File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Federal Budget

‘A return to fiscal prudence’ tops MP Caputo’s wish list for federal budget

Apr 7, 2022 | 6:01 AM

OTTAWA — The MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says his wish list for the federal budget when it’s presented Thursday (Apr. 7) includes both large and small measures.

Speaking to CFJC Today, Frank Caputo says the government needs to take bold steps to make life more affordable for Canadians.

“The greatest issue that’s affecting Canadians, and specifically the people of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, is the affordability crisis. I’d like to see some measures that help with the supply of real estate, in particular,” said Caputo. “When it comes to small issues, that might be some relief on GST — especially on gasoline.”

“We’re often in an employment crisis — as in, people can’t find work,” added Caputo. “Right now, the issue is actually one of a labour shortage and, as many business owners have told me, if they do find workers, there’s nowhere to house them.”

The first-term Conservative MP serves as the critic to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and says his request for that file should not be hard to accomplish.

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“I’ve also asked the minister to consider something fairly small on the Veterans Affairs end, and that is to allow active military and veterans to have free passes to Canadian parks — just something small to recognize the service that’s been done on our behalf by veterans,” he said.

Overall, Caputo said he would like the government to rein in the spending it doled out during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.

“I would call it a return to fiscal prudence,” he said. “Somebody is going to have to pay for the cheques that are being written today, and that will be the generation of tomorrow. It’s very easy to write cheques right now, but we also have to consider the long-term implications of this.”

Caputo is en route to Europe, where he will observe the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9.