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Layton Comments After Meeting With Paul MartinPosted on Tuesday, April 26 @ 14:16:17 CDT by capebretoner
NDP News Release
April 25, 2005
TORONTO – NDP Leader Jack Layton today commented following his meeting with Prime Minister Martin late last night, regarding the NDP’s proposals to get a better, balanced budget passed. Layton raised proposals to get the budget through, not support the Liberal Government.
“We listened to people and they said they’re losing faith and want something done,” said Layton. “In this minority Parliament, as in the minority Parliaments that produced medicare and pensions, New Democrats have consistently raised issues of concern to people and the environment. We did so again yesterday, and expect an answer from Mr. Martin by tomorrow about our proposals to get a better, balanced budget passed.”
Layton outlined the NDP’s proposals for the budget, which, if accepted, would result in a balanced budget that permits debt repayment while investing in areas on which Martin has long-promised action. In contrast, the corporate tax cuts were not part of the 2004 Liberal platform; during the campaign Martin called tax cuts “reckless”.
“Like many Canadians, we’re tired of waiting for Martin to keep his promises. It’s been 12 years of lofty rhetoric, and four elections of progressive promises that haven’t come true. Very simply, we suggested Martin cancel the corporate tax cuts he didn’t promise and invest that money in people and the environment as he did promise,” he said.
Specifically, Layton asked for $4.6 billion in investment in tuition reduction for students and improved training for workers; affordable housing construction including Aboriginal housing; an increase in foreign aid to keep Canada’s long-broken promise and environmental initiatives such as an energy efficiency program targeted at low-income Canadians to protect them from rising fuel costs and reduce pollution. Due to the long, 12-year wait for action, the investment would have to take place over the next two years.
“When Mr. Martin delivered his budget, Mr. Harper said its priorities were Conservative ones,” said Layton.
“Subsequently, Mr. Martin tried to shut down opposition parties in Parliament, which cost him Mr.Harper’s cooperation on the budget. Though we cannot condone Liberal corruption, the NDP felt we had an obligation to try and get something done. That is what our meeting was about, because people have a right to expect their Parliament to work for them.”
Layton asked Martin to respond by Tuesday, and would not speculate as to the response. “Mr. Martin needs to make a decision and we respect that right.
Equally, we are tired of waiting for action and are only asking for investment in what was long-promised, by cancelling the corporate tax cuts that were not.”
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