"Fear not, my friends, 'tis not too late to make a better world." TC Douglas
To my volunteers, first, let's remember what's at stake.
For 25 years, Liberals and Conservatives have allowed our country's
growing wealth to benefit only a few. They've invested in
multinationals instead of local infrastructure. They've created a 'new
economy' where jobs are more precarious, less lucrative, and seldom
permanent. Government revenues have shrunk. The result: incomes for the
middle class have been stuck in neutral. We have all contributed to a
richer country, yet only a few have reaped the benefits.
In 1989, our parliament voted to take action to help the 1 in 8
Canadian children who lived in poverty. For 19 years under these two
parties, reports were written, plans recommended and promises made. Yet
action was delayed, surpluses squandered and today, we are saddled with
the embarrassment an unchanged child poverty rate.
40 years ago, Canada made a promise to the world to spend a serious
portion of our budget on relieving the world's poverty. This promise
went hand in hand with a unmatched commitment to UN peacekeeping - an
institution that we helped create. Yet over the past twenty five years,
our contributions have fallen on both fronts. We're less than half way
to an international standard on aid. And while we're fighting on one
side of a civil war in Afghanistan, our peacekeeping force contingent
has been reduced to 56.
Against these failures, the message of our campaign was clear: it is
time to change course. The question is neither ideological or
theoretical. Of our neighbours, of our fellow Canadians, our request
was simple: only that they believe that everyone should benefit from a
strong economy; only that they demand a government which fulfills our
promise of prosperity to the next generation of Canadians; only that
they expect a country which is a respected leader on the global stage.
It is with a warm heart that I thank the volunteers who helped get this
message delivered. The people of Etobicoke-Lakeshore who heard that
message answered the call. To some, yesterday's results are likely
disappointing, but I would urge all of us to realize that yesterday's
votes are not all that matters. What matters is that people heard our
message. Many more believe today than 35 days ago that Canada can be
more fair, that it should be more just, that we must help create a more
balanced world. Many more know also that New Democrats are the party to
make it happen. No doubt, some heard the message and nonetheless voted
for my Liberal opponent, out of fear that the Conservatives might make
things even worse. Nonetheless, in Lakeshore and elsewhere, the
foundation has been poured. We must not settle for 'no worse.'
And so I also say this to my volunteers, to my supporters, and even to
those who wanted to vote for me but did not: Canadians will want more,
expect more, demand more. We must be ready. New Democrats will continue
to tell them 'it is possible.' And we will also tell them how. I hope
you will join me in delivering that message.
See you soon,
Liam