On the occasion of a dinner hosted by the Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta)

There was a time when a worker lost his job and there was no employment insurance to buy food for the table. When a young Canadian had one chance in fifty of attending university. When Canadians had no Canada Pension Plan, and little or no security as they faced old age. When many Canadians feared getting sick because a bill came soon after in the mail.

I knew a time when 1 out of 20 babies died at birth. I know that very well and so sadly did my mother and father. I knew a time when a family had to choose who could go to school because there was not enough money for all of the children.

I knew those times all too well – and so did many of you. They were not so long ago.

But in our times- in less than a lifetime – we have built a country that is the envy of the world. Today almost no babies die at childbirth. We live longer and have more security in old age than almost any other people in the world.

Yes, my friends, Canada has built a society that shares, provides, and respects. But we did not construct it in a day. The federal government did not shape it alone. We built the foundations together, as partners together.

When the provinces and municipalities could not alone meet the needs of the unemployed during the 1930s, the Constitution was amended to give the federal government the authority to provide Unemployment Insurance.

After World War Two, the federal government introduced the Family Allowance, Old Age Security and post-secondary education assistance for veterans. Building the social foundations for our modern, industrial economy.

Building on the model established in the province of Saskatchewan, it was another Liberal government that introduced Medicare thirty years ago. And I am proud that I was a member of the government of Lester Pearson. That gave us Medicare. The Canada Pension Plan. And Canada Student Loans.

It is another Liberal government. The one I have the honour of leading – our Liberal government – that has recognized that our country needs a new shape for a new age. That our work is not finished. That we have much more to do.

That parents in low-income families should not have to choose between working and losing important benefits. That's what the National Child Benefit is about. It is the most significant new social program in more than three decades. And it has been accomplished in close collaboration with the provinces.

We found that workers not only need income support when they lose a job, but also the support they need to get back to work. That's what Employment Insurance is all about. And that is why we, and individual provinces, have reached agreement on the most effective approach to manpower training.

Once we, as governments, left too much to the voluntary sector. Then we, as governments, did too much. Our government is now inviting the voluntary sector back to the table to be our partners.

The Canada Pension Plan was created in 1965. When men lived to almost 69 years and women just over 75 years. Now, men live 7 years longer and women just over 6 years longer. That is why we reformed the CPP. To allow for Canadians who are living longer than we ever imagined in 1965. So they will always be able to count on it.

Today, we are working with the provinces to find the best way to strengthen our social programs as we prepare to enter a new millennium.

Our objectives are clear.

We believe a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. Wherever he or she lives in this country. Therefore, we must promote equal opportunity among Canadians. Wherever they live or move within Canada. In poor parts of Canada and in richer parts of Canada.

We must ensure that they have access to quality health care when they get sick. Wherever they live or move in Canada.

We must ensure a first-rate education for their children. Wherever they live or move in Canada.

We must ensure that they have help if they are unable to work or lose their job. Wherever they live or move in Canada.

We must ensure that they have pensions and benefits that help secure their quality of life when they get old. Wherever they live or move in Canada.

And for all of this, we need strong a federal government. A government that can act on behalf of all Canadians. A government that has direct and privileged relations with individual Canadians everywhere in Canada – from coast to coast to coast. A government that also works in partnership with other levels of government and the private sector.

We are working hard to improve collaboration among governments to serve Canadians better. We have demonstrated in the past five years that governments can work together. With the National Child Benefit, the Infrastructure program and Team Canada. And our collective efforts to clean up the national finances. We want to build on these achievements and to do more. And I have asked Anne McLellan to help in this important endeavour.

But let's put things into perspective.

There have always been negotiations between different levels of government in Canada. There always will be. Sometimes we reach agreements. Sometimes we do not agree. It has been that way for 130 years. And it will be that way for the next 130 years.

I do not believe that Canadians – or the media – should fixate on negotiations between different levels of governments. That is not what is important. What is important is that governments remain fixated on helping make the quality of life better for Canadians.

For us Liberals, government and politics is always about people. About helping them build better lives for themselves and their families. About helping them make their dreams work. The dreams they have for themselves and for their children.

Improving their quality of life. Helping them to raise their standard of living. A strong and growing economy that creates jobs. Good paying jobs with a future. Protecting and modernizing our social programs. So Canadians have the support they need – when they need it. Giving Canadians - especially young Canadians - the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to prosper in the new economy.

That is what Canadians look to in a government That is what they invested in us five years ago. And everything we have done since 1993 has had that in mind.