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Economic certainty for all of Canada's regions
October 04, 2008
Investing in Canadian jobs is part of Conservative plan to protect our economy Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced further steps to help ensure the long-term success of Canada’s regional economies for the benefit of communities facing economic challenges. “We are proud to invest in the development of the economy and future Canadian jobs. This is part of our plan to manage the economy,” said the Prime Minister. “We recognize that the regions of Canada are unique. So we have made investments accordingly.” Elements of the plan:
These steps complement the Prime Minister’s September 20 announcement that a re-elected Conservative Government will establish a new development agency for Northern Canada. The Prime Minister also highlighted the Conservative Government’s record of commitment to regional development since taking office, including support for: companies in the manufacturing sector in Quebec, innovative research and development projects in Atlantic Canada and communities in British Columbia affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation. “Lower taxes, debt reduction, affordable spending, focused investments – that’s our plan, a plan that is working,” said the Prime Minister. “And that is the choice. Real action to strengthen and protect the Canadian economy; or an opposition with no plan except deficits, higher taxes, higher prices, shifting priorities and enormous risk. We believe Canadians should choose stability and a clear direction for our economy on October 14.”
Backgrounder ECONOMIC CERTAINTY FOR ALL OF CANADA’S REGIONS The Issue Canada is a diverse country, and each region has different economic strengths. To reach our full potential and to increase prosperity for all Canadians, the federal government should help each region to make the most of its unique advantages. To that end, two decades ago the federal government established regional development agencies: the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA),[1][1] the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec[1][2] (known as DEC, short for “Développement économique Canada”), the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and the Department of Western Economic Diversification[1][3] (WD). These agencies direct funds to local communities, working with provincial and municipal governments, to help businesses grow and create jobs. In the past two and a half years, our Conservative Government has utilized these agencies to help regions to meet their specific economic challenges and to develop new industries. The following are some examples. Western Economic Diversification
Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Despite the importance of these regional development agencies in ensuring that all parts of Canada remain economically competitive, the Liberals instituted cuts to these programs in 2004 and 2005: WD lost nearly $15 million per year; DEC lost $16 million; and ACOA lost $30 million.[1][13] The Plan As announced on September 20, a re-elected Conservative Government will establish a new regional development agency for Northern Canada, consolidating existing northern development activities. We will provide $10 million per year in new funding for the new Northern Canada development agency. In addition:
[1][1] Government Organization Act, Atlantic Canada, 1987, R.S.C. 1985, c. G-5.7. [1][2] Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act, S.C. 2005, c. 26. [1][3] Western Economic Diversification Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 11 (4th Supp.) [1][4] www.wd.gc.ca/9622_ENG_ASP.asp [1][5] http://www.wd.gc.ca/77_4728_ENG_ASP.asp [1][6] http://www.wd.gc.ca/77_3288_ENG_ASP.asp [1][7] http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/SalleNouvelles/communiques.asp?LANG=EN&TYPE;_COMM=COMM&PAGE;=3&PRESS;_RELEASE_ID=5090&SEARCH;_REGION=0&HD;_SEARCH_MONTH=0&HD;_SEARCH_YEAR=2007&ACTION;_LISTE=SEARCH [1][8] http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/SalleNouvelles/communiques.asp?LANG=EN&TYPE;_COMM=COMM&PAGE;=4&PRESS;_RELEASE_ID=5083&SEARCH;_REGION=0&HD;_SEARCH_MONTH=0&HD;_SEARCH_YEAR=2007&ACTION;_LISTE=SEARCH [1][9] www.stmarys.ca/newsreleases/2008/04-18-2008.html [1][10] www.acoa.ca/e/media/press/press.shtml?4033 [1][11] http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h180e.htm [1][12] http://www.acoa.ca/e/media/press/press.shtml?4131 [1][13] www.expenditurereview-examendesdepenses.gc.ca/tab/ds-em-eng.asp; www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/media/nr-cp/2004/1104-eng.asp |