Dear neighbours,

This afternoon, Chrystia Freeland layed out our Liberal government’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and invest in jobs and growth for all Canadians.

Budget 2021 delivers for all Bramptonians and is an important step forward. We are creating more good jobs, growing the middle class, supporting families, taking climate action, and investing in health care to protect Canadians now and into the future. 

I know this past year has been challenging for you and your family and this plan will help defeat the pandemic while ensuring a strong local recovery that supports those disproportionately impacted.

Key highlights include:

• $101.4 billion in new spending over three years to fuel our economic recovery.
• We are delivering today on our promise to increase Old Age Security for Canadians 75 and older. We are also investing $3 billion over five years to ensure those in long-term care live in safe and dignified conditions.
• Without childcare, parents are put in a challenging position. We recognize this and will invest $30 billion over five years and $8.3 billion per year after that to create and sustain a national child care program for an average of $10 a day. 
• Our Government is introducing a new $15 federal minimum wage.
• We are extending pandemic business and income support measures, such as wage and rent subsidies, through the fall.
• $300 million to support Black and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• We will invest $5.7 billion over five years in Canada's youth. We will be there to launch and support their careers.
• Everyone deserves an affordable and safe place to call home. We will invest $2.5 billion to build and repair 35,000 housing units for vulnerable Canadians.
• This pandemic has been challenging on our mental wellbeing and we are recognizing this with $150 million for mental health initiatives.

As our government has said, we will be there to support Canadians throughout this pandemic for as long as it lasts. We responded swiftly back when COVID-19 hit and today we are building on these supports for the long term. Defeating this pandemic, ensuring our local recovery here in Brampton, and supporting those disproportionately impacted are my top priorities. I look forward to hearing your feedback over the coming days.

Sincerely, 

Sonia Sidhu, M.P. Brampton South.