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Location: Brampton, Ont.
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Jobs: Carpenter and stay-at-home mother to three teenagers
Annual household income: $50,000-$100,000
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Monthly household expenses: About $2,000
What you drive: Ford F150 pickup and a Honda Odyssey minivan
Last holiday: A week at the family cottage
What's the best aspect of this budget?
"A little bit of income tax relief that puts a little bit more money back in taxpayers' pockets," Mr. Ceolin said. As a builder, he said, the home improvement tax credit for projects from $1,000 to $10,000 is a good idea, but may not have much impact. "I don't know if people are really willing to spend that much right now, if maybe they're unsure about the future of their jobs."
He's also impressed the government has set aside $500-million for upgrading community athletic facilities. His 15-year-old daughter, Alysha, plays hockey and is a regular user of the local community arenas. "I think it's a good idea because a lot more people seem to be using them, and a lot of the community centres are building gyms and swimming pools and have a lot of community programs," Mr. Ceolin said.
Is anything missing?
"They tried to include everybody, big business, small business, the auto makers. They tried to cover every base they could."
Over all, are you happy or disappointed?
"I have to say personally I'm a little disappointed, because I don't think they did enough to help the average person ... but it's tough to make everybody happy. It's good to see the government is aware of the problem and they want to help keep the Canadian economy from really suffering."
What's the likely impact on you?
Mr. Ceolin said large-scale infrastructure projects could provide an alternative job option if housing construction evaporates.
Where do you expect this budget to take Canada?
"I think Canada will just be treading water for the next six to nine months. The government's trying to help, but the economists are saying it's not enough, and there's going to be bigger job losses."