B.C. unions share wish list as federal budget set to post massive deficit

The federal government is set to release a budget on Tuesday, projecting a deficit of at least $68. 5 billion, the first under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Austerity measures may accompany the budget, raising concerns about potential civil service job cuts. Sussanne Skidmore, president of the BC Federation of Labour, expresses anxiety over the economic situation and urges the government to focus on job protection through investment in local projects. She highlights the softwood lumber sector's vulnerability due to U.

S. tariffs and advocates for a strengthened Employment Insurance system to support impacted workers. Skidmore also seeks federal commitments to infrastructure projects that utilize union labor and enhance workforce training. The budget vote is critical, as Carney’s caucus is three votes short of a majority, necessitating support from opposition MPs. This budget will not only impact fiscal policy but also determine the government's stability moving forward.

Skidmore emphasizes the importance of government action to reassure anxious workers across the province.