2009 was a challenging year for families across Canada.  The  global  recession  created  difficulties   that  many  of  us  had  never  dealt  with  before.  To  help  Canadians  manage  during  the  economic   crisis,  our  Conservative  Government  responded  to  these  extraordinary  times  with  extraordinary action.  

Our  Government  introduced  Canada’s  Economic  Action  Plan  to  help  Canadians,  businesses  and   local  economies.  It  included  one  of  the  most  comprehensive  stimulus  packages  in  the   industrialized  world,  and  was  to  be  carried  out  in  two  phases  over  the  span  of  two  years.
 
 The  first  phase  of  Canada’s  Economic  Action  Plan  delivered  strong  tax  savings,  created  and   maintained  jobs  in  the  sectors  hardest  hit  by  the  recession,  and  invested  in  projects  to  help  stimulate  local  economies  across  the  country.
  
Meanwhile,  our  Government  continued  to  play  a  leadership  role  on  the  world  stage.  Canada  achieved  worldwide  recognition  for  our  economic  strength,  particularly  the  stability  of  our   banking  sector.  For  example,  international  experts  such  as  the  International  Monetary  Fund   (IMF)  and  the  Royal  Bank  of  Canada  Economics  Group  (RBC)  have  both  said  that  Canada  is   positioned  to  lead  all  G7  countries  out  of  the  global  recession.
 
The  success  of  Canada’s  Economic  Action  Plan  on  the  world  stage  is  also  delivering  results  for   Canadians  at  home.  We  are  being  recognized  for  the  way  we  are  managing  the  challenges  of   the  global  recession  while  creating  jobs  in  our  communities,  and  helping  to  stimulate  local   economies.  We  may  not  be  out  of  the  woods  yet;  but we are  starting  to  see  light  at  the  end  of   this  dark  economic  tunnel.  Canadians are beginning to see the positive signs.  The   unemployment  rate  fell  in  the  month  of  November  to  8.5%,  and  Canada’s  GDP  steadily   increased  in  September  and  October.
   
Economists  from  five  of  Canada’s  largest  banks  recently  convened  at  a  forum  to  talk  about  the   global  economy.  They  reported  that  global  economies  are  recovering,  but  that  the  recovery  was   still  fragile.  The  Bank  of  Nova  Scotia  put  it  into  perspective  for  the  world  though,  when  they   said  “we’re  on  the  road  to  recovery.”  The Canadian economy is recovering, but has not yet fully recovered.
  
In  light  of  all  this,  our  Conservative  Government  recently  highlighted  the  Government’s  priority   for  2010:  focusing  on  the  second  and  final  phase  of  Canada’s  Economic  Action  Plan.  After  a  new   Throne  Speech  on  March  3  and  the  2010  Budget  the  next  day,  Phase  Two  of  our  Plan  will   introduce  further  measures  to  help  stimulate  job  growth,  protect  existing  jobs  and  continue  to  ensure  that  our  economy  emerges  from  the  recession  in  a  stronger  position  than  it  entered  into   it.
  
2009 was a challenging year.  The world made it through the largest economic recession in   decades.  And  now,  thanks  to  swift  action  from  our  Conservative  Government,  and  the  results   delivered  through  Canada’s  Economic  Action  Plan,  2010  is  shaping  up  to  be  ‘Canada’s  Year’.  In   2010,  Canada  will  maintain  our  leadership  role  on  the  world  stage,  create  and  protect  more   jobs  for  families,  and  continue  to  stimulate  our  businesses  and  communities.  Our  Conservative   Government  is  helping  Canadians  make  it  through  the  challenges  of  today,  while  positioning   our  economy  for  a  prosperous  and  improved  tomorrow.