Budget 2024: Trudeau’s Liberal government pours more fuel on the inflationary fire!

Justin Trudeau’s 2024 budget has offered only one thing: more of the same reckless and wasteful spending that we have seen for the last nine years from this Liberal government.

Remember when the Prime Minister assured Canadians that “the budget will balance itself“? It’s clear that Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland still operate under this dangerously naïve mindset, as they failed to even so much as outline a path to balancing the federal government. Instead, they opted to add nearly $40 billion in new inflationary spending which will result in record-setting debt servicing payments.

Not surprisingly, the Liberals failed to meet any of our demands and as such, Conservatives will be voting against the budget.

The 430-page budget document has included a few items that many constituents have had questions about. Chief among them the proposed increase on the capital gains tax, which has many individuals – notably small and medium sized business owners – concerned. While Trudeau is claiming this will only affect the wealthiest of the wealthy, nine years of his government would suggest the opposite. Whatever Justin Trudeau says, it won’t be him or his billionaire friends who pay for the new spending, it will be hardworking families, small business owners, seniors, and everyday Canadians.

The budget has also finally released details for the long awaited Canada Disability Benefit. Stephanie, who was the relevant Shadow Minister at the time the legislation was introduced in June 2022, heard from community members and national advocates that the government’s lack of details was concerning. Conservatives agreed and pressured the government to provide a proper framework for Parliament to vote on. Unfortunately the Liberals refused, and we now know why. The government has earmarked $200/month for eligible recipients, an amount that has been strongly criticized by advocates and organizations.

Conservatives will continue to oppose the reckless and irresponsible fiscal management of the Liberals, which, after nine years, has caused Canada to spend more on servicing the debt than we will spend on the federal health transfer in 2024.

Ahead of the release of Budget 2024, Stephanie and her Conservative colleagues had three common sense demands for this Liberal/NDP government:

1. Axe the tax on farmers and food by immediately passing Bill C-234 in its original form – until a Conservative government can get rid of the carbon tax for good.
2. Build homes – not bureaucracy, by requiring cities to permit 15% more home building each year as a condition to receive federal infrastructure money.
3. Cap spending with a dollar-for-dollar rule to bring down interest rates and inflation.

Under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, Conservatives will bring common sense back to Ottawa and restore the promise of Canada.