Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanks municipalities for their pivotal role in delivering on Canada’s Economic Action Plan
TORONTO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 73rd annual Conference, delivering a key note address on the opening day.
In his speech, the Prime Minister noted the gravity of the economic crisis Canada and the world faced in 2009. The worldwide economic recession required immediate and comprehensive action from the Government of Canada. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government moved quickly to preserve and create jobs and help families, workers and businesses weather the economic storm.
“Your partnership in Canada’s Economic Action Plan from coast to coast to coast has been one of the best things we have had going for us as we cope with the global recession from which we are beginning to emerge,” said Prime Minister Harper. “In fact, it has been absolutely decisive.”
The Prime Minister noted that with the help of municipalities and provinces, stimulus funds are being injected into the Canadian economy through the Economic Action Plan. More than 16,000 projects — both large and small — have been committed to across the country under the EAP. Most of the projects are now well underway.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the Government will not extend the EAP beyond March 31, 2011, and would return quickly to balanced budgets, as Canadians expect.
“People can’t live on adrenaline, and economies can’t live on stimulus,” said the Prime Minister. “We must return to the black, not drown in the red.”
The Prime Minister also reassured municipalities that the Government would continue to invest in programs in support of municipalities, including the Building Canada Fund, and the Gas Tax Rebate Program.
He also noted that all the important economic indicators point to a recovery already underway in Canada.
“Canada was the last major developed country dragged into the recession, we will be the least affected by it, and we will emerge from it fastest and in the strongest position of them all,” said the Prime Minister.
