With the federal budget tabled, Stratford mayor Martin Ritsma has some thoughts.
The Liberal government’s first budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney calls for a deficit of more than $78 billion in the current fiscal year, the highest in history outside the COVID pandemic.
It includes almost $90 billion in new spending over five years, with a big focus on infrastructure projects, the economy, business tax breaks and the country’s sovereignty.
Mayor Ritsma describes the themes of the budget as short-term pain for long-term gain.
“When we talk about cuts, we’re gonna see it in our civil service where they’re going to cut 10 percent, 16,000 jobs in the first year, 40,000 over five years,” said Ritsma.
“The idea of making those cuts in the operating of saving $60 billion, that will go to the investment side of it.”
He said boosting capital investment could benefit Stratford locally. According to the federal government, capital investments boost the country’s productivity, delivering more and better paying jobs.
Ritsma said the $115 billion investment into infrastructure can also benefit the community.
“When they talk about infrastructure, they talk about housing, hospitals, workers as they’re pivoting,” said Ritsma.
While the $30 billion investment into defense doesn’t surprise him, Ritsma said one of the key pieces to the budget is if the Liberals get the support they need.
“We did see they needed three votes, they’re down to two with the crossing of Chris d’Entremont from the Conservatives to the Liberals,” said Ritsma.
“I suspect the individuals that are there in opposition will vote against it, but I also suspect that some individuals will strategically not be there because the last thing we need in this country right now is another election.”
The budget includes a cut in temporary residence, down from 673,000 to 385,000. Ritsma said this move would have a huge impact on post-secondary institutions and seasonal workers.
He added that he likes the idea of investing instead of giving hand-outs for the budget.
