David Orazietti reacts to federal budget

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

DWIGHT DUNCAN, ONTARIO MINISTER OF FINANCE

************************* Orazietti welcomes federal stimulus package in today's budget

Local MPP working to deliver federal resources for Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (January 27) - The federal government’s 2009/10 budget, released today, contains a number of measures that will help Canadians during the current economic downturn David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“It appears that the federal government has now followed the advice of ordinary Canadians and opposition party members by delivering a budget that reflects the difficult economic period we are facing,” said Orazietti. “We are working hard to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie receives its share of the federal resources announced today for important community initiatives that would include investments in such projects as a new customs plaza, an invasive species research centre and infrastructure upgrades at Essar Steel.”

Today’s budget signals that the federal government is prepared to offer resources to boost the national economy but it is up to community leaders to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie receives its fair share.

Funding from Ottawa is desperately needed to move forward with key community initiatives such as:

- $50 million for new customs plaza

- Invasive Species Research Centre - $15 million to match provincial commitment of $15 million

- investments in social housing

- improved dock and rail infrastructure at Essar Steel Algoma Inc.

- support to open a passport office

- funding to four-lane Highway 17

To move these projects forward Sault Ste. Marie’s MPP has written to the appropriate federal ministers requesting the necessary financial support.

In addition, Orazietti travelled to Ottawa for a meeting with John Baird, minister of transport and infrastructure, to advance the St. Mary’s River Bridge Company’s application to the gateways and border crossing fund for a new customs plaza.

Minister Baird recognized the importance of the customs plaza project and committed to follow-up with Micheline Dube, President and CEO of the Federal Bridge Corporation, to determine when the project could proceed.

Baird and Orazietti also discussed Essar Steel’s infrastructure needs.

As well, today’s budget included small changes to federal support programs such as Employment Insurance, though the federal government did not address the inequities facing Ontarians.

At present the federal government is short-changing Ontarians on employment insurance and health-care transfers.

“While there are a number of positive measures in this budget for low income individuals and seniors, I am disappointed that the federal government did not appear to address the inequities facing laid-off workers and patients in Ontario,” said Orazietti. “In Ontario, laid off workers get $4,600 less in employment insurance than in other parts of Canada and our province should receive $773 million more in per capita health-care transfers. Sault residents should expect that federal programs be provided at a level that is equitable for all Canadians.”

The McGuinty government has been providing funding to keep our community’s economy moving forward as the province has recognized the importance of infrastructure investment in creating new jobs since 2003.

Sault Ste. Marie has benefited from provincial infrastructure projects already completed including:

- Provincial Energy Renewable Program – supporting $400 million Brookfield Power Wind farm

- $7.8 million for Donald Doucet Youth Centre

- $5.7 million for Carmen’s Way

- $5.6 million for OPP Forensic Lab

- $4.7 million for Essar Centre

- $2.7 million Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH)

- $1 million toward boardwalk expansion

- $1 million emergency medical services (EMS) centre

The province is continuing to keep Saultites working by providing stimulus to the local economy with several projects underway or scheduled to start this construction season including:

- $408 million new Sault Area Hospital

- $71 million new secondary school, new elementary school and other education repair and maintenance projects

- provincial renewable energy program supporting $135 million Essar Steel co-generation project

- $15 million Invasive Species Research Centre

- Cara Community Housing Improvements

Together, we can keep Sault Ste. Marie moving forward, but we could further improve services and our economy if we are able to secure more support from Ottawa.

Now is the time to ensure that the initiatives contained in today’s federal budget benefit our community.

************************* Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan's statement on the 2009 Federal Budget

TORONTO - (January 27) - During this economic uncertainty, Ontarians, like all Canadians, expect their governments to work together to help our families get through these tough times.

The McGuinty government is encouraged to see the federal government recognizing the serious economic and fiscal challenges we face.

There is a marked change in the tone of the federal government and today's budget is a step in the right direction.

Today, the federal government has come to the table and has made the much-needed infrastructure investments Ontario has been calling for.

Ontario has been making these investments and we are happy to see the federal government heading in the same direction.

In the last year, we have invested about 1.5 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP) in infrastructure spending and tax cuts.

We appreciate that the federal government has moved to help Ontarians who have been laid off in these challenging times.

However, we will continue to press for reform on Employment Insurance (EI).

The average Ontarian still receives $4,600 less in EI benefits than unemployed Canadians in other provinces.

We look forward to working with the federal government and delivering our Ontario budget in the weeks ahead that will lay out our plan for economic recovery.

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