Minister Greg Rickford MP (Kenora) on Budget 2014 by netnewsledger
Greg Rickford – Solid and Steady Budget fits the bill
OTTAWA – Kenora MP Greg Rickford is enthused with the Conservative Budget. The Kenora MP says it is a balanced approach that tackles the deficit and puts funding into the key areas of our region’s economy where the money is needed most.
Minister Rickford spoke with NetNewsLedger to outline the areas of Budget 2014 that he sees as key and critical.
Rickford is pleased with funding plans to put First Nations youth on a solid, accountable and equal footing with students from all other schools in Canada.
The Minister is also pleased with the plans and funding for expanded broadband Internet in the North.
Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty today tabled Economic Action Plan 2014, which confirms that the Government is on track to return to balanced budgets in 2015, with new measures that will create jobs and opportunities in an uncertain global economy.
The Government state that “We on track to balance the budget while keeping taxes low and protecting the programs and services Canadians count on”.
With no new taxes on Canadian families or businesses, Economic Action Plan 2014 projects that the deficit will decline to $2.9 billion in 2014–15, after taking into account a $3 billion annual adjustment for risk. A surplus of $6.4 billion is expected in 2015–16, again after taking into account a $3 billion annual adjustment for risk.
Since the inception of Canada’s Economic Action Plan in 2009, Canada has achieved the best job creation record and one of the best economic performances in the Group of Seven (G-7) over the recovery.
Economic Action Plan 2014 builds on this record of achievement with positive measures to grow the economy and help create jobs.
Supporting Jobs and Growth:
Launching the Canada Job Grant and an enhanced Job Matching Service to help connect Canadians with available jobs.
Introducing a new Canada Apprentice Loan to help registered apprentices in Red Seal trades with the cost of training.
Investing to reform the on-reserve education system, in partnership with First Nations, through the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.
Investing in programs to help older workers and persons with disabilities access the labour market.
Creating thousands of new paid internships for young Canadians entering the job market.
Making a major investment of $500 million in automotive sector support, investments in Canada’s forestry and mining sectors, and much more.
Providing $1.5 billion over the next decade for the Canada First Research Excellence Fund for post-secondary research.
Supporting Families and Communities:
Standing up for consumers by encouraging competition and lower prices in the telecommunications market and introducing legislation to prohibit unjustified cross-border price discrimination.
Eliminating the practice of pay-to-pay billing.
Increasing the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to help make adoption more affordable for Canadian families.
Expanding tax relief for health care by exempting acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services from the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax.
Strengthening food safety for Canadian families with major new investments of $390 million.
Investing more than $300 million to bring faster broadband internet to rural and Northern Canada.
Protecting Canadians from the impact of natural disasters with $200 million to establish a National Disaster Mitigation Program.
Creating a new Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit, to recognize the important role played by search and rescue volunteers who put themselves at risk while contributing to the safety and security of Canadians.
Expanding the Funeral and Burial Program so modern day veterans have access to a dignified funeral and burial.
Balancing the Budget:
Advancing the Government’s commitment to control direct program spending with proposals to ensure that overall public service employee compensation is reasonable and affordable.
Working with Crown corporations to implement 50:50 employee pension plan cost sharing, and to increase the retirement age for new hires.
Along with Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government issued its Jobs Report: The State of the Canadian Labour Market, which examines recent developments in the job market, the education and skills level of Canada’s workforce, and skills shortages. It also outlines actions the Government has taken to support Canadians in upgrading their skills and to create high-quality jobs.
