We are back in Parliament and I am working hard on your behalf. It is important to me that I know what my constituents feel are the important issues, whether or not their opinions and mine are in agreement. If we are not in agreement on the solution to an issue, I hope that you would do me the favour of explaining your position and allowing me to share mine.

Thank you to those of you have taken the time to let me know what you believe our Government’s priorities should be in 2011. For those of you who haven’t yet sent me your opinions, I really hope you will take the opportunity to do so. You are welcome to fill out the mailout or write me a letter or email me at jeanb@parl.gc.ca, whatever is easiest for you.


News from Ottawa

CANADA'S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN:
A SEVENTH REPORT TO CANADIANS
JANUARY 31, 2011


Below are the highlights from the seventh report to Canadians.  For more information, including a copy of the report, see http://www.fin.gc.ca/n11/11-010-eng.asp

Highlights

• The first phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, a $60-billion fiscal stimulus package, is steering the economy on a recovery from the deepest global recession since the 1930s and is positioning Canada to succeed in a highly competitive global economy.
• Canada’s labour market is performing better than its Group of Seven (G-7) peers, with Canada posting the strongest employment growth among G-7 countries since June 2009. In addition, Canada has now more than fully recouped all of the loss in output experienced during the recession.
• This strong economic performance reflects the timely and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
• On average, the Economic Action Plan is estimated to have boosted Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 1.3 percentage points per quarter since the second quarter of 2009.
• In its first year of implementation, the Economic Action Plan delivered close to $32 billion in timely stimulus to the economy. The Action Plan is on track to deliver $28 billion in further stimulus in its second year.
• More than 26,000 projects have been completed or are underway under the Economic Action Plan. These projects are putting Canadians across the country to work, contributing to the strong labour market recovery.
• The Government has demonstrated flexibility in responding to the needs of Canadians:
• The Government acted to strengthen Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and limit the increase in EI premiums to 5 cents per $100 of insurable earnings for 2011 and 10 cents for subsequent years. This will help businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to continue to create jobs in the recovery.
• The Government has extended the deadline for infrastructure projects under four Economic Action Plan funds, from March 31, 2011 to October 31, 2011. This extension should allow sufficient time for the completion of remaining infrastructure projects, and will also extend construction activity and the associated economic benefits into the next fiscal year.
• Because of the Economic Action Plan’s emphasis on temporary measures, Canada is well-placed to retain its fiscal advantage and is on track to return to balanced budgets over the medium term.
• Although the global economic recovery remains fragile, Canada’s domestic economy is performing well and private sector demand is poised to take over as the primary engine of growth creation while the Government continues to promote long-term prosperity.
• The Economic Action Plan will continue to benefit Canadians in the long run by ensuring that the economy recovers from the recession with a more modern public infrastructure, a renewed science and research base, a highly skilled workforce, lower taxes and a more competitive economy.