The Honourable Kamal Khera highlights budget investments to support every generation

BRAMPTON, ON, April 22, 2024 /CNW/ - The federal government recently delivered Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation.

It is a plan to build a Canada that works better for everyone, where younger generations can get ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a home?where everyone has a fair chance at a good middle-class life.

Today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities; Shafqat Ali, Member of Parliament (Brampton Centre); and Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament (Brampton North), are in Brampton, Ontario, to highlight Budget 2024's investments to support every generation. Through Budget 2024, the federal government is empowering young entrepreneurs with an investment of $60 million over five years for Futurpreneur Canada, a national not-for-profit organization that provides young entrepreneurs with access to financing, mentorship, and other supports to help them launch and grow their business. By 2029, Futurpreneur Canada estimates this investment will enable around 6,250 additional businesses owned by young Canadians to launch and scale-up their operations. Futurpreneur Canada has already helped over 17,700 young entrepreneurs to launch more than 13,900 businesses across the country.

Budget 2024 is a plan to deliver fairness for every generation.

First, the budget takes bold action to build more homes. Because the best way to make home prices more affordable is to increase supply?and quickly. It lays out a strategy to unlock 3.87 million new homes by 2031. Key measures include launching the new Public Lands for Homes Plan and Canada Rental Protection Fund, enhancing the Canadian Mortgage Charter, and creating a new Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights.

Second, it will help make life cost less. The budget builds on the government's transformative expansion of Canada's social safety net?$10-a-day child care, dental care for uninsured Canadians, the first phase of universal pharmacare?and advances the government's work to lower everyday costs for Canadians. This includes helping to stabilize the cost of groceries, cracking down on junk fees, and lowering the costs of banking. Budget 2024 also makes transformative new investments, including a National School Food Program and the Canada Disability Benefit.

Third, this year's budget will grow the economy in a way that's shared by all. The government's plan will increase investment, enhance productivity, and encourage innovation. It will create well-paying and meaningful jobs, keep Canada at the economic forefront, and deliver new support to empower more of our best entrepreneurs and innovators. This includes attracting more investment in the net-zero economy by expanding and delivering the major economic investment tax credits, securing Canada's advantage as a leader in artificial intelligence, and investing in enhanced research grants that will provide younger generations with good jobs and new opportunities. And it means ensuring Indigenous peoples share in this growth in a way that works for them.

Budget 2024 will also make Canada's tax system fairer by asking the wealthiest to pay a bit more, so that the government can invest in prosperity for every generation, and because it would be irresponsible and unfair to pass on more debt to the next generations. Budget 2024 is a responsible economic plan that upholds the fiscal objectives outlined in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, and sees Canada maintain the lowest deficit- and net debt-to-GDP ratios in the G7.

"Our government first came to office with a vow to strengthen and expand the middle class. We delivered on that pledge by reducing poverty, especially for children and seniors, and creating millions of good jobs for Canadians. Our work isn't done. Budget 2024 renews our focus on unlocking the door to the middle class for millions of younger Canadians. We'll build more housing and help make life cost less. We will drive our economy toward growth that lifts everyone up. That is fairness for every generation."

?The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

"With Budget 2024, we are doubling down on this commitment. This budget is more than just a fiscal plan?it's a blueprint for a fairer, more inclusive Canada. By investing in initiatives that  provide young entrepreneurs from Brampton, and across Canada, with access to financing, mentorship, and other supports to help them launch and grow their business, we help stimulate economic growth, laying the groundwork for a prosperous future for all right. Let us seize this opportunity to create a Canada where every generation can thrive."

?The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

"With $161.5 million in federal funding, Futurpreneur Canada has empowered over 17,700 young entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life, resulting in the establishment of more than 13,900 businesses nationwide. Futurpreneur Canada's initiatives not only drive economic growth, but also empower our youth to unleash their true potential, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among Canada's young generation. It creates new businesses and employment opportunities and contributes positively to the economy and the overall entrepreneurial landscape of Canada. It's a testament to the importance of supporting and nurturing the innovative spirit of young entrepreneurs."

?Shafqat Ali, Member of Parliament (Brampton Centre)

• Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
• Budget 2024: Address by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
• Budget 2024: Key Measures (available in non-official languages)
• Backgrounder: More Affordable Homes
• Backgrounder: A Stronger Social Safety Net
• Backgrounder: Fairness for Younger Generations
• Backgrounder: Economic Growth and Productivity
• Backgrounder: Growing Small Businesses
• Backgrounder: Safer, Healthier Communities
• Backgrounder: A Fair Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Backgrounder: Tax Fairness for Every Generation
• Budget 2024: Canada's Consumer-Driven Banking Framework

SOURCE Canadian Heritage