I am inspired by the values and aspirations of Michael Ignatieff’s speech accepting the leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party, earlier this month.
We know that economic recovery cannot be purchased at the price of leaving anyone out in the cold. We know that economic recovery means unlocking the creativity of every citizen. … To unite our people, to treat everyone fairly while this crisis lasts, we need a common national standard of eligibility for Employment Insurance … A strategy for recovery must be a strategy for learning …Government cannot predict where the economic opportunities of the future will emerge. But government can prepare our people to seize those opportunities when they arise. We must create a society where learning is a way of life and learning is life-long. A knowledge society—where what counts is what you know, not who you know. A knowledge society – where learning creates hope and opportunity. A knowledge society—where every child gets an equal start with world-class early learning and childcare.A Canada where every new Canadian has the chance to work hard and achieve their goals, like my father did. A Canada where our researchers and scientists know that their governing is supporting them, not undermining them. A Canada where every creator, artist and filmmaker knows that their federal government will do everything to help them succeed on the international stage. A Canada where hope and opportunity take root again in our farming communities, our small towns, our northern and remote regions.
The way out of this slump is hard, but the direction is clear. In the union hall, in the lecture hall, in the concert hall, wherever one Canadian is teaching another to do something they never thought possible, far-sighted government must be there to provide the resources to help everyone realize their full potential.
We need a government as competent, courageous, co-operative and creative as the people themselves.
The complete speech is here.
[...] Creativity and Renewal [...]