BURLINGTON, ON, March 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Budget 2017 is the next step in the Government's long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class. Canada is home to a well-educated and highly skilled workforce, but as the demands of the workplace change, so too must the education and skills that workers bring to their jobs. The changes in the economy—both here at home and around the world—present incredible opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
With its strong focus on innovation, skills, partnerships and fairness, Budget 2017 takes the next steps in securing a more prosperous future for all Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development addressed the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to highlight Budget 2017, the Government's ambitious agenda to support middle class Canadians at every stage of their lives, transform our neighbourhoods and communities, and give every Canadian a real and fair chance at success.
Minister Duclos spoke about how Budget 2017 will:
- Equip Canada's workers with the skills and tools they need to succeed in a changing economy. Budget 2017 places Canada's skilled, talented and creative people at the heart of a more innovative economy. It makes smart investments to help adult workers retrain or upgrade their skills to adapt to changes in the new economy, and to help young people get the skills and work experience they need to start their careers.
- Position Canada at the leading edge of a changing economy, by helping to ensure that Canadians are able to access the jobs of the future. Budget 2017 helps connect companies on a global scale, takes an innovative and collaborative approach to solving modern challenges and helps businesses get what they need to grow.
- Keep Canada on the path to building a fairer, more inclusive country that reflects the priorities of Canadians. The Government understands that change must result in the kind of growth that benefits all Canadians, at every stage of their lives—young Canadians, newcomers to Canada, working Canadians, seniors, Veterans and Indigenous people. The Government also takes an important step towards gender equality, with Canada's first ever Gender Statement, which will serve as a basis for ongoing, open and transparent discussions about the role gender plays in policy development.
- Advance Canada's efforts to build a clean growth economy, by investing in green infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, delivers clean air and safe drinking water and promotes renewable power. Budget 2017 also takes important steps to support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through investments in infrastructure and First Nations and Inuit health, actions to strengthen Indigenous communities, funding to support education and training, and measures to promote language and culture revitalization.
- Make the tax system fairer for the middle class. Budget 2017 will close tax loopholes, crack down on tax evasion, improve existing tax measures for individuals and families, and eliminate measures that are inefficient or no longer effective. Through Budget 2017, the Government will also be taking steps toward eliminating tax measures that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
- Build stronger communities by improving access to early learning, child care and affordable housing. Budget 2017 takes concrete action to improve the quality of life of all Canadians, with more cultural and recreational centres, as well as safe and accessible public spaces.
By taking action today—investing in the things that Canadians need to succeed now and well into the future—Budget 2017 will help deliver a growing economy that works for every Canadian.
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"Budget 2017 continues our plan to strengthen the middle class—the heart of Canada's economy. It makes smart and responsible investments that will provide Canadians with good, well-paying jobs and opportunities in the new, innovative economy."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Media may contact: Annie Donolo, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Finance, [email protected], 613-769-7187; Media RelationsDepartment of Finance Canada, [email protected], 613-369-4000; General Enquiries: Phone: 613-369-3710, Facsimile: 613-369-4065, TTY: 613-369-3230, E-mail: [email protected]
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