The federal budget that was introduced in the House of Commons Wednesday is not getting a passing grade from Souris-Moose Mountain Conservative MP Dr. Robert Kitchen, and the rest of the Conservative Party.  

Kitchen outlined three things they were looking forward to being included in the budget: the lowering of taxes and removal of the carbon tax, working to lower inflationary pressures, and making it affordable for people to afford to buy and build new homes. He also noted meetings with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland heard that the government recognized the increased spending by the government was driving up inflation, and they needed to stop. 

“We were expecting to see a reduction in spending of some sort, and yet we saw this totally increased spending and you know, we see a budget deficit that is going to be $43 billion,” Kitchen exclaimed. “That’s just our deficit. Our debt under this budget will go basically, which is at present $1.1 trillion, up to $1.3 trillion.” 

“This is the same government that turned around and said in the fall economic statement in December that they would have balanced the budget – in fact, we would have a $14 billion surplus in 2027, and yet their budget right now is saying there actually will be a $20 billion deficit at that time.” 

Kitchen pointed to the scheduled increase to the carbon levy that is scheduled for Saturday, and that the increase will see costs trickle down to the average Canadian resident, who will continue to see costs increase that won’t be offset by an increase to the GST rebate.  

“Because of those reasons, we’re not going to support this budget; we will not vote in favour of it and hopefully it’s a confidence motion and we will see where that takes it.”