OTTAWA – Thunder Bay – Rainy River Member of Parliament John Rafferty rose in Question Period to request federal assistance with the rebuilding of public infrastructure following a devastating flood event in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas of Conmee, Oliver Paipoonge, and the Fort William First Nation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2012.
Kingston, ON. – Please find a statement from John Rafferty, MP (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) below concerning the flooding in and around Thunder Bay, Ontario.
New Democrats have never been shy about taking on difficult issues. It would often be easier to deny that there was a problem and just carry on as is it didn’t exist, but we don’t. Thus, given recent economic developments in our riding, region, and country though I think it’s time we talked about what is known in economic circles as the ‘Dutch Disease’ and how it is affecting our standard of living.
In addition to working hard to bring some transparency and accountability to the Harper Government over their massive 400-plus page budget bill that is being rammed quickly through parliament I also spent time working on several issues related to First Nations communities in Canada this past week.
OTTAWA – Thunder Bay – Rainy River Member of Parliament John Rafferty rose in Question Period to blast the Harper Conservatives for de-funding the Biwaase’aa after school program in Thunder Bay while wasting billions of tax dollars on other 'misguided' projects and events.
“By all measurements it is a program that should be replicated, not cut,” Rafferty said before putting the question to the government. “They [Conservatives] can waste billions on limos, gazebos, jails, and jets so why are they cutting valuable programs like Biwaase’aa?”