May 8, 2012
New Cabinet team focused on growing Alberta’s future
New structure to change the way government does business
Edmonton… Premier Alison Redford has named a new Cabinet team that will help bring about the change that Albertans recently voted for.

“This restructuring is about achieving our goals and aligning our workforce with the priorities of this government,” Redford said. “This new Cabinet structure allows us to focus on the things that matter most to Albertans – a strong fiscal framework, caring for our most vulnerable citizens, promoting our resources, and solid consultation processes that ensure Albertans are heard.”

“We have a good mix of new and experienced MLAs. This is a team that is committed to the positive, constructive plan that we put forward during the election campaign that will help to build Albertans’ future.”

A significant change is the position of Deputy Premier. The new Deputy Premier, who will not be responsible for a Ministry, will be chairing the Operations Policy Committee, which will ensure that policies reflect Albertans’ needs and that government consults regularly with Albertans.

“Thomas Lukaszuk will give a unique energy to the role of Deputy Premier and will help successfully drive the political agenda for this new government.”

This streamlined structure will allow Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board & Minister of Finance, to focus on one of the Premier’s main priorities: results-based budgeting.

“Results-based budgeting is an important initiative for this government. Albertans expect their government to treat their tax dollars with the same care and respect they do,” said Redford. “We will scrutinize all costs, challenge automatic growth in spending, and invest funds where we know they are going to make a positive difference in the lives of Albertans and their communities.”

The new Cabinet will take the helm of a revitalized government structure that will target three priority areas:

• Investing in Families and Communities – Supporting healthy and strong families and communities is an investment in Albertans and Alberta’s future.

• Securing Alberta’s Economic Future – Making strategic investments in both human capital and infrastructure to strengthen Alberta, grow our knowledge-inspired economy, and improve Alberta’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

• Advancing World-leading Resource Stewardship - Developing our natural resources responsibly to protect our environment and grow our markets.

The new structure also includes:

• Under the Minister of Service Alberta, an Associate Minister is responsible for Accountability, Transparency and Transformation, which will review Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) and oversee the change in the way the Government of Alberta does business.

• Seniors is moving to the Ministry of Health to enhance continuity in the short and long-term care of Alberta’s aging population.

• Sustainable Resource Development and Environment are consolidating.

• Justice and Solicitor General are one under the Ministry of Justice & Solicitor General.

• Aboriginal relations will have its own ministry, and their first priority is to finish the review of the First Nations Consultation Policy.

• PDD and AISH are now under Human Services.

Premier Redford will chair her first Cabinet Meeting after the swearing-in by Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor on May 8 at Government House. Steve Young has also been named Government Whip.

“Albertans have put their trust in us and going forward, we will demonstrate beyond a doubt that our government will be the change that Albertans are looking for,” Redford said.

Redford also announced the appointment of seven associate ministers who will reflect the Premier’s priorities and membership in the government’s renewed committee structure.

Backgrounders: List of Cabinet members in order of precedence, government structure and committees

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kim Misik
Manager, Media Relations
Office of the Premier
780-422-4905
Cell: 587-985-9856
kim.misik@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

May 8, 2012

Premier Redford’s cabinet team

Edmonton…Below is the Cabinet named on May 8 by Premier Alison Redford, listed in order of precedence.

May 8, 2012

Associate Ministers named

Edmonton…Alberta Premier Alison Redford named the following Associate Ministers on May 8.

May 8, 2012

Changes to government structure

Edmonton…Premier Alison Redford announced the following government structure on May 8:

May 8, 2012

Government of Alberta committee structure and members

Edmonton…Premier Redford named the following members to these government committees on May 8:

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kim Misik
Manager, Media Relations
Office of the Premier
780-422-4905
Cell: 587-985-9856
kim.misik@gov.ab.ca

QUEBEC CITY, April 23, 2012  – Following the introduction in January 2012 Report on the Audet regulatory and administrative simplification, the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Minister responsible for the region the National Capital, Mr. Sam Hamad, announced the adoption of 63 recommendations of the Working Group on the regulatory and administrative simplification.

“Our government is an ally of Québec companies that want to conquer new markets, to boost performance and create jobs. Today, despite the economic challenges facing all governments, Quebec is still pulling out of the game for our businesses remain competitive, we must create a business environment favorable to their development. For contractors, time is the most valuable commodity and regulation and red tape remain a major concern. The adoption of all recommendations of the Working Group demonstrates our desire to make life easier for businesses, “said Minister Hamad.

Recall that in January 2012, the Working Group on the regulatory and administrative simplification, created Jan. 12, 2011 and chaired by former Minister of Finance, Michel Audet tabled its report containing 63 recommendations to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden of enterprises.

The Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of Treasury Board, Michelle Courchesne, has welcomed the announcement that will provide businesses with the support they need. “Quebec companies are at the heart of Quebec’s economic development. Our government is taking the means to simplify their management. Through the Government portal area businesses, we offer a multitude of online services such as tax deductions and employer contributions or the production of the initial declaration of a corporation. This allows companies to reduce their administrative costs and be more productive, “she said.

Creation of a monitoring committee

To follow up recommendations, a committee will be established. Chaired by the Minister Hamad, it will consist of:

Françoise Bertrand, president and CEO of the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce;
Yves-Thomas Dorval, president of the Quebec Employers Council;
Martine Hébert, Vice-President, Quebec, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
Gaston Lafleur, president and CEO of the Quebec Council of retailing;
Simon Prevost, president of the Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters.

Overall, the committee will be mandated:

to report annually to the Council of Ministers of the progress of recommendations;
propose ways to disseminate the results achieved with the population, especially the business community;
of departments and agencies receive any analysis or recommendations regarding the case studies and the statement of the obligations undertaken by the Working Group on the regulatory and administrative simplification;
to suggest, if necessary, appropriate remedial action.

The report’s recommendations Audet, which will ensure the monitoring committee, are grouped into four areas:

Axis 1: Better Regulation, which consists of recommendations to renew during the next year, government policy on the regulatory and administrative streamlining.
Axis 2: Contain the administrative burden, which deals with the objective of reducing by 20% the cost of paperwork.
Axis 3: Concrete proposals affecting business, dealing with the simplification affecting eGovernment, the administration of taxation, environmental compliance, the formalities in the field of labor and labor , delivery of services to businesses and restructuring programs and tax credits.
Axis 4: Facilitating business start-up whose proposals are intended to simplify business registration and start-ups to improve support for entrepreneurs.

To read the report Audet, visit www.mce.gouv.qc.ca/allegement/documents/rapport-groupe-sra-decembre-2011.pdf.

