WINNIPEG – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff took his Liberal Express to Winnipeg today to talk about his commitments to building the best-educated, most highly-skilled workforce in the world while on a visit to Red River College.
“Liberals understand that a better educated Canadian population will drive the innovation that fosters economic growth, and creates the skill sets necessary to fill the high-tech, high value-added jobs that will be the key to Canada’s future economic success,” Mr. Ignatieff said.
“We want to make sure all Canadians are given the opportunity to attend schools and technical institutes like Red River College so they are prepared to better meet the challenges we face as a country in an increasingly innovative global economy.”
The Liberal learning agenda would make workforce literacy and skills training a national priority as part of a pan-Canadian learning plan. We’d invest in affordable early learning and child care spaces across Canada, and ease the burden on families saving for higher education. Equally important is closing the Aboriginal learning gap by removing the cap on funding growth for Aboriginal post-secondary education.
“This also includes reversing Stephen Harper’s cuts to literacy programs and rewarding businesses that invest in skills training for their employees,” said Mr. Ignatieff.
“Stephen Harper doesn’t seem to understand the importance of investing in the knowledge-based economy. He doesn’t get that now is the wrong time to fork out $6 billion more in tax cuts to wealthy corporations, waste $1.3 billion on poor G8/G20 planning, commit $16 billion to an untendered fighter jet contract and waste $30 million to scrap the long-form census.”
As well as visiting Red River College, Mr. Ignatieff participated in a discussion with local female entrepreneurs and business owners on the challenges facing women in business, hosted by Anita Neville, Liberal Status of Women Critic and MP for Winnipeg South Centre.
“Women entrepreneurs are the fastest growing sector in our economy, but self-employed women face unique barriers to growing their businesses,” said Ms. Neville. “I am hopeful that this discussion can help facilitate a greater understanding of these barriers, and the way forward.”
