Chatham-Kent-Leamington Conservative MP Dave Van Kesteren at his campaign HQ, October 19, 2015 (Photo by Mike James)Chatham-Kent-Leamington Conservative MP Dave Van Kesteren at his campaign HQ, October 19, 2015 (Photo by Mike James)
Chatham

Van Kesteren Reacts To Federal Budget

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Van Kesteren says he's left puzzled and concerned, following the unveiling of the 2017 federal budget.

During the days of conservative budgets, Van Kesteren says he was used to seeing the specifics on where money was being spent. However, with this budget he says he's left wondering where the details are.

"I see a lot of mumbo jumbo talk -- a lot about innovation, a lot of talk about building the middle-class -- I don't see specific things," says Van Kesteren. "For instance in Chatham-Kent-Leamington agriculture would probably be the first thing that one would want to see some help or some movement in from the government, and I see nothing."

When it comes to spending, the deficit which is now at $23-billion, has come down from the last fiscal update. However, it's expected that the deficit for 2017-2018 will reach $28.5-billion.

"This government talked about a modest deficit -- I was never for even a modest deficit of $10-billion [but] they're coming in at about $23-billion," he says. "That's going to continue and it's going to get a little bit higher."

The deficit is expected to eventually decline in 2021-2022, but Van Kesteren says it still poses a major concern.

"You can't continue to go into debt and especially the debt we're seeing this government go into," he says. "At some point we're going to have to start to the pay the piper."

Other key points of interest regarding the budget announcements are in regards to a tax hike on products such as alcohol and tobacco. Van Kesteren says that is to be expected, as the government always seems to increase taxes.

"Governments raise money by taxes so you can expect taxes to rise," he says.

Related: Federal Deficit Projected To Reach Over $28B By 2017-2018

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