McGuinty Government Making Public Sector Pensions More Sustainable, Affordable

CONTACTS

• For Media Inquiries only
  Aly Vitunski – Minister’s Office
  416-325-9819
  aly.vitunski@ontario.ca
• For Media Inquiries only
  Scott Blodgett – Ministry of Finance
  416-325-0324
  scott.blodgett@ontario.ca
• For public inquiries call
  1-800-337-7222
  TTY: 1-800-263-7776

Minister Presents Manitoba’s Balanced Approach to Challenges Ahead

Budget 2012 is a plan to keep Manitoba moving forward through uncertain times, by focusing on the things that matter most to families and by finding responsible ways to reduce spending, Finance Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

The minister noted that Budget 2012 will build on the priorities of Manitoba families including:

• strengthening health care by ensuring life-saving cancer drugs are free for all Manitobans and taking new steps forward to give every Manitoban access to a family doctor by 2015;
• making it easier than ever to become an apprentice in rural and northern communities and ensuring that universities have strong and predictable funding; and
• building and renewing thousands of kilometres of roads, and renewing flood-damaged bridges and overpasses.

The minister noted that some have called for deep cuts to balance the budget while others have called for major new spending on new programs.  He said the province has instead chosen a balanced approach that protects the things that matter most to Manitobans.

“We are on track to return to balance by 2014.  We will get there responsibly without cutting the services that matter most,” said Struthers.  “Budget 2012 responds to today’s challenges by finding savings within government so we can continue to invest in the priorities of families while growing our economy.”

Minister Clement Releases Open Government Action Plan

Backgrounder – Open Government Action Plan
Backgrounder – Open Data Portal Expansion

Regina – The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, unveiled Canada’s Open Government Action Plan during a speech at the Regina Chamber of Commerce. Building on the achievements to date, the Action Plan advances the three streams of Open Government: Open Data, Open Information, and Open Dialogue.

“The Government of Canada is committed to advancing Open Government through the implementation of the Action Plan. This plan offers Canadians greater opportunities to learn about and participate in our democratic process, the economy, and government,” said Minister Clement.

The 12 commitments in the Action Plan that will be implemented over the next three years include:

• issuing a government-wide directive that will make government information and data available to the public by default unless it falls under specific criteria for exception;
• expanding access to Open Data;
• engaging Canadians through modern Web 2.0 tools; and
• public engagement on regulatory reform.

The Action Plan was developed based on input received from Canadians and is available at www.open.gc.ca. The Minister will be presenting the Action Plan to the Open Government Partnership in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 17 and 18, 2012. The presentation of the Action Plan fulfills the remaining requirement for membership in the international Open Government Partnership.

The current Open Data Portal at www.data.gc.ca is also being expanded with the addition of approximately 150 new data sets. Three additional organizations, the Canadian Space Agency, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Department of National Defence, will provide access to data sets through the Open Data Portal.

The Open Data Portal now has a total of over 272,000 data sets from 20 organizations, reaching the pilot’s objective. As indicated in the Action Plan, the Government intends to build on the success and expand the Open Data Portal to improve access to government data.

Published by Department of Finance

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Finance Minister Graham Steele has tabled the 2012–13 provincial budget, one that illustrates the government’s fiscal plan is working. The budget projects a deficit of $211.2 million, slightly better than the $215.8 million deficit anticipated in the province’s four-year fiscal plan. Total expenses for fiscal 2012–13 are budgeted at $9.5 billion.

Quotes

“ This budget reflects strong discipline and follows through on the government’s commitment to make life better for families in Nova Scotia. ” Finance Minister Graham Steele

“ Getting back to balance has not been easy, but now a balanced budget is just one year away. ” Finance Minister Graham Steele

“ We have many reasons to be optimistic about our province’s economic future and Budget 2012 supports the game-changing opportunities that lie ahead. ” Finance Minister Graham Steele

Key Budget Initiatives

• investing in the jobsHere plan to help businesses be more productive, innovative and competitive
• reducing the small business tax rate for the third year in a row
• providing modest income tax reductions for tens of thousands of Nova Scotians
• supporting low-income Nova Scotians by increasing the Income Assistance Personal Allowance, the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, the Affordable Living Tax Credit, and the Poverty Reduction Credit
• providing Better Care Sooner through investments in Collaborative Emergency Centres, hospitals and treatment options, and mental health and addictions
• helping seniors stay in their homes longer
• investing in the new Kids and Learning First plan and increasing the per-student funding to its highest level ever.

Quick Facts

• Revenues for 2012-13, including net income from government business enterprises, are estimated at $9.3 billion, an increase of $391.7 million over the 2011–12 estimates.
• Total expenses for fiscal 2012-13 are budgeted at $9.5 billion. Departmental expenses are budgeted at $8.5 billion, up $189.9 million from 2011–12.
• The province’s spending came in below estimate. This is the first time since at least 1967 that this has happened three years in a row.
• The overall net debt is estimated at $13.3 billion as of March 31, 2012, $457 million less than was estimated in April 2011. The province’s debt-to-GDP ratio, a widely used indicator of fiscal health, continues to get better. It now stands at 35.2 per cent.

Learn More

• Government of Nova Scotia
• Department of Finance
• Budget 2012-13

Media Contacts

Michelle R. Lucas

Department of Finance

902-424-8787

Cell: 902-456-3576

E-mail: lucasmx@gov.ns.ca

We see Canada for what it is and what it can be—a great, good nation, on top of the world, the True North strong and free. Our government has been inspired by this vision from the beginning. Today we step forward boldly, to realize it fully—hope for our children and grandchildren; opportunity for all Canadians; a prosperous future for our beloved country.

— The Honourable Jim Flaherty,
Minister of Finance

Canada is emerging from the global economic recession. The economy’s strengths provide an opportunity for the Government to take significant actions today that will fuel the next wave of job creation and position Canada for a secure and prosperous future. Economic Action Plan 2012 sets out a comprehensive agenda to bolster Canada’s fundamental strengths and address the important challenges confronting the economy over the long term.

Canada faces a fast-changing global environment, with increasing competition from emerging market countries and a global economy that remains fragile and uncertain. For this reason, the Government remains focused on an agenda that will deliver high-quality jobs, economic growth and sound public finances. Economic Action Plan 2012 will help further unleash the potential of Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive in the modern economy to the benefit of all Canadians for generations to come.

Since 2006, the Government has supported the security and prosperity of Canadians and promoted business and investment to create jobs. When the global financial and economic crisis struck, these underlying strengths helped Canada to avoid a deep and long-lasting recession. The Government’s sound fiscal position prior to the crisis provided the flexibility to launch the stimulus phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which was timely, targeted and temporary in order to have maximum impact. This plan was one of the strongest responses to the global recession among the Group of Seven (G-7) countries.

