Federal Budgets

The federal government's announcement last week of possible reforms to the retirement income system highlights the fact that financial decisions are never just that. We must consider the social implications behind the numbers and how they reflect our values as a nation. The 2012 federal budget will soon be tabled, and Canadians have the opportunity to make their voice heard. Read more »

Federal budgets are meant to be about more than just finances; they’re to reflect our nation’s deeply-held values and priorities. Unfortunately, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance’s just-released pre-budget report, Staying Focused on Canadian Jobs and Growth, seems to narrowly promote the status quo. Is this what Canadians really need? Read more »

This web feature is Part III in a series examining CPJ’s recommendations for the 2012 federal budget. Part I examined the need for a sustainable economic recovery that includes all Canadians. Part II considered the importance of affordable housing. Check back next week for the final installment on thinking green! Read more »

To achieve a sustainable economic recovery in Canada, all Canadians need an affordable place to call home. Canada’s serious housing problem is cause to reconsider priorities for the next federal budget. Included in this budget are plans to cut corporate taxes. CPJ’s recommendation: hold the corporate tax cuts and direct funds toward affordable housing. Read more »

Every year, the Finance Committee of the House of Commons receives submissions from Canadians on the federal budget, conducts hearings across the country, and submits a report outlining recommendations for the next federal budget. CPJ submitted a brief with our recommendations on Building a Sustainable Recovery for All Canadians. Our recommendations were carefully selected to emphasize job creation and sustainable recovery while not significantly increasing the federal deficit through a reallocation of existing priorities. Read more »

As the new Conservative majority government prepares its first budget, it may be tempted to be hawkish on the deficit in order to meet its campaign promise of eliminating the deficit a year earlier, by 2014-2015. The government should resist this urge, however, as significant spending cuts will only exacerbate Canada's social and environmental deficits. We need an integrated approach to all three deficits that ensures that future generations don't pay a price for unchecked poverty, rising inequality and environmental devastation. Read more »