Tony on G8 Summit: 'no leadership from Canada'

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************* G8 Social Summit ends with no leadership from Canada

“We have a social crisis with a terrible human cost”

ROME – Canada is failing the test of leadership to help millions left behind by the recession, NDP Poverty Critic Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) said here Tuesday as the G8 Social Summit ended with a lame labour market strategy communiqué.

“We are at a critical juncture with the G20 meetings in London this week and our government to date has shown little courage, no creativity, frankly no will to protect the middle class and vulnerable. Even in good times a labour market strategy still leaves too many behind and these are certainly not good times.”

“The prime minister talks exclusively about Canadian banking and world market imbalances despite the unanimous motions in both houses of the Canadian Parliament not to ignore the growing inequality and suffering in our communities. I fear he is as ill prepared for these G20 meetings as his government was for the economic downturn last November.’

New Democrats want positive action with social partnerships, investing in communities and people, education and health care.

Martin called on Canada to implement bold measures that include investing in the green economy, protecting traditional industries based on natural resources and assets including agriculture, and rebuilding Canada’s physical, social and national infrastructure.

The G20 countries represent 85 per cent of the world’s economy.

"We have a social crisis with a terrible human cost snaring more and more Canadians," Martin said. "It is imperative we act now."

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