Vaughan, Ontario – On Friday February 18th, Julian Fantino, Member of Parliament for Vaughan and Minister of State (Seniors), met with Vaughan Council to discuss Vaughan’s priorities for the upcoming federal budget.

“Our Government continues to focus on strengthening Canada’s economy,” said Minister Fantino. “With the economic recovery still fragile, I am focused on creating jobs and economic growth in Vaughan.”

Minister Fantino has delivered the results of Vaughan’s pre-budget consultations to the Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty.

“Our government has supported hundreds of job-creating projects here in Vaughan,” said Minister Fantino. “Vaughan families and businesses are benefiting from the Harper Government’s investments in our transportation system, infrastructure, and recreational facilities.”

The Harper Government is keeping taxes low for Canadian families and job creators. Since coming to office, the government has reduced taxes 120 times. The Government is investing in entrepreneurship, innovation and supporting commercialization of new ideas to help make Vaughan a top place for investment and growth.

“The City of Vaughan has benefited significantly from the government’s Economic Action Plan. The City was able to invest $30 million in the local economy, create jobs and fund important infrastructure projects that would have otherwise been funded by the Vaughan property tax payer,” said City Manager Clayton Harris.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working, Canada has created over 460,000 jobs since July 2009 - the strongest job growth in the G7 - and the economy has grown for five straight quarters. Minister Fantino emphasized that the government is focusing on the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to sustain the fragile economic recovery and return to balanced budget. 

“Members of Council and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Minister Fantino in advance of the federal budget announcement,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “Infrastructure is a major concern. We are pleased with the support our City has received so far but there is a requirement for further stimulus funding. As a rapidly growing municipality with new projects such as the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre,  a hospital, and key challenges in the area of transit, we look forward to working with all levels of government to develop such a strategy.”