Arnold eyes federal cash

Photo: The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau heading to the House of Commons.

North Okanagan Shuswap MP Mel Arnold is hoping to get a fraction of the billions of dollars the Liberal government has promised in new spending on infrastructure.

“I'll definitely be working hard to bring projects to the riding,” said Arnold, after the government delivered its first federal budget Tuesday.

However, the Conservative MP expressed concern the money may be centred on infrastructure projects in major cities and criticized the budget for its lack of “job-creating incentives.”

The Liberals claim their budget will create 100,000 jobs and boost national economic growth.

But Arnold pointed to the projected $29.4-billion deficit in 2016-17, followed by a $29-billion shortfall the following year and almost $23 billion in 2018-19. He said that was triple the cost that the Liberals promised during last year's election that saw them sweep away the Conservative government.

“The deficit will add about $800 debt per individual per year. For a family of four, they're $3,200 further into debt,” said Arnold.