Economic output in Canada is now well above pre-recession levels, and more than 610,000 jobs have been created since the recovery began in July 2009, the best performance in the G-7.

Canadian authorities have a strong track record in managing past economic and financial crises and delivering economic growth.

— Standard & Poor’s, October 25, 2011

Canada cannot rest on this record of success. There are many challenges and uncertainties still confronting the economy. The recovery is not complete and too many Canadians are still looking for work. The global economy remains fragile and any potential setbacks would have an impact on Canada. Canadian businesses face ever-increasing competition from emerging fast‑growth countries. Our aging population will put pressure on public finances and social programs.

Economic Action Plan 2012 takes important steps to address these structural challenges and ensure the sustainability of public finances and social programs for future generations. International experience shows the importance of taking action now, rather than delaying. Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on the drivers of growth and job creation—innovation, investment, education, skills and communities. Underpinning these actions is the ongoing commitment to keeping taxes low, which is central to the Government’s long-term economic plan.

Supporting Entrepreneurs, Innovators

The global economy is increasingly competitive. The pace of technological change is creating new opportunities while making older business practices obsolete. To succeed and thrive in this environment, Canadian businesses need to innovate and create high-quality jobs. The Government has a strong record of support for research and development. But Canada can and must do better to promote innovation. The Government launched an Expert Panel in 2010 to review federal support for research and development. Informed by the advice of the Panel, the Government is taking action toward a new approach to supporting innovation in Canada.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Increase funding for research and development by small and medium-sized companies.
• Promote linkages and collaborations, including funding internships and connecting private sector innovators to procurement opportunities in the federal government.
• Refocus the National Research Council on research that helps Canadian businesses develop innovative products and services.
• Enhance access to venture capital financing by high-growth companies so that they have the capital they need to create jobs and grow.
• Streamline and improve the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive program, including shifting from indirect tax incentives to more direct support for innovative private sector businesses.
• Support research, education and training with new funding for universities, granting councils and leading research institutions, such as Genome Canada.

Responsible Resource Development

Canada’s resource sector is an asset that will increasingly contribute to the prosperity of all Canadians. Some $500 billion is expected to be invested in over 500 major economic projects across Canada over the next 10 years, driven in part by demand from emerging economies. Today, Canadian businesses in the resource sector must navigate a maze of overlapping and complex regulatory requirements and red tape. This leads to delays in investment and job creation that do not contribute to better environmental outcomes.

An efficient regulatory system provides effective protection of the interests of Canadians while minimizing the burden on businesses. It is a vital component of an attractive climate for investment and jobs. Since 2006, the Government has worked to streamline and improve regulatory processes. However, more needs to be done.

The Government is committed to reforming the regulatory system in the resource sector so that reviews are conducted in a timely and transparent manner, while safeguarding the environment. This will increase business confidence and enhance investment and job creation. The Government will continue to support responsible energy development.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Commit to bringing forward legislation to achieve the goal of “one project, one review” in a clearly defined time period.
• Make new investments to improve regulatory reviews, streamline the review process for major economic projects, support consultation with Aboriginal peoples, and strengthen pipeline and marine safety.
• Continue to support the Major Projects Management Office initiative, which has succeeded in shortening and streamlining reviews and improving accountability.
• Ensure the safety and security of Canadians and the environment as energy resources are developed.

Expanding Trade and Opening New Markets for Canadian Businesses

Free and open trade has long been a powerful engine for Canada’s economy. Canadian businesses need access to key export markets in order to take advantage of new opportunities. Over the past six years, Canada has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries as well as foreign investment promotion and protection agreements with ten countries. Since 2009, Canada has eliminated all tariffs on imported machinery and equipment and manufacturing inputs to make Canada a tariff-free zone for industrial manufacturers, the first in the G-20 to do so.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Intensify Canada’s pursuit of new and deeper trading relationships, particularly with large, dynamic and fast-growing economies.
• Implement the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness and the Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation, which will facilitate trade and investment flows with the United States.
• Provide support to Canadian exporters by extending the provision of domestic financing by Export Development Canada.

Investing in Training, Infrastructure and Opportunity

Canada’s well-trained and highly educated workforce represents one of our key advantages in competing and succeeding in the global economy. Too often, barriers or disincentives discourage workforce participation. Better utilizing Canada’s workforce and making Canada’s labour market more adaptable will help ensure Canada’s long-term economic growth.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Make investments to assist more young people in gaining tangible skills and experience.
• Extend and expand the ThirdQuarter project to better connect workers over the age of 50 to potential employers.
• Invest to enable more Canadians with disabilities to obtain work experience with small and medium-sized businesses.
• Introduce a number of targeted, common-sense changes to Employment Insurance (EI) to make it a more efficient program that promotes job creation, removes disincentives to work, supports unemployed Canadians and quickly connects people to jobs.
• Support small and medium-sized businesses and their workers by making EI premiums more stable and predictable, with annual increases limited to five cents.
• Extend the Hiring Credit for Small Business for one year to help small businesses to defray the costs of hiring new workers.
• Promote job creation by renewing the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet; supporting the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy; investing in transportation infrastructure, including railways and ports; and providing funding for community public infrastructure facilities.

Expanding Opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples to Fully Participate in the Economy

The Government recognizes the contribution that Aboriginal peoples can make to the labour force as the youngest and fastest-growing segment of the nation’s population. Equipping First Nations people with the skills and opportunities they need to fully participate in the economy is a priority both for this Government and for First Nations people.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Invest in First Nations education on reserve, including early literacy programming and other supports and services to First Nations schools and students.
• Build and renovate schools on reserve, providing First Nations youth with better learning environments.
• Commit to introduce a First Nation Education Act and work with willing partners to establish the structures and standards needed to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve.
• Improve the incentives of the on-reserve Income Assistance Program while encouraging those who can work to access training that will improve their prospects for employment.
• Renew the Urban Aboriginal Strategy to improve economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples living in urban centres.

Building a Fast and Flexible Economic Immigration System

Since 2006, the Government has pursued much-needed reforms to focus Canada’s immigration system on fuelling economic prosperity for Canada. The Government has placed top priority on attracting immigrants who have the skills and experience our economy needs. The Government is committed to making our immigration system truly fast and flexible in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Realign the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to better meet labour market demands.
• Support further improvements to foreign credential recognition and identify the next set of target occupations beyond 2012.
• Move to an increasingly fast and flexible immigration system where priority focus is on meeting Canada’s labour market needs.
• Return applications and fees to certain federal skilled worker applicants who have been waiting for processing to be completed.

