Quotes by Kim Campbell

An increasing number of Canadians must juggle the demands of work with the need to care for children, or for family members who are ill or too frail to care for themselves. Our programs have simply not kept pace with these societal changes.
– Kim Campbell
As Canadian citizens, we benefit from a system of social programs that is second to none. But we know that our system has let a lot of people down-that is has not adequately supported their efforts to become self-reliant and to participate in society to the best of their ability.
– Kim Campbell
Canada is the homeland of equality, justice and tolerance.
– Kim Campbell
Canada's first Prime Minister sought, unsuccessfully, to give women the vote. Today, a century after his passing, a woman stands before you as Prime Minister of Canada. Canada's first Prime Minister also sought, successfully, to bring British Columbia into Confederation. Today, I stand before you as Canada's first Prime Minister born and raised in British Columbia.
– Kim Campbell
Canadians know that our difficulties will not be resolved overnight. They are tired of politicians who pretend they will be.
– Kim Campbell
Canadians want to see real hope restored, not false hopes raised.
– Kim Campbell
Despite our high rate of unemployment, 300,000 jobs go unfilled largely because many of the unemployed lack the skills needed today as a result of technological progress.
– Kim Campbell
For me, rationalizing skills training is neither a political fetish nor a form of currency used between governments. Above all, it is the logical solution to a very real human problem. By making better use of the resources we devote to training, we will instill hope in Canadian men and women who ask nothing more than to live a life of dignity.
– Kim Campbell
For me, unemployment and poverty in the Greater Montreal area is not mainly a problem of structure, or design, or statistics. It is a profoundly human situation.
– Kim Campbell
For over 20 years, the federal and provincial governments have made enormous efforts employing a variety of approaches in an attempt to stimulate Montreal's economy.
– Kim Campbell
For people on social assistance, the loss of free dental care, prescription drugs and subsidized housing can greatly outweigh additional income from working. We've all heard the stories.
– Kim Campbell
For too many, to work means having less income.
– Kim Campbell
Government cannot and must not replace private initiative.
– Kim Campbell
Governments allocate enormous resources for social programs. And it is true that for many years we have had one of the best social service systems in the world. Yet we are still incapable of meeting the needs of tens of thousands of Canadian families.
– Kim Campbell
I believe it is time for new leadership that is able to leave the '70s behind.
– Kim Campbell
I believe that Canadians have the common sense to see that a better future cannot be built on fragmentation.
– Kim Campbell
I believe, basically, that Canadians respect the demanding and important work accomplished by their politicians.
– Kim Campbell
I have always believed governments must adapt to the needs of the people, not the other way around.
– Kim Campbell
I have met thousands of Canadians individually-in their homes, in their communities, in every province across the country. From my home province of British Columbia to Newfoundland, I have sensed the deep desire in Canadians of every age to get involved, to become part of our life as a nation, to have control of their own lives. And it is clear that a strong bond still exists between our Party and Quebecers.
– Kim Campbell
I have some bad news for our opponents but good news for Quebecers: our candidates will all make excellent MPs.
– Kim Campbell
I know Quebecers don't want to relive old battles; they prefer to build for the future.
– Kim Campbell
I'd be prouder still to say I was Canada's 10th woman prime minister.
– Kim Campbell
In all modesty, we must admit that governments are not always the best doctors when it comes to diagnosing economic ailments and prescribing the right treatment.
– Kim Campbell
It would be naive to imagine we have solved all our income security problems simply because the roles of the federal and provincial governments in the area of skills training have been clarified.
– Kim Campbell
On the same day I was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada, I announced the most sweeping reform ever undertaken in the structure of our federal government.
– Kim Campbell
Only strong, united representation from Quebec will enable us to work effectively on Montreal's economic recovery.
– Kim Campbell
Our Canada is an inclusive country, built by English - and French - speaking Canadians, together with our Aboriginal peoples, who were here first, and the millions who have come since from every corner of the world. And still they come-1 million people a year make inquiries about coming to Canada.
– Kim Campbell
Our first Prime Minister saw a country that would be known for its generosity of spirit. And so it is.
– Kim Campbell
Progressive Conservative candidates from Quebec want to exert real power in Ottawa, not simply be content with playing a secondary role.
– Kim Campbell
Quebecers have rarely in their history been better represented than they are right now-at the highest levels of the federal government.
– Kim Campbell
Since the end of the Second World War, our population has more than doubled to 27 million people.
– Kim Campbell
Some of you may have been hoping that today I would speak about Lucien Bouchard's latest economic theories. But I have decided to spare him for the time being: after all, he is a man.
– Kim Campbell
The man from the east end of Montreal who has worked all his life on the line should not be forced to accept handouts when the plant closes. He should be given the chance to retrain or to start his own business. He should be given every opportunity to continue to contribute to the community that he probably has spent his life helping to build.
– Kim Campbell
The world has changed profoundly since our programs were first established.
– Kim Campbell
There is no greater honour than to serve Canadians.
– Kim Campbell
To suggest that Quebecers willingly give up the chance to exercise fully their influence within the federal government would be to betray the historical role Quebec has always played in Confederation, and to undermine the legitimacy of their pride and ambitions.
– Kim Campbell
Too often, governments have operated in a vacuum, believing they could come up with some magic formula to which they have an exclusive patent.
– Kim Campbell
We Canadians are not given as a people to great patriotic displays.
– Kim Campbell
We have to define and put into practice a better, more coherent and effective policy on income security.
– Kim Campbell
We know that massive injections of public funds are neither possible nor desirable.
– Kim Campbell
We live in tough times, and Canadians have some tough questions for government. They want clear answers. They are well beyond the glib, glad-handing of the past.
– Kim Campbell
We now know that unity, the cornerstone of Canada's greatness and prosperity, is above all a matter of emotion and reason for every citizen.
– Kim Campbell
We plan to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the preparation of the budget. We also plan to open up the process of government appointments.
– Kim Campbell
Whether we say it in French with a Saguenay accent or in English with an accent from Newfoundland, and wherever we come from or wherever we live, we all share the most precious heritage that can be given to humankind - our Canadian citizenship.
– Kim Campbell
Whether you come from Port Alberni on the West Coast as I do, or from Port-Cartier on the shores of the St. Lawrence, we all share the rare privilege of being citizens of one of the greatest countries in the world.
– Kim Campbell