By: Bob Zimmer, Prince George – Peace River MP

As I’m sure you have heard, our Conservative government recently introduced Economic Action Plan 2012 – a positive plan to grow Canada’s economy for today and into the future.

Our economy has emerged from the global recession much better than other industrialized countries. With the help of our government’s low-tax agenda and Canada’s Economic Action Plan, since July 2009, Canada has created over 610,000 net new jobs.

In fact, independent international observers like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predict Canada will be at the head of the G-7 pack in economic growth for the years ahead.

However, the global economy remains fragile and we cannot become complacent. That is why our Economic Action Plan 2012 continues to position Canada, and Northeastern BC, for jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Since taking office in 2006, our Conservative government has been lowering taxes, helping hard-working families get ahead, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating an environment to help create long-term jobs.

Building on that record, the Economic Action Plan 2012 moves forward with a positive and ambitious agenda, including measures that will support businesses and families in our riding.

To ensure Canada remains competitive, Economic Action Plan 2012 will make major new investments in advanced research, science and technology, and more. These investments will encourage innovation and position Canada to succeed in the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

Our plan also lays a strong foundation for continued job creation and economic growth with more support for training, extending the Hiring Credit for Small Business, and providing new opportunities for Canadians to gain access to the labour market. It also keeps taxes low for small- and medium-sized business, and facilitates the responsible development of Canada’s energy and natural resource sectors by realizing the objective of “one project, one review” within a clearly defined time period.

Another key part of our Plan is ensuring Canada’s strong fiscal position remains secure. Seeing the situation in many European countries, Canadians know the importance of responsible spending by governments. That is why we are streamlining government operations, ending wasteful spending, and more to move Canada to balanced budgets over the medium term.

We will do this without raising taxes and without cutting transfers to the provinces for services families rely on, like health care and education.

Looking towards the future, our government is also ensuring the sustainability of our retirement income system. (Editor’s note: the federal budget has raised the Old Age Security eligibility age from 65 to 67.)

This includes making gradual adjustments to the Old Age Security system down the road, and moving government employee and Parliamentarian pension plans more in-line with the private sector.

Our Conservative Government sees Canada for what it is – a great country on top of the world. Economic Action Plan 2012 wants to keep it that way for today and for generations of Canadians to follow.

And as always, if you would like to get in touch with me, please feel free to contact my office in Fort St. John at 250-787-1194, Prince George at 250-561-7982, or Ottawa at 613-947-4524.