Why Does a ‘Strong’ Economy Need More Cash?

But the Opposition pushed back hard against the two supplementary bills. Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton argues that the government’s repeated requests for additional funds signal severe underbudgeting, despite claims of robust economic growth. Pointing to discrepancies in reported growth figures, Panton questioned why a supposedly strong economy requires constant budget adjustments.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“These two supplemental appropriation bills account for an additional two hundred and ten million dollars. Madam speaker you will recall when the prime minister stood up in this honorable house and spoke so eloquently about the fact that our economy had grown by eight point two percent when the truth is we had only seen a three point five percent growth and if the economy is as robust as the prime minister continues to pontificate, why is it that we continue coming back to the house over and over for additional sums of money to balance the budget. The truth is that there has been severe underbudgeting by this administration. Madam Speaker, the members on this side of the House will not support the bill in its current form.”