Yesterday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with His Worship Mike Savage, the Mayor of Halifax.
July 23, 2021
Yesterday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with His Worship Mike Savage, the Mayor of Halifax.
Minister Fortier and Mayor Savage discussed Canada’s draft Quality of Life Framework that was introduced in Budget 2021 to integrate quality of life considerations into decision-making. The Framework provides a guide for moving beyond one set of well-being indicators – such as GDP – to look at Canadians’ quality of life in five domains – prosperity, health, environment, society and good governance. In addition to this sort of multi-dimensional thinking, the framework emphasizes inclusive and long-term thinking.
The Minister sought input on the discussion paper released alongside Budget 2021 and specifically Mayor Savage’s views on the domains and indicators in the Framework to better assess quality of life by ensuring that a broad range of factors are used to guide policy decisions in Canada.
Mayor Savage discussed the importance of collaboration, generosity and feeling connected to one’s community. He highlighted that looking beyond traditional economic indicators in decision-making will ensure genuine progress and prosperity for all. He reinforced the importance of support and investments in affordable and attainable housing, tackling homelessness, and an effective action plan for a green and inclusive economic transition. Minister Fortier and Mayor Savage also discussed the importance of reconciliation and building a strong partnership with Indigenous peoples as well as working together through all orders of government for the well-being of all Canadians.
Minister Fortier indicated that the feedback from this meeting, as well as other meetings, would be used to refine the Framework, which will remain evergreen to ensure its continued relevance in measuring what matters for a good quality of life in Canada.
Minister Fortier also took the opportunity to discuss continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work done by municipal governments to spearhead the country’s economic recovery. Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which has allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, support people and businesses, and make historic investments in the recovery.
Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@fin.gc.ca