Prime Minister Stephen Harper consults with Quebecers on creating jobs and economic growth

February 25, 2011

VAL-D’OR, QUEBEC – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with business owners and workers in Val-d’Or to discuss ways to create jobs and promote economic growth as the Government plans the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Protecting and creating jobs and ensuring economic growth in all regions remains our Government's number one priority,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “We will continue delivering the stability needed for the economic well-being of hard-working families, small business owners and entrepreneurs by controlling spending, cutting the deficit, eliminating waste and keeping taxes low."

Launched in 2009, Canada’s Economic Action Plan has helped create more than 460,000 jobs since July 2009 and helped the country emerge from the global economic crisis faster and stronger than most major industrialized countries around the world.

In Quebec, various Economic Action Plan projects are currently underway or completed, including the extension of the Félix-Leclerc concert hall in Val-d’Or. Projects such as the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec expansion, the construction of an exhibition centre in Drummondville, and reforestation operations in Chibougamau, have helped mitigate the effects of the global economic downturn by helping Canadians in all regions of Quebec get back to work.

During the planning of the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his Cabinet and caucus have conducted over 200 consultations in small towns, communities and cities across the country to listen to and seek the views of Canadians.