The Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) positively welcomes several targeted measures to help people in need — such as those regarding family support, homelessness, and aid for low-income workers — but remains unsatisfied with unconditional business subsidies.
« We must remember that a budget is meant to prepare for the future, and in this regard, yes, we view several elements of this budget positively, such as the fight against homelessness and the construction of housing dedicated to low-income individuals. Also, the Canada Workers Benefit for low-income workers is certainly welcome, but we would have liked, for example, the temporary Employment Insurance measures to be made permanent, » says FTQ President Magali Picard.
« On the less positive side, one must question the largest tax gift in the last 10 years granted to corporations without any counterpart, without any obligation to maintain or create jobs. We must stop socializing costs and privatizing profits paid out to shareholders. We must not forget that the economic war we are going through is also a war for jobs. It cannot be an open bar, » concludes the FTQ President.