How Canada Can Be a Real Player in the New Sustainable Economy
By Jack Layton, Embassy Magazine
Canada has always been a country with great potential. But potential means little if it is not realized and it cannot be taken for granted as it has been in Canada for too long. Potential one day can be lost the next amidst the shifting forces of global economic transformation.
Yes, we have natural resources, a history of accomplishment, and accumulated expertise–in agriculture, aeronautics, high tech, mining, and in many other industries–all positioning us to be a world leader. Unfortunately, because of a lack of foresight from the current Conservative government and years of neglect from the previous Liberal government, we have fallen behind. We have dropped from 11th to 16th place in the World Economic Forum’s competitiveness ranking. Despite the considerable skill and innovative ideas of many Canadian enterprises, our recent past is littered with lost opportunities.
July 30th, 2007 at 8:48 am
He is saying all the right things.
Good knowledge of the international context as well, like the program in Germany he is quoting.
Layton, as much as I think he is essentially a mouthpiece and an agent provocateur, has some history of getting things accomplished. On slow news days, he is almost worth taking seriously.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:01 am
You know, there was a real missed opportunity to get positive policies like this passed when he held the balance of power in 2005-06. To bad he decided to sink the government instead.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:14 am
True ‘dat.
Many a politician will simply play politics, when given a chance, as opposed to ‘building a legacy’ or making a big policy decision. That’s why Chretien -however misguided - will always figure high on my list of doers.