Economic Action Plan 2013
My colleague and Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty presented our government’s 2013 Budget in the House of Commons last week. Economic Action Plan 2013 builds on our government's commitment to keeping taxes low for families, seniors and businesses. Since 2006, we have reduced taxes over 150 times, saving an average family of four $3,220 in federal taxes each year. This should serve as encouragement to the Government of Ontario they should be doing likewise.

Many of you consistently remind me how important it is for the government to live within its means and return to balanced budgets. I am pleased to report that our government remains on target to balance the budget by 2015 through a balanced approach of spending restraint and economic growth.

A few budget highlights:

For families -We've reduced tariffs on a number of imported products. This will result in significant family savings when they purchase things like hockey equipment and baby clothes.

For seniors -Seniors have benefitted enormously from our low-tax plan. The average senior pays $2,260 less in taxes each year due to our tax reductions. Single seniors can earn almost $20,000 a year and senior couples can earn almost $40,000 a year without paying any federal income taxes.

For small businesses -A small Canadian private business with a taxable income of more than $500,000 now pays 34% less federal tax than in 2006. That savings has and will continue to be re-invested to fuel growth and job creation across Lambton-Kent -Middlesex. In fact a number of new small businesses have opened recently in a number of our communities and more are expected. We’re taking further action to reduce taxes for small businesses by extending and expanding the Hiring Credit.

For veterans -We’ve enhanced the Funeral and Burial Program by simplifying it and more than doubling the current funeral services re-imbursement rate from $3,600 to $7,376.

For municipalities -Economic Action Plan 2013 also builds on our investments and announces a new Building Canada plan – the largest investment, ($70 billion) in job-creating infrastructure in Canadian history to build bridges, roads, water and sewer lines, arenas and community centres.

For workers -We’re offering new support to Canada’s labour force and have created a job training grant called the Canada Job Grant to make sure Canadians have the skills and training they need to get the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Many more 2013 budget details can be found on my website www.bevshipley.ca

Where Your Tax Dollar Goes

Each year, we release information on the Finance website entitled Where Your Tax Dollar Goes. It’s designed to give Canadians a general breakdown of where their federal tax dollars are spent, as well as how they’re collected. The 2011-12 version can be found at www.fin.gc.ca/taxdollar/index-eng.asp

Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards

Nominations are being accepted until April 15th, 2013 for the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards. The Awards celebrate exceptional Canadians who make a difference: individuals, groups, businesses or not-for-profit organizations. Visit www.pm.gc.ca/awards, www.facebook.com/PrixduPMAwards, or call 1-877-825-0434 for more information about the PMVA.

More New Local Businesses

New businesses are opening up all across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. Today I’m pleased to highlight three new businesses which have opened in Wallaceburg in the past few weeks; Syd Rivers, Hometown Deli and RobLor’s Country Taste Family Restaurant. If you’ve just opened a new business, help us share the good news. Contact our Strathroy office at 519-245-6561.

Until next time.

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
Connect with me on:


Until next time.

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
Connect with me on: