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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-04-04, Page 2810 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Conservative MP Ben Lobb says federal election is unnecessary Susan Hundertmark QMI Agency While he's been knocking on doors for three weeks, Iluron-Bruce MP Hen Lobb says he's participating in an unnecessary federal election with "no burning issues." "People are complaining that they don't need another election and 1 agree with them. Usually 1 hear that for the first three or four days but its almost the end of the third week and I'm still hear- ing that," he says. The Conservative MP says the federal Speaker's finding that the Conservative government was in contempt of Parlia- ment was decided in a "kangeroo court" made up of a Procedure and [louse Affairs committee of six opposition members and five Conservative members. "The issues were on cost of F -35s (fighter jets) and the costs of prisons and we provided costs as much as we could give and the opposition claimed that wasn't good enough," he says, add- ing that he doesn't believe the Conserv- atives were in contempt of Parliament. Lobb says the $300 million being spent on the election would have been better spent on an income supplement for seniors including in the proposed Conservative budget that was never approved before the government fell. Ile adds that with the fragile recovery • i1• arpiawwww. • Illy Coni llttr1IC.1t1Uflti 1OO Yeotti Celebrate With Illi of the Canadian economy, the govern- ment needs to be focused on creating jobs and helping the economy. Ile says providing corporate tax cuts is a good way to make Canada attractive to the businesses that create jobs. "I've received a few letters from local chambers of commerce supporting us to keep a low tax initiative because they recognize the huge benefits to them locally. By next year, Canada will have the lowest tax rates for incorporated businesses in G7 countries - what busi- ness doesn't need right now is a tax hike," he says, adding that many local farms, feed mills and farm dealerships are incorporated businesses. While agricultural groups are asking for federal support for a risk manage- ment program for farmers, Lobb says the federal government is better focused 00 opening doors to marketing opportunities for farmers around the world, such as in Costa Rica and China. "'there are more millionaires in China than there are Canadians. 'these devel- oping nations need us to help thein feed their countries anti we can ensure theta that we have the best traceability and blosecurity in the world," he says. Lobb adds that risk management programs are better offered 100 pt'r cent at the provincial level since they could cause a countervailing affect that could put free trade agreements at risk. "in my mind, the federal govern- ment's focus should be opening mar- kets because farmers want to farm and make their income from the market- place, not from the mailbox," he says. Lobb says $2 million has been invested into I luron-iiruce by Fed Uev Ontario, creating jobs at a local aircraft company and at an emergency training centre, adding that creating more jobs locally will help the region keep their young people from moving away. Ile says the federal government has made the choice not to reduce transfer payments to the provinces, allowing thein to continue to offer existing levels of service in healthcare. Ile adds that the recently -defeated federal budget 't' u FST (:.1.('. Rate 3.55 Galli. drp.dt may apply oRAnnreHo 231141464 EXETER 2354420 scQalser CLINTON Kneels 482.3401 Ins. Unice. kW. 'Your Full Service Home & Gamlen Centre" • Garden & Nursery Supplies Asphalt Paving • Retaining Walls Concrete • Fencing • Trees • Irrigation IiRRUP QUOTIS 1111111416111-24145 166 Bennett St. E., Goderlch www .)rtslanclsc.)I,►ng ca included funding to offset the federal portion of loans for doctors by $40,000 and nurses by $20,000 if they set up practice in underserviced areas. "What we're saying is that by growing your economy, that's how you afford to con- tinue to fund the things that slake Canada Canada,,, he says. Lobb says that while he's hearing complaints about the Ontario harmonized sales tax (11ST), the federal govern- ment reduced the GST from seven to five per cent, "Wt' have no choice if the province wants to harmonize its Sales tax - there Was already precedent there for the provinces to make that choice. The province had the Ben Lobb option to reduce the levy on home heating fuels but that's their choice,' he says. Lobb says he supports the move to build more federal prisons because he wants to See lvhitt' collas' C1'ltlliilills serve more of their sen tenses, rather than being ell gihle for parole after only serving one-sixth of theii sentences. 1 le adds that Can ada's prisons are aging facili- ties that need to he upgraded. "if we as taxpayers have to spend a little more to keep these guys behind bars, it's money well spent," he says. 1 le adds be wants to see an end to the long gun registry, which he calls "the biggest boondoggle in Canadian history." Best Decorated Basket t) - 6 years and h - 12 years (with 00 adult assistance please) • Guessing (lanes • Picture Colouring • Egg Dyeing and Dace Painting Rensesnber your baaket for the Easter Egg Hunt Enjoy a hot dog and juke or coffee for $ I .ills Sponsored by the Zurich Lions Club