National Securities Regulator requires agreement with provinces

Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair criticized the Conservative government’s decision today to move forward with a national securities regulator without an agreement with the provinces.

“Today’s decision is yet another example of this cynical approach put in place by the Prime Minister and his government,” said Mr. Mulcair. “In areas of shared jurisdiction, a primary role of the federal government is to sit down and work with the provinces to find common solutions. Unfortunately, Mr. Harper has chosen to fuel conflicts between various jurisdictions.”

Unlike the Conservatives, a New Democrat government would work with the provinces through the Council of the Federation and find solutions on important issues like a common securities regulator.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Harper’s approach is to divide and conquer. Instead, he should remember he is the Prime Minister for all Canadians,” said Mr. Mulcair. “Rather than leaving the provinces out of the decision, he should have shown leadership and worked out a compromise to the benefit of all. His failure to do so will harm federal-provincial relations and hurt our economy.”