Budget 2010 is about jobs and growth. It is about phase two of Canada’s Economic Plan, an historic two-year response to the global economic recession initiative that was timely, targeted and temporary. It is about laying the groundwork for the return to balanced budgets once our economic stability is secured.

Budget 2010 is an extension of the prudent management and vision our government has consistently demonstrated. In 2006, our government first laid out a strategic, long-term economic plan called Advantage Canada to chart our country’s future.

It was a road map that acknowledged our transition economy was evolving to new jobs requiring new skills and ways of thinking. It mapped out and answered the questions: where do we need to go, and how will we get there.

We set out to strengthen our nation and show a modern, ambitious and dynamic Canada to the world - to create jobs, to help entrepreneurs start businesses, and to provide the wealth Canada needs to invest in health care and strong communities.

We identified 5 advantages for Canada and set out our road map to develop these into opportunities. These 5 pillars were:

Our Tax Advantage - to reduce taxes for all Canadians and establish the lowest tax rate on new business investment in the G7,

Our Fiscal Advantage - to continue reducing our debt so we may create a strong foundation on which to build sustainable prosperity,

Our Entrepreneurial Advantage - by reducing regulation and red tape to build a more competitive business environment,

Our Knowledge Advantage- by creating the best-educated, skilled and flexible workforce in the world,

Our Infrastructure Advantage - to create modern, world-class infrastructure ensuring the seamless flow of people, goods and services across our roads and bridges, through ports and gateways and on public transit.

We have continued to work at developing these advantages through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Our strategic investments have paid off with new jobs, partnerships and products and our local communities have been the beneficiaries.

We know that small and medium size businesses employ half of Canada’s workforce and are leading the way out of the recession. Budget 2010’s Commercialization Innovation Program for small and medium sized companies will support this sector by helping these companies develop and market new technology, thereby creating new markets and employment. This is just one of the many specific, strategic actions that our government is taking to help businesses today, create the jobs of the future. For more information on the budget please visit http://www.budget.gc.ca/2010/home-accueil-eng.html.

Lois