NDP launches public consultations on budget bill
Posted May 15, 2012 6:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The budget debate is going on a national tour.
The latest tactic from the New Democrats will see the party launch a series of public consultations to talk about the impacts of the fiscal plan.
From changes to environmental reviews to increasing eligibility for old age security, the NDP says there’s a lot to discuss when it comes to this fiscal plan.
They hope these meetings, mixed with a social media campaign, will force the Conservatives to make some changes.
NDP finance critic Peggy Nash said she wants to expose the true impacts of this omnibus bill.
“On employment insurance, old age security, health and the environment. They’re trying to hide this under the cover of a bill supposedly on the budget. They’re trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Canadians,” explained Nash.
House leader Nathan Cullen said he wants to get the facts to Canadians.
“It’s the idea of having this conversation as a two way conversation rather than the one way monologue we get from Stephen Harper,” said Cullen.
However, Government house leader Peter Van Loan says the NDP are late to the game because it already held months of consultations before the budget was written.
“The results are reflected in the budget. This is what Canadians told us they want to see in terms of a focus on job creation and economic growth,” said Van Loan.
The Liberals plan to use senate committees to bring changes to the budget.
The hearings begin in Ottawa on May 15, followed by Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Regina, and Vancouver.
