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 Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, met virtually with stakeholders in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 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 ministers heard about the local opportunities for investment 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 people. 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 Winnipeg to listen to their ideas about how we can position the city for strong economic growth once we are through the pandemic. Through Budget 2021, we have a historic opportunity to spur economic recovery through job creation while building a greener, competitive, inclusive, and more resilient economy that leaves no one behind."
- The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
"As we continue to support Manitobans through the second wave of this pandemic, our government will continue to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to support Canadians through this period of uncertainty. It was valuable to meet virtually with members of our Winnipeg community to discuss their priorities for Budget 2021. Our focus is on targeted investments that will create jobs in our community so that we can come roaring back when the pandemic is over."
- The Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies
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%, 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.
