February 28, 2005

Construction industry reacts to federal budget

Here is some of the reaction to the federal budget that was tabled last week:

Shirley Westeinde, chair of the Canadian Construction Association — “With the gas tax commitment now firmly in place, the Canadian construction industry has reasons for optimism that the needs of our core municipal infrastructure are being addressed from a long-term perspective. However, in order to address our ever-growing infrastructure funding debt, we would have hoped that the federal government would have accelerated their investment plans — and of course, had added investment in the National Highway System as well.

Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress — “For over 20 years budgets have hit workers like the back of a shovel. And now, sitting on the largest surplus in Canadian history, all they want to give us is a few spoonfuls of relief. What we have are short-term half-measures that still don’t deliver the goods for the majority of Canadians.”

Ann MacLean, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — The New Deal is now a real deal — and it is a good deal for our communities and for Canadians. The government of Canada has confirmed its partnership with Canada’s municipal sector. That’s what Canadians want — governments working together and working smarter.”

Nancy Hughes Anthony, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — “A unique window of opportunity was available to the government for a serious and immediate boost to our economic growth — the chance to make fundamental investments in productivity for all Canadians has been missed.”

Glen Grunwald, president of the Toronto Board of Trade — “We can’t give this budget a higher grade than ‘B’. It’s OK, but not great. This budget does not offer any long-term plan for balancing the taxation system so that there are enough resources at each level.”

Jayson Myers, senior vice-president and chief economist at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters — “Bottom line, this is an election budget. There are a lot of back-end measures that won’t take effect for years down the road. This is a clear example of opportunity lost.”

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