Money for job and skills retraining and a commitment to share the costs of municipal infrastructure projects marked the highlights of the federal government's 2013 budget on Thursday, March 21.
Among the measures announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is the promise of a $32-billion, 10-year Building Canada program to support spending on roads, recreation facilities and public transit, starting in 2014, as well as a further $14 billion for major projects.
Among the measures announced Thursday are a new Canada Job Grant, which would provide up to $15,000 towards skills training with $5,000 from the federal government being matched by the provinces and employers.
The government also promised to promote education in fields where there is higher demand from employers, including science, technology, engineering and skilled trades. It also promised $70 million over three years to support 5,000 paid internships for recent post-secondary graduates.
The budget also contained a reference to the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, vowing to better ensure that defence purchases create economic opportunities for Canadians by developing key domestic industrial capabilities.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country MP John Weston said he was pleased to see measures supporting small businesses in the budget including the extension of the hiring credit.
One of the major underlining priorities that I have been hearing about is the creation of jobs and keeping young people engaged on the Coast, Weston said. The Canada Job Grant could be a major source to help with job creation on the Coast. Under the plan, there is a one-third funding commitment from the federal government with matching funds from the provincial government and the employer, so the program is really employer driven. I see small businesses, which I know there are a lot of on the Coast, really benefiting from this.
Weston also cited support for seniors in the form of lower taxes and potential for further infrastructure projects for Coast municipal governments.
I know Sechelt, Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District are all looking for support and that was clearly heard by Minister Flaherty, Weston added. The Community Improvement Fund is an area that could be targeted for transit improvements, recreation facilities, and I'm sure Sechelt would love to look at these programs for airport expansion.
With files from Ian Jacques
