Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to address something one of my colleagues from the other side mentioned about our platform. In terms of our raising the GIS by 10%, that will benefit 1.3 million single seniors in Canada of which over a million are women. I would hope our opposition colleagues, when we introduce that measure, will vote with us on that. I think it's important to the residents in my riding. There is a large population of seniors who are dealing with high food costs and increased property taxes, and they need some help and some relief.
Mr. Minister, thank you for your commentary and for being here today. In my humble view, this upcoming budget is important for many reasons, but my sense is that it's about jobs; it's about getting Canadians back to work; it's about growing our economy today and for the future. As someone who is a trained economist, and worked 25 years in international financial markets, I see no better time to invest. Interest rates and government rates are at record lows. We have a manageable debt-to-GDP policy. A few months ago Ben Bernanke was in Toronto, and he commented on it and said that infrastructure investing is smart. Our own Bank of Canada governor in his written testimony has commented, “it's an enabler for long-term economic growth”. Even David Dodge has opined on it.
My question for you is, what is our government's fiscal plan for getting Canadians back to work and making those strategic investments for our long-term future?
Thank you, Minister.