QUEBEC CITY – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff spoke today of building a stronger, more prosperous Quebec at the centre of Canada to Liberals at their Quebec Biennial convention.
“Quebecers are among the majority in Canada because they share our belief in what’s essential: Social justice, compassion, helping each other, and a positive vision of the role of government,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “This passion for social justice, it begins in Quebec, but it will conquer all of Canada.
“I’m here for the same reason you are: because you love this party, because you love this country, and this country can’t stand any more from Stephen Harper.”
Before a packed room of delegates representing the strong Liberal presence in all regions of Quebec, Mr. Ignatieff made the case for how the Liberals are the only credible alternative to Stephen Harper’s Reform-Conservatives, while a protest vote for the Bloc Quebecois will only keep Stephen Harper in power.
Mr. Ignatieff’s speech outlined his vision for growing Quebec’s economy and re-establishing Canada’s leadership role in the world. Among the points he made, he said:
•The Conservatives spent 173 times more on the auto sector than on forestry. While saving the auto sector was a necessity, neglecting forestry is a crime.
• We need to bet on green energy and invest in green technology to save energy. Our productivity depends on it.
• We need to show confidence in our regions by investing in connectivity, high speed internet, cellular access and infrastructure, so that growth does not divide us and youths can find work in places like Mauricie or Lac-St-Jean.
•The French language is at the core of our Canadian identity. Bill 101 and the Official Languages Act are not in opposition, they are complementary. We must promote French and our culture.
• We have to focus on the markets of the future: China, India, and Brazil. Stephen Harper doesn’t recognize that the world has changed, that we have to reduce our dependency on the American market, and go where the growth is.
•To get out of the hole Stephen Harper has left us in, we need fiscal responsibility, credible numbers, and a focus on growth. We need a concerted strategic vision for growth, with the provinces, the municipalities and the private sector.
“Quebec is at the soul of Canada,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff. “Canada and Quebec deserve better than Stephen Harper. And we will do better – with Quebec, for Quebec and thanks to Quebec.”
