By Corey Fischer

Arnold Gives Budget An “F”

Feb 27, 2018 | 5:44 PM

The Conservatives have no love for the new federal budget.

North Okanagan Shuswap M-P Mel Arnold says the spending by the Trudeau Liberals is what caught his attention.

“It’s another failure by this Liberal finance minister to address this government’s out of control spending. They could have worked towards a balanced budget, given the economic climate, but they’ve plunged us another 18 billion dollars in debt,” Arnold tells CJIB News.

Arnold says it works out to 514 dollars for every person in Canada.

“It’s an incredible debt load.”

Go Indoors When The Thunder Roars

Thunderstorm warning issued in the North Okanagan

18h ago

Mid to High 30s

Heat warning issued for the Okanagan

19h ago

Hazy Skies

North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley

21h ago

Arnold sees one bright spot.

“The one good thing is they are looking at the opioid crisis. When I was out meeting with communities the last couple of months, community leaders and First Nations all identified that as a key issue.”

The Liberal plan focuses on women, science and conservation, including getting more women into the workforce to grow the economy.

The budget provides funding for up to five weeks of leave for new fathers, to help break the pattern of mothers automatically taking on the greater share of child-rearing responsibilities.

The budget outlines an advisory council on creating a national pharmacare program, but provides no timeline or funding.

by Corey Fischer