Conservatives Continue to Deliver on Free Trade
March 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
On Wednesday, Peter Van Loan, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, introduced legislation which would implement the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Minister Van Loan is following through on a commitment made last week in our Conservative Government’s Speech from the Throne.
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To broaden our engagement with Colombia, our Government has also introduced parallel labour and environment agreements.
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This Free Trade Agreement will give Canadians access to an emerging market of 45 million people with the potential for high growth.
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Our Government is working to give our exporters greater market access for products such as wheat, barley, paper products and heavy equipment. It will also give Canadians more opportunity for direct investment, especially in mining, oil exploration, printing and education.
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The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is just one of eleven Free Trade Agreements that our Conservative Government is pursuing or has completed, including countries as diverse as Jordan, Peru, Panama and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein).
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Protectionism clearly threatens the long-term economic recovery of Canada and of the entire world. That’s why our Conservative Government is committed and focused on opposing protectionism and defending free trade – so that Canadian workers and businesses can continue to demonstrate that they are among the best in the world.Â
Conservatives Continue to Deliver on Free Trade
Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals Refuse to Stand up for Canadian Sealers
March 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
For generations, thousands of coastal Canadian sealers have relied on the seal hunt for income and ultimately, their livelihood.Â
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While Michael Ignatieff claims to support the seal hunt, he is in fact attempting to play both sides of the issue. A senior Liberal, Mac Harb, announced on Tuesday that he intends to reintroduce his bill calling for the banning of the seal hunt.
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The seal hunt is a sustainable activity based on sound conservation principals. Our Canadian sealers have been a part of the hunt for generations upon generations. To them, sealing is about more than fur; they are trading numerous other products such as seal oil and meat.Â
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Our Canadian seal hunt represents a growing share of what is already a multi-million dollar business. In these challenging economic times, Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are threatening those who depend on the seal hunt for their living.
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The reintroduction of this bill will undermine the hunt and undercut the livelihood of sealing families.
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If Michael Ignatieff truly supports Canadian Sealers, he should call on his entire caucus to stand united behind our sealers.
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While Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals play politics with Canadian families, our Conservative Government is unwavering in its support for the generations of men and women who depend on this sustainable hunt.
Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals Refuse to Stand up for Canadian Sealers
Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth
March 5, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
Today, Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented our Conservative Government’s Budget plan, which is helping to lead the way on jobs and growth. Â
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As Canadians remain concerned about jobs and the economy, our Government has held hundreds of consultations with Canadian workers and businesses.  As a result, Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on Canada’s economic recovery with action to sustain our country’s economic advantage and chart the way forward to balance our budget.
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The priorities of Canadians are at the forefront of plan to lead the way on jobs and growth.  As Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan rolls out, it contains important stimulus measures to help create jobs now, including the rapid rollout of infrastructure projects across the country.  It takes additional steps to protect existing jobs and create new ones, and it looks ahead to the future in order to secure Canada’s long-term growth.
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We are also taking steps to reduce the deficit and to return to balanced budgets in the medium term. Â At the same time, we will not balance the budget by cutting transfer payments for health care or education, or by raising taxes on hard-working Canadians.
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Compare our Conservative Government’s action to protect our economy with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.  Ignatieff has described himself as a “tax-and-spend Liberal”.  Senior members of the Liberal Party suggest we need to raise taxes.  Ignatieff brags that he was the first Liberal to tout a carbon tax.  And if he becomes Prime Minister, Ignatieff says he “will have to raise taxes.”  That’s not the way to strengthen our economy.Â
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Our Conservative Government’s Jobs and Growth plan will help solidify Canada’s economic recovery, and it will sustain Canada’s economic advantage now and for the future.
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Canada is at a key moment in our history as we emerge from the global recession.  Thanks to Conservative leadership, our Government is taking a key role in ensuring Canada’s economic recovery. Â
Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth
Building a Stronger Canada – Now and for the Future
March 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
Today, our Conservative Government unveiled the Speech from the Throne which outlined our Government’s broad agenda for the upcoming session of Parliament.Â
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We are proud that Canada will emerge from the recession powered by one of the strongest economies in the industrialized world.
