Thank you, Fred (Fred Wright, Chair of the Board of Directors, Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation and Event Emcee) and good morning everyone.
I am pleased to see so many familiar faces and friends here for today's good news announcement.
I would like to extend a hearty thank you to our host, Dale Wiebe (Weeb), the Northwest branch manager of Pinchin Environmental, and his staff, for their hospitality and warm welcome.
Before I get to the purpose of today's media conference and the reason why we're here, I would like to highlight the important work our Government is doing to secure a strong and prosperous future for Kenora and all of Canada.
Ladies and gentlemen, our government is working on many fronts to make a difference.
We are bringing to bear an unrelenting focus on our top priority: creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.
At the core of our plan is a commitment to keep taxes low for Canadians.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, we are doing exactly that.
Our Government is fulfilling its promise to balance the federal budget. We are now in a position to fulfill our promise to help Canadian families balance theirs.
We know that for a more affordable life, Canadians need a more affordable tax burden.
That is why we have cut taxes of all kinds – personal taxes, business taxes, the GST.
We believe in putting more money into the hands of those who care about children most — their parents.
Today, I am pleased to talk about the five latest measures that we are proposing to help Canadian families prosper:
First – we are increasing the Universal Child Care Benefit, or UCCB, for children under age 6. Parents will receive a benefit of $160 per month for each child under the age of 6—up from $100 per month— as of January 1, 2015. In a single year, a parent would receive up to $1,920 per child.
Second – we are expanding the UCCB to children aged 6 through 17. Under the expanded benefit, parents would receive $60 per month as of January 1, 2015, for children aged 6 through 17. In a single year, a parent would receive up to $720 per child.
Third – we are introducing the Family Tax Cut. This federal non-refundable tax credit will allow a spouse to, in effect, transfer up to $50,000 of taxable income to a spouse in a lower tax bracket.
The credit would provide tax relief—capped at $2,000—for couples with minor children, effective for the 2014 taxation year. Income splitting has been helping seniors across the country, which is why the Government is now providing similar relief to families.
Fourth – increasing the Child Care Expense Deduction dollar limits by $1,000, effective for the 2015 taxation year.
Last but certainly not least, earlier this month, the Prime Minister announced our Government's intention to double the Children's Fitness Tax Credit and make it refundable. The maximum amount of expenses that may be claimed under the credit will be doubled from its current limit to $1,000 for the 2014 tax year and subsequent tax years, and the credit will be made refundable effective for the 2015 and subsequent tax years.
Every Canadian family with children will benefit from this tax relief and benefit package. In fact, these measures will put, on average, $1,140 back into the pockets of families with children.
Indeed, Canadians at all income levels are benefiting from federal tax relief measures introduced since 2006, with low- and middle-income Canadians receiving proportionately greater relief.
I'm just touching on some of the highlights of our accomplishments. Our Government is also helping businesses and communities right here in Northern Ontario.
As the Member of Parliament for Kenora, I am proud of the progress we are achieving together and the role that the federal government continues to play in creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity right here in Kenora and across Northern Ontario.
Since 2006, the Harper Government has invested more than $13.9 million in support of approximately 38 initiatives in the City of Kenora and surrounding area through FedNor's Community Futures and Northern Ontario Development Programs.
Targeted investments include support for the Kenora harbourfront and downtown revitalization projects, a variety of tourism marketing initiatives and the city's strategic plan.
These are but a few examples of the kind of projects our Government has supported to strengthen our local economy.
To achieve these impressive results, FedNor works in partnership with community and business stakeholders throughout Northern Ontario. One such partner is Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation.
As one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations – or CFDCs – funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities, LOWBIC has helped countless entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses.
Over the years, many local companies – some just starting out and others ready to expand and grow their business – have taken advantage of the knowledge and expertise that LOWBIC has to offer.
I would like to recognize the great work that the staff at LOWBIC is doing, under the leadership of Chair Fred Wright and Executive Director Ryan Reynard to support the local entrepreneurial spirit.
Keep up the good work!
Today, I am pleased to announce an investment of more than $3.1 million, through FedNor, to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ontario further benefit from the talent and skills offered by recent post-secondary graduates to support business growth.
The Private Sector Youth Internship Initiative will enable eligible small and medium-sized businesses to hire youth interns for a one-year period.
Youth interns will assist with initiatives in the area of innovation, information technology or trade to help companies increase their productivity and competitiveness.
Over the coming months, Northern Ontario CFDCs will promote the initiative directly to local SMEs. Businesses can find out more and apply directly by contacting their CFDC.
The funding announced today will be administered by two lead CFDCs. LOWBIC will manage the program and work with the CFDCs in the Northwest – and the Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development Corporation, located in Kapuskasing, with do the same in the Northeast.
I'm pleased to say that the first intern hired under this initiative is working right here at Pinchin Environmental.
Statistics Canada's 2011 Survey on Financing and Growth of small and medium-sized enterprises revealed that more than one-third of the Northern Ontario respondents cited a shortage of labour as an obstacle to growth.
This very initiative will provide Northern Ontario businesses, such as Pinchin Environmental, with easier access to post-secondary graduates, helping address identified labour challenges.
Dale will speak to the benefits of the initiative from his company's perspective in just a few moments.
Today's announcement will strengthen the regional economy by not only helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals, but also creating meaningful employment opportunities for our youth.
That's a win-win in my books. Across the region, our efforts to grow the economy and support jobs are paying off for our families and communities.
In conclusion, let me say, once again, how glad I am to be with you today and to make this important announcement in support of the continued growth and prosperity of Kenora and Northern Ontario.
Thank you.
