The day after his government outlined the top priorities of its first mandate, Prime Minister Paul Martin elaborated on concrete ways the government plans to remove barriers, create opportunities and get Canadians more engaged in the decisions they face as a country.

February 03, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

Domestic and international projects involve innovative new ways of doing things

The day after his government outlined the top priorities of its first mandate, Prime Minister Paul Martin elaborated on concrete ways the government plans to remove barriers, create opportunities and get Canadians more engaged in the decisions they face as a country.

Responding to the previous day’s Speech from the Throne, the PM acknowledged that Canadians are eager to play a direct role in shaping their own destiny. In response to this, the Prime Minister said his new government is set to return Parliament to a national forum in which citizens of Canada can make their views known and interests heard.

“Canadians want in. They want to build Canada. They want their government to understand and help them to achieve their potential. They want us to ‘get it,’” said Prime Minister Martin.

“Well, Mr. Speaker, the government does ‘get it.’ Our goal is the success of Canadians in every region of Canada.”

“The agenda is ambitious. But Canadians expect no less of themselves and should expect no less of their governments, and Mr. Speaker, the time to make this agenda real is now.”

Prime Minister Martin outlined a host of new initiatives that reflected the three broad elements of his government’s agenda: bolstering Canada’s social foundation, building a 21st century economy, and ensuring Canada’s role in the world as one of influence and pride.

The centerpiece in his agenda remains health care. This includes a promise that every Canadian, regardless of their income, will have access to a publicly funded system in any province they require treatment. Reduced waiting times for critical services is another central element of this plan.

In addition, Prime Minister Martin enhanced the cities agenda put forth in the Throne Speech by announcing that the full GST rebate for Canadian municipalities has already begun accumulating.

The Prime Minister announced that this government will be accelerating the implementation of the federal-provincial Multi-Lateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care, an initiative created in March 2000 to improve and expand early childhood development programs and services.

Community development organizations received an unprecedented promise of access to government programs – including loans and grants – that until now had only been available to small businesses.

Disadvantaged families will benefit from a plan to develop a new “learning bond” for every child born into a low-income household, which is being made available to ease the financial burden of post-secondary education.

Also on the domestic front, the country’s national science advisor will work with the research community to develop a strategy specifically focused on learning technologies, life sciences and the environment to help those in developing countries to benefit from Canadian expertise.

The PM also made a clear commitment to bolstering Canada’s international responsibility. In an innovative new way of getting youth involved in bringing their energy to developing nations, the government has announced the “Canada Corps.” This program will allow youth to bring forth their ideas on how to work toward justice, federalism and democracy in developing nations.

Prime Minister Martin has already announced his government’s intention to re-introduce legislation to provide low cost pharmaceuticals drugs to developing nations, but it was revealed that in honour of the former prime minister’s leadership in this regard it will be named the Jean Chrétien Pledge to Africa Act.

Finally, the government announced a long-term plan to provide at least 5 per cent of research investment to those who are developing new ways of dealing with international problems.

Prime Minister Martin's government will unveil a comprehensive Action Plan on Democratic Reform on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004.