Today the Conservative government delivered the 2009 Federal Budget - Canada’s Economic Action Plan - a bold multi-year approach to stimulate the economy and protect the country during the current global recession. The plan will provide almost $30 billion in support, the equivalent of 1.9% of GDP, to the Canadian economy this year.
 
“I’m excited; we are getting ready to pump billions of dollars into the Canadian economy in a way that will create jobs, stimulate spending and make a difference right here in the Kenora riding,” said Rickford, “Our government recognizes that unique challenges across the country have resulted from the recession. This is why we are providing short-term support for key sectors across the country. The budget includes Infrastructure Spending, Support for Workers, Forestry initiatives and Actions for Aboriginals, which will specifically benefit our riding.”
 
Not only doubling infrastructure spending but fast tracking shovel ready projects will provide a major shot in the arm to the Canadian economy. This is more than simply putting a shovel in someone’s hand and saying “dig there.” It’s the first link in a long chain of job creation, stimulus, spending and reinvigorating the economy. Nationwide we will see $4 billion in Infrastructure Stimulus. $130 million will be allocated for improving travel across Canada with improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway and specifically the twinning of the highway in Northern Ontario along Highways 11 & 17, as well as sewage and water treatment projects.
 
This economic plan also increases the support under Employment Insurance for Canadians who have lost their jobs, as well as provides skills training to help people get back into the workforce. $1.5 billion in funding will be used to increase the availability of training for both EI eligible and non EI eligible Canadians; there will also be additional supports for apprentices in the skilled trades programs.
 
“The Forestry sector will be please to know their comments were taken seriously and suggested changes to the Employment Insurance entitlements and related programs have been made. Work-sharing agreements have been extended by 14 weeks, to a maximum of 52 weeks, and for the next two years all regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefit entitlements are extended by five extra weeks to a maximum of 50 weeks of benefits,” said Rickford. “These were items specifically brought forward in the Forestry Roundtables we held in Kenora and Dryden last week.”
 
The Two Feather Forest Products Project will receive funding through the Community Adjustment Fund which supports activities that foster economic development. This project will financially impact the communities of Red Lake, Eagle Lake First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
Additional initiatives for the Forestry Sector will include new funding of $50M to help promote this sector in international markets. As well there will be a substantial new investment – more than one hundred million dollars - that will focus on the development of emerging technologies related to forest biomass utilization, next generation forest products and the development of pilot-scale demonstration projects of new products to be used in commercial applications. This investment will contribute to the health of Canada’s forestry industry now and in the future.
 
“I’m very pleased with what is in this budget for our First Nation Communities. They will be receiving, funding for infrastructure, education and training, child and family services and housing,” said an elated Rickford. Aboriginal actions included will help to fund schools, water and other critical community services. Financial assistance in the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) and Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund will help students get the specific training they need to benefit from employment opportunities that are available. Over the next two years partnerships will be extended with provinces to further improve child and family services on reserves and finally there will be funding for new housing projects and remediation of existing housing on First Nation reserves.
 
 “An unprecedented amount of input has gone into this budget with Ministers and MPs alike travelling the country to meet with constituents to hear firsthand their concerns and thoughts. I am delighted that we made that effort and I really believe this budget reflects that process,” stated Rickford.
 
“The government’s initiatives are an exciting step forward to the future. I am confident that our economic action plan will provide benefits for constituents in Northwestern Ontario and all Canadians during this challenging economic period. We will emerge from this global recession with better infrastructure, a more skilled labour force, lower taxes and a more competitive economy,” concluded Rickford.