Kamloops MP ‘very concerned’ with feds’ fiscal update

Oct 24, 2017 | 2:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — “I’m very concerned.”

The reaction of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy McLeod to the Trudeau government’s fiscal update delivered today (Tuesday) by Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

In it, he promised nearly $15 billion in fresh spending over the next five years. The new measures take advantage of Canada’s unexpectedly robust economic performance, which is expected to provide an additional $47 billion for its bottom line over the same five year period.

“They have no commitment to get back to balanced budgets. That breaks an election promise. They have doubled the deficit, that breaks an election promise,” McLeod told CFJC Today. “Canada’s economy is doing okay right now but we all know it goes in cycles so when it goes into a downturn we’re able to respond.”

The fiscal update included an enhancement to child benefit payments so they start rising with the cost of living two years earlier than promised. That’s expected to cost the government $5.6 billion over five years.

So, what does McLeod think about that?

“The child benefit payments have been an important measure in terms of helping many families,” she said. “Certainly I agree that it was an important thing to move forward with. Whether this is the right time in terms of enhancing that… It’s a very well-received, very generous program and I think parents are very appreciative.”

In addition to that, McLeod added she hopes “they’re not spending money just to support their popularity.”