Liberal MP touts budget’s affordability ‘boost’

Federal government officials were in Brandon on Thursday to highlight affordability measures contained in last week’s budget.

Liberal MP Ginette Lavack’s stop came after Westman’s two Conservative MPs criticized the budget last week for overspending.

“Budget 2026 is about building a stronger economy while making life more affordable for Canadians. It gives Canadians a boost today and a bridge to tomorrow, with immediate relief for families and long-term investments that address the underlying pressures driving up costs,” said Lavack, the MP for St. Boniface-St. Vital and parliamentary secretary for Indigenous Services Canada Minister Mandy Gull-Masty.

Lavack spoke to a handful of attendees in a corner of Chez Angela Bakery and Café, where about a dozen people listened on while patrons continued to eat their meals and talk with friends, and some students studied.

Lavack said her government is “seizing the opportunities” to make a stronger country.

She highlighted measures like the Canada Groceries and Essential Benefits Supplement — which replaced the GST credit in July — and easier access to federal benefits for 5.5 million Canadians with pre-filed tax returns. Lavack also cited the proposed Build Canada Workers Benefit and recent pause of the fuel excise tax.

“This is how we build a Canada where opportunity is within reach, where hard work pays off, and where the next generation can look to the future with confidence,” Lavack said.

Brandon was mentioned only once in the 511-page budget document in a re-announcement for water and wastewater infrastructure funding from 2024, while the rest of Westman was mentioned only one additional time.

Asked about the lack of news for Brandon, Lavack said she would argue there is a lot of news, as it is “a budget for all Canadians.”

“There’s a number of measures that we are either bolstering and … we are adding dollars into so that it better supports Canadians,” she told the Sun.

She said the old age security program benefits plenty of people in Brandon, as does the child-care benefit.

“I would argue that while there might not be new specific infrastructure announcements, the projects exist, the envelopes are being added to,” Lavack said.

Last week, Brandon-Souris MP Grant Jackson and Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier, who are both Opposition Conservatives, said the projected deficit of $62.3 billion is hurting Canadians. Jackson accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of “taking a gamble with the fiscal health of this country.”

Lavack, in response, said the governing Liberals are “demonstrating a really strong fiscal position, and that we are doing every effort we can to minimize the deficit.”

She also noted that “times are tough” and that the government is looking to increase revenues with investment from around the world.

“We are fiscally prudent. We are doing a really good job of demonstrating how we can rein in operating spending and then invest in the things that really matter to Canadians,” she said, noting that the money the government is spending is in important areas like social programs.

Jackson, in a news release sent during the 1 p.m. press conference, continued to criticize the budget for overspending.

“Given the amount of new debt and how little the budget does to address Westman’s priorities, it would be irresponsible of me to support it,” he said.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett after the press conference said he likes the investment to build more homes and the Canada Creative Credit for artists. The increased funding for the military is also positive for Brandon, he said, as CFB Shilo is nearby.

Fawcett said he would have liked to have seen more funding announced for local infrastructure, however.

» alambert@brandonsun.com