Government Takes Next Step in Investing in the Middle Class

Press Release

April 8, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

Nearly four years ago, Canadians chose a plan to invest in the middle class and offer real help to people working hard to join it.

Investing in the middle class means investing in people. It means building a better Canada—a stronger, more connected country—with better opportunities for people today, and the promise of a better future.

Building on that plan, Finance Minister Bill Morneau today introduced in the House of Commons Bill C-97, the Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1 (BIA 1), which implements a number of measures proposed in Budget 2019. Today’s legislation proposes new measures to help build a better Canada, and help give middle class Canadians more reasons to feel confident about what the future holds for themselves and their families.

Through BIA 1, the Government would:

• Make homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers by providing greater access to Registered Retirement Savings Plan savings to buy a home, and by implementing the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, a shared equity mortgage program that would reduce the mortgage payments required to own a home.
• Help workers get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs through the new Canada Training Credit—a personal and portable way to help workers pay for training, and an important part of the new Canada Training Benefit.
• Make education more affordable for Canadians by making the six-month grace period interest-free after a student borrower leaves school.
• Support low-income seniors by enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement earnings exemption, so that working seniors can take home more money while they work.
• Lower Canadians’ energy costs by increasing energy efficiency in residential, commercial and multi-unit buildings in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
• Enhance support for innovation by improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program for growing innovative firms.
• Support local infrastructure priorities by providing a one-time top-up of $2.2 billion, doubling the federal municipal infrastructure commitment in 2018–19. This will help municipalities and First Nations communities pay for crucial repairs and other important local projects.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada has listened to Canadians and as a result we are investing in the things that matter most to them: good jobs, strong communities, a clean environment, and better opportunities for future generations. We’re continuing to work hard to build an economy that works for everyone, with investments that grow our economy today – and for the long term.”

– Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

Related products

• Budget Plan
• Budget Speech
• Backgrounder: The Canada Training Benefit
• Backgrounder: An Affordable Place to Call Home
• Backgrounder: Moving Forward on Implementing National Pharmacare
• Backgrounder: A Secure and Dignified Retirement for Canadians
• Backgrounder: Advancing Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples
• Backgrounder: Building a Better Canada: Universal High-Speed Internet
• Backgrounder: Strong Communities, Affordable Electricity and a Clean Economy
• Gender Report (PDF 2 MB)
• Investing in Young Canadians (PDF 1 MB)

Contacts

Media may contact:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Director of Media Relations
Office of the Minister of Finance
pierre-olivier.herbert@canada.ca
613-369-5696

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General Enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca

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