Round table Consultation on Budget Actions to Protect Canada’s Economy

January 06, 2009

CHELSEA, January 6th, 2009 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for Pontiac, Lawrence Cannon, met today with a group of Outaouais region stakeholders to receive their propositions and comments concerning the upcoming 2009 Federal budget.

The Government’s national consultation is leading into its fourth budget, to be tabled on January 27, 2009. The national consultation has given all Canadians a voice in how to protect Canada’s economy.

“Today I met Mayors, the business community, civil society groups, taxpayers and families. I was able to discuss priorities for the region and the effects of the global economic downturn, and ways to ensure economic security for Outaouais region. I will relay those on to my colleague the Minister of Finance”, said Minister Cannon. “I thank the participants from Outaouais and from the riding of Pontiac for the time they took to share their ideas with me.”

Innovative new ideas can help shape a plan for true economic recovery, including in the Pontiac. The next budget will build on the progress we’ve made to keep our economy among the strongest in the industrialized world, and bring forward the measures we need to stimulate economic activity.

The following ideas have been proposed as ways of providing stimulus in Budget 2009.

• Investing in housing
• Expediting infrastructure spending
• Building strong and sustainable labour markets and training incentives
• Supporting traditional and emerging industrial sectors
• Improving access to credit

“As Member of Parliament for Pontiac and Minister of the Outaouais region, my priority has always been to ensure that residents of the area have access to the same available services as in the larger urban cities of the country. I will follow this objective to ensure prosperity for our region”, said Minister Cannon. “All workers, youths, seniors and every family of the Pontiac are at the center of my decisions and of my actions.”

The Government is asking Canadians for their views on these priorities as well as any other ideas they care to submit at: www.fin.gc.ca/scripts/prebudgetsurvey/selectMainPriorities_e.asp. Citizens of Pontiac can also send their views to:

Tel : 819 281-2626
Sans-frais : 1 866 283-8774
Courriel : Cannol1@parl.gc.ca