Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga, has released the following statement on the tabling of the Spring Economic Update.
The update provided by the government is a clear indicator that the Federal government intends to continue along its path of government largesse that they have laid out in their budget late last year. While this year’s revised, smaller deficit is welcome news, it still represents a significant increase, adding nearly $67 billion to the federal deficit.
While this increase in spending is clearly the prerogative of the government, particularly now that they have secured a majority, it is essential that the governments programming agenda needs to be accompanied by fiscally responsible implementation.
I am encouraged to see provisions such as an increase to defence spending, and efforts to streamline the Disability Tax Credit, but have concerns by the lack of updates on key issues affecting Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga, including the ALTO High Speed Rail project, or a more assertive commitment to a successful CUSMA review. Affected sectors, and Canadian jobs depending on the nearly one trillion dollars in trade with the United States, require clear and ongoing consultation during these sensitive weeks leading up to the July 1st deadline. Delays and uncertainty in this review carry real economic costs and risk slowly progress on a critical agreement.
That said, I remain committed to working with the government and my colleagues across Parliament to advance a plan that is both fiscally responsible and socially conscious for all Canadians.
