The federal budget is balanced, and outlines several programs aimed at families and retirees.
But who they benefit depends on who you ask.
The NDP’s Jean Crowder of Nanaimo Cowichan says lower withdrawal minimums for Registered Retirement Income Funds is a good move.
But raising Tax Free Savings Account limits isn’t.
Crowder says the same goes for the the Family Tax Cut; also known as income splitting.
UBC prof Paul Kershaw says the government is, once again, catering to older voters, at the expense of younger people
Kershaw is the man behind Generation Squeeze, a lobby group working to forward the issues of people in their 20s and 30s.
Kershaw says he wanted to see more generational equity, with emphasis on things like child care funding.
The Conservatives are also putting a lot of money into defense and security. MP John Duncan of Vancouver Island North – the government whip – calls that a worthwhile investment.
The budget also outlines $360 million to fight ISIS, $18 million for anti terrorism efforts, and $94.4 million over five years for cyber security.
