Monday, March 12, 2007
Growing prosperity gap must be closed in Budget ‘07 - Friday March 9, 2007
NDP releases Budget ’07 expectations
WINNIPEG – Following a meeting with the Finance Minster Jim Flaherty, NDP Finance Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis released her party’s expectations for the upcoming Conservative budget: make life more affordable for regular Canadians. The NDP says the government must address the growing prosperity gap in Canada and have proposed the federal budget increase climate change spending, make real investment in education and must include meaningful assistance to Canada’s working and middle class.
NDP Leader Jack Layton says the prosperity gap in Canada is growing and it’s time for the Conservatives to close the gap.
“As CEO’s keep getting richer, working families are having a tough time making ends meet. Its time for fairness,” said Layton. “We are proposing investment in the issues and programs that really matter to ordinary Canadians.”
The NDP is calling on the Finance Minister to reinvigorate the Canadian economy with targeted investments in: education, aboriginal wellness, urban infrastructure and green and emerging technologies. New Democrats also urge the Finance Minister to make the most of the expected surplus dollars by investing it in the programs that really matter.
NDP Finance critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis wrote in her pre-budget letter to Minister Jim Flaherty:
“Hard-working Canadians are increasingly recognizing the existence of a prosperity gap in Canada. They don’t feel that they are benefiting from the economic growth they keep hearing about,” wrote Wasylycia-Leis. “And, they’re right – the numbers back them up. Not only is there a growing gap between the rich and the poor, there is also an alarming erosion of economic security for everyday middle class Canadians.”
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 11:58 AM 
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