MP puts out call for budget input
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey is reaching out to his constituents to get input on the upcoming federal budget.
A pre-budget consultation was held Tuesday at Welland Civic Square where members of the community including representatives from Port Cares, Brock University’s student union, regional council, Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre, trade unions, Welland’s mayor’s youth advisory council and many more were in attendance to voice their top concerns and priorities.
Among several topics brought up during the evening discussion were a national poverty reduction strategy, social infrastructure funding, funding for the trades, social housing, veterans affairs, pensions and income security — information that Badawey said will be relayed to the office of Finance Minister Bill Morneau ahead of budget time.
“The finance minister said it would be good idea for us to do public consultations,” Badawey said. “You can be rest assured that when he tables that budget in the house, that’s going to be based on what we’ve heard across the nation from the public consultations.” Badawey spoke to attendees of his meeting on several topics, from the state of Canada’s economy to where the government wants to be economically, and where Niagara fits in that equation.
“We’re being very realistic and honest in respect to the state of our country, the state of our province and the state of the region,” Badawey said.
He said his session was much more aimed at “listening and learning” to and from his constituents, something he plans to do with frequency throughout his time in office.
“My intent is to have constant dialogue with my constituents,” he said.
Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn was one person who was sure to make it to the consultation Tuesday.
“His session was very, very good. I wanted to be there to provide some feedback from a Pelham perspective,” Augustyn said. “It was more a roundtable than anything else, which was great.” Augustyn said that the event drew a good “mixed group” of people and interests which made for thoughtful discussion.
Augustyn reiterated the need for funding for social infrastructure. A message, he said, he hopes Badawey will relay in Ottawa.
“We are hopeful that the federal government will follow through on this (promise of funding for social infrastructure),” he said.
Badawey is holding a second meeting next Wednesday, Jan. 20, at regional council chambers at 11 a.m. This meeting will be again open to the public, but will focus more on elected officials.