EAST HANTS: The two local MPs serving East Hants and Musquodoboit Valley have very different outlooks on the Conservative budget, presented by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty March 4, in Ottawa.

For recently-elected Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley (CCMV) Conservative MP Scott Armstrong, his first federal budget announcement was one he is more than pleased with. However, Kings-Hants Liberal MP Scott Brison feels the two months Prime Minister Stephen Harper prorogued parliament for could have been better used.

The much-anticipated budget is a document Armstrong describes as something crucial for his riding of CCMV.

“There are a lot of good things in this budget. Things that are very meaningful to our riding,” Armstrong said. “I feel good about some of the spending and programs.”

Brison however, doesn’t share the optimism Armstrong expresses in regards to the budget.

“It’s very disappointing that (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper needed to shut down parliament in order to have the time to develop some new ideas,” Brison told The Weekly Press. “There were no new ideas in this budget. We have, in this budget, the Conservatives projecting that unemployment will actually increase with this budget. It’s not a plan, it’s planned to fail.”

Armstrong says he is most excited about programs for relieving the tax burden on his residents and changes to the income tax structure, including $3.2 billion in personal income tax relief. He is also impressed with monies being invested into youth programming.

“As an educator I feel good about these programs,” Armstrong said of funding being directed into programs for teenagers and youth of lower income homes to attend post secondary education and enter into trades.

The budget includes $1.9 billion to enhance the availability of training, to enhance employment insurance training programs, a strategic training and strategic fund and $55 million for youth employment.

But, with a projected deficit of $53.8 billion, Armstrong says a long-term plan to pay down the deficit is the responsible thing to do and says the cuts will begin with him and fellow MPs.

“We looked within the government, all of the MPs’ salaries have been frozen,” he said.

Armstrong added he expects more internal cuts and budget tightening to happen in the future.

Brison said at best what the government and the country appear to be facing is a jobless recovery, which in his opinion isn’t good enough.

“Youth unemployment in Canada is very high. Almost one in five young Canadians are unemployed,” Brison said emphatically. “That’s not good enough and there’s nothing in this budget to create jobs of today or the jobs of tomorrow.

“Other countries, other governments are investing in technology, investing in science, investing in more green economies to be ahead in the global green economy. The Harper government is sitting back playing politics and doing nothing to strengthen and modernize the Canadian economy. That’s very unfortunate.”

In his reaction to the throne speech, Armstrong says paying down the deficit is a major key to rebuilding the Canadian economy.

“Just as paying down the debt before the global recession gave Canada the flexibility to implement a swift and effective stimulus plan, returning to balanced budgets will help Canada emerge stronger than ever,” said Armstrong. “When we get things done, Canada will emerge stronger than ever, a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to start a business, create jobs and grow the economy.”

With the stimulus plan going into its second year, Armstrong hopes more projects receive the support needed to stimulate growth and development within Canada.

“Over the past year Canada has confronted a global economic recession, but Canada has fared better than almost any industrialized nation, a testament to the resiliency of Canadians, the prudent regulation of our financial sector, and above all, to the unparalleled effectiveness of Canada's economic action plan. Funds have been committed to almost 16,000 stimulus projects across Canada of which 12,000 have already begun or have been completed, creating employment and building essential infrastructure for the future, like the civic centre being built in my own riding,” he said. “As excited as we get about big infrastructure projects, we also cannot forget the other parts of the economic action plan. Tax cuts let Canadians keep and spend their own money. Tax credits like the home renovation tax credit spurred economic activity. Enhanced employment insurance benefits provide direct support to Canadians who have paid into the system year after year and now face hard times.

“The first year of the economic action plan has seen the beginning of our economic recovery, but still far too many Canadians remain unemployed. Now, when the plan is bearing fruit, it is time to stay on course. It is time to implement the second and final phase of the plan to safeguard our recovery and to maintain our focus on jobs and growth. However, it is also time, as we finish implementing the economic action plan, to prepare for tomorrow's challenges and also tomorrow's opportunities. We must plan to balance the budget in order to sustain Canada's long-term economic prosperity.”

He also believes the Speech from the Throne and the budget has highlighted that 2010 is Canada’s year, something he is excited to be a part of.

“This is a year of opportunity if we act and seize the moment. The Vancouver-Whistler Olympics showcased Canada to the world. We are hosting the summits of North American leaders, the G8 and the G20. Her Majesty, the Queen of Canada, will be in our nation's capital on Canada Day,” he said. “This throne speech invites all Canadians from coast to coast to coast to embrace our future. As Robert Stanfield said so memorably in 1974, we must be stable but not static. This is our government's vision, and the foundation of this vision was laid by the Fathers of Confederation. Our nation, like Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, is stable and far from static. We are proud of our past and we are embracing our future. Passing the Speech from the Throne and the important legislation that will come from it is essential for Canada to seize the great opportunities of this year, Canada's year.”

acameron@enfieldweeklypress.com

phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com