The budget tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty this week in Ottawa deserves Canadians' support because it places them at the top of the agenda as the country struggles to pull out of the current economic tailspin, this area's elected Member of Parliament said.
John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on Tuesday (Jan. 27) said that in particular, the $40 billion economic stimulus package included in the budget -a combination of tax cuts, economic incentive programs and infrastructure money - is a direct result of the consultations Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper undertook over the past six weeks.
While the opposition New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois said weeks ago that they would not support the budget, the Liberals and their new leader, Michael Ignatieff, had the power to bring down the government this week by giving the thumbs down to the budget. Weston said he thinks that would be a mistake.
"This is not a Conservative budget, this is a budget for all Canadians, and was created by all Canadians," Weston said. "Ignatieff said himself that we need an election like a hole in the head, and all I can say is I'll be supporting this budget and I urge my fellow Parliamentarians to put their political differences aside and do the same."
Weston said the economic stimulus measures proposed under the budget are timely in that they are to be rolled out over the short term and are geared toward stimulating the economy over two years, and that they are specifically targeted at supporting job growth, boosting consumer confidence by putting more money into Canadians' pockets, and encouraging people to undertake economy-boosting activities such as home renovations.
He stressed that the deficit, projected at $33.7 billion for fiscal 2009, is designed to be temporary: Flaherty's projections show a small surplus of $700 million by fiscal 2013-'14.
"I'd say it's a timely and targeted plan and a temporary deficit, and certainly a result of a lot of listening," Weston said.
Weston said local governments' chances of landing some of the $12 billion in new infrastructure money (in addition to the $33 billion Build Canada Fund announced earlier) have certainly improved. Whistler is seeking money for the Alta Lake Road sewer line and the new transit maintenance facility; Squamish has its eyes on money for the West Coast Railway Heritage Park conference facility and dredging of the Mamquam Blind Channel; and Gibsons, Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast Regional District are seeking cash for such things as harbour expansions and sewage-system upgrades.
Weston also pointed to the $25 million that the budget targeted for creation of a national trail system. Every portion of the riding has some sort of recreational trails initiative in the works, he said.
"No guarantees, but I'm hoping we can apply for some support there," he said.
Weston added that the $40 million going to the Canadian Tourism Commission for new marketing initiatives should be particularly helpful to tourism-based business in Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast.
