Ottawa, ON – Conservative MP Gerald Keddy is applauding the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, saying it will have positive benefits for Nova Scotia families, seniors and job-creating businesses.

“Canada has weathered the global recession in a stronger position than nearly all major economies, with 480,000 new jobs created since July 2009. But the global economy is still fragile, we need to stay focused on the economy,” said MP Keddy. “This isn’t the time for an unnecessary election; we need to stay the course to help create jobs and economic growth.”

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton are going to force an election. They argue now is the time to increase taxes on Canadians – starting with a $6 billion tax hike on employers, likely followed by a GST hike and a new ‘carbon tax’ on household energy bills.

“As we try to fully recover from the global recession, we cannot allow Liberal and NDP policies to stall Canada’s recovery, kill jobs, and increase the cost of living for families and seniors,” said MP Keddy.

The next phase of our Conservative Government’s Plan keeps taxes low to promote jobs and economic growth, while supporting Nova Scotia families and seniors. It includes:

Supporting Job Creation: a new Hiring Credit for Small Business to support local job growth, an expanded work sharing program, the renewal of the Working While on Claim and Best 14 Weeks EI pilot projects, millions to repair small craft harbours damaged by storms last year, major new investments to help the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors grow, and much more.

Strengthening our Families and Communities: a new $3,000 volunteer firefighters’ tax credit, up to $5,000 grants for Nova Scotia families to make their homes more energy efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for seniors on GIS; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit, a new Children’s Arts Tax Credit; loan forgiveness to attract doctors and nurses to rural Nova Scotia, and much more.

Investing in the economy of tomorrow: helping Nova Scotia students with an improved federal student loans program; improving commercialization of new technologies in the marketplace by supporting research links among colleges, universities and businesses; and more.


Preserving Canada’s Fiscal Advantage: eliminating government waste; limiting spending growth; and closing unfair tax loopholes to ensure Canada stays on track for balanced budgets.

“The next phase of our Plan also reinforces the Conservative Government’s longstanding rejection of the former Liberal government’s legacy of balancing the federal budget on the backs of Nova Scotia and other provinces through deep transfer cuts to health care and education,” said MP Keddy.

Indeed, under the Conservative Government in 2011-12, Nova Scotia will see major federal transfers totalling almost $2.6 billion – an increase of $303 million from the former Liberal government. What’s more, Nova Scotia will see growing transfer support for health care ($759 million – a 21% jump from the Liberals) and social services ($315 million – a nearly 20% jump over the Liberals). This increased support will help hospitals, schools, and other critical services in the province.

“While the former Liberal government radically and recklessly slashed transfers to our home province, our Conservative Government continues to ensure Nova Scotia has record support to provide the health care, educational and other important services families depend on,” confirmed MP Keddy. “Furthermore, this Budget could not come at a more important time since the provincial NDP government has just downloaded costs of over $100 million to the municipalities for public housing and jails. This irresponsible move will make the municipal budgeting process very difficult.”

For more information on the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.budget.gc.ca