Ottawa, Ontario - After much consultation the Conservative government tabled the 2010 Federal budget.  Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, P.C., M.P., introduced year two of Canada`s Economic Action Plan, however unlike its predecessor the government has balanced stimulus spending with funding freezes and  planned deficit reduction.  
 
Chatham-Kent-Essex M.P. Dave Van Kesteren on the budget, “The government`s number one focus is job creation; investing in innovation that leads to them.”  He added, “Last year’s Federal government spending was effective in Chatham-Kent-Essex, as we announced millions of dollars towards projects, creating local jobs.”  “Travelling around the riding I have witnessed firsthand the creative minds in agriculture, manufacturing and energy, and I am confident that this government’s focus will benefit them and this area.”  M.P. Van Kesteren continues, “I am also pleased that our government continues to be fiscally responsible by the introduction of salary freezes of the Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs and Senators for 2011-12 and 2012-13.  This also includes the budgets of Ministers offices and encourages Members of Parliament to do the same.” Van Kesteren concludes, “Canadian families and businesses have had to tighten their belts; the
government should be no different,” 
 
Other highlights in this year’s budget include: eliminating tariffs which will make Canada the first G7 and G20 country to be a tariff- free zone for manufacturing, continuing to lower corporate income tax rates to ensure Canada’s competiveness in drawing new investment on the world stage, extending the popular work-sharing program as well as almost $1.9 billion in post-secondary education infrastructure, research, technology innovation and environmental protection.