The 2022 Fall Economic Statement is the Government of Canada's plan to continue its sound stewardship of the economy and to be there for Canadians.
Throughout the past week, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, highlighted the government's efforts to build an economy that works for everyone in communities across Canada, specifically underlining support for students, workers and the tourism industry. Minister Boissonnault met with Canadians and key stakeholders in several cities, including business leaders and students in Winnipeg, union members and students in Windsor, announced additional investments in clean technology innovation in Edmonton, and ended with meetings in Québec City today. Minister Boissonnault was joined by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Health, and Joël Lightbound, the Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert.
Minister Boissonnault spoke about how the government is helping families cope with the higher cost of living. This targeted support, meant for Canadians who need it the most, includes doubling the GST Credit for six months for 11 million eligible Canadians; enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit to supplement the earnings of three million low-income Canadians; and making federal student and apprentice loans permanently interest-free for the graduates of today and tomorrow.
The government is also moving forward with its comprehensive plan to make housing more affordable, including by helping people save to buy a home and by cracking down on house flipping. The 2022 Fall Economic Statement lays out an ambitious plan to strengthen industry and build a thriving net-zero economy with opportunities and jobs across the country.
The Canadian economy faces global headwinds from a position of fundamental strength: an unemployment rate near its record low-over 500,000 more Canadians are working today than before the pandemic-the strongest economic growth in the G7 this year, a triple-A credit rating, and the lowest net debt- and deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7. Canadians should be confident that we will overcome any hurdles and prosper in the days ahead.
