Dear Editor,
It began with those big cheques with our MP’s name on it. There were photo-ops galore, those big signs made in the U.S.A., and paid advertisements touting “Canada’s Economic Action Plan.” The message was unmistakable, if not subtle: “My name is John Weston. I’m a Harper Conservative. And these goodies are brought to by our generosity and my great work!”
Like everything else the Conservatives do, it’s a catchy bumper sticker, but it just doesn’t ring true.
First, it’s our money. Every penny of it. Any member of parliament worthy of the salary we pay them must work to ensure that his/her constituency gets its fair share of available program dollars. And these projects were also funded equally by the province and the municipality. We don’t hear Conservatives talk much about that. The real grunt work is at that level. That’s especially true of the hard work of municipal leaders and officials. They are the unsung success in this story.
I’m sure, like most citizens, that more and better hospitals, schools, and other basic necessities would have come before building new tennis courts and outdoor washrooms. But that’s another story. We haven’t scratched the surface of our real and long-term critical infrastructure needs in our constituency. And now, Mr. Weston, parroting the minister of finance, says that communities must “use it or lose it” before spring of 2011. That short-sighted and silly management approach will lead to significantly higher costs, rushed jobs, inefficient project management, and stupid decisions.
I’m looking forward to the Auditor General’s report this fall on how and where our money was spent.
At the end of the day, there are three levels of government, but only one taxpayer. That’s us.
Dan Veniez
Liberal Party candidate
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
