February 3, 2011 York Region.com
The upcoming federal budget could trigger a spring election, something newly elected Vaughan MP Julian Fantino hopes is just grist for the rumour mill.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty used the Tories’ newest riding as a backdrop this week to deliver his seventh report on the government’s economic action plan.
The minister, flanked by Minister of State for Seniors Mr. Fantino and Earth Rangers executive director Peter Kendal, touted the government’s economic plan as helping Canada recover faster than other G-7 nations from the recession.
But the plan to continue with corporate tax cuts — bringing down the rate to 15 per cent from 17 per cent — could trigger an election if opposition parties refuse to support the budget.
As for it possibly throwing the former OPP top cop back on to the campaign trail so soon after a byelection, Mr. Fantino is not focused on that for the time being.
“I’ve decided not to get myself wrapped up in any of that. I’m here now. I’m going to do and am doing everything I can everyday to fulfill my mandate and do the things that I can do to improve things, quality of life ... for our people in Vaughan,” Mr. Fantino said. “I’m not going to get sidetracked by whether there is or there isn’t and the what ifs. My view is that I’m here to do this now. We’ll take whatever else comes along if and when it does.”
Despite that, Mr. Fantino admitted he doesn’t relish the prospect of moving into another campaign so quickly.
“In many respects, it was a rewarding experience, but it’s very tedious and I think it was tedious for a lot of the people, too, and not only that, there’s an expense involved. These are not cheap,” Mr. Fantino said, adding the roughly $400-million price tag for a federal election could be better spent.
Vaughan was chosen for the announcement by invitation from Mr. Fantino, but also to showcase Earth Rangers, which has been the recipient of $2.5 million in infrastructure money from Ottawa.
Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization based in Vaughan that is dedicated to teaching children about the importance of protecting biodiversity and adopting more sustainable behaviour.
“The economic action plan is what we are saying has kept us in better stead than what our counterparts, the G-7 countries, have in terms of the economy and job creation. Obviously, things are fragile and very difficult, but we appear to be going in the right direction,” Mr. Fantino said.
Fresh from a trip from the world economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Flaherty said Canada is set to recover faster than other G-7 nations, as a result of his party’s economic measures.
Part of that strategy has been a $60-billion boost to the economy two years ago, which has seen 26,000 projects, such as refurbished community centres and improved infrastructure at colleges and universities, completed or started.