People often ask me what my three top priorities are, and I tell them the economy, the economy, and the economy.
Why do I say this? Because I believe the need for a sound economy underpins all aspects of our lives.
We face a crippling infrastructure deficit in our towns and cities. If this infrastructure deficit is left unaddressed, our economy will lack the solid foundation it needs to grow and prosper in the future.
I have a plan to make sure that we eliminate this deficit by creating a non-partisan Canadian Infrastructure Financing Authority to pave the way towards more robust and innovative financing and investment partnerships.
We need to overhaul employment insurance because, right now, it's not there when so many Canadians need it.
In government, I would make sure Canadians have access to the skills and training they need to get good jobs. As one initiative, I would merge the various workforce development programs into a single transfer to the provinces, funded from general revenues, and allocated according to the provincial share of unemployed workers.
We need transparent predictable policy around trade and investment.
A government under my leadership would provide the transparency and predictability that the Harper government has not. We would welcome foreign investment based on reciprocal rights of investment for Canadian businesses.
We need to help students get a quality education that leads to good jobs without crippling debt.
I propose a plan to have the federal government take the lead through a national strategy on post-secondary education that fosters creativity and ingenuity, ensuring greater access and removing lack of income as a barrier for qualified students.
We need to overhaul an exemption-riddled tax system that provides some individuals and many businesses with breaks they do not need, while low-income people who want to get ahead are held back by counter-productive rules and regulations.
I would move forward with a reformed taxation system for the 21st century, focused on financing good public services for all Canadians, helping the most vulnerable to achieve more fulfilling lives, and operating with fairness and transparency.
We need to finally complete our economic union, and break down all the barriers to productive economic activity across provinces.
It would be a priority of a Liberal government I lead to provide vigorous national support for an effective economic union, including more modern and practical standards that will help generate opportunities in the national and global economies.
And we must develop our natural resources for the long-term, guided by independent science and stringent environmental standards. When we refer to energy and the environment as separate issues, we set up a false dichotomy and justify unprincipled public policy.
I propose a sustainable approach to resource development. This means not taking risks that we do not know how to mitigate. I would put a price on carbon, with the revenue raised going to the provinces in which it was generated. I would support necessary regulation to oversee the lifecycle of natural resource projects.
All of that goes into building a more competitive and sustainable economy, and that's why it is such a key priority for me.
But there is so much more we have to do.
Equally important for me is strengthening the ties that bind the citizens of Canada together from coast to coast to coast.
We need Canadians to re-engage in building our great nation, and it begins with the federal government resuming the mantle of leadership that Stephen Harper has deliberately abandoned.
We need a federal government that works in the national interest, for all Canadians. That brings everyone to the table to work together, whether it is on national health standards, or environmental leadership, pension reform, or on all those crucial economic issues.
Because once we are all working together, for One Canada, that is when we can do great things, and so much more is possible.
Follow Deborah Coyne on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DebCoyne
Instead what i read was a mix off liberal laissez fair, progressive and not even socialist so much as fixing the roots of foundational liberal democracies social programs
Ms. Coyne's is an uninspired and deeply disheartening message.
One these days needs to look at the global industrial status, then find those niches that can give Canada a leg up. One of the major problems is the huge cost of labour in Canada that negates any advantage. One of the other issues is the high cost of governments at all levels, but especially at the Federal level. We just have too much government. That needs to be addressed.
But the greatest problem is the massive amount of tax that is charged by all levels of government that has caused significant problems. Solve the cost of government, solve the never ending increase demands of workers, then just maybe there would be room for investors to come to Canada and set up shop.
To be honest, we've spent way too much time coddling our business elites, throwing them government grants and subsidies in steady streams.
What used to be government incentives have now become business expectations. They won't do ANYTHING without the government ponying up free cash.
OMG!, I'm sorry, but as a Quebecker, this candidates is a nightmare. She should have called her article my priority : Centralization, centralization, centralization.
The bit about a stronger economic union is particularly good. We're a country, not a collection of fiefdoms.
The "fair share" stuff, however, is mixed. There's some good stuff, but it sounds like you're channeling Obama. Rather than ending corporate tax breaks so that businesses "pay their fair share", end them because it represents a skewing of the markets and a politicization of commerce.
So good on ya, Coyne. Hope you do well. I fear, however, that the Liberals will go for the less substantial choice.