Our MP says the Conservative Government has completed a successful fall session in Parliament. Tony Clement says the government’s top priority continues to be jobs and economic growth, which he says is certainly true for Parry Sound-Muskoka. Clement boasts about several funding announcements made across the district to promote economic growth.
Clement says another focus for the government this session was to help local families save money by offering things like the Children’s Fitness Tax credit and increasing the child care benefit. The government also announced a form of income splitting for tax purposes, which the Liberals and NDPs say it will benefit few Canadians. Some reports say the income splitting is worth two billion dollars annually and will only help about 15 per cent of Canadian families.
Other announcements include improvements to national parks, Canadian Armed Forces facilities, airports and borders and building and repairing schools on reserves. Clement says investing in federal infrastructure will help create jobs. As president of the Treasury Board, Clement says controlling the spending has been a large part of his role. He says Canada is on the right track to balancing the budget in 2015 despite the plunging oil prices. Clement says once that happens, the government will deliver even more tax relief for Canadian families.
Funding Announcement Details:
To support local job creators:
- $320,000 will support youth employment, innovation and strategic planning, while strengthening the region’s tourism industry in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
- A repayable contribution of $766,000 will enable Lofthouse Manufacturing to upgrade its facility in Burk’s Falls, as well as purchase state-of-the-art equipment to manage operating costs and reduce waste, improve efficiencies and increase production.
- A FedNor investment of $727,875 will be used to construct an 8,500-square-foot public building to support business growth in the Village of South River.The funding will also enable the community to extend municipal services to the development site, which will be located along Highway 124 in the downtown commercial district.
- The Harper Government investment of $600,000 will enable Muskoka Rock Company in Gravenhurst to upgrade and modify its facility, as well as install state-of-the-art equipment to create an automated production line and inventory system.
Family-related Announcements:
- The Conservative Government is doubling the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit amount to $1,000 and making the credit refundable. The Family Tax Cut will provide tax relief – capped at $2,000 – for couples with children under the age of 18, effective for the 2014 tax year.
- The government is increasing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) for children under age six. As of January 1, 2015, parents will receive a benefit of $160 per month for each child under the age of six – up from $100 per month. In a year, parents will receive up to $1,920 per child.
nfrastructure Announcements:
- $5.8 billion for improvements in national parks, Canadian Armed Forces facilities, airports and borders, as well as for building and repairing schools on reserves.