Sheehan: Harper's early election will cost millions (Updated)

After Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially launched the campaign for the October 19 federal election Sunday morning, it remains to be seen how engaged voters in Sault Ste. Marie and across Canada will be in this, one of the longest and most expensive campaigns in Canadian history.

After all, the election is 11 weeks away and families are currently enjoying a long summer weekend.

Terry Sheehan, Liberal candidate for the Sault Ste. Marie riding, told SooToday Sunday there is indeed enthusiasm out there, pointing to people who have approached him with a desire to join his campaign team. 

"I've got a team that 's very positive, very excited, and they're really looking forward to bringing real change to this riding and they're ready to go."

"We have an experienced team but we also have new people who haven't been involved in the political process before," Sheehan said.

"I was contacted by a young man who was working at the steel plant and he offered to help go door-to-door campaigning with me, and I also had a phone call from a senior citizen who has mobility  issues but who said he wants to work for me by making phone calls from home, so people are ready for a change and they are motivated to work hard," Sheehan said.

Harper called the election much earlier than originally anticipated by stating he wanted to see all political parties pay their own way in a campaign that started unofficially some time ago.

Harper's political opponents have called it an excuse on the Prime Minister's part to draw on the Conservative Party's considerable financial resources in order to get re-elected.

Even with political parties paying for their own election expenses, they will still receive rebates through taxpayer dollars and Elections Canada will have to be funded for the extra time involved in maintaining returning offices and other expenses. 

"People are pretty upset about this," Sheehan said.

"This is going to be expensive to the taxpayer when in fact we are going into a recession."

"It's very irresponsible to be calling such a costly election campaign for no reason."

At the same time, Sheehan said "this (longer campaign) gives us more opportunity to talk to more people…it's given an opportunity for people to become engaged and active early, and that's what's been happening with us."

Incumbent Conservative Sault MP Bryan Hayes and NDP candidate Skip Morrison were not available for comment.

A news release from Liberal candidate Terry Sheehan follows. 

“This early election call comes not at the benefit of Canadians, but for the benefit of Stephen Harper and his Conservatives,” said Terry Sheehan, Federal Liberal Candidate for Sault Ste. Marie.

Since election laws were changed by the Conservatives last year, this lengthy campaign will allow them to spend double the amount in election spending, which means a much larger tax return from Elections Canada at the cost of $337,837 each day to the taxpayer.

“On top of that, it’s going to cost taxpayers $2.8 million dollars each day for every day that Harper has extended the election,” said Sheehan.

Not only that, but disgraced Senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin, and Patrick Brazeau are officially back on the public dime as of this morning.

Stephen Harper has chosen to force an early election because he needs all of the advantage he can get.

Harper would have Canadians believe that his “strong” economic record and “fair” policies are reason enough to elect him Prime Minister for another four years. 

Let’s focus on that for a moment.

Harper’s “strong” economic record includes the Canadian economy currently facing recession and economic hardship that could have been prevented.

There have been millions of unspent dollars and spending cuts that have hurt Canadians who need it the most, all for the sake of a balanced budget that he promised for this fiscal year.

Now, we are faced with a projected $1 billion dollar deficit; while Harper has called an early election that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars extra.

“It would appear that this is Harper’s last ditch attempt to further put Canadians in the hole for an election he thinks he can win,” said Sheehan.

Harper’s “fair” policies include those such as income splitting and tax breaks for the wealthy; policies that are implemented on the backs of middle class Canadians and benefit only the richest few.

Also, the increased Universal Child Care Benefit that saw a timely arrival in the mailboxes and bank accounts of Canadian families; nothing but an election season attempt to buy the votes of families who will feel a harder pinch during tax time.

His record on the environment?

A long history of funding cuts to research and science departments, personnel cuts, muzzling of our Canadian scientists, and complete inaction towards climate change.

Even our lakes, mountains, and valleys are experiencing the pain of Stephen Harper’s policies.

Another term for Harper means our pristine lands suffer for another four years.

It means another four years of shoving climate change under a rug without preparing for its implications.

Canadians want change that will make a real difference in their lives – change that will help families make ends meet, put more money in their pockets, and bring this country together.

This election is about our future and Liberals have the plan and the team to make a real, positive difference for all Canadians. 

We are ready with sound policies and a platform that is fair and benefits all Canadians.

“I am ready with a real plan to represent Sault Ste. Marie in Ottawa to give it the voice it needs to achieve the results it deserves,” said Sheehan.