Dave MacKenzie Very Pleased with the 2011 Federal Budget

Dear Residents of Oxford,

I am very pleased to present you with some highlights from the 2011 Federal Budget. If you wish to view the 2011 Budget please visit www.fin.gc.ca . Alternatively, you can call or stop by one of my three constituency offices to pick up your own hard copy of the 2011 Budget.

Sincerely,
Dave MacKenzie

Public Safety

  • Investing $20 million over two years in youth crime prevention programs
  • Provide funding of $20.9 million to continue to waive firearms licence renewal fees for all classes of firearms. From May 2011 until May 2012, no firearms owner will have to pay a fee of up to $80 to renew a licence.
  • Volunteer Fire Fighter Tax Credit: In recognition of their brave service a new 15% non-refundable tax credit on an amount of $3,000 for volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 hours of service for their communities during a year. Eligible volunteer firefighters who currently receive honoraria in respect of their duties will be able to choose between the new tax credit or sticking with the existing $1,000 tax exemption for honoraria.

Seniors

  • Effective July 1st, 2011, seniors with little or no income other than Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement will receive an additional annual benefit of up to $600 for single seniors, and $840 for couples. Single recipients with an annual income (other than the noted above) of $2,000 or less, and couples with an annual income of $4,000 or less, will receive the full amount of the benefit. Above these income thresholds, the amount of the top-up will be gradually reduced and will be completely phased out at an income level of $4,000 for single and $7,360 for couples.
  • New Horizons for Seniors Program
  • $10 million over two years Oxford has already benefited from this program

Families and Communities

  • A New Family Caregiver Tax Credit: a 15 % non-refundable tax credit on an amount of $2,000 for caregivers and all types of infirm dependent relatives, including for the first time, spouses, common-law partners, and minor children.
  • Enhanced Medical Expense Tax Credit: removing the 410,000 limit on the amount of eligible medical expenses that can be claimed on behalf of a financially dependent relative.
  • Extending the EcoEnergy Retrofit Program: to help families lower their heating and electricity bills by making their house more energy efficient,
  • The Next Phase of the Economic Action Plan provides $60 million to the CBC/Radio-Canada in 2011–12, to provide radio and television services in French and English, in Ontario and across the country.
  • Provide taxpayers in Ontario with approximately $970 million in tax relief over 2010-11 and the following five fiscal years.
  • A new Children’s Arts Tax Credit: a 15% non-refundable tax credit on up to $500 in eligible fees for programs associated with children’s artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental activities

Federal – Provincial Transfers

  • For Ontario, this totals $17.7 billion in 2011-12 or $1,326 per capita.
  • Almost $2.2 billion through Equalization, an increase of over $1.2 billion from last year.
  • Over $10.7 billion through the Canada Health Transfer, an increase of $707 Million from last year. CHT will continue to grow annually through a 6 percent escalator.
  • Close to $4.5 billion through the Canada Social Transfer. For Ontario, this
  • payment represents an increase of almost $1.3 billion since 2005-06 – an
  • increase of 41.0 per cent – due mainly to the move to an equal per capita
  • cash allocation of the CST.
  • Ontario will also benefit from continued direct targeted support in 2011-12,
  • including: $197 million for labour market training as part of a commitment of $500 million a year in new funding to provinces and territories, beginning in 2008-09.
  • $97 million for the wait times reduction fund as part of the 10-year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.

Agriculture

  • The Initiative for the Control for Diseases in the Hog Industry (CDHI) will be extended by an additional two years.
  • The Government is providing $24 million over two years to enable the Canadian Swine Health Board to complete initiatives directed at national biosecurity standards and best management practices that will benefit hog producers across the country.

Hiring Credit for Small Business

  • A one-time credit of up to $1,000 against a small employer’s increase in its 2011 EI premiums over those paid in 2010.
  • This new credit will be available to approximately 525,000 employers whose total EI premiums were at or below $10,000 in 2010, reducing their 2011 payroll costs by about $165 million.

Fostering a Competitive Business Environment

  • The Next Phase of the Economic Action Plan is investing $1 million over two years to ensure that more employers and unions benefit from Labour Canada’s Preventive Mediation Program. Ultimately all Canadians, including those in Ontario will benefit from fewer work stoppages and greater economic stability.
  • Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs: 420 million to support the Canadian Youth Business Foundation’s activities. The Foundation works with young entrepreneurs to help them become the business leaders of tomorrow through mentorship, learning resources, and start-up financing.
  • Extending the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance: to help manufactures and processors make new investments in machinery and equipment.

Students

  • An increase in the in-study income exemption from $50 per week to $100 per week. This will benefit approximately 100,000 students each year. This represents an ongoing investment of approximately $30 million per year.
  • A higher income eligibility threshold for part-time Canada Student Loan recipients. The eligibility threshold for loans will be increased and harmonized with the threshold used in calculating need for full-time students. This represents an ongoing investment of $2 million per year and means that more part-time students will have access to Canada Student Loans.
  • An increase to the income eligibility threshold for part-time students used to determine eligibility for the Canada Student Grant to align it with the threshold for full-time students from low-income families. The new parameters will result in an ongoing $2.2-million investment per year.

Skilled Trade/Industry/Business

  • Work-Sharing Program: $10 million in additional support to assist those employers that continues to Face challenges by making available an extension of up to 16 weeks for active or recently terminated work-sharing agreements. The extension will be phased out by October 2011.
  • In addition, the Government will make the program more flexible and efficient for employers signing new agreements by recognizing fluctuations in work schedules and by reducing administrative complexity.