Municipal politicians in Waterloo Region say they saw little in Tuesday’s federal budget to celebrate – including a lack of funding for one key initiative.
“We didn’t see a whole lot that would impact on us,” said regional chair Ken Seiling.
“We were hoping that there would be some further investment in social housing and supportive housing.”
Waterloo Coun. Jeff Henry saw one positive in the budget, in the form of a $1-billion annual fund for public transit projects, set to start in 2017.
“We need to move just as much as everybody else,” he said.
Henry too was hoping to see money for housing, but said felt it was more likely it would be included in future budgets.
“We didn’t ask for it this year because we didn’t expect it, but it is something that we need,” he said.
“We know that people in the community are struggling … to be able to get housing and to be able to afford that in an ongoing basis.”
Instead, local politicians will pin their hopes for affordable housing money on Thursday’s provincial budget – although there have been few public signs of movement on the housing file there, either.
What is expected in Ontario’s budget is further details on infrastructure funding, as well as the previously announced plans to sell a 60 per cent stake in Hydro One, introduce a new tax on beer to raise $100 million per year, and allow some grocery stores to sell beer.
Asked Wednesday, Premier Kathleen Wynne did not rule out tax increases being part of the budget.
Instead, she took a shot at the federal government for spending “crumbs” on infrastructure -- $750 million over two years, to be specific.
“I believe that they have missed the opportunity to actually make the kinds of investments in our present economic prosperity and our future economic growth,” she said.
Seiling told CTV News he hopes to see the provincial budget include tools to fund transit and infrastructure projects, as well as action on housing and poverty issues.
Kitchener Coun. Scott Davey said his biggest hope for the budget was an announcement of “finalized, firm commitments” for expanding GO train service to Waterloo Region.
“We think that’s critical,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press