PM praises $500M boost to benefit program
Liberals will enhance Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) in 2019
BURLINGTON — An additional $500-million investment to the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) will help address affordable housing in Burlington, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau paid a visit Thursday to YMCA Employment Services Burlington on Drury Lane to see how the centre assists residents in searching for a job or going back to school.
“Housing is a fundamental building block to success …. We’re seeing the pressures around housing crises in various places around the country and we know that’s something we have to work on together.”
Trudeau said the WITB helps “those folks who are working hard to make ends meet and who are still struggling at the lower end of the income scale.”
The government intends to add $500 million every year to the WITB, starting in 2019. Last year, it provided $1.1 billion in benefits.
The prime minister also said his government is coming out with a national housing strategy soon to address the “housing pressure” challenges “far too many Canadians are facing.”
“In general, the best thing we can do about housing affordability is make sure everyone is feeling the benefits of a growing economy and make sure we are reducing the barriers that exist.”
Trudeau was asked about Neil Bantleman, a former Burlington resident jailed in Indonesia after charges of sex assault against young boys. Bantleman is appealing his conviction.
The PM spoke with Guy Bantleman, Neil’s brother.
“Neil Bantleman’s case in Indonesia is one that I have been extremely active on … working with the government of Indonesia to get to a positive outcome.”
Trudeau’s visit to the area follows one made by new federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, who was in Hamilton last Thursday to speak to the chamber of commerce.