HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-06-23, Page 77 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, June 23, 2004
News
Steckler Liberals did `remarkable
job' on Canada's finances since `93
From Page 6
offering a $90 -billion spending plan over the next Live years
and Jack Layton putting forward spending of $61 billion,
Steckle said the Liberal's annual spending of $40 billion is
much more realistic.
"If in fact over the next five years the Liberals are wrong and
we do have $90 billion then we'll have another
$50 billion in which to put into programming
and retire the debt," Steckle said. "If in fact we
are right and the Conservatives are wrong then
we're going to be back worse than we were in
1993. I don't want to see that happen and I ask
Canadians to seriously consider whether we want
to go back."
Steckle compared Harper's tax cut and
spending spree mentality to that of former
Ontario premier Mike Harris who did just that
while accumulating a huge debt.
"It's not realistic at all," Steckle said. "We
could follow the recipe that Mr. Harris used
where he reduced taxes primarily to the benefit
of those who had money while at the same time
borrowing money to deliver programs.
record of health care spending which speaks for itself. In 2003-
04 the Liberals spent $15 billion on health care and since 1993
have increased health care spending by 50 per cent.
"We keep talking about health care cuts and there's no truth
or merit in talking about that," Steckle said. "We did have to
make some cuts and all Canadians participated in that exercise
but today we're much better off. Today our
country is a much stronger country.
"We were financially in a state of bankruptcy
in 1993 and we had no credit rating. Today we
have the highest credit rating in the G8 that you
can possibly get and if we look at what we
inherited in 1993 and what we have today I
think we can say the Liberals did a remarkable
job."
On the issue of agriculture, Steckle was quick
to remind voters it was the Conservatives who
blocked a parliamentary enquiry to bring meat
packers to justice for their part in taking money
away from Canadian fanners.
"I think once (voters) look at those numbers
they'll Lind that the packers got a huge amount
of money from government subsidy programs,"
Quoted
'Today we have
the highest
credit rating in
the G8 that you
can possibly
get,' --
Huron -Bruce MP
Paul Steckle
"We balanced the books first and then we began a process of
tax reductions and we reduced taxes by $ I00 billion in this
country over five years."
Steckle said the Liberals are prepared to improve health care
in this country -- a commitment that came forward during his
government's previous budget where an additional $2 pillion
was pledged towards health care.
"We all know that health care is first and foremost on
everyone's mind because sooner or later it touches us," Steckle
said. "Our health care system in this country is not perfect but
we have a great system."
Steckle said aside from new money, he would like to see
more accountability in health care — something he expects to be
discussed during this summer's first minister's conference. As
. for new MRI and CAT scan machines. Steckle said he would
like to see existing machines fully operational before new
systems are purchased.
"Once those machines are running at full capacity then I'm
prepared to look at more MRI machines." Stecklc said. "I think
that's being responsible and I think we have to look at the
amount of money that's being spent in hospitals and whether
it's directly going to bedside care and patient care. If it isn't
then I think we need to look at whether we're getting good
value for the money we're spending."
Steckle said the Liberals — who remained opposed to any kind
of health care premium recently announced in Ontario — have a
Steckle said. "If I'm returned I will begin the
process where we left off."
Steckle said the Liberal's commitment to local infrastructure
programs is clearly evident in Huron -Bruce. A list of
accomplishments includes the Maitland Recreation Centre in
Goderich, the Bluewater Community Centre and Arena in
Zurich and the Blyth Arena. Currently the federal government
is involved in constructing a new bridge in Port Elgin and
helping with the construction of a new museum in
Southampton.
"There's been a lot of money flow into this area," Steckle
said. "We're looking at more infrastructure money and that will
he ongoing. That's a very high priority of what we do as a
government."
Steckle said looking hack over the last decade he's proud of
his party and what it has accomplished. Voters, he said, would
have to decide whether they wanted to change direction or
move forward with a sound, solid plan.
"I think Mr. Martin has exhibited accountability and a solid
level of integrity we have seldom seen from anyone," Steckle
said. "He's lived up to the promises that he's made to the
people. He said he would balance the books and he has done
that."
"Through it all I think I preserved my integrity. I've been as
honest as 1 could be and I've respected people for their views
even though different from mine. I'm a proud individual and
I'm proud of my record."
NDP would maintain
family farms: Robertson
From Page 6
act."
