Federal government delivers responsive and responsible budget
Growing the economy and creating jobs key for St. Catharines, says Dykstra

Ottawa - Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines today praised a budget that builds on Canada’s economic recovery with action to create jobs and opportunity, while providing assistance to low-income Canadians, families and seniors.

Year 2 of the Economic Action Plan will provide over $1.3 billion in personal tax relief in 2010 -11 to help workers, and families in Ontario.

“I am pleased to see that those hard hit by the recession in St. Catharines will benefit from enhancements to E.I. benefits and training programs”, said Dykstra, “while we will create new job opportunities by supporting business and the development of high-tech industry.”

BUDGET 2010 HIGHLIGHTS

• Personal income tax relief -  $ 3.2 billion by adjusting federal tax brackets, enhancing the Working Income Tax Benefit, higher child benefit for parents and lower taxes for low and middle- income seniors

• Help for workers - over $4 billion enhancing E.I. benefits, extending the work sharing program, and training opportunities to transition workers from current challenges towards future prosperity

• Support  Industries and communities - 2.2 billion fuelling jobs and providing support for forestry, agriculture, small businesses, tourism, shipbuilding and culture

• Universal Child Care Benefit -Tax free for single parents

• Creating jobs though innovation -  Over $600 million in additional funds to promote research and development and the high-quality jobs that go with it

• Encouraging investment and trade: additional measures to cut red tape and make Canada a tariff-free zone for manufacturers to attract job-creating investment

Seniors

• Budget 2010 provides $10 million over 2 years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

• Increase the age limit for RRSP to RRIF conversion to 71 from 69

• Tax free saving account for seniors – withdrawals will NOT affect eligibility for OAS and GIS

Business and Community

• Lift tariff on manufacturing equipment as well as on other inputs in manufacturing

• Continuing with current tax plans such as the schedule for corporate tax rate reductions

• 1 billion Community Development Trust for Ontario

• $400 million Police Officers Recruitment Fund for Ontario

• $196 million labour market training- for Ontario

• Establish a commission to reduce red tape for business and industry

Immigration and Refugees

• Continue to work with the provinces to strengthen recognition of foreign credentials through the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

• To better protect would-be immigrants, our Government will take steps to shut down unscrupulous immigration consultants and introduce legislation to speed up the revocation of citizenship of those who have concealed their war crimes

For more budget details go to:  http://www.budget.gc.ca/2010/plan/toc-tdm-eng.html

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3 March 2010
Ottawa, Ontario

 
Honourable Senators,
Members of the House of Commons,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We are a country whose citizens do not turn back when confronted by obstacles, whatever they are, and never shrink from lending a helping hand to the most disadvantaged, wherever they may be.

Though the effects of the global recession have not fully faded, Canadians are demonstrating a spirit of generosity that is a harbinger of hope to the people of Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, which has been shaken by a disaster of unprecedented scope.

The world we live in remains strong because of the ties of solidarity that we – women, men and young people – forge among ourselves and because of the care we show toward one another.

As the Vancouver Winter Olympics and upcoming Paralympics remind us, there are also circumstances when festive hearts and the sharing of a common humanity are our greatest hope.

I know Canadians will continue to care, and that spirit of solidarity will redefine their sense of sharing as efforts are made to support the economic recovery.

We gather for a new session of Parliament at a time of both great uncertainty and great optimism. Uncertainty because Canadians still feel the lingering effects of a recession that was not of their making. Optimism because our country has weathered the storm better than most and because Canadians over the past year have shown the world as never before both our capacity to care and our capability to act.

The agenda our Government laid before Parliament just over one year ago is largely in place. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government took decisive steps to protect incomes, create jobs, ease credit markets, and help workers and communities get back on their feet. As we begin to see modest improvements in growth and employment, the task before us today is to finish the work begun last year.

Jobs and growth remain the top priority. Our Government will complete the second year of Canada’s Economic Action Plan – guided by extensive consultations with leaders in business, industry, and everyday working people and their families – and make refinements where necessary.

At the same time, Canada is poised to emerge from the recession powered by one of the strongest economies in the industrialized world. Therefore, our attention must also encompass the new measures Canada needs for success in the modern economy.

This will require a return to fiscal balance, securing the strong budgetary position that distinguishes our country from so many others.

While the task before us is great, the ingenuity, determination and compassion of Canadians are greater. We will ensure that Canada remains the best place in the world to raise a family. We will continue to stand up for those who built this great country. And we will forge ahead in building a Canada that is strong and united in a changing world.