Ottawa Ontario — Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, is pleased that the 2013 Economic Action Plan will focus on job creation, economic growth, and long – term prosperity, which will have a positive impact on the families and communities of SD & SG. The Plan, which will see Canada return to balanced budgets in 2015, keeps federal taxes at their lowest level in 50 years.

“While conducting pre-budget consultations throughout the communities of SD & SG, I received overwhelming feedback that my constituents want to see a plan focused on job creation and economic growth, while returning to balanced budgets,” said Lauzon, “I am happy to announce the budget is doing just that by connecting Canadians with available jobs, building on our unprecedented investments in infrastructure, and helping key job creators like manufacturers and businesses succeed.”

MP Lauzon outlined that Economic Action Plan 2013 includes key measures to strengthen Canada`s economy, including:

• Increased skills and training support, including the $15,000 Canada Job Grant, to help more Canadians find high-quality, well-paying jobs;

• Tax breaks for manufacturers who buy new machinery and equipment to stay competitive, and an extended  ‘hiring credit’ for small businesses who create jobs;

• A record $53 billion federal investment in infrastructure across Canada, including roads, bridges, subways, rail lines, and ports;

• Major investments in research and technology;

• New tax relief for Canadians who give to charity, adopt a child, or rely on homecare services;

• Elimination of ‘import tax’ tariffs on everyday items Canadian families buy, like baby clothing, sport gear, and exercise equipment;

• Implementing economic initiatives to reduce delays at the border, including upgrading border infrastructure, installing border wait- time technology at key ports of entry, reducing red tape, and implementing pilot projects to automate small and remote ports of entry, which will increase hours of operation.

• Providing Via Rail with $54.7 million to support operations, and investing an additional $58.2 million over five years to support  existing passenger services to ensure Via Rail can maintain their services to remote communities;

• Providing support to Canada’s farmers by increasing and indexing the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemptions to $800,000 from $750,000;

• Helping part- time farmers, by doubling the current deduction limit under restricted farm loss income tax rules from $8,750 to $17,500.

• Supporting and honouring veterans by enhancing the Funeral and Burial Program by simplifying it and more than doubling the current funeral services reimbursement rate from $3,600 to $7,376.

• And much more.

“Since the depth of the recession, we have created over 950,000 net new jobs due to our Economic Action Plan”, said Lauzon, “I am confident this budget will build on the strong economic foundation we laid, by creating jobs, growth and long- term prosperity for the families and communities of SD & SG”

However, while the economy continues to grow and create jobs, our recovery remains fragile due to threats abroad. This is why the Conservative Government will focus on implementing the next phase of our Economic Action Plan.