The Liberals aren't doing
anything about that, he
said. "(Prime Minister)
Paul Martin looked us all in
the eyes and said he would
get to the
bottom of the
sponsorship
scandal and
this week he
backed off.
"He said
we would
have the
information
when we
went to the
polls and it's
yet another
Liberal
broken
promise.'
Unlike the Liberals and
Conservatives, the NDP
won't promise to support
health care while
implementing measures for
its privatization. he said.
"Just yesterday there was a
published report in the
Globe and Mail showing
that not-for-profit health
care systems are more cost
effective and offer better
service.
"Paul Martin, who likes
to play the role of the
saviour of health care. has.
in fact, surrounded himself
with advocates of private
health care.
"As finance minister he
starved the health care
system of needed resources
and created a vacuum.
Provincial government
moved toward privatization
to fill the health care deficit
which he created.
"The federal government
slashed billions of dollars
out of social transfers and
that induces healthcare.
Now it is only paying 19
per cent of
the costs of
health care.
"In our
balanced
budget
platform the
NDP has
made a firm
commitment
to Canadians
that we will
increase the
portion to 25
per cent."
Agriculture
is another
thing the NDP wants to
take in a new direction.
Robertson said.
"The agriculture system
in Canada is set up to push
us (farm families) down. A
National Farm Union study
done last year showed that
as agriculture exports have
grown dramatically over
the last 20 years there's
been a correlating decline
in net realized farm family
income."
The NDP wants to
maintain farming families,
knowing they contribute to
the economy. "You can do
that by removing subsidies
and hidden incentives for
the large multinational
corporations.
His party wants to
support municipalities so
they can maintain
infrastructure because they
Quoted
'The agriculture
system in
Canada is set
up to push us
(farm families)
down,' --
NOP candidate
Grant Robertson
arc hest able to make
infrastructure decisions. "A
portion of the gas tax will
go to municipalities."
NDP tax cuts will benefit
the right people. he added.
The cuts promised by the
Liberals and Conservatives
leader won't help those
who need help. said
Robertson.
"The benefits go to the
wealthiest amongst us. The
rest of us --the vast majority
of us --end up paying more
in user fees and reduced
services for very little
return."
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MEMS WEFiR
FUTURE LINKS
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insuring the future of golf
Jr. Golf Program '04
Mondays — July 5 - 26
with a Jr. Tournament - Tuesday, August 3
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July 12 - 8-10 am
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The Golfers who took part
Seaforth Golf Course
Smith Packaging
Tucker's Meat Shop
Archie's Service Centre
Successables Inc.
Cas/N Drum Oil
Coca Cola Bottling
Courtney's
Cremasco Financial
Map Art
R.L. McCallum Ltd.
Sills Hardware
Radar Auto Parts
Seaforth Automotive
McCallum Automotive
Bob's Barber Shop
Anna's Dress Shoppe
Smith Construction
UPI
Box & Smith Funeral Chapel
Unitron
Thank you to the following businesses and
sponsors who helped make the Columbo
Classic Spring Scramble a huge success.
Thanks to your generous donations we were
able to give $1,000 to the Heart and Stroke
Foundation, and $4,000 to the Seaforth and Area
Food Bank. Thanks Again.
Terry's Family Restaurant
Peggotty's Bed and Breakfast
Pete's Paper Clip
Seaforth Chiropractic Centre
Sally's Closet
IntermodaUHeritage Freight Lines
Desjardins Credit Union
Bluewater Interiors
Seaforth Jewellers
Vanden Newel Structures
Seaforth Food Market
Steffen Lawn Care
BJM Financial
Seaforth Veterinary Clinic
The Looking Glass
Gray Insurance Broker Inc.
Seaforth Legion
Pizza Train
Seaforth Insurance
Cardno's Men's Wear
Clarice
Nifty Komers
Molson's
Kissner Milling
Jim Scott Enterprises Ltd.
PRM Claim Services Ltd.
Prestige General Contractors
MDL Doors
Smith Peat Roofing
United Rentals
Forbes Flower Magic
Pages Bookstore
Rona Cashway
Country Bulk
The Huron Expositor
Fram
Cooper Standard
Progressive Turf
Prance Trucking
Toronto Dominion Bank
Tech Can
Seaforth Plumbing and
Heating
Paul Vanderrnolen
Grant Robertson
and Today's NDP
New Energy A Positive Choice
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519-440-0653 or 1-888-484-0044, 53 South St., Goderich, e-mail grant@bmts.com, www.ndp.ca/grantrobertson
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