Question: Local Initiatives
Posted by auroracitizen on April 21, 2011
Candidates spend most of their time talking about national concerns as they relate to our local communities — however, what do you see as the local issues and what should individual candidates be talking about to address the unique issues and opportunities to bring value to Aurora.
Aurora Citizen 
Vanessa said
I think this question was asked at all four of our debates last week and while I answered it honestly with what I feel are the important issues for Newmarket-Aurora it has left me troubled for the following reason:
Isn’t it the job of a federal government to ensure that every municipality receives the funding it needs to provide for its residents?
If we celebrate the total dollar amount, as I’m sure they do in Huntsville, aren’t we encouraging pork barreling? And isn’t that exactly the opposite of what a fair government would do?
Ms. Brown was very proud of the money that *she* has brought to this riding, but if she really did have any influence on funding through programs like IRAP, isn’t that a conflict of interest?
Having said that, you can find partial amounts here: http://www.loisbrown.ca/riding-news/canada-s-economic-action-plan-supports-innovative-research-%26-development-in-newmarket-aurora
and here: http://actionplan.gc.ca/eng/map.asp
You can see my priorities for Newmarket-Aurora here: http://vanessalong.ca/our-riding/
–Vanessa
Anonymous said
“Isn’t it the job of a federal government to ensure that every municipality receives the funding it needs to provide for its residents?”
Uh, with all due respect Vanessa, it is not.
But then, as a credible candidate, should you not already know that?
…
Vanessa said
Dear Anonymous,
Where do you think the money comes from? There is only one taxpayer.
Municipalities raise as much as they can through property taxes, but given the array of services they are expected to provide, including the administration of support services, a large proportion of their funding comes from higher levels of government. Sadly, over the last two decades the flow-through to cities and towns has been reduced, resulting in municipalities that are slowly crumbling.
I believe it is up to all three levels of government to work together to ensure that needed infrastructure and services are provided. That why the Greens have the creation of six municipal infrastructure funds, and a national housing strategy, in our platform – to help municipalities ensure that everyone has the support they need, and a town that works.
–Vanessa
Vanessa said
I should clarify that the point I was trying to make in the last post was that I believe the federal government should not play favourites with this riding or that riding, but ensure that each riding gets what it needs in an unbiased manner.
For instance, it was mentioned that local businesses have received funding through IRAP. This funding should be made available based on the merits of the project and application and not on the influence of the MP. MPs should work together to establish priorities that are then actualized by more neutral parties.
–Vanessa
Anonymous again... said
“Where do you think the money comes from? There is only one taxpayer.”
Exactly.
And this is one taxpayer of the millions like me who is tired of having to shell out more and more of those tax dollars for every group, be they business, social or ethnic organization that would not be able to function on it’s own without some sort of government handout.
It’s time our “leaders” stop treating us like babies and start expecting everyone to get up on their hind legs to fend for themselves.
If you fail, so be it. Dust yourself off and try again. That historical, capitalistic attitude is what made us what we are today. Or at least what we used to be. Don’t expect some bloated government bureaucracy to bail you out. That’s called self determination. And self responsibility. And yes self respect.
I always assumed most of us would of learned how to take care of ourselves once we grew out of short pants. You don’t want to give people that chance or responsibility, apparently.
You are no different than the Liberals, the NDP and the rest of those other left-leaning fringe parties polluting the political landscape. You all expect there to be a group of “rich businesses/taxpayers” who are going to magically pay for your finacial fantasies.
Get over it. People like you are destroying this country. The days of self-sufficency will be soon coming to an end due your self-actualizing “priorities”. All the while driving us deeper and deeper into irreversable debt held by foreign countries.
Then we will all pay.
Start learning Mandarin folks, thanks to the likes of Layton, Iggy and yes Mr. Obama south of the border, they’ll soon own all of the west anyway.
Vanessa said
Dear Anonymous Again,
Historic capitalism is not at all what we have, our neoliberal/neoconservative fantasy of unrestrained greed and ‘free’ trade has resulted in the greatest wealth disparity in modern history and the suffering of the vast majority of the world’s population to ensure that the richest increase their wealth at exponential rates.
I don’t understand why this mentality is okay with humans suffering but has no problem at all with billions of dollars in subsidies being given to industry to help prop them up because they can’t function without some sort of government handout.
I guess that’s why it’s good that we have a variety of political parties to vote for in Canada.
–Vanessa
Anonymous again and again... said
Vanessa…
Perhaps you can expand on “…our neoliberal/neoconservative fantasy of unrestrained greed and ‘free’ trade has resulted in the greatest wealth disparity in modern history and the suffering of the vast majority of the world’s population to ensure that the richest increase their wealth at exponential rates…”
And I’d most certainly be interested if you and your party have any workable alternatives. Other of course than the pixie dust and unicorn strategies listed on your website.
And while you are at it, please provide concrete examples of “…all with billions of dollars in subsidies being given to industry to help prop them up…”
Please explain what your party would have done in those cases, assuming you had the opportunity in the real world.
Oh, and one mopre thing, what exactly do you mean by “…equitable distribution of resources…” as stated on your personal website.
Curious said
A Federal election provides an opportunity to often inexperienced people who MUST rely on the national party’s platform. Seldom does any party produce an original idea or policy; they simply regurgitate yesterday’s promises.
There are often very few specific things that appear to be done in small towns as a direct result of federal programs, unless you happen to be a Huntsville and site of an international meeting.
Can anyone list the number of federal projects that have come to our riding and their total dollar value since the last election? This would make interesting reading.
I don’t think it reflects well on most incumbents.