April 14, 2004

Voters seeing Liberals’ true colours as election looms

Although it may not seem as such, in recent weeks Canadians actually have been given a gift by the governing Liberals. Through the Auditor General’s report and subsequent findings thereafter, the Liberals’ colours are becoming clearer, and we are getting a better view as to exactly what goes on in the Prime Minister’s Office – all before we go to the polls in a forth-coming election.

            While the date of the next federal election has yet to be specified, the evidence of its inevitability is everywhere. It comes in the form of the recent announcement of aid to the agricultural sector – a press conference at which Prime Minister Paul Martin was flanked by more Liberal candidates than cattle producers who are to benefit from the program. An inevitable election call comes in the form of reviews into money-wasting programs like the sponsorship program and the gun registry – reviews that will not be complete until late September, long after the Liberals hope to be returned to power. And now, Mr. Martin’s expensive tour of ridings throughout Canada is certainly another example of why we should be expecting an election. Unfortunately that tour, which is really a campaign tour, is coming at the expense of Canadian taxpayers.

            Thankfully the Liberals’ mismanagement of money came to light when it did. Had Auditor General Sheila Fraser not disclosed, or not had the courage to disclose, her findings into the $250 million Sponsorship Program, Canadians would most likely be in the midst of an election without knowing the truth about this Liberal government. Seeing how Canadians’ money was doled out to Liberal-supporting agencies has brought even more light to improper use of Canadian dollars through the gun registry, now expected to reach the $2 billion mark before it is even completely implemented. There are also missing dollars at the Department of  National Defence, and the list goes on.

            But, there is an end in sight.

            An election call will also mark the end of Liberal rule and the disregard they have shown to Canadians. While Mr. Martin’s party, acting as government, continues to defend why it handed Canadians’ money to its Liberal friends, it is losing the trust of voters. Canadians are turning to the Conservative Party of Canada in astounding numbers. Thanks to the leadership of Stephen Harper, an MP from Alberta, and deputy leader Peter MacKay of Nova Scotia, regionalization has no presence in the Conservative Party. Instead, we stand as one voice and a true alternative to lead this country.

            While the Liberal Party is looking to legalize marijuana and change the definition of marriage, the Conservative Party is listening to its supporters and is opposed to both. The Conservative Party has a plan for a better Canada, one which sees the agriculture sector recognized as a vital part of this country. No more will our food producers have to set their dignity aside to ask for help. With one in every seven Canadian jobs linked to agriculture, there is no question how important our farmers are to us. And, unlike the Liberals, the Conservative Party sees no need to treat this industry as second class because its heart is in the West.

            The Liberal Party has tried to make fools of Canadians for much too long, and now Canadians have caught on. The lack of respect shown by Mr. Martin and his party to the taxpayers of this country will become evident through votes on Election Day.

An immediate election call, without completion of the sponsorship program committee hearings or reviews into the gun registry, will only prove the Liberals are concealing evidence and facts. Perhaps by waiting to hold an election, Mr. Martin believes Canadians will forget their outrage over the billions of dollars the Liberals have lost, stolen and mismanaged.

            One thing is certain – as each day passes, the Conservative Party becomes stronger. Canadians will have a clear choice whenever the election is called:  a party that has cheated and robbed taxpayers OR the Conservative Party of Canada, a party dedicated to uniting Canadians and bringing forward policies to build a better Canada.

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