Thank you very much for that question.
I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight that our budget 2025 is about putting workers first. Every part of this budget is about equipping Canadians, especially workers, for the economy we're trying to build. It's fundamentally about building a stronger economy by investing in Canadians. This is important: We are making the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history and pairing it with generational funding for housing and workforce development. That means more jobs, more apprenticeships and more opportunities for every region.
Don't take my word for it. Let me tell you what Canada’s Building Trades Unions had to say about this budget. It said, “Budget 2025 contains monumental wins for members of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, including $50 billion in investments for local infrastructure, $75 million over the next three years for the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP), new Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits...and the introduction of Community Employment Benefits Agreements”.
It continued, “CBTU is grateful to all Parliamentarians who supported the Federal Budget and acted in the best interest of all Canadians. We stand ready to work with the federal government, industry, and labour partners to deliver on the commitments made.”
Mr. Chair, if I may, I have one more important quote I think I should read from LiUNA Western Canada, which said, “We support the Federal Liberal Government's CANADA STRONG Budget 2025. The Budget 2025 addresses major priorities of LIUNA Western Canada, including the new Build Communities Strong Fund which, in conjunction with the Major Projects Office, will result in thousands of great paying Union jobs right across Western Canada, benefiting local communities, Indigenous peoples, and women in the construction industry.”
It continued, “We also applaud the middle class tax cut as well as major new funding for Arctic Infrastructure, critical mineral development, port and rail infrastructure, affordable housing construction, and clean and renewable energy development...And finally, Budget 2025 will ensure more fulsome and effective compliance inspections under the International Mobility Program (IMP) as we continue to call for the ban of the use of the IMP in the construction industry”.
It ended, “We support Budget 2025 and look forward to doing our part to BUILD CANADA STRONG TOGETHER.”