Stephane Dion: Liberal Leader
October 7, 2008
Crisscrossing this country, you begin to get a grasp of just how large and diverse it really is. From Vancouver to St. John's, to Montreal to Iqaluit to Calgary, the geography and its peoples are so varied and diverse; one might wonder how such a country could ever agree on a government.
Despite all their differences in age, race, religion and location, Canadians all want basically the same things: a good job, a clean environment, better access to education and healthcare, and a good place to live for themselves and their families.
In order to deliver world class services, we need to ensure that government spending is kept under control, and it is this careful balance between fiscal responsibility and social justice which has set the Liberal Party apart from the other political parties.
Harper's Conservatives have no plan for helping struggling students. The only policy the Conservative government put forth was a tax credit worth less than $10 per month for textbooks.
We will create a 20-year education endowment fund worth $25 billion. This fund will provide 200,000 bursaries of up to $3,500 per year to students in financial need and 100,000 access bursaries of up to $4,000 per year to members of groups such as Aboriginal Canadians and persons with disabilities. A new Liberal government will provide more grants - a lot more grants.
I am all too often referred to as the underdog and my opponents always underestimate me. I know that come Election Day Canadians will vote for a fairer, richer, greener Canada by voting Liberal.
-Stephane Dion
For More Information:
This Is Dion
Liberal Party Website
(Photo from Liberal Party Flickr Feed)
