Joe Preston, MP -- Elgin - Middlesex - London

March 05, 2010

Welcome to a special edition of the Preston Post~ Budget 2010 & Olympic Gold Medal Edition.

“These Games were Canada’s time to shine.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper~“Along with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, I am thrilled and extremely proud of the outstanding performance by our men’s hockey team and the gold medal win at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said the Prime Minister. “The passion and love for the game shown both by Team Canada and the fans has demonstrated once again that hockey truly is Canada’s game.”

Joe Preston, MP~ “Our local hero Joe Thornton demonstrated how ‘GOLDEN’ our community truly is. Hockey IS CANADA’S GAME!”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper~ “After going undefeated at these Olympic Winter Games, our gold medal-winning men's curling team has proven that they are indeed the very best,” said the Prime Minister.

Joe Preston, MP~ “We were proud of him as the final torch bearer at St. Thomas’ Torch Run Celebration, but somehow, we find ourselves even prouder of Olympic Men’s Curling Coach, Jim Waite.”

Joe was proud to attend the Paralympics Torch Run in Ottawa on Wednesday. Best wishes to all of our Canadian Paralympians. We are already proud of you.

Budget 2010
Canada has returned to economic growth following the deepest global economic recession since the 1930s. The global recovery, however, remains fragile.

Budget 2010 aims to contribute to this recovery and sustain Canada’s economic advantage now and for the future. The budget plan has three broad aims.

First, it confirms $19 billion in new federal stimulus under Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to create and maintain jobs, complemented by $6 billion from provinces, territories, municipalities and other partners.

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

Third, Budget 2010 charts a course to bring Canada’s finances back to balance over the medium term and well before any other Group of Seven (G7) country.

By making timely investments that fit firmly within the Government’s long-term economic vision for Canada and thanks to the resilience and ingenuity of Canadians, our country will emerge from the recession with a stronger economic advantage than before.

The Canadian brand will be based on competitive taxes, renewed infrastructure and skills, a strong head start in clean energy, a tariff advantage, less red tape, and a more prominent voice as a global financial sector leader.

Together, we will create a stronger Canada and a stronger economy, now and for the future.

What does that mean for Elgin-Middlesex-London?
Since Canada’s Economic Action Plan came into effect, we have seen a great number of projects created through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and Building Canada. Stimulus projects will continue until March, 2011.

FedDev Ontario was established in the fall of 2009 with 2 rounds of funding already announced and underway through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Southern Ontario Development Program. We will continue to see funding flow through this agency for local communities throughout Southern Ontario.

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and workers avoid temporary layoffs when there is a reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to workers eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work-week. Many employers have had the opportunity to make use of the Work Share Program. Our government has announced an additional 26 weeks allowing up to 78 weeks of assistance for businesses

There are many other things in the budget for manufacturers including complete removal of tariffs to create jobs and many more initiatives for skills learning.
For complete budget details, visit: www.fin.gc.ca