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3 | Friday October 20, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER |www.insidehalton.com Leadership is doing what's right, not popular: Mulroney continued from p.1 Mulroney underscored the importance of strong leadership in government and Canada/U.S. relations during a speech in which he also acknowledged Canada is privileged to have America as a neighbour and friend. "This is the most successful and peaceful bilateral relationship in history and one that must be cherished and enhanced by our leadership in a manner that is thoughtful, understanding and wise," he said. The former Progressive Conservative (PC) prime minister dis cussed a number of topics including the troubled NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) negotiations currendy under way between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. fie pushed back against the protectionist trade agenda of the current U.S. administration calling the perception that the global system of trade and investment is tilted against American interests "completely false." Mulroney quoted former American President Ronald Reagan, who said "protectionism is destructionism." fie argued history has shown that the best antidote to protec tionism is more liberalized trade that stimulates economic growth and stronger employment. Canadians, he said, had their own concerns about free trade. Critics of the Canada/U.S. Free Trade Agreement raised the public' s fears during the 1988 federal election. They argued free trade would devastate the country and that Canada could never compete with a nation like the United States. The arguments were convincing. "Free Trade, as you know, even before the launch became very unpopular. At one point, my support was down to members of my immediate family," joked Mulroney "I called my mother and she put me on hold." Ultimately the tide turned. Mulroney noted trade more than tripled in less than 25 years -- from $235 billion in 1989 to $881 billion today fie said the free trade agreement showed Canada could compete with the U.S. or anyone else in the world. The former prime minister said over the decades, strong leader ship resulted in further significant trade achievements for Canada, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "The free trade negotiations from 1985 to 1987 that I concluded with President Reagan followed by the NAFTA that I signed with Presidents (George) Bush and (Carlos) Salinas in 1992, produced a blow out in jobs, investment and prosperity not only for this country, but also for the United States of America," said Mulroney "It had taken Canada 100 years to generate a GDP of $800 bil lion. Under free trade it took only 25 years to double that." Mulroney argued the United States has also done well with NAFTA over the years, and noted that a country with an unem ployment rate of 4.1 per cent (the lowest in the industrialized work) cannot seriously argue it has done poorly with its interna tional agreements. fie said he is optimistic Prime Minister Justin Trudeau' s NAFTA negotiation team will succeed in achieving a modernized version of NAFTA that will benefit all three countries. "Only a fool... only a fool would seek to upend this majestic reality and accomplishment," said Mulroney The former PC leader said the right man or woman at the right place and time can change history and noted the greatest leaders do what is right, and not what is popular, at the time. "headers must have vision and they must have the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life," he said. "They must govern not for easy headlines in 10 days, but for a better Canada in 10 years. They must be ready to endure the attacks that often accompany profound or controversial change." Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks at the Oakville Conference Centre during a luncheon hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce on Thursday (Oct. 19). | Nikki Wesley/Metroland SUBARU C o n f id e n c e in M o tio n 2017s W O N 'T 2.5 T O U R IN G W ITH T EC H FROM *29,01 5 + h s t 2017 L E G A C Y GREAT RATES FROM LEASE PAYMENT OF 0 .5 % ' TM BI-W EEKLY FOR 48 MONTHS * 1 7 4 MODELS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT® A ND STEERING RESPONSIVE HEADLIGHTS B udd The family bu siness th a t b u ilt. 2 4 7 4 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD W ., OAKVILLE, O N L6L 5 M 9 · 9 0 5 . 8 4 5 . 2 8 0 0 VISIT w w w .B u d d sS u b aru .co m "Prices advertised on 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5 Touring with Technology package. 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Stakable credit of $750 applied to quote. Price includes delivery and destination, fees, levies, charges and all applicable taxes (Excluding HST). Licence and registration extra. See dealer for complete d e ta ils . Offer available OAC. Cost of borrowing is $2337.42. APR 3.12% Based on New 2017 Subaru Legacy Touring w ith Technology Package 2.5 CVT HA2TPE. Prices valid on Date of publication and are subject to change without notice/' f Ratings are awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IlHS). Please visit w w w iihs.org for testing methods. o EyeSight is a driver-assist system which may not operate optim ally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving.