Monday, March 7, 2005

OTTAWA – On the day the U.S. border failed to re-open to Canadian live cattle as scheduled, Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River and Official Opposition House Leader, attacked the federal liberal government for ignoring the urgent needs of area residents.

During the following statement in the House of Commons today, Hill vented his frustration at the Paul Martin Liberals with a partial list of how they have failed to address ongoing crises and critical issues in Prince George-Peace River:

“Mr. Speaker, as the Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River for over eleven years, I have experienced many frustrating days. But none more so than today.

I find it impossible to begin to express the frustration, disappointment and anguish of the livestock producers in my riding. That the U.S. border remains closed to live cattle is a national tragedy and irrefutable evidence of the abject failure of this Liberal government!

Further evidence is what is not in its budget. There is no mention of the crisis devastating our agricultural industry. There is no mention of assistance to address the mountain pine beetle epidemic ravaging BC’s forests. And there is no mention of when Mackenzie residents can expect an end to the discriminatory tax policy created by the removal of their Northern Residents Tax Deduction.

Mr. Speaker, I call upon this government to do what is right, to do what is fair, and to act now on these priorities … rather than to continue their present policy of study, delay and dithering!”

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For more information, please contact:
Jay Hill, M.P. (613) 947-4524 or (250) 787-119