Dominic LeBlanc

Defend supply management

The other end of this axis: Liberalize supply management

Repeatedly calls for government to defend supply management by refusing lower tariffs and maintaining border controls.

Our government needs to defend these hardworking men and women and other farm families by refusing to lower tariff rates, by maintaining effective border controls, and by not allowing protein substitutes to circumvent these rules. I believe the government needs to also immediately invoke article 28 of GATT to control these already damaging imports.

Faster fossil phase-down

The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

Supports meeting Kyoto commitments, ratifying Paris accord, and pricing pollution.

We passed legislation to implement our climate change plan and meet our Kyoto commitments. In two weeks, Canada will begin hosting the conference of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal to make further progress on our important climate change commitments.

Ottawa leads

The other end of this axis: Provinces lead

Describes federal spending power as constitutional and essential tool for national government.

It must be acknowledged, from the outset of our discussion, that the federal spending power is constitutional. It is a power of the federal government, of this Parliament, that the Supreme Court of Canada has assigned to the national government on several occasions.

Higher taxes and public spending

The other end of this axis: Lower taxes and tighter spending

Highlights and praises large budget increases for defence and other programs.

In all, the 2003 budget has allocated $395 million to the Department of National Defence between now and the end of the fiscal year. For 2003-04, our government has allocated another $1 billion, with another $800 million added to the base budget.

Expand public coverage

The other end of this axis: More private delivery

Describes passing legislation for a ten-year plan to strengthen health care and protect the public system.

For example, we passed legislation to implement the 10 year plan to strengthen health care. A federal adviser on wait times was appointed.

Higher permanent intake

The other end of this axis: Lower intake

Advocates attracting immigrants to rural areas and affirms merit of temporary foreign worker programs.

Does he agree with me that there is considerable merit in having a well run, balanced temporary foreign worker program? For example, in my constituency in the seafood processing sector, many businesses depend on temporary foreign workers who come and live in small rural coastal communities in Atlantic Canada.

Stronger unions and standards

The other end of this axis: More flexibility for employers

Criticizes harsh application of EI rules to seasonal workers and calls for urgent improvements.

The problems of employment insurance and seasonal work are as profound as they are unfair and they need to be addressed urgently. I have worked over the last nine months with a remarkable group of local citizens led by two dedicated and articulate persons named Aline Landry and Rodrigue Landry.

Diversify away from one partner

The other end of this axis: Deeper continental integration

Calls for seizing opportunities from further diversification with other partners.

Most importantly, we must build on the economic potential we have here at home in Canada. As the Prime Minister pointed out last week, the United States' economic strategy has clearly shifted from supporting the multilateral system to a more transactional and controlled approach to bilateral trade and investment.