Follow the money

Re: Morneau Steers Through Sea Of Red Ink, John Ivison, Feb. 23.

What will the $ 10.5 billion of new s pending promi sed i n the Liberal party platform be spent on — on genuinely productive assets across Canada or on whatever will reward those who habitually vote Liberal? The Liberal government has reversed federal sick leave savings, resulting in an extra cost of $ 1.3 billion over three years. It also looks l i ke Bombardier will get $ 1- billion bailout. Guess who f ederal and Quebec workers vote for?

Meanwhile, the Liberals have done nothing to help bring western oil to tidewater, even though the government subsidy required would be zero or minimal. Piping oil to t i dewater would bri ng e normous benefits across the country, not the least of which is billions of dollars of additional federal and provincial tax revenue as the oil is being sold at international prices. Tens of thousands of jobs would be created, partly for pipeline and terminal construction and partly to re- staff rejuvenated oil companies. Their suppliers would also benefit. The myopia in this country with respect to oil and the value it provides is depressing. Even sadder is how both Pierre and Justin Trudeau have exploited it to divide us. It’s called divide and conquer.