The Trudeau government has announced $4.2 billion in spending since SNC-Lavalin scandal broke despite deficit of $19.8 billion

267 new spending announcements from the Trudeau government since scandal broke on Feb. 7 

Includes handouts for everything from tourism to airports to boat safety

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation today released a list of all spending announcements made by the Trudeau government over the last two months which may have been missed during the ongoing SNC-Lavalin scandal.

“With so much attention understandably focused on SNC-Lavalin, many people may have missed most or all of these 267 spending announcements,” said CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick. “We believe spending taxpayer dollars deserves proper scrutiny, and in that spirit we’re pleased to provide this list.”

The largest spending announcement made since Feb. 7 is $1 billion in “innovation” funding for southern Ontario on Feb. 27, while the smallest was $8,000 to fund upgrades for a maple sugar camp in New Brunswick on Mar. 29. Other highlights include:

• $72 million for “clean technology” in Alberta (Mar.14)
• $30 million for an “intellectual property collective” (Feb. 13)
• $4.2 million to help develop “innovative” fruit (Mar.11)
• $595,000 on a boating safety mobile app (Mar. 14)
• $376,000 for a ‘Cheese Expertise Centre’ (Apr. 3)

Wudrick noted that with the federal government currently running a deficit of $19.8 billion rather than balancing the budget as promised, all 267 announcements are effectively being funded with borrowed money that will be added to the growing federal debt.

“With an average of four spending announcements per day being missed in the wake of SNC-Lavalin, taxpayers should take note: the Trudeau government continues to borrow and spend even though you may not be hearing much about it,” said Wudrick.

To see a complete list of the Trudeau government’s spending announcements since Feb. 7, please clickHERE.

For more information:

Aaron Wudrick, CTF Federal Director

c: 613-295-8409

Email:  [email protected]

Twitter: @awudrick

The CTF is Canada’s leading non-partisan citizens’ advocacy group fighting for lower taxes, less waste and accountable government.  Founded in 1990, the CTF has more than 151,000 supporters and seven offices across Canada.  The CTF is funded by free-will, non tax-receiptable contributions.