Morneau’s resistance to expensive environmental initiatives reflects his roots in Bay Street, and a view held among right-leaning Liberals that deficits are out of control.
“The idea of greening the economy just by spending money on every project you have in front of you is not really serious,” said a source sympathetic to Morneau’s position.
Possible budget measures range from investments to help provinces reduce their carbon footprint, boosting research into clean technology and encouraging the construction of efficient buildings.
Morneau, who has been embroiled in a recent scandal over the “We” charity that paid for him and his family’s expenses during a trip abroad, paid the $41,000 fee on the same day he was questioned by the Parliamentary Finance Committee recently. Since then, he has been under pressure to resign.
Morneau is stepping down from his post as Canada’s finance minister and as Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre. Morneau made the announcement during a press conference on Parliament Hill Monday evening.
