Minister Fortier meets with stakeholders in Miramichi as part of Budget 2021 consultations

News release

February 11, 2021 - Miramichi, New Brunswick - 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 citizens and businesses to hear their ideas about how Budget 2021 can support families, workers and businesses and help the city become stronger, and more inclusive after the pandemic.

During this roundtable discussion, the minister, joined by Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi—Grand Lake, 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 Miramichi and area, 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

“It was a pleasure to meet with citizens and businesses from Miramichi to hear their ideas and vision for our economy as our government readies its growth plan that will help position northern New Brunswick for a strong, robust post-pandemic recovery. We are focused on making targeted investments in Budget 2021 that will create good jobs for the middle class in communities like Miramichi and make our economy stronger, fairer and more prosperous.”

- 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 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
For pre-budget consultations: Budget2021@canada.ca

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