Budget Bill Cuts Pensions, Guts Navigable Waters Protections

The government says its budget implementation will support economic growth but opposition MPs say it is too big.

Thomas Mulcair took Outremont, Quebec in a by-election in 2007. On Saturday he won the party's leadership content is Toronto, and the title of Leader of the Official Opposition. Matthew Little/Epoch Times

PARLIAMENT HILL—The government tabled its omnibus budget bill Thursday, highlighting an overhaul of MP pensions that will see major reductions in what have been described as “gold-plated” pensions.

But the opposition is complaining that the 443-page bill contains a mass of changes to other legislation that should be broken up and debated separately. Meanwhile, Green Party leader Elizabeth May said the bill will gut one of the last pieces of federal environmental protection.

Maintaining Jobs and Growth

At a photo-op announcing the bill, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty touted the government’s relative success maintaining job growth amidst a turbulent global economy.

Speaking from a bike store in Ottawa Thursday, Flaherty pointed to the critical role small business play in the Canadian economy.