My thoughts on balancing the budget and investing to grow Canada’s economy

August 27, 2015

The news about the economy isn’t good, and it’s getting worse by the day.

When asked about the economy, Stephen Harper’s only response is that we need to stick with the status quo, but let’s take a look at where this has taken us.

Under Stephen Harper, we’ve seen:

– Eight consecutive deficits;

– Two recessions, one of them unique to Canada; and

– The worst decade of growth since the Great Depression.

And what’s his plan? Continue sending government cheques to millionaires with kids, while ignoring the middle class – and Thomas Mulcair agrees with him.

We think there’s a different way – a better way.

While our opponents have chosen austerity and cuts that will slow our economy further, we’re choosing smart investments that create jobs and growth.

Our plan will invest $60 billion new dollars in infrastructure over 10 years, almost doubling Stephen Harper’s planned investment.  This will be the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history.

Our plan will focus on three areas that will create economic growth now, and make our economy more productive over time: public transit, social infrastructure, and sustainable infrastructure.

We need greater investment in public transit.  If we want our economy to grow, we need our cities to work.

We need to invest in social infrastructure, in things like affordable housing and childcare.  Our communities cannot grow without them.

And we need to build sustainable infrastructure.  This means investing in clean energy, but it also means adapting to climate change.

And while we know that now is the time to invest in our future, we also know that fiscal responsibility is important.  Our plan will reduce our federal debt-to-GDP ratio every year, and return our budget to balance by 2019.

Canada was built around meaningful infrastructure investments; The Canadian Pacific Railway, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the TransCanada Highway – none of these things would have happened without smart and sustained federal investment, strong leadership and the support of inspired Canadians.

Together, we will build a better country.

– Justin Trudeau