February 7, 1995 For Immediate Release
LIBERAL SOCIAL REFORMS NOT ON RIGHT TRACK, NOT ON SCHEDULE,
AND NOT EVEN HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
"HRD Report is based on an incoherent vision and false assumptions," says Breitkreuz
Ottawa, Ontario - Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources Development, says the report tabled by the HRD Committee yesterday offers the curious vision that "social programs have worked brilliantly and yet are in desperate need of reform."
Breitkreuz explained, "Almost all the recommendations are based on three false assumptions: (1) that governments create jobs through ever-increasing public spending, (2) that a government monopoly is the best means of caring for those in need, and (3) that ever-increasing government deficits and debts are justifiable if they are spent on government-run make-work projects and social programs."
"Human Resources Development Minister, Lloyd Axworthy's social reform train is not on the right track, is not headed in the right direction and is completely off schedule," said Breitkreuz. During Question Period in the House of Commons he asked the Minister, "Is your government going to continue the Liberal tradition of social programs that are dominated by decisions made in Ottawa, and of making promises you cannot keep; thereby, adding to the worries of average Canadians because of your lack of vision and lack of action?" The Minister was as vague in his responses, to Breitkreuz' questions, as he has been for the past year. Breitkreuz challenged all Liberals saying, "If you get your fiscal house in order we will need a lot fewer government-run social programs!"
"I travelled with the HRD Committee for five weeks. The ordinary Canadians I heard are not saying the things that are in this report and it is obvious that the government is paralysed because they have spent too much time listening to government-funded, special-interest groups. The Liberals are proposing to perpetuate the Liberal tradition of intervening in the economy and intruding into areas of provincial jurisdiction. The Minister can't reform social programs without spending more money. It's obvious, real reform requires electing real Reformers," concluded Breitkreuz.
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