It was a confused kindergarten teacher who once asked me why my daughter would tell her and the class that her mother went to hotels at night with men. She was quite relieved when I explained that my wife sang with a 21-piece swing orchestra and they performed frequently at Toronto hotels.
Listening to finance minister Chrystia Freeland delivering her budget document reminded me of a popular song from the swing era that my wife often sang. It was the 1942 hit, recorded by Harry James with Helen Forest, ‘I’ve heard that song before.’
After about a half an hour of that budget, it seemed to me that I had heard that song before. Only, this time, I was bored.
I must admit that I am delighted that after so many years of talking about it, we just might do something about adequate, low-cost daycare for working parents. It sounds to me like there will be a lot of negotiations with the provinces before the dust settles on this proposal.
But that will just be practice for the coming fight over who has the jurisdiction over long term care homes. Decent national standards might be a lengthy process to achieve.
They only want to spend a couple billion to replace Canada’s ability to develop and produce vaccines. And to think the original investment in Canada’s Connaught Laboratories was the cost of building some horse stables.
I hope it was just a sick joke when the budget said the minimum federal wage was only to be raised to $15 per hour. Try living on that?
There were also allocations for high technology in support of a green future that will be welcomed by those familiar with the technologies.
What I did not see in this first budget from Ms. Freeland was any daring, any surprise, any thing for a better future for our country. It was disappointing.
I suppose, as a senior, I should also welcome the little bonus the budget threw my way for being a senior. I guess it is nice to be recognized occasionally.
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Copyright 2021 © Peter Lowry
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