Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl Discusses Economic Priorities and Jobs and Skills Training with Members of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce

VICTORIA, April 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Mark Strahl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today met with members of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. The Parliamentary Secretary delivered the following statement after the meeting:

"I was pleased to discuss our Government's achievements and continued commitment to Canada's economic priorities with members of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, our Government has put in place measures that support the prosperity and well-being of Canadians, and that promote business investments, economic growth and job creation across the country.

Through major infrastructure projects such as the New Building Canada Fund and Economic Action Plan, the government has contributed billions of dollars to supporting projects in communities across the country that have helped create tens of thousands of new jobs.

Our Government has announced tax cuts and benefits for Canadian families that will put considerable sums of money back into their pockets. In particular, we have doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit and have made it refundable. We have also proposed a new Family Tax Cut, as well as an increase and expansion to the Universal Child Care Benefit and an increase in the maximum dollar limits for the Child Care Expense Deduction.

Our Government is also committed to working with First Nations for healthier and more self-sufficient communities by encouraging their full participation in Canada's political, social and economic areas.

Increasing Aboriginal participation in the workforce is good for Aboriginal peoples and for Canada's economic prosperity. In order to create a positive investment climate, we have introduced key legislation in the First Nations Elections Act and the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. These initiatives are part of the Government's commitment to provide frameworks that support stronger, more stable and more effective First Nations governments.

We have also invested significant funds to help youth between the ages of 18 and 24 from participating First Nations get personalized job and skills training. These investments will help First Nation youth access a wider, more personalized range of training, education and career counseling programs that will help them get jobs.

Equipping First Nation people to fully participate in today's economy is integral to our Government's strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs.

Finally, we have continued to live within our means, and we are on course to eliminate the deficit and promote efficiency. As a result, we are now on our way to balancing the budget in 2015, as promised without compromising priority services provided to Canadians."

This statement is available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Minister's Office, Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160