The Liberals’ first budget is getting a failing grade from Mel Arnold.
The Conservative MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap says the federal document introduced Tuesday is a disappointment.
“There’s nothing about job creation and business investment,” he said.
“And there’s debt load being passed on to families, about $3,200 this year for a family of four.”
Debt is expected to increase by $113 billion by 2020/21.
Arnold says the Liberals promised a $10 billion deficit during the election but it’s now $29 billion.
“Promise broken. Another promise also broken is not getting back to balanced budgets. There’s no plan for that,” he said.
The budget includes $120 billion over 10 years for infrastructure with the primary focus being transit, water, sewer and affordable housing.
“I will be working hard to get our share of the dollars into North Okanagan-Shuswap,” said Arnold.
“My concern is the money may be funnelled into major urban centres. Projects should be based on merit and we have lots of those in this riding.”
With the budget now released, the opposition parties will be pushing for changes.
“With a majority government, it’s sometimes difficult to get amendments but we need to make people aware of what this is costing them in the long run,” said Arnold.
