Revenge of the comment section: Where's the 'poor-sensitive' budget?

The Liberal government introduced its second budget last week, butits first "gender-sensitive" one. The plan includes measures to enhancechildcare and parental leave, while eliminating the transit tax credit, which has many people upset. Commenters aren't too pleased about spending and deficit numbers, either.

Environmental measures

So, let me get this straight:we're paying carbon taxes to discourage the use of gasoline so we won't destroy the environment, but we are also losing a tax credit to encourage the use of public transit, which helps reduce harmful emissions. These measures are contradictory with respect to the environment, but both will generate more tax revenue.

Liberals: whatare you more interested in, the environment, or more tax revenue?

-Matty Mac

Bad for the middle class

A budget that is tailor-made for the government's "identity politics" plans for re-election. This budget is aimed at a shrinking middle class, whichwill lose even more jobs as corporate powers use advanced robotics and computer algorithms to replace human labour.

-Terry Marshall

Keep the fares down

Between the elimination of Volume Incentive Programin January,which allowed me a 12 per centdiscount on a monthly pass because my employer bought more than 500 passes per month, and the elimination of the federal tax credit, which saved me 15 per centmore, my transit costs have increased close to 30 per centin the last three months.

I appreciate the federal support for transit capital costs, but I'd feel better about the elimination of the transit tax credit if both federal and provincial governments committed to covering a larger portion of the operating costs and kept the fares down.

-Mark Parent

Fewer hugs, more briefings

Why is that we never see pictures of JustinTrudeau reading over documents at his desk? Or in a briefing? Or actually doing his job? It's always at a theatre production or doing yoga or giving a hug.

-Bren Hynes

More than a gesture

It's great to see even a gesture towards a gender-equitable budget, and this is more than a gesture. It appears to be based on a recognition that women are over half the population of this country, and yet suffer from systemic inequality.

I've been disappointed withTrudeau'sdismissal of electoral reform and angered by his duplicity regarding the environment, but this is good.

-LinneaRowlatt

Tax on rideshares

I support the tax onrideshareservices, especially to level the playing field as they become available across Canada (disclaimer: I'm a driver on theLyftplatform in Seattle). But to take away a credit for users of public transportation that's just asinine.

-Cory Moll

Not a fan

I'm not too happy about the non-refundable public transit tax credit. I pay so much for TTC with their annual fare increases. This tax credit helped at the end of the year to recoup that cost. Thanks so much, Liberal government. Definitely not a fan.

-Chris Lee

Path of least resistance

The Liberals are taxing the hell out of businesses and their wealthy shareholders and leadership teams. I know it's fun to beat up on the rich, but don't be so nave to think that these companies are going to stick around, not to mention continue to invest in Canada. That's not how it works, people. Money, just like water, finds always flows to the path of least resistance.

- Jason Davidison

Childcare is not a women's issue

It is interesting most of the comments are from men who resent money being spent on "women's issues" like daycare. Children are not women's issues they are the next generation who will support us all. Anything that makes life better for them benefits all of us.

-Monty Briant

A poor-sensitive budget

While the first-ever "gender-sensitive" budget is all well and good, when are are we going to see a first-ever "poor-sensitive" budget?

-Michael Walters

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.