Sustainable Social Programs and  Secure Retirement

In order to ensure the sustainability of our social programs and fiscal position for generations to come, steps are required to prepare today for the demographic pressures that the Canadian economy will face over the longer term. Canadians are living longer and healthier lives. Many older workers wish to work longer and increase their retirement income.

The Government has already taken steps to ensure sound public finances by setting a future growth path for transfers to the provinces and territories. The growth path will provide predictable, fair and sustainable funding in support of the provision of health care, education and other services for all Canadians.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Gradually increase the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits from 65 to 67. This change will start in April 2023, with full implementation by January 2029, and will not affect anyone who is 54 years of age or older as of March 31, 2012.
• Improve flexibility and choice by allowing Canadians the option of deferring take-up of their OAS benefits to a later time and receiving higher annual benefits.
• Ensure that pension plans for public servants and Parliamentarians are sustainable, fair and financially responsible.
• Support the retirement income system with Pooled Registered Pension Plans that provide an accessible, large-scale and low-cost pension option to employers, employees and the self-employed.

Responsible Expenditure Management

Canadians expect value for money from their government. Over the past year, the Government conducted a comprehensive review of approximately $75 billion of direct program spending by federal departments and agencies. The review identified a number of opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations, programs and services that will result in cost savings for the Canadian taxpayer. This will support the Government’s commitment to return to balanced budgets over the medium term. The Government is on track to meet its commitment to balance the budget without cutting transfers to Canadians or to provinces.

Fiscal policy is appropriately shifting toward consolidation in the aftermath of the effective stimulus program. The federal government is leading the initial fiscal effort, as spending is gradually being brought to pre-crisis levels as a share of GDP.

— International Monetary Fund
November 23, 2011

Reflecting Canada’s strong economic and fiscal fundamentals, Canada will undertake expenditure reductions that are modest compared to those being pursued by many countries around the world. These targeted reductions clearly contrast with the Program Review undertaken in Canada in the mid‑1990s, when transfers for health care, education and social spending were cut.

Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

• Achieve ongoing savings of $5.2 billion, 6.9 per cent of the review base of approximately $75 billion. This represents less than 2.0 per cent of expected federal program spending in 2016–17, or under 0.2 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in that same year.

The Plan to Return to Balanced Budgets

Canadians know the importance of living within their means and expect the Government to do the same. That is why the Government is committed to managing public finances in a sustainable and responsible manner. The Government’s responsible financial management put Canada in a position of strength when it came time to combat the global recession. From 2006 to 2008, the Government paid down over $37 billion in debt, significantly contributing to Canada’s low net debt position. This enabled the Government to quickly implement the stimulus phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan without leaving the country in a vulnerable fiscal position, like many European countries.

Balancing the budget and reducing debt cuts interest costs, helps to keep interest rates low and instills confidence in Canada’s economy, allowing families and businesses to plan for the future. It will also ensure the sustainability of Canada’s social programs for future generations.

Economic Action Plan 2012 is a plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. By making choices now, the Government is taking the necessary steps to reinforce the fundamental strength and promise of the Canadian economy in order to sustain economic growth, create the high-quality jobs of tomorrow, preserve social programs and sound public finances, and deliver continued prosperity for generations to come.

Economic Developments and Prospects

• The global economic recovery remains fragile. The European sovereign debt and banking crisis continues to weigh on global growth.
• The Canadian economy has remained resilient despite external weakness, reflecting sustained growth in the domestic economy.
• Canada has had the strongest economic growth over the recession and recovery among Group of Seven (G-7) countries. This reflects our solid economic fundamentals and the timely support of the stimulus phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
• 610,000 more Canadians are working now than in July 2009, the strongest job growth among G‑7 countries over the recovery. This continues the strong performance that has resulted in over 1.1 million new jobs created since the beginning of 2006.
• However, the fragile global economic environment will continue to be reflected in modest growth in Canada over the near term.
• The Department of Finance conducted a survey of private sector economists in early March 2012. On March 5, economists met with the Minister of Finance to discuss the economic forecast as well as the risks associated with the outlook.
• Private sector economists expect real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2.1 per cent in 2012 and 2.4 per cent in 2013, broadly unchanged from the November 2011 Update of Economic and Fiscal Projections.
• Economists also expect the level of nominal GDP—the broadest single measure of the tax base—to be above the level anticipated over the forecast period at the time of the November Update.
• Private sector economists agreed that near-term risks to the outlook have slightly moderated since the November Update, but continue to see global economic uncertainty as the key downside risk—in particular the potential for wider contagion of the sovereign debt and banking crisis in Europe.
• To reflect the downside risks surrounding the global economic outlook, the Government is adjusting the private sector forecast for nominal GDP downward by $20 billion in each year of the 2012–2016 forecast period.

Supporting Jobs and Growth

Supporting Entrepreneurs, Innovators and World-Class Research

Creating Value-Added Jobs Through Innovation

The Government is committed to a new approach to supporting innovation that focuses resources on private sector needs. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• $400 million to help increase private sector investments in early-stage risk capital, and to support the creation of large-scale venture capital funds led by the private sector.
• $100 million to the Business Development Bank of Canada to support its venture capital activities.
• $110 million per year to the National Research Council to double support to companies through the Industrial Research Assistance Program.
• $14 million over two years to double the Industrial Research and Development Internship program.
• $12 million per year to make the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program permanent.
• $105 million over two years to support forestry innovation and market development.
• $95 million over three years, starting in 2013–14, and $40 million per year thereafter to make the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program permanent and to add a military procurement component.
• $67 million in 2012–13 as the National Research Council refocuses on business-led, industry-relevant research.
• Streamlining and improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive program.

Support for Research, Education and Training

The Government is committed to providing additional resources to support advanced research at universities and other leading research institutions. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• $37 million annually starting in 2012–13 to the granting councils to enhance their support for industry-academic research partnerships.
• $60 million for Genome Canada to launch a new applied research competition in the area of human health, and to sustain the Science and Technology Centres until 2014–15.
• $6.5 million over three years for a research project at McMaster University to evaluate team-based approaches to health care delivery.
• $17 million over two years to further advance the development of alternatives to existing isotope production technologies.
• $10 million over two years to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research to link Canadians to global research networks.
• $500 million over five years, starting in 2014–15, to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support advanced research infrastructure.
• $40 million over two years to support CANARIE’s operation of Canada’s ultra-high speed research network.
• $23 million over two years to Natural Resources Canada to enhance satellite data reception capacity.

