Have your say on federal budget stimulus package

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************* Martin announces 2 meetings and online consultations

SAULT STE. MARIE - Riding residents will have multiple opportunities to share their ideas to kick-start the economy as Sault MP Tony Martin announced today two pre-budget round tables for early January and other online consultations.

“The round tables will be opportunities for average citizens and key stakeholders to have their say on priorities for the budget,” Martin said. “It is their money, their country and we need to hear from them as we face these hard times together. “

“With Parliament prorogued and the Finance Committee’s pre-budget process shut down, I am more concerned that the Minister of Finance’s mini-tour is hearing only from government invited groups and is more of a public relations campaign to show action on his part where none exists. The coalition initiative is pushing the government to act and now is the time for Canadians to demand real help.”

The round tables will be held at Sault College Wednesday, January 7 - daytime, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and evening, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the L Wing, Gallery section (parking off Willow Avenue).

People may also submit ideas at this website, as well as submit their answers to a New Democrat budget survey (reprinted below) bringing them to the round tables or dropping them off to Martin’s constituency office on 369 Queen Street East or via e-mail.

Deadline for submissions is January 10.

Martin also urged riding organizations to submit (postage free) letters of support for key stimulus elements such as childcare, housing, transit, environment and First Nations to the Finance Minister, NDP Leader Jack Layton and Martin (name, House of Commons, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6).

The NDP is calling on the government to honour priorities in the recent Liberal and NDP coalition accord.

In addition to sector strategies for manufacturing, auto and forestry, municipal infrastructure and a robust energy retrofit program, crucial measures in an effective stimulus package include housing, childcare, public transit, aboriginal community infrastructure and ensuring Employment Insurance system is adequate to the coming demand.

Question guide

For Budget Consultations New Democratic Party of Canada

1) General budgetary policy

1. Do you agree that the top priority for the government’s 2008 budget should be an economic stimulus package?

2. Should this package be limited to investments in banks and corporations or, given that investments in social programs is effective at job creation, should investments in social infrastructure be included in the stimulus measures?

3. Do you have suggestions for how parties should work together in Parliament to address the economic downturn?

2) Infrastructure, transit and housing 4. New Democrats have been advocating for some time that transit must become a higher priority for all levels of government, do you agree?

5. We have argued for permanent and stable investments in public transit through dedicating one cent of the existing gas tax to transit. Would you support this measure?

6. Are there other measures you want to suggest to help encourage greater use of public transit?

7. Many experts are advising that stimulus measures must provide both immediate and long-term help. Do you agree that this package must be more than just a few short-term measures?

8. Many have said that new, urgent investment in infrastructure is crucial to allow communities to address employment, environment and equity issues, do you agree?

9. Do you agree that infrastructure investments should include a made-in-Canada procurement policy for the federal government?

10. We have been calling for fast-tracking projects that are ready to begin construction and accelerating already planned infrastructure spending. Do you have other suggestions for infrastructure investments?

11. How high a priority should it be for the government to make dedicated infrastructure investments in a comprehensive housing program?

12. Would you agree with expanding the mandate of the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation to help kick-start the housing market?

13. We have been advocating a program to expand energy efficiency retrofits for Canadian houses and buildings, an initiative that would help create new jobs while also addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Do you agree that we need a much more ambitious?

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