Minister Fortier and Minister Chagger hold Budget 2021 consultations in Kitchener-Waterloo 

News release

February 8, 2021 - Kitchener-Waterloo , Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

The government has a plan to make smart, targeted investments to jumpstart the country’s economic recovery so Canada can come roaring back after the pandemic.

Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, met virtually with Kitchener-Waterloo community leaders to hear their ideas about how Budget 2021 can support businesses through the pandemic and help the region build back better.  

The government is not simply aiming to get back to where we were before COVID-19. The pandemic has exposed critical gaps in our social safety net and the virus has hit certain sectors and groups of people harder than others – including seniors, women, low wage workers, young people, people of colour and Indigenous peoples. For all of these reasons and more, Budget 2021 will be among the most significant in Canadian history. By working together, we will build a stronger, more resilient middle class and grow an economy that improves the lives of every single person in Canada.

During today’s roundtable discussion, the ministers heard from business owners and community leaders from the Kitchener-Waterloo region about the very real challenges facing the people in both cities during the pandemic. Minister Fortier and Minister Chagger also asked participants to share their ideas and priorities for how the government can best invest in Canada’s economy to create jobs and strengthen the middle class in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, while building a greener, more competitive, more inclusive, and more resilient economy that leaves no one behind.

All Canadians are invited to share their ideas through an online questionnaire at LetsTalkBudget2021.ca, which will be available until February 19, 2021. 

Quotes

“As we continue to fight COVID-19, we must also not lose sight of better days to come as we plan for a strong, robust post-pandemic recovery. The ideas and vision for our economy that I heard today from leaders within the Kitchener-Waterloo region will help our government ensure that the targeted investments in Budget 2021 serve to strengthen and grow the middle class in a way that benefits all Canadians.”

The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

“The health and safety of all Canadians is our priority. We are not out of the woods yet and our government remains committed to see Canadians through to the other side of this pandemic. The Associate Minister of Finance met virtually with members of the Waterloo Region community to hear their priorities for Budget 2021. The focus, as we build back even better and consciously more inclusive, is on targeted investments that will create good jobs and opportunities for our community.” 

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Member of Parliament for Waterloo

 

Quick facts

  • More than eight of every 10 dollars spent in Canada to fight COVID-19 and support Canadians has been spent by the federal government and this unprecedented support has prevented economic scarring and stabilized the economy.

  • This includes programs like the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account, which were put in place to protect jobs through this crisis.

  • To continue supporting workers and businesses, the Government of Canada has increased the maximum base wage subsidy rate to 75 per cent, expanded the Canada Emergency Business Account, and launched the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support for businesses, among many other measures.

  • Once the virus is under control, the Government of Canada will invest in a growth plan of roughly three to four per cent of GDP, between up to $70 and $100 billion, over three years, to jumpstart our recovery. 

  • Key to this stimulus plan will be smart, time-limited investments that can act fast and make a long-run contribution to Canada’s future shared prosperity, quality of life, competitiveness, and green transformation.

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Contacts

Media may contact:

Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@canada.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca

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