Regina – Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski is applauding the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, saying it will have positive benefits for Saskatchewan families, seniors and job-creating businesses.

“Canada is weathering the global recession in a stronger position than nearly all major economies, with nearly 540,000 new jobs created since July 2009. But the global economy is still fragile, we need to stay focused on the economy,” said Lukiwski.

The Opposition’s high-tax agenda would increase taxes on job-creating businesses to pay for billions and billions in reckless spending and bloated government programs in Ottawa. “As we try to fully recover from the global recession, massive new Opposition tax hikes would stall Canada’s recovery, kill jobs, and increase the cost of living for families and seniors,” said Lukiwski. The next phase of our Conservative Government’s Plan keeps taxes low to promote jobs and economic growth, while supporting Saskatchewan families and seniors. It includes:

Supporting Job Creation: a new Hiring Credit for Small Business to support local job growth, an expanded work sharing program, and major new investments to help the agriculture, forestry and mining sectors grow.

Strengthening our Families and Communities: up to $5,000 grants for Saskatchewan families to make their homes more energy efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for needy Saskatchewan seniors; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit, a new Children’s Arts Tax Credit; loan forgiveness to attract doctors and nurses to rural Saskatchewan; a new $3,000 volunteer firefighters’ tax credit; and the waiving of license renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners.

Investing in the economy of tomorrow: help for Saskatchewan farmers with a new $50 million Agricultural Innovation Initiative; increased support for research and technology; improved federal student loans program for Saskatchewan students; and more.

Preserving Canada’s Fiscal Advantage: keeping Canada on track for balanced budgets by eliminating ineffective spending; limiting spending growth; and closing unfair tax loopholes. The next phase of the Plan also reinforces the Conservative Government’s longstanding rejection of the former Liberal government’s legacy of balancing the federal budget on the backs of Saskatchewan and other provinces through deep transfer cuts to health care and education.

Indeed, under the Conservative Government in 2011-12, Saskatchewan will see record high major federal transfers totalling over $1.2 billion – an increase of $135 million from the former Liberal government. What’s more, Saskatchewan will see growing transfer support for health care ($866 million – a 25% jump from the Liberals) and social services ($353 million – a 17% jump over the Liberals). This increased support will help hospitals, schools, and other critical services in the province.

“While the former Liberal government radically and recklessly slashed transfers to our home province, our Conservative Government continues to ensure Saskatchewan has record support to provide the health care, educational and other important services families depend on,” confirmed Lukiwski.

http://www.budget.gc.ca/2011/home-accueil-eng.html