The Liberals' inaugural budget contains a $29.4-billion deficit for 2016 which is 10.2% of government spending. Proponents of spending argue that it is a great time for the government is going to borrow money, since interest rates are at 50 year lows. Opponents argue that the spending could get out of control and the debt could easily reach $100 billion a year by 2020.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
@9HXZTXM12mos12MO
Yes cut spending on certain things like salaries of government officials and increase taxes on large corporations
@9JWW84Q11mos11MO
No, they should reduce spending over seas supporting other countries as well as make the wages of government officials reflective of the outcomes they produce. Have a base salary, then bonuses based on how well the economy is running. Earn your wage!
@9FL7SJ91yr1Y
I believe they should make cuts to public spending deemed unnecessary by the people and work more on ensuring the national debt is reduced safely without harming the country's economy and its people.
@B25LM5M1wk1W
I think we should slightly decrease the amount of funding we are providing to groups such as the CBC and defund programs and departments which don’t serve and don’t do anything
@B2224DQ3wks3W
No, but also focused on ending tax evasion, increasing taxes on the wealthy, and decrease tax breaks on large multinational corporations.
@9ZZCNHP3wks3W
No but thwy should be held accountable for every cent of taxes they collect and have the abbility to proce where they went
@9ZYVF3M3wks3W
No, Reduce military spending, increase taxes on wealthy (making over twice the living wage), increase taxes on multinational corporations
@9ZMYJ4P1mo1MO
Just budget more. Instead of spending on the militia, police and other similar services, spent on schooling, healthcare, and tourism. There should be very minimum spending in the immigration sector.
@9ZM5X8C1mo1MO
Politicians should have their salaries and benefits dramatically cut. Down to no more than $80k a year until our economy is providing for all citizens.
@9YNCRS72mos2MO
Drastically lower wages and benefits of government officials and increase taxes on corporations but don't cut Public spending
@9WYDMSD2mos2MO
Yes, increase taxes on foreign entities, reduce military spending and police spending, abolish useless government agencies and form several agencies into 1 to save money, restructure our administration system and cut the benefits and salaries of government officials.
@9WPHF772mos2MO
I think that the spending has reached a point that it is out of control here in Canada. However, I don't like the idea of necessarily drastically cutting public spending thereby damaging the quality of life for those who need government funded programs and resources. I think there is more of a middle ground based on the question being asked. The national debt is way too high but I wouldn't want to cut costs to necessary programs and things the government spend $ on.
@9W5TSDN2mos2MO
Some argue that targeted cuts to public spending could help reduce the national debt without significantly harming essential services, while others believe that maintaining or increasing public spending is necessary to support economic growth and social welfare.
@9W4LHPN2mos2MO
No, increase tax on wealthy, focus on tax evasion, reduce government officials and reduce their salaries, increase tax on multinational corporations
@9W28H5TNew Democratic2mos2MO
Reduce salary and benefits for high ranking government officials. Increase taxes on large corporations
@9VF2RTR3mos3MO
This question needs to be defined better. The government needs to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on handouts etc.
@9T6K9634mos4MO
They should reduce spending on refugees. Not all refugees are poor, and their financial situation should be regularly assessed. Subsidies should be provided based on their level of wealth.
@9S9R2T44mos4MO
Reduce pork barrel, increase finance to military lower taxes to businesses. And a fair tax to all . Reduce federal and provincial departments. Reduce and provincial employees wages to what the public wages are in that category. Reduce federal and provincial pensions. What a reasonable person would get in the private sector.
@9RCH4755mos5MO
No, but focus on ending inefficiencies due to bureaucracy and prioritize domestic policy instead of foreign aid/initiatives
@9RBWNKL5mos5MO
Yes. A serious assessment of necessary programs vs. those intended to address the minor slight of the day is truly needed.
@9RBVNJ8New Democratic5mos5MO
No. There are better ways to reduce the debt. Higher taxes for high income individuals, corporate taxes, curbing tax evasion.
@9RBM3QY5mos5MO
End tax evasion. Reduce number of government officials. Lower foreign aid for uncooperative and hostile countries not aligned with our views. Lower federal spending on responsibilities that are primarily provincial. Strong arm provinces to fund their responsibilities seriously and efficiently. Cut all funding for special interest groups. KILL THE FEDERAL GUN BUY BACK PROGRAM.
@9R6DM2N5mos5MO
No, focus on ending tax evasion instead and drastically reducing the benefits and salaries of government officials
@9QYGYWZ5mos5MO
Try to end or reduce tax evasion, business exploitation, and make sure large corporations or political parties don’t try to exploit and take advantage of any loopholes.
No, but increase the ultra-rich tax, reduce the unneeded government employees, reduce the pay for government officials, and stop things like giving unnecessary money away.
@9M8CPJ48mos8MO
Yes, decrease the funds we give to special needs workers and peoples. They are less capable than people who are not special needs, making there be no need for the funding we give them.
