Moderator Steve Paikin — Good evening, everybody. From Montreal, I'm Steve Paikin of TV Ontario. This is the second round of leaders' debates organized by Canada's major television networks. We're in English tonight, French tomorrow night. In this debate, I'll be asking all questions crafted with the help of producers at CBC, CTV and Global Television. The party leaders were given a list of broad themes, but, of course, they were not given the actual questions. They will hear them for the first time over the next two hours as you do. The format of the debate includes time limits on all the answers and an agreement by the leaders that they will not interrupt one another. They have also agreed that I should enforce those rules. And we will start with opening statements. Their order was determined by draw. Gentlemen, Happy New Year, good to be with you this evening. Mr. Paul martin, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada starts.
Paul Martin: Good evening. Tonight's debate will be about choosing the kind of Canada you want. Mr. Harper has made a promise a day in this campaign. Many of these promises are tax breaks that will give more to those who have more. How will he pay for all of this? We already know he'd take away the tax cuts that we brought in on January the first, tax cuts for low-income and middle-class Canadians. We know this because Mr. Harper said so. But even then, he'd need to find money to pay for all his promises. I know how budgets work. Mr. Harper would need to cut them more. He would cut many more programs to balance the books. I believe in tax cuts, but I don't think we should cut taxes by cutting the services that working families rely on. Mr. Harper has already said that he would cancel the national child-care program. What you need to ask yourself is this: What else will he cut? He needs to tell us.
Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Martin. Mr. Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Stephen Harper: Thank you. Good evening. Tonight I want to talk to you about the direction I will take this country. For the past 13 years, party operatives and government insiders have done well, but too many ordinary Canadians are not enjoying the benefits of our economy. They're working harder and harder. Their taxes have gone up, their savings have gone down. Worse yet, our senior citizens who have given so much have seen their real incomes fall. That's just not good enough. We need a government that will be on the side of the people who work hard, pay their taxes, and play by the rules. We have five priorities. We'll get past the scandals and establish accountability in Ottawa. We'll reduce taxes starting with cutting the GST. We'll crack down on crime. We'll work with our provinces to establish a wait- times guarantee for health care, and we'll provide choice in child care to Canadian parents. It's time. It's time for a new government that will work for ordinary people and their families. It's time for positive change for all Canadians.
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Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Harper. Mr. Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Quebecois.
Gilles Duceppe: Good evening. Both Mr. Martin and Mr. Harper will try to convince you that they can really fulfill the aspirations of Canadians and of Quebeckers. However, by taking aim at the Bloc Quebecois over Canadian unity, they are ignoring the real issues. Mr. Martin is trying to deflect attention from the Liberals' sponsorship scandal. Now with Option Canada, Quebeckers are more than ever looking for honest representatives whose only loyalty is towards Quebec. On many issues, when it's time to defend Quebec's interests, the Bloc has battled against you, Mr. Martin, and against you, Mr. Harper. I have always promoted dialogue and respect between Quebec and Canada. That's why I'm here to talk about the real issues and demonstrate why in Quebec people should vote for the Bloc. Thank you.
Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Duceppe. And Mr. Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
Jack Layton: Good evening. In 14 days, we have a real opportunity to make a real change in politics and put working people first. I ask you to join me in saying that enough is enough with Liberal arrogance and scandals and enough to the vote-buying promises of the Conservatives. There's a better choice, a third option, the NDP. We'll make politicians in Parliament accountable to you, and we'll work day in and day out, not for the well-connected, but for working families. We'll put the public back in public health care. We'll ensure dignity and respect for seniors. And we'll make sure there's opportunities for young people, training and education they need. We'll make sure you get the services that you pay for with your hard-earned tax dollars. You can make this change a reality. In 14 days, we can change politics for the better and put working families first.
