Budget 2011 focuses on lower taxes, job creation and economic growth

OTTAWA – Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville is pleased with the measures contained in the budget released today.

“The Government of Canada has delivered a budget that makes strategic investments that will benefit our economy, while creating jobs and lowering our deficit,” said Breitkreuz.  “This budget reflects Canada’s position in the world as a country that has come out of the recession stronger than ever.”

“The next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan keeps taxes low to promote jobs and economic growth while supporting Saskatchewan families and seniors,” Breitkreuz continued.

Among the highlights:

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 in 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; and an improved federal student loans program for Saskatchewan students.

“This is a very good budget in light of our economic recovery remaining fragile.  Now is the time to implement our budget – not go to an election.  We must stay the course and create the necessary jobs and economic growth that Saskatchewan needs to prosper,” Breitkreuz concluded.

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