Income tax cuts and reducing the deficit are two highlights of the federal budget, delivered in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on March 4th.
 
By reducing taxes and cutting red tape, this new Conservative budget will create jobs, encourage economic growth and lessen the burden on small business.
 
Personal tax cuts will exceed $3 billion, thanks to adjustment of federal tax brackets, improvements to the Working Income Tax Benefit, higher child benefits for parents and lower taxes for seniors.
 
At the same time, we are working to reduce the deficit by restraining government spending. We are going to freeze department operating budgets (the money government spends on wages and administration) at their 2010-11 level for two years thereafter. The Conservatives are going to also launch a comprehensive review of what the federal government spends on administration and overhead.
 
Since Canadian families have to live on a budget and see where they can cut costs and save money, it is only fair that the federal government does the same.
 
This plan will cut the federal deficit by two-thirds in three years. But unlike the Liberals, our government is not going to raise taxes or cut spending on health care, education or support for our seniors.
 
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.