Improving Conditions for Business Investment

Responsible Resource Development

The Government is committed to improving the review process for major economic projects to accelerate investment and job creation. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• System-wide legislative improvements to the review process for major economic projects to achieve the goal of “one project, one review” in a clearly defined time period for major economic projects.
• $165 million over two years for responsible resource development that creates jobs while protecting the environment.

Investing in Our Natural Resources

The Government is supporting the development of Canada’s natural resource industries. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Support for junior mineral exploration by extending the temporary 15‑per-cent Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for flow-through share investors for an additional year.
• Actions to improve access to modern, reliable seismic data for offshore resource development.
• $12.3 million over two years to continue to assess diamonds in the North.

Expanding Trade and Opening New Markets for Canadian Businesses

The Government is taking action to improve Canadians’ standard of living by growing international trade and creating export opportunities for Canadian businesses. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Intensifying Canada’s pursuit of new and deeper international trade and investment relationships, including updating the Government’s Global Commerce Strategy.
• Implementing the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness and the Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation, which will facilitate trade and investment flows with the United States.
• Providing support to Canadian businesses through tariff and tax measures, along with the extended provision of domestic financing by Export Development Canada.
• Increasing travellers’ exemptions to modernize existing rules and facilitate border processes for Canadians bringing goods home from abroad.

Keeping Taxes Low for Job‑Creating Businesses

The Government has reduced business taxes and is committed to keeping taxes low. The Government has also taken action to enhance the neutrality of the tax system to support growth and encourage investment to flow to its most productive uses. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Enhancing the neutrality of the tax system and further rationalizing inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by phasing out tax preferences for resource industries.

Improving Economic Conditions for Farmers and Fishermen

The Government is improving economic conditions for farmers and fishermen. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• $44 million over two years to transition the Canadian Grain Commission to a sustainable funding model.
• $10.5 million in 2012–13 to support key fisheries science activities.

Strengthening Business Competitiveness

The Government is taking action to improve the competitive position of job‑creating Canadian businesses. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Reducing red tape through the “One-for-One” Rule and implementing the Canada-United States Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation.
• Reducing the tax compliance burden for businesses.
• Eliminating foreign investment restrictions for certain telecommunications companies.

Further Developing Canada’s Financial Sector Advantage

The Government is proposing new initiatives that will further ensure that our financial system remains strong and that it benefits all Canadians. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Introducing legislative amendments to support central clearing of standardized over-the-counter derivative transactions, and to reinforce Canada’s financial stability framework.
• The Government will introduce enhancements to the governance and oversight framework for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and is moving forward with a legislative framework for covered bonds.

Investing in Training, Infrastructure and Opportunity

Supporting Job Creation, Small Business and Skills Training

The Government is committed to supporting job creation by small businesses and opportunities for under-represented groups in the workforce. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Investing $205 million to extend the temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business for one year.
• Providing an additional $50 million over two years to the Youth Employment Strategy to assist more young people in gaining tangible skills and experience.
• Providing $6 million over three years to extend and expand the ThirdQuarter project to key centres across the country.
• Improving labour market opportunities for Canadians with disabilities by investing $30 million over three years in the Opportunities Fund and by creating a panel on labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• Promoting the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in shipbuilding projects.

Improving the Employment Insurance Program

The Government is committed to making targeted, common-sense changes to make Employment Insurance (EI) a more efficient program that is focused on job creation and opportunities. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Limiting EI premium rate increases to 5 cents each year until the EI Operating Account is balanced.
• Providing $21 million over two years to enhance the content and timeliness of the job and labour market information that is provided to Canadians who are searching for employment.
• Investing $74 million over two years to ensure that EI claimants benefit from accepting work.
• Investing $387 million over two years to align the calculation of EI benefit amounts with local labour market conditions.

Expanding Opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples to Fully Participate in the Economy

The Government is committed to expanding opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to fully participate in the labour market. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Providing $275 million over three years to support First Nations education and build and renovate schools on reserve.
• Committing to work with willing partners toward passage of legislation that will establish the structures and standards to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve.
• Announcing the Government’s commitment to improve the incentives in the on-reserve Income Assistance Program while encouraging those who can work to access training so they are better equipped for employment.
• Providing $33.5 million in 2012–13 to extend the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative and the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative.
• Providing $27 million over two years to renew the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Building a Fast and Flexible Economic Immigration System

The Government is committed to transitioning to a faster and more flexible economic immigration system. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Announcing the Government’s intention to better align the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with labour market demands and to ensure that businesses look to the domestic labour force before accessing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
• Signalling the Government’s intention to support further improvements to foreign credential recognition and to work with provinces and territories to identify the next set of target occupations for inclusion, beyond 2012, under the Pan‑Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
• Proposing to return applications and refund up to $130 million in fees paid by certain federal skilled worker applicants who applied under previous criteria established prior to February 27, 2008.

Strengthening Canada’s Public Infrastructure

The Government is building on recent actions to modernize Canada’s public infrastructure. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• $150 million over two years for a new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund to support repairs and improvements to existing community facilities.
• Amendments to the Yukon Act, the Northwest Territories Act and the Nunavut Act to create new regulations that will ensure consistent treatment of borrowing across the three territories and with their Public Accounts.
• $105 million in 2012–13 on a cash basis to support VIA Rail Canada’s operations and capital projects.
• $27.3 million over two years to support the divestiture of regional ports and the continued operation and maintenance of federally owned ports.
• $5.2 billion over the next 11 years on a cash basis to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.
• $101 million over the next five years on a cash basis to restore and modernize the Esquimalt Graving Dock.

Supporting Families and Communities

Protecting the Health and Safety of Canadians

The Government is committed to promoting safe communities and protecting the health of individual Canadians. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Expanding health-related tax relief under the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) and income tax systems to better meet the health care needs of Canadians.
• $51.2 million over the next two years to strengthen Canada’s food safety system.
• Financial support for employers of Canada’s military reservists to offset costs incurred when part-time reservists sign up for full-time duty.
• Announcing enhanced support for the Victims Fund in the coming months.

Investing in Communities

The Government is committed to preserving Canada’s diverse cultural treasures and improving the quality of life in communities across the country. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Announcing the Government’s intent to explore with interested First Nations the option of moving forward with legislation that would allow private property ownership within current reserve boundaries.
• Providing $330.8 million over two years to build and renovate on-reserve water infrastructure and support the development of a long-term strategy to improve water quality in First Nations communities.
• Providing $11.9 million in 2012–13 to support shelter services and violence prevention programming on reserves.
• Continuing to explore social finance instruments as a way to further encourage the development of government-community partnerships.
• Supporting major exhibitions at Canadian museums and galleries by modernizing the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program.
• Continuing support to ParticipACTION and Le Grand défi Pierre Lavoie.
• Providing up to $99.2 million over three years to assist the provinces and territories with the cost of permanent flood mitigation measures undertaken for the 2011 floods.

