A Report to Niagara Falls City Council: "Canada’s New Government during the first session of the 39th Parliament"

June 26, 2006

Niagara Falls, Ontario
Check Against Delivery

Introduction

Mayor Salci, distinguished councillors, ladies and gentlemen of Niagara Falls,

It’s a great feeling to be back in my hometown.

What better time to return to Niagara Falls than at the beginning of summer.

And with Parliament recently adjourned, it’s even better spending time with the people of Niagara Falls and letting them know that Canada’s New Government is delivering real results for Canadians.

We’re following through on our election promises. Promises for a more accountable government in Ottawa. Promises to support families and communities – promises made, and promises kept.

Our Five Priorities

Our party ran on five key priorities. I’m happy to tell you that we are delivering on every single one of those priorities. We are:

o Ensuring safer streets and communities across Canada by tackling crime;

o Lowering taxes;

o Providing child care choice and support under the Universal Child Care Plan;

o Helping guarantee Canadians get the health care they have paid for;

o And bringing integrity, responsibility and accountability back to the federal government.

Budget 2006

Canada’s New Government has delivered a budget that significantly pays down debt and cuts taxes, while at the same time focusing federal spending on key priority areas, including:

o $1.5 billion more this year for agriculture.

o $1.4 billion more this year for border security, policing and public safety.

o $3.7 billion over two years for the new $1,200 Universal Chid Care Benefit.

o $1.1 billion over two years to rebuild the Armed Forces.

Our GST reduction ensures that every Canadian will benefit from the savings, regardless of income.

o Effective July 1, the GST will be reduced from 7 per cent to 6 per cent.

And our $1,200 per year child care benefit supports the individual decisions families’ will make for the loving care of their child.

In fact, the vision for this balanced budget is so clear that it received unanimous consent during the vote in the House of Commons - how could the opposition not agree?

Joking aside, Mayor Salci and city councillors, our budget is serious when it comes to providing funding for infrastructure to the City of Niagara Falls.

Funding for Infrastructure

Over the next four years, Canada’s New Government will invest a total of $16.5 billion in new infrastructure initiatives, including:

o $3.5 billion this year and $3.9 billion next year.

This budget provides $2.2 billion over 5 years for the Municipal Infrastructure Fund, helping municipalities such as Niagara Falls undertake infrastructure improvement projects.

This budget also delivers $7.1 billion in gas tax funding over the next 4 years, helping cities and communities develop their own infrastructure projects.

This budget provides $2 billion for the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, helping regions of Canada deal with projects such as highways, urban transit, sewage treatment and flood mitigation.

This budget provides $1.3 billion in support of public transit capital investments, including:

o A one-time payment of $900 million to provinces and territories under the public Transit Capital Trust, which supports capital investments in public transit infrastructure, including:
• rapid transit;
• transit buses;
• intelligent transportation systems, and other investments including high occupancy vehicle and bus lanes, and

o And $400 million investments in public transit infrastructure for provinces and territories.

Federal Accountability Act

Our Government followed through on our commitment to accountability by introducing the toughest anti-corruption law in this country’s history.

This first piece of legislation will bring accountability, responsibility and integrity back to federal politics.

We’re committed to restoring integrity into this public process - a process in which public interest must remain top-priority when governmental procedures and business are carried out.

This also means removing frivolous spending that plagued the country over the past 13 years.

Democratic Reform

Canada’s New Government is following upon its key campaign commitments by introducing legislation that will improve this country’s democratic process.

We have introduced a bill that will establish fixed election dates every four years.

o Canada’s electoral system will no longer be at the hands of the governing party, which can manipulate the timing of elections for their own partisan advantage.

We’re also taking the first steps at reforming the Senate:

o By limiting the tenure of new Senators to 8 years, while allowing existing Senators to hold their appointment until the age of 75.

As the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, I am committed to ensuring that Canada’s democratic practices and institutions are efficient and effective – Canadians deserve no less.

International Canada/U.S. Border

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again: Canada is not the problem when it comes to our international border with the United States.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said last week in an interview that the U.S. administration is prepared to show some flexibility in terms of options regarding its proposal on passport requirements.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has stated that the U.S. is eager to work with the Canadian government on alternatives that would be easy for Canadians to meet the new security standard.

Last month, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would delay implementing the border plan by 18 months, to June 1, 2009.

Like the Prime Minister said, Canada will better position itself if it continues following its two initiatives:

o Continue voicing Canada’s opinion that we that we don’t agree with the initiative and we don’t think it’s proper.

o Indicate that we’re prepared to work with Americans rather than just call them names.

Conclusion

Mayor Salci, councillors, and people of Niagara Falls, I would like to thank you for your continued support.

Canada’s New Government is delivering and will continue to deliver on our promises – it’s our commitment to Canadians and my commitment to Niagara Falls.

Thank you.