The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, commented on the positive benefits to Manitoba businesses, families, First Nations and travellers included in Economic Action Plan 2012, Jobs, Growth and Long Term Prosperity.
“Economic Action Plan 2012 presents sustainable, responsible and necessary reforms that will both enable and sustain Canada’s long-term economic growth,” said Minister Toews. “Our Government is focused on what matters to Canadians – jobs and economic growth.”
Economic Action Plan 2012, Jobs, Growth and Long Term Prosperity
The Government is focused on boosting economic growth and job creation—innovation, investment, education and skills. Economic Action Plan 2012 will support the following initiatives:
• Extending the Hiring Credit for Small Business of up to $1,000 for one year to encourage additional hiring for small businesses.
• Providing $150 million over two years for the new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund to improve the quality of facilities enjoyed by Canadians while supporting job creation in communities across the country. The Fund will be delivered on a cost-shared basis in partnership with municipalities, community organizations and not-for-profit entities.
• Providing $500 million to support venture capital activities.
• Streamlining the review process for major economic projects.
• Eliminating the penny, saving $11 million every year.
• Increasing the Traveller’s Exemptions on the value of goods Canadians can bring in duty-and tax-free from $50 to $200 after a 24 hour trip and from $400 to $800 after a 48 hour trip, beginning June 1, 2012.
• Making major investments of over $1 billion to support science and technology.
• Ensuring responsible resource development by moving to “one project, one review” within a clearly defined time period for major economic projects while continuing to protect the environment.
• Better focusing Employment Insurance on promoting job creation by removing disincentives to work and supporting unemployed Canadians by connecting them more quickly to jobs.
• Providing $275 million over three years to support First Nations education and build and renovate schools on reserve.
• Provide $330.8 million over two years to build and renovate water infrastructure on reserve and to support the development of a long-term strategy to improve water quality in First Nations communities.
• Building a fast and flexible economic immigration system to attract immigrants with the skills and experience our economy needs.
• Ensure vital social programs and services will be there for Canadians over the next generation by making gradual, responsible adjustments to Old Age Security; bringing pension plans for public sector employees and Parliamentarians in line with those Canadians working in the private sector; closing tax loopholes; and more.
Economic Action Plan 2012 also demonstrates the Conservative government’s strong support for Manitoba through record federal transfer support for hospitals, schools, and other critical services. Totaling nearly $3.4 billion in 2012-13, the transfer support represents an increase of $644 million (or 24%) from the former Liberal government.
“While the Liberals gutted transfers for health care and education when in power, our Conservative government is ensuring that Manitoba has record support to provide the health care, education and other important services families depend on,” noted Minister Toews.
