MP Brown says Federal Budget is a Win for Barrie and Canada

January 30, 2009

Ottawa- The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today tabled a comprehensive budget plan to stimulate economic growth, restore confidence and support Canadians and their families during a synchronized global recession. MP Brown says that this budget combines targeted tax relief with short term measured program funding that will mean jobs for our community.

The plan will stimulate the economy through:

Immediate Action to Build Infrastructure
Expanding and accelerating the recent historic federal investment in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding for roads, bridges, broadband internet access, electronic health records, laboratories and border crossings across the country. This will support economic growth and employment this year and next while also bolstering Canada’s long-run productive capacity.

Action to Reduce Taxes and Freeze EI Rates
Providing $20 billion in personal income tax relief that will benefit Canadians over 2008-09 and the next five fiscal years as well as continued low Employment Insurance rates.

Action to Stimulate Housing Construction
Providing $7.8 billion to build quality housing, stimulate construction and enhance energy efficiency. Measures include a renovation tax credit providing an estimated 4.6 million Canadian families up to $1,350 each, funding for energy retrofits, investments for social housing to support low-income Canadians, seniors, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal Canadians, and low-cost loans to municipalities.

Action to Improve Access to Financing and Strengthen Canada`s Financial System
Providing up to $200 billion through the Extraordinary Financing Framework to improve access to financing for consumers and allow businesses to obtain the financing they need to invest, grow and create new jobs.

Canada`s Economic Action Plan will protect Canadians hit hardest by the global recession with:

Action to Help Canadians
Providing $8.3 billion for the Canada Skills and Transition Strategy, which includes extra support for Canadians most affected by the economic downturn, including enhancements to Employment Insurance and more funding for skills and training.

Action to Support Businesses and Communities
Protecting jobs and supporting sectoral adjustments during this extraordinary crisis with $7.5 billion in extra support for sectors, regions and communities. This includes targeted support for the auto, forestry and manufacturing sectors, as well as funding for clean energy.

Fulfilling our Global Responsibilities
Canada`s Economic Action Plan fulfills Canada`s commitments at the recent G-20 Special Leaders Summit to provide timely stimulus to domestic demand, while also maintaining long-run fiscal sustainability.

"Canada's economy needed a boost and this budget delivers in spades. It provides 40 billion in stimulus, increases gross domestic product by 1.9 percent, and should produce a net increase of 190 000 jobs" -said MP Brown.

“I am particularly encouraged that my pet project of more ice rinks has been included in the federal budget” added Brown. “Artificial ice rinks have been a dream of mine for Barrie since I first put a motion forward at council in 2002. This budget will enable small towns and cities across Canada to build ice rinks within their communities."