Canada Day Speech

July 01, 2008

Good Afternoon Everyone.  Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day is one of my favourite holidays because I know the people of Fort McMurray know how to celebrate! It’s great to see so many familiar faces out today.

Of course Canada Day is more than just a holiday. It is also a chance for all of us to take a step back and feel proud about our country and how far we have come.

Today, Canada is more unified than it has been for 40 years.  Our economy is proving resilient in a time of global economic uncertainty. Our Canadian Forces are being rebuilt and they are regaining pride of place in the public eye.

Our country is standing proud and once again we are a major player on the world stage.

Our Government is also once again standing up for priorities such as defending our North. We are making real investments in Arctic Patrol vessels, satellite surveillance, and the human presence required to ensure that no other country in the world will take Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty for granted.
On top of higher security abroad, Canadians will start to experience greater piece of mind here at home since the passing of the Tackling Violent Crime Act This act introduced changes to Canada’s Criminal Code to better protect us against those who commit serious and violent crimes.

Some of these changes include:

• Tougher mandatory jail time for serious gun crimes;
• Tougher bail rules to keep those accused of serious gun crimes in jail and off the street;
• A higher age of consent—16 years old—to protect children from sexual predators;
• New, stronger measures against drunk or drug-impaired driving;
• And provisions that make it easier to keep the country’s most dangerous offenders behind bars, where they belong.
  

Today is also the 2nd anniversary of the Universal Child Care Benefit which has provided 2.4 billion each year directly to parents.  In addition to this, I`m proud to be part of a Government which has:

• Cut the GST from 7 to 6 to 5%;
• Reduced personal income taxes;
• Introduced tax credits for tools, textbooks, transit passes, and other priorities;
• And lowered taxes for manufacturers and small businesses.
  

All Canadians are now holding onto even more of what they earn.

And I’m happy to report that because of this, Tax Freedom Day was one of the earliest in recent memory falling 11 days earlier than before. As of June 14th, Canadians had paid off all their taxes and started working for themselves.

We here in Alberta also have many reasons to celebrate.  Some of these reasons include:

• $151 Million allocated to Alberta for infrastructure initiatives;
• $43 Million over 5 years to hire new front line police officers;
• $104 Million over 3 years to help communities through economic uncertainty; and
• A 10% increase in the northern resident’s deduction.
  

In short, this Canada Day—indeed, every day—there are plenty of reasons to be confident about the future of our great country.

We are standing up for our interests abroad, and playing a strong and vibrant role on the international stage.

We are making life safer and more affordable at home, so Canadians can continue to work hard and contribute to our country.

Canada is strong and confident because Canadians are strong and confident. And the best thing that we—or any government—can do is support the efforts of everyday Canadians with real, tangible, results.

I am very proud to be representing Northern Alberta and believe that today and every day, we should all feel proud to call ourselves Canadian. 

Happy Canada Day.