emphasizes support for the Shining Waters Railway, provides more money to low income seniors, supports energy efficiency retrofits and increases the tax credit for volunteer firefighters!

(Ottawa, ON) – Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough and Parliamentary Secretary to Minister’s of Canadian Heritage and Sport welcomes the new programs and initiatives being extended in the 2011 Federal Budget.

“I could not be more pleased given the inclusion of the Shining Waters Railway and the plan to immediately undertake design engineering work.” stated MP Del Mastro. (page 93 of Budget 2011)  “This is the next necessary and critical step in the re-introduction of passenger rail services between Peterborough and Ottawa.  This work will be undertaken in co-operation and in accordance with CP's operational requirements to provide economically critical freight shipping services which are central to its business interests.  Clearly, all that remains at this point is for the Province of Ontario to extend a contract to the Shining Waters Railway in accordance with the Building Canada Agreement.  Given recent conversations and assurances, I am confident that this will be forthcoming in the near future.” 

Additionally, while Budget 2011 clearly sets out a responsible roadmap back to a balanced fiscal position, Canada’s strong economic performance has allowed for reasonable and responsible new programs and initiatives to be undertaken.  The priorities for these new investments are very much in-line with those articulated by the dozens of groups that participated in MP Del Mastro’s pre-budget consultation this past January.

“Additional support for low income seniors in our community, in particular single or widowed seniors, was an absolute priority for our community and my government.” stated MP Del Mastro.  “The targeted tax credit measures to attract new family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses to rural regions of the country is a welcome initiative as is the recognition of the value of our volunteer firefighters through an expansion of their tax credit.  The new funding for the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program - which was universally popular and effective - will unquestionably help area homeowners protect themselves against the rapidly rising cost of energy consumption while reducing their overall carbon footprint.  It is indeed money well invested!”

Budget 2011 further keeps the government’s commitment to keep taxes on Canada’s job creating industries low.  We have seen the value of these measures locally in a very profound way since the recovery began and they are particularly important given the high value of the Canadian dollar and its impact on our critical export industries.

For more information about today’s budget visit www.budget.gc.ca or contact the MP’s Office.