By Cheryl Jahn

Nuggets for the North in federal budget

Apr 8, 2022 | 4:22 PM

NORTHERN BC – While yesterday’s budget was geared towards accessible housing, and it was a far less exhaustive budget than in previous years, there were a few nuggets for a green economy, like incentives to promote mineral exploration.

“It’s really the critical minerals that are used in clean energy programs or battery technology,” says Corey Naphtali, Partner with KPMG. “It’s designed to encourage mineral exploration so I think for Northern BC, it will be exciting to see more exploration and looking for minerals to support the green economy.”

But Conservative MP Todd Doherty says Canadians face the highest cost of living increases in decades. Just the basics are out of reach for many. That’s why he’s disappointed there is nothing in the budget to address that.

“The environment a government creates for businesses to be competitive so that they create Canadian jobs that people want to invest in our country. I think that is the government’s job. And then it’s up to Canadians to create wealth and well-being.”

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More than a year ago, Doherty reached a milestone when a bill passed in the House of Commons in support of establishing a suicide hotline. So, needless to say, he is sorely disappointed there were no supports for things like 988 in the budget.

“We’re tireless champions for those who struggle with mental health challenges. One of the things we’re been pushing for – and it’s almost 500 days since Parliament stood in the House and unanimously supported our motion to bring a simple, national three-digit suicide hotline to Canada. 988. Not one mention of suicide. No mention of a hotline in this budget.”

Corey Naphtali says an incentive in the budget to help what is becoming a transient labour force is also helpful from the major projects already underway and pending. “It actually realizes that a lot of our workforce – and a lot of the workforce that’s working on a lot of these major projects around Canada – is transient. They’re not necessarily moving their entire house to the location where the project is. They’re actually travelling to the location and working and then going home. So there are some credits in the budget to take advantage.”

There are also other incentives to spur the green economy, like carbon captures but little by way of tax breaks for the average Canadian.