Supporting Families

The Government is committed to expanding government support for families, students, seniors and pensioners, and persons with disabilities. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• Providing $1.4 million annually to ensure that Wage Earner Protection Program applicants receive the benefits they are entitled to when they need them.
• Requiring federally regulated private sector employers to insure, on a go‑forward basis, any long-term disability plans they offer to their employees.
• Helping Canadians with severe disabilities and their families by improving the Registered Disability Savings Plan.

Protecting Canada’s Natural Environment and Wildlife

The Government is committed to preserving Canada’s natural beauty. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes:

• $50 million over two years to protect wildlife species at risk.
• The creation of Canada’s first national near-urban park in the Rouge Valley in Ontario.
• Expanding the eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation equipment to include a broader range of bioenergy equipment.

Sustainable Social Programs and a Secure Retirement

• The Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Canada’s social programs remain sustainable over the long term.
• The Government has already set the future growth path of transfers to provinces and territories that will provide sustainable, predictable and record funding in support of health care, education and other services for Canadians.
• To ensure that Old Age Security (OAS) remains sustainable and reflects demographic realities, the Government will adjust the age of eligibility requirement for OAS, which will begin to be implemented in 2023 and will be fully implemented in 2029.
• To improve flexibility and choice, starting on July 1, 2013, the Government will allow for the voluntary deferral of the OAS pension, for up to five years, allowing Canadians the option of deferring take-up of their OAS pension to a later time and receiving a higher annual pension.
• The Government is improving the integrity and fairness of the tax system by closing tax loopholes that allow some businesses and individuals to avoid paying their fair share of tax.
• The Government is introducing measures to ensure that charities devote their resources primarily to charitable, rather than political, activities, and to enhance public transparency and accountability in this area.

Responsible Management to Return to Balanced Budgets

• In Budget 2011, the Government reiterated its commitment to generate ongoing savings from operating efficiencies and improving productivity by announcing a review of departmental spending. The results of this review are presented in this budget.
• Canada’s economic and fiscal fundamentals are strong. The scale of Canada’s efforts to reduce the deficit is modest compared to the expenditure restraint efforts being pursued by many countries around the world and relative to that undertaken in Canada in the mid-1990s, which included reduced transfers to provinces for health care and education.
• The Government’s economic management strikes the right balance between supporting economic growth and job creation and returning to budget balance over the medium term.
• That is why the Government remains committed to returning to balanced budgets at an appropriate pace as the economy continues to recover from the global economic crisis.
• The Government’s plan to return to balanced budgets over the medium term is on track.
• Measures initiated in Budget 2010 and Budget 2011 to restrain growth in federal spending have proven to be highly successful, contributing to a projected return to budgetary balance over the medium term, while ensuring continued and growing funding for the programs and services that are a priority for Canadians.
• The Government is not reducing transfers to persons, including those for seniors, children and the unemployed, or transfers to other levels of government in support of health care and social services.
• The results of the Government’s review of departmental spending will yield savings of $5.2 billion on an ongoing basis. The planned reduction in spending represents less than 2.0 per cent of federal program spending in 2016–17, or 0.2 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in that same year.

Fiscal Outlook

• The Government’s plan for returning to balanced budgets over the medium term is on track.
• The deficit in 2011–12 is projected to be $8.5 billion lower than it was in 2010–11, and it is projected to decrease by an additional $3.8 billion in 2012–13. The deficit is projected to continue to decline to $1.3 billion in 2014–15.
• Over the forecast period, the budgetary balance is projected to improve by a total of $39.6 billion compared to the November 2011 Update of Economic and Fiscal Projections, reflecting both the improved economic outlook and the Government’s strong fiscal management.
• As a share of gross domestic product (GDP), program expenses are projected to decline from 14.7 per cent in 2010–11 to 12.7 per cent in 2016–17, which represents a return to pre‑recession spending ratios.
• The federal debt is projected to decline to 28.5 per cent of GDP in 2016–17, in line with its pre-recession level.
• Canada expects to achieve, well ahead of schedule, its Group of Twenty (G‑20) commitments to halve deficits by 2013 and stabilize or reduce total government debt-to-GDP ratios by 2016, as agreed to by G-20 leaders at their summit in Toronto in June 2010.
• Canada continues to hold a significant fiscal advantage over other G‑7 countries. The International Monetary Fund projects that by 2016, Canada’s total government net debt-to-GDP ratio will remain at about one-third of the G-7 average and more than 20 percentage points of GDP below that of Germany, the G-7 country with the next-lowest ratio.

Throne Speech Focused on Future, Advancing Province’s Priorities

NOTE: A social media version of this release is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2012-03-29-Throne-Speech/ . High-res, downloadable photos, video and audio clips will be added after the event.

Government, today, March 29, announced it will continue to move Nova Scotia forward by sticking to its plan to make life better for families.

Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis opened the Fourth Session of the 61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia with the Speech from the Throne. In it, Premier Darrell Dexter outlined how government will advance its plan to continue to do things differently and keep Nova Scotia focused on a better future.

“Nova Scotia is changing in a positive and significant way, and government is focused on continuing that trend in the future,” said Premier Dexter. “Our progress is clear — the plan is on track, it is working, and this government will continue to move that plan forward to secure a better life for Nova Scotia families.”

The province’s priorities are:
– creating good jobs and growing the economy
– better health care for you and your family
– making life more affordable for families
– ensuring government lives within its means

Nova Scotia is on the verge of some of the largest economic projects in the province’s history. jobsHere, the province’s plan to create good jobs and grow the economy, is ensuring that Nova Scotia is ready to seize the opportunities on the horizon with a continued focus on innovation, competitiveness and learning.

Government has supported the start-up and growth of hundreds of Nova Scotia companies in all parts of the province. The Productivity Investment Program will continue to provide support for employee training and for businesses to invest in new equipment.

This year, government will improve the apprenticeship programs that teach young people the skills and trades they will need to make the most of their work lives in Nova Scotia’s bright future. Through its workforce and immigration strategies, the province will persist in its efforts to meet growing workforce demands.

Through the Jobs Fund, the province will continue to pursue investment opportunities that support and retain industry, help small business, invest in infrastructure, fund regional economic initiatives and offer community economic stability where needed. Businesses in Nova Scotia will also benefit from the third tax rate reduction in as many years.

