Did You Know...? - Edition 10

September 25, 2009

That… Gerry Ritz, the Minister of Agriculture, stated this week that the federal government has always been on the side of Canadian farmers. In a reported interview with CWB chair Larry Hill, it was implied that the government has not called for an audit into the CWB's losses last year, which is untrue. On May 14, the CWB, including Mr. Hill, was pressed by government committee members for an auditor general investigation. The members also asked the CWB to table its Gibson Capital report, which exposed failures in the CWB's management. The board's response was simple: It did not ask for an audit and did not table the Gibson review. An audit into the CWB's losses last year is a concern for our government and western farmers. These losses were reported in the CWB's financial statements, which highlighted $89.5-million loss from its PPOs programs and a $226-million loss from discretionary trading. The government's view remains that the CWB should invite the auditor general to investigate its losses. Farmers have demanded an audit on the CWB's performance because they want to have confidence in the board's ability to market their grain and we share that view. We have made it clear that decisions about the Canadian Wheat Board should be, and will be, made at home in Canada. Our government will continue to stand up for Canadian farmers at the WTO and work hard to deliver a deal that's good for all producers.

That… Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Conservative Government will continue to focus on the economy by investing in research and development in the manufacturing sector. Our government is investing in leading edge green and fuel-efficient research and development as part of our long-term commitment to the auto sector, and particularly, skilled workers and suppliers. We are seizing the opportunities that will get us through these difficult economic times, ensuring our country emerges stronger than ever and creating high-quality jobs for today and the future. 

That… The Government has been taking the H1N1 flu virus seriously from Day One. We have a strong record of taking action on a variety of fronts, such as helping First Nations communities prepare, ensuring access to a vaccine, and regularly communicating with Canadians. Beginning September 21st, our Government launch a new national TV ad campaign in both English and French to help Canadians take the steps necessary to protect themselves from the H1N1 flu virus.  Watch them at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/index-eng.php
While this will certainly not be the end of our advertising campaign related to H1N1, to date the Public Health Agency of Canada has spent approximately $8.5 million on television, print, web, transit and radio. This is yet another example of the real actions we're taking to protect the health and safety of Canadians. It is the responsibility of the Government to communicate important programs and services to Canadians.  For example, our Government's Economic Action Plan contains time-limited tax cuts such as the Home Renovation Tax Credit. This tax credit is widely credited with stimulating consumer spending and we will continue to ensure Canadians are aware of this important stimulus measure.

That… Statistics Canada announced that in real terms, retail sales declined 0.1% in July – following a 0.4% increase in June. Most of the declines in July were due to lower gasoline prices. One bright spot is that sales at home building and outdoor supply stores increased 1% during July. These figures remind us that the job is not over. The Government must remain focused on the economy. Our Economic Action Plan is working but these statistics show the recovery still remains tentative and fragile. In our Economic Action Plan, the Government reduced taxes and introduced measures such as the Home Renovation Tax Credit to stimulate consumer spending. The increase in sales at home building and outdoor supply stores shows that Canadians are taking advantage of the recession-fighting Home Renovation Tax Credit. 

That… Canadian Press reporter Bruce Cheadle has falsely reported that photographs of the Prime Minister have been removed from www.actionplan.gc.ca . These reports are not true. No photographs of the Prime Minister have been removed from the Action Plan website. Canadians have a right to know where and how the Government’s stimulus is being spent, and the Action Plan website helps provide this accountability. In addition, the website contains important information for Canadians on certain stimulus measures like the Home Renovation Tax Credit that are only available for a limited time. 

That… Our Conservative Government believes competitive business taxes are essential to encouraging new investment, growth and job creation in Canada. Tim Hortons, an icon that left Canada under the high-tax Liberals, is now shifting its base of operations as a Canadian company as a direct result of our Conservative government’s steps to cut business taxes. This is a clear sign that our actions are driving investment attractions – building a stronger and prouder Canada. After years of high business taxes under the Liberals and being at a tax disadvantage compared to the U.S., we’re once again making Canada an investment destination of choice. Our Conservative government has a bold plan to make Canada’s business investment tax rate the lowest in the G7 and below the OECD average. We are on track to have the lowest overall tax rate on new business investment in the G7 by 2010. We will have a federal corporate rate of 15% in 2012 – from 22%. We will have a federal-provincial rate of 25% by 2012 – the lowest statutory tax rate in the G7.

That… Canada's seat at the UN was proudly vacant during the Iranian President's speech. Canada did not attend President Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN General Assembly, both due to his ongoing denial of the Holocaust and his hostile views towards our democratic ally, Israel, and because of the continual violation of the human rights of the people of Iran. President Ahmadinejad's repeated denial of the Holocaust and his anti-Israel comments run counter to the values of the UN General Assembly and are shameful. The crackdown on legitimate democratic protests and arrests of Iranians and foreign nationals is both unacceptable and abhorrent to Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We will continue to demand the release of those unjustly detained, including Canadian Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari.

That… Minister Clement made an announcement on September 24th regarding Canada’s aerospace and defence sector and jobs for Canadians. Our Government’s number-one priority is protecting Canada’s economy and creating jobs for Canadians. That is why our Conservative Government is ensuring that contracts awarded to prime contractors require investment in Canadian businesses and manufacturers – which means more high-quality jobs for Canadians. Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing much-needed stimulus to the economy including to our country’s aerospace and defence sector. We are also helping create the conditions for Canada’s long-term growth and competitiveness. Our government is focussed on implementing Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

That… The Prime Minister was in Ontario to promote Canada as an attractive place to invest and a great place to do business. The occasion was the landmark decision by Tim Hortons to reorganize as a Canadian company. Michael Ignatieff has criticized the focus on the economy, claiming that the Prime Minister should be at the United Nations talking about climate change – not back home focused on the economy. In synchronized attacks, the Liberal Party issued a press release denouncing the Tim Hortons visit, while MP Bonnie Crombie and a handful of Liberals carrying United Nations flags protested outside the PM’s announcement. The Government’s priority is the Canadian economy. The Prime Minister’s speaking spot at the U.N. General Assembly (Friday, 5:00 p.m.) conflicts with attendance at the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh.  The PM is attending the G-20 summit because our priority is the economy. Prime Minister Harper and other world leaders worked on climate change at a U.N. meeting last night.