Today Member of Parliament Ed Fast welcomed the federal budget, Economic Action Plan 2014, and its focus on job creation, economic growth and keeping taxes low. The Budget, which was tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty this afternoon, continues the Conservative Government’s commitment to return to a balanced budget by 2015.
“Although Canada’s economy has created over one million new jobs since the global recession of 2008-2009, the best job creation record among the G-7 countries, there are still many Canadians looking for work,” said Fast. “That’s why we remain focused on controlling and reducing government spending, and introducing strategies that will continue to create jobs, keep taxes low, and open up new opportunities around the world for Canada’s exporters and investors.” Fast is also Canada’s Minister of International Trade.
Budget highlights include support for families by cracking down on cross-border price discrimination, capping wireless rates to make cell service more affordable, and implementing a Victims Bill of Rights. Small-and medium-sized businesses will also benefit from a Job Matching Service that matches Canadians looking for work with prospective employers; the creation of the Apprentice Loan Program to provide Red Seal apprentices with interest-free loans of up to $4,000; and the cutting of red tape on 800,000 payroll remittances from 50,000 small businesses. Volunteers of the Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue will now benefit from a new tax credit.
“Unlike previous federal governments, which balanced their budgets on the backs of the provinces and municipalities, our Conservative government continues to support those levels of government with record ongoing transfers and other programs,” explained Fast. “As a former Abbotsford City Councillor, I remember how difficult it was in the 1990’s to cope with federal downloading of funding responsibilities. We have no intention of repeating that experience.”
Those wishing more information on Economic Action Plan 2014 are encouraged to visit www.actionplan.ca