Minister Fortier holds Budget 2021 consultations in Lower Mainland

News release

February 2, 2021 - West Vancouver, British Columbia - 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, met virtually with stakeholders and community leaders from the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, 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 Minister heard about investment opportunities across the province to create jobs for workers.

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.

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

Quotes

“It was a pleasure to meet virtually with community leaders from the Lower Mainland to listen to their vision for the future and ideas about how we can position the region – and the entire province – for strong economic growth in the months and years to come. Through Budget 2021, our government will build back better than ever by creating one million good jobs for the middle class as part of a greener, more competitive, and resilient economy that benefits all Canadians.”

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

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%, 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.

Related products

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
For pre-budget consultations: Budget2021@canada.ca

Stay connected

Twitter: @financecanada

RSS

Page details

Date modified: