Pieces without a coherent plan

The euphoria about a federal budget that promises to give birth to a new, strong Canada feels more like post-partum depression ten days later. It is understandable that the budget puts funds in many buckets to deal with economic uncertainty and survive Trump. Tax cuts, incentives for private investment, infrastructure projects and workforce retraining policies are all designed to buffer Canada’s economy through the current storm. Underneath the theatrics and political game-playing, there are shifts in direction that warrant more attention by citizens who care about Canada’s future.

Canada in the world

As predicted, the budget cuts 2.7 billion dollars from international assistance. Most will come from Global Health programs. Positioned as “savings” in Canada, the costs will be borne largely by women, children and communities in the poorest parts of God’s world. Canada is following the US and other countries in making big cuts to foreign aid. Canada could have chosen a different way of being present in global affairs, one that is more likely to lead to peace and flourishing for all, instead of adding to extreme inequalities that become breeding grounds for more armed conflicts.  

Using the military to grow the economy

The budget’s focus on the Arctic for both civilian and military investments is positive. Strengthening the military is necessary. But it is worrisome that the 84 billion dollars for defence and the 150 mentions of defence spending in the budget seem focused on growing our economy through the expansion of the military-industrial complex in Canada. 

Canada had a more integrated approach to diplomacy, aid and security in our peace-building strategy. I don’t see that in this budget. History shows that militarization alone does not build peace. 

The hole in every bucket

The establishment of a Youth Climate Corps can give some young people good jobs in caring for creation. But its small budget pales against the billions being bet on carbon capture to reduce emissions from the expansion of Canada’s fossil fuels industry. Missing from the budget is any reference to the credible proposals for an East-West Clean Energy grid. A coherent strategy to care for the non-human parts of creation is also absent. The budget fails to recognize that the impacts of a changing climate affect health, housing, jobs and security. As stated by Catherine Hayhoe, a Christian climate scientist, failure to care for creation is a hole in the bottom of every bucket that the budget tries to fill to stay afloat.  

Unfinished business

There will be positive improvements in some areas from this budget and regression in others – and continuing uncertainty. Canadians continue to have some confidence in Prime Minister Carney’s ability to manage Canada’s economy through troubling times. Perhaps Prime Minister Carney should read a book by banker Carney, with the title Values, to develop a more coherent path forward for Canada. Perhaps the opposition parties in parliament could shift from partisan game-playing and bring forward options that address some big gaps in this budget. As members of parliament go out to sell this budget or condemn it, citizens can help by reminding their representatives of the forward direction that Canada can choose.