Prime Minister Harper delivers the second quarterly update on the progress of Canada's Economic Action Plan, June 2009. 

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As part of Canada's economic action plan, our government is investing in new infrastructure to an unprecedented degree. Infrastructure spending is a responsible method of economic stimulus, as expenditures are temporary, create jobs, support industry, and leave lasting legacies for our communities, such as improved roads and bridges.

I have been highly active in ensuring that our community benefits from this development. This is a rare opportunity - while these stimulus dollars are flowing, I'd like to see as many dollars as possible flow right here, to North Vancouver. 

Here are some projects on the North Shore that are already benefiting from our government's infrastructure investments:

• Upgrades to the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge
  
• Improvements to Capilano Road
  
• Port related infrastructure upgrades on the North Shore
  
• A replacement for the blue bridge on Marine Drive that crosses Capilano River
  
• Improvements to westbound approaches to the Lions Gate Bridge
  
• Spirit Trail construction, such as the paved leg from Park Royal into North Vancouver
  
• Upgrades to SeaBus security

• A new film centre for Capilano University
  
• Modernization of the Capilano Salmon hatchery
  
• Upgraded baseball facilities at Chris Zeuhlke Park
  
• A new running track and turf field at Windsor School
  
• Bridge seismic upgrades (Marine Drive bridge over Mosquito Creek, Cotton Road bridge over Lynn Creek)
  
• Replacement of the Bewicke bridge
  
• Construction of the Green Necklace Greenway on Keith Rd between St Andrews and Grand Boulevard
  
• Rebuilding of five pedestrian sidewalks
  
• Bicycle lanes on Marine drive
  
• Lynn creek flood protection projects

Prime Minister Harper delivers the first update on the progress of our government's Economic Action Plan.
March 17, Mississauga, ON.

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Canada's Economic Action Plan is our government's comprehensive plan to stimulate economic growth, restore confidence and support Canadians and their families during a synchronized global recession. This plan contains major targeted action across four broad priorities:

Tax relief for Canadian individuals, families and businesses.
Our Government is providing $20 billion in additional personal income tax relief over the next five years.  Most Canadians have been seeing the benefits of these personal income tax cuts on their pay stubs since April 1st.  We remain committed to long-term business tax reductions, including a reduction of the general corporate tax rate to 19% as of January 1st, 2009.

Stimulus spending to creates jobs.
Canadians who renovate their homes are eligible for the Home Renovation Tax Credit.  This will encourage more Canadians to invest in job-creating renovation projects. In all, our Government is investing $7.8 billion in job-creating housing-related projects, which also includes social-housing, on-reserve housing, and housing for low-income seniors and Canadians with disabilities. Our Government is investing $12 billion in new major public works projects such as roads, bridges, highways and public transit.  These projects will create thousands of jobs.

Helping the Canadians that are hardest hit by the recession.
Canadians who have lost their jobs are now eligible for an extra five weeks of Employment Insurance. Workers who agree to a reduced work-week as part of a job-saving action are now eligible for EI benefits through new work-sharing rules. Sectors of the economy that are particularly hard hit by the deterioration of our export markets – including the automotive, forestry and manufacturing sectors – are receiving $7.5 billion in transitional support.

The Government is also investing $8.3 billion in a skills and transition strategy that will help unemployed Canadians learn the skills they need to find jobs in the new economy.

Strengthening the Financial System and Improving Access to Credit.
Our Government has already provided over $50 billion to stabilize the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program and Canada Mortgage Bond program.  This will help families obtain home mortgages and car loans which are vital to the future of Canada’s homebuilding and automotive sectors.

The Government is making more credit available to businesses through Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

We are also in the process of launching the Canadian Lenders Assurance Facility, which will ensure Canadian financial institutions are competing on a level playing field in international markets.