Bruce Grey Owen Sound Conservative MP Alex Ruff says he’s not impressed with the federal Liberal government’s latest budget plan.
Ruff says, “I’m disappointed, but not shocked or surprised by the ever increasing deficits, the continuation of their deficit spending.”
The federal Liberal government released its 2023 budget plan last week. It projects a $40 billion dollar deficit, which is greater than the $30.6 billion projected in last fall’s economic statement.
He says, “When you look at the interest to service the national debt, it’s $44 billion today and that’s going to rise to $50 billion.” (by 2027-2028)
Ruff says there are some positive things in the budget, pointing out a measure that could be helpful to farmers.
“They’ve agreed to fund the foot and mouth disease vaccine bank for farmers, which is something that our dairy and beef farmers have been calling for,” says Ruff, though he says there still needs to be some clarification about how that funding will work between the provinces and the federal government.
Ruff notes another positive item is support for the 988 suicide crisis line included in the budget, noting, “Something that conservatives have put forward. It’s nice to see them take action and provide the resources for it.”
He was glad to see the inclusion of nuclear power in some of the budget’s green innovation and tax credits, saying, “I think it’s essential for us to eventually get to net zero moving forward, we can’t get there without nuclear energy.”
But Ruff says the “fact of the matter” is the deficit is roughly $10 billion more than the government had predicted last year.
He says his Conservative party was pushing for no new taxes, no new tax increases, and cuts to the bureaucracy.
The Liberal government has promised to cut spending on professional services and consultants, as well as to cut back on travel spending, but Ruff, who notes the job of the opposition is to “hold the government to account and call out their shortfalls,” says, “Ultimately, there are no details about how they’re going to do it. They’ve said that’s what they’re asking all the departments and people to do, but are they actually going to follow through?”
You can read the budget here: https://www.budget.canada.ca/2023/home-accueil-en.html