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Report from Parliament's Hill - October 8th, 2009

By Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill

Thursday, October 08, 2009 03:45 AM

International Praise for Finance Minister Flaherty and Canada’s Economic Policies”

 
Further confirmation that Canada’s economic policies and fiscal management are admired around the world came this week as our very own Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, received international recognition as “Finance Minister of the Year”.
 
Minister Flaherty accepted the award, as selected by the highly-regarded Euromoney magazine, on behalf of the Government of Canada at the G7 Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul. 
 
No matter what your political stripe, the fact that Canada has received yet another international acknowledgement for sound fiscal management is a source of reassurance … and pride! 
 
Upon taking office in 2006, our Conservative Government began laying the groundwork necessary to strengthen Canada’s fiscal footing by making unprecedented payments on the nation’s debt and by cutting taxes.  These measures helped to keep us on our feet when the unavoidable shockwave of the global economic recession hit.  In fact, we had the best fiscal position in the G7 going into the current crisis, with the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio. 
 
Then our Economic Action Plan kicked in with a $61-billion stimulus plan that’s creating and protecting jobs and safeguarding Canadians throughout the downturn.  The international accolades came early. 
 
In May 2009, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, “Canada is better positioned than many countries to weather the crisis.  It entered the crisis from a position of strength, reflecting a track record of strong policy management that has supported underlying macroeconomic and financial stability.”
 
The World Economic Forum continues to confirm that Canada is home to the world’s soundest banking system.
 
Furthermore, the World Economic Forum ranked Canada’s economic, fiscal and financial strengths ninth in the world.  This represents a big jump from Canada’s position at 14th on this list under the previous Liberal government (2005-06)
 
Most recently the IMF forecast that among G7 countries, Canada will experience the second lowest economic contraction in 2009 and will enjoy the greatest growth in 2010.
 
As I mentioned last month, at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting, other Western political leaders gushed with praise and envy for Canada’s economic stability.  France’s Finance Minister said the Canadian situation was inspiring and that “there were some people who said, ‘I want to be Canadian’”.
 
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary General said, “Effectively, Canada will be one of the first to come out of the recession.”
 
And for something to make you smile over your morning coffee, Tim Hortons Inc. announced that it plans to shift its base of operations from the United States to Canada because of our lower taxes.  Our nation has become a destination of choice for new investment, growth and job creation.
 
Canada’s fiscal situation is still fragile.  We have so much more to do to.  However, it’s comforting to see that signs of recovery are all around us … and to savour that Canada is earning praise on the world stage. 
 
Congratulations Jim!  Oh, and speaking of international award-winning performances, check out the fifth most watched video worldwide this past Monday as our Prime Minister sang and played the piano with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3v6CWoQBnY.
 

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Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 03:45 AM in Views by Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill

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Comments

Comment Posted by: socredible on October 8 2009 8:07 AM
No wonder your Party can't get a majority.
Comment Posted by: govsux on October 8 2009 8:32 AM
Congrats,
Don't be too quick to pat yourselves on the back. There have been a few "car of the year" awards that have turned out to be lemons.
Comment Posted by: Born in BC on October 8 2009 9:05 AM
"No wonder your Party can't get a majority."

The Globe (traditionally a lefty/liberal newspaper) had a poll that suggested that the Conservatives would get a majority if there was an election today.

That being said Im beginning to wonder if politics and politicians arent a huge waste of time and space.
Comment Posted by: just the facts on October 8 2009 6:06 PM
To bad our goverments are out to steal the people of canada blind, and don't have a clue how to help the people who have lost their jobs over past two years
Comment Posted by: socredible on October 8 2009 8:17 PM
The only reason they might get a majority in the Globe's poll is not because they're so good, but because the current Opposition is even more hopeless than the Government.

And, yes, politics and politicians are definitely a huge waste of time and space as both are currently operating, since there presently is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE between the overall "Policy" of the Party on the "right" and their main opponents on the "left".

All that is different are "personalities" and the "Methods" to be used in implementing that one and the same "Policy".

That "Policy" has been determined by what is supposedly good for "Finance" in absolute priority over what is good for the "People." Eventually it will be seen that it's really good for neither.
Comment Posted by: Palopu on October 8 2009 8:20 PM
The Conservatives may not have a majority, however they have more seats than any of the other three parties, and therefore in that sense have a majority.

I think we can say with some surety that the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc, are one hell of a long way from forming a majority.

The NDP, and the Bloc, will never form a majority Government in Canada, and although the Liberals may form a Majority some day, that day is also a long way off.

If they dont dump Ignatieff, you can rest assured that it will not happen soon.