HomeMy WebLinkAboutLucknow Sentinel, 2009-01-07, Page 5•
Time for refiection from MP, Lo
"It's time for reflection," said
Huron -Bruce " MP, Ben Lobb.
"Time to talk to constituents."
The rookie MP will be back in
the riding for the next six weeks,
after Prime Minister Stephen
Harper prorogued Parliament with
the permission of Governor
General Michaelle Jean.
The move is seen as a chance for
the Conservatives to put together a
budget and allow for a cooling
down period in the House amid a
volatile political atmosphere.
Earlier last week, a Liberal -
NDP coalition government threat-
ened to topple Harper and the
Conservative Party just, ,.seven
weeks into his second term as
Prime Minister.
"I think we've seen . (the coali-
tion] is flawed," Lobb said.
The coalition, he explained,
cannot hope to rely on the support
of the Bloc Quebecois. -- a party he
said is solely out to separate from
the country.
A similar coalition between the
Conservative Party and the Bloc
failed to oust then -Prime Minister
Paul Martin in 2004.
Rather, the opposition parties
should use this opportunity to
work with the Conservatives and
come up with a budget together.
He noted the PM and Minister
of Finance, Jim Flaherty have
asked the opposition parties for
their plan, adding that to date,
nothing has been submitted.
However, that spirit of coopera-
tion may be too little too late.
Former Huron -Bruce MP,
Liberal Paul Steckle, said Hatper
should have seen this coming.
After- forcing numerous confi-
dence votes in his last mandate, he
said the PM is just getting what he
asked for all along.
"There were many things in the
last Parliament that were confi-
dence issues," lie said. `.`He 'didn't
even talk about that."
Now, Steckle said the opposi-
tion parties are fighting back and
will not support the current gov-
ernment, especially now when the
economy has soured not only in
Canada, but around the globe.
The past two and a half years in
Parliament, Steckle said, have boost spending and confidence in
been of extreme agitation, and the economy, and protecting the
members need to work harder to manufacturing sector are all on the
control themselves " on a personal Conservative to-do list.
level. However, a deficit-reduction
However, Lobb said the •plan created by Flaherty has come
Canadian public should not be under much . fire recently, as a
quick to shed their confidence in number of `savings' are actually
government. dependent on revenues from sell -
"The important thing is work is ing off government assets.
still getting done," he said. "There For the Detroit -three auto -mak -
are bills in the works. Good bills ers, Lobb said the government is
for this country. offering a loan to ensure they can
"That's one thing I want to get • remain compet•iCanada
to constituents."
Prorogation, he said, will allow
time for a break, and he will use
his to get to work in the riding:
However, Steckle said the break
itself comes as .a bit of a shock.
"I was surprised the Governor-
General capitulated so easily," he
said: "She just handed (Harper) a
carte -blanc.
It's the kind of thing I've
become used to seeing - capitulate
rather than stand on principals:"
If the coalition does bring down
the Harper government, Canada's
next Prime Minister would depend
on .the Liberals choosing a succes-
sor to Stephane Dion prior tothe
resumption of Parliament.: Dion,
who was supposed to remain
{•
working hard right now, particu-
larly the finance department, and
are eager to get to work on the
economy.
Taking back the Canadian
Mortgage Housing Corporation
(CMHC), accessible money for
vehicle and personal loans to
"It isn't a hand-out," he sai - .
"We need to continue to make sur e
they're a viable option."
. As forcritics of the auto manu-
facturers, there are too many jobs
at stake to simply let them crum-
ble, Lobb said:
"It trickles down into every
community," he said. "For GM
alone, in ,Huron -Bruce it's an
incredible number.of;employees at
de alers � hips alone:"
Lobb also pointed out his for-
mer employer, West cast
Industries, is also feeling the
crunch, and so are many parts
manufacturers and suppliers in the
riding.
However, he remains optimistic.
-"I think we can turn the corner:
leader until the Liberals' May con- on this and have a great budget
vention, said the party hopes to that's gouig to be good for
Nave: new leader in place as soon Canadians and good for us eco -
as possible.: nominally," he said.
Cooler heads, Steckle warned, Whether or not that budget will
will not necessarily prevail unless pass or fail will °depend entirely on
Harper "completely compromises_the coalition's determination to
what he said in the first throne bring down the government, or sit -
speech." ting down to reach an agreement.
Lobb said the government is Parliament resumes Jan. 26.
Submitted photo
The Lucknow PeeWee Girls seen here were on a roil with an undefeated record in the HoWickTournament on
Dec. 27.The girls came out on fire for each and every period of play and dominated the competition by not
games winningall three but never losing a period.They also took the gold for the Skills Competition!
Lucknow Sentinel,Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Page 5 i
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Submitted photo
Ml la Haver is : seen here enjoying herself at the Jan. 2
Lucknow and District Recreation Department public skating day
that was put on by the Tim Hortons Holiday Skate.
Rating: * .*
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