@9GMSV2F1yr1Y
Rather than cutting public spending why not allocate the funding in a way that benefits the population, such as reducing the military spending to 2% of the GDP and allocate to education and healthcare. Also raise taxes on the wealthy and the corporations.
@9GJPKWT1yr1Y
Reform the system to create and motivate an increase in the economy through donations from the rich to offset increasing costs to support a long-term debt reduction strategy.
@9GJ3PN51yr1Y
Yes but by drastically removing salaries and benefits of the ceos and corporate sector of public services. The ones in the office, whove never actually worked the field.
@9F73TF8Conservative1yr1Y
Focus on infrastructure and no LGBTQ communities
This question is too complicated for a simple yes/no answer.
@9F5KMPV1yr1Y
Government officials should make less money. Politics should be for the greater good of society not because you're greedy and want lots of money. We should also reduce military spending.
@9DWMCNJ1yr1Y
Yes we should cut government spending to lower inflation and leave more money in people's pockets
@9DCWDPP1yr1Y
No, invest in income-generating ventures to increase government funds and reduce the deficit
@9D7X3DV1yr1Y
No, reduce ending tax evasion. Increases taxes on the wealthy and multinational corporations.
@8VY2CPY3yrs3Y
yes. the government should stop spending Canadian's tax dollars on unnecessary things like snap elections
@8VQGW5MNew Democratic3yrs3Y
No, focus on tax evasion, taxing the top of the wealthy and ending the multinational corporation loopholes.
@8V3MGG9New Democratic3yrs3Y
No, increase taxes on large multilational corporations and the wealthy, as well as reduce military spending and end tax evasion.
@maddypaigem3yrs3Y
No, increase taxes on ultra rich and large corporations instead.
@9XQKGCV2mos2MO
We need to very carefully look at what we’re spending money on, especially in terms of what amounts to entertainment. Cultural parades are great, but taxes shouldn’t be funding them.
@9TC77NN4mos4MO
yes, you need to cut public spending to a level where we are not continually running a deficit. If the government doesn't control spending, the debt will become unmanageable. the only people that win are the banks because the government has to pay interest payment before anything else.
@9T8W7TB4mos4MO
They should make cuts to public spending deemed unnecessary by the people and work more on ensuring the national debt is reduced safely without harming the country's economy and its people.
@9T7XY374mos4MO
The government should conduct and analysis, and where ever there is funding that isn't being used they should lower funding by that percentile or amount, and when there's a need for more funding, they'll re-increase funding until it isn't needed again.
@9RTSMX55mos5MO
No, but they should look at reducing the number of useless jobs or at least putting Those people to work in more efficient jobs.
@9RJ6K3V5mos5MO
No, we should reserve foreign aid spending to budget surplus once all other expenses have been accounted for.
@9LXZ2MQ8mos8MO
this morning i woke up today in this morning and the morning that i woke up, i woke up and remember that every morning that i wake up, i woke up that morning
@9LNZCPW8mos8MO
Reduce the benefits and salaries of government officials, and reduce the number of government officials instead
@9LM3CLJNew Democratic8mos8MO
No, end tax evasion and excess spending through the military and other government industries instead
Yes, drastic cuts or complete elimination to all areas of government that are not involved with national and border defense. Eliminate the RCMP and allow provinces to construct provincial police and local police with elected sheriffs or police chiefs.
Yes, but focus on cutting from superfluous initiatives and protect essential services (i.e. healthcare).
@9KZNNL99mos9MO
Yes, increase taxes for a short time and reduce government expenditure, wear ever possible and reduce ministers salaries.
@9KMFJNV10mos10MO
No, but focus more on specific issues within communities that will actually benefit the greater population.
@9KM3QH810mos10MO
Yes, by reducing spending on military spending, increasing taxes on people and corporations and focusing on tax evasion
@9KGWSV210mos10MO
All waste should be cut. A portion of annual budget should be spent on projects and investments that bring return on investment to reduce the burden of tax payers, pay off our debt without sacrificing important services and programs.
@9K4GN8710mos10MO
Make tax dollars used more effectively because a lot of money is wasted in lawsuits due to negligence
@9JZP7TY10mos10MO
yes, and reduce benefits and salaries of government officials as well as eliminate all unnecessary spending on government and selected corporations
@9JWWFBK11mos11MO
The first focus should be to minimize inefficiencies, root out programs not focused critical issues, and manage administrative cost better. Cuts in programs tend to increase issues and cost more in the long run. Taxes may need increasing to provide the most important programs, but efficiency is key
@9JWBFY511mos11MO
Yes, but start with government spending on MPs, and other Government Services first. Make MPs make the same as Average Canadian Income.
should be cuts based on priority, cuts should be made for building "art sculptures" etc.. but used wrong could negatively effect the economy
Reduce government salaries and government spending on unnecessary things, reduce number of government officials and agencies
@9HCP7QV1yr1Y
Yes. Eliminate all federal welfare programs of all kinds. Eliminate every ministry that interferes with Provincial juridiction, eliminate every provincial ministry that interferes with municipal jurisdiction, etc. .
