Perth-Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger says local residents will see the benefits of the 2009 federal budget, as well as the government’s Economic Action Plan.
“Our Economic Action Plan is a multi-year plan designed to stimulate the economy while protecting Canadians hit hardest by the global recession,” Schellenberger said on Jan. 27.
“I’m confident the measures announced today by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will benefit families and individuals in Perth-Wellington, upgrade our municipal infrastructure, and strengthen our local economy.
“I’d like to thank the many constituents and stakeholders who contacted me over the past two months and provided recommendations which I forwarded to the minister for consideration.”
Schellenberger said some of the measures that will benefit Perth-Wellington include:
– a $4-billion Infrastructure stimulus fund to get projects started and shovels in the ground as soon as possible;
– $3.7-billion to strengthen benefits for workers and enhance the availability of training, as well as freeze Employment Insurance rates;
– $1-billion for a Southern Ontario Regional Development Agency;
– tax credits for home renovations (15% of eligible costs over $1,000 – to a maximum of $1,350) and for first time home buyers ;
– $500-million for an Agricultural Flexibility Plan, $50-million for slaughterhouse capacity;
– $400-million for social housing for low-income seniors and $75-million for housing for persons with disabilities;
– $100-million to support major cultural and tourism festivals; and
– $60-million to support investments in cultural spaces, such as libraries and theatres.
“I look forward to working with constituents and local stakeholders as these measures are implemented, and I know our combined efforts will keep Perth-Wellington on the path to economic success,” said Schellenberger.
Development agency
The MP welcomed the announcement of a new Regional Development Agency for southern Ontario as a personal success, as he had been calling for such an agency since he was first elected in 2003.
The new development agency will be similar to other regional development agencies across the country and will help workers, communities and businesses in the region.
“The new regional development agency will benefit southern Ontario and will provide much needed economic development funding for projects in rural communities and small urban centres in Perth-Wellington,” Schellenberger said.
“My colleagues and I from Southern Ontario had been pushing hard for this funding along with strong support from the Western Wardens Association, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), and the Southwest Economic Assembly (SWEA).”
Schellenberger called this $1 billion investment a “strong shot in the arm” for the Southern Ontario economy which has been hit hard by the global recession.
“The people of southern Ontario are innovative and hard-working. This investment from the federal government is really going to help us weather this economic storm and come out the other end stronger,” said Schellenberger.
“As much as this is about an economic boost for our region, it is also about fairness.
“For years, virtually every other region of our country has had a regional development agency.
“If there is anyone who deserves this kind of support from the federal government, it is the hard-working people of southern Ontario.”
Detailed information regarding the federal budget, the government’s Economic Action Plan or the new development agency can be found at www.fin.gc.ca.
