The arrival of the new Commission, with an ambitious agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change, is the right moment to generate a new momentum.

(2)A New Start for Europe. My Agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change.

As was mentioned earlier, Bill C-38, the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, is a key element of the action plan. It implements many of the principal measures in the plan, including supporting jobs and growth through responsible resource development while protecting the environment; helping to build a fast and flexible economic immigration system that meets the needs of the Canadian labour market; gradually increasing the age of eligibility for old age security and the guaranteed income supplement from 65 to 67, starting in April 2023, to ensure that it remains sustainable for future generations; and much more.

During that period, the greatest investment ever made by the EU through cohesion instruments will be worth € 308 billion (in 2004 prices) to support regional growth agendas and to stimulate job creation.

Ensuring programmes conductive to growth and employment, the adequate absorption capacity and putting into place the necessary administrative structures for an efficient implementation of structural funds is a particular challenge for the new Member States, taking into account in particular, the short programming period available.

While all federal organizations support the government's job creation priority, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Industry Canada, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency play a key role in advancing our jobs and growth agenda.