Minister Aglukkaq is applauding the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, saying it will have positive benefits for Northern families, seniors and job-creating businesses.

“Our government has created a budget that will directly benefit Northerners” said Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Regional Minister for the North and MP for Nunavut.  “The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs for the future, while focusing on economic growth.”

The next phase of our Conservative Government’s Plan keeps taxes low to promote jobs and economic growth, while supporting Northern families and seniors.

The Territories will continue to receive support through major federal transfers in 2011-12.  This totals to $3 billion in 2011-12 ($746 million for the Yukon, $1 billion for the Northwest Territories, and $1.2 billion for Nunavut), an increase of $847 million since 2005-06.

This long-term, growing support helps ensure that territories have the resources required to provide essential public services and contributes to shared national objectives, including health care, post-secondary education and other key components of Canada’s social programs.

In addition the budget also includes:

Supporting Job Creation: a new Hiring Credit for Small Business to support local job growth; an expanded work sharing program; $9 million to expand territorial colleges’ adult basic education programs;  supporting the mining sector by extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit.

Strengthening our Families and Communities: up to $5,000 grants for Northern families to make their homes more energy efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for needy seniors; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit; a new Children’s Arts Tax Credit; a new $3,000 volunteer firefighters’ tax credit, loan forgiveness to attract doctors and nurses to the North; $8 million to promote the deployment of clean energy technologies in Aboriginal and Northern communities; the waiving of license renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners.

Investing in the economy of tomorrow: increased support for research and technology; improved federal student loans program for Northern students.

Preserving Canada’s Fiscal Advantage: eliminating government waste; limiting spending growth; and closing unfair tax loopholes to ensure Canada stays on track for balanced budgets.

Nunavut will benefit from $4.2 million to support the hiring of additional judges and prosecutors to promote safer communities.

The Northwest Territories will benefit from providing up to $150 million over five years, starting in 2012-13, to support the construction of an all-season road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, connecting Canada from coast to coast to coast by extending the Dempster Highway to the Arctic coast.

The Yukon will benefit from $4 million to the Northern Pipeline Agency to create a cost-recovered consultations initiative, primarily focused on Aboriginal groups, with respect to the Alaska Pipeline Project

“The next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan once again shows the Conservative Government is dedicated to the North.  Our Government continues to ensure Northerners have record support to provide health care, education and other important services families depends on,” confirmed Minister Aglukkaq.