Olivia Chow, MP

Let’s invest in Canadians instead of wasting money on fighter jets

Thursday, September 23, 2010   

 Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina, NDP): Mr. Speaker, during a recent Kensington market pedestrian Sunday, hundreds of Toronto residents signed two giant posters which I took to Parliament Hill today. The good people of Trinity—Spadina are calling on the government to reconsider its plan to spend $16 billion on fighter jets. Instead of jets they want new electric trains, street cars and buses. Parents want to see their tax dollars invested in high-quality, affordable child care. Students want and need lower tuition fees so they will not graduate with a debt bigger than their annual salary. Seniors are tired of worrying about finding enough money to pay hydro and water bills and are calling for an increase to the Old Age Security. We would all benefit from more nurses, doctors and affordable prescription drugs.

Instead of squandering billions of dollars on fighter jets, let us work together and tackle issues that will benefit all Canadians and ensure that no one is left behind.