FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON: February 11, 2014 – Today’s federal budget will not win any medals. Though Christians across Canada have advocated for change, Budget 2014 gave those concerned with poverty, climate change, and refugees little to cheer for.
“Nowhere near the podium, the federal government has missed an opportunity to lead, and has failed to address growing social and environmental concerns in Canada,” says Joe Gunn, Executive Director of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ).
At a time when visionary leadership is needed, the government’s desire to head into the 2015 election with a budget surplus puts unnecessary limits on good decision making. “The federal government’s narrow focus on ‘fighting the deficit’ has left huge and unnecessary social and environmental deficits,” says Gunn. “It’s vital that we don’t become so myopic that we make long-term policy decisions based solely on the deficit or surplus of the moment.” Flaherty maintained that balancing the books would not occur, “on the backs of ordinary Canadians or Canadians in need.” Yet this budget, as with previous ones, focuses on tax breaks for the rich at the expense of policies that would reduce poverty.
It is entirely possible, however, to draft a budget that promotes the common good while ensuring a surplus in 2015.
During last fall’s pre-budget consultation to the Finance Committee, CPJ recommended increasing revenues through the adoption of a harmonized carbon tax and the elimination of several boutique tax credits. These specific credits disproportionately benefit the wealthy, have little positive social impact, and cost the government millions of dollars in foregone revenue each year.
CPJ’s brief also included a recommendation to rescind the Interim Federal Health Cuts to privately sponsored refugees awaiting approval in Canada. Despite similar calls from the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (among many others), this issue was not addressed in the budget.
Budget 2014 also ignored the long-standing recommendation made by CPJ and countless other researchers, anti-poverty groups and the opposition parties to help low-income children and their families by increasing the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), a program targeted to those in the most financial need. Yet instead of making that investment, this government is expected to spend $3 billion each year – an amount that, if invested in increasing the NCBS, could lift 260,000 children out of poverty – on their controversial income-splitting proposal in advance of the next election.
Budget 2014 made no mention of climate change, but commits to “environmental protection” through natural resource exploration and development (mining and forestry) particularly in the North. In fact, the budget does nothing to advance Canada’s global environmental commitments. Rather than putting a price on carbon, the current approach by the federal government will ensure that carbon emissions will rise.
On a positive note, Budget 2014 announced the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act. While the details of real control remain to be seen, this budget took a step in the right direction by committing $1.25 billion over three years to the on-reserve education system.
Budgets expose the underlying choices about what we value in society. Though Budget 2014 was largely disappointing, Canadian Christians must continue their pursuit of the common good and their promotion of a Canada that values dignity for all people, welcomes the stranger, and prioritizes environmental justice.
Citizens for Public Justice is a member-driven, faith-based public policy organization and co-lead of Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada.
For more information, please contact Brad Wassink, Communications Coordinator, 613-232-0275 x 225 or brad@cpj.ca
