Givecreditwhere creditisdue

Canada’s economy is ranked at No. 1 of the G7 nations, yet Conservatives continue to complain about trivial things, in particular some of the youthful follies of Justin Trudeau. Everybody has lapses in judgement. Let he who is without sin…

It has been stated that our grandchildren will pay for current government expenditures. Nonsense. Our grandchildren would pay much more for infrastructure repairs and replacement if the deterioration is not addressed now while costs and interest rates are lower.

For too long, all political parties have kicked the infrastructure can down the road to future generations in order to get votes. The day of reckoning had to come.

By the way, the CPP payments are a set formula, but contribution rates can be determined by a majority parliamentary vote. Trudeau has done this — raising both the employees and employers share of CPP contributions…with minimum financial impact to employees.

This will ensure a much better CPP payment in the future.

The Liberals have greatly increased veterans pensions and benefits for deserving members.

Remember, it was the Conservatives who challenged the benefits in the courts. The Liberals had to wait for the court judgement — which they did not challenge.

Some military veterans try to use the system to obtain benefits to which they are not entitled — that is a fact well-known to military members. We used to call them “the sick, the lame, and the lazy” in the regular forces.

It is apparent that Pierre Poilievre and his supporters have no concept of the “common good.” Balancing the budget is the main objective — no matter the needs of the less fortunate.

The Conservatives have attempted to do this repeatedly by slashing social programs — and will do it again.

Poilievre preaches “freedom” and “get rid of the gatekeepers.” Freedom to protest — no matter the cost or inconvenience to others.

The “gatekeepers” are the provincial authorities that ensure that immigrants have the same qualifications that we require to work in Canada. Get rid of these standards?

“Freedom” from vaccination. What about the common good?

I agree that “many residents of the Okanagan prefer ethical wellthought-out programs with costing…” But at what cost to the less fortunate of our fellow citizens?

Only Conservatives complain about social programs — despite that only the wealthy have seen tax increases under the Liberals.

The Conservatives ensured corporate tax breaks and tax breaks for the wealthy — and they will do it again, given the opportunity. History does repeat itself.

This is not the Progressive Conservative party of my youth.

It is, and always will be, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

Patrick MacDonald

Kelowna