RECAP: Longfield Townhall on the Federal Budget

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

In his first townhall as Guelph’s Member of Parliament, Lloyd Longfield kept a pretty strict time regiment while covering a lot of ground as a full house came out tonight to Innovation Guelph to get an insider’s look at the 2016 Federal Budget. Longfield was joined by Vaughan-Woodbridge MP Franceso Sorbara and CPA Fred Richardson of BDO Canada, to talk about how the budget will affect the average, everyday Guelphite, and answer questions from the audience. Did you miss my live-tweet out or couldn’t make it to the townhall? Check out the recap below:

by
Adam A. Donaldson
Wed, Apr 06 2016 02:19:45

Federal Budget Townhall – April 5, 2016

Lloyd Longfield, Franceso Sorbara and Fred Richardson discuss the 2016 Federal Budget with Guelphites.

  1. A man, who I assume was Gordon Domm, was handing these out outside the town hall. https://t.co/z1zGXe0jcW

    A man, who I assume was Gordon Domm, was handing these out outside the town hall. pic.twitter.com/z1zGXe0jcW
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:27:02

  2. A pretty full house here at Innovation Guelph for the #Budget2016 town hall. https://t.co/fEAs5dxwi9

    A pretty full house here at Innovation Guelph for the #Budget2016 town hall. pic.twitter.com/fEAs5dxwi9
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:29:29

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    .@LloydLongfield is starting the meeting promptly at the start time. A first for Guelph.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:31:41

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield says there’s 4-5 days coming up for debate in the House starting April 11.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:32:21

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Likely vote on Budget is in the next couple of weeks, Longfield says.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:32:46

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In budget, a lot of what Liberals promised. Job stimulation “another way to get money into the middle class,” Longfield says.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:33:26

  7. Townhall meeting on #budget2016 getting started now #guelph https://t.co/Z1kIVwWTth

    Townhall meeting on #budget2016 getting started now #guelph pic.twitter.com/Z1kIVwWTth
    Lloyd Longfield@LloydLongfield

    ·
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:33:50

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Regardless of how you voted,” Longfield says he wants your #Budget2016 feedback

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:35:14

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    He did not define it.  https://twitter.com/robertroutledge/status/717480547015139328 …

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:35:38

  10. A pretty full house here at Innovation Guelph for the #Budget2016 town hall. https://t.co/2XESr8N2dI

    A pretty full house here at Innovation Guelph for the #Budget2016 town hall. pic.twitter.com/2XESr8N2dI
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:36:32

  11. .@LloydLongfield welcomes guests: MP Francesco Sobara and BDO's Fred Richardson https://t.co/pftq9um4Rw

    .@LloydLongfield welcomes guests: MP Francesco Sobara and BDO’s Fred Richardson pic.twitter.com/pftq9um4Rw
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:38:32

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Franceso Sorbara, who’s got a history in finance, is now speaking. HE used to work on the “bond desk” now he’s on the finance committee.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:39:27

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara says the Finance Committee had 92 guests in one week. Timing truncated b/c of election.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:40:22

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    This budget is a shift from austerity, but “fiscally prudent” says Sorbara.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:41:10

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Budget targets growth and investment. Targets infrastructure deficit, and innovation deficit, Sorbara.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:42:00

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Infrastructure investment = long-term economic growth, says everyone (according to Sorbara).

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:43:01

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Families will be transformed” with new Child Tax Benefit, says Sorbara.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:43:58

  18. Presenting information about the 2016 Budget to the residents of Guelph at the town hall meeting w/ @LloydLongfield pic.twitter.com/LF4vjrdskD
    Francesco Sorbara MP@fsorbara

    ·
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:43:59

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Fred Richardson, a partner at BDO in #Guelph, is here to talk budget, not politics.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:47:01

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “You’ve all got kids at home, you’ve got to take advantage of this one,” says Richardson to the (most) grey crowd.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:48:15

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Richardson says new benefits will be worth more to families than previous tax cuts.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:49:33

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Question about if there’s a risk of 1 per centers moving more of their money off shore.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:52:04

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Richardson: Pol aren’t going to be moving their money offshore for a small increase on a bank note. Plus more enfacement coming.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:52:47

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Fitness, arts tax credit elimination. Richardson says its unfortunate. Not huge, but he will miss it.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:53:53

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    We’ll be taking advantage of incentives for clean energy innovation, says Richardson.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 22:56:11

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield turns it over to the group for Qs now. What are the priorities?

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:00:49

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First Q: Innovation strategy, what’s in the budget to stimulate it?

