Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Throne Speech takes Canada in wrong direction
Up to Stephane Dion to give Harper a ‘mandate to govern’ says Layton
OTTAWA – NDP Leader Jack Layton says the agenda laid out in the Harper Throne Speech continues to take Canada in the wrong direction on key issues and therefore cannot be supported.
“On issue after issue, the Throne Speech failed to chart the right path on key issues,” said Layton. “Everyday Canadians were looking for a change in direction on Afghanistan, a clear commitment on climate change and a recognition of the current hardships average families face despite signs of economic growth. This Throne Speech failed on all fronts: no new direction on Afghanistan, watering down the re-written Clean Air Act and no commitment to close the growing prosperity gap hurting middle class families.
“If Stephen Harper is looking for a mandate, he’ll have to get it from Stephane Dion and the Liberals,” said Layton.
Layton called on Mr. Dion to ensure that all Liberals show up for votes on the Throne Speech in the coming days.
“A Throne Speech is a rare but important opportunity to indicate whether you support the direction of the government or not. If Mr. Dion fails to show leadership, to oppose the Harper government, the NDP will do it.”
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 8:30 PM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]