MILTON — New figures released by the Government of Canada prove that the Economic Action Plan is achieving impressive results to stimulate Canada’s housing sector. Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament (Burlington), on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today highlighted that more Canadians are investing in home renovations, thereby directly creating jobs and improving the economy.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our Government is delivering results for our economy today and benefits for homeowners and our environment for years to come,” said Mr. Wallace.

Since the beginning of April, an average of more than 21,000 homeowners a month have had pre-retrofit energy evaluations completed — an increase of more than 75 percent compared to April 2008 — securing jobs for thousands of Canadians.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our Government is delivering results for our economy today and benefits for homeowners and our environment for years to come,” said Minister Raitt. “Canadians across the country are accessing these programs that were introduced in our Economic Action Plan and are creating jobs in communities when they are needed most.”

The Conservative Government also implemented the Home Renovation Tax Credit as part of the Economic Action Plan. This non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350 applies to a wide range of work performed or goods purchased for home improvements, from kitchen renovations to landscaping.

“The increase of the RRSP withdrawal limit under the Home Buyers’ Plan, the new $750 First Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit and the new temporary $1,350 Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) will help Canadian homeowners to reduce the cost of investing in their homes,” stated the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food). “The proposals announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan will not just help first-time home buyers in the purchase of their first home; they will also help stimulate the housing sector through increased demand for labour, building materials and other goods.” 

For more information on all of these programs please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca

• Canadians benefitting from stimulus for homeowners in Harper Government's Economic Action Plan - Backgrounder