Notice

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PUBLIC EVENTS FOR MARCH 9, 2008

March 7, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Public event for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Sunday, March 9th is:

Yellowknife

7:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will speak at the opening ceremonies of the Arctic Winter Games. He will be joined by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Sport, Helena Guergis.

Shorty Brown Multiplex Arena
41 Kam Lake Road
Yellowknife, NWT
X1A2N4

*Media accreditation should be directed to the organizers of the Arctic Winter Games *

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER MEETS WITH KOREAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS

March 7, 2008
Toronto, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper held a roundtable meeting with leaders of the Korean community today to discuss issues of importance to Canadians of Korean descent. The discussion spanned a wide range of domestic and foreign policy matters, from seniors' issues to the proposed Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

"The Korean community is relatively new in Canada. Few communities have settled as quickly and successfully into Canadian life as Koreans," said the Prime Minister. "Canadians of Korean heritage work hard, take care of their families and contribute to Canada in a positive way."

Prime Minister Harper also noted that ties between Canada and Korea are growing stronger, citing ongoing negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. "Free trade with Korea will create tremendous business opportunities not just for Canadians of Korean heritage, but indeed for all Canadians," he noted.

The Prime Minister also listened to the views of community leaders on the security situation in the Korean peninsula. "Korean Canadians are playing an important role in engaging North Korea. I know we all hope that someday Korea will be reunited as a free and democratic society," concluded the Prime Minister.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

March 7, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the occasion of International Women's Week, highlighted by International Women's Day on March 8th, 2008:

"International Women's Day 2008 is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women. This year's theme Strong Women, Strong World, echoes our Government's commitment to providing women with the tools and opportunities they need and deserve to achieve their full potential.

Safety, security and freedom are the indelible rights of all women, not just Canadian women. This week, our country was proud to host a group of Afghan women parliamentarians, whose presence reminds us that the fight for gender equality is far from over. We salute their courage, along with the bravery of all the Canadian men and women who are supporting their quest for freedom, democracy and equality in Afghanistan.

Just as we recognize the challenges for women internationally, our Government recognizes there is still work to be done in our own country. We are taking action through measures to enhance the economic security of women by modernizing federal labour standards. We are expanding business opportunities for women, supporting a balance between work and family, and improving job opportunities for vulnerable groups. We have introduced measures to both raise the standard of living among older women and offer affordable housing for women in need. We are developing an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and women's participation in democratic life.

We are also taking action to remedy an inexcusable and longstanding legislative gap regarding on-reserve matrimonial rights. Our Government is moving to provide basic rights to on-reserve women to protect them and their children in the event a relationship breaks down. This will significantly improve the quality of life for women and children living on reserves across Canada and we urge the opposition to support these measures.

Our Government is committed to safeguarding all Canadians against those who commit serious and violent crimes. Our Tacking Violent Crime legislation recently became law – finally putting an end to lenient penalties for repeat or violent sexual offenders who prey on women and girls. Our Government has also raised the age of consent from 14 to 16 years, and we are taking on the issue of human trafficking, which remains a growing concern for women and girls, in Canada and internationally.

Canada must be ever-vigilant, continuing to develop as a country that values and promotes women here in Canada and around the world.

I ask all Canadians to join me in celebrating International Woman's Day, Strong Women and a Strong Canada."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER CALLS BALANCED FISCAL PLAN KEY TO CANADA'S LONG-TERM PROSPERITY

March 7, 2008
Toronto, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today outlined the Government's balanced approach to fiscal and economic policy in a speech to the Economic Club of Toronto. The Prime Minister noted that over the course of three budgets and two economic statements introduced by the Government and passed by Parliament, roughly half the fiscal allocations for the five years between 2006 and 2010 have gone to tax reduction, with the remainder evenly split between debt paydown and new spending.

"In these uncertain economic times, some are suggesting higher spending, higher debt, business bail-outs or even a return to protectionist trade policies," said Prime Minister Harper. "But that's not what Canada needs, nor is it what Canadians want. They want lower taxes, less debt and carefully targeted assistance that helps workers, families, communities and businesses build a better future."

Noting the federal Government's numerous initiatives to strengthen Canada's ailing manufacturing sector, the Prime Minister challenged provincial governments to do their part by removing capital taxes, harmonizing their sales taxes with the GST, and lowering their corporate tax rate to 10 percent so that Canada's combined federal-provincial corporate income tax rate will be no more than 25 percent by 2012.

"History has proven over and over again that a balanced approach to fiscal policy, based on low taxes, lowering the debt burden and disciplined spending, creates a sturdy foundation for a strong, successful economy," Prime Minister Harper said. "And broader economic policies must be shaped around building strong, long-term fundamentals that are forward-looking, not bailouts of today's problems."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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