Feb 05, 2008

Mr. Speaker, the liberal party chose to abstain from voting on last month’s economic statement because the government has itself abstained from acting on the crucial issues facing the nation.

The cost of employing Canadians is now 50% higher in US dollars than it was just five years ago. The pressure on exporters to cut costs and cut jobs is growing. Yet the government remains so oblivious and is actually trying to boost imports from Korea with an unfair trade agreement that will cost Canadian jobs.

On the environment, a $14 billion dollar surplus did not shake a dime free to support action on climate change. The Government could have given provinces more green for being green, by providing a cent for every kilowatt-hour of green energy they produce. But there is not a penny for your thoughts, if your thoughts are about the environment.

Mr. Speaker, the government has had surplus of opportunity, but suffers a deficit of direction on the crucial issues of our time.

For Further information contact:
Robert Cline
(905) 566-0009
guarna@parl.gc.ca