08 April, 2022
TORONTO, ON – Canada’s federal budget was unveiled yesterday by the Minister of Finance in the House of Commons. While there was much to welcome, the IAM has some reservations about what was in the budget and what was not.
The addition of dental care, affordable housing for the most vulnerable and fairer taxation into the budget bodes well for Canadians, but there is more work to be done.
“The labour movement, and the IAM in particular, have lobbied for many years to have meaningful changes for workers,” said Dave Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice-President. “While there have been some positives, we are disappointed on some missed opportunities to transform the lives of Canadian workers and their families.”
“The IAM was disappointed on the silence concerning the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCA), which has adversely affected so many IAM members over the years. “This is something we intend to follow up on,” said Chartrand. “The system has to be more equitable for workers,” he said.
Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress said that progress is hard-fought and we must be ready for Conservatives and their corporate friends to try and derail these positive steps by declaring mission accomplished on the recovery.
“Two years of pandemic has left us with soaring inflation and stagnant wages. The recovery has been uneven. Cuts and austerity now would take our country in the wrong direction,” said Bruske. “Now is the time to aim higher, not settle for less.”
“The IAM will continue to lobby the government to work with the labour movement on policies not in yesterday’s budget,” said Derek Ferguson, Grand Lodge Representative responsible for Political Action. “It’s disappointing the budget didn’t finalize legislation for paid sick days, or provide improvements in EI benefits. The budget was also silent on making Pharmacare a reality for those struggling to afford needed medicines. There’s obviously still work to be done – and the IAM is prepared to do it.”
“We know that the positives from the budget are a result of the Liberals and New Democrats working together. The IAM and the Canadian labour movement will continue to push for pharmacare and enhancing these gains in the weeks and months to come,” concluded Chartrand. “When parties people before politics, workers and all Canadians prosper.”
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For more information
Frank Saptel
IAM Canada Communication
With files from the Canadian Labour Congress
