Budget criticism misses mark

In response to an op-ed by Conservative Rob Moore (“Liberal budget misses mark,” Cape Breton Post, April 4), I would like to talk about our government’s action in Cape Breton.

We are investing in what matters most and below are some of what we’ve delivered for Cape Breton over the past year:

■ We kept our promise and reopened the Sydney Veterans Affairs office

■ $66 million into Cape Breton’s National Parks

■ $11.2 million federal dollars for vital safety upgrades to the Cabot Trail

■ $8 Million federal dollars for water and wastewater projects in the CBRM

■ $6.7 million to the creation of Sydney’s second berth

■ $1.7 million investment in New Waterford’s tech industry

■ $1.4 million federal contribution to Celtic Colours International Festival

■ $1.1 million to improve streetscapes around the Cabot Trail

■ $677,000 in federal funding for new public transit busses in the CBRM

■ $670,000 in support of Kitchen-Fest! and Gaelic College facility upgrades

■ $600,000 to the YMCA of Cape Breton for their Youth-Skills Link project

■ 100 Parks Canada summer student jobs for the 2017 season

■ Reduced the age to qualify for Old Age Security from 67 to 65

■ Federal grants to various community and seniors groups through The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and New Horizons for Seniors Program.

On top of these investments, did you know that every month approximately 6,810 Canada Child Benefit payments are made to parents in Sydney – Victoria, benefitting 11,790 children and totalling $5,093,000 per month?

Budget 2017 reaffirmed our government’s action in Cape Breton by investing in Marine Atlantic and our premier tourism sector. We’ve introduced a new $325 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund and we’ve signed the Canada-Europe free trade agreement, or CETA, which will have massive return for our fishers.

We’re working tirelessly to strengthen the economy and help Cape Bretoners every step of the way. When it comes to getting the job done in Cape Breton, our government delivers.

Mark Eyking, M.P. Sydney - Victoria