Thank you very much for your generosity, Mr. Speaker.
The NDP supports the motion's call for collaboration between all levels of government and the private sector. These groups must work together to make sure our national transportation infrastructure serves the public interest and meets the needs of the private sector for economic development and job creation.
The federal government must in partnership with provincial governments invest in highways to facilitate the movement of people and goods. If the government allows the deterioration of our highways to continue, the human and economic costs will continue to rise at record levels.
Energy prices have been soaring to record levels day after day. The Liberals have refused to put together an action plan to defend the Canadian economy from the OPEC oil cartel. I have asked repeatedly in the House of Commons for an action plan by the Prime Minister to deal with the issue, to defend our economy. The American president, the president of the land of free enterprise and capitalism, has struck a 17 point plan to defend his country and the Liberal goons across the way have refused to do that with respect to defending the Canadian economy.
We are looking for a conservation plan. We are looking for a regulation plan for energy prices. We are looking for a plan to help truckers, small business people, and to help low income people pay for home heating fuel.
What we have seen is a lack of action, a lack of backbone and a lack of will because the Liberal Party is supported by the energy companies in terms of their political contributions. What they are doing is sucking up to the oil companies and continuing to support their policies of gouging Canadian consumers and businesses.