Dion calls for 'economic responsibility' during London visit

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion made a pre-election stop, with a campaign-style speech, at the Canadian Club of London.

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Citing a decade of surpluses, Dion told those in attendance at the Canadian Club of London that the country must "seize this golden opportunity because the challenges that Canada must now face are enormous." Calling those in attendance "an impressive crowd," which included London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, Canadian Club president Doug Ferguson, Liberal MPs Sue Barnes and Glen Pearson, as well as federal candidates Jacquie Gauthier, Suzanne Van Bommel, Jeff Wesley and Susan Whelan, Dion said the time is now to create wealth in this country for the present and for future generations.

"That is why it is so important that we make the right choices today," he said.

While the Liberal Leader touched upon the importance of creating a better society for all working Canadians and families, he zoned in on the GST, viewing the Conservative plan to take a second point of the tax a mistake.

"The Conservative government would be making a mistake if they follow through on their plan to take a second point off the GST instead of focusing on making taxes more competitive," Dion said. "Compared with income tax cuts, a GST cut does nothing to improve our competitiveness in the world economy and does little to improve the fairness of our tax system, improve our productivity and move our economy forward," he said.

Pointing to economists from major banks and various organizations, all agree that the proposed cut to the GST should not be a priority for the government.

"The experts are united against a GST cut and we Liberals agree with them. It seems there is only one person who studied economics that wants to cut the GST -and his name is Stephen Harper.

"For Canadians who would rather save a penny on a cup of coffee, the GST cut might work," Dion said. "At the end of the day, however, the vast majority of working Canadians would prefer to bring home a bigger paycheque."

"Taking another point off the GST is not the right decision. The Liberal Party understands that, experts understand that, Conservatives need to understand that," he said. Noting future challenges, Dion talked of a "greener Canada," adding Londoners know the need for green initiatives all too well.

"After Toronto, London has the highest number of smog days in Ontario," Dion noted. "If nothing is done, medical experts estimate that by 2026 the number of smog-related premature deaths in Ontario will reach 10,000 annually." A "strong platform" is what the Liberals will have "whenever the next election comes," he said. One that ensures Canadians have clean air, clean water, and a plan to meet the climate change crisis and achieve a health environment.

In addition, Dion said a plan to battle poverty in Canada is urgent, adding that most poor people today in this country are working people.

"A job should be a path to dignity and self-sufficiency," he said.

More than one million children and more than half a million senior citizens live in poverty, Dion said, adding the poverty issue will be at the heart of a Liberal agenda.