St. Thomas, ON– Conservative MP Joe Preston is applauding the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, saying it will have positive benefits for Ontario 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 MP
Preston.

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 MP Preston.
The next phase of our Conservative Government’s Plan keeps taxes low to
promote jobs and economic growth, while supporting Ontario families and
seniors. It includes:

Supporting Job Creation: a new Hiring Credit for Small Business
to support local job growth, supporting Ontario’s manufacturing
sector by extending tax relief for investments in new equipment and
machinery, 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 Ontario families to make their homes more energy
efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for needy
Ontario seniors; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit, a new
Children’s Arts Tax Credit; loan forgiveness to attract doctors and
nurses to rural Ontario; a new $3,000 volunteer firefighters’ tax
credit; and the waiving of license renewal fees for hunters and
firearm owners.

THE NEXT PHASE OF CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
Investing in the economy of tomorrow: increased support for
research and technology, improved federal student loans program
for Ontario 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 Ontario and other provinces through deep transfer
cuts to health care and education.

Indeed, under the Conservative Government in 2011-12, Ontario will see record
high major federal transfers totalling $17.4 billion – an increase of nearly $7
billion from the former Liberal government. What’s more, Ontario will see growing
transfer support for health care ($10.7 billion – a nearly 40% jump from the
Liberals) and social services (over $4.4 billion – a 40% jump over the Liberals).
The 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 Ontario
has record support to provide the health care, education and other important
services families depend on,” confirmed MP Preston.