Scoffield: Bricks and mortar build out the federal balance sheet
The federal government’s new budgeting approach signals a decisive shift toward bricks and mortar as the foundation of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s fiscal strategy, prioritizing physical assets and infrastructure over people-focused programs, writes Heather Scoffield. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the new framework will “guide decisions and help prioritize investments that generate long-term benefits for Canadians,” including housing, clean energy, and major infrastructure. Yet, as Scoffield notes, “there’s a notable lack of human touch in the government’s fiscal discourse,” raising concerns that investments in skills, childcare, and workforce development could be sidelined — even though they “are actually very productivity-enhancing, especially in the long run.”
