Minister Bergen addresses Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce to highlight Economic Action Plan 2015

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, delivered a keynote speech today to the Chamber of Commerce in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, following the tabling of Economic Action Plan 2015 on April 21, 2015. In her remarks, Minister Bergen spoke about how the Harper Government supports job creators and families.

Minister Bergen highlighted the following government action:

• Further reducing the small business tax rate to 9 percent by 2019. It is estimated that this will reduce taxes for small businesses and their owners by $2.7 billion over the 2015–2016 to 2019–2020 period.
• Lowering businesses' Employment Insurance (EI) premiums.
• Creating the Canada Apprentice Loan, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, the Tradesperson's Tools Deduction and the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit.
• Reducing red tape for businesses through the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan.
• Supporting hard-working families through the Family Tax Cuts and Benefits Plan, which includes enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
• Doubling the contribution limit of Tax-Free Savings Accounts to $10,000.
• Introducing tax relief measures since 2006, which, combined with these newest measures, would enable a typical family of four to receive up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.

Quote

"We've balanced the federal budget, and now we want to help businesses and families balance their budgets as well. We're focused on keeping taxes low, investing in job training and helping Canadian families prosper.  Canada needs serious leadership in serious times and we'll continue to deliver." 
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development

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Canada's Economic Action Plan

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Austin Jean, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of State for Social Development, 819-953-2350; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]