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Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, jobs and growth will remain our Government’s top priority. We will focus on implementing year two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to protect incomes, create jobs, ease credit markets, and help workers and communities get back on their feet.
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Recognizing that too many Canadians are still looking for work, our Government will continue to work on job creation and job protection by helping young Canadians entering into today’s job market.
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While we remain focused on jobs and growth, we are also planning a return to fiscal balance by winding down stimulus spending and by restraining federal program spending overall while protecting growth in transfers that directly benefit Canadians.
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All the while, we will remain focused on building the jobs and industries of the future. We will invest in Canadians’ skills and education; we will keep taxes low; we will open markets to Canadian goods and services; and we will create the conditions for continued success of industries that are the foundation of Canada’s prosperity.
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A stronger Canada now means a stronger Canada for the future.
Building a Stronger Canada – Now and for the Future
Ignatieff’s Liberals Threaten to Delay Conservative Action on Crime
March 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
Once again, Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are showing Canadians that they put the interests of criminals ahead of law abiding citizens.
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In today’s National Post, Michael Ignatieff’s Justice critic Dominic LeBlanc clearly threatened that the Liberals will delay our Conservative Government’s important crime bills in the upcoming session of Parliament.
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LeBlanc was also critical of our Government’s attempt to make tough laws clearer to Canadians by giving them meaningful titles. Our Government makes no apologies for trying to engage Canadians and informing them of our important justice initiatives.
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Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals want Canadians to believe that they are tough on crime. But when it comes down to supporting important crime legislation, we can’t count on them to protect the safety of Canadians.Â
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Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Conservative Government intends to give police the tools they need, punish criminals and give greater rights to victims.
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When it comes to getting tough on crime, are Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals more interested in defending the rights of criminals, or the rights of Canadians?
Ignatieff’s Liberals Threaten to Delay Conservative Action on Crime
The Party’s Over for Criminals with Conservative Action on 2-for-1 Sentencing
February 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
On Tuesday, our Conservative Government announced that our Truth in Sentencing Act, which ends 2-for-1 and in some cases, 3-for-1 sentencing, is now the law of the land. Â
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The Act will strictly limit the amount of credit that is granted to criminals for their time served in custody prior to sentencing.
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Law-abiding Canadian families who work hard and play by the rules deserve to have confidence in our justice system. Unfortunately, after thirteen long years of Liberal inaction on crime, that confidence has eroded.
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Under the Liberals, it became common practice for courts to grant criminals extra credit for time served before their trial, which put them back on our streets before they had paid their full debt to society.
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Our Conservative Government knew this was unacceptable, and we took action. The law that is now in effect proves that we are delivering on our commitment to ensure that criminals serve the sentences that reflect the severity of their crimes.
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While Michael Ignatieff’s unelected Liberal Senators tried to block our action to get tough on crime, our Conservative Government has once again delivered real results for the safety of Canadians and their families.Â
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The Party’s Over for Criminals with Conservative Action on 2-for-1 Sentencing
Canadians Helping Haiti
February 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the effects of the devastating earthquake in Haiti first-hand as he visited the damaged country.
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While in Haiti, Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada will support the construction of a Temporary Government Administrative Base for the Haitian Government in Port-au-Prince.
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This action is in response to a formal request from Haiti for Canada’s help in establishing a secure area where key government officials can work together. Most government buildings in Port-au-Prince have collapsed or have been severely damaged.  Establishing this government base will help Haitian officials and public servants organize more effectively and return to work.
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Canada was one of the first countries on the ground after the earthquake. Since then we have been working around the clock to provide relief and do all that we can to help the Haitian people.
