Nina Grewal welcomed Budget 2010 as a responsible plan to solidify Canada’s economic recovery while paving the way to a more prosperous future. “Budget 2010 builds on Canada’s economic recovery with action to create jobs and stimulate growth, sustains our country’s economic advantages, and charts the way forward to budget balance."
“Our Government has held hundreds of consultations with Canadian workers and businesses across the country. Individual MPs like myself have been talking with constituents to discover where people want the country to go. The result is today’s budget which responds to Canadians concerns about jobs and the economy.”
This budget is about supporting families and communities and helping those who helped build Canada. The Budget invests in jobs and growth, helps youth gain lasting employment, modernizes infrastructure and works to ensure position as an energy superpower with money for clean energy projects and green jobs. As we roll out the second part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Budget 2010 will invest:
· 3.2 billion in personal income tax relief. This includes allowing Canadians to earn more income before paying federal income tax and before being subject to higher tax rates. It includes the enhanced Working Income Tax Benefit to strengthen work incentives for low-income Canadians, higher child benefits for parents, and lower taxes for low and middle-income seniors.
· Over $4 billion in actions to create and protect jobs. This includes additional Employment Insurance benefits and more training opportunities to help unemployed Canadians through this difficult period.
· $7.7 billion in infrastructure stimulus to create jobs. This will modernize infrastructure, support home ownership and improve social housing across Canada.
· $1.9 billion to create the economy of tomorrow. This investment will help develop and attract talented people, strengthen our capacity for world-leading research, improve commercialization, accelerate private sector investment, enhance the ability of Canadian firms to participate in global markets, and create a more competitive business environment.
· $2.2 billion to support industries and communities. This will support adjustment and provide job opportunities in all parts of Canada that have been hit hard by the economic downturn. It provides support for affected sectors, including forestry, agriculture, small business, tourism, shipbuilding and culture.
Budget 2010 also charts a course to bring Canada’s finances back to balance over the medium term and well before any other G-7 country.
“Our Jobs and Growth Budget continues a plan that is working. It will help solidify Canada’s economic recovery and sustain our economic advantage now and for the future. Unlike the Liberals, our government will not raise taxes. Unlike the Liberals, our government will not cut spending on health care, education, or support for seniors. Together, we will create a stronger Canada and a stronger economy, now and for the future."