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OPINION Budget 2018: a progressive agenda with proposed billions in new spending Benefits and services have to be paid , writes Watson Titled Equality and Growth: A Strong Middle Class, the recent federal budget was a contradic­ tion. On one hand thoughtful in its vision for a better Canada, but, with a proposed $21.5 billion in new spending over five years, lacking a sense of fiscal responsibility. The Trudeau govern­ ment continued to push for women's rights. Wom­ en are disadvantaged in the workforce and earn about 70 per cent of what a man earns in an equal po­ sition. The budget also intro­ duced the idea of a nation­ al pharmacare program that would expand access to prescription drugs at no charge. Having a "free" health-care system that can diagnose illness when a large number of Canadi­ ans cannot afford to pur­ chase their own drugs, is a mistake in the system. These are progressive PETER WATSON C o lu m n ideas. It would not sur­ prise me if in the future additional progressive ideas continued, includ­ ing better health-care support for mental illness which is largely under­ funded. And some day ex­ tending free education for four years after high school for academic and/ or occupational training. All of the ideas put for­ ward in the budget, and any new ideas that appear in future budgets, must make economic sense. These benefits and servic­ es have to be paid for. When new programs are introduced there must be economic reality, and that means cutting costs in other areas. Perhaps some government pro­ grams can be eliminated and our government must be encouraged to be more efficient and cut costs. These same economic realities are the very basis for capitalism - all compa­ nies have to balance their books. Money, even for the federal government, does not grow on trees. The Canadian econo­ my has had many years of positive growth. People have jobs, investment portfolios have increased in value, and many Cana­ dians are feeling prosper­ ous. Unfortunately, in the normal course of an eco­ nomic cycle there will be a downturn in the economy. Economics 101 would sug­ gest the government not commit to extra spending just because tax revenues have increased due to a ro­ bust economy. The government de­ serves credit for introduc­ ing some new and bold ideas. Unfortunately, from a financial perspec­ tive they get a failing grade. - Peter Watson, of Peter Watson Investments MBA, CFP®, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI, offers a weekly financial planning column, Dollars & Sense. He can be con­ tacted through www.peter- watsoninvestments.com. O R D E R O N L I N E A T WWW.OAKVILLE.MRSGROCERY.COM OR CALL 289-813-7708 SAM E DAY D ELIV ER Y TO YOUR H O M E OR O FFIC E . G R O C E R IE S D E LIV ER ED TO YOUR D O O R ! W E 'LL S H O P ANY STO RE IN OAKVILLE! Ask for John www.jmcconcrete.ca V anoA rrm intinorfl CRA Tax Disputes Dispute with Sold Rental Property Dispute with Business Operation Losses Experienced Professional Services for Individual Business & Corporation YY@YangAccounting.ca 11-1155 North Service Rd. W, Oakville (289)291-3924 Ying (Kimberley) Yang 18th Floor, 2 St Clair Ave. W, Toronto (647) 255-8049 STAMPED CONCRETE INTERLOCKING EXPOSED AGGREGATE FLAGSTONE FRENCH CURBS RETAINING WALLS GARAGE FLOORS FREE ESTIMATES 3 .M . C™ C oncre te In te r lo c k in g O a k v ille 's F a v o u rite Patios & D riv ew a ys ! A M A N D A • EURO TOP Q SINGLE MATTRESS ^ | 3 7 Reg. $400 DOUBLE MATTRESS........$239 QUEEN MATTRESS..........$279 KING MATTRESS..............$399 SINCE 1978 T R A N Q U I L I T Y , e u r o t o p * 2 2 9 DOUBLE MATTRESS- QUEEN MATTRESS.... KING MATTRESS....... ..$289 ..$369 ..$499 F R E E S H IP P IN G A N Y W H E R E I I N C A N A D A ! A S H L E Y • e u r o t o p f t SINGLE MATTRESS I 2 7 Reg. $700 DOUBLE MATTRESS...............$399 QUEEN MATTRESS.................$469 KING MATTRESS....................$599 E S P R E S S O • M ATTRESS IN A BOX $ QUEEN MATTRESS W ^ 7 ^ 7 Reg. $650 TWIN MATTRESS....................$299 TWIN XL MATTRESS................$319 KING MATTRESS....................$549 i S le e p F a c to ry | K f H I : www.sleepfactory.com MILTON 238 Main Street, East • 905 .878 .4606 MISSISSAUGA 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd • 905.542.0481 | HOURS: Monday - Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday - Friday 10am - 8pm • Saturday 9am - 6pm • Sunday 11 am - 5pm | o | O akville B eaver | Thursday, M arch 15, 2018 insidehalton.com http://www.peter-watsoninvestments.com http://www.peter-watsoninvestments.com http://WWW.OAKVILLE.MRSGROCERY.COM http://www.jmcconcrete.ca mailto:YY@YangAccounting.ca http://www.sleepfactory.com OPINION PETER WATSON