@9H4KM541yr1Y
HIGHER UP Government employees like the PM WHO Nearly makes $4000 and a house to live in. This is absolutely insane. We need less government and federal government should keep out of provincial matters.
@9GYSNHD1yr1Y
Yes, I believe they should make cuts to public spending deemed unnecessary by the people and work more on ensuring the national debt is reduced safely without harming the country's economy and it's people.
@9GPTJ2D1yr1Y
No, instead increase taxes on items / behaviours that do not align with federal policies and national social values.
@9GF7MPP1yr1Y
Run government like a business instead of having very highly paid people doing very little (and often with little competence). I used to work for BC government. what I saw was offensive to me as a taxpayer.
@9G5RCDK1yr1Y
Yes, and the only reason people would say no is because the reality is no one is willing to vote for someone who wants to make our lives hell for a few generations just so that we can see and brighter future and this is what would happen but people just want what’s best for them now.
@9FT9T541yr1Y
Yes, they should make drastic cuts by increasing efficiency by both cutting government official’s hours and finding ways to create more work for them instead of sitting around as much.
@9FRKFKN1yr1Y
No, reduce military spending, police budgets, increase taxes on the rich & large multinational corporations instead
@9FPG8CX1yr1Y
Yes, but only cut wasteful spending not essential services
@9FM9QN91yr1Y
No, I think they should come up in another way.
@9FGK5221yr1Y
No, increase taxes on not only the large multinationals corporations, but the wealthy as well.
@9FG2WHW1yr1Y
idc nobody cares about national "debt" it aint real cuh
@9FFNPD91yr1Y
No, they can take cuts in their pay checks.
@9FDSQPX1yr1Y
many factors should be considered some areas needs more and some need less. yes cuts should be made, but corporations should also face larger taxs
@9FCZK2L1yr1Y
No, focus on ending tax evasion, increase taxes on all corporations and wealthy.
@9FBHV8C1yr1Y
No, But focus on ending tax evasion AND focus more on taxing the rich.
@9F2RVFC1yr1Y
spend on improving our own country
@9F2MK7G1yr1Y
Yes but only to nonessential services
@9F2MK7G1yr1Y
Yes but only on nonessential services
@9DK3RYT1yr1Y
Cut programs that make no difference to Canadians, and ensure benefits have severe restrictions for all government officials. Also, end tax evasion and eliminate loopholes.
@9D5Q3V21yr1Y
No, increase taxes on the super rich. and Large scale corporations by removing tax loopholes.
@9D536B21yr1Y
No, instead the state should: reduce military spending, increase taxes on multinational/large corporations, increase taxes on the wealthy, and focus on ending tax evasion.
@9D4R2DY1yr1Y
No, instead Canada should: increase taxes on large multinational corporations, reduce military spending, focus on ending tax evasion, and increase taxes on the wealthy.
@9H9QP5V1yr1Y
Again it depends on what they are cutting money for but if a slight cut can make get rid of the country's debt it better now then never rather than the debt growing.
@9H9B62GConservative1yr1Y
No, sometimes it's okay to have debt. You need to have experienced debt to get into certain university courses.
@9FL78TH1yr1Y
Cut the tax rates and enable people to live comfortably by making things more affordable
@9FGNF9N1yr1Y
Yes, but not permanently, only until there is no national debt.
@9DVQVQMConservative1yr1Y
We need to control government spending
@9D8647BConservative1yr1Y
Introduce a tax Freeze and only spend what the goverment takes in no borrowing money
@9CYGHXW1yr1Y
It depends on that they're cutting. Education and healthcare for example, should not be cut.
@9CTN9JGConservative1yr1Y
No, stop sending money to other nations as pay outs or humanitarian missions
@9BNW3BK2yrs2Y
I don't think this would be a helpful way to save money, most public spending is important for quality of life. But there are many other things that could be done to save money.
@9BNBM592yrs2Y
No, focus on more important issues like reducing military spending, increasing taxes on the wealthy and reducing the number of government officials instead
@9BM59652yrs2Y
yes, on public with minimum wage.
No, maybe increase taxes for companies; the bigger they are the more they’re taxed.
@96D29WQ2yrs2Y
depends on what they are spending on
@966343G2yrs2Y
the government should reduce the public spending on areas that are more unimportant and focus more on very important things like the military so that they can defend our country if needed
@9647RF82yrs2Y
Just not from education and Healthcare
@9645TY32yrs2Y
Yes by cutting UNNECESSARY spending, not vital government services.
@95YB89Y2yrs2Y
Not fully, I prefer to continue these programs but not at the expense of debt but instead focus on other alternatives
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
