Our Canadian workers are the backbone of our economy. They have helped us recover from the pandemic and drive economic growth, which was the strongest in the G7 over the last year. More Canadians are employed today than before the pandemic, including more than 360,000 here in Ontario. Budget 2023 outlines the federal government's plan to build on this momentum and create a more secure, sustainable and affordable Canada from coast to coast to coast.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), spent the day in Hamilton and Halton, where she met with local trades organizations and businesses that are supporting workers across the region.
Minister Tassi, along with Chad Collins, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East -Stoney Creek, and Lisa Hepfner, Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, first met with employees at Hamilton Brantford Building Trades, an affiliation of 19 local construction trades unions, and spoke about Budget 2023 measures that are empowering unions and equipping Canadian workers with the tools they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The Minister then visited Eaton, a global company that helps people manage their power safely and efficiently. She talked with staff about the government's plan to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, their role in providing energy that will power our daily lives and the Canadian economy, and more affordable energy to millions of Canadian homes. She also highlighted Eaton's role as a partner to McMaster iHub. With FedDev Ontario support, iHub connects manufacturers and SMEs with training, technology and support to commercialize new products in the growing automotive and aerospace sectors.
She then visited two local women-owned small businesses, Bread and Batter, a family-owned bakery in Milton, along with Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton, and Pinbones Fish Market in Dundas. The Minister spoke about the important role that women-led Canadian businesses and workers play in the future of Canada's economy. She also highlighted Budget 2023's commitment to supporting hardworking small business owners by working with major credit card companies to lower transaction fees and by providing reduced tax rates, low-cost strategic financing, and targeted funding as part of a "Made-in-Canada Plan" that will entice global investments, lock-in labour standards, and create great middle class jobs.
Through these measures and more, Budget 2023 will help to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more secure Canadian economy-for everyone.
