OTTAWA—The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) association said the 2014 federal budget contains good news for manufacturers and exporters. One item in particular applies to printers.

"Behind the headline news that the federal government plans to run a fiscal surplus in 2015, the budget contains a number of measures that will assist manufacturers and exporters in finding and training skilled workers, lower regulatory compliance costs and help win major new automotive investments in Canada," said CME president and chief executive officer Jayson Myers in a statement.

Unifor, the union formed when the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) unions merged last year, also lauded the budget's boost to the automotive sector, but said that overall "the federal government made some good choices, but far too many bad ones."
 
Some tidbits from the budget unveiled yesterday:

• Good news for printers: the government says banks will no longer be allowed to charge consumers extra fees to receive printed bills in the mail. Wireless companies are off the hook for now but might encounter a similar ban in the future.
• For youth employment, the feds are planning more than $100 million in interest free loans, and more money will go toward supporting internships
• The controversial Canada Job Grant program, which covers up to $15,000 for training per eligible worker, was given the green light.
• $631 million of the money allotted to boost manufacturing will go toward building a new bridge between Windsor, Ont. and the U.S. According to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, "the new Windsor-Detroit crossing means Canadian goods will get to market faster, allowing businesses to grow, expand trade and help to secure a prosperous future."

The Huffington Post has the full text of Flaherty's budget address.

Stay tuned for updates.