Grateful for the support
By a curious turn of events I find myself thrust into the midst of the current provincial general election. Although not a career politician in any sense, I challenged as a candidate for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party in 2003 and enjoyed the experience greatly. May I extend a belated thank you to the thousands who supported me in that race, and to the host of volunteers and supporters that are presently engaged. The reception that I am enjoying on your doorsteps is inspiring. I expect the Pictou East race to be a nailbiter, and encourage all voters to participate fully in choosing your future MLA.
For many people, perhaps the majority, an election tends to be about a single issue that reflects their particular priority. Certainly, my former colleagues in the teaching profession are focused on their most recent contract; the aging residents may look to home care proposals; new voters want solutions to the high cost of post-secondary education; those in the Garden of Eden and elsewhere look for road improvements – the list goes on.
I believe the Nova Scotia Liberal platform compares very favourably with those presented by the other parties. To contrast and compare each of them would take much more space than such a letter allows, so I will restrict myself to one major issue – our provincial finances. After all, this is the foundation which determines our ability to provide the entire platform.
Under a Liberal government, our province has achieved two consecutive balanced budgets. We project four moderate but increasing surpluses over the next term in office. These allow us to pay down our accumulated debt and begin to restore some degree of confidence in our financial future. This is an absolute necessity if we are to provide ourselves and our children with the wide range of services that the future will demand.
Baillie’s conservative plan calls for a $2 billion spending spree; most concerning is his inability to account for the source of this revenue. I have it on very good authority that his plan very limited opportunity for matching federal infrastructure criteria, as he has presupposed. Burrill’s NDP plan calls for a more moderate spree – only $1 billion. It will be largely directed towards escalating operating costs rather than infrastructure. This poses a continuing drain on our financial future.
Carefully consider the promises made by the candidates and the parties. If it sounds too good to be true, it surely is. Sincerely,
John Fraser