TORONTO — Job creation and managing the economy will continue to be the federal government's top priorities going into the new year, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday.
Much of the focus will remain on the government's long-term economic plan, which will not involve lowering provincial health transfers.
"We will be looking as we go forward into the next year, not just to do things that will hopefully, immediately, improve prospects for Canadians but also things that will put our economy on a very good path for the generation to come," he said.
The government also plans on keeping ahead of plans on reducing the country's $31 billion national deficit.
"I think Canadians understand that our deficit and debt situation are far, far superior to the situations we see in virtually the entire rest of the developed world," he said. "This is a big Canadian advantage and one we must keep. That's why our government will continue to tackle that problem."
Earlier this week, Canada's largest province — Ontario — had its credit outlook lowered to negative from stable by ratings agency Moody's.
It said Ontario was being put on watch and could be officially downgraded if it does not rein in its expanding debt load, currently estimated at $16 billion this year.
Harper would not specifically comment on Moody's outlook.
Instead, he suggested the government would continue to support its valuable sectors, including the technology industry and Canada's oilsands.
Ottawa will continue to fight to get "real information out there" about the controversial energy source by eradicating current "misinformation," added Harper.
Harper made the comments alongside Finance Minister Jim Flaherty at a news conference Friday for the reopening of the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto, a charity that provides accommodations for sick children and their families.
The government provided $8.6 million through the Economic Action Plan for renovations to the building, which is now the largest of its kind in the world.
Origin
Source: Ottawa Citizen
Much of the focus will remain on the government's long-term economic plan, which will not involve lowering provincial health transfers.
"We will be looking as we go forward into the next year, not just to do things that will hopefully, immediately, improve prospects for Canadians but also things that will put our economy on a very good path for the generation to come," he said.
The government also plans on keeping ahead of plans on reducing the country's $31 billion national deficit.
"I think Canadians understand that our deficit and debt situation are far, far superior to the situations we see in virtually the entire rest of the developed world," he said. "This is a big Canadian advantage and one we must keep. That's why our government will continue to tackle that problem."
Earlier this week, Canada's largest province — Ontario — had its credit outlook lowered to negative from stable by ratings agency Moody's.
It said Ontario was being put on watch and could be officially downgraded if it does not rein in its expanding debt load, currently estimated at $16 billion this year.
Harper would not specifically comment on Moody's outlook.
Instead, he suggested the government would continue to support its valuable sectors, including the technology industry and Canada's oilsands.
Ottawa will continue to fight to get "real information out there" about the controversial energy source by eradicating current "misinformation," added Harper.
Harper made the comments alongside Finance Minister Jim Flaherty at a news conference Friday for the reopening of the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto, a charity that provides accommodations for sick children and their families.
The government provided $8.6 million through the Economic Action Plan for renovations to the building, which is now the largest of its kind in the world.
Origin
Source: Ottawa Citizen
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