Ottawa – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops Thompson Cariboo spoke today in the House of Commons on an Opposition Motion calling for immediate action on job creation and the unemployment rate among Canadian workers.

“I want to reassure Canadians that our government’s top priority is the economy and jobs,” said McLeod. “While Canada’s economy has created nearly 600,000 net new jobs since July 2009, the strongest job growth record in the G-7, too many Canadians are still looking for work.”

“That is why we are working hard to implement our prudent, low-tax plan to support Canada’s economic recovery and help create jobs through the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” stated McLeod.

In her speech McLeod  highlighted features in Budget 2011 that invested in key drivers for economic growth:  from innovation, investment, education, and  support for industries and communities, to support for a competitive agricultural sector and investing in infrastructure.

Mrs. McLeod also quoted  Bank of Montreal deputy chief economist Doug Porter, who appeared before the Finance Committee this week: “…compared to policy making in the rest of the world, Canada’s economic policy making has been exemplary. I don’t think there has been a significant misstep in recent years.”

“The government believes that encouraging investment and economic growth is the best way to create jobs and a brighter future for Canadians.  It is what Canadians expect of us, and what we must deliver,” concluded McLeod.