This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the effects of the devastating earthquake in Haiti first-hand as he visited the damaged country.
While in Haiti, Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada will support the construction of a Temporary Government Administrative Base for the Haitian Government in Port-au-Prince.
This action is in response to a formal request from Haiti for Canada’s help in establishing a secure area where key government officials can work together. Most government buildings in Port-au-Prince have collapsed or have been severely damaged. Establishing this government base will help Haitian officials and public servants organize more effectively and return to work.
Canada was one of the first countries on the ground after the earthquake. Since then we have been working around the clock to provide relief and do all that we can to help the Haitian people.
Countless Canadian volunteers and our own Canadians Forces remain on the ground in Haiti. To date they have helped to deliver food, bottled water, emergency supplies and medical equipment. In addition, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the damaged country thanks to their efforts.
Our Conservative Government is reminding Canadians that cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone. Our efforts to match the $113 million in donations Canadians have made so far dollar for dollar, is additional help that we hope will make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people.
As Prime Minister Harper said, “The support that Canadians and the international community extended to Haiti is a testament to the compassion that unites humanity in the face of catastrophe.”
On Tuesday, our Conservative Government announced new measures for Canada’s housing market to help protect our economic recovery.
Although there is no clear evidence of a housing bubble in Canada, our Conservative Government is looking ahead and taking prudent and cautious steps to help prevent one.
To help Canadians prepare for the possibility of future interest rate increases, our Government is taking action such as requiring that all borrowers meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term. We are lowering the maximum withdrawal amount when refinancing mortgages and are now requiring a minimum down payment of 20 per cent for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner occupied properties.
Today’s announcement will help to prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and will help to avoid situations where lenders facilitate the problem.
Our Government understands the importance of the mortgage and housing sector to the economy and the country. That’s why we took action in 2008 to limit the kinds of excesses that plagued other countries around the world.
As recognized by the International Monetary Fund as well as others, Canada’s regulation of our financial services industry ensured that we were in a much stronger position to weather the economic downturn.
Through today’s announcement, our Conservative Government is looking ahead to the future and taking action now, before there is a problem, to protect Canada’s fragile economic recovery.
On Tuesday, our Conservative Government updated Canadians on our actions and leadership in exercising our sovereignty and strengthening the economy of Canada’s North.
Our Government is firmly committed to asserting sovereignty over Canada’s Arctic lands and waters – taking into consideration the history, international law, and way of life of the Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples who have inhabited the region for thousands of years.
Our Northern Strategy focuses on strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, protecting the fragile northern environment, and promoting economic and social development; while at the same time, giving Northerners more control over their own economic and political future.
To fulfill our commitments to the North, our Government created the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and is investing in future infrastructure projects in the North.
Our Government has long worked side-by-side with our international Arctic neighbours to deliver real results for the region. This relationship will continue to strengthen as we host the five Arctic Ocean coastal states in March, 2010.
Our Conservative Government is taking action for Canada’s North by working to assert our sovereignty, strengthen the economy, and put the region in position for a more prosperous future.
On Friday, our Conservative Government announced a successfully negotiated agreement with the Obama Administration that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Our Government stood up for Canadians in resolving this issue with our American partners and the result is an agreement that will benefit both sides of the border.
Canadian suppliers will have access to projects under the Recovery Act in a range of areas, including programs of the U.S. Department of Energy; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Environmental Protection Agency. Our Government and the Obama Administration have also agreed to establish a fast-track consultation process in the event that similar Buy American provisions are applied to future funding programs.
Furthermore, the agreement grants access to further opportunities under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).
This negotiation with the U.S. is helping to create jobs in Canada as well as recognize the integrated nature of our two economies.
Looking ahead to the future, Canada and the U.S. have agreed to further discuss a more comprehensive and permanent agreement for increased opportunities between our two countries over the long-term.
Preserving and creating jobs is our Conservative Government’s priority. Our Conservative Government is delivering the right action for workers and businesses in Canada.
