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Tories unveil platform |
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Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
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Tuesday, 07 October 2008 |
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CARIBOO-PRINCE GEORGEWALL STREETPRINCE GEORGE CHAMBERRAMADA HOTEL
With just a week left in the federal election, the Conservatives released a modest platform Tuesday that includes $400-million in new spending for the auto and aerospace sectors but no major changes from their previous course.
The platform also pointed to the programs the Conservatives have already rolled out during their 2-1/2 year minority reign to help struggling communities and the forestry sector.
The plan, unveiled by leader Stephen Harper, promises $8.6-billion in new measures spread over four years, three-quarters of which are tax cuts.
The prime minister also promised to eliminate tariffs on imported equipment which is expected to save manufacturers $345 million.
"I think the platform clearly indicates our approach throughout the campaign which has been that Prime Minister Harper and our Conservative government are sound fiscal managers," said Prince George-Peace River candidate Jay Hill.
"We're not travelling the length and breadth of the country making wild, uncosted promises like the opposition," said Hill.
The plan is built on the twin principles that taxes won't be raised and the country won't be run on a deficit, stressed Hill, who has handily won his riding five times in a row.
Hill and the Conservatives faced criticism this week from Liberal candidate Lindsay Gidney, who was joined by Liberal Senator Larry Campbell. Using the remnants of the North Central Plywoods plant destroyed in a fire, Gidney said a Liberal government would do more for communities suffering from the forestry downturn than the Conservatives.
The region has has been hit hard by a forestry downturn led by a collapse in the U.S. housing sector with thousands of workers off the job. The downturn has been exacerbated by a mortgage crisis in the U.S. which has had a significant negative financial impact on Wall Street. That impact is spreading globally, and stock markets, including in Canada, have seen big drops.
In the face of the spreading financial fallout -- to which Harper has said there is no reason to panic -- the Conservatives slipped in a recent Harris-Decima poll (for specific survey details see page 14).
Hill acknowledged the forest sector has been hit hard but pointed to a $1-billion community trust fund announced in January by Harper. "The opposition seems to think this came as a shock, but Prime Minister Harper has been talking about this for well over a year now," asserted Hill.
Cariboo-Prince George Liberal candidate Drew Adamick was dismissive of the Conservative platform, saying there was not "a whole hell of a lot" in it. Adamick said he was incredulous that Harper waited until the last day of advanced polling to release his plan. "They just figured they could make little announcements here and there, and haven't outlined a real plan for Canada or British Columbia," he said.
Adamick pointed to the Liberal's promise to hold a national forestry summit to hammer out a plan for the long-term survival of the forest sector.
NDP Prince George-Peace River candidate Betty Bekkering is critical of the Conservatives record over the past 2-1/2 years. "If they are going to stay steady at the helm, it's still not good enough to help people living in poverty, still not good enough to help industrial communities like Mackenzie right now," said Bekkering.
Mackenzie has been particularly hard hit as all of its major forest manufacturing plants -- three sawmills, a pulp mill and a newsprint mill -- are closed.
Bekkering, who joined other candidates in debating the issues in Mackenzie on Tuesday night, said the NDP would end the softwood agreement, promote alternative global markets and restrict raw log exports. She said she also wants to listen to people in Mackenzie who are sure to have ideas.
Prince George-Peace River Green Party candidate Hilary Crowley said the party would push more secondary manufacturing and target renewable energy. That effort to diversify the forest sector -- so it doesn't rely soley on lumber and pulp -- would help communities weather downturns, she said.
Crowley said she'd hopeful the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union will take over the newsprint mill in Mackenzie.
SIDEBAR
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Real Estate Board are hosting an all-candidates forum for the Prince George-Peace River and Cariboo-Prince George ridings tonight.
The forum takes place at the Ramada Hotel and is open to the public.
The Cariboo-Prince George forum takes begins at 5:30, and the Prince George-Peace River forum at 7:30.
The public will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 October 2008 )
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