By Hon. Rob Moore
As 2017 draws to a close, we have an opportunity to reflect on our many blessings and all that has been accomplished in the past year.
Under the direction of our new leader, Andrew Scheer, the Conservative Party of Canada is stronger, more united and working harder than ever before. Conservatives have a positive vision for Canada, one that actually recognizes and responds to the challenges hardworking Canadians face every day, and we will continue to demonstrate that there is a real alternative to Justin Trudeau's Liberals.
In Ottawa, our party has been busy holding Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government accountable for its unethical behaviour, tax hikes and failure to deliver results for middle class Canadians. Conservative Members of Parliament exposed Liberal schemes to raise taxes on health and dental benefits, diabetics, people living with autism, our men and women in uniform, and hardworking local businesses and we will continue to be the voice of the taxpayer.
But we can’t let our guard down. We know Justin Trudeau will bring back all of these tax hikes if he wins another election. That’s why Conservatives will stay focused and hold Justin Trudeau accountable when he fails to deliver results for Canadians. If we learned one lesson from 2017, it’s that every single thing Justin Trudeau touches turns into a disaster, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Here in Atlantic Canada, concerns continue about the state of the economy, the lack of good paying jobs, the Liberals never-ending tax hikes, including their carbon tax which will increase the cost of gasoline, home heating and electricity, and the need to support job-creating resource development projects. However, one of the main things that people tell me is they feel the Liberals are out of touch and taking Atlantic Canada for granted.
When the Liberals won all 32 of the seats in Atlantic Canada, we were told they would work closely with the region’s four Liberal premiers to deliver “real” results. However, after two years in office, it is clear that Conservatives are the only ones fighting for Atlantic Canada.
The Liberals failed to champion the Canadian energy sector, resulting in the cancellation of the Energy East Pipeline; failed to negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement, putting thousands of Canadian forestry workers’ jobs at risk; and were completely unable to tell the difference between legitimate tax cheats and hardworking mom-and-pop businesses just trying to make a living. Entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada and their employees deserve better.
Next year is going to be a critical year for Canada, with NAFTA negotiations not showing progress and Donald Trump championing his protectionist policies. Given his track record, Canadians are rightly worried that Justin Trudeau is not capable of delivering for hardworking Canadian workers and business operators at the NAFTA negotiating table.
Atlantic Canadians can count on the Conservative Party to keep fighting for them and for projects and policies that will strengthen our economy.
Hon. Rob Moore is Conservative Shadow Minister for Atlantic Canada
