Harper Conservatives must make Parliament work

Local federal Liberals in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex hope that the Harper Conservatives accomplish something they’re not very adept at–working with the other parties in Parliament–to put Canadians first and not politics, said Mike Ferguson, local riding president.

“Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has reviewed the government’s accountability report and presented four questions that Canadians need answered,” said Ferguson. “He made it clear to Canadians that the Liberal Party is not seeking an election. We want Parliament to work. We want to replace confrontation with co-operation.”

“In January, Liberal MP’s voted for the budget because it promised to get needed stimulus into the economy. We did so on the condition that the government would submit regular reports to Parliament on its performance. After reading the government’s latest status update over the weekend, we still have serious questions about this government’s performance and have requested answers on some key issues affecting Canadians.”

“We have consistently shown that we want to make Parliament work for Canadians. The Prime Minister can show that he also wants to make it work by responding honestly to the concerns we have raised,” said Ignatieff. “ If Mr. Harper requires more time to answer these questions, we are prepared to give it to him by extending the current session of Parliament.”

“A cooperative parliament is one where a prime minister would meet with the leader of the opposition to encourage collaboration, yet there’s been no meeting of this kind since January. This approach makes it difficult for Parliament to work.

We know Canadians don’t want an election. But Mr. Harper should not expect us to support the government on the basis of his report unless we get more information.
Let me be clear: there is no coalition. The Liberal Party is simply doing its job as the Official Opposition. That means standing up when it’s in the best interests of Canadians to do so.

• There are four questions Canadians deserve to have answered:

1. Employment Insurance - On Thursday the Prime Minister said the government had plans to introduce further changes to employment insurance in the fall. Canadians need help now – what is the government’s plan for EI?
2. Infrastructure - The report claims that “80 percent of the measures are either flowing or there are commitments in place that will allow the funds to flow to specific projects and initiatives.” This is playing with words. Canadians want the facts. How much money was spent in the critical first 120 days and how much money does the government anticipate will be spent over the next 120 days? Not “committed”, not “authorized”, not “announced” but actually spent?
3. The deficit - The report has dropped the government’s earlier promise to get us back to balance in five years. What are the government’s deficit projections for the next five years and what is the plan to return Canada’s finances to balance?
4. Isotopes health crisis - Last Friday, the Minister of Natural Resources said “the five (other) reactors in the world are not the solution to have a secure level of isotopes in this country.” What is the government’s plan to find an alternative supply for Canada?

Cheers...Mike Ferguson, President, LKM Federal Liberal Association. 519-627-3606