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September 2010

Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett tables Private Member's Bill to reinstate mandatory long-form census

September 30, 2010

OTTAWA – As part of the Liberal Party of Canada’s fight to save the long-form census, Liberal MP Dr. Carolyn Bennett today tabled a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons that would amend the Statistics Act to enshrine the mandatory long-form census in law and remove the threat of prison as a penalty for not filling out the form.

“My bill will test Stephen Harper’s stubborn refusal to respect the will of Canadians, even after their elected representatives in Parliament voted to keep the census yesterday,” said the author of the bill, Dr. Carolyn Bennett.  “Will he listen to the people and reinstate the census, or is he an ‘I-make-the-rules’ dictator?
 
“We will not stop until Stephen Harper reverses this decision, which is why this bill is so important.  It keeps the pressure on the Conservative government to listen to more than 350 groups and experts who have condemned this decision and are shocked that this government has made this decision without any prior consultation or parliamentary process.”

Dr. Bennett’s bill calls for amendments to the Statistics Act to ensure the long-form census is reinstated and cannot be removed by future governments, and would remove the threat of jail time for people who do not fill it out.

“The Harper government hasn’t given any indication that they intend to listen to the majority in the House of Commons – or to the majority of Canadians – and reinstate the mandatory long-form, which is why this bill is so important. It keeps the pressure on Stephen Harper to listen to the more than 350 groups who have condemned this decision.”

The bill follows a 152-141 vote last night in the House of Commons in favour of a Liberal Opposition Day Motion.

“The Conservatives continue to ignore the calls of the provincial, territorial and municipal governments, community groups, medical associations, and religious organizations that use the information collected in the census to make fact-based decisions that help Canadians in their daily lives,” said Dr. Bennett.

“The Prime Minister must listen to these Canadians and honour the will of Parliament. My bill will focus even more attention on this issue, in the hopes Stephen Harper will finally cease his ‘I-make-the-rules’ approach to governing and listen to Canadians.”

Liberal motion to bring back long-form census passes

September 29, 2010

OTTAWA – While the Harper Conservatives stubbornly stonewall on the census, a majority of MPs sided with more than 350 groups and experts today by passing the Liberal motion in favour of reinstating the mandatory long-form census and removing any threat of jail time.

“Stephen Harper keeps saying ‘I make the rules,’ but will he admit that he was wrong now that Parliament has spoken in favour of reinstating the census and removing the threat of jail time?” said Liberal Critic for Industry, Science and Technology Marc Garneau.  “Without the threat of jail time, the Conservatives have no excuse for their continued refusal to recognize the will the Canadian people and restore the census.”

The Liberal motion passed on the same day that the provinces of Ontario and Quebec lodged a formal complaint against the Conservative government.

“With the passage of this motion, the Conservatives should stop making up false threats about the census,” said Liberal Critic for Democratic Renewal Carolyn Bennett.  “The very real threat is denying Canadian governments and businesses the information they need to make responsible decisions for managing programs and the economy.”

By eliminating the long-form census, Canada’s economic data will become less accurate, a warning that was sounded by Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney in September, the Canadian Economics Association, the Canadian Chambers of Commerce, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Dean of the Rotman School of Management Roger Martin and the TD Bank. Crucial statistics like unemployment, productivity, income levels are gathered through the census and used by these institutions to make sound policy decisions.

“By eliminating the census, the Conservative government is saying it wants to manage Canada’s economy and taxpayer dollars while wearing a blindfold,” said Mr. Garneau.  “It means governments will not be able to make informed decisions and will lead to billions of misspent taxpayer dollars.

“The Liberal Party will use every available avenue to reinstate the census, in order to secure vital economic and demographic information that financial managers, small business owners and financial planners use on a daily basis,” said Mr. Garneau.

Dr. Bennett intends to keep up the pressure on the Conservative government by introducing a private members bill calling for the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census.

Liberals: Conservative government must extend EI pilot projects

September 24, 2010

OTTAWA – The Liberal Party today is calling on the Conservative government to provide support for Canadians in areas of high unemployment by extending the life of the Employment Insurance (EI) pilot projects that have already expired, and ones that are set to expire this fall.

