Monday, 31JAN, the federal government launched pre-budget consultations with the Canadian public “to hear the best ideas from Canadians about how the budget can support Canadians and businesses and ensure a strong economic recovery for everyone.”
According to the government, upcoming budgets will focus on jobs, growth and “making life more affordable.”
The current budget consultation process comes two years after the inauguration of an “economic response plan” by the government to address the economic challenges of the pandemic.
In announcing the new public consultation process, Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, pointed out that plan’s success stories. According to the government, Canada is ahead of its own goals in creating a million jobs, which it claims recoups 108 per cent of jobs lost and puts the country in first place among G7 nation recovery. In addition, the Finance minister expects Canada’s GDP to return to pre-pandemic levels this quarter.
However, Freeland acknowledged, “We know that there is much more to do. Many parts of the economy remain deeply affected and the future remains uncertain.”
She added, “To ensure Canada’s economic recovery leaves no one behind, our government is listening directly to Canadians. This is your budget and we want to hear what matters most to you.”
Although travel was not specifically identified (no specific sector was named), Boissonnault did refer to the hardest-hit sectors, which includes travel, saying the government’s goal is to provide, “the tools (needed) to address challenges as a result of the pandemic.”
“As we prepare our upcoming budget and continue our work to ensure that we grow the economy for everyone, we want to hear from you on your priorities,” he said, adding, “ I look forward to hearing directly from you.”
The public has until 25FEB to submit comments, ideas and suggestions for the upcoming federal government budget at this web site: LetsTalkBudget2022.ca.
In addition to online submissions, the government is also holding roundtables over the next few weeks with communities and sectors “including those who continue to be deeply affected by the pandemic.”
