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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-06-23, Page 88 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Jun 23, 2004 News Conservatives will invest $2-3 billion in healthcare From Page 1 it's never okay." Fisher said her party will initiate a review of the $18 billion spent annually on grants to individuals, corporations and non- government organizations. The audit will be done with an eye to the elimination or repeal of programs and laws that aren't of value such as the $2 billion gun registry. There will also be a new process of government tendering with an audit of the $13 billion awarded in government contracts annually. As Fisher knocks on doors, voters inevitably identify health care as a major concern. "We are committed to the implementation of the Canada Health Accord struck in February 2003 between the federal government and the provinces, which would inject $36.8 billion into health care," she said, acknowledging the decline in health care services after Martin's $25 billion in cuts to transfer payments between 1995 and 2000. In addition, Fisher said the Conservatives will invest an additional $2 - $3 billion annually to eliminate doctor and nurse shortages and waiting times for services. Fisher would also like to see a system to fast track the accreditation a n d immigration process for f o re i g n doctors. Fisher fully supports the Conservative platform, which proposes $57.8 billion in new spending, including tax cuts. (This is in addition to the $36.8 billion for health care). "Your money needs to be in your pocket instead of the government's. Look at what they've done with the unemployment insurance" she said, referring to the fact that the Liberals collected an extra $15 - $16 billion in unemployment insurance premiums, which resulted in a s for the govemment. "We will premiums to Quoted 'We reduce Waste and mismanagement to ensure citizens get value for the taxes they are paying,' -- Conservative candidate Sorb Fisher ubsta ntial su rplus When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. ALLAN CARTER Specializing in • Farm - Commercial -- Auto - Property 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)627-2500 Open Monday to Friday 0:30 am. - 5:00 p.m. - OR by appointment 1 noodled 0RInEMAN t ANNOUNCEMENT DR. KEN RODNEY WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF JULY from active medical practice and a suitable replacement has not been found. In anticipation of a doctor shortage Dr. Rodney's patients are being asked to get their annual or follow up checks and to make sure that they have repeats on their medications. reduce the eliminate the surplus and account," she said. Addressing fears that Conservative tax cuts will result in a loss of money for social programs such as health care and education, Fisher noted there's a substantial surplus of cash in Ottawa. "There is money in the system, but look at the waste - $2 billion gun registry, $1 billion HRDC boondoggle, $100 million ad scam, $6.5 billion for consultants' fees without anything to show for it ... We will reduce waste and mismanagement to ensure citizens get value for the taxes they are paying." The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy crisis (BSE), otherwise known as Mad Cow Disease, is also on the minds of Huron -Bruce voters, Fisher said, acknowledging that producers are losing their livelihoods. "A better relationship with the president of the United States would help," she said. "We need to be respectful of our allies so we can be in a good position to discuss all trade issues including softwood lumber, fish, BSE and agriculture in general. it's not a secret that our relationship hasn't been good." There must be more emphasis on the establishment of processing and packing houses, especially in Ontario to add jobs and value on this side of the border, Fisher said, noting the efforts of the Municipality of Kincardine that is proposing a feasibility study for a meat processing plant at the Bruce Energy Centre. Expanding Canada's international markets and supply management strategies, are also part of the Conservative plan to resolve the current BSE crisis, Fisher said. Fisher personally doesn't support abortion unless the life of the mother or child is at risk and it becomes a medical decision. If a private member's bill was brought forward in the legislature for a free vote on a moral issue such as abortion or same sex marriage, Fisher said she would be guided by the desire of her constituents when voting. When asked about the Liberal plan to make a "new deal with Canadian cities", Fisher scoffed, "steal from us to fund the cities?" She firmly believes the rural areas will suffer under the Liberal agenda "which is all about urban Canada ... you seldom hear him (Martin) talk about rural areas." Fisher believes more money is needed for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and harbours in the rural areas. She also noted on the home front that Bruce Power, as a public-private nuclear generating facility, is a model that should be copied and she will continue to support this resource and the promotion of a Bruce C nuclear plant. CHP is against gun control and registry From Page 1 Quite simply, he explained, if a party received five per cent of the votes, they would get five per cent of the seats in Parliament. "This helps to prevent an absolute majority." Joslin also supports an elected senate with two senators from each province, and a Supreme Court that is reviewed by Parliament. On the issue of health care, Joslin said that the CHP would push to allow the provinces to have greater flexibility to tailor their programs to meet their needs. He said that their party would charge certain user fees to help curb abuse of the system and would also place a greater emphasis on preventative health care. To address their concerns with the rising incidents of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal exposure to tobacco, Joslin said they would put money towards education programs. "We would certainly defund abortion," said Joslin. "We are completely against abortion...It's homicide." CHP would also eliminate funding for sex change operations and stop embryonic stem cell research. Joslin said that CHP believes in tax reductions. "It does work," he said, adding that they would phase out corporate taxes altogether and would provide a $1,000/month tax credit to mothers or fathers who stay at home with their children. "A country has to be able to feed itself," said Joslin, on the issue of agriculture. "We want to retain our sovereignty." He noted that CHP would get rid of inter- provincial trade barriers to allow for the free flow of goods and services across the country. He also said that they would like to seek farm safety net programs more consolidated and producer funded and controlled. "We would like to get the government out of it, then the government couldn't get their hands in it." He also said that this would allow for quicker response to farmers' needs. As far as the BSE crisis, Joslin said that he believes that the borders remain closed for mostly political reasons. "The Americans have no reason to treat us kindly," he said, noting that Canada wouldn't back them in Iraq and politicians have been quoted bad mouthing them. "We need our government to recognize they are our biggest trade partner and ally." Among the other issues Joslin and his party take a stand on is replacing jail time with restitution for non- violent crime. They are against gun control and the gun registry which Joslin called "an expensive, civil- rights infringing farce." Joslin lives in Grey Twp. and works as a fitter welder. He and his wife Kathy have been married for 28 years. They have two sons and two daughters. "If you want a caring, compassionate government then a Christian government is your best bet," said Joslin. 6 13 2 0 2 7 14 21 To know when and where to vote, consult your voter information card. It Includes all the information you'll need to use your right to vote, and you'll get through the voting process more quickly if you have it with you. Voting hours for your polling station are Indicated on your voter Information card and on the Elections Canada Web site at www.electlons.ca by clicking on. the Voter Information Servlce'icon. 1 8 15 2 2 2 9 16 2 3 THIS MONDAY, VOTE. 3 10 17 2 4 If you haven't received this card, you are probably not on the voters list. To be able to vote, all you have to do is go to your polling station on election day and present an official document that includes your name, address and signature. If you do not have such a document, you will be given the opportunity to swear that you are eligible to vote at the polling station you are in, as long as you are accompanied by a voter registered in the same polling division who can vouch for your identity. www.elections.cak 1 soo 463-6868 TTY 1800 361-8935 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing 4 11 18 2 5 JUNE 2004 5 12 19 2 6 For more Information, please contact your local Elections Canada office or visit our Web site at www.elections.ca. 1