“It’s baffling to me that the Conservative government can spend $1.3 billion on a 72-hour G8/G20 photo-op, $16 billion on sole-sourced stealth fighters, $13 billion on new mega-prisons, and $20 billion on corporate tax giveaways, but they haven’t given a second thought to Canadian families who are still on the unemployment line,” said Liberal Human Resources and Skills Development Critic Mike Savage.

“These highly targeted EI pilot projects are working to help Canadians where unemployment is particularly high. Not only are they filling the gaps of existing EI programs, but more people are working. They are helping those in the highest areas of unemployment, while assisting some of the most vulnerable Canadians,” added Liberal MP for Beauséjour, Dominic LeBlanc.

The four pilot projects - Working While on Claim, New Entrant/Re-Entrant (NERE), Extended EI Benefits and Best 14 Weeks - were designed to better understand the gaps in the EI system in order to make informed changes to the programs.

During the five years running, the four pilot projects have produced an increased level of regular benefits to claimants, especially to those in regions of high unemployment, and amongst vulnerable groups including youth, women, part-time workers, low-skilled workers and workers in low-income families.

The programs were designed to counter disincentives to work, and have increased workforce participation (under Working While on Claim). The Extended EI Benefits expired in September, while the rest are set to expire between October and December 2010.

“The Conservatives already renewed these programs once, at a time when the unemployment situation was less of a problem than it is today,” said Random-Burin-St. George’s MP Judy Foote. “Certain industries are still feeling the effects of the recession, which means a lot of Canadians are still without work. The need for these programs is greater than ever. This benefit is helping them to make ends meet.”

Recent statistics show that the Canadian workforce is still showing a net deficit of 150,000 full-time jobs since the beginning of 2008, and those still waiting to find work depend on this extra money.

“Stephen Harper said so himself in his 2009 Budget, that ‘in uncertain times Canadian workers look to their government to provide additional support.’ This is one of those times. His government must do the right thing to help workers and extend the benefits,” Mr. Savage concluded.

Liberals launch Open mike town hall tour

September 24, 2010

OTTAWA – Days into Parliament’s return and building on Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff‘s commitment to bring a new spirit of openness and respect for all Canadians to federal politics, Liberals are launching the first Open mike town hall next Monday in Montreal, QC.  

“The Open mike tour is about giving Canadians their say in a government that has closed itself off from Canadians,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.  “Over 56,000 kilometres aboard the Liberal Express this summer, Canadians told us loud and clear that they want leaders who are open to their ideas, thoughts and criticism – and that’s why we’ll have Open mike town halls every week this fall right across the country.”

“Canadians are tired of being shut out by Stephen Harper’s divisive brand of politics, and they don’t like his ‘I make the rules’ approach to governing,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “They want a government that listens to and focuses on the priorities of Canadian families, and they want a prime minister who isn’t hiding in Ottawa, afraid to meet with them.”

Starting in Outremont on Monday with Liberal candidate Martin Cauchon and members of the Liberal team, Mr. Ignatieff will embark on a series of Open mike town halls in communities across the country that will feature local candidates and an ever-changing roster of Liberal caucus members. These town halls, which will also have a live, online discussion with questions from web participants, will be unscripted opportunities for every Canadian to share their views and ask questions about the issues that matter to them.  

“All summer long, I heard from Canadians who are worried about paying for their kids’ college tuition, saving for retirement, keeping our health care system universally accessible, and regaining Canada’s leadership on the international stage,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “The Finance Minister’s baffling display this week where none of these issues were addressed in his so-called economic speech shows what happens when a government cuts itself off from and loses touch with Canadians.

“While Conservatives are talking about prisons, planes and a $6 billion corporate tax giveaway, we’re going to be encouraging Canadians from all walks of life to come out to these town halls and share their views on how the government should be spending their hard-earned dollars,”  concluded Mr. Ignatieff.  “Everyone’s invited to participate and all views are welcome – it’s a principle at the heart of the Liberal Party which we’ll be bringing to every Open mike this fall.”

Details of Monday’s Open mike town hall are as follows:

Place:   
Centre de ressources communautaires Côte-des-Neiges
6767 Côte-des-Neiges Road
Montreal, Quebec

Time:     6:30 pm

Liberals congratulate police, victims for saving gun registry

September 22, 2010

OTTAWA – The Liberal Party of Canada congratulated police, women’s rights advocates, emergency workers and victims groups after MPs voted to keep the life-saving gun registry tonight.

“Everyone who kept the pressure on the Harper government and Jack Layton’s NDP has helped to save lives by saving the gun registry,” Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said immediately following the vote in the House of Commons.

“The majority of Parliamentarians have spoken for the majority of Canadians who wanted the gun registry maintained, after listening to their constituents, the police, and those concerned about violence against women.

“With this vote behind us, it’s time to move forward and heal the divides that exist between rural and urban, northern and southern Canada to ensure the registry works for all Canadians,” said Mr. Ignatieff.  “It’s also time for Stephen Harper to put this crusade to rest and focus on the issues that really matter to Canadian families: paying for post-secondary education, caring for aging or sick loved ones, and securing their retirement.”

Liberal Public Safety Critic Mark Holland said the entire Liberal caucus sided with police, medical experts, women’s and victims groups in a unanimous display of solidarity.

“Canadians won’t soon forget that Mr. Layton’s first instinct was to choose politics over principle, and to side with Mr. Harper on this issue,” said Mr. Holland. “Now that the gun registry has been saved, we hope Parliament will work together to address the legitimate concerns of law-abiding gun owners while still maintaining the integrity of this public safety tool.”

The Liberal caucus supports making the first-time failure to register a firearm a ticket offence and not a crime, removing all fees, and making the registration process easier.

Conservatives must unfreeze aid budget to help world’s poor

September 21, 2010

OTTAWA – Liberals are calling on the Conservative government to honour Canada’s past commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as world leaders gather at the United Nations this week.

“If we're serious about earning our place on the UN Security Council, we need to unfreeze our aid budget and fulfill our Millennium Development Goal responsibilities,” said Liberal CIDA Critic Glen Pearson. “The Conservatives must also reverse their shift away from Africa and fulfill the promise made by Paul Martin’s government in 2005 to achieve these crucial goals.”

“The Prime Minister is only going half way if we don’t unfreeze our aid and go back to Africa,” said Liberal MP Dr. Carolyn Bennett, at a press conference this morning. “With a frozen budget, is the government cutting aid to give to the Global Fund? How can Stephen Harper go in front of the UN’s poor countries and claim we’re fulfilling our promises?”

In 2002, the Chrétien government pledged to double foreign aid over a decade. In 2005, the Martin government pledged to double aid to fight poverty in sub-Saharan Africa to meet the "Eradication of extreme poverty" MDG. With this year’s Budget, the Conservatives brought that – and Canada’s contributions to the MDGs – to a screeching halt.

The government fell short on addressing the "Reducing maternal mortality" MDG at the G8 by failing to fund full-spectrum family planning options and by not leveraging the hoped-for commitments from other countries.

“We are calling on the government to immediately unfreeze Canada’s aid budget and support the full range of family planning and reproductive health services internationally that are essential to safeguarding maternal health,” said Liberal MP Lise Zarac.

The government has shown disdain for AIDS work and research ever since the Prime Minister snubbed the 2006 AIDS conference hosted by Canada. It failed to include HIV/AIDS on the G8/G20 agenda, and initially dismissed the Global Fund, the essential international institution that helps to achieve the "Universal access to HIV prevention services and AIDS treatment" MDG. Now the Global Fund is waiting for the government to commit to replenishing Canada’s funding.

“We call on the Prime Minister to fulfill this pledge today in New York and give the Global Fund the 30 per cent increase it has requested and needs – but not at the expense of other Millennium Development Goals, like humanitarian aid or environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Bennett.

Nowhere is the Conservatives’ record worse than when it comes to the MDG to “Ensure environmental sustainability” as the government’s policies resulted in Canada winning the Fossil of the Year award at the 2009 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

“Canadians would rather work with other countries to eradicate poverty than build more prisons or buy sole-sourced fighter planes,” said Ms. Zarac. “Imagine what even just $1 billion of that money could do for women and children in desperate need.”

“Liberals will restore funding, respect and fairness to Canadian international NGOs and other groups that have been decimated by the government,” concluded Mr. Pearson. “We are also calling on the government to immediately replenish Canada’s commitment to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS and to take our environmental commitments seriously.”

Liberals will fight for Canadian families in Parliament

September 20, 2010

OTTAWA – The Conservative government’s priorities of prisons, planes and corporate tax giveaways are out of touch with the needs of hard-pressed Canadian families, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said today as Parliament returned.

“Over 56,000 kilometres on the Liberal Express this summer, we got the message loud and clear: Canadians want a government that shares their priorities, that builds a stronger economy to help with the rising cost of living,” said Mr. Ignatieff.

“Canadians are focused on the rising cost of post-secondary education, keeping public health care strong and sustainable, caring for sick or aging loved ones, securing their retirement, and finding high-quality, full-time jobs – not prisons and fighter jets.”

As the Liberal Express pulled up to Parliament Hill after a summer tour that hit every province and territory, Mr. Ignatieff joined his team of Liberal MPs who are set to take the Conservatives to task for their record of wasteful spending while Canadian families struggle with debt.

“Conservative priorities are completely out of touch with the needs of Canadians,” said Deputy Leader Ralph Goodale.  “How can billions in further corporate tax cuts to the biggest corporations help an average Canadian family save for their children’s education or take proper care of an elderly parent?

“Canadians didn’t ask Stephen Harper to run up a $54-billion deficit, spend $16 billion on a sole-sourced contract for fighter jets that Canada may not even need, or waste $1 billion on a 72-hour G8/G20 photo-op.  Nor do they want $10 billion more of their tax dollars to go towards American-style super-jails when crime rates are going down.  That’s why we’re focusing on the needs of Canadian families, like education, health, pensions and jobs.”

Liberal House Leader David McGuinty said the Conservative record of pandering to their right-wing ideological base is dividing our country through wedge politics, while Liberals are working to find common-ground solutions to the problems facing the country.

“The Conservatives would rather side with the National Rifle Association than listen to Canadian police, medical experts and victims groups about how to make the gun registry work for everyone,” Mr. McGuinty said.  “While they’re focused on planes and prisons, we’ll be fighting for pension reforms to help Canada’s seniors, for veterans to get the benefits they deserve, and to get the mandatory long-form census reinstated.”

In contrast to Stephen Harper’s closed and controlled “I make the rules” approach to governing, Michael Ignatieff will continue to meet and listen to Canadians through weekly Open mike town halls<http://liberal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b71b47a81da6e7d67dc2f2074&id=9f86c46a44&e=7e7dfbec8e> in communities across the country this fall.

Conservatives’ claims about F-35 sole-sourcing don't meet military scrutiny

September 20, 2010

OTTAWA - A report that Canada’s Defence Department fully expected an open competition for next-generation military aircraft further pokes holes in the Harper government’s excuses for signing a sole-sourced $16-billion F-35 contract, Liberal MPs said today.

“If Stephen Harper’s priority is really Canada’s economy, then why would he agree to a sole-sourced process that will make these planes more expensive, thereby adding to his $54 billion deficit?” asked Liberal Defence Critic Dominic LeBlanc.

“As recently as May, Minister MacKay said a competition was being held for the replacement for the CF-18 fighter jets, but he suddenly did an about-face this July when the Conservatives announced their decision to sole-source while claiming a competition had been held in 2001.”

On May 27, 2010, Peter MacKay told the National Defence Committee: “I just want to be very clear on the record that the reference to the next generation of fighter aircraft does not preclude a competition, and an open and transparent one.”

According to the report today, a plan written by the Defence Department called for a competitive process for both the aircraft and the long-term maintenance contract. A competitive process was due to be held this year, with a contract to be signed in 2012. The aircraft would be delivered in 2015-2016 and become operational between 2018 and 2023.

The report also added that the government has allocated $2.6 billion to upgrade the CF-18s and the last modernized aircraft was just delivered in March.

“We know that the CF-18 fighters can continue flying until 2018-2020, which means there is no excuse for shrouding the whole process in secrecy,” added Mr. LeBlanc.

The Conservatives also removed a Treasury Board requirement that foreign contracts over $100 million secure matching investment in Canadian industry. No guarantee of job creation from this $16-billion investment is a major economic oversight, said Mr. LeBlanc.

“Liberals firmly believe that we need to choose planes that are the best fit for our country’s needs. Unfortunately, the Conservatives have failed to even outline Canada’s future military priorities.  How can we buy equipment if we don’t know what we need them for?"

Liberal ‘Save lives, save the gun registry’ continues in Toronto

September 15, 2010

TORONTO – Liberal MPs and candidates will continue to put pressure on NDP and Conservative MPs to side with police officers and victims – not Stephen Harper – and vote to keep the life-saving gun registry.

“There are no guarantees until the vote on September 22,” said Liberal Public Safety and National Security Critic Mark Holland.  “We’re redoubling our efforts, because Jack Layton is leaving the registry up in the air.  He's putting it on a razor's edge because he refuses to insist that saving the gun registry is a matter of principle.”

Following a roundtable at the Toronto YWCA today attended by women’s groups and emergency medical professionals, Mr. Holland, Liberal Women’s Caucus members Judy Sgro, and Kirsty Duncan, and Federal Liberal candidate Christine Innes, Liberals renewed their call for all NDP MPs to vote to save the gun registry.

“NDP MP Olivia Chow needs to tell Jack Layton that until the vote in the House of Commons on September 22, he should be doing everything in his power to persuade his entire caucus to vote to save the registry like Michael Ignatieff has,” said Ms. Innes.  “Liberals aren’t taking any chances. We will continue to pressure the NDP to do the right thing and save the life-saving long-gun registry.”

“We’re also calling on all Conservatives to side with Canadians and our police to save this valuable public safety tool,” continued said Ms. Sgro.  “Conservative MPs should think long and hard about the message they’re sending to their constituents who want them to vote to save the gun registry.  Voters will remember that instead of standing with police, women’s groups, victims of gun crimes and emergency medical professionals, Conservative MPs chose to import allies from the American gun lobby.”

“This week we’re visiting communities from Halifax to Vancouver to keep the pressure on Jack Layton and the NDP,” said Dr. Duncan.  “We’re here in Toronto today to show a united front with women’s groups, police, victims, and emergency medical professionals – who all see firsthand how important the gun registry is for saving lives.”  

Police access the gun registry 11,000 times a day and use it to protect frontline officers and prevent domestic violence and suicide.  Long-guns are involved in 70% of gun-related deaths, the victims of which are overwhelmingly women.

The Liberal Party has shown leadership by seeking a solution that maintains the integrity of the gun registry, while also addressing the legitimate concerns of rural residents. Liberals will make the first-time failure to register a firearm a ticket offence and not a crime, remove all fees, and make the registration process easier.

“On the one side we have the Conservatives, who aren't the least bit interested in making the registry work for all Canadians and would rather scrap a valuable tool used by police than seek to find solutions for everyone,” said Dr. Duncan. “On the other side we have Jack Layton’s NDP, whose caucus is divided between putting politics ahead of principle.”

 “We need every voice to speak out in favour of keeping this life-saving tool,” concluded Mr. Holland.  “Until the votes are in and the long-gun registry is saved, Liberals will continue to work.

Conservatives failed to get the best deal on F-35s for Canadian taxpayers and workers

September 15, 2010

OTTAWA – By selecting the F-35 without competition and removing the requirement that guarantees Canadian industrial benefits from the government’s estimated $16 billion investment, the Harper Conservatives have cost Canadian taxpayers and workers billions, Liberals said today.

“By neglecting to hold an open bidding competition removing the requirement that Lockheed-Martin guarantee job creation in Canada, this Conservative government failed to do its due diligence and make sure that Canadian taxpayers and workers were getting the best deal,” said Liberal Defence Critic Dominic LeBlanc.

Today it was revealed that in 2006, the Conservatives removed a Treasury Board requirement that foreign contracts over $100 million secure matching investment in Canadian industry.  Senior officials at the Department of National Defence admitted yesterday the Conservative government’s decision to sole-source the $16 billion contract for new F-35 fighter jets was a serious financial oversight that could cost taxpayers billions.

“In 1980, when Canada selected the CF-18 over the F-16, we secured a written guarantee of $3.2 billion in regional industrial benefits and 22,000 jobs from McDonnell-Douglas,” explained Mr. LeBlanc.  “We did this because we wanted to make sure that the cost of purchasing the CF-18 would be partially offset by industrial benefits and related employment opportunities, so Canadian taxpayers wouldn’t have to foot the entire bill.

“At a time when Canadian household debt is at an all-time high and middleclass families feel hard-pressed, Peter McKay has failed to guarantee new jobs by purchasing 65 F-35s from Lockheed-Martin without undergoing an open competition or guaranteeing industrial benefits,” Mr. LeBlanc said.

“By negotiating the maintenance contract only after announcing the purchase of the F-35s, Canada has lost its ability to negotiate the best deal possible for taxpayers, industry and workers. Countries like Israel secured guarantees from Lockheed-Martin before agreeing to buy the F-35s – why didn’t Canada do the same?”

To make matters worse, earlier this year the United States’ Government Accountability Office noted that lifecycle maintenance costs of the F-35s are running “substantially higher than earlier estimates,” and currently believes it will cost $764 billion to maintain its fleet of 2,457 fighter jets. This augmented maintenance cost would substantially increase the $7 billion the Conservatives believe it will cost to maintain Canada’s 65 new jets to $20 billion, for a total $29 billion price tag.

A future Liberal government will put the government’s $16-billion sole-sourced fighter jet contract on hold to ensure the best deal while reviewing all military procurement. Liberals are currently examining the government’s secretive, unaccountable decision to proceed with this contract through the House of Commons Defence Committee.

“After racking up a record $54-billion deficit and blowing more than $1 billion on a 72-hour G8/G20 meeting, the Conservatives’ new priorities are $10 billion for prisons and $16 billion for planes – all at a time when Canadian families are struggling to make ends meet,” concluded Mr. LeBlanc.  “This is a government whose priorities are seriously out of touch with the needs of Canadians.”

Michael Ignatieff announces “Open mike” town hall tour

September 1, 2010

BADDECK, NS – As a successful Liberal summer caucus draws to a close, Michael Ignatieff announced today that he will be hosting weekly “Open mike” town halls in a community near you this fall.

“This summer, I learned that Canadians are tired of being shut out and treated with contempt by Stephen Harper,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Canadians want their elected officials to listen to and respect them – and that’s why we’re leaving the mike open to hear from them.”

Beginning shortly after the House returns, the Liberal Leader will be embarking on a series of weekly “Open mike” town halls in communities across the country. These town halls, which will also have a live, online component, will be unscripted opportunities for every Canadian to share their views and ask questions about the issues that matter to them.  

“While Stephen Harper tours the country from behind tinted car windows, attending scripted, invitation-only events, we are the party that talks to Canadians and creates opportunities for them to engage in public policy,” said Mr. Ignatieff.

Over the weekend, Liberals planned their strategy for the next session of Parliament and discussed plans to announce even more policy proposals in the coming weeks and months.

“We know where we stand and who we’re fighting for,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “The answer’s clear: we’re fighting for the hard-working, hard-pressed middle-class Canadian family.  We’re fighting for Canadians who are worried about paying for their kids’ college tuition, saving for retirement, keeping our health care system universally accessible, and regaining Canada’s prestige on the international stage."

The broad outline of the Liberal Party’s policy program – learning, care and global leadership – will be fully costed in a detailed and transparent platform by the time the next election comes.

“Canadians are looking for a clear alternative to the Harper Conservatives – one that is progressive, responsible and compassionate,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff. “As the big red tent at the centre of Canadian political life, we’re inviting all Canadians to take a look at what the Liberal Party has to offer.”

30th Anniversary of the Marathon of Hope

September 1, 2010

Statement by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff on the 30th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement on the 30th anniversary on the day when Terry Fox had to stop running his Marathon of Hope:

“Thirty years ago today, outside of Thunder Bay, Terry Fox was forced to cut short his Marathon of Hope, a journey that had begun five months earlier in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  This moment remains seared in our collective Canadian memory, alongside Terry Fox’s determination to make a difference in the lives of Canadians living with cancer.

“Against all odds, the 21-year-old from Port Coquitlam was determined to run across Canada to raise $1 million for cancer research and provide hope for those battling cancer.  Although Terry didn’t get to complete his marathon, by the following year he had raised $23 million and had become an inspiration to the world.

“Terry Fox is a true Canadian hero. He dared to dream big, he persisted in the face of great adversity, and he fought for his dream until the very end. The impact he had on generations of Canadians is profound, and to this day, school children across the country are told his story and marvel at his courage.

“This month, as thousands of Canadians participate in the annual Terry Fox Run, we are reminded of the devastation that cancer continues to have on our lives. An estimated 173,800 new cases of cancer and 76,200 deaths will occur in Canada in 2010.  As we reflect upon Terry’s heroic journey, we cannot give up the fight against this ravaging disease.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our caucus in Parliament, I applaud all Canadians who are carrying on Terry Fox’s legacy, and my thoughts go to all whose lives have been touched by cancer.”