Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth

March 04, 2010

Ottawa, ON – The Conservative Government has launched an ambitious new federal budget focused on job creation and growth to support Canada`s economic recovery.  The budget also included a disciplined long-term plan to return to balanced budgets.

“Our Government presented a jobs and growth budget,” said MP Tom Lukiwski.  “We are completing Year Two of our Economic Action Plan to create and protect jobs now.  We are also taking new, targeted measures to fuel new jobs in the future.  Our forward-looking action will secure Canada’s economic growth for today and tomorrow.”

The budget highlights three key objectives.

First, it contains $19 billion in new federal stimulus under Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to create and protect jobs.  For example, the Action Plan invests in the Morin Creek Tributary Bridge project in Meadow Lake, a bridge replacement in the Rural Municipality of Poplar Valley, and the rehabilitation of Dorothy Street in Regina.

Second, Budget 2010 invests in a limited number of new, targeted initiatives to build jobs and growth for the economy of tomorrow, harness Canadian innovation, and make Canada a destination of choice for new business investment.

Third, it outlined a three-point plan for returning to budget balance one the economy has recovered.  This includes ending the temporary stimulus measures as promised, restraining growth in spending through targeted measures, and additional restraint through an in-depth review of government`s administrative functions and overhead costs.

Unlike other political parties in Ottawa, the Government has been clear that it will not raise taxes or reduce transfers to provinces like Saskatchewan, and seniors in the years ahead.

In fact, Budget 2010 confirmed our Conservative Government`s strong support for provinces.

Saskatchewan will continue to receive increased federal support through Budget 2010.  Total transfers will hit almost $1.6 billion in 2010-11, an increase of $390 million from under the old Liberal Government.

While the Liberals starved provinces and municipalities of much-needed support, our Conservative Government increased key transfers such as: $829 million in health transfers; and $350 million in social transfers, an increase of $49 million (16.2 per cent) from 2005-06.

This long-term support helps ensure Saskatchewan has the resources needed to provide essential public services including health care, post-secondary education and other social services.

For more information on how Canada`s economic action plan benefits Canadians, please visit www.budget.gc.ca.