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Harper eyes more power for cities
By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
POSTED AT 1:34 PM EST         Monday, Mar. 15, 2004
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Conservative candidate Stephen Harper released a plan for municipalities Monday that includes allowing cities to take responsibility for their own infrastructure — something he says will address the “fiscal imbalance†in Canada's cities.
In the paper, the latest in his series of policy documents released by the race's front-runner leading up to Saturday's vote, Mr. Harper says that the Liberals have mismanaged funding for cities, which have grown too large to handle their costs.
“Municipalities are constitutionally creatures of the provincial government, yet Canada's largest municipalities are growing larger than some of our provinces,†Mr. Harper states in the paper.
He proposes that the federal government allow municipalities to have responsibility for certain items such as their infrastructure.
“The reality is that the federal government does not focus enough attention on its core responsibilities. It is spending too much time on issues better left to the provinces and the municipalities. Infrastructure is an excellent example. Decisions about matters of municipal and provincial responsibility are routinely being made by the federal government. It needs to minimize its involvement in local projects such as waste treatment facilities, hockey arenas, etc. These decisions rightly belong to municipalities,†Mr. Harper said.
Ottawa should concentrate on overseeing things like national defence, foreign affairs, monetary policy, international commerce and health care, he said.
He promised to enter into an agreement with the provinces to divert between 3 and 5 cents per litre of gasoline taxes.
“As the economy grows, this will be an expanding source of revenue for the provinces and municipalities.â€
He also promised to end the federal infrastructure program as it now exists, saying it is mired in bureaucracy and doesn't help municipalities.
He said often the processes for cities to get funding under this program are too long and arduous.
The Conservative candidate also promised to move rural issues to the fore if he is elected Conservative leader on Saturday—especially on the BSE [bovine spongiform encephalopathy] and softwood lumber disputes.
“We will work co-operatively with our American counterparts where necessary, but also aggressively defend Canadian interests where required.â€
And he said that he wants to improve the situation of the homeless not through social housing but by providing income supports. He also support initiatives that address mental health and addiction issues for homeless people.
Last week, he released another policy statement on the justice system, promising to increase victims' rights, get rid of the firearms registry and banning all forms of child pornography.
The vote for the leadership takes place in less than a week, and Mr. Harper is seen having a strong handle on the lead.
The latest poll results, released on the weekend, showed Mr. Harper with a strong lead in the race, commanding 59 per cent support.
Belinda Stronach, a former Magna International chief executive officer, had 32 per cent, while former Ontario health minister Tony Clement came in far behind with 9 per cent.
On Monday, Mr. Clement said he's discounting polls that have consistently shown him in third place.
Speaking on an open-line radio show in Hamilton, Mr. Clement said the polls are all over the map and aren't very accurate in their methodology. He said he isn't spending time worrying about them.
The Conservative vote takes place Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Results are expected between 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST.
With a report from Canadian Press
© 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
POSTED AT 1:34 PM EST         Monday, Mar. 15, 2004
Advertisement
Conservative candidate Stephen Harper released a plan for municipalities Monday that includes allowing cities to take responsibility for their own infrastructure — something he says will address the “fiscal imbalance†in Canada's cities.
In the paper, the latest in his series of policy documents released by the race's front-runner leading up to Saturday's vote, Mr. Harper says that the Liberals have mismanaged funding for cities, which have grown too large to handle their costs.
“Municipalities are constitutionally creatures of the provincial government, yet Canada's largest municipalities are growing larger than some of our provinces,†Mr. Harper states in the paper.
He proposes that the federal government allow municipalities to have responsibility for certain items such as their infrastructure.
“The reality is that the federal government does not focus enough attention on its core responsibilities. It is spending too much time on issues better left to the provinces and the municipalities. Infrastructure is an excellent example. Decisions about matters of municipal and provincial responsibility are routinely being made by the federal government. It needs to minimize its involvement in local projects such as waste treatment facilities, hockey arenas, etc. These decisions rightly belong to municipalities,†Mr. Harper said.
Ottawa should concentrate on overseeing things like national defence, foreign affairs, monetary policy, international commerce and health care, he said.
He promised to enter into an agreement with the provinces to divert between 3 and 5 cents per litre of gasoline taxes.
“As the economy grows, this will be an expanding source of revenue for the provinces and municipalities.â€
He also promised to end the federal infrastructure program as it now exists, saying it is mired in bureaucracy and doesn't help municipalities.
He said often the processes for cities to get funding under this program are too long and arduous.
The Conservative candidate also promised to move rural issues to the fore if he is elected Conservative leader on Saturday—especially on the BSE [bovine spongiform encephalopathy] and softwood lumber disputes.
“We will work co-operatively with our American counterparts where necessary, but also aggressively defend Canadian interests where required.â€
And he said that he wants to improve the situation of the homeless not through social housing but by providing income supports. He also support initiatives that address mental health and addiction issues for homeless people.
Last week, he released another policy statement on the justice system, promising to increase victims' rights, get rid of the firearms registry and banning all forms of child pornography.
The vote for the leadership takes place in less than a week, and Mr. Harper is seen having a strong handle on the lead.
The latest poll results, released on the weekend, showed Mr. Harper with a strong lead in the race, commanding 59 per cent support.
Belinda Stronach, a former Magna International chief executive officer, had 32 per cent, while former Ontario health minister Tony Clement came in far behind with 9 per cent.
On Monday, Mr. Clement said he's discounting polls that have consistently shown him in third place.
Speaking on an open-line radio show in Hamilton, Mr. Clement said the polls are all over the map and aren't very accurate in their methodology. He said he isn't spending time worrying about them.
The Conservative vote takes place Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Results are expected between 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST.
With a report from Canadian Press
© 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.