By Canadian Press

Finance Minister Morneau begins promoting federal budget with Toronto speech

Mar 20, 2019 | 8:50 AM

TORONTO — Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau has begun promoting the recent budget that’s already come under fire for its big-ticket spending promises.

Morneau is defending the Liberal government’s strategy in a speech to a breakfast meeting of business leaders in downtown Toronto.

He is highlighting the budget’s many measures intended to help the middle class, including new government aid to help first-time home buyers enter the market.

The budget tabled Monday contains major spending on everything from pharmacare to retraining of foreign workers.

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Morneau has said the government plans to run near-term deficits of about $20 billion and has not mapped out a path to return to balance.

The approach has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Conservatives, who say the government is making future generations pay for today’s spending.

The Canadian Press