Eglinton-Lawrence MP and Minister of Finance Joe Oliver held a pre-budget roundtable consultation at Columbus Centre Thursday, Nov. 27, the first of several planned for across the country.
Speaking with media prior to the consultation at the Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue site, Oliver said he wanted to hear from Canadians how the country can create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, adding the government is on track to balancing the federal budget in 2015.
"This is the first day of formal pre-budget consultations coast to coast," he said. "This tour is all about listening."
Oliver, who said he expects a $1.7-billion surplus in the 2015 budget, vowed the government will not "engage in reckless spending" and focus on creating jobs and growth.
Even if not part of roundtable consultations, Canadians will be able to participate online by answering six questions:
• The government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth. What can government do to help businesses grow, increase trade and investment and encourage the private sector to hire new employees?
• The government is committed to keeping Canada’s finances balanced and on a sustainable track, including reducing the debt. This builds on our government’s belief of respecting taxpayers’ dollars. In what other areas should we look to make spending more efficient and effective?
• How can the government help Canadians with the costs of living and raising a family?
• What can the government do to ensure Canadians are obtaining the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow?
• Are there investments that can build stronger communities and keep our streets safe?
• Are there any other comments you would like to make regarding the government’s Economic Action Plan?
Responding to media questions, Oliver said although the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday, Nov. 26 that the housing market and mounting household debt represent key risks to Canada’s economy, the Harper government won’t be making protection moves in the housing market.
The government plans to slowly reduce taxpayer exposure to the residential real estate market, but no specific plan is in place, he said.
Participants in the roundtable consultation at Columbus Centre were:
• Ron Bernbaum, L.L.B. Taxation, PearTree Financial Services
• Eddy Burello, president, Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, Toronto Chapter
• Kevin Chan, head of public policy, Facebook Canada
• Kate Cornell, executive director, Canadian Dance Assembly
• Peter Frise, CEO and scientific director, AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence
• Daniel Goldberg, president and CEO, Telesat Canada
• Pierre Gratton, president and CEO, Mining Association of Canada
• Stanley Hartt, counsel, Norton Rose Fullbright
• Roberta L. Jamieson, president and CEO, Indspire
• Colleen Johnston, CFO, TD Bank Group
• Tim Jones, president and CEO, Artscape
• Mimi Lowi-Young, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada
• Bruce MacDonald, president and CEO, Imagine Canada
• Corrado Paina, executive director, Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario
• Ronald Riesenbach, vice president – innovation, and chief technology officer, Baycrest Health Sciences
• Bill Robson, president and CEO, C.D. Howe Institute
• Margaret Yang, Chinese Professionals Association of Canada
• Aaron Zifkin, country manager – Canada, AirBNB
Other round tables between Nov. 28 and Jan. 15 will be held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; Quebec City, Quebec; Edmonton, Alberta; Moncton, New Brunswick; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Calgary, Alberta.
To participate online in the pre-budget consultation, visit www.fin.gc.ca/news-nouvelles/nr-nc/2014/prebudget-prebudgetaire-eng.asp
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