National

PM to Freeland: Spend as needed until crisis ends

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jan, 2021 07:37 PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is putting a caveat on orders to his finance minister to spend as needed until the end of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

In a mandate letter to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau says she should use "whatever fiscal firepower" is needed over the coming weeks and months until the economy improves.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau releases supplementary mandate letters for ministers: https://t.co/W6WBNSuY9C
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) January 15, 2021

But in doing so, Trudeau writes, Freeland must "avoid creating new permanent spending."

He adds that any plan to regrow the economy must be guided by a budgetary goal to make sure spending doesn't go adrift.

The detail is contained in updated mandate letters the Prime Minister's Office made public today, months after it reset the parliamentary agenda with a late-September throne speech.

In the letters, Trudeau notes the new marching orders add to those laid out to ministers shortly after the Liberals won a minority mandate in the 2019 federal election.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Facts About The Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Ottawa announced Wednesday the Canada Emergency Response Benefit intended to quickly get cash to workers who need it and support their employers. Here's a look at how the program is going to work.

Facts About The Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Protective Equipment Supply 'Wicked Problem,' Says B.C. Health Officer

VICTORIA - British Columbia has cleared hospital space for almost 4,000 possible COVID-19 patients, but potential shortages of personal protective equipment for health workers has become "our wicked problem," provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Wednesday.

Protective Equipment Supply 'Wicked Problem,' Says B.C. Health Officer

Pandemic Response Must Uphold Human Rights, Avoid Discrimination: B.C. Commissioner

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's human rights commissioner is urging policy-makers, employers, landlords and service providers to keep human rights principles at the core of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic Response Must Uphold Human Rights, Avoid Discrimination: B.C. Commissioner

B.C. Offers $500 Monthly Rental Rebate, Moratorium On Evictions, Rent Freeze

VICTORIA - The British Columbia government will offer financial relief to renters and landlords to ensure people have safe homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, Premier John Horgan said Wednesday.

B.C. Offers $500 Monthly Rental Rebate, Moratorium On Evictions, Rent Freeze

With A Crash And A Bang, B.C. Residents Applaud Health-Care Workers

At the same time each night, Rev. Gary Paterson and about half a dozen other neighbours have begun gathering at least two metres apart on the rooftop patio of their building in Vancouver's west end.

With A Crash And A Bang, B.C. Residents Applaud Health-Care Workers

BC Takes Unprecedented Steps To Support COVID-19 Response - SEE All The Highlights

The B.C. government stepped up its efforts under the Emergency Program Act on Thursday to ensure, among other things, that goods and services are getting to those who need them. Here's a look at what is happening: