Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise in the House and congratulate the Government of Canada for its innovative budget for 2003.
Businesses fared well in this budget. One of the measures announced is improved access to venture capital, in the form of a $190 million cash injection to support new or growing companies.
Also in the budget was a $25 million a year investment in the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program, $20 million for Aboriginal Business Canada, $20 million for Farm Credit Canada over the next two years and a 12% cut in employment insurance premiums.
I applaud these Government of Canada initiatives, which will help our businesses contribute to Canada's economic prosperity.