Federal Budget delivers second year of action plan
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
The federal budget was released March 4 and the government has implemented the second year of the Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The government has stated they will continue to protect and create jobs and provide a three-point plan to reduce the federal budgetary deficit.
“This budget will solidify Canada’s recovery from the global economic crisis, keep the focus on jobs and help create a Canada where business can grow, innovate and prosper,” said Kevin Sorenson, MP for Crowfoot in a news release.
Sorenson said the federal budget will help local businesses. For example, he said the government will continue to work with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and is helping provide cattle processing facilities in Alberta with $75 million to support investments and help improve their operations.
Also, the government will help support the operation of the Canadian Grain Commission over the next two years with $51.7 million in funding.
The budget also confirmed $19 billion in new federal stimulus that flows from last year’s decision to not introduce new spending and it will keep Canada’s economy ‘on track’ said Sorenson.
The government also stated they will cut the deficit nearly in half in two year and by two-thirds in three years.
“We will not cut spending on health care, education or support for seniors,” said Sorenson. “Rather, we will be finishing the stimulus spending and commence restraining government spending through targeted measures and launching a comprehensive review of government spending on administration and overhead.”
Sorenson said the budget will help continue Canada’s economic recovery and prepares the country for the future. He said he was confident the opposition will pass the budget.
The Throne Speech, delivered March 3, also spoke of the Canadian government’s commitment to modernizing the Canadian Grain Act, providing the freedom of choice for Western Barley producers and ending the gun registry.