Getting Things Done: unemployment rate hits 33-year low

August 10, 2007

Strong growth in labour market pushes jobless rate to lowest level since 1974

Today Statistics Canada reported that unemployment in Canada has sunk to 6.0%, its lowest level in 33 years.

The same report indicates that 350,800 new jobs have been created over the past 12 months,

These historic employment numbers demonstrate that strong leadership by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Canada’s New Government is delivering real results for all Canadians:

• Alberta’s employment boom is robust especially in trade and construction.

• Ontario’s manufacturing sector saw an impressive increase of 27,000 jobs in July.

• In Quebec and New Brunswick growth has been encouraging with significant growth in New Brunswick’s construction industry; and

• Employment grew 2.5% from September 2006 to April 2007 in Nova Scotia.

Since taking office in January of 2006, Canada’s New Government has cut taxes for all Canadians by more than $40 billion and paid down $22 billion in government debt.

Personal, corporate, capital and sales taxes have all been cut.

The GST has been lowered to 6% and it will be cut to 5% within four years.

The small business tax rate has been lowered and the small business income threshold has been increased.

Tax credits for textbooks, children’s fitness and public transit are helping put more money back into the pockets of hard working Canadians.

Seniors are paying less tax on their pension income thanks to pension income splitting, an increase in the age credit and an increase in the pension income credit.

Parents are getting the Universal Child Care Benefit -- $1,200 in direct support for every child under six -- and a 2,000 tax credit for every child under 18.

And, according to Statistics Canada, all that tax relief is delivering real results.

Canada’s economy is growing and more Canadians are working.