Halton Conservative Association

Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:05 +0000

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.

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.

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.

We are also taking steps to reduce the deficit and to return to balanced budgets in the medium term. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Building a Stronger Canada – Now and for the Future

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:00:07 +0000

Today, our Conservative Government unveiled the Speech from the Throne which outlined our Government’s broad agenda for the upcoming session of Parliament.

We are proud that Canada will emerge from the recession powered by one of the strongest economies in the industrialized world.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A stronger Canada now means a stronger Canada for the future.

Ignatieff’s Liberals Threaten to Delay Conservative Action on Crime

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:06 +0000

Once again, Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are showing Canadians that they put the interests of criminals ahead of law abiding citizens.

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.

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.

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.

Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Conservative Government intends to give police the tools they need, punish criminals and give greater rights to victims.

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?

Canada Shines in Vancouver

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:05 +0000

This past Sunday marked the closing of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Over the course of the Winter Games, our athletes amazed us with their skill and courage and showed the world the strength of Canadian athletics.

Canadians everywhere were proud to watch as Canada won its first ever Olympic gold medal on home soil.

Our Canadian athletes set numerous records including an outright record for most gold medals won – 14 – in an Olympic Winter Games; a record for most ever gold medals won by a host Winter Games nation; and a record for most medals won by Canadians in a Winter Games.

We remember especially those Canadian athletes who overcame profound personal loss to fight their way on to the podium. The commitment, dedication, spirit and success of our athletes inspired the nation and will undoubtedly motivate young Canadians to follow in their footsteps.

We join with all Canadians in expressing our pride and admiration for our athletes.

Go Canada Go!

Canadians Helping Haiti

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:00:05 +0000

This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the effects of the devastating earthquake in Haiti first-hand as he visited the damaged country.

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.

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.

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.

Countless Canadian volunteers and our own Canadians Forces remain on the ground in Haiti. 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.

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.

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.”

Updates on the situation in Haiti are available at: http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/earthquake_seisme_haiti.aspx.

Conservative Action To Protect Canada’s Housing Advantage

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:00:05 +0000

On Tuesday, our Conservative Government announced new measures for Canada’s housing market to help protect our economic recovery.

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.

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.

Today’s announcement will help to prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and will help to avoid situations where lenders facilitate the problem.

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.

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.

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.

Conservatives protecting and defending Canada’s North

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:00:05 +0000

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.

Conservative action helping workers and businesses in Canada

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:00:04 +0000

On Friday, our Conservative Government announced a successfully negotiated agreement with the Obama Administration that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Our Government stood up for Canadians in resolving this issue with our American partners and the result is an agreement that will benefit both sides of the border.

Canadian suppliers will have access to projects under the Recovery Act in a range of areas, including programs of the U.S. Department of Energy; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Environmental Protection Agency. Our Government and the Obama Administration have also agreed to establish a fast-track consultation process in the event that similar Buy American provisions are applied to future funding programs.

Furthermore, the agreement grants access to further opportunities under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

This negotiation with the U.S. is helping to create jobs in Canada as well as recognize the integrated nature of our two economies.

Looking ahead to the future, Canada and the U.S. have agreed to further discuss a more comprehensive and permanent agreement for increased opportunities between our two countries over the long-term.

Preserving and creating jobs is our Conservative Government’s priority. Our Conservative Government is delivering the right action for workers and businesses in Canada.

Conservatives continue to work on Canada’s economy

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:00:03 +0000

This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Cabinet are meeting to work on Canada’s economy.

The Prime Minister will lead a discussion on the best way to create jobs, opportunity and economic growth for all Canadians. The meeting will also include important input from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on the following issues:

An overview of his pre-budget consultations;
An update on planning for the Budget; and
The latest projections for economic growth.

Our Government will also examine ideas to tackle unemployment, and to ensure we have a workforce that is ready for tomorrow’s economy.

These topics are all important ones; and we will also examine the consultations we’ve done to date, start planning for the new Budget and lay down longer term plans for the Throne Speech.

While our Conservative Government wants to restore balanced budgets, Michael Ignatieff himself has told Canadians that when it comes to the deficit: “it’s not my problem.”

While the Liberals and their Coalition partners play political games on Afghan detainees, our Government is delivering real results. We are working to ensure we excel against foreign competitors and to ensure our place on the world stage. We will continue to work for the creation of new jobs, new opportunities and a more prosperous future for Canada’s economy.

Conservative action for safer communities

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:03 +0000

On Thursday, our Conservative Government proposed new action to help protect Canadian communities through the modification of the young offenders system.

All too often, the system is powerless in keeping violent or repeat young offenders in custody while awaiting trial, even when they pose a danger to society. Right now, a youth 14 or older may commit the most serious of crimes – murder or aggravated assault – and more times than not, the sentence given is much shorter than Canadians expect for these serious crimes.

Furthermore, in some cases, a youth convicted of a serious violent offence can be released into the community anonymously. In these instances, parents may have no way of knowing that a convicted offender is in their area.

Our Conservative Government is working to keep our streets safer by proposing these new measures to modify the young offenders system.

Our proposed measures include working to simplify the rules surrounding young offenders – to keep them off the streets, when necessary. They also include requiring that the courts consider adult sentences for those convicted of these most serious crimes, when the circumstances require it. While provinces and territories would still have the discretion to set the age at which these requirements would apply, we will ensure that offenders under the age of 18 will not be placed in an adult facility, even when they receive an adult sentence. Offenders under 18 will serve their sentences in youth facilities only.

In cases where convicted offenders are released into the community anonymously, our Government is proposing to give the courts greater discretion to publish the names of young offenders, when the protection of society requires it.

This announcement is further proof that our Conservative Government is working for the safety and security of Canadians and their families.