Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke at a Conservative gathering hosted by the London, Ontario area EDAs on Friday, May 2, 2014. Six members of the Guelph Conservative EDA attended.
Mr. Harper’s speech was a barnburner in celebration of the 3rd anniversary of the 2011 election that put a “strong, stable national Conservative majority government” in charge of Canada’s economic health and position on the world stage. He was introduced by the Honourable Diane Finley (MP Haldimand-Norfolk), the Federal Minister of Public Works and Government Services. She praised him as a man of vision and integrity who “stands tall on the world stage”, “has helped restore pride in our country” and has provided “strong leadership and sound judgement through tough economic times.”
The PM entered the hall to a one-minute standing ovation from a crowd of well over 300 enthusiastic supporters plus several local area MPs. Here are his key points and some notable quotes:
2017 is the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation. A series of events are being held each year to build up to 2017. The focus for 2015 will be the birth of our first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, who spoke to Canadians about “things that matter”:
- “economic growth, not grow-ops”
- “national dreams, not pipe dreams”
“I never get bored with saying strong, stable, national Conservative majority government”.
Canada is in a stronger position now in the global economy than it has ever been. We have the lowest debt burden by far and the best job growth by far with 1.1 million new jobs created since the 2008 recession.
The Conservative Government is encouraging new jobs by signing trade agreements. Canada now has free trade agreements with over half of the global marketplace, including the U.S., parts of Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Canada’s free trade agreements are almost exclusively thanks to current and past Conservative governments. Conservative efforts have resulted in 98.5% of Canada’s free trade agreements. The Liberals account for 1.5%, and the NDP are “still figuring out if they agree with NAFTA”.
With regard to the temporary foreign workers issue, the Conservative position is that “if qualified Canadians are available, they MUST get those jobs.”
Canadians trusted the Conservatives to focus on the economy, and we have done that. Our efforts include:
- Reforming the federal pension plan so that MPs now pay their fair share into the program.
- Achieving a balanced budget in 2015, “years ahead of other countries”, and it was NOT balanced by raising taxes.
When Canada reaches a surplus, the Conservatives WILL cut taxes for Canadian families.
Canadians also wanted the Conservatives to strengthen our justice system. Our efforts include:
- Laws against Cyberbullying.
- Laws giving ordinary Canadians the right to protect themselves and their property.
Conservatives want a fundamental re-orientation of our justice system so that victims, not criminals, are the central focus.
The Conservative Government has also:
- Reformed our immigration system
- Instituted new anti-terrorism measures
- Provided equal rights in the law for women and girls living on reserves
The Conservative Government has done this and much more. We have delivered on 89 of the 100 promises made during the 2011 election campaign and we are working on the rest.
Southwestern Ontario is a key economic focus for job development and, with redistribution to recognize population growth, Ontario will have 50 new seats in the House of Commons in the 2015 election.
“The policies of the NDP are so far out of the mainstream that they don’t want to talk about them.” Over the past 3 years they have promised $60 billion dollars in new spending if they are elected and they do not support voter ID.
“The Liberals don’t want to talk about their policies because they don’t have any.” But “every once in a while, you get a clue to Justin Trudeau’s thinking”. He says perplexing things like:
- China has the best system of government.
- Terrorists are misunderstood.
- The budget will balance itself.
The opposition says that Canada should be neutral on the world stage. But “we need to stand by Israel” against extremists, and “we need to stand by the Ukraine against Putin’s thugs”. “These are the moments when Canada is at its best.”
Under the Conservatives, Canada has been and will be strong. With the NDP and the Liberals, “what you see is what you get – dangerous policies and vacuous thinking.”
Conservatives will make sure that the country keeps moving. The Conservative Government is working one step at a time to make Canada better. It will continue to do so “enthusiastically, courageously and purposely” and “won’t stop until Canada is strong and prosperous and the most united country in the world.”
The Conservative Government will never become complacent. Similarly, “I urge all Canadians to use your strengths and talents to do service beyond yourselves.”
