Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on Bill C-10, the borrowing authority bill.
The bill authorizes the Minister of Finance as of April 1, 1996 to raise such amounts by way of a loan or by the issue and sale of securities of Canada as may be required for public works and general purpose. This in essence is the content of Bill C-10. I urge the House to pass the legislation so that regular financing operations for the government may continue.
I will alert you, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that I will be sharing my time with the member for Edmonton East.
Every government must decide where its priorities lie. This government has outlined its priorities in the latest budget. I believe it to be one of the best blueprints for growth and opportunity for the
country since the red book. Traditional Liberal views are what this party is about and Liberalism recognizes that the government plays a part to make sure that the market works well for everyone. The course the government has set leads to equal opportunity, economic equity and national unity, three main themes in the budget speech and in the direction the government is taking.
First, if we look at social reform, the most vulnerable are protected in terms of employment insurance, as we have been assured that the impact of changes will not fall unfairly on workers who are in most need of support. This will ensure that there is equal opportunity for every individual in the country no matter which region they happen to live in.
Who else can make the claim that they represent equal opportunity? The members of the third party certainly cannot. Whether it is the fishery, employment insurance, regional economic development, regardless of what it is, we know where they stand as far as Atlantic Canada is concerned.
The contempt for Atlantic Canadians by the third party was demonstrated by the member for Fraser Valley West who, when asked about commenting that he would run in Nova Scotia in the next election, stated: "I was trying to be nice because I knew it would be in the Atlantic Canadian papers. I did not want to say who the hell would want to run there". This kind of inflammatory divisive statement does nothing to advance the cause of equality in a system for all Canadians.
The announcement of an improvement to Canada's child support system with the particular objective of helping single parents and low income working families is very encouraging. This increased income from families living in poverty has been a particular concern of mine and many of my colleagues since being elected. I am pleased that the government is moving in that direction.
The focus on jobs for youth is good news for New Brunswick and Fredericton-York-Sunbury in particular, as the summer career placement challenge program will double. This is an important change given the number of universities in the area. The emphasis on youth employment is very important and programs such as the youth services corps have served our province and my particular constituency very well.
I welcome our commitment to build on these programs and the invitation to all of us to come up with more creative ideas. For example, we should be considering new ways of creating jobs such as recommending the distribution of work be changed so that the maximum allowable overtime annually by one worker is limited. This would encourage employers to hire more people and benefit the economy by reducing unemployment.
The federal government with the private sector and the provinces could help students pay off their student loans through partnerships whereby the federal contribution could be the pay down on student loans. This would provide students with a lighter debt load and would create jobs for an age group that suffers unusually high rates of unemployment. Also it would contribute to worthwhile projects in all of our communities.
A reaffirmation of our continuing commitment to the medicare system is reflected in the conditions set for the Canada health and social transfer. I am very pleased there is a commitment to establishing stable cash transfers from the federal government which will ensure that we are able to enforce national principles.
Our social policy committee of caucus recommended separating cash from tax point revenues. I am delighted the government is headed in that direction.
Many Canadians disagree with the government's direct approach. They would like to talk about Canadian institutions like the Senate and find ways of improving them. Canadians want their country to do well. They want the various levels of government to be efficient and to fulfil their respective roles. They want the federation to be modernized. That is the direction we are headed in.
I am pleased with the emphasis the government has placed on technology, as Fredericton-York-Sunbury has been identified in many ways as a forward moving, high technology region. The high tech park in Fredericton is well on its way in our community. Our universities are information centres which offer much opportunity for growth, whether it is distance education at UNB or the dissemination of information to seniors through third age centre programs at St. Thomas. When we talk about technology and creating jobs, it is good news for our region.
As for national unity, it is not a matter of party politics. It is a matter of concern to all Canadians. It has been the government's position not to beat around the bush, by promising to involve every citizen of this country in the debate. As long as there is talk of yet another referendum in Quebec will, this government will discharge its responsibility in ensuring that everyone is acting above board, that the rules of the game are fair, that the consequences and implications are made clear and that, wherever they live, Canadians can have their say on the future of their country.
Culture is an important component of identity. We are committed to strengthening such programs as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board. A country sharing a vision of itself is a country united.
At an upcoming first ministers' conference, we will have an opportunity to redefine the national economic development goal so as to determine our respective responsibilities as governments. Combined with the governments' commitment to cultural institu-
tions, this approach clearly shows that those in power fully intend to keep our country united, and I commend them for that.
I state again that I believe the budget was a reaffirmation of traditional Liberal values, addressing economic opportunity, social justice and national unity. I hope we can all recognize the importance of an unwavering commitment to this agenda so that we can keep the opportunities it creates alive for ourselves and for our children. I urge all members to support this bill.