthen the public services we provide in our communities. Our ambitious vision of a prosperous and inclusive economy is being realized through Budget 2017 through significant investments in skills, training, and innovation for workers at all stages of their lives. As the Member of Parliament I will continue to work for the issues that matter to the people of Burlington.”
Budget 2017 continues our plan to strengthen the middle class—the heart of Canada’s economy. It makes smart and responsible investments that will provide Canadians with good, well-paying jobs and opportunities in the new, innovative economy. By taking action today and investing in the things that Canadians need to succeed now and well into the future, the budget will help deliver a growing economy that works for every Canadian.