Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
|
|
Thursday, 04 December 2008 |
Prince George-area Conservative MPs are repeating a request to their government for aid to forest workers now that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been given a reprieve from falling to a Liberal-NDP coalition.
Harper had been facing a non-confidence motion in Parliament on Monday that was expected to topple the minority Conservative government. But Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean granted Harper on Thursday a suspension of the House of Commons until Jan. 26. That's when the Conservatives are set to bring in a new budget.
Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Dick Harris said both he and Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill are working to get extensions to unemployment benefits for laid-off forest workers from a work-share program for sawmills on reduced work weeks. Mills like Dunkley Lumber have come to an end of their eligibility in the work-share program which helps top up workers' wages with unemployment benefits. The company moved to a three-day work week in March to cut production in response to the collapse of the U.S. housing market. A recovery is not expected in 2009.
Harris said that Hill, who is a member of Harper's cabinet, was set on Thursday to again petition Human Resources Development Minister Diane Finley and the Prime Minister's Office for help. Finley's ministry is responsible for the work-share program.
"(He's) going to make a pretty strong request that they deal with the forest industry on an urgent basis," said Harris.
He said the government is, however, still examining how it could extend the work-share program without running afoul of the softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. The seven-year agreement, signed in 2006, doesn't allow direct subsidies to companies.
Harris said the government will be carrying on business as usual while Parliament is suspended. For example, Harris said he is going to make more funding announcements in mid-December under the beetle aid program. The Conservatives, who have promised to spend $1 billion in beetle aid over a decade, have rolled out $200 million so far.
Harris added he is confident the Conservatives will not fall to a confidence vote in January. If they do, he said he doesn't believe it will trigger a coalition government, but an election. "This now gives everyone on the hill some breathing room to cool down because emotions were running pretty high," said Harris.
The opposition parties have said the Conservatives are not reacting quickly or strongly enough, to the economic turmoil the country if facing because of the global financial meltdown. The coalition is promising a multi-billion-dollar stimulus package to help both the auto and forest sectors.
The Conservatives have said they have already brought in measures to stimulate the economy, including assistance for banks, reduced taxes, a cut in the GST and pension aid for seniors.
Skeena-Boulley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen said he believed the governor general's decision sets a bad precedent -- where a prime minister in trouble is able to lock the doors of Parliament. "I just think this is not a great day for democracy. I think this is a very, very dangerous game this prime minister is engaged in, and frankly, I think it is beneath the office," said Cullen.
He said the NDP and Liberals plan to stick to the coalition while Parliament is suspended. However there were rumblings Thursday among Liberal MPs that the coalition was done.
Cullen had a different take on whether northern B.C. would receive any additional assistance -- including extensions to unemployment benefits extensions and work- share programs -- while Parliament is suspended. Cullen, whose vast riding extends east to Fort St. James, said he believes the government has no power to move forward on these types of initiatives.
UNBC political scientist John Young said Jean did not have an easy decision, and although it's not a perfect solution, she made the best decision. "It allows some time," said Young.
He said it would have been inappropriate for the governor general to ignore the request from the prime minister for a suspension of parliament, called prorogation.
During the period until Jan. 26, it will be shown whether the coalition can hold together, he said.
Young believes the outcome of the political infighting in Ottawa will have little impact on northern B.C.
"I don't think either federal government is going to be of particularly significant benefit to the North," he said. "Any stimulus package is going to largely devoted to Ontario and Quebec."
 |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 December 2008 )
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
You know, as much as I am pissed at this BS by the Cons, I would still vote for them because of a few of their policies I find more palatable than the ones of the Libs/NDP.