Question Period Note: Budget 2023 Funding for PrairiesCan

Budget 2023 Funding for PrairiesCan

*On March 28, 2023, our government tabled Budget 2023, A Made in Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.
*It makes transformative investments to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more secure Canadian economy for everyone.
*In Budget 2023, PrairiesCan received funding through two pan-Regional Development Agency (RDA) initiatives: Federal Tourism Growth Strategy ($108M over 3 years for all RDAs); Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) ($50M over 1 year for all RDAs).
*Budget 2023 also includes significant incentives for industries and clean growth in the Prairies. I am confident these measures will help the Prairie economy to continue to grow.

If prompted on specifics of funding for Federal Tourism Growth Strategy:
*Our government continues to support Canada's tourism sector and help bolster its recovery.
*My colleague, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, is working with tourism businesses, provincial counterparts, and Indigenous partners on a Federal Tourism Growth Strategy that will plot a course for stability.
*To support this, Budget 2023 proposes $108 million over 3 years, starting in 2023-24, for RDAs to support Canada’s tourism sector.
*Funding will support communities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in developing local tourism projects.
If prompted on specifics of funding for REGI:
*REGI is a national program delivered by RDAs across Canada to fuel economic growth through innovation and create good paying jobs for Canadians.
*Budget 2023 proposes $50 million in 2023-24 across all RDAs as one-year renewal of previous time-limited funding for the REGI program.

If prompted on Budget 2023 funding for Building a Green Prairie Economy:
*Budget 2023 establishes a variety of incentives for clean electricity, hydrogen, bio-fuels, transportation, and manufacturing that align with the goals of the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act.
*Among specifics, the Budget includes new investment tax credits for hydrogen, clean technology manufacturing, electric grid incentives, and carbon capture and storage that align with priority areas in the Act.
*We will continue to work with our partners to determine how the Prairies can best capitalize on these opportunities.