Rafferty holds town halls across the riding on upcoming budget

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Last week citizens of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding had an opportunity to offer input on the upcoming federal budget.
Newly elected Member of Parliament (federal) John Rafferty held town hall meetings in Rainy River, Stratton, Fort Frances, Atikokan and Upsula in an effort to give the grass-roots a chance to get their two cents in on a budget that could be very crucial in determining the direction of Canada’s economy.
Rafferty said that the meetings were very successful with people expressing concerns on a variety of subjects. “I heard all sorts of things ranging from the long gun registry to municipal and provincial issues,” said Rafferty Thursday.
One concern he heard from municipal leaders and citizens alike was the fact that much of the proposed monies to be spent by the federal government will be for infrastructure projects. “If the money is allocated based on population, where does that leave us?” said Rafferty. “My job is to ensure our riding gets its fair share.”
Concerns from the forestry industry also reared their heads at his town halls. “They want decent electric rates and proper quotas.”
Another concern he heard was a need for reforms to the Employment Insurance system and for opportunities to be created to try and keep farmers on their farms such as better tax credits.
Rafferty said that he and his staff will be taking all the information and suggestions they gathered at the meetings and put them together in a report to be presented to the federal Minister of Finance. However, “I am not entirely convinced the leopard has changed his spots,” said Rafferty referring to the economic statement before Christmas and the paroguing of parliament. “A few days ago they were talking tax cuts to stimulate the economy. I am not sure that is the way to do that.”
Rafferty said that the New Democratic Party listened to five economists that explained the effects certain stimuli would have on the economy. “They said that for every billion spent on tax cuts you get 4,000-5,000 jobs that are not permanent. For every billion on infrastructure and human investments like education you get 11,000 and 21,000 permanent jobs.”
Rafferty said, “If the budget is not good for Northwestern Ontario it will not get my support.”
He plans to do another series of town halls in the spring that will feature a passport workshop as the deadline for identification rules change at the U.S. border.