Finance Minister Jim Flaherty released the 2009 Federal Budget on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. It has been tabled while Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff considers whether the Conservative party has done everything it can do to deal with the economic crisis. While the budget did address some concerns facing the non-profit sector, Imagine Canada says it is still disappointed by the apparent slight the sector received. The Bloc Quebecois and the national NDP party have already planned to reject it on the grounds it has not done enough to help low-income Canadians.

The non-profit sector has been telling Government that the demand on our services has been going up as the economic downturn has made it difficult for many Canadians to get by without a little help. With an increased demand for food banks, shelters, and counseling, Imagine Canada urged Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to increase funding to the sector in order to help these programs continue to operate in order to help Canadians when they need it.

One of the issues Imagine Canada wanted Government to consider was assistance to initiate a program to retrofit social housing. Upgrading these dwellings would also serve an environmental purpose as it would potentially make the houses more energy efficient. A $7.8 billion plan has been proposed which could see a $1350 rebate provided to up to 4.6 million families who embark on retrofitting projects; improvements for social housing units; and assistance for seniors, aboriginals, and low income families for adequate accommodations.

To read Imagine Canada's response as reported by CNW Group: "Impact of Federal Budget on Canada's charities & nonprofits"
For the proposed budget: Budget 2009: Canada's Economic Action Plan