HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-21, Page 10Page A10 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Budget, businesses top I,obb's back -to -Ottawa work list
Gerard Crimes
signal -star staff
At a time when the government is out,
Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb is far from idle,
setting up his Port Elgin office and preparing
for the resumption of Parliament Jan. 26.
-"It's been pedal to the metal," Lobb said
in an interview last week "We worked really
hard to have everything implemented before
the house goes back."
When parliament does resume, there's
one thing and one thing only on everybody's
mind.
"The focus is 110 per cent on the budget,"
Lobb said.
He said the budget is a collaborative effort,
with input from all political stripes.
"This is not a Conservative budget," said
Lobb. "This is a budget for Canadians."
It's also a budget that could make or break
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's political ca-
reer.
Facing a non -confidence vote in December,
Harper had the Governor General prorogue
Parliament until later this month. Harper and
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have been talk-
ing to Premiers, industry leaders and mayors
•
mike
Your
Mark!
it4+?:"
...on the Annual
OFFIIAL TN OF
GODERICH MWt
We are excited to help you make your
mark on this new map for literally
thousands of people to see in
the coming 2009 Tourist
Season!
Last year, you gave 30,000
maps to our visitors and this
year promises to offer
more of the same!
in co-operation with the Town of
Goderich, we are pleased to offer
you the opportunity to participate.
in the one and only official Town
Map which includes precise detail
and extra information in a
colourful presentation to help
visitors enjoy the
G:^
r1:
•
•
t.
"Prettiest Town in Canada"
Ws the
only mop OWN need
when they whit
GOdolIC11!
DONT MISS YOUROPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON
THE NEW & IMPROVED MAP FOR JUST ONE, LOW AFFORDABLE
To get all the details and to book your spot,
contact your advertising consultant today!
The deadline for maximum exposure to our potential visitors is:
Priggery, February 6, 2000
...SO CALL NOWI
PRICE!
/...,...•. ,........,4.0.,,,...leo eloWANYA ..,O..N. , 0.VOMO..,A.. -.
from Canada's largest cities in an effort to
create a budget that takes everyone into ac-
count. •
Lobb said employment tops the list of ev-
eryone's priorities and the Conservatives are
making sure that is addressed in spades.
"This is going to be a budget that gets Ca-
nadians back to work," Lobb said. "The focus
is on the economy... people's jobs."
Huron -Bruce has been hard-hit recently
with the shut down of Cangrow in Exeter, and
the closure of Volvo in Goderich and the most
recent plant shut down at Wescast Industries
in Wingham will see 150 people out of work.
For Lobb, this hits close to home.
"I worked at the plant they announced they
were shutting down," he said. "Over seven
years."
He said drastic reductions in Detroit -three
auto sales have led to production cutbacks,
putting local parts manufacturers out of busi-
ness.
"If there's no cars to build, there are no
manifolds to put on those cars," he said.
"[Wescast] need to do what they need to do
to remain viable long-term."
Government infrastructure programs such
as the Build Canada fund will help create lo-
cal jobs and improve local communities in the
wake of the county's many layoffs. Lobb said
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Minister John Baird is expected to announce
grants soon.
Meanwhile, in an effort to guard small busi-
nesses against hard economic times, Lobb is
working to make credit more easily available
to the people who need it.
Lobb said he has been forwarding letters
to the finance minister from businesses and
producers who are having difficulty obtain-
ing credit but are in good financial standing.
Now is not the time to say no, he said.
"I'm not out bashing the banks," he said.
`Especially not our local branches.
"What I'm trying to do is make sure local
businesses are protected."
Parliament resumes January 26, and the
budget will be presented the following day.
p on the roof
oo ers from Smith Peat brave the ele-
ents atop the Courthouse last week.