Environmental protection is good for Canada s economy, and it s good for you. The government and the private sector, working together in partnerships can achieve environmental and economic benefits. Economic benefits are important - not just to business, but to all Canadians. Speaking of partnership and economic benefits, I have to say that the recent Budget of my colleague, Paul Martin, is good news on both those fronts. Whether it is the new National Child Benefit, or pensions, or support for the unemployed, or disabled Canadians, or programs like infrastructure, the government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with provincial governments to provide better service to the people of this country.
People are tired of the jurisdictional battles and turf wars.
They are tired of political egos getting in the way of economic, social and environmental progress. They want their governments to get down to business - cut out the duplication and the overlap and the endless arguments. The Budget also stays the course on restoring the country s fiscal health. In fact, over 700,000 new jobs have been created since this government was sworn in. The Budget is a vision of shared responsibility, shared benefits.