YELLOWKNIFE, NT, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The federal government recently
delivered Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
It is a plan to build a Canada
that works better for everyone, where younger generations can get
ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a
home—where everyone has a fair chance at a good middle class
life.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs,
the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister
of National Defence, and Michael
McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, met with members of the
Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to
emphasize Budget 2024's investments in post-secondary education for
the next generation of First Nations students. These investments
include $5.2 million over two years,
starting in 2024–25, to support the Dechinta Centre for Research
and Learning as they provide innovative Indigenous-led land-based
post-secondary education and research programming in northern
communities.
Budget 2024 is a plan to deliver
fairness for every generation.
First, the budget takes bold action to build more
homes. Because the best way to make home prices more
affordable is to increase supply—and quickly. It lays out a
strategy to unlock 3.87 million new homes by 2031. Key measures
include launching the new Public Lands for Homes Plan and
Canada Rental Protection Fund, enhancing the Canadian Mortgage
Charter, and creating a new Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights.
Second, it will help make life cost less. The budget
builds on the government's transformative expansion of Canada's social safety net—$10-a-day child
care, dental care for uninsured Canadians, the first phase of
universal pharmacare—and advances the government's work to lower
everyday costs for Canadians. This includes helping to stabilize
the cost of groceries, cracking down on junk fees, and lowering the
costs of banking. Budget 2024 also makes transformative new
investments, including a National School Food Program and the
Canada Disability Benefit.
Third, this year's budget will grow the economy in a way
that's shared by all. The government's plan will increase
investment, enhance productivity, and encourage innovation. It will
create good-paying and meaningful jobs, keep Canada at the economic forefront, and deliver
new support to empower more of our best entrepreneurs and
innovators. This includes attracting more investment in the
net-zero economy by expanding and delivering the major economic
investment tax credits, securing Canada's advantage as a leader in artificial
intelligence, and investing in enhanced research grants that will
provide younger generations with good jobs and new opportunities.
It also means ensuring Indigenous Peoples share in this growth in a
way that works for them.
Budget 2024 will also make Canada's tax system fairer by asking the
wealthiest to pay a bit more—so that the government can invest in
prosperity for every generation, and because it would be
irresponsible and unfair to pass on more debt to the next
generations. Budget 2024 is a responsible economic plan that
upholds the fiscal objectives outlined in the 2023 Fall
Economic Statement, and sees Canada maintain the lowest deficit- and net
debt-to-GDP ratios in the G7.
Quote
"Our government first came to office with a vow to strengthen
and expand the middle class. We delivered on that pledge by
reducing poverty, especially for children and seniors, and creating
millions of good jobs for Canadians. Our work isn't done. Budget
2024 renews our focus on unlocking the door to the middle class for
millions of younger Canadians. We'll build more housing and help
make life cost less. We will drive our economy toward growth that
lifts everyone up. That is fairness for every generation."
- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance
"Over the last five years, the number of First Nations, Inuit,
and Métis with a bachelor's degree or higher has increased,
but Northerners continue to face fewer opportunities for higher
education. That's why we're helping Northerners access
post-secondary education closer to home. Budget 2024 investments –
in education, housing, infrastructure, health services, and more –
are helping accomplish the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework
goals, which will ensure a better future for all Northerners."
The Honourable Dan Vandal, P.C.,
M.P.
Minister of Northern Affairs
"People in the Arctic and North face longstanding inequities in
education and research. Through Budget 2024, we are investing to
make post-secondary education more accessible in Indigenous
communities so that everyone has a fair shot at success."
The Honourable Bill Blair
Minister of National
Defence
"The Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning has had a
significant impact on communities and individuals in the North and
beyond. The programs offered by Dechinta not only empower and
support Indigenous practices but they have also been designed to
mitigate existing barriers. The investments in Budget 2024 are
crucial to addressing the socio-economic gaps that face Indigenous
communities in the North and across Canada."
Michael McLeod
Member of Parliament for the Northwest
Territories
Related products
- Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
- Backgrounder: A Fair Future for Indigenous Peoples
- Budget 2024: Key Measures
- Backgrounder: Fairness for Younger Generations
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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Canada