CANADIANS have been waiting for a budget from Ottawa that’s focused on their priorities and the needs of the middle class – not just the wealthiest among us. After 10 years of Conservative deficits and mismanagement, Canada’s middle class families are working harder and falling further behind, said the NDP on Tuesday.

“The only ideas to create jobs in this budget came from recommendations of the NDP, which is committed to improving the lives of those who need a helping hand,” said NDP Leader Tom Mulcair. “Conservatives have missed their chance to make smart investments that create stable full-time jobs, actual childcare spaces and affordable housing.”

The budget’s transit and infrastructure proposals are limited and create red tape that prevents funds from getting into the hands of cities. The Conservative proposal also falls short of the NDP’s bold urban agenda for permanent, stable and predictable transit funding, added Mulcair.

“We oppose expensive Conservative giveaways that do little for the middle class and leave families paying for billions in tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthy few – such as doubling the allowable Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) contribution and its unfair income-splitting scheme,” he said.

“The Conservatives’ billions in handouts to the wealthiest few are a significant risk to vital public services and Canada’s economy,” said NDP Finance Critic Nathan Cullen. “Instead of measures to help more Canadians get ahead, Conservatives are stubbornly playing politics with this budget ahead of the election.”

The Conservative budget maintains income and wealth inequality while doing nothing to reduce child poverty, said the NDP.