Simcoe MP Helena Guergis feels the Conservative Party is taking the country in the right direction.
This comes on the heels of Wednesday's Speech from the Throne, which focused on the declining Canadian economy.
In the speech, which was delivered by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, the government plans to support Canadians during difficult economic times.
"Embarking on its renewed mandate, our government is committed to providing the strong leadership that Canadians expect. It will protect Canadians in difficult times. It will work with Canadians to secure our future prosperity. It will support Canadian workers and businesses in their pursuit of a better future," Jean said.
Guergis feels this is a strong plan and will ensure security for Canadians.
She believes that the government must ensure a strong automotive sector. Guergis said with a Honda plant in Alliston and other companies in the riding - such as Pilkington Glass in Collingwood - that supply products to car manufacturers, the automotive industry is important to her.
"I will continue to stand up for the automotive industry," she said.
Guergis said the Conservatives have cut taxes for companies, which will equal $9 billion
"What we have already done is cut a lot of taxes, for businesses to stay competitive."
The government plans to:
• Join forces with other countries to overhaul the rules governing global financial markets, including pushing for a single securities regulator in Canada to replace the patchwork of provincial stock market regulators.
• Provide "further support" for the automotive and aerospace industries. However, the speech contains no hint of whether the government will undertake a bailout of the Big Three automakers to ensure they do not collapse and damage the national economy. Measures to encourage companies to invest in new machinery and government are also promised.
• For workers losing their jobs, the government "will ensure that existing programs and services are as effective as possible in meeting the needs of Canadians" and "targeted help will be available to those who need it the most."
• Canada will weather the "extraordinary global challenge" but the government is warning of tough belt-tightening to come. "Hard decisions will be needed to keep federal spending under control and focused on results," the speech said. It said that grants, contributions and capital expenditures would be placed "under the microscope of responsible spending."
"Departments will have the funding they need to deliver essential programs and services, and no more," the speech said. "As well, the government appears on course to limit salary hikes for the public service, saying it would table legislation to ensure "sustainable compensation growth." It also hinted at giving the private sector a greater role in administration to "deliver better services at a lower overall cost."
On the energy front, the federal Conservatives are setting an ambitious target to have 90 per cent of Canada's electricity provided by "non-emitting" sources, such as hydro, nuclear, clean coal or wind power by 2020, though this goal will require the assistance of provinces.
The Conservatives are pledging to increase international aid and created the "democracy promotion agenda" to support peaceful transition to democracy in repressive countries and help emerging democracies "build strong institutions."
Preparing for the end of Canada's military mission in Afghanistan in 2011, the government will continue transforming Canada's activitieover the next several years.
-With files from Torstar News Services
