Editor:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's budget is about cutting $5.6 billion from our public programs. People will have to wait two years longer to age 67 to qualify for their Old Age Security pensions.
More than 19,000 public sector workers will lose their jobs at a time when there is a need for more work.
Concerned about food quality? The Food inspection Agency (FIA) budget will be cut $56.1 million so that consumers will complain directly to food companies about labelling problems instead of going to the FIA that polices food labels.
Worried about our public health care? The Public Health Agency of Canada budget will be cut by $68 million, and Health Canada's budget is going to slashed by $200.6 million.
Do you enjoy CBC? The CBC's annual funding will be cut by $115 million resulting in job losses and reduction of Canadian content, and more funding will be removed from cultural programs.
Is your charity organization politically involved in protecting the environment? The budget is giving $8 million to assist Revenue Canada to target registered charity groups that are opposing Enbridge's 1,175 km oils sands pipeline crossing hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams to Kitimat.
Upset about the rising costs of food and gas? In spite of oil speculators driving the price of oil higher, there is no excess profit tax on their profits.
There's not even a penny to reduce child poverty or for feeding hungry youth. Shouldn't our member of Parliament John Weston be accountable for supporting Harper's budget?
Arnet Tuffs
Sechelt
