OTTAWA - With today’s budget, Stephen Harper missed the opportunity to make life more affordable and help families of the Lower Mainland still recovering from the effects of the recession.

“The budget is a great disappointment for Canadians looking for the Conservatives to stop playing political games and get something done for them,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “Stephen Harper had an opportunity to address the needs of the hard working middle class families – sadly he chose to provoke an election, instead.”

In an effort to make Parliament work, Layton met with Prime Minister Harper and put forward a set of affordable measures to help Canadians. Unfortunately, the Conservative’s budget did not address New Democrats’ reasonable proposals to help Canadian seniors and families.

New Democrat MPs were quick to react.

"This budget fails Burnaby families. Once again the Conservatives have done nothing to address the crisis in affordable housing and homelessness. And there is nothing to help families with childcare,” said Bill Siksay, MP (Burnaby-Douglas).

“This budget foresees $60 billion in corporate tax cuts, $1.15 a day for poor Canadian seniors. The HST alone, that the conservatives brought to BC, costs seniors at least $2 a day. What a disgrace! Budget completely fails Canadians”, said Peter Julian, MP (Burnaby-New Westminster).

“I held town hall meetings in New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody. People told me they want to see increased funding for the Evergreen Line and for affordable housing, support for seniors and meaningful action on the environment. This budget fails them,” stated Fin Donnelly, MP (New Westminster-Coquitlam). 

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For more information, please contact:

Office of Bill Siksay: 604.291.8863

Office of Fin Donnelly: 613-220-5773

Office of Peter Julian: 604.505.1431