Back when the first federal budget was introduced in February, I wrote a column commenting on what I thought of the budget at that time. Since then (as I’m sure everyone knows) the budget has been re-written to accommodate Jack Layton and insure that he supports the budget when it comes up for a second vote. So, what has changed and what has stayed the same?

Well, as I said back in my original column, rural Canada gets almost nothing. Agriculture was ignored the first time, and agriculture appears to not even have been mentioned in the negotiations between Jack Layton and the Liberals. I understand how Layton, as a former Toronto city councilor, would not even think of farmers, but for both parties to ignore agriculture twice really upsets me.

The second thing that was missing in both budgets was an Equalization Energy Accord for Saskatchewan. (While I write this column, Premier Calvert is still working on getting it included in the budget. Hopefully, Saskatchewan will get a deal.) This Accord, if it is agreed to, would lead to lower taxes and more support for health care, highways and other government services. All that the Accord would do is let Saskatchewan keep the wealth created by our oil and gas reserves, something that Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador have been allowed.

The one area that did receive more money in the new budget was the environment. While money for the environment may sound good in a press clip, I for one am wary. Generally environmental spending tends to be concentrated on more studies and more bureaucracy. Environmental spending could also lead to more harassment of farmers and rural residents in general and not to a cleaner environment.

I wasn’t impressed with the original budget and I’m not thrilled with this one. My job is to do my best to serve your interests in Saskatoon-Humboldt. This budget doesn’t help Saskatchewan and I will not support it.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament. I welcome your feedback. (Suggestions are always welcome.) Write or call my offices.