Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations
August 2016
Download the brief
CPJ believes that the Government of Canada must act on its commitments and develop policy that is grounded in the common good. We encourage the government to take a holistic perspective in the preparation of Budget 2017 – one that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable in Canadian society and contributes to the well-being of both people and the planet.
Canada is among the seven wealthiest countries in the world; yet 1 in 7 Canadians live in poverty. Fortunately, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development has been mandated to develop and implement a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. A federal plan is essential to addressing poverty and its contributing factors.
Canada ranks 3rd among OECD countries in per capita emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and these emissions are rising, contributing to global climate change. The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change is currently developing a pan-Canadian Climate Action Plan. An ambitious plan is imperative to fulfill Canada’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
CPJ’s recommendations for Budget 2017:
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Develop and implement a comprehensive National Anti-Poverty Plan.
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Create a National Housing Strategy with not less than $2 billion per year in new funding.
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Shift to a low-carbon economy through a just transition of the Canadian economy from fossil fuels to renewables.
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Partner with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments and organizations to develop focused Indigenous infrastructure development strategies.
Read CPJ’s entire pre-budget brief: Delivering the Promise of Justice
