Patty Hajdu. File Photo
The Liberals will unveil their 2021 Federal budget Monday at 3:00 p.m.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu says there are three main priorities including more support for northern Ontario’s economic development program.
“FedNor has been a driver of investment in businesses, the start-up of businesses, and the maintenance and continuation/growth of businesses.”
The Thunder Bay-Superior North MP is also looking for more infrastructure funding, in particular investing in affordable housing.
Hajdu would also like to see continued investment in broadband expansion in remote and rural communities.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski echoes calls for more infrastructure funds.
“Private enterprise doesn’t make infrastructure, the government makes infrastructure. So, if we’re going to spend money to create jobs, this certainly seems to be where we ought to be spending money.”
Powlowski is also pushing for tourism support, noting northwestern Ontario has been hit particularly hard.
“Either some direct money in terms of grant money rather than more loans, and/or some tax relief in coming years which will allow them to get out from under the debt burden they’ve taken on as the result of not having any real business last year.”
Powlowski adds support and housing for the elderly must be a priority.
“Improving people’s lives in those last years of our lives and I think the reality right now is that a lot of older people are kind of regulated to living their last years in big kind of institutions.”
Maryam Monsef is the minister responsible for Rural Economic Development and says tackling COVID-19 remains their number one priority.
“We’re still in pandemic response mode. So, this budget will continue to include supports to help prevent the spread, to support Canadians, to support workers, and make sure people are kept home and were able to fight this virus to the ground.”
Monsef is also the minister responsible for Woman and Gender Equality and says, “There’s been much talk for all the waves that this pandemic has hit women hardest, who bring greater focus to a Universal Early Learning and Childcare system. But ultimately the focus will be continuing to fight COVID while creating the conditions for sustainable growth.”
She says the budget will reflect the feedback of Canadians from pre-budget consultations.
Monsef admits she doesn’t know what will be contained in the budget and she’ll have to wait and see like everyone else to find out what the finance minister Christia Freeland has in store.
(With files from Kevin Jeffery: Thunder Bay and Tim Davidson: Kenora)
