December 7, 2009

Continuing to Deliver on Canada's Economic Action Plan

Ottawa, ON -  Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board and MP for Provencher stated today that projects from coast to coast to coast are up and running, jobs are being created and communities across the country are seeing the benefits of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Minister Toews' comments follow the release of the Government's Fourth Report to Canadians, which highlights the progress of the implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.       

"Our Government acted quickly to protect Canadians hardest hit by the global economic downturn," said Toews.

"Just 10 months into our two-year plan, we've already committed 97 per cent of our Plan, adding up to 12,000 projects across the country. 8,000 have already begun," said Toews.

Progress on other Economic Action Plan measures were also highlighted in today’s report, including:

- Tax cuts for families and businesses;

- Support for Canadian workers who have lost their jobs or face layoffs;

- Support for research and advanced education by funding maintenance, repair and construction projects at colleges and universities across Canada.

"In fact, 100 per cent of the $2 billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program fund has been committed to projects at college and university campuses throughout the country, including right here in Manitoba," said Toews who referenced The Science Complex and Richardson College for the Environment at the University of Winnipeg.  The project will create 750 jobs for the next two years with an additional 30-50 faculty and staff positions added to the University in the next five years. 

"The Canadian economy has begun to turn the corner.  The OECD recently projected that Canada will have the second strongest economic growth among G-7 countries in 2010, and the strongest G-7 growth in 2011.  Consumer and business confidence has rebounded in recent months," said Toews who concluded by adding that the recovery remains fragile and it is critical that we continue to implement our plan.