OTTAWA – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, was pleased to join a majority of MPs last night in voting approval for the Conservative government’s economic statement, tabled this week in the House of Commons.

“This statement just confirms that Conservatives are dedicated to paying down debt, keeping spending focused on results and reducing taxes for Canadians,” explains Benoit, pointing out his government’s record on economic leadership.

• The economy is growing – to $1.45 trillion dollars;
• More people are working – unemployment is at a 33-year low;
• Personal taxes are going down – tax freedom day arrived four days earlier in 2007;
• Cut the GST from 7% to 6% and now to 5%;
• We’re paying down debt - $22.4 billion over the last two years; and
• People have more to spend, save or invest.

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper knows that now is the time to deliver historic tax relief that will leave more money in the pockets of Canadians and give businesses more freedom to create jobs and make further investments,” continues Benoit. “Our government is establishing a proud legacy of tax relief, having delivered or announced more than 60 tax cuts since coming to office 21 months ago.”

Benoit points out that the Conservative tax relief measures total $190 billion over this and the next five years, including the additional $60 billion in broad based tax cuts outlined in this week’s economic statement.

“As part of these cuts, business taxes will come down again,” states Benoit. “In fact, our government will put business taxes on a five-year downward track making Canada’s corporate tax rate the lowest among the major industrialized economies. This is clearly a turning point for Canadians and their businesses and will create more jobs even in the case of an economic downturn.”

Benoit is pleased to note that these cuts will serve to further increase the purchasing power of consumers, the take home pay for all Canadians and the freedom of Canadian businesses – from neighbourhood coffee shops to large corporations -- to create jobs and make further investments in their businesses.

“Since coming to office 21 months ago our Government has taken action that will reduce the overall tax burden for Canadians and businesses by about $190 billion, bringing taxes to their lowest level in nearly 50 years,” concludes Benoit. “That is solid, strong leadership.”