CALGARY – Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed more than 3,000 delegates at the Conservative Party convention in Calgary.
In his 45-minute speech, Harper touched on the ongoing Senate expense scandal, his party’s stance on natural resource development and the recent signing of the Canada-European Trade Agreement.
READ MORE: Harper tells Conservatives ‘we will do the right thing’ on Senate
There was also no shortage of jabs at his NDP and Liberal counterparts, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau.
Here are some of the key points the prime minister made.
On taxes and Canadian family
A typical family of four pays more than $3,000 less in taxes than when we came to office!
That’s car payments for a year.
Now, friends, I could go through all the taxes the Liberals and NDP have proposed raising, but we’ve only got this hall until tomorrow!
On being tough on crime
Friends, let’s never forget, this is the one party that believes those who do the crime should do the time and that the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens are more important than the “rights” of criminals.
-
![]()
Canada Post workers will refuse overtime as union starts strike action -
![]()
Nova Scotia premier says case of missing kids ‘weighing heavy’ on Pictou County -
![]()
Canada Post facing ‘existential crisis’ as union issues strike notice -
![]()
Conservatives hold Windsor–Tecumseh–Lakeshore after recount narrows win to four votes
The Liberals and NDP voted against, but we eliminated house arrest and sentencing discounts for violent and repeat offenders! And friends, let’s not ever forget, That only this party knows you don’t prevent gun-crimes in our cities by cracking down on duck hunters.
Get daily National news
On the Senate expense scandal
Friends, they have begun by demanding greater transparency in Senate expenses and what that has shown is that there are a few senators who have collected inappropriate expense reimbursements to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This was done knowingly or without regard to the rules, over a long period. These senators have shown little or no remorse for these actions.
And, friends, while we do not know whether these actions were criminal, that is not relevant. In private life you would be fired For doing anything resembling this… and Liberal Senators Continue to block action.
The Senate should do the right thing now and suspend those senators without pay!
On supporting Canada’s armed forces
Let’s never forget That only this party takes to heart the debt owed to our brave men and women in uniform. The NDP and the Liberals have opposed
But our Conservative government is giving the Canadian Armed Forces the respect they deserve and the equipment they need!
READ MORE: Injured troops booted from military before qualifying for pension
On the Canada-EU Trade Agreement
The Canada-European Union Trade Agreement Is even larger and more ambitious than the North American Free Trade Agreement. It is an agreement that will mean more choice and lower prices for hard-working families — an agreement that stands to create tens of thousands of new jobs for Canadians!
As I said two weeks ago, friends, this is a very big, deal. Or, as the Canadian Association of Manufacturers and Exporters put it, “the Wayne Gretzky of trade deals!”
READ MORE: Europe exporters will save more on duty than Canadians in free-trade pact
On his opponents
Let me use this achievement, The Canada-Europe Trade Agreement, To talk about the choices Canadians will face In the next election. What are the choices?
The NDP? Would the NDP have ever made A trade deal with Europe?
The NDP can’t even figure out Whether it supports free trade With the United States.
And Justin Trudeau? Could Justin Trudeau Run the economy?
In 2015, we’re not choosing the winner of Canadian Idol. We’re choosing someone to lead our economy. The only trade policy Justin Trudeau’s been working on Is the marijuana trade!
READ MORE: Liberal momentum makes majority a possibility: poll
On resources and development
We are also responsibly developing Canada’s abundant natural resources — development that pays for our hospitals, our schools, our social services.
Development that employs hundreds of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
And, at the same time, we’re preserving lands and marine areas and protecting the environment we as Canadians care so deeply about.
In this party, we will not accept that environmental protection must stop economic development. We must have both!
WATCH: Full Speech: Harper addresses the Conservative Convention
Comments