Dear Friends,

I am pleased to let you know that Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012: our plan for jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity, was tabled in the House of Commons on March 29^th.  This plan supports our Government’s mandate to promote jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians. Our Conservative Government is squarely focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. I am happy to report that Canada continues to lead the G-7 in job growth since the height of the economic crisis in July of 2009.

Through Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government is creating jobs now by: providing new funding for border infrastructure improvement; extending the Hiring Credit for Small Business by one year; renewing the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, which now celebrates its 50^th anniversary; and further investing in local infrastructure, through our Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

We are providing more opportunities for Canadians by: making adjustments to our Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians who are seeking employment; making it much easier for employers to find the workers they need, and for Canadians who are out of work to identify new opportunities; adding new opportunities and incentives for members of First Nations living on reserve, to achieve further self-sufficiency and to increase participation in our economy; channelling more funding towards career experiences and skills training for Canadians with disabilities and Canadian youth; working on an economic immigration system that will attract more entrepreneurs and fill labour force gaps; and by helping transitioning older Canadian workers to find suitable, new jobs.

The Canadian Government’s strong support for our great province of Alberta is evident in this year’s Economic Action Plan; federal transfer support is provided in record measures for schools, hospitals, and other vital services. Our transfer support represents a 61% increase ($1.4 billion) from the previous Liberal government, as funding will total almost $3.6 billion for 2012-13.

Our Government has formulated Economic Action Plan 2012 to take vital steps to seize global economic opportunities and address challenges. For more information on this year’s Economic Action Plan, I encourage you to visit: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.

I plan to attend various events in the Macleod riding, including: the Crowsnest Pass Trade Show and Exhibition, the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce Trade and Lifestyle Show, and the Fort Macleod Community Trade Show. I am looking forward to seeing my constituents at these events - and others - over the coming months!

It is a privilege to have served as your Member of Parliament since 2004. I am honoured to have this responsibility and to represent you in the House of Commons and look forward to continuing this role in 2012.

On behalf of my wife Sandy, and my entire family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again for your continued support.