These measures will strengthen the workforce and help grow the economy, ensuring that, as the future starts here, Nova Scotians are ready to be a part of that future.

Collaborative emergency centres are a key part of Better Care Sooner, the plan to improve health care for Nova Scotians. The province will continue to announce and open new collaborative emergency centres in communities across the province so Nova Scotians have access to the care they need, when and where they need it.

The province will develop a physician resource plan to help ensure an adequate supply of family doctors across Nova Scotia. After extensive consultation, government will soon release the first strategy to improve mental health and addictions care.

Making life more affordable for families remains a priority. Last year, the province made the single largest non-capital investment for post-secondary students in Nova Scotia history. Student assistance levels increased, student debt was capped and tuition was kept at, or below, the national level.

The Poverty Reduction Credit and the Affordable Living Tax Credit will continue. As introduced last year, government will continue to refund the provincial portion of income tax paid by seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Nova Scotians in need of prescription drugs can now get the generic form for the same price, or less, than what is paid by most Canadians.

This year, the province will invest more money per student than ever before and will keep average class sizes the lowest they have been in a decade. Kids and Learning First will ensure schools have the resources and supports they need to help every student succeed.

SchoolsPlus, the program that brings services for families and children into schools, will soon be available in every county of the province. A new grants program encourages community use of schools, allowing more Nova Scotians to use school facilities for physical activity, and educational and cultural programs.

To ensure the province continues to live within its means, government will make further improvements to how it operates and delivers public services.

Legislation was also addressed. This year, the province will introduce Status of the Artist legislation to reflect the importance of arts and culture to Nova Scotians. The province will also bring forward bills to establish a new regulatory framework for mortgage brokers and lenders, remove barriers to social enterprise, and update Nova Scotia’s body of family law.

Provincial government reduces deficit by half and invests in priorities

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government tabled its 2012-13 budget today with plans to further reduce the deficit by more than half.

The deficit will be reduced to $183 million compared to the $448-million deficit projected for 2011-12. This will be done without raising the harmonized sales tax, income or gasoline taxes, and without introducing highway tolls.

“This budget represents an important step forward in the efforts of New Brunswickers to rebuild our province,” said Finance Minister Blaine Higgs. “By governing smarter, we can continue to do more with taxpayers’ dollars and better focus on the needs of the people.”

Spending is projected at $8.196 billion. Savings and other efficiencies from corporate, departmental and other program initiatives identified through the government renewal process are expected to reduce projected spending by about $226 million in 2012-13. These include:

●    corporate savings of $123 million by managing human resources more efficiently and through other departmental initiatives;
●    program delivery efficiency savings of $55 million;
●    restructuring of departments and agencies to better align with government priorities will provide estimated savings of $24 million;
●    savings in government administration of $16 million; and
●    savings in other areas across government of $8 million.

Higgs noted that government renewal would continue to find savings.

“Government renewal is not a one-year process; it is a never-ending road,” he said. “It is about believing in our employees to bring about change to the culture of government. This will lead to a greater focus on core services and accountability through performance measures.”

Initiatives from the review of operations that form the basis for the 2012-13 budget include:

●    finding corporate opportunities to drive savings and reduce the size of government;
●    implementing more efficient practices;
●    aligning government priorities with accountability and performance management; and
●    realigning government to focus on core services.
“Along with our efforts to reduce expenses as a means of returning to balanced budgets, we are simultaneously moving forward with strategic investments to enhance New Brunswickers’ quality of life and fulfil our commitments,” said Higgs.

The provincial government will invest about $105 million in 2012-13 to implement legislative and government commitments, including:

●    $10.3 million for affordable housing;
●    $10 million for Invest NB to foster economic growth;
●    $9.8 million for nursing home renovation and replacements;
●    $6.4 million for pay equity;
●    $5 million in primary health-care investments;
●    $3.6 million for early learning and childcare to increase the number of childcare spaces, enhance childcare affordability for low income families and enhance the childcare subsidies for New Brunswick families;
●    $3 million for special care homes;
●    $2.5 million for inclusive education;
●    $2.5 million for  immigrant funding;
●    $2.5 million for elementary literacy;
●    $2 million to foster innovation;
●    $1.2 million for 231 new seats at the New Brunswick Community College and the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick;
●    $1 million for the co-ordination and strategic development of downtown and business parks;
●    $1 million for the Digital Media Development Program;
●    $808,000 for the enhancement of the province’s wellness strategy; and
●    $668,000 for the New Brunswick sports plan.

Revenue is expected to increase 5.2 per cent from 2011-12 revised estimates, to $8.013 billion. This estimate includes extraordinary capital revenue relating to the federal government contribution to the Route One Gateway Project, which has been applied directly to the deficit.

Measures across government are expected to increase revenues by $100 million in 2012-13.

Net debt is projected to increase $738.9 million in 2012-13. Almost one-half of this is expected to be due to the Route One Gateway Project, reflecting an obligation made before October 2010. The net debt is expected to total $10.8 billion by the end of 2012-13.

“We continue to see challenges in our debt and in the fact that our revenue is not enough to pay for the public services we are providing, but we have tabled a plan to meet our commitment of returning to balanced budgets by 2014-15,” said Higgs.

Citizen engagement

Higgs said the public’s input and assistance was critical in helping to formulate the 2012-13 budget.

The provincial government received ideas through the Taxpayers FIRST website on how to raise revenues and deliver public services more efficiently and effectively.

At 10 public and stakeholders meetings around the province, individuals, unions, public servants, businesspeople and stakeholders provided valuable and focused input. Many New Brunswickers provided input through other means.

The message received through consultation is that the provincial government should:

●    become smaller, reduce costs and be more efficient;
●    increase revenue; and
●    focus on the needs of New Brunswickers as opposed to their wants.

Effectively managing human resources

The total wage bill for the public service is close to $3 billion annually and represents one of the provincial government’s largest expenses. To contain costs associated with salaries and promote fairness in the workplace, the provincial government will:

●    continue to apply a number of wage restraint measures, including a two-year wage freeze for employees who have not yet participated and a freeze on upward reclassifications. The Christmas Holiday Leave Initiative, which generated more than $1 million in wage savings in 2011, will be repeated in 2012;
●    replace only those positions that are critical to the delivery of core government services, resulting in a net reduction in the size of the public service. This is expected to save more than $86 million by 2014-15;
●    reduce the maximum number of sick days that employees can accumulate to align it more closely to the qualifying period for long-term disability benefits; and
●    reduce the wage gap between men and women with the inclusion of $6.4 million. This is just the beginning of the provincial government’s investment in pay equity to conform to current legislative requirements.

