Minister Fortier and Minister Duclos meet with stakeholders from Québec as part of Budget 2021 consultations
News release
February 16, 2021 - Québec City, Quebec - 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.
That’s why, today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board, met virtually with businesses and organizations from Québec to hear their ideas about how Budget 2021 can support families, workers and businesses and help the region become stronger, and more inclusive after the pandemic.
During this roundtable discussion, the ministers heard about investment opportunities in the city to create jobs for workers.
The government is not simply aiming to get back to where Canada was before COVID-19. The pandemic has exposed critical gaps in our social safety net and the economic impact 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. 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. Budget 2021 will be among the most significant in Canadian history.
Participants also shared their ideas and priorities for how the government can best invest in Canada’s economy to create jobs and strengthen the middle class in Québec, 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 the virus, our government's top priority continues to be supporting Canadians and businesses so that together we can weather the storm and come roaring back from the COVID-19 recession. Today’s discussion with businesses and stakeholders from Québec City will inform our government’s growth plan and the investments in Budget 2021 that will position the city and province for a strong economic recovery that benefits all Canadians.”
The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
“To get through this difficult second wave of the pandemic, our government will continue to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to support our fellow citizens. It was very useful to meet virtually with members of our business community and various Quebec organizations to discuss their priorities for Budget 2021. We will focus on targeted investments that will create jobs in our community, so that we can come roaring back after the pandemic.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board
Quick facts
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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