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:02:02

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield (as chair of Nat’l caucus on Universities): $95 million on pure research, funding for “unknown unknowns”

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:02:54

  29. Taking questions at Town Hall meeting. Your opinion matters. #budget2016 https://t.co/6zUpg3TqSE

    Taking questions at Town Hall meeting. Your opinion matters. #budget2016 pic.twitter.com/6zUpg3TqSE
    Lloyd Longfield@LloydLongfield

    ·
    ·

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:03:04

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The goal is to have $360K more students in university. More training = more innovation.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:03:24

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    IRAP – Industry Research Assistance Program another innovation.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:03:51

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara says 33% of investment during oil boom went back into oil and gas.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:04:50

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara adds that resource economy is 20% of total economy. Non-resource econ (i.e.: manufacturing) picking up slack now.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:05:33

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    New Q: While applauds most everything in Budget, he has concerns about First Nations and Defense.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:07:09

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Indian act creates dependent society, he says, as long I.A. is there that’s the way it will be.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:08:08

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Defense: concerned about Canada arming people. disappointed Saudi deal not cancelled.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:09:05

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Questioner says there’s a moral obligation, which got applause.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:09:38

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    On First Nations: Longfield says emphasis on $8B going to water treatment and education.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:10:10

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield says there’s been a lot of requests to bring @Carolyn_Bennett to #Guelph to talk First Nations issues.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:10:35

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    As for Saudi, contract “too far down” to unsung it, but looking at shifting to “monitoring stage” and moving for personal transports.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:11:14

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara grew up in Prince Rupert. Says gov is moving to nation to nation conversation which is “overdue”

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:12:13

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon Domm, the man who was handing out the electoral system op-ed, is asking a Q now.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:12:41

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Asking about electoral reform, is Longfield concerned about backlash i.e.: electoral reform?

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:13:26

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield: we’re relying on a process, a democratic process. Website will be up any day, and their will be nationwide input.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:14:05

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    New Q about National Resource Council. Says scientist there need to be allowed to do the things they’re passionate about.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:15:18

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield says we need to shore up innovation by focusing on research. Again references the $95M and that’s 1st year.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:16:55

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    New Q about veterans and benefits: Life-long pension and increase to survivors not in the budget.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:17:44

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    1st year sees re-opening the centres, investment of new staff. Longfield says 1st part is infrastructure, but gov not finished.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:18:41

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Asks questioner to keep gov’s feet to the fire on veterans issues.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:19:06

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    New Q about Fitness tax credit: is it being moved to the provincial?

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:20:12

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara adds Child Benefit is income tested. As for tax credits, it;s about fairness.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:21:27

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara says its about helping the families that need the help.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:21:52

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Majority of families will be better off, says Sorbara. Tax credits by and large didn’t help low and middle class families.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:22:30

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield adds the goal is to get 300K out of poverty in the 1st year.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:22:50

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield “floats” talk about the deficit.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:23:14

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield says that $14B of the deficit is a result of oil price crash, accord. to Parliamentary library.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:24:19

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    New Q. Man is from Alberta, and says its “Refreshing” to have town hall about the budget.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:24:47

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    His Q is about the environment and changing transportation.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:25:12

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Increasing pace of shift to electric vehicles, looking at gridlock, and looking at rail service, says Longfield.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:26:04

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    2nd Q about farmers and trade agreements i.e. TPP and consultation.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:26:41

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield: it’s started, talking to different sectors about TPP, Ag committee bringing in experts too. More forums and website coming.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:27:36

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CETA 2 years into process, most likely to be passed. But TPP still not sure about.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:28:01

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Q about the cut off between middle class and upper class. More ppl at the top could pay more?

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:28:48

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Tax brackets est. by CRA. so the hit was put on top 1 per cent.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:29:47

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sorbara: 9 million ppl will see a reduction in disposable income this year. The aim is to look at income inequality tho

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:30:32

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Couple new Child Tax Benefit, plus infrastructure is a win-win, says Sorbara.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:31:29

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    $444M in increases over 4 years to help CRA find tax dodges.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:32:21

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Questioner says there has to be follow up, i.e. prosecution.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:32:40

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final Q: happy about the arts, curious about more foreign aid.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:32:56

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Help in budget for low income countries to help deal with climate change. More active at UN so Canada is getting back on world stage.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:33:31

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Longfield says that more foreign aid will have to be explored further.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:33:50

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    That’s a wrap for the town hall.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:34:55

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Coming up in the House: End of life (which won’t be a whipped vote) debate. Oh, and Lloyd says stop by his office anytime.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:36:19

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Within business hours of course.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:36:37

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Lloyd’s staffer Shanice is going to work for Premier Wynne next week. Longfield thanks her.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:37:10

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Okay, now it’s over.

    Tue, Apr 05 2016 23:37:22

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