Reinvesting in Canada’s most important resource: our people

Pointing to the challenges facing Canadians in the 21st century – changing career patterns, the growing gap between rich and poor, an aging population and an ever-growing immigrant population - Mr. Dion said the need for social justice is more important than ever. But instead of making the necessary investments to deal with these challenges and help Canada grow, Stephen Harper has cut and slashed the entire range of federal social programs.

A Liberal government is one that would reverse many of the harmful cuts made by the Conservatives. As Liberals, we believe in equality of opportunity for all Canadians, and that the federal government has a role to play in achieving it. Canadians deserve to know that their government will be there when they need help. And they deserve a federal government willing to help them, whether it be people living on the streets, adults learning to read and write, or women and minorities fighting for equality.

On the economic front, Mr. Dion also committed a future Liberal government to implementing a competitiveness strategy that includes investing in education and innovation, helping Canadian businesses access and succeed in global emerging markets, and ensuring the competitiveness of Canada’s tax regime.

The Canadian economy faces significant challenges. With merging super-economies like India and China, Canada can maintain its economic edge only by putting in place policies that take the long view, and focus squarely on increasing our competitiveness. While Canada has the skills and resources to be an economic leader, we cannot afford to sit still.

Unfortunately, the Conservatives have wasted a year by undermining the foundations of a strong Canadian economy. Stephen Harper has cut funding for research, postsecondary education and international trade, and he has increased the lowest rate of income tax. He is taking Canada in the wrong direction. The Harper Conservatives should understand that their cuts reduce our productivity. They should understand the crucial roles of international trade and investment, research and commercialization.

With the federal budget being tabled on March 19th, Stéphane Dion has called on the Conservatives to recreate the competitiveness agenda. Mr. Dion also said a new Liberal government’s economic agenda would include three prongs: competitive taxes, aggressive international trade and a massive commitment to innovation and education.

A new Liberal government would reverse Conservative cuts to R&D spending. We would also reverse Conservative cuts to students’ financial assistance, to graduate scholarships and to international studies. In a riding like Westmount—Ville-Marie, with all its post-secondary institutions, the impact of the Conservative cuts is huge and must be reversed.

By cutting in social programs and undermining our economic foundations, Stephen Harper has spent a year trying to impose on Canadians his short-sighted fend-for-yourself ideology.

As Liberals, we believe we need more social justice, not less. A more compassionate Canada, not a selfish one. A more competitive economy, not one missing opportunities. That is why Stéphane Dion and the Liberal Party want to govern for the next generation by reinvesting in Canada’s most important resource: our people.



The Honourable Lucienne Robillard is the Liberal Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville-Marie and the Deputy House Leader.