Mr. Speaker, I had a number of reasons for wanting to take part in this debate on the motion by the hon. member for Calgary West This motion calls upon the government to lay before the House copies of all documents, reports, minutes of meetings and memos relating to the Calgary Declaration.
Although this steals somewhat from the thunder of the hon. member's speech, the government agrees to follow up on this Reform initiative and I am delighted with his interest in the Calgary Declaration.
Moreover, I recall that on November 25, 1997 the members of the official opposition were the ones calling for a debate on the Calgary Declaration, and the motion making such debate necessary at that time had come from another Alberta MP, the one from Edmonton—Strathcona.
This government has nothing to hide. The Calgary Declaration grew out of the desire of nine provincial premiers and two territorial leaders to define a framework of discussion with Canadians to strengthen federation. Our government has always supported that initiative and today's motion gives it the opportunity to reiterate that support and to emphasize its merit.
The consultation process surrounding the Calgary Declaration was a transparent one. Canadians were invited to take part. The legislatures of those provinces where consultations were held adopted the declaration, and the reason behind the support it obtained throughout the country is that our fellow citizens identified with the values on which it is based.
The Calgary declaration is based on seven principles that are completely in line with our government's national unity policy. It highlights our country's diversity. It calls on Canadians' tolerance and generosity and reflects what we are, not only in our own eyes but in the eyes of the world.
The Calgary declaration is not a proposal for constitutional reform but a statement of principles that are shared by Canadians. It highlights not only the things that differentiate us from one another but also the things that unite us and make us collectively stronger.
Our government supports this message of unity, not because it is intended as a miracle solution to all the challenges facing our country, but because it clearly defines the values of the Canadian community.
We did not wait to be urged by anyone to make unity the top priority of our government. I would invite anyone who has forgotten this to reread the throne speech of September 23, 1997, with its clear illustration of the path the Canadian government intends to take to lead its citizens toward the new millennium. In a word, our government has showed leadership.
Leadership can take many forms. Let us not lose sight of the fact that unity is not merely a constitutional matter. It must be reflected in all spheres of our life as a nation. Our approach is one based on efficiency emphasizing co-operation from the provinces.
Our leadership and actions have created a climate favourable to Canadian unity. This does not mean, of course, that there is no room for improvement, but I think I can safely say that the conditions in this country are better today than they were when we came to office in the fall of 1993.
Indeed I would invite those who are skeptical to look at the figures that testify to our success in the financial and economic fields. In only a few years we have managed to balance a budget that was running a huge deficit of $42 billion only five years ago. That was a challenge that many people thought could not be overcome. However, we took on the task with determination and the efforts made by all Canadians have been crowned with success.
My reason for bringing up our economic and financial success in this debate is simple. The Calgary Declaration carries a message of unity, but our government does not believe the unity of this country to be separate from other spheres of human activity. Instead, it pervades each of these spheres. It reminds Canadians of the levels of excellence they can aspire to achieve when there is a collective will behind their actions.
Canadians may not fully realize this. However, there are many examples of our success at the international level, which show what can be achieved by working together toward a common goal.
I would like to illustrate this with figures. Let us look at the economy. Between 1994 and 1997 Canada's GDP grew by 2.9% a year on average, the strongest performance of the G-7, putting us in 14th place of the OECD countries. Average annual employment growth was 1.8%, the best performance, on a par with the United States, of the G-7 countries and in ninth place among the OECD countries.
The OECD forecast that we will have the strongest economic growth of the G-7 countries for 1998 and 1999. Canada's inflation rate has averaged 1.5% over the past five years, one of the lowest in the world.
That is not bad for a country which some claim does not work. As I said, the unity of a country as diversified as Canada does not rest solely in the hands of governments and institutions; it calls on the efforts and energy of everyone who believe in the future of Canada.
Canada's worth is not tied solely to its economic successes or its social safety net. It is more than a mere accounting operation. If that were the case, a downturn in monthly statistics would be enough to propel those advocating secession into action.
Canada is much more than that. It is a country where men and women from all corners of the community of nations come together to achieve a shared ideal. This ideal springs from values shared by Canadians in the various regions across the country and by Quebeckers. The merit of the Calgary Declaration is that it draws these values out and reminds us that what joins us together is far greater than what separates us.
In this regard, I remind the sceptics of the results of a poll released in May 1998. According to it, a substantial majority of the people in Quebec—67%—including a majority of those on the yes side—60%—supported the Calgary Declaration. In addition, 82% supported equality among Canadians, 57% favoured equality among the provinces and 61% stated that Canada offers diversity, tolerance, compassion and equal opportunity, among other things.
The Calgary Declaration is not the solution to all of Canada's challenges, but it does point out that it would be easier for us to meet our challenges as a united front. It also underscores the heritage of values and principles we share in Canada.
It was on this heritage that we built the successes we have enjoyed throughout our history, and, as the Calgary Declaration points out, we must continue to build on it in the future.
In conclusion I simply say that the government intends to comply. Inasmuch as we appreciated the opportunity to discuss the Calgary declaration once again in the House, we find it is a bit of a waste of the House's time.