Kim Campbell Quotations

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.

Canada is the homeland of equality, justice and tolerance.

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.

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.

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.

There is no greater honour than to serve Canadians.

I'd be prouder still to say I was Canada's 10th woman prime minister.

For too many, to work means having less income.

I have always believed governments must adapt to the needs of the people, not the other way around.

Our first Prime Minister saw a country that would be known for its generosity of spirit. And so it is.

I believe that Canadians have the common sense to see that a better future cannot be built on fragmentation.

I know Quebecers don't want to relive old battles; they prefer to build for the future.

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.

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.

I believe it is time for new leadership that is able to leave the '70s behind.

Canadians want to see real hope restored, not false hopes raised.

Government cannot and must not replace private initiative.

Since the end of the Second World War, our population has more than doubled to 27 million people.

The world has changed profoundly since our programs were first established.

We Canadians are not given as a people to great patriotic displays.

We have to define and put into practice a better, more coherent and effective policy on income security.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One mailing could cost a candidate $1,500. A lot of them can't afford multiple mailings.

Only strong, united representation from Quebec will enable us to work effectively on Montreal's economic recovery.

Glen loves to get his guitar and sit in with them. He just loves to play, that's what makes him happy.

I think the tribal council should make it the highest priority. That would mean the election results would be a true representation of what tribal members want. As it stands, the election process is tainted.

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.

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.

We are well aware that there are customers who are in critical need of temporary assistance, and we want them to know that there is help available,

We know that massive injections of public funds are neither possible nor desirable.

Too often, governments have operated in a vacuum, believing they could come up with some magic formula to which they have an exclusive patent.

We all thought it was very funny and very well done. (But) Jim has no intention of leaving cartooning and becoming a rap star.

There is a lot of talent here in Laredo. And we are happy to be a part of it.

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.

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.

So even in countries where women have had the vote for a long time, they have to struggle against this broader social expectation that leadership is not a feminine quality,

I have some bad news for our opponents but good news for Quebecers: our candidates will all make excellent MPs.

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.

Progressive Conservative candidates from Quebec want to exert real power in Ottawa, not simply be content with playing a secondary role.

Canadians know that our difficulties will not be resolved overnight. They are tired of politicians who pretend they will be.

Quebecers have rarely in their history been better represented than they are right now-at the highest levels of the federal government.

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.

Religion gets in the way of morality.

[When criticized for appearing bare-shouldered Madonna-like at a banquet:] A comparison between Madonna and me is a comparison between a strapless evening gown and a gownless evening strap.

If you never encounter anything in your community that offends you, then you are not living in a free society.

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.

There are certain things in gun control that have a certain public appeal, but when you're legislating you need to look at the research on what works, what doesn't, and what really has an impact, recognizing you're never going to do away entirely with gun violence

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.

There's no evidence that registering guns reduces the level of gun violence. It's not that I don't think it's something worth doing, (but) it's something you do much later.

The election is not a time to discuss serious issues.

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.