Lifelong learning a theme of 2017 budget as Liberals adapt to changing world
OTTAWA — The federal government is expected to emphasize skills and job training — “lifelong learning,” in political parlance — in Wednesday’s federal budget, but their rivals are hoping to see evidence the Liberals have done some learning of their own.
The last time Finance Minister Bill Morneau went through this exercise, the Liberals were still all aglow from their 2015 election win, and the ensuing budget read like a longer — and more expensive — version of their campaign platform.
Now, after a bruising year in government and a U.S. election that challenged pretty much everyone’s assumptions, the 2017 budget is expected to take a more cautious, steady-as-she-goes approach to spending taxpayer dollars.
With lacklustre growth still plaguing the Canadian economy and the tab for last year’s billions and billions of dollars worth of commitments looming large, the government has precious little room to introduce new spending.
That likely means big commitments in areas like defence and international aid will be put off until later in the four-year electoral calendar.
Perhaps because spending expectations have been pushed so low, the Liberals hinted Tuesday at bolder steps in social policy, in particular helping those who fear being left behind by the government’s big plans for economic innovation.
“Not everything is spending; not everything is money,” said one Finance Department source, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss details in advance of the budget’s release.
The budget will still be “transformative” and “bold” in terms of what it will do for Canada’s policy direction, particularly in areas like skills, training and innovation, insisted the source.
“The budget’s a public policy document and I think the story will be much more into where the country needs to go as opposed to dollar amounts ... If you’re just looking at tables, that’s not where this story is going to be.”
Morneau gave a speech in Germany last week that could be a major clue to his thinking: “antiglobalization, protectionism and even anti-immigration sentiments” are stoked when people are nervous about their future, the speech argued.
“They look at the pace of technological change, and the seemingly never-ending need for new skills, and are understandably stressed about the future. It’s hard to feel confident, and to face every day with optimism, when you can’t see what’s around the corner.”
One way to respond to that challenge, Morneau said, would be “a culture of lifelong learning, helping people develop the skills they need at every stage of their life to succeed in the new economy.”
The Opposition Conservatives, meanwhile, are more concerned about the government’s “massive deficits” and whether tax increases are in the offing to deal with the tab.
“Justin Trudeau has racked up the credit card and now he needs money to pay the bill,” said interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose.
“Business people and families are feeling it. They know more taxes are coming.”
New Democrat MP Alexandre Boulerice said the NDP wants the Liberals to close tax loopholes that benefit the rich, and use the proceeds to help more people.
“We can bring back billions of dollars for our social programs and public services,” Boulerice said.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said the government is already starting to see the positive effects of last year’s budgetary choices.
“I think when we look at the investments that we’re making into infrastructure ... but also in terms of skill development, in terms of investments in research and institutes, I think we’re starting to see the results of those,” Hajdu said.
“We’re going to continue forward on the path.”