Mr. Speaker, I am sure all members will certainly want to join me in congratulating the Minister of Finance for not only tabling this record-setting fourth consecutive budget in a minority Parliament but also the earliest budget in modern history.
We all appreciate the challenges this has inevitably presented, especially during this period of global economic turmoil, and we thank him for his tireless work. Budget 2009 is a positive plan, with measures that will help our economy over both the short- and long-term; a plan that all parliamentarians should endorse. One measure worthy of special praise is the new home renovation tax credit.
Would the Minister of Finance please explain how this measure would help my constituents in Saint John and our local economy?