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Countless Canadian volunteers and our own Canadians Forces remain on the ground in Haiti. Â To date they have helped to deliver food, bottled water, emergency supplies and medical equipment. In addition, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the damaged country thanks to their efforts.Â
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Our Conservative Government is reminding Canadians that cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone. Our efforts to match the $113 million in donations Canadians have made so far dollar for dollar, is additional help that we hope will make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people.
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As Prime Minister Harper said, “The support that Canadians and the international community extended to Haiti is a testament to the compassion that unites humanity in the face of catastrophe.”
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Updates on the situation in Haiti are available at: Â http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/earthquake_seisme_haiti.aspx.
Canadians Helping Haiti
February 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the effects of the devastating earthquake in Haiti first-hand as he visited the damaged country.
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While in Haiti, Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada will support the construction of a Temporary Government Administrative Base for the Haitian Government in Port-au-Prince.
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This action is in response to a formal request from Haiti for Canada’s help in establishing a secure area where key government officials can work together. Most government buildings in Port-au-Prince have collapsed or have been severely damaged.  Establishing this government base will help Haitian officials and public servants organize more effectively and return to work.
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Canada was one of the first countries on the ground after the earthquake. Since then we have been working around the clock to provide relief and do all that we can to help the Haitian people.
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Countless Canadian volunteers and our own Canadians Forces remain on the ground in Haiti. Â To date they have helped to deliver food, bottled water, emergency supplies and medical equipment. In addition, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the damaged country thanks to their efforts.Â
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Our Conservative Government is reminding Canadians that cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone. Our efforts to match the $113 million in donations Canadians have made so far dollar for dollar, is additional help that we hope will make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people.
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As Prime Minister Harper said, “The support that Canadians and the international community extended to Haiti is a testament to the compassion that unites humanity in the face of catastrophe.”
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Updates on the situation in Haiti are available at: Â http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/earthquake_seisme_haiti.aspx.
Conservative Action To Protect Canada’s Housing Advantage
February 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
On Tuesday, our Conservative Government announced new measures for Canada’s housing market to help protect our economic recovery.
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Although there is no clear evidence of a housing bubble in Canada, our Conservative Government is looking ahead and taking prudent and cautious steps to help prevent one.
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To help Canadians prepare for the possibility of future interest rate increases, our Government is taking action such as requiring that all borrowers meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term. We are lowering the maximum withdrawal amount when refinancing mortgages and are now requiring a minimum down payment of 20 per cent for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner occupied properties.Â
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Today’s announcement will help to prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and will help to avoid situations where lenders facilitate the problem.
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Our Government understands the importance of the mortgage and housing sector to the economy and the country. That’s why we took action in 2008 to limit the kinds of excesses that plagued other countries around the world.
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As recognized by the International Monetary Fund as well as others, Canada’s regulation of our financial services industry ensured that we were in a much stronger position to weather the economic downturn.
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Through today’s announcement, our Conservative Government is looking ahead to the future and taking action now, before there is a problem, to protect Canada’s fragile economic recovery.
Conservative Action To Protect Canada’s Housing Advantage
Conservatives protecting and defending Canada’s North
February 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under CON-Stephen Harper, Featured
On Tuesday, our Conservative Government updated Canadians on our actions and leadership in exercising our sovereignty and strengthening the economy of Canada’s North.
Our Government is firmly committed to asserting sovereignty over Canada’s Arctic lands and waters – taking into consideration the history, international law, and way of life of the Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples who have inhabited the region for thousands of years.
Our Northern Strategy focuses on strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, protecting the fragile northern environment, and promoting economic and social development; while at the same time, giving Northerners more control over their own economic and political future.
To fulfill our commitments to the North, our Government created the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and is investing in future infrastructure projects in the North.
Our Government has long worked side-by-side with our international Arctic neighbours to deliver real results for the region. This relationship will continue to strengthen as we host the five Arctic Ocean coastal states in March, 2010.
Our Conservative Government is taking action for Canada’s North by working to assert our sovereignty, strengthen the economy, and put the region in position for a more prosperous future.
