Government of Canada Updates Plan for Middle Class Progress
New Investments In Infrastructure To Spur Economic Growth In The North
THUNDER BAY, ON – When the middle class does well, everyone does well. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to making smart and necessary investments that will revitalize the Canadian economy, spur long-term growth and strengthen the middle class.
As the pace of change accelerates, and the global economy transforms, Canada must turn its sights on the future and provide families with the confidence, the tools and the opportunities to succeed. Canadians have what it takes to succeed, and our government has both the capacity and the willingness to act to make the future better for our children and our grandchildren.
The Plan for Middle Class Progress is bold, and designed to provide jobs and opportunities for middle class Canadians well into the future. Moreover, it is built on a solid foundation of economic security and stability, and follows a path that is responsible and sustainable, against this backdrop of global economic change.
Thunder Bay – Superior North MP Patty Hadju
“Now, more than ever, it is important for Canada to create opportunities that better position our country in the global economy of tomorrow. To succeed, we need to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared by the middle class and by people across Northern Ontario. Now is the time to invest in people, in innovation and in infrastructure, so that we can build long-term growth for middle class families, their children and grandchildren, and put Canada on the road to long-term prosperity.” The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North
In today’s Fall Economic Statement, the government announced new measures to ensure middle class progress, including the investment of an additional $81-billion in public transit, green and social infrastructure, transportation infrastructure that supports trade, as well as in rural and northern communities. These new investments will build on the momentum of Budget 2016, and on investments over the past year and will bring Canadians good jobs, a cleaner environment and thriving communities for years to come.
Other measures outlined in the Fall Economic Statement include:
- Creating a Global Skills Strategy, supported by improvements to Canada’s immigration system, to help Canadian and international companies access the talent and skills they need to grow and succeed in Canada;
- Creating the Invest in Canada Hub, staffed with a dedicated high-impact sales force to promote Canada, and to work with global companies to increase investment that will benefit Canadians;
- Strengthening the independence of Statistics Canada and the Parliamentary Budget Officer to provide fair and unbiased evidence and analysis, and make government more open and transparent.
The government is committed to investing in inclusive and sustainable growth in a fiscally responsible manner that maintains Canada’s low debt advantage. As it looks ahead to Budget 2017, the government continues to focus on its plan to strengthen the middle class and improve growth, a plan that is about taking bold action so that Canada’s economy can prosper over the long term. This plan will continue to be informed by recommendations of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, which brings together 14 of the best minds with a truly global perspective.
