Lois Brown M.P., Newmarket-Aurora
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2008
Statement by Lois Brown, M.P. Newmarket-Aurora
(Newmarket-Aurora, ON) - Political maneuverings of the most serious consequence, by party leaders whose prime ministerial aspirations were firmly dismissed just weeks ago, have left many Canadians angry and confused. A take-over of government by the three federal opposition parties could plunge our country into a state of political and economic turmoil never seen before.
How did this happen? The October 14th federal election results saw a Conservative government earn a significantly stronger minority mandate. 143 Conservative MPs were elected, an increase of 15% from the 124 seats earned in 2006. The Liberal Party under Stéphane Dion received a historic low of 77 seats. The Bloc Québécois received 49 seats, and the NDP Party obtained 37 seats. Each party ran on platforms constitutionally guided by very different sets of principles.
However, instead of accepting their responsibilities as opposition critics, the Liberals, Bloc and NDP have created a pact designed to seize control of the government. This three-party coalition led by Stéphane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe intend to vote down the leadership of the Stephen Harper Conservatives and replace it with their own.
Why are these people risking the state of our already fragile economy and the possibility of plunging our country into unknown perils? In a letter dated December 1 addressed to “our fellow citizens,” all three Leaders contend that Mr. Harper “has no plan” to address the current economic crisis - language identical to the rhetoric heard during the recent campaign. The Liberals, Bloc and NDP simply refuse to accept the people’s verdict. Their campaign has continued, resulting in the formation of a bizarre, unstable coalition dependant on agreement of three diametrically opposed parties with little common ground. The real motivation in bringing down the Conservative government isn’t concern for the economy, but seizing an opportunity to gain control in a transparent, planned and unprecedented grab for power.
On October 14th citizens of Newmarket and Aurora elected a Conservative MP within a strong Conservative minority government to represent their interests in Ottawa. As your elected Member of Parliament, I am committed to acting in the best interests of our communities at all times. Most recently I have been working with the Minister of Industry and speaking with officials at Magna in an effort to mitigate the impact of the Exterion plant closings and to search for longer term solutions. There is dialogue with officials in both towns to determine which infrastructure projects the federal government can assist in fast-tracking.
What we do not need is a constitutional crisis and economic instability created from three political parties’ refusal to accept the democratically stated will of Canadians. The Liberal-NDP-Bloc strategy for our future is based on back-room deals and a written letter. The coalition’s entire plan relies on the support of the Bloc Québécois whose stated purpose for existence is to separate from Canada.
Since 2006 Prime Minister Stephen Harper has governed prudently and responsibly. Canada is forecast as having the best economic growth of all other OECD countries in the world. Our economy is undergoing challenges; however we remain in the best shape of all other G-7 countries. Our 2009 budget, to be tabled on January 27, will contain measures appropriate for these uncertain economic times. We are working at moving ahead on infrastructure projects and other productivity enhancing investments to create jobs and stimulate the economy. It is simply irresponsible for anyone to otherwise plunge Canada billions of dollars into debt without a well thought-out plan of return. To have an unstable coalition government take control without an election, during a time of global economic uncertainty, is a risk we cannot afford.
I urge everyone concerned with our country’s future to contact me. You can call me at 905-953-7515, send an email to BrownLo@parl.gc.ca or visit my constituency office at 16600 Bayview Ave., Suite 206, Newmarket, Ontario L3X 1Z9.
Lois Brown is the elected Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora. She is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committees for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
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Lois Brown M.P., Newmarket-Aurora
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2008
