Huron Expositor, 2009-02-04, Page 3says budget show
Gerard •Crecej
AMMEMEEN0
Last- week's federal budget will
stimulate the economy and get Ca-
nadians back to work, said Huron -
Bruce' MP Ben Lobb.
"I think it's the right time for a
budget like. this," he said.,
Last Tuesday,, Jan. 27, federal Fi-
nance Minister Jim Flaherty deliv-
ered a budget that will see $7 billion
dollars put toward infrastructure
projects, and Ontario's share of the
pot is a whopping $4 billion:
It's a budget that Lobb said will
help the riding weather the economic
slowdown, and provide both aid and
j opportunity during troubling times.
In his address to Parliament last
week, Lobb spoke about_ the eco-
nomic challenges faced by Southern
Ontario - challenges now being ad-
dressed.by the feds. ff
The development of an economic
agency for Southern Ontario is a
step in the right direction, he said.
"This is some of the best news we
could ask for," he said. "It's great
timing fora riding like Huron -Bruce.
We're all going through the same is-
sues economically"
Lobb said the agency will support
community and economic develop-
ment as well ,as promote ,diversity
and innovation in business, funded
to. the tune of $1 .-billion over five
years.
This move, he said, is ' crucial as log
cal manufacturers are still reeling
from the weakening :United States
and global economies.
"Canada is an exporting nation,"
bb said. "The economies we're
shipping to are going through a slow
down." .-
With that . in mind,` the Conserva-
tives are turning their spending in-
ward,. and Lobb said infrastructure
spending will benefit all four pillars
of the Huron -Bruce economy agri
culture, manufacturing, tourism and
culture.
A, key example of this, he said, is
Southampton, where $750,000 in
'�p ier improvements will help promote
fishing, tourism and small craft use
in the federal harbour.
e Town of Goderic is also hop-
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Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lob
ing to take advantage (4 infrastruc-
ture .fundin.g for their harbour, ask -
hg for -$30 million under the Build
Canada fund.
"One of the key things for our rid-
ing is , infrastructure," Lobb .said.. "I
am excited about Huron -Bruce and
the possibilities."
Lobb alsopraised• programs that
would retrain those in the workforce
as welly as stay-at-home parents who
are looking at new lines of work.
I think ,its a fantastic idea," Lobb
said. "This is a great time to get re-
trained and get back into the work-
force."
Fulfilling an earlier election prom-
ise, the budget calls for $550 million
to create an Agri -flex program that
recognizes the diveristy of Canada's..
farming regions. Lobb said it was a
long time coming.
"It is something the Candian Fed-
eration o f Agriculture endorsed and
asked for, and was delivered," Lobb
said. "Each province in Canada had
different agricultural needs."
While both the Huron and Ontario
Federation of Agriculture acknowl-
edge the $500 million in agricul-
tural flexibility: program!, rams, they say
The Huron Expositor • February 4, 2009 Page 3
Canadians..
+
requested funding for business risk
management, like the AgriFlex pro-
gram, were ignored. (See story on
the agricultural sector's response to
the federal budget on page .)
Other features of the budget that
could benefit Fturon-Bruce are $350
.million for tourism, $2 billion in
training and support for workers
and $400 million in seniors' housing.
Details of the spending are as of yet
unknown.
Even a host of new spending an-
nouncements could still mean win-
dow-shopping for municipalities.
North Huron Councillor and Huron -
Bruce Liberal candidate Greg Mc-
Clinchey said while infrastructure
funding is much needed, the condi-
tions on which it rests add strain to
an already tight budget..
Most infrastructure funding pro-
grams are contingent on a one-third:
contribution from federal, provincial
and municipal governments
"I , think that it was a poor idea
to' hamstring the municipalities by
putting conditions on this money,"
he said. -"If the federal `government
comes in with $300,000, .we have to
figure out where we come up with
$300,000."
For cash-strapped municipalities
already stricken with job losses, Mc-
Clinchey said matching federal and
provincial funding will be next to im-
possible without disrupting the tax
rates.
"We've made a definite effort to hold
the line on taxes," he said. "(Resi-
dents) are at the
cap .of what they
can endure."
The budget
managed to meet
with Liberal
support in Par-
liament, though
McClinchey said
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30 "We're prepared to give them the
benefit of the doubt on that one,"
he slid. "An election is not what is
needed right now."
The Liberals have put the Con-
servative government on economic
probation, subject to• reviews every
three months.
Lobb saidin- creating the budget,
Flaherty and Prime Minister Ste-
phen Harper have travelled the ex-
tent of the country, collecting input
from numerous groups and associa-
tions.
McClinchey said he :is both encourr-
aged and concerned with the budget,
as there may be too much capital
flowing from the capital.
"I like the fact that there is spend-
ing being announced in : infrastruc-
ture," ` he said. "But I'm very con-
cerned :to : see us fall back into that
trap... ` Spending the tax dollars of
our children before they even pay
them.
The full estimate of the federal
deficit is pegged around $85 million.
However McClinchey said this is a
conservative .estimate, adding some
economists have said when the stun
ulus spending is complete the final--
figure could be closer to $100 billion.
Lobb said he believes the federal
government to be on the right track
with the stimulus spending. Canada,
he said, is, in a good position to . come
out of recession stronger than be-
fore.
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