By Darrell Cole
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The best way Cumberland County can get its share of funding for important infrastructure projects is by having a voice on the government side of the House of Commons.
Speaking to Conservatives during the opening of the party's Amherst campaign office, Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley candidate Scott Armstrong said he is well aware of the infrastructure needs in the riding and hopes to be able to leverage some funding to support those project if he's elected.
"One of the issues that comes up time and time again in this end of the riding is infrastructure and I know there are a number here that need to be pushed through. There are literally millions and millions of dollars in Ottawa that can be pushed to this riding. We need a strong voice in Ottawa to push these dollars through," Armstrong said.
While the Liberals and New Democrats brought their leaders to the riding to support their candidates, Armstrong said he was pleased to have Fisheries Minister Gail Shea visit the area because she can get things done.
The minister also visited Advocate Harbour on Saturday and toured the seawall that was damaged by a severe winter storm last December.
Armstrong said the Liberals and New Democrats want to dwell on what happened in the past while he's more interested in preparing for the future.
"We need roads, infrastructure and investment in jobs so our children and grandchildren will stay here and work here," he said. "As an elementary school principal I can't tell you how many times I've seen people have to move out west because there are no jobs. We need to establish the infrastructure for young people to stay here."
Shea, who last October won a P.E.I. riding that had been Liberal for nearly three decades, said the government needs to have Armstrong.
"We really need someone like Scott as part of our team," Shea said. "If there's a way to get things done it is to have someone there to represent you in Ottawa."
Shea admitted that byelections are not normally kind to sitting governments, but she pointed out the Conservatives have shown a lot of momentum in recent polls and she's hoping that will translate into a majority.
"We are doing the right things. We have spent a lot of money during this recession to turn things around. A lot of communities have benefited and people have been put to work," she said. "We are coming out of this recession in a lot better shape than many other countries around the world."
dcole@amherstdaily.com
Tories talk infrastructure
Tories talk infrastructure
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Published on
October 26, 2009
- Published on January 3, 2010
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Darrell Cole
Fisheries minister in town to back CCMV candidate at campaign office opening
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Comments
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- John
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:46:10
The very first line of this article represents all that is wrong with politics and why in general people do not care.
Lines like that come off more as a threat. Thanks you conservative guy who stood with Bill Casey when he stood against the party that this guy stands for. -
- Neal
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:46:09
The Christian Heritage Party offers an infrastructure plan such as the one that was used by the Mackenzie king government postwar. (see http://www.electjim.ca/videos/infrastructure/)
The thing about it is, given that infratstructure often involves projects that connect more than one region for the purpose of trade and public health that benefit all, it transcends riding boundaries. Thus it is important to elect someone to Ottawa who thinks outside the box, does not play politics the old way, and who will give voice to innovative ideas for the betterment of society as a whole. Peraps the government could be shamed into doing the right thing. -
- Moriarty
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:57
........This doesn't surprise me.
Tories threatening to *cut us off* if we don't vote for them.
We've heard it all before Scott.
As for me...I'm stickin with the NDP! -
- Donald
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:53
The Conservative Party has already proven that they CANNOT GET THINGS DONE. Scott Armstrong won't do anything different. He will tow the party line as he always has.
And he is begging Harper to stay away I am sure. -
- Fuzzy Bear
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:53
Mr. Armstrong/Mr. Harper...take note....Cumberland County voters will not be intimidated by carefully worded threats such as yours. No matter how you smile and say it to us this is still a threat!!
Yes we may not get a share of the funds from the money trough you seem to have at your disposal prior to every election however we will still have our honor and intregrity after this election is over. I doubt very much is you can say the same??
What boggles my mind is how many people do actually get bamboozled by the election promises that flow out of politicians mouths come every election. Then once the election is over they crawl back under the rock from which they came and hide until next election!!
I for one will not be fooled! -
- norm
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:42
Holy pile of manure!
---days of conservatives in Ottawa justifying their checks for infrastructure projects having the conservative brand on them---screaming thru every media outlet that there is an equitable dispersion of government money,not tainted by politics.
Now Mr Armstrong is sending a clear message that YES the share of the infrastructure pie is not equal.
MR Armstrong you are the one living in the past in the days of hazard county,Daisy Duke and pork barrel politics.Down in Truro you dangle the sports center as the carrot for those hungry voters---why are those shovels not in the ground?On Day one of this by election you said it's the most important issue in Colchester County.You've had 21 days to at least answer the esteemed people down in Truro ----where's the beef(oops pork?) -
- Ben
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:36
A quick history lesson will document this riding has been mostly conservative since confederation. If we haven't gotten our share of the pork by now, it seems logical to conclude that perhaps we need to make some adjustments. Only a fool keeps doing the same thing over and over again and expects a different result.
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- Dairyman
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:35
Finally. It's about time one of these candidates talked about job creation in this region. Keeping our families here instead of being forced to leave for greener pastures is an issue we should care about.
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- Another 2 Cents
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:32
I think Ill run in the next election.
I'll fight to spend the money (our money by the way) based on the merit of the project, not based on who the MP is. I'll fight for our riding!
I think we should have more Independents like me. Those who look out for the people they represent, not the party!
We need to revamp our political system, because the same old bullsh*t isn't working.
WOW, I sound just like those politicians, which must mean I can do their jobs. And since I am not a politician, Id probably do it better.
I think we should start a new campaign, like they had in Newfoundland.
Lets call it ABCLNDPGP (Anyone But Conservative, Liberal, New Democrat Party, Green Party).
Or lets go for the IO campaign, Independents Only. Imagine a group of independents around the country, who genuinely care about their constituents. (Any member of a political party need not apply!!!!!) -
- Alex
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:31
Well that's nice Scott, hold the people of Cumberland County hostage for a vote: no vote, no money...that's pretty sad!
The Government of Canada is spending billions and billions of TAX PAYERS dollars across this country to help Canadians, ALL CANADIANS....
Economic recovery should be about helping everyone, because that's the right thing to do....not just the ones that vote for for Stephen Harper! -
- Skeptic
- - February 25, 2010 at 00:45:19
Shameless...here we go again. This is blackmail versus democracy. Vote for us or you won't get your own tax dollars spent on you.
Nonsense, NDP Peter Stoffer helped get $220 million worth of upgrades to CFB Shearwater in his riding.
