Denise Savoie

FEDERAL BUDGET NEGLECTS HOUSING AND CHILD CARE: SAVOIE

Written for those around the boardroom table not the kitchen table’ says NDP Leader Jack Layton

OTTAWA – NDP MP Denise Savoie criticized today’s federal budget for not doing enough to close the prosperity gap in Victoria.

“With corporate tax cuts totaling $8 billion, today’s budget will further widen, not shrink, the gap between those at the top end and middle-class and working families,” said Savoie.

“I’m particularly disappointed in the budget’s lack of funding to address homelessness and Victoria’s acute lack of affordable housing,” Savoie said.

“Victoria is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, and even the world. Today’s Conservative budget does nothing to alleviate our regional housing crisis, which is one our biggest local problems.”

Savoie also challenged the government on its failure to help parents by building a national, universal child care program.

“More tax credits and gimmicks are not going to make it any easier for working families to find child care spaces. Child care remains only a footnote – literally —for this government.”

Savoie, who is also the NDP’s critic for post-secondary education, said the increase in federal transfers is not nearly enough to address soaring tuition fees and student debt.

“At this rate, it would take well over a decade to restore core funding to the level that students need now,” said Savoie.

On the environment, Savoie noted that the Conservatives have extended corporate tax breaks for big oil and gas companies another eight years, but haven’t delivered for urban centres, or on climate change.”