Conservatives vote against the middle class

NDP Finance critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena – Bulkley Valley) made the following statement on the defeat of his motion:

“After a decade of Conservative economic mismanagement, middle-class families are working harder than ever, yet falling further behind. Canada is now facing an uncertain economic future including job losses, falling oil prices, and declining government revenues. The Conservative’s response is to hide from reality and keep the facts from Canadians.

“The NDP knows that Canada’s most important economic asset is the middle-class. We urged the Conservatives to present a budget that actually addresses the challenges Canadians are facing, and scrap their wasteful income splitting scheme that will take billions from middle-class Canadians and give it to the richest 15 per cent.

“Instead, the Conservatives have chosen to turn their backs on Canadians.

“The NDP has a plan that will make the economy work for Canadians. Lower taxes for small business, $15 a day child care, and investments in manufacturing will boost the economy help spur the next generation of middle-class jobs.”