December 21, 2001

There is no question that 2001 was singularly marked by the unprecedented attacks on the United States, and on the values and way of life of all civilized nations. Likewise, the government initiatives that most readily spring to mind are those that we took in the aftermath of September 11.

Budget 2001 – our fifth consecutive balanced budget – provides more than $7.7 billion over the next five years to enhance security for Canadians. These investments build on the $280 million Anti-Terrorism Plan that our government announced in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

To further enhance the security of Canadians, our government adopted in the immediate aftermath of the attacks the Anti-Terrorism Act, an omnibus act which contains measures to:

identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorists;

provide new investigative tools to law enforcement and national security agencies; and

ensure that Canadians values of respect and fairness are preserved, and the root causes of hatred are addressed, through stronger laws against hate crimes and propaganda.

In support of the international campaign against terrorism, our government launched Operation Apollo. More than 2,000 men and women of the Canadian Forces are taking part in the operation, making Operation Apollo the largest foreign deployment of Canadian troops since the Korean War.

We introduced the Public Safety Act, which will amend some 19 federal laws in order to strengthen the Government's ability to improve the safety of Canadians, to prevent terrorist attacks and to respond swiftly if a significant threat should arise.

Our government’s record this year also includes strategic investments and legislative measures that carry forward our agenda for a more prosperous, more inclusive Canada.

Budget 2001 ensures that we continue to build on this record of achievement with:

nearly $3 billion in targeted investments to support strategic infrastructure and the environment.

more than $1.1 billion over three years to support skills, learning and research,

$185 million over the next two years to help aboriginal children;

a $1 billion increase over three years in Canada’s international assistance; and

the full protection of the $23.4 billion agreement on health care and early childhood development.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister created the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, which will make recommendations to ensure the long-term sustainability of our public health care system.

We announced a new $750 million investment in the endowment of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

To help Canada’s farm families, we injected $500 million in new funding for farmers and doubled by $350 million the amount available in interest-free loans.

We announced the largest federal investment in arts and culture in more than 40 years: more than $500 million over the next three years.

We fulfilled a key commitment of the 2000 election by amending the Employment Insurance (EI) Act to eliminate the Intensity Rule and adjust the Clawback Provision, the rules for parents re-entering the work force, and the Fishing Regulations.

As of January 1st, new parents have been able to spend up to a full year with their newborn under the extended parental leave provisions of the EI program.

On July 20, the latest increase in the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) came into effect, increasing the maximum benefit paid to low-income families to $2,372 for the first child.

We announced a comprehensive strategy to improve the health of Canadians by reducing tobacco use.

The Prime Minister continued to strengthen Canada’s role in the international community by hosting a very successful Summit of the Americas in Quebec City and by taking strong leadership positions at the G8.

We introduced a number of key bills, including tougher legislation to fight organized crime as well as the Species at Risk Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.