Lowering procurement costs

The provincial government spends about $1.5 billion on procurement of various goods and services. The budget includes estimated procurement savings of $14 million for 2012-13, growing to an estimated $70 million annually by 2014-15.

Finding efficiencies in program delivery

Higgs said that finding cost and efficiency improvements in the delivery of programs and services are important government initiatives. The budget includes $55.1 million in program delivery savings across a number of departments. These include:

●    finding operational efficiencies in nursing homes will result in savings of $1.5 million;
●    setting costs per weighted case targets in the health-care system that are based on national averages; and working collaboratively in a wide variety of ways to drive down costs.
●    reducing unconditional grant funding to municipalities for 2012 by two per cent, providing savings of $1.4 million;
●    establishing a new accountability framework in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to ensure continual improvement in both cost savings and service delivery will save an estimated $1 million; and
●    effective March 31, 2013, the agreement providing supplemental funding to Horse Racing New Brunswick Inc. in support of the harness racing industry will be terminated, resulting in savings of an estimated $600,000 beginning in 2013-14.

Increasing revenues in a responsible manner

●    To provide additional revenue, effective June 1, 2012, the Real Property Transfer Tax will be increased to 0.5 per cent from 0.25 per cent, raising an estimated $7 million annually.
●    Effective April 1, 2012, the Financial Corporation Capital Tax will be increased to four per cent from three per cent, providing an estimated $5 million annually.
●    The budget contains projected revenue of $10 million from Crown asset sales in 2012-13. During the coming months, the provincial government will examine the business cases for other divestiture opportunities, such as the viability of owning and operating the government airplane and an extensive review of government vehicles and related policies.
●    The provincial government is developing a royalty system that will eventually see it receive its fair share of profits from the development of natural resources.

Property tax reform

Phase One of the property tax reform plan, which consists of a four-year phase-in of property tax changes, will be implemented beginning with the 2013 property tax year. Phase One is a step forward in delivering on a commitment to make the property tax system more fair for the long term. Some of the areas that will be addressed include:

●    more equitable treatment of all property types, ensuring local services are paid for in a more fair manner;
●    a gradual reduction of the provincial residential property tax rate on apartments, second homes and cottages to bring it more in line with most other jurisdictions; and
●    a gradual reduction in the provincial business property tax rate, which is among the highest in Canada.

Details of these and other steps toward improving the fairness of the property tax system will be released in a white paper to be made available within several months.

Returning to balanced budgets by 2014-15

The provincial government has committed to a deficit reduction plan, including a three-year plan to return to balanced budgets. Higgs said the 2012-13 budget makes major strides in achieving these objectives. The goal is to budget for a $99-million deficit in 2013-14 and for a $6-million surplus in 2014-15.

LINK:

●    Department of Finance: www.gnb.ca/finance

A Plan to Balance the Budget, Create Jobs, Protect Education and Health Care

The 2012 Ontario Budget includes a deficit elimination plan that reduces program spending growth and contains costs by $17.7 billion over the next three years, while increasing revenues by $4.4 billion without raising taxes.

This is serious action for a serious time and puts Ontario on track to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18.

More than 50 cents of every dollar spent by the Ontario government pays for the compensation of teachers, doctors and others in the broader public sector. Given the serious fiscal challenge the Province is facing, compensation costs must be managed if the government is to meet its fiscal targets and protect the gains made over the past eight years in education and health care.

The collective bargaining process will be respected. Where agreements cannot be negotiated that are consistent with the plan to balance the budget and protect priority services, the government is prepared to propose the necessary administrative and legislative measures.

The government intends to introduce a number of measures to make public sector pensions more affordable for taxpayers and sustainable for pension plan members, following consultations with affected stakeholders. For example, in cases where pensions are in a deficit, many public sector workers would be asked to reduce future benefits before seeking additional pension contributions from employers or the government. Current retirees would not be affected.

The 2012 Budget proposes strong action to balance the budget by 2017-18, including:

• Implementing savings of $4.9 billion over three years
• Freezing the general Corporate Income Tax rate and Business Education Tax rate reductions until the budget is balanced
• Capping the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit at 3,000 kWh per month
• Changing the Ontario Drug Benefit program so that about five per cent of seniors — those with the highest incomes — pay a larger share of their prescription drug costs
• Ensuring Ontario user fees recover more of the cost of providing programs and services
• Extending the pay freeze for MPPs for another two years — for a total of five years
• Extending the pay freeze for executives at hospitals, universities, colleges, school boards and agencies for another two years.

The deficit for 2011-12 is projected to be $15.3 billion — $1 billion lower than forecast a year ago and an improvement of over 38 per cent from the 2009-10 deficit forecast in the fall of 2009. Without the measures announced in the 2012 Budget, Ontario’s deficit would approach $25 billion in 2014-15. Instead, it is projected to be $10.7 billion that fiscal year.

The government will continue to focus on its priorities to further strengthen the economy and spur job creation.

Jobs and Prosperity

To help build a strong and diversified Ontario that enables business to invest in innovation, improve productivity and become more globally competitive, the government will:

• Consolidate many business support programs into a Jobs and Prosperity Fund that will focus on productivity growth and job creation, while generating overall savings of $250 million in 2014-15
• Establish a multi-stakeholder Jobs and Prosperity Council to advise the government on a plan to boost Ontario’s productivity, and lead a research agenda on Ontario’s productivity and innovation
• Diversify Ontario’s exports to emerging economies by streamlining and coordinating the trade promotion activities of relevant ministries.

Knowledge and Skills

The government will continue to build on its plan to have the world’s best-educated workforce to ensure future prosperity in the knowledge-based economy by:

• Fully implementing full-day kindergarten by September 2014
• Keeping a cap on class sizes in the early grades
• Remaining committed to the 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant for eligible full-time undergraduate university and college students
• Further integrating training programs across government to make them more responsive to today’s job market.

Transforming Health Care

The government will build on Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care to create a sustainable and high-quality health care system by:

• Transforming health care to reduce the rate of growth of spending to an average of 2.1 per cent annually over the next three years
• Enhancing community-based care to treat patients in alternative settings such as non-profit clinics and at home instead of in hospitals, where appropriate
• Moving to patient-centred funding models to improve the value and quality of care.

LEARN MORE

• Read the 2012 Ontario Budget.
• Learn more about expense management measures being taken by Ontario.
• Read background information on the 2012 Ontario Budget:
  • Ontario’s Economic Outlook and Fiscal Plan
  • Public Sector Compensation
  • Balancing the Budget
  • A Fair and Efficient Drug System
• Read highlights of the 2012 Ontario Budget.