Harper Focuses on the Canadian Economy

One of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first steps on resuming office with a second minority government in the 2008 general election has been to announce an economic plan. When Liberal leader Stephane Dion proposed a similar economic plan a couple of weeks earlier during the leaders' debates, Stephen Harper accused him of panicking. Having received a barrage of criticism during the election campaign over his lack of concern about the economy, which could well have kept him from winning a majority government, the Prime Minister has apparently changed his tune and presented six things his government will do immediately to protect the Canadian economy.

• Take whatever appropriate steps are necessary to ensure that Canada’s financial system is not put at a competitive disadvantage.

• Discuss the global financial crisis and strengthening the Canada-EU economic partnership at the October 20, 2008 Canada-European Union Summit.

• Summon Parliament to meet in the fall and table an Economic and Fiscal Update before the end of November.

• Participate in the G20 finance ministers meeting November 8-9, and call for a further meeting of G7 finance ministers to build on progress made at their last meeting.

• Continue the government's four-year strategic review of departmental expenditures.

• Call a First Ministers’ meeting on the economy to discuss with the premiers a joint approach to the global financial crisis.

More on the Economic Crisis and Canada
No Canada Recession Despite U.S. Woes - Canadian Press
The Voters Have Spoken: Play Nice or Else - Don Martin, National Post