Green Party Claims Win in French Debate

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May combined a comprehensive vision for Canada with strong, effective attacks on Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in the French-language televised election debate.

From what I saw on cbc.ca last night Green Party leader Elizabeth May showed she belonged at the table. May claimed Harper’s policies on the economy and the environment are dangerous, as she made it clear why Green candidates are the best choice for voters in Quebec and across Canada. The Green Party would change direction with a plan for greener, more careful, innovative growth that would create jobs, inspire investment and protect the environment. In the debate on economic policy, May said that while the U.S. crisis won’t necessarily spill over into Canada, the Harper government has weakened this country’s economic fundamentals. “Mr. Harper’s policies are threatening Canada’s economy,” she said. Analysts with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have criticized the policy of favouring the oil industry and tar sands development. That approach has led to structural changes, including the higher dollar, that have eliminated jobs in manufacturing, forestry, tourism and other industries. “I’m sorry Mr. Harper but you were not a good fiscal manager for the economy,” May said. “We have to reassure (Canadians) that there may be a crisis but we can manage it by taking a new direction for the economy. … We have to invest in our own economy to create jobs.” That includes taxing carbon and toxic pollutants while cutting income and payroll taxes. “Cutting the GST does nothing to stimulate economy. For a strong economy, we have to reduce income and payroll taxes. Those would stimulate the economy. Not cuts to the GST. That doesn’t do anything.” May said, “the Green Party does not want deficits. We have a prudent approach.” May attacked Harper’s climate change policy, particularly when the Conservative leader said his greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020 was one of the most aggressive in the world. “That’s ridiculous. That’s a joke,” she said. The rest of the industrialized world has committed to absolute emissions cuts from 1990 levels. Harper’s plan calls for intensity cuts from much higher 2006 levels." “You accepted intensity targets,” May told Harper. “It’s a type of a lie. … Your plan is a type of fraud.” She added. “We have to act soon. Time is of the essence. If Stephen Harper takes us down his path it’s a path to destruction.” “The goal you have set is much too dangerous,” she said. “I guess you haven’t understood the scientific briefings. You’ve chosen to ignore the clarion call.” “You accepted intensity targets,”. May said “It’s a type of a lie. … Your plan is a type of fraud.” In the opinion of scientists from around the world, Harper’s targets are dangerous, she said. “We have to act soon. Time is of the essence. If Stephen Harper takes us down his path it’s a path to destruction.” “The goal you have set is much too dangerous,” she told Harper directly. “I guess you haven’t understood the scientific briefings. You’ve chosen to ignore the clarion call.”