By Kyle Peterson, MP
Newmarket-Aurora
On March 20, 2019, the Finance Minister presented Budget 2019: Investing in the Middle Class to Grow Canada's Economy in the House of Commons. Since 2015, hard-working Canadians have proven what has long been understood: a strong economy starts with a strong middle class.
Nearly four years ago, Canadians chose a plan to invest in the middle class and offer real help to people working hard to join it. Investing in the middle class means investing in people—with more help for those who need it. It means building a better Canada—a stronger, more connected country—and it means better opportunities for people today, and the promise of a better future, even in a world of constant change.
The Government's investments are paying off. Canada's economy is strong and growing, more Canadians are working, and families have more money to save or spend each month. With Budget 2019, the Government is continuing to invest to grow the economy for the long term, in a fiscally responsible way—ensuring that Canada's federal debt-to-GDP ratio continues on a steady downward track.
In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada proposes to:
Make homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers by implementing a First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, a shared equity mortgage program that would reduce the mortgage payments required to own a home; and by providing greater access to their Registered Retirement Savings Plan savings to purchase a home.
Help workers gain new skills with the creation of the new Canada Training Benefit, a benefit that will give workers money to help pay for training, provide income support during training, and with the cooperation of the provinces and territories, offer job protection so that workers can take the time they need to keep their skills relevant and in-demand.
Prepare young Canadians for good jobs by helping make education more affordable through lowered interest rates on Canada Student Loans, making the six-month grace period interest-free after a student loan borrower leaves school, and creating up to 84,000 new student work placements per year by 2023-24.
Help Canadians with the cost of prescription drugs by taking steps towards a national pharmacare plan, starting with creating a new Canadian Drug Agency that could lower Canadians' drug costs by as much as $3 billion per year, developing a national formulary for prescription drugs, and a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.
Support low-income Canadian seniors who choose to stay in the workforce by enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement earnings exemption so that they can effectively keep more of their hard-earned income.
Support municipalities' local infrastructure priorities by proposing a one-time top-up of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund that will double the Government's commitment to municipalities in 2018-19, and make sure communities have the funds they need to pay for crucial repairs and other important local projects. As a result, the Town of Aurora will receive an additional $1,694,566.37 to invest in important infrastructure projects.
Give all Canadians access to high-speed internet so that all Canadian homes and businesses have access to 50 Mbps high-speed internet no matter where they live—including people and businesses in rural, remote and northern communities.
Lower Canadians' energy costs by partnering with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to increase energy efficiency in residential, commercial and multi-use buildings, and by introducing a new incentive for buying electric battery or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a manufacturer's suggested retail price under $45,000.
Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through new measures to help improve the quality of life for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada and advance self-determination with investments to improve water quality; preserve, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages; improve the quality of education and health care for Indigenous children in a culturally relevant way; and promote Indigenous entrepreneurship and business.
With the new investments in Budget 2019, combined with lower taxes, more money in their pockets each month and more good jobs, there is good reason for middle class Canadians to feel more confident about what the future holds for themselves and their families.
Over the past four years, the Government has focused
on strengthening and growing the middle class, and offering real help to people
working hard to join it, so that everyone has a real and fair chance at
success. Under the Government's plan, hard-working Canadians have created over
900,000 new jobs, most of them full-time, driving the unemployment rate to its
lowest levels in more than 40 years. This includes especially strong
employment gains by women. The Canada Child Benefit is helping families with
the high cost of raising children by putting more money in the pockets of nine
out of ten Canadian families, and helping to lift nearly 300,000 children out
of poverty. More than nine million Canadians are benefitting from the Government's
middle class tax cut, which gives them more money to save or spend on the
things they need. An enhanced Canada Pension Plan, which will raise the maximum
CPP retirement benefit by up to 50 per cent over time, is giving todays and
future Canadian workers greater income security when they retire. Historic
investments in infrastructure, including the National Housing Strategy which is
helping more Canadians find a safe and affordable place to call home.
Around Town
The 2019 annual Aurora Winter Blues Festival was another fantastic success. I was happy to attend the Blues Bash Kick Off event which featured the Bywater Blues Band, who provided energetic performances for the sold out crowd. It was a memorable night in our community.
I look forward to Aurora's Annual Community Clean Up Day, being held on Saturday April 13, 2019. Town staff, residents and volunteers will help clean up litter throughout our community. To register, please email: cleanup@aurora.ca. All registered participants will receive a clean-up kit at check-in on Saturday, April 13. Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Participants are invited to attend an appreciation barbecue from 12 noon to 2 pm at the Aurora Town Park.
Recently, both Newmarket and Aurora held community vigils to remember and honour the victims of the New Zealand Mosque terrorist attacks. I was appalled to hear of the attacks on the mosques in New Zealand. This was an act of Islamophobia that killed and injured many men, women and children. Fathers, mothers and children gone far too soon.
My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to their families. It was not that long ago that a similar attack happened in Quebec. We know too well the devastation that these attacks have on all victims and their families. My heart also goes out to all Muslims in Newmarket and Aurora. I have had the honour of visiting your mosque and meeting with you many times. We are fortunate to have you in our community. Please know that you are in my heart and my mind. These attacks on Muslims come from hatred. There can be no place for such hatred in our community or in Canada. I condemn these attacks, and we must all stand against violent terrorism. We must all strive for a community where all feel safe and secure. Please know that I will always stand with you.
As a reminder, you can reach out to my Constituency
Office and my staff at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact us should
you require information or assistance on any Federal matters. We are located at
16600 Bayview Avenue, Suite 202. You can reach us at Tel:
905-953-7515 or by email at kyle.peterson
@parl.gc.ca