Brent St. Denis on the throne speech

NEWS RELEASE

BRENT ST. DENIS, MP

************************* Brent St. Denis reacts to Conservative Speech from the Throne

OTTAWA (October 18, 2007) - A few days ago, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented his second Speech from the Throne.

Unfortunately, the prime minister did not present a real long-term plan for Canada.

This speech demonstrates Mr. Harper’s continued denial of the climate change crisis and his wish to extend our combat mission in Afghanistan past February 2009.

The Liberal Party of Canada has always been clear.

First, Kyoto’s targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be met in a way that builds the economy of Canada, and especially Northern Ontario.

For example, wind technology creates jobs in Northern Ontario.

Second, Liberals believe that Canada has carried most of the burden in Afghanistan.

It is time that other NATO countries step up and take their turn.

Canada must continue to play a role in rebuilding Afghanistan by training troops and police officers, rebuilding a competent judicial system, and rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.

We agree that Canada should stay beyond 2009 only in a military support and development role, not active combat.

Despite the shortcomings of Mr. Harper’s vague speech, the Liberal Party of Canada strongly believes that Canadians do not want to be thrown into its third election in less than four years.

Unlike the Bloc Québecois and the NDP, Liberals have a responsibility to the entire country, and they will act in the best interests of all Canadians.

Mr. Layton can say what he wants because, unlike Mr. Dion, he has no intention of seeking the responsibilities that come with being prime minister.

“The people of Northern Ontario sent me to Ottawa to make this Parliament work,”said Mr. St. Denis. “I plan to continue fighting for Northern jobs, Northern values and for the citizens of Northern Ontario.

In the upcoming session of Parliament, Mr. St. Denis will continue to fight for a stronger Northern Ontario economy in part by calling for a national forestry strategy, work to replace the Conservatives inaction on the climate change crisis with a real plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions, pressure the Conservatives to end Canada’s combat role in Afghanistan by February 2009, fight for the Kelowna Accord to be reinstated and end 18 months of Conservative inaction in the fight against poverty in Canada.

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