Minister of State (Finance) Kevin Sorenson today hosted a pre-budget roundtable discussion in Drumheller, Alberta, with business representatives, community leaders and academics. The pre-budget consultations, which began in November 2014, are allowing Canadians to provide valuable input on how the Government can continue to create jobs, improve growth and help ensure long-term prosperity.

Minister Sorenson says, “Over the past couple of months our Government has had discussions with small and large business leaders, industry experts and other Canadians right across our great country. Indeed, from coast to coast to coast, my colleagues and I are meeting with Canadians to help identify the key priorities for the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. And that is what has brought me to Drumheller today.”

Canadians are also invited to participate through online consultations. The Government is seeking the input of Canadians on five key questions that can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.fin.gc.ca/news-nouvelles/nr-nc/2014/prebudget-prebudgetaire-eng.asp.

The Canadian economy has posted one of the strongest job creation records in the Group of Seven (G-7) over the recovery, with more than 1.2 million jobs created since July 2009. The Government will balance the federal budget in 2015, and deliver close to $27 billion in tax relief and increased benefits for hard-working families with children over this year and the next five years.The Government is supporting families through proposals to increase and expand the Universal Child Care Benefit, introduce the Family Tax Cut, and increase the Child Care Expense Deduction dollar limits.