The federal budget was tabled in Ottawa Monday afternoon, and not everyone is pleased with what it contained.

For Souris-Moose Mountain MP Dr. Robert Kitchen, the budget itself, which has a $154 billion deficit and brings the national debt to more than $1 trillion, is short-sighted, and lacking in actually generating jobs to help with the economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kitchen pointed out there were a number of spending announcements in the budget that were targeted towards specific groups, seemingly with a goal in mind.

“The Liberals are probably hoping that if there’s an election, that people will vote their way,” Kitchen stated.

Another part of the budget which Kitchen said appears to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors is the introduction of a federal minimum wage of $15, which would apply to industries that are federally regulated. This includes airlines, banks, radio and television broadcasters and telecommunications companies.

“Looking at the fine print, that’s for federal agencies, federal businesses, not for the general public, and not for the province, because the province is the one that makes that decision,” Kitchen said, pointing out very few federally regulated industries have employees who were making less than $15, to begin with.

The announcement of spending, however, with very little specifics, though, is really what has Kitchen questioning how much the budget will actually do to help people, particularly in his riding.

“They make an announcement of their intention to return a portion of the carbon tax that they’re charging, but when you read the fine print, and that’s what you have to do with this 750 page plus document is go and read the fine print, and it goes further announcements to come later,” Kitchen pointed out. “Well, what are those further announcements, and what is it going to entail, and when is it going to come?”

The lack of details in the budget surrounding carbon capture and storage was also a concern for Kitchen, although he did say it was nice to see CCS addressed in the budget. The budget included an investment tax credit that will come into effect in 2022, however, the fine print stated that it would not be intended for enhanced oil recovery, which is where the carbon captured at the CCS facility at Boundary Dam goes.

The debt, which for the first time in Canadian history has exceeded $1 trillion, is also a concern for Kitchen, as he stated it is short-sighted by banking it on low-interest rates.

“Yes, interest rates are low now, but what happens when they go up?” Kitchen asked, adding the big question will be who will be having to pay for the debt when those interest rates go up.