...but sent anyway. I discovered the link to this message languishing in my inbox long after the budget had been voted on but I still wanted to get my voice out on this subject.
This message is too late, I know. The budget has passed -- because our silly system forces budgets to be nonconfidence votes, which is the exact opposite of collaboration and negotiation, which is how budgets should be approached by all parties seeking the best for Canadians -- and I didn't get this message to you in time to urge you to vote it down.
But budgets are always a plan not a fait accompli, so I'm writing anyway, in hopes there is the possibility to alter course.
I am alarmed by the federal budget tabled by the Carney government. The corporate handouts, vast expansion of military spending, and outright attacks on public services will hurt everyday people and put more public money in the hands of corporations and billionaires (who, in case you aren't following why that's a problem, don't need it).
That’s why I’m demanding that you despite having passed this egregious budget, you work to support the urgent action we all need despite the budget's misplaced priorities.
Fund our families and communities: We can’t slash the public sector at a time when Canadians are struggling. We need generational investments in health care and education, stronger protections for workers and renters, and expanded pharmacare and childcare programs. We can do this if we ensure the ultra-wealthy and mega-corporations pay their fair share.
Reject military spending: Carney’s budget pledges nearly $90 billion towards militarization including weapons procurement and increased policing. This will play right into Trump’s hands by directing our public funds towards war-mongering companies, including American weapons manufacturers, and further shredding our social safety net. How can buying weapons from Americans keep us safe from Americans -- who are clearly our primary sovereignty threat?
Fund climate action: We need generational investments in an East-West electricity grid, renewable energy generation, green housing, public transit, and more - all of which have been ignored or defunded in the current budget. This budget also reflects a failure of Canada to do its fair share globally by ignoring its obligation to fund climate solutions in the Global South. Instead of subsidizing Big Oil and their unproven gimmicks like Carbon Capture and Storage, we should be taxing this destructive industry in order to invest in a safe future for people and the planet. Instead of funding weapons of war, let's fund "weapons" for the climate fight: water bombers, a "climate army" ready to fight forest fires and floods.
Reject anti-migrant racism: Budget 2025 and the accompanying immigration levels plan represent a retreat from Canada’s humanitarian obligations and a doubling down on the scapegoating of migrants for the housing and affordability crises. Carney’s budget continues the racist blaming of migrants for problems caused by policy and profit. The government must remove racist barriers to migration while ensuring access to services and equal rights through permanent resident status for all.
Uphold Indigenous Sovereignty: Carney’s budget freezes funding for Indigenous programs and services, while pouring billions into destructive infrastructure projects – including fast-tracking critical mineral mining and natural gas expansion on Indigenous territory. It’s time to get serious about reconciliation by returning land and resources to Indigenous peoples and restoring traditional stewardship.
This budget fails everyday people during this moment of crisis.
I’m calling on you to act with courage and work hard to find every way possible to adjust and pivot this disastrous budget into initiatives that support ordinary people.
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