Despite insisting that the budget will create jobs through measures such as the small business tax cut, Oliver told CTV's Question Period that he doesn't know how many.
"We have forecasts for the growth and the economy. I don't have a specific forecast for job creation," Oliver said in an interview with Robert Fife.
The minister's comments come as the country deals with a 6.8 per cent unemployment rate.
Statistics Canada's latest labour market survey recorded a month-to-month net gain of nearly 29,000 jobs in March. But the gain was driven by more people finding part-time work. While the number of part-time jobs rose by 56,800 in March, Statistics Canada recorded a loss of 28,200 full-time jobs.
The Conservatives tabled their first balanced budget in eight years last Tuesday. The budget focused on tax breaks for families and seniors.
Oliver rejected criticism from the opposition that the budget does not support the middle class and job growth.
"There was quite a bit about job creation. When we lower small business taxes … that is going to be a major initiative that will produce more jobs and growth. After all, small businesses are the biggest generators of employment in the country."
Starting now, the small business tax rate will begin a gradual reduction from the current 11 per cent to 9 per cent by 2019. Nearly 700,000 small businesses are expected to benefit from the proposed tax cut, according to budget documents.
Oliver also highlighted budget measures providing opportunities for job training, apprenticeships and students looking to get into blue collar jobs.
However, many of the budget measures will not come into place until after the scheduled federal election this October.
Transit fund starts in 2017
For instance, the government committed to provide $750 million over two years and $1 billion thereafter for new public transit infrastructure in Canada's large cities. However, the Public Transit Fund won't start until 2017. Last week, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the money amounted to "crumbs" compared to the needs of his province.
Oliver defended the timing of the commitment, saying many of the projects that stand to benefit from the money aren't ready to break ground yet.
"This new transit plan comes in over a few year period but, you know, it's for these big projects, which are not shovel-ready. What I'm telling you is the money will be available when the projects need the funds," said Oliver.
The public transit commitment comes in addition to the government's New Building Canada Plan announced in the 2013 budget, which provided $75 billion for public infrastructure over a decade, including $53 billion for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure.
The 'granddaughter' comment
Oliver responded to criticism for a comment he made last week about leaving any long-range fiscal problems resulting from the near doubling of the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) to future generations. The measure was tabled in the budget.
"I hear that by 2080 we may have a problem," Oliver said in a broadcast interview last week. "Well, why don't we leave that to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's granddaughter to solve?"
Reaffirming his support for the measure that would increase the annual contribution limit for the TFSA to $10,000, starting this year, Oliver told Question Period that his remarks about the more distant future were taken out of context.
The minister also said he was shocked by the opposition's vow to roll back the plan. The NDP and Liberals have said the TFSA increase, like many tax cuts proposed in the budget, mostly benefit the wealthy who have the money to save.
Original Article
Source: ctvnews.ca/
Author: Michelle Zilio
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