The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today welcomed the adoption of the Economic Action Plan 2013 motion in the House of Commons.
“I am pleased that our Government’s Economic Action Plan 2013 has been adopted by Parliament just one week after it was presented in the House of Commons,” said Minister Flaherty. “This plan is pivotal to balancing the budget by 2015 and puts our finances on a sustainable long-term path that promotes jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.”
The initiatives contained in last week’s budget implement important measures for Canadians, businesses and the economy. They include a bold and innovative skills training program, the largest and longest infrastructure plan in Canadian history and significant new investments to support manufacturing and innovation in Canada.
Key measures in Economic Action Plan 2013 include:
- The Canada Job Grant, which provides $15,000 or more per person, including a maximum federal contribution of $5,000, to ensure Canadians can get the training they need.
- A 10-year, $53 billion infrastructure program to build roads, bridges, public transit and other critical infrastructure to promote growth and jobs.
- A $225 million extension and expansion of the temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business.
- Initiatives to improve the integrity of the tax system and to close tax loopholes.
“In uncertain global economic times, the most important contribution a government can make to bolster confidence and growth in a country is to maintain a sound fiscal position, and that’s why balancing the budget by 2015 is so important,” said Minister Flaherty. “In Economic Action Plan 2013, our Government remains focused on what matters to Canadians – jobs and economic growth, and ensuring that Canada’s economic advantage today will translate into long-term prosperity tomorrow.”
