Letter to the Editor - Conservative Candidate

Trail Daily Times

Dear Editor,

In his letter to the editor dated January 21, 2010, the Conservative candidate makes allegations which simply are not true.

Having been a teacher, I can assure him that the potential school closures in our area are of great concern to me and our MLA. The Board of the School District #20 is faced with an almost impossible task – how to keep our schools open in light of provincial government cutbacks.

The fact that school districts throughout this province are put in this uncomfortable position is a result of policies of our neo-Conservative/Liberal provincial government. Let us make no mistake. The philosophy guiding the Campbell government is no different than that of the Conservative Federal Government: less government intervention and assistance, privatization and deregulation while cutting corporate taxes. On top of this, we have a provincial government that is willing to pump money into the greater Vancouver infrastructure (rapid transit, sea to sky highway) while neglecting services in rural BC.

In regard to the Conservative candidate’s comments on economic development, let me remind him that it was the present Harper government that signed the softwood lumber sell out deal with the U.S. costing Canadians billions of dollars which, in part, helped contribute to the gutting of our local forest industry.

To get a better idea of what I have done to “create economic development in this riding”, I would suggest that the candidate contact some of my municipal colleagues. My staff and I work very closely with our municipal counterparts to explore funding possibilities, to track grant applications and to intervene directly with federal ministers if necessary.

Recently, I met with representatives of Community Futures and have written a letter to the Minister responsible underlining the importance of their work to stimulate small business development in BC. In addition, I have contacted all BC MPs to get their support to ensure long-term stable funding for Community Futures.

Finally, I would like to suggest to the Conservative candidate that if he is sincere in wanting to keep our schools open, he assist us in electing an NDP government in BC during the next provincial election. This is the only way that we will once again have an education and health care system that truly reflects the needs of rural BC communities.

In the meantime, he can join us in opposing the HST which, if implemented, will have a very serious impact on many small businesses.

Are you with us, Stephen?

Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior