Canada's Prime Minister delivers major policy speech

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Canada Prime Minister Martin speech hints at priorities

Political statement in major speech to 700 senior civil servants

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Paul Martin called for Canada to bring in more immigrants as he delivered a wide-ranging speech that sought to outline a broad rationale for his government's actions and its future direction.

The 70-minute speech was intended to counter criticisms that the government drifts from crisis to crisis. He asserted that Ottawa's past policies and future plans are part of a coherent strategy to cope with major "new forces" such as the aging population and the rise of new powers in China and India.

CLICK HERE to read THE GLOBE AND MAIL report on Prime Minister Martin's speech.

michael mccafferty comments:

I want to praise Prime Minister Martin for the vision and leadership he has demonstrated in his major policy speech.

I agree with the TORONTO STAR editorial -

Editorial: PM's clear vision of Canada's future

"For nearly two years, Prime Minister Paul Martin has been routinely criticized for drift, for failing to outline a vision for Canada, and for shrinking from an activist agenda while he found his political feet, focused on the advertising scandal and tended to a shaky minority government.
No longer. In a thoughtful speech yesterday to senior public servants in Gatineau, Que., Martin took a major step toward addressing these concerns. He advanced a forward-looking and integrated strategy for Canadian success in a fast-changing world."

This is a welcome vision for Canada and I congratulate Prime Minister Martin.