Fraser thankful for chance to work on federal budget

Central Nova MP Sean Fraser may not have been the person formally presenting the 202122 federal budget last week, but his fingerprints are on it.

Fraser is parliamentary secretary to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and had an active role in creating the budget.

When not dealing with constituency issues or projects, Fraser said almost all his time in the past year was consumed with meeting with thousands of different organizations representing millions of Canadians about issues.

“To be able to see my advice to the minister reflected in the decisions she’s made in the budget is very rewarding,” Fraser said.

For Fraser, who had considered leaving federal politics for a shot at the leadership of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, knowing his work is helping Canadians he says vindicates his decision to stay in federal politics.

Fraser considers this budget to be a transformational one that tackles big issues like affordable child care, a green economy and of course the pandemic.

“The focus on defeating COVID-19 is at the forefront,” Fraser said.

This includes additional money to expedite vaccines, the extension of emergency programs as well as direct support of more than $4 billion for provincial health-care systems.

Fraser said programs like the wage subsidy and other supports for small businesses have been critical to keeping many small businesses afloat and he’s heard from many local business owners who have been able to stay open because of it.

The federal government is also proposing $3 billion to improve the quality of longterm care facilities in Canada.

The early learning and child care strategy is another aspect of the budget he believes will have major benefits across Canada.

Here in Pictou County, he said he talks to some people who are spending $1,000 a month for child care. Other parts of Canada are much higher.

“Ten dollars a day is going to not only be great savings for families but it’s also going to allow more women to take part in the workforce.”

The program is expected to more than pay for itself because it will result in increased tax revenue from more people joining the workforce.

Seniors who are 75 or older are also going to benefit if this budget is approved with a direct payment of $500 this summer and a permanent 10 per cent increase to Old Age Security payments going forward for this group.

“As seniors get farther away from retirement, they don’t necessarily have the means to live a quality of life they’ve come to expect,” Fraser said.

Fraser is also passionate about investments they’ve made in affordable housing.

“We’ve made records investment in housing that are starting to pay dividends at home.”