February 6, 2004

Senator Percy Downe delivered a recent speech in the Senate responding to the Speech from the Throne. While he applauded the Government of Canada’s ambitious agenda, he also raised some concerns over the government’s new deal for communities.

“I believe a remarkable social transformation has begun to take place in Canada…We must guarantee that the benefits of this new prosperity touch every region, every province, every community, and every citizen.” said Senator Downe.

Although his speech went on to commend the government’s new commitment to working closer with Canada’s municipalities, he cautioned his colleagues in the Upper Chamber that such a deal must be inclusive of all urban areas in our country, both large and small.

“It is important to recognize the trend toward urbanization, but if tremendous resources are invested at the expense of our smaller communities than we may dim the aspirations of smaller cities, reduce the attraction of less prosperous provinces.” Said the Island Senator.

“I believe we need to be vigilant, that the large does not overwhelm the small, and that the small continues to enjoy the protection of the great.”

The new deal, unveiled in the Speech from the Throne, will provide reliable, predictable and long-term funding for Canada’s communities, towns, and cities.

“However, we must ensure that the small but thriving city of Charlottetown, celebrated by all Canadians as the place where this great nation was born, continues to enjoy a prominent role in our government’s vision for Canada.”

The Senator’s speech also made a clear commitment to supporting the re-introduction of Bill C-34, designed to enhance the ethics code for all federal public office holders.

“I believe that we must pass the ethics package agreed to in the House of Commons and help to ensure that Canadians have full confidence in our ability to regulate our affairs, in a way that is fully open, accountable and transparent,” said Senator Downe to his colleagues in the Upper Chamber.

This is consistent with Prime Minister Martin’s new Democratic Reform Action Plan, which outlines that the government will reinstate and adopt legislation to establish an office of an Independent Ethics Commission and a Senate Ethics Officer, and then adopt a series of codes and conducts to support them.