Video

====== PART 1 ====== Stéphane Dion outlines his economic vision during a speech at the Canadian Club of Ottawa on March 8, 2007 Some of the issues raised includes: Women's right and more women in government Maintaining Canada's competitiveness and importance of Research, post-secondary education, international trade, competitive taxation - i.e. income tax cut How Harper's massive cuts compromise our economy and future competitiveness Planning for future, long term economic planning, planning for emerging challenges while times are good Importance of investing for future competitiveness and maintaining our economic edge Competitive taxation - cutting income tax to increase productivity instead of cutting GST which takes out $12 billion per year or $60 billion over 5 years from the government Dion also compared how GST cuts savings are very small for individual tax payer vs Income tax cut which provides bigger benefit Harper raised income tax rate for those on lowest level of income in exchange for the GST cut Enhance CCA (capital cost allowance) to help business invest in modern machinery Tax systems that will benefit all Canadians, Working income tax benefit, helping low income Canadians get jobs ====== PART 2 ====== Strengthen trade ties with U.S. while expanding trade with other countries outside North America Aggresively increase export to market like India and China Harper cancelled $485 million strategy for helping small and medium sized business get access to market like India and China No conservative minister have visited India and closing of embassies in Italy and Japan results in loss business opportunities Pacific gateway project (infrastructure for import market with Asia) completion delayed due to funding cut Harper cut more than 70% from research and development and cut funding to various research institution Harper cuts $2.5 billion over 5 years for student financial assistance, graduate scholarship and International study and in exchange offer small items like textbook tax credit for maximum of $80/year Post-secondary federal support down by 70% Harper cancelled $3.5 billion agreement with province for partnership in enhancing workplace skills development Key for Canada to be an economic leader (with our skills and resources): Competitive taxation Aggressive policy on international market and trade Research, Innovation and education Economic policy should be for long term, Harper's cut reduces our productivity and competitiveness call on Harper to re-establish funding for competitiveness agenda in the next budget Economic & Environmental success calls for comprehensive not last minute strategy for election gimmicks Dion will govern for next generation, not just for next election. For healthy planet, social justice, strong economy.