OP-ED PIECE: "Canada’s New Government Delivers On Its Promises"

July 14, 2006

as published in Niagara This Week

Canada’s New Government has worked hard to ensure that this minority Parliament produces real results for Canadians. In just over four months in office, we have made broad progress on our five priorities, which will lead to a more accountable federal government, increased support to families and children, greater tax relief and safer communities for all Canadians.

1. Making Government More Effective And More Accountable
Canadians need to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent properly and wisely. That is why, on April 11, 2006, we introduced the Federal Accountability Act – the most sweeping accountability measures in Canada’s history – which will ensure that everyone in government – from the Prime Minister on down – is answerable to Canadians.

2. More Of Your Hard-Earned Money In Your Pocket Instead Of The Government’s Pocket
This Government believes that Canadians pay too much tax. It’s why one of our five key priorities was to immediately reduce the GST to 6 percent – a real tax cut for all Canadians. In addition, our tax plan outlined in Budget 2006 will, over time, reduce the tax burden for all Canadians. With 29 separate tax reductions, the budget delivers for individuals tax relief worth almost $20 billion over the next two years – more than the last four budgets combined.

3.Providing Child Care Choice and Support
After just a few weeks in office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper did what the Liberals could not do in 13 years – he delivered a plan to encourage choice in child care and also started to move forward with a real plan to create new child care spaces. The Universal Child Care Benefit will provide direct financial assistance to parents for each child under six and the Child Care Spaces Initiative will support the creation of up to 25,000 new child care spaces per year, beginning in 2007.

4. Safer Communities For All Canadians
Canadians have a right to feel safe and secure in their communities. That is why Canada’s New Government introduced legislation toughening penalties for firearms crimes and limiting conditional sentences for serious crimes. Following through on our campaign commitment, we also introduced legislation to eliminate the costly and wasteful long-gun registry. In the interim, measures are in place to better meet law enforcement needs while reducing the burden on law-abiding gun owners. In addition, we recently proposed legislation that will create a criminal offence for street racing, a crime that all too often kills.

5. Ensuring Canadians Get The Health Care They Pay For
Canada’s New Government believes Canadians deserve to receive medically necessary treatment within a waiting period that doesn’t pose a risk to their health or well-being. As we move forward, we will continue to engage the provinces and territories to establish a Patient Wait Times Guarantee, accomplishing two important goals: letting patients know how soon they can expect to receive care (and what to do if their wait times become excessive), and bringing a new level of health care accountability that ensures patients will receive timely medical treatment.

The Future
Looking to the future, our Government is committed to addressing a number of
other issues that are important to Canadians, including:

• strengthening political accountability through democratic reform;
• continuing to crack down on crime and combat terrorism;
• developing a practical “made-in-Canada” plan for a clean environment; and
• strengthening Canada’s economy to improve the quality of life for families.

We will continue to do what we say we will do and deliver real results for Canadians.

I would like this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy summer!