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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 27,2021 theifp.ca Paid for by the Government of Ontario Your turn is coming soon. Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives. Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated everyday. As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love.Wear a mask.Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages. In April, the federal gov- ernment introduced its 2021 budget -- the first in two years. The budget adds to the enormous debt racked up over the last year and proposes another $100 bil- lion in new programs. The Canadian economy was in trouble before the pandemic began. Business investment and productivi- ty, the only long-term basis of prosperity, had been lag- ging for years. In the quarters before the pandemic, per capita GDP was flat, if not declin- ing. Canadian households had some of the highest debt levels and highest housing prices in the world. The pandemic has only made things worse. Unfortunate- ly, this budget does not se- cure the Canadian econo- my. There is no plan to in- crease business investment and productivity. There are no measures to cool the housing market. The government plans on running massive deficits for years to come -- with no plan to balance the budget. In fact, because of these massive deficits, interest costs on the debt are expec- ted to double over the next five years alone. David Dodge, the former deputy minister of finance and governor of the Bank of Canada under former prime minister Chrétien stated, "My policy criticism of the budget is that it really does not focus on growth." Robert Asselin, the for- mer policy and budget di- rector for Finance Minister Bill Morneau stated, "After doubling our federal debt in only six years, and spending close to a trillion dollars, not moving the needle on long-term growth would be the worst possible legacy of this budget." The budget also fails to address the most important task at hand: delivering vac- cines to provinces so we can reopen the economy. To im- prove the Canadian econo- my, Conservatives are pro- posing the Canada Recov- ery Plan. The plan secures Cana- dians' personal finances by recovering millions of jobs in the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, helping those who have suffered the most, including women, se- niors and young people. We need to get the economy back on track. We need to restore our way of life, se- cure the future and ensure no Canadian gets left be- hind. Michael Chong is the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills, and the shadow min- ister of foreign affairs for the official opposition. He can be reached at mi- chael.chong.a3@parl.gc.ca. OPINION BUDGET DOES NOT ADDRESS CANADA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS NO PLAN IN PLACE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, WRITES MICHAEL CHONG MICHAEL CHONG Column While players are getting ready to get back on the football field, there's some- thing else needed before the games can resume. The Lakeshore Football Officials Association is looking for new officials. With many officials retiring during the pandemic, the association -- which offici- ates high school and minor football games in the region -- is in need of new officials. "We are reaching out to women and men, teens and adults who may be interest- ed and have a passion for football," said referee-in- chief Murray Drinkwalter. "If you bring that passion, you will be mentored by some of the best football of- ficials in the country." The association includes several current and former CFL and Canadian univer- sity officials to offer guid- ance and offers clinics on rules and positioning. The association is looking for officials who have the availability to offi- ciate high school football games from September to November. Games are played Tuesday to Friday with most doubleheaders starting between noon and 2:30 p.m. All new officials must complete a Level 1 Football Canada officials' certifica- tion program, which has yet to be scheduled. Drinkwalter said offici- ating provides a way to stay involved in and give back to the sport, make extra mon- ey, stay active and learn skills such as teamwork, in- dependent thinking. Anyone interested in learning more about be- coming a football official can visit www.lfoa.ca or email info@lfoa.ca. NEWS FOOTBALL OFFICIALS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING SEASON HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com