Green Party Economic Stimulus Package

OTTAWA-- Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, unveiled the Green Party’s economic stimulus package today at a press conference in Ottawa.  The Green Party’s position is that the country’s current financial crisis creates an opportunity to be innovative and to stimulate economic activity while shifting the economy to a more sustainable path.

“We need to seize the opportunity to shift to a low-carbon economy while creating new jobs and preserving existing ones,” said Green Party Deputy Leader Adriane Carr.  “Canada can be the country to show leadership by investing in energy efficiency, investing in Canadian-made value-added products, and investing in small green businesses.”

The Green Party subscribes to the guidelines provided by the International Monetary Fund that say spending to kick-start the slowing economy should stay within 2% of GDP.   Any spending increases must be done responsibly and any tax cuts must be economically effective, not tied to partisan advantage.  It is vital that environmental regulations and legislation are preserved and respected.

“It is important that Canada not go into a structural deficit position,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.  “This is the time to think long term, to ensure that our country’s finances remain strong and that our environment remains safe.  Revitalizing our economy in ways that simultaneously combat climate change by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cutting our greenhouse gas emissions will ensure that our country prospers for generations to come.”

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Document: Green Party’s economic stimulus package

Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
Office : 613 562 4916 ext. 244
Cell : 613 614 4916
Fax : 613 482 4632
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca