Minister Morneau takes Canada's Plan for a Strong Middle Class to Pickering  

July 20, 2017 – Pickering, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada is making smart investments that lead to shared growth and create opportunities and jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau met with business leaders and community members in Pickering, which was named as a one of the world's Smart21 Communities of 2017 for its commitment to creating a more connected, engaged, inclusive, and sustainable city through its application of broadband, information and communications technology.

This award program, hosted by the Intelligent Community Forum, recognizes the world's leading municipalities that are successfully leveraging the power of technology to develop inclusive and prosperous communities.

Following a tour of the Pickering Public Library, Minister Morneau highlighted the one-year anniversary of the Canada Child Benefit, which has been providing nine out of ten families with children more in child benefits since it came into effect in July, 2016. Compared to the child benefit system it replaces, the CCB is simpler, more generous, tax-free, and better-targeted to those who need it most.

The Minister also spoke about new action to improve the fairness of Canada's tax system, closing tax loopholes and amending existing rules so that people in similar circumstances pay similar amounts of tax.  This work includes the launch of a public consultation paper on Tuesday in Ottawa, relating to tax planning strategies involving the use of private corporations—strategies that can result in high-income individuals gaining tax advantages that are not available to other Canadians.

Later today, the Minister will tour the Joyfully Organic Farm, highlighting the Government's work to position Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector as a leader in the global economy—one that can take full advantage of innovative new approaches, helping create new jobs and contributing to economic growth.

The Government's ambitious plan will build a stronger middle class through investments in people (a middle class tax cut, the Canada Child Benefit, education, and skills training), in our communities (housing, roads, bridges and green infrastructure) and in our economy (innovation, smart cities and digital). The Government is working to create middle class jobs and more opportunities to succeed in the economy of tomorrow.