{"id":45999,"date":"2021-02-16T14:43:01","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T19:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/?p=45999"},"modified":"2025-07-28T04:58:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T08:58:14","slug":"have-your-say-on-the-most-significant-budget-of-our-lifetime-tell-justin-trudeau-to-build-back-fossil-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/story\/45999\/have-your-say-on-the-most-significant-budget-of-our-lifetime-tell-justin-trudeau-to-build-back-fossil-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Have your say on the most significant budget of our lifetime: Tell Justin Trudeau to Build Back Fossil Free!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The time has come for the Trudeau government to prove that its great, green ambition is  not just empty words. The 2021 federal budget is expected next month and we will learn whether the big promises of the Speech from the Throne<\/a> last fall will be translated into concrete investments.<\/p>\n\n

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland herself said<\/a> that \u201cthe 2021 budget will be the most significant one of our lifetimes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

In anticipation, the Liberals have launched an online pre-budget consultation… A perfect opportunity to have your voice heard! With an election likely to be called this year, it could be a make or break political moment. As stated on the federal government\u2019s Let\u2019s talk Budget 2021<\/a> website \u201cYour feedback will be shared with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Parliamentary Secretary and departmental officials. They will consider your input alongside the research economists at the Department of Finance have been doing to help inform decisions on the next Budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

It’s up to you now: you can share your feedback with the Trudeau government to help protect nature and create resilient communities in two easy steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

1. You can participate in the consultation<\/a> (5min)<\/p>\n\n

2. You can answer the Liberals directly on Twitter and tell them what you want to fund with #YourBudget<\/a> (30 sec)<\/p>\n\n

Option 1: Fill out the pre-budget consultation survey<\/a> for the good of communities and our planet<\/h2>\n\n

In 2020, Greenpeace campaigned for a green and just recovery from Covid-19. When the pandemic struck, we issued a roadmap to build a strong, sustainable and fair economy<\/a>. We reiterated these recommendations<\/a> when the Trudeau government returned to Parliament last September. <\/p>\n\n

We\u2019ve summarized our recommendations below to help you complete the questionnaire<\/a>. The questionnaire has sections for comments, as well as options for selecting \u201cOther\u201d among the options given, where you can cut and paste your favourite recommendations and other personal comments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Budget 2021: our recommendations<\/h2><\/header>
1. Safeguard the environment<\/div>

\u00b7 Strategy to decarbonize the economy by 2040.\u00a0
\u00b7 Plans to protect 30% of lands, oceans and freshwaters by 2030.\u00a0
\u00b7 Expand electric transit, cycling and walking infrastructure.\u00a0
\u00b7 Help transition automakers to electric vehicles by 2030.\u00a0
\u00b7 Jobs in emergency efficiency and low-carbon housing for vulnerable communities. Nature-based jobs that rebuild vital, degraded ecosystems.\u00a0
\u00b7 Jobs in community-based farming and regenerative agriculture.\u00a0
\u00b7 Take steps to build a circular economy by supporting zero-waste innovation and implementing the ban on single-use plastics.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

2. Transform social safety nets<\/div>

\u00b7 Living wage and universal basic income.
\u00b7 National childcare program.
\u00b7 National pharmacare program.\u00a0
\u00b7 National sick leave.
\u00b7 Safe employment conditions for care workers.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

3. Justice for women, Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities<\/div>

\u00b7 Address the \u201cshe-cession\u201d and ensure equal pay and safe employment conditions for all women.\u00a0
\u00b7 Respect Indigenous rights, act on reconciliation, ensure justice for MMIW and guarantee clean water and good housing.\u00a0
\u00b7 Defund the RCMP and invest in mental health for racialized people.\u00a0
\u00b7 Citizenship and fair employment conditions for migrant workers.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

4. Finance a green and just recovery<\/div>

\u00b7 Implement a wealth tax.\u00a0
\u00b7 Ban the use of tax havens.\u00a0
\u00b7 End fossil fuel subsidies.\u00a0
\u00b7 Cancel construction of the TMX pipeline.\u00a0
\u00b7 Make big polluters pay their fair share to stop climate change.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n

Option 2: Use Twitter to  tell the Liberals what you want to fund with #YourBudget <\/h2>\n\n

The government is also inviting you to join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #YourBudget<\/a>. Why not join the conversation by adding your contributions? You can use one of these tweets or create your own using the #YourBudget hashtag and tell the Trudeau government to keep its promises for a green and just recovery from COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n