Mr. Speaker, many Canadian workers and communities stopped what they were doing today to huddle around the TV to watch President Obama decide their fate. Extraordinary measures were taken to prevent the collapse of the Chrysler Corporation because hedge fund vultures refused to participate in a solution.
Meanwhile, in Canada we once again wait to see a plan. The NDP called for a green car strategy five years ago to produce low emission, fuel efficient vehicles and put Canada on the cutting edge of the new automotive revolution.
Obama's call for these same measures and commitment to provide leadership and a plan is what is missing here in Canada. Canada needs to restart the Canadian auto partnership council, provide low interest loans to Canadians for new vehicle and lease purchases and provide an incentive plan, as the United States, Germany, Britain and others have taken, to kickstart consumers and help communities and workers who are on the brink.
I challenge the government to wake up, put its partisanship aside, stop blaming workers and start working on solutions to ensure our men and women have jobs and our communities are strengthened.