While Opposition Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff derided last week's federal budget brought down by the Conservative government as being full of "gimmicks" that ignores issues faced by ordinary Canadians, local member of Parliament (MP) John Weston touted it as one that shows fiscal responsibility and global economic leadership.
"It shows a government that's listening closely to Canadians," Weston said, a few hours after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered his budget in the House of Commons. "As I skimmed this very large document, over 400 pages, and listened to the speech, I saw an emphasis on job protection. There are still a lot of Canadians out of work and our recovery needs to be supported. I'm focusing on Canada as a leader in the world in terms of job protection, the economy and fiscal restraint."
Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, said the minority Tories' efforts to facilitate economic recovery from the recent global recession continue. Flaherty's budget seeks to ensure that infrastructure projects funded last year through the Economic Action Plan are completed, and focusing on job creation and a commitment to return to a balanced budget within five years is good for all Canadians, Weston said.
"We're continuing with economic stimulus, but at the same time we're continuing down the road of economic restraint by wrapping up all new infrastructure projects by Sept. 1, 2011. We're also restraining new spending and overhead costs," he said, specifically mentioning a three-year freeze on the salaries of MPs, ministers and senators.
Asked about specific projects that would benefit his riding, Weston mentioned $88 million provided to ensure the completion of upgrades to small craft harbours across Canada - 242 of them in all - by this fall. Last year, a total of $112 million was spent to get those projects underway.
Eight such projects at small craft harbours - from Lund, north of Powell River, to Gibsons in the south - were undertaken last year at a cost of $3.8 million. The work includes upgrades to electrical systems, floats and general harbour infrastructure.
"This is continuing on the theme of economic stimulus," Weston said.
Weston said he "can't imagine" that the government would ignore funding for both high-performance and participatory sports programs after having just witnessed the successes of Canadian athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and it didn't. The budget includes $44 million over two years for high-performance sport - $10 million for the identification and development of elite athletes and $34 million for programs that support training and competition for elite athletes in winter and summer sports.
Weston, who over the past year has sponsored an initiative that seeks to encourage his colleagues in the House of Commons to model healthy, active lifestyles, said that in addition to being good for Canadians as a whole, funding for sports programs at all levels is good for the riding's economy.
"We've come up with new initiatives to extend the benefits of the Games, including participatory programs, and money for continued development of and support for elite athletes. I'm very encouraged by that initiative, which encourages people to come and use our incredible facilities," he said.
