MILTON - New figures released by the Government of Canada prove that the Economic Action Plan is achieving impressive results to stimulate Canada's housing sector. Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament (Burlington), on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today highlighted that more Canadians are investing in home renovations, thereby directly creating jobs and improving the economy.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our Government is delivering results for our economy today and benefits for homeowners and our environment for years to come," said Mr. Wallace.
Since the beginning of April, an average of more than 21,000 homeowners a month have had pre-retrofit energy evaluations completed - an increase of more than 75 percent compared to April 2008 - securing jobs for thousands of Canadians.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our Government is delivering results for our economy today and benefits for homeowners and our environment for years to come," said Minister Raitt. "Canadians across the country are accessing these programs that were introduced in our Economic Action Plan and are creating jobs in communities when they are needed most."
The Conservative Government also implemented the Home Renovation Tax Credit as part of the Economic Action Plan. This non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350 applies to a wide range of work performed or goods purchased for home improvements, from kitchen renovations to landscaping.
"The increase of the RRSP withdrawal limit under the Home Buyers' Plan, the new $750 First Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit and the new temporary $1,350 Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) will help Canadian homeowners to reduce the cost of investing in their homes," stated the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food). "The proposals announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan will not just help first-time home buyers in the purchase of their first home; they will also help stimulate the housing sector through increased demand for labour, building materials and other goods."
For more information on all of these programs please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt says new figures released today by the Government of Canada prove that the Economic Action Plan is achieving impressive results to stimulate Canada's housing sector. Since the beginning of April, an average of more than 21,000 homeowners a month have had pre-retrofit energy evaluations completed - an increase of more than 75 percent compared to April 2008.
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
Natalie Boileau
Director of Communications (Acting)
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960
Noël Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue
For questions on ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes, the general public may contact:
Mon–Fri, 8:30–4:30 EDT
Telephone: 1-800-OCANADA
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
Web site: ecoaction.gc.ca/homes
For questions on the Home Renovation Tax Credit, the First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit and the increase to the RRSP withdrawal limits under the Home Buyers' Plan, visit the Canada Revenue Agency's Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca or call
Mon–Fri, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time)
Telephone 1-800-959-8281 (for French 1-800-959-7383)
TTY: 1-800-665-0354
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
