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Bryan likes those Lincoln ads, but would prefer a Bimmer

Sault Ste. Marie MP Bryan Hayes shared a few personal details with an audience of Sault Chamber of Commerce members at a 'Dialogue with the Chamber' event held at the Days Inn Wednesday morning.

Sault Ste. Marie MP Bryan Hayes shared a few personal details with an audience of Sault Chamber of Commerce members at a 'Dialogue with the Chamber' event held at the Days Inn Wednesday morning. 

When asked about some non-political matters, Hayes said he is an early riser as opposed to a night owl, his preference for a high-priced new car would be a blue BMW, his favourite band is The Eagles, and, in terms of celebrities, would enjoy having lunch with actor Matthew McConaughey.

"I think he's cool, I like his new car commercials."

Hayes also said he would love to go with his wife on vacation to Monte Carlo.

However, before he goes on that Mediterranean vacation, Hayes said there are a few political items he wants to take care of.

The MP was asked a wide variety of questions, pulled from Chamber members, by Monica Dale, the Chamber's first vice president.

Hayes was asked how he plans to work with Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano and Sault MPP David Orazietti in regards to healthcare funding cutbacks and layoffs, the effort to save ACR Sault to Hearst passenger rail service, job creation strategies and development of the Port of Algoma.

"Healthcare doesn't fall under the federal government with the exception of the federal government providing transfer payments to the provinces so that the provinces can manage healthcare…(but) we formed government in 2006, and since that time we have increased healthcare transfers to the provinces by six percent per year, and that will continue until 2017, after which we're guaranteeing three percent a year, and we'll match the rate of inflation."

"I'm working very, very hard behind the scenes," Hayes said, in regards to saving Sault to Hearst passenger rail service, reviewing how the working committee of stakeholders forged to save the service have found a third party operator to operate the route and is working with CN on further details, asking for a five-year, $7 million transition funding package until the passenger rail service becomes self-sustaining.

"I have coordinated a meeting with the stakeholders and Transport Canada officials, and Transport Canada officials need to do their due diligence to ensure the $7 million ask makes sense to taxpayers and the federal government, and they're doing that due diligence right now and I'm hopeful they'll recommend to the Minister of Transport this is very necessary and we'll get our return on our investment."

"Time is running out but I'm pushing very hard, and this has been elevated to the level of the Prime Minister," Hayes said.

In regards to job creation, "suffice it to say we have a youth employment strategy we have initiated and the provinces and the federal government have signed off on the job creation grant…that's $10,000 provided per individual by the federal government and we expect the private sector to provide $5,000, so there's $15,000 available for training for employers to perhaps send their employees to Sault College for training or retraining."

"Our focus for job creation is low taxes for businesses (it is hoped by Conservatives low taxes will spur businesses to invest in new equipment and new employees)," Hayes said.

As for the Port of Algoma, Hayes said "I see it moving forward."

"I anticipate the end of the year might be the time for 'the big ask,' it's probably a $150 million project (with the federal government expected to contribute a third of that cost, with the help of the province and the private sector)."

"This is a long term project to be done in segments, with a thousand acres that needs to be developed, Essar Ports will market the property…eventually Sault Ste. Marie will be a very, very different place as a result of that port," Hayes said.

"Our government recognizes that and I believe the provincial government will recognize that…we'll work hard to make it happen."

Hayes was asked by Dale that since $4.3 million in federal gas tax funding was recently made available to Sault Ste. Marie to support local infrastructure, and since "we are under the impression municipal officials are struggling to find appropriate funds to resolve infrastructure issues," how he is working with Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano and Sault MPP David Orazietti to ensure that funding is being used effectively.

"Our government made it (gas tax funding) permanent and we've indexed it…I think next year it'll be about $4.6 million."

Hayes said he is confident federal funding for major Sault projects, such as the Fort Creek aqueduct project, will be approved.  

With 2015 being an election year, Hayes was asked, if re-elected as Sault MP in October, what he thinks he will look back on in terms  of success one year from now.

"We will have achieved (the beginning of) a port, continuation of the ACR (passenger rail service), good things for Essar Steel Algoma…my private members motion on domestic violence is in committee right now and some part of that will become law, and that was done in consultation with Saultites."

(PHOTO: Sault MP Bryan Hayes answers questions from the Sault Chamber of Commerce, in conversation with Chamber first vice president Monica Dale, at a Chamber event, March 4, 2015.  Darren Taylor/SooToday)


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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