Mr. Speaker, today we learned that Premier Mike Harris of Ontario has announced his intention to step down. As premier he leaves all Canadians a rich legacy. He will long be remembered for his common sense revolution: the promises to cut taxes, balance the budget, eliminate barriers to growth and introduce work for welfare.
His ideas, which are now widely embraced, were in 1995 considered extreme. The elites scoffed, pollsters scoffed, the media scoffed, other parties scoffed and the federal Liberals are still scoffing today. However he was right, his critics were wrong and the people of Ontario agreed with him.
In government, despite extreme and sometimes violent opposition, Mike Harris delivered on his promises and more. People found it refreshing that a leader would keep his word. In 1999 he was rewarded for this with a new mandate.
On behalf of Canadians and the official opposition Canadian Alliance, I offer my hearty congratulations and thanks to Premier Mike Harris. We wish him and his family the very best.