Kenora MP Eric Melillo is giving the 2021 federal budget a failing grade.
He says the fiscal document was more of a Liberal election platform.
Melillo says the budget contained plenty of spending but no plan to dig out.
He notes the Trudeau Liberals are plunging forward into a deficit of $150 billion this year.
“The amount of new spending over and above the COVID stimulus programs that we know are necessary, we are going to be paying $40 billion a year on interest payments alone just to service the governments debts.”
The Conservative stresses that’s $40 billion we know that’s not going to vital public services.
Melillo is also upset with a lack of direction on COVID recovery.
“There’s no plan to secure more vaccines that will enable us to get our economy open again. There is no plan to invest in domestic production of PPE or vital things like that, that we know will get us through the rest of this pandemic but prepare us for future crisis.”
Melillo admits he’s cautiously optimistic on two promises.
“Happy to see that FedNor is moving to be a standalone agency not simply a program. I think that will provide more resources to better serve northern Ontario. I’m also happy to see that there is a tourism relief package in this budget.”
Melillo notes he’s been constantly calling for support for tourism and is happy the government has listened.
However, he is quick to point out the devil is in the details.
“Because we know the government has previously, throughout the course of this pandemic and even prior, they’ve announced many big programs that are supposed to help tourism. Help our small businesses. But many people are falling through the cracks. They’re not able to qualify for certain reasons.”
Melillo stresses he will be watching the rollout of funding very closely.
The federal Conservatives are scheduled to pitch amendments Thursday in the House of Commons but the budget will likely pass with support from the NDP.
