Trudeau government’s deficit nears $400 billion dollars

Yesterday, government proposals aimed to provide new benefits to jobless workers. It was announced that CERB would be extended through two different programs to try and support those still jobless during the pandemic.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters, “Our government has taken on more debt so Canadians didn’t have to,” implying that somehow taxpayers won’t be on the hook for this spending.

When asked if she would put a budget in front of the House of Commons to vote on Freeland told reporters, “I’m not going to make any grand policy announcements.” This was right after announcing the $39 billion dollar program to transition CERB.

The Parliamentary Budget Office says this year’s budget shortfall is $343.2 billion. The highest a deficit has ever been was in 2010, $55.6 billion, far below today’s record.

Conservative Shadow Ministers responded to yesterday’s announcement with a statement of doubt in the government's plan.

Dan Albas, Shadow Minister for Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, and Pierre Poilievre, Shadow Minister for Finance wrote :

“Today’s announcement makes it clear that Justin Trudeau has no plan to help Canadians get back to work or to restart our economy. Shuffling Canadians between programs is not a plan.

“It is unacceptable that the Trudeau government announced these changes days after locking out MPs and shutting down Parliament, to block investigations into their WE Scandal. Canadians have serious questions about this transition and how it will affect them. They deserve transparency and clear answers."

All programs are to take effect September 27 though legislation has not passed.