The Conservative government passed a familiar federal budget on June 7, similar to the previous budget tabled on March 22.
“It’s a very strong budget. It is very similar to the last budget and to what we campaigned on and exactly what we told Canadians and the people of St. Paul we were going to do should we be re-elected. Now we are moving forward on the mandate that the people gave us,” said Brian Storseth, MP for Westlock - St. Paul in a phone interview.
The biggest change from the budget introduced three months ago, according to Storseth, is the commitment to balance the budget by 2014, a year earlier than originally projected. The federal government plans to find the additional funds by cutting inefficiencies in its own bureaucracy, explained Storseth.
The budget phases out the $2 per vote annual subsidy for federal political parties. Subsidies currently cost the federal treasury $27 million annually.
“It will affect all political parties, our party getting the most votes by a large margin, will obviously be hurt the most, but it is for the good of Canadians,” Storseth said.
“Take the Bloc Quebecois, for example, Canadians have the choice to either support them or not support them. If Canadians are not willing to support them with their own contributions, why should taxpayers foot that bill?”
Family physicians in rural areas would be eligible for forgiveness of up to $8,000 per year on their student loan, while nurse practitioners and nurses would be off the hook for up to $4,000 per year.
“That is a huge benefit for our area in St. Paul,” said Storseth.
Local physician Dr. Albert Harmse, who practices out of the Associated Medical Centre and supported Storseth’s campaign, said he is “extremely happy” about the program.
Harmse estimates some family physicians accumulate as much as $200,000 to $250,000 in debt over 11 years of university. It could mean as much as $40,000 for new doctors and $20,000 for new nurses, Harmse estimates.
“It may be even more successful for nurses than for physicians,” said Harmse, adding the community is also in need of nurses. “It is a step in the right direction.”
He said coupled with other local incentive programs, more young physicians may choose to set up in rural areas.
Financially, family doctors are better off in rural areas because the cost of living is less and the earning potential is better because there are more patients, Harmse said.
“Canada needs to look after these young people and not just rely on imported physicians for rural areas,” said Harmse.
The budget also includes $300 million in funding for low-income senior pensions.
Single, low-income seniors would get a boost of up to $600 a year under improvements to the guaranteed income supplement, while couples would see up to $840 extra.
“That is something that seniors will immediately start feeling as soon as the budget is passed,” said Storseth.
“I am pleased that some of the very low income seniors are going to get an increase in funding, they need it,” said Edith Read, president for the Alberta Council on Aging region 2.
Some seniors live off very little money and with increases to food and gas, they need the extra income, she added.
