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Conservatism is more than cutting taxes and balancing the budget - as important as those are. It comes from the heart. It's about standing for what's right - at all times and in all places. Let me share with you my vision for a Canada that is truly strong and truly free - a vision that no other party shares. My vision is of a Canada where economic freedom takes the place of Ottawa-Knows-Best meddling; A Canada where we stop penalizing success and start rewarding hard work by bringing in a fair, low, single-rate tax; I am proud to be the first Finance Minister in any jurisdiction in North America to have brought in a single rate tax, and I want to bring that to Canada as well. My vision is of a Canada where people no longer have to work for half of the year just to pay for the highest income tax burden in the G-7, but can keep more of their own money to invest in their families and communities; And a Canada where we no longer present our children with a future of massive debts, shrinking living standards, and brain drain, but with a country that realizes its potential as the most prosperous nation on earth. A Canada where our standard of living is not a third lower than that of the United States, but equal or higher, and where it is not Ireland or New Zealand, that people point to as the next economic miracle, but Canada. My vision is of a strong Canada with safer communities and less crime, where seniors and children can feel safe on any street. My vision is of a Canada where we welcome immigrants from around the world who want to contribute to our society and raise their families here, but where tough security screening, extradition, and anti-terrorist laws prevent terrorists and organized criminals from even trying to get in. My vision is of a Canada that stands strong in the world, pulling its weight in NATO and our international alliances, and proud to stand up with our American allies against terrorist aggression. My vision is of a Canada where people no longer have to wait months for needed operations, but where reliable health care is delivered on time through provinces that have the funding and flexibility to do the job. My vision is of a strong Canada with strong provinces, free to manage their own affairs in their own Constitutional jurisdictions, without micromanagement from Ottawa, or using federal spending as a carrot and stick to force the provinces to follow federal decrees. Finally, we have a vision of a free Canada, where we end the elected dictatorship in the Prime Minister's Office by restoring democracy to Parliament and allowing MPs to speak freely and vote freely on behalf of their constituents. We need to force Jean Chrétien to stop appointing unelected political buddies and allow Canadians to elect their own Senators. This is what I stand for; this is what building a Canada strong and free means. This is what I entered public life to achieve over fifteen years ago; this is what I have been fighting for over the past two years, and what I will continue fighting for in the next two months during this leadership race and beyond. I am honoured by the support I have received from so many people, in every region of this country. My commitment, my promise is that I will always stand by you and stand up for what is right. We need you. Join us as we move forward, work with us in standing up for what is right, and building a better Canada, God keep our land Glorious and free. Stockwell Day, MP
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