Future Vision of Canada takes Shape as Conservative Platform is Unveiled

Estevan- Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain, today offered his comments with respect to part of the new Conservative platform that has been released to date.

“A GST reduction is something that most people are pleased with,” said Komarnicki. The Conservatives will reduce the GST from 7% to 6% to 5%. In 1994, Jean Chretien said, “We hate it and we will kill it.” In 1990, Paul Martin said, “I would abolish the GST.” Yet today it is still here and Paul Martin opposes any reduction.

“Well, it’s time to give ordinary Canadians a break whether Paul Martin likes it or not,” said Komarnicki. This tax which was to be revenue neutral has doubled from $15.9 billion to $31.8 billion since the Liberals have taken office.

In health care, average wait times for treatment have almost doubled under the Liberal government. “The point is as simple as it is obvious,” said Komarnicki. “We need, as a minimum, to receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times. If this is not available in our own area, we must be given the option of receiving treatment at another hospital or clinic even if it’s outside our own province. Access to a waiting list is not access to health care,” said Komarnicki.

We need to get tough on drug crime with mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious drug crimes. We need to get tough on all crime.

“At the same time, we need to stand up for the way of life we value. We need to provide choice in child care,” said Komarnicki. The child care payment of $1200 per year for every child under the age of 6 will provide parents an option regardless of where they live, whether they wish to work or stay home with their children and whether it means formal child care or informal care through neighbours or relatives. In addition, our government will provide capital assistance to community child care initiatives through cooperative or community associations.

“The Liberal government on the other hand,” said Komarnicki, “intends to build a national system of 9am to 5pm institutional child care. I don’t think that’s where we want to go. This excludes shift workers, low income parents, parents who live in rural areas and stay-at-home parents.”

For those qualifying for small business, the tax rate will be reduced and a tax credit of up to $2000 will be provided to employers hiring apprentices in any of the 45 Red Seal trades and other trades designated as strategically important.

In addition, just announced today is a plan to help skilled trades and post-secondary students. A tools tax deduction for trades of up to $500, a $1000 apprenticeship incentive grant for two years, a tax credit of up to $500 transferable to parents to help cover the cost of student text books, exemption of the first $10 000 of student scholarship or bursary income from taxation and an increase to family income thresholds for student loan eligibility.

“We’re not done yet,” said Komarnicki. “More will be coming that will define where we stand on many urgent issues facing our nation. We will define the kind of Canada you will want to live in. One that protects our values, gives you a fighting chance to succeed and respects your hard earned money.”

The Liberal government uses excessive taxation to produce huge surpluses as a basis for spending, and as we have learned from Gomery, misspending it on their own. “It’s time to clean House. It’s time to elect a Conservative government,” said Komarnicki.