A recent announcement brought good news for small businesses. The federal government is putting a three-year freeze on the employment insurance rates paid by employers and employees. This means that businesses and their employees in Yorkton-Melville will be keeping more money in their pockets.

Our government has a clear understanding that the small business sector is a cornerstone of a country’s economy. Over the years, we have introduced numerous measures to help small businesses, including a hiring credit for those growing small businesses that expand their workforce.

Small businesses have played a key role in Canada’s recovery from the recent global economic downturn. With the help of small businesses, Canada has created over one million new jobs since the end of the global recession – the best record among all the G-7 countries.

But as we all know, the global economic recovery remains challenging. This is especially true for Canada’s key trading partners – the United States and Europe. With our big export consumers still on shaky ground, that is going to have an impact on Canada’s economy – and that’s why our government insists on staying focused on the economy.

This three-year freeze on EI rates is one way we are doing just that. The measure means that rates for employees and employers will stay at or below the 2013 level ($1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings) until 2016. This will leave $660 million in the pockets of job creators and workers in 2014 alone, compared to what they would have otherwise had to pay under the projected formula. This means more money stays right here in Yorkton-Melville, helping to support our local economy – for small businesses create the jobs that support families in our communities.

In contrast to Opposition talks of tax hikes as a way of boosting our economy, I am pleased to be part of a government that promotes a positive plan for Canada’s economy.

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The audio version of Garry's September 30, 2013 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here