About FPSE
The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC is the provincial voice for faculty and staff in BC teaching universities, colleges and institutes, and in private sector institutions. FPSE member locals, represented by Presidents' Council and the Executive, represent over 10,000 faculty and staff at 19 public and 5 private sector institutions.
As he rose in the House of Commons this afternoon to table his plan for putting Canada's economy back on track, expectations for meaningful measures were primed. However, what he delivered completely missed the mark. Employment Insurance (EI), which needs to be dramatically overhauled, was effectively ignored, with only minor changes in the maximum length of benefits. Instead of vitally needed programs and public services, he has offered up tax cuts, which translate into about $9 per week for a family of four: hardly the kind of support that will jump start the economy.
At the macro-level, the Harper government was expected to match the commitment made by G-20 countries to provide fiscal stimulus equal to 2 per cent of national income. Flaherty's budget comes in at about half that commitment, an indication of just how far off the mark his fiscal strategy really is.
He has made some bold statements about helping post-secondary education in this budget. As part of his infrastructure pledge, Flaherty has set aside $2 billion for universities and colleges. However, like so many parts of his budget, what appears to be a significant fiscal move turns out to be one with big strings attached. For post-secondary education, the $2 billion can only be accessed when it is matched by an equal contribution from provincial governments. Cynical move? Absolutely. With a fiscal sleight-of-hand, Flaherty makes the initial contribution sound big, but undermines it completely by requiring the provinces to match it, a move he knows full well they won't be able to do.
The question now is will this budget win the confidence of the House of Commons.