Image: Image: Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl / File photo, MP Mark Strahl speaks in the House of Commons in this file photo.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Federal budget

Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl blasts Carney’s budget, says Grits broke their promises

Nov 6, 2025 | 6:51 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl says he won’t support the latest Liberal budget tabled on Tuesday, saying it will only make things more expensive for Canadians.

According to an analysis by the Canadian Press, this year’s federal budget contains a deficit nearly twice the size forecast by the Liberals a year ago, as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government elevates capital project spending over programs and services.

The budget as presented Tuesday projects a $78.3-billion total deficit — the amount of money spent by the government beyond its revenues — for this fiscal year. The figure would steadily decrease to $56.6-billion by 2029-30. Ottawa’s fall economic statement brought forth late last year had projected a deficit of $42.2 billion for this fiscal year.

“This budget will drive up the cost of living for every Canadian—on food, on homes, and on everything else Canadians buy,” said Strahl, who was first elected in 2011. “Mark Carney broke every promise he made just six short months ago.”

Strahl says Carney promised to keep the deficit at $62 billion, but that has now grown to $78 billion. Carney also promised to lower the debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio, but Strahl says Carney is raising both it and inflation.

INCLUSIVE WORK PROGRAM

New contract to help employ recycling depot workers facing job loss in Mission

7h ago

FATAL CRASH

1 dead after single-vehicle collision at Lougheed Highway Saturday

8h ago

Surrey Police Service say a nine-year-old has died after collision with large vehicle

9h ago

“He promised to spend less—but he is spending $90 billion more: $5,400 in additional inflationary spending per household,” Strahl said. “He promised to help municipalities cut their homebuilding taxes in half—but this costly budget breaks that promise. Higher housing costs are the price of this Prime Minister. He promised more investment; the budget reveals investment is collapsing.”

More money will be spent servicing Canada’s debt than on healthcare expenditures, Strahl argued.

“Every dollar the Liberals collect in the GST goes to bankers and bondholders, not doctors and nurses,” he said. “Conservatives called on the Liberals to table an affordable budget for an affordable life, however, this Liberal budget offers massive deficits and fails to deliver measures to make life more affordable for Canadians, and Conservatives can’t support it.”