MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER
In the 2003 general election, our team introduced an eight-year Blueprint for Prosperity - a plan for the social and economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador. We did not make irresponsible promises of overnight miracles. We pledged to focus realistically on the fundamentals and lay a solid foundation on which Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would be able to build a bright and secure future - progressively, step by bold step.
Today, our plan is well underway.
Despite enormous challenges at the outset, we have worked effectively together to set in motion a battery of strategic action plans to guide the way forward past the obstacles toward opportunity. Hand-in-hand with the people of our province, our team has taken important steps in building a Newfoundland and Labrador that is increasingly strong politically, financially, economically, culturally and environmentally; healthier; better educated; more secure; and more supportive of strong families, individuals and communities.
The fundamentals are more sound today than they were when we set to work together four years ago. We, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are well on our way to a vibrant future.
Our struggle for fairness in Confederation has not been without its opponents. Prior to the last federal election, Stephen Harper made a solemn written promise to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to remove nonrenewable resource revenues from equalization calculations. He also promised to honour the Atlantic Accord. Had he honoured his promises, the positive impact on Newfoundland and Labrador would have been enormous. However, he did not honour those commitments. Although the additional revenues would have made an immense difference to our bottom line, no federal leader or government will deter us in our march toward self-reliance and prosperity.
The lesson in all of this is that we cannot count on others to improve our lot in the federation of Canada. We must take it upon ourselves to control our own future, to become self-reliant.
We are doing just that. We are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Proud. Strong. Determined. We know what it means to stand up on our own. We are ready and able to seize the opportunities before us and exercise a greater degree of autonomy to achieve our rightful place in Confederation.
The Future is Ours. Building on our eight-year plan with the policies we are announcing in this platform, let us move forward boldly with pride and confidence to achieve the great promise of prosperity that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians richly deserve.
