24 April 2008
Laval, Quebec
In an economic speech to the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined how the federal government's balanced approach to fiscal policy will address short-term economic challenges and deliver long-term prosperity for Quebec. The Prime Minister noted that over the course of three budgets and two economic statements introduced by the Government and passed by Parliament, roughly half the fiscal allocations for the five years between 2006 and 2010 have gone to tax reduction, with the remainder evenly split between debt pay down and new spending.
"Our government believes in lower taxes, less debt and carefully targeted assistance that helps workers, families, communities and businesses build a better future. We do not believe in raising the GST, spending recklessly and running deficits. We are responding to short-term economic challenges and we are planning for long-term prosperity. More than anything, these are the things we are focused on. Unlike our opponents, we don't want to rekindle the old battles of separatists and centralists. They are great champions of these positions – but it's not our fight", said Prime Minister Harper.
The Prime Minister also noted that the Government's targeted new spending includes greater support for the Quebec aerospace industry, as part of the federal commitment to rebuild the Canadian Forces and its determination to maintain a Canadian presence in space science. The Montreal region in particular will benefit from increased federal support for expanded public transit through the Public Transit Capital Trust, and the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund will provide hundreds of new, front-line police officers for the region's municipal police forces. Moreover, Montreal will be the site of one of five national pilot projects undertaken by the new Mental Health Commission of Canada to deal with the problem of homelessness.
"We want a stronger Quebec in a more prosperous Canada," Prime Minister Harper said. "And if we stay the course I laid out to this Chamber four years ago, and the course we have continued to follow since our government took office, that is what Quebecers and all Canadians will achieve."
