West Nova MP optimistic about 2018
Colin Fraser says 2018 will be a good year for riding
While he readily admits his riding of West Nova has ongoing challenges, MP Colin Fraser says 2017 delivered some important successes, and he expects 2018 to offer even more.
“It’s always good to think over the past year and see what went well and what could be improved upon,” Fraser says. “But overall, it was a great year, and we have a lot of important successes that can be built on going forward.”
PAST SUCCESSES
The successes that Fraser noted for 2017 include:
1. Continued economic success in West Nova in the lobster and seafood industry in particular. Fraser points specifically to the economic trade agreement with Europe that came on board in September and that will have a huge impact for western Nova Scotia because it lifts an eight per cent tariff off lobster exports, offering improved access to a consumer base of 500 million people in Europe. “Opening and expanding new world markets is really important to our resource economy in western Nova Scotia,” he says. “So that’s really a great success story and the demand for our seafood exports, but also the price being at a very decent level will mean we can continue having a decent economy around here. There has also been some good work done exploring China and making those connections.”
2. Fraser says the Canada Child Benefit is now delivering money to families who need it most and that the program has had a big impact in western Nova Scotia, particularly given the high numbers in child poverty. He says last year the government helped more than 13,000 kids by delivering an average of $4.63 million a month directly into the pockets of families in his riding of West Nova. Fraser says the CCB is also having an impact on local economies because families are able to spend more on items like clothing or sports activities, and because children have improved access to better nutrition. “The CCB is lifting children out of poverty and that’s very important to our communities.”
3. Fraser is proud of the continued investments to seniors through the New Horizons For Seniors Program that delivered funding to 22 organizations of up to $25,000 each. “Whether it’s a quilting group that needs a new sewing machine or the local legion receiving funds to complete improvements on their building, these are important community service hubs that help engage local seniors to get out and stay active.”
4. Fraser says the Canada 150th celebrations were also significant since they helped engage people across the riding, the province and the country. He says local activities helped unite different groups, including local Indigenous populations, Acadians and young people, who came together to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. And the events held in Grand Pré and Annapolis Royal drew national attention to the region’s importance in the foundation of the country.
5. Fraser says another highlight of 2017 was the government’s investments in Université Sainte-Anne, with almost $1 million delivered in funding towards improvements to recreation facilities and the library that will help the university attract new students and offer improved services to the entire community.
Overall, Fraser said 2017 was successful for his riding. “Those are some of the highlights for 2017, but there have been a number of infrastructure investments in our community.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking ahead in 2018, Fraser notes there are ongoing challenges facing small communities right across Atlantic Canada and even across the country – with an aging population, the strain that population puts on health care and population bases that aren’t growing.
However, Fraser points to some government programs and op- portunities being developed or expanded:
1. The Atlantic Growth Strategy is now in place, with the federal government working in partnership with the Atlantic provinces to come up with “whole of government approaches” to help address the issues around a declining population base. Fraser says one of the focuses of the strategy is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program designed to help employers and communities meet skilled labour needs, build stronger communities and help newcomers establish lives in rural Nova Scotia.
2. Fraser says West Nova is also well positioned to benefit from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, also under the umbrella of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, that will offer funding opportunities to applicants in the areas of innovation, value-added products and improved access to export markets.
3. One area that has special significance to Fraser is his continued push to develop and improve small craft harbours. “Our fishery is a vital part of our local economy and we need to have good small craft harbours where our boats can tie up and have a safe harbour that allows them to do their job and continue to sustain our economy,” he says, believing there will be developments in this area in 2018.
4. The federal Connect to Innovate fund is offering $500 million in funding to help improve internet services for all regions. Fraser knows there are several applications from West Nova for that fund and he’s looking forward to his riding getting its share. “This is the first part of this program and I’m advocating for continued investments in this area,” he says. “If we want to sustain our rural economies and quality of life, then access to highspeed internet is a necessity.”
5. Fraser continues to work closely with Clare-Digby MLA Gordon Wilson on the JordantownAcaciaville-Conway Betterment Association community centre project. “We’ve been working really hard on that project together and I think we’ll have some good news in 2018,” he says.
6. Fraser is looking forward to helping celebrate the Municipality of Clare’s 250th anniversary as a settlement. He says Clare has applied to Canadian Heritage for funding for the 250th celebrations and he remains optimistic that the funding will be granted.
7. The Dec. 12 passing of Bill C-23, the Preclearance Act, allows the federal government to explore preliminary discussions with the U.S. and stakeholders about possible U.S. preclearance sites at inland border points within Canada. While no official discussions have taken place, Fraser says there have been a few casual discussions about the possibilities for a preclearance site in Yarmouth for the Portland Ferry crossing, and he is cautiously optimistic that somewhere down the road a preclearance site may be established in Yarmouth. “I would definitely like to see that happen.” However, Fraser says major investments at the Yarmouth ferry terminal would be required to make this a reality.
8. Fraser says that while health care is a provincial mandate, he will continue to be supportive of the work his provincial colleagues are doing to improve access to health care in the riding. “We have had $300 million in additional funding contributed to Nova Scotia for health care and home care,” Fraser says. “We need to continue to work to ensure that we have improved access to health-care providers and to also maintain the staff we already have in our smaller communities. Health care remains a big issue for our area – and I can say that some good work has been done, but there is much more work to do.”
Overall, Fraser is optimistic that 2018 will be a positive one for West Nova.
“It’s going to be a great year,” he says.