Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff set the stage for the Liberal Express summer tour today at the Calgary Stampede by offering Albertans a clear alternative to Stephen Harper’s wasteful and unaccountable government.
“I’m thrilled to kick off the Liberal Express tour at the Calgary Stampede, one of Canada’s greatest summer events,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “This is day one of a tour that will take us to every province and territory – and at every stop, we’ll be talking about the choice we’re offering to Canadians.
“We can’t afford Stephen Harper’s plan for Canada,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “He’s wasted $1 billion on the G20’s poor planning, fake lakes and gazebos, and now wants to add even more to their record $54-billion deficit with $6 billion in tax cuts to profitable corporations.
“We have a positive message to share, built on our belief that every Canadian, in every part of Canada, deserves a fair chance to succeed. We’re heading across Canada on the Liberal Express to show Canadians why we’re the only progressive, compassionate, and responsible alternative to the Conservatives.”
After flipping pancakes with a crowd of Liberal supporters, Mr. Ignatieff took part in the Stampede’s White Hat Ceremony, a tradition at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” since 1948. The Liberal Leader was presented with the white Stetson cowboy hat – an internationally recognized symbol of the City of Calgary and Western hospitality.
All summer long, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Team will compare Stephen Harper’s record to the clear Liberal alternative of addressing Canada’s core challenges:
- Learning and Innovation – Creating the highest quality jobs through investments in skills training and innovation;
- Care – Pension reform to help with retirement savings and new support for health and homecare; and
- Canada’s global leadership – Investments in clean energy, the environment and global network agreements with China and India.
“Unlike Stephen Harper, we will freeze corporate tax rates – which are already amongst the most competitive in the world – and invest in reducing the deficit, caring for our families and creating new jobs,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff.
