What they’re saying: Fall Economic Update

November 2, 2016

This week, Minister Morneau gave Canadians an update on how the Liberal government is working to make real progress for middle class families. Here’s what Canadians are saying:

“Wow! $25.3 B dedicated to transit over the next 11 years in Fall Economic Update while we were expecting $16.6 B over the next 9 years…”
Patrick LeclercPresident and CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Association

“These expanded transit investments will lead to shorter commutes, lower emissions, less gridlock and higher productivity. Across the board, today’s announcement is a big acknowledgement that cities are critical partners in nation-building.”
Don IvesonChair of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus

“We agree that trade corridors will help grow the economy of the future and support prosperity. Effective transportation is vital for the forest sector’s competitiveness and export performance which supports middle class jobs.”
Derek NighborCEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada

“This announcement tells me this government is listening to the municipal sector. It tells me they understand that rural and northern communities are essential to Canada’s economic, social and environmental future.”
Clark SomervillePresident, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

“[This is] another concrete demonstration of the federal government’s recognition of the role that cities play in meeting our shared economic, social and environmental goals.”
Gregor RobertsonMayor of Vancouver

“We’re very encouraged by what we saw today, I think it’s great, and it’s a sign that the government has been listening to the needs of Canadian companies … It’s also going to allow us to target the highly skilled workers we so desperately need”
Alexandra ClarkDirector of Policy and Government Affairs, Shopify

“It’s astonishing. This is transformative. A really bold move by a government that has committed to invest in infrastructure.”
Brock CarltonCEO of Federation of Canadian Municipalities

“A national infrastructure investment strategy guided by a long term vision of independent governance and commercial viability could be transformative for Canada in terms of productivity, employment and return on investment.”
Ron MockPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

“We are very hopeful that the new Infrastructure Bank will focus on a range of projects with varied size and scope so that all provinces and municipalities across the country can benefit. Canada’s life and health insurance industry stands ready to play a major role in building our infrastructure.”
Frank SwedlovePresident and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association

“I am so happy – so grateful! It is something that when we built the office back in 2008 that we needed that independence to put out this analysis … It’s a big day for the parliamentary budget office and a strong signal … If you look at it in an OECD context we’re probably the first country right now that’s moving to strengthen the parliamentary budget office. I think that the OECD and the IMF are going to be quite happy about that move as well.”
Kevin Pageformer Parliamentary Budget Officer