2011 Canadian federal budget
Open-knowledge reference entry
The Canadian federal budget for the 2011–12 fiscal year was presented to the House of Commons of Canada by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on March 22, 2011, then again on June 6 following a May 2 election.
On June 13, "the budget passed by a vote of 167 to 131, with four Bloc Québécois MPs voting in support and the other opposition parties voting against it".
Proposals
Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for seniors who rely Old Age Security and the GIS.
Tax credits for family caregivers, children's arts and crafts programs and volunteer fire-fighters.
Student loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses who re-locate to remote or rural areas.
"Strengthening the Charitable Sector" - measures to enhance the ability of Canadians to give with confidence to charities, and to help ensure that more resources are available for legitimate charities.
Increase in the EI premium tax from 1.78% to 1.83, effective January 1, 2012
Legislative history
All three opposition parties rejected the budget in statements made after the budget speech:
"The NDP will not be supporting the budget as presented," Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party
"We're forced to reject the budget and we're also forced to reject a government that shows so little respect for parliamentary democracy and our democratic institutions." Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
"It's obvious that we cannot support this budget," Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Québécois, said before describing how it did not meet the needs of his province.
A motion of non-confidence was passed on March 25, 2011. While this motion, which found the government in contempt of Parliament, did not relate specifically to the budget, it had the practical effect of dissolving parliament and killing any legislation under consideration.
Post-election
Federal elections were held May 2, 2011. The Conservatives went from a minority position in the House of Commons to a majority, paving the way for the re-introduction of the measures contained in the budget.
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