Ask any engineer and they will tell you that when it comes to construction, a strong foundation is essential.  Whether you're building a bridge, an office tower, or even a home, no project can truly be structurally sound without a strong foundation. 

This rule of thumb also applies to our Canadian economy. Our government's focus on controlling spending, reducing red tape and keeping taxes low, helps build Canada's competitive advantage.

Another advantage the Canadian economy offers is a skilled labour force. Building this part of our economy's foundation has been one of our government's key priorities under Canada's Economic Action Plan.

For instance, since 2006 our government has issued more than 500,000 apprenticeship grants to Canadians. Our efforts are paying dividends. Today, there are approximately 2.9 million skilled trade workers in Canada, which represents 17 percent of the workforce.

However, moving forward we know that keeping Canada's growing economy strong will require more. With our government poised to invest $53 billion in infrastructure through the New Building Canada Plan, we need tradespeople with the skills to get the job done right.

To help meet this challenge, our government has launched the new Canada Apprentice Loan. Under this initiative, apprentices who are registered in a Red Seal trade program will have access to loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. The loans are interest-free until after loan recipients complete or leave their training program, up to a maximum of six years.

I fully understand the financial pressures faced by apprentices, who take time away from work in order to upgrade, and I hope many in our constituency are able to make use of this program to ensure they complete their training. It is estimated that at least 26,000 apprentices a year will apply for over $100 million in Canada Apprentice Loans. For more information about the Canada Apprentice Loan, or other programs for apprentices, go to www.canada.ca/apprenticeship
 Initiatives like the Canada Apprentice Loan are one of the ways our government seeks to build our skilled work force, a cornerstone of Canada's economic foundation.

The fact is, as one of the world's leading trading nations, our country is exposed to global economic forces. As we face instability outside our borders, Canadians can rest assured that our government is prepared. We have the necessary leadership and experience, and through Canada's Economic Action Plan we are taking steps to build a strong foundation for long-term economic growth.