Platform > Vision for Canada

As Whitby-Oshawa MP and federal Finance Minister I delivered Canada's sixth budget on March 22nd in the House of Commons. This economic plan represent's the next phase in the Harper government's Economic Action Plan. It is a plan with a series of sustainable actions that create the right conditions for long-term economic prosperity for all Canadians.

The opposition leaders, Liberal, NDP and Bloc, immediately came out and rejected our plan without giving it any serious consideration. We think this is irresponsible and reckless. As a result, we are taking our economic plan to Canadians from coast to coast to coast during this federal election. We believe students, workers, families and seniors will support our thoughtful and responsible plan that will allow the country recover fully from this global recession.

Fostering Canada's Business Advantage

Providing a one-time Hiring Credit for Small Business of up to $1,000 against a small firm's increase in its 2011 Employment Insurance (EI) premiums over those paid in 2010 to encourage hiring.
Providing assistance to Canada's manufacturing and processing sector by extending the temporary accelerated capital cost allowance rate for investment in machinery and equipment for two additional years.
Renewing the Best 14 Weeks and Working While on Claim EI pilot projects for one year.
Providing $20 million over two years to help the Canadian Youth Business Foundation to support young entrepreneurs.
Reducing red tape to lessen the compliance burden on small businesses through the Red Tape Reduction Commission and upgrading the BizPaL service.

Strengthening Canada's Public Infrastructure

Legislating a permanent annual investment of $2 billion in the Gas Tax Fund to provide predictable, long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities.
Investing $148 million over the next five years to maintain bridges, dams and other specialized federal assets managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada across Canada.
Providing up to $72 million over three years for repairs to storm-damaged small craft harbours.

Supporting Canadian Agriculture

Announcing a two-year, $50-million Agricultural Innovation Initiative to support knowledge creation and transfer and increased commercialization of agricultural innovations.
Providing $17 million over five years for a management and monitoring strategy to contain and prevent the spread of plum pox.
Providing $24 million over two years to extend the Initiative for the Control of Diseases in the Hog Industry.
Providing an additional $100 million over five years to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to improve food inspection capacity.

Supporting Canada's Seniors

Enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for those seniors who rely almost exclusively on their Old Age Security and the GIS and may therefore be at risk of experiencing financial difficulties. This measure will provide a new annual top-up benefit of up to $600 for single seniors and $840 for couples. This measure represents an investment of more than $300 million per year, and will improve the financial security of more than 680,000 seniors across Canada.

Supporting Our Families

Introducing a new Family Caregiver Tax Credit, a 15-per-cent non-refundable credit on an amount of $2,000 that will provide tax relief to caregivers of all types of infirm dependent relatives including, for the first time, spouses, common-law partners and minor children.
Removing the limit on the amount of eligible expenses that caregivers can claim under the Medical Expense Tax Credit in respect of financially dependent relatives.
Increasing flexibility to access Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) assets for beneficiaries with shortened life expectancies and following through on the commitment to review the RDSP in 2011.
Introducing a new 15-per-cent Children's Arts Tax Credit, provided on up to $500 of eligible expenses for programs associated with children's artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities.

Supporting Vibrant Communities

Introducing a Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit for volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 hours of service for their communities.
Attracting more health care workers to under-served rural and remote communities by forgiving a portion of the federal component of Canada Student Loans for new family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses who practise in these communities.
Improving the regulatory framework of the charitable sector to give confidence to Canadians who make donations.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup and the Calgary Stampede with $5 million toward each of the anniversary celebrations.

Public Safety, Security and Justice

Allocating $21 million over five years to upgrade baggage scanning equipment at Canadian airports.
Investing $20 million over two years in youth crime prevention programs.
Confirming the Government's commitment to Canada's no safe haven policy for persons involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide with funding of $8.4 million per year ongoing.
Providing $26 million over two years to support the Federal Victims' Ombudsman to promote access to justice and participation by victims in the justice system.
Contributing $1.6 million annually to the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Pilot Program to support security enhancements for communities victimized by hate-motivated crime.

Promoting Education and Training

Enhancing and expanding eligibility for Canada Student Loans and Grants for part-time and full-time post-secondary students with an investment of over $34 million a year once fully implemented.
Providing up to $10 million a year in tax relief and Registered Education Savings Plan assistance to the increasing number of Canadian post-secondary students who study abroad.
Providing $10 million over two years to develop and implement an international education strategy that will reinforce Canada as a country of choice to study and conduct world-class research.
Encouraging skills certification by making all occupational, trade and professional examination fees eligible for tax relief.