"In recent days there have been a number of stories written about financial pressures within my department. I want to assure all Canadians that priority programs related to all areas of the environment are maintained," the Minister said. "I have instructed my department to provide the financial flexibility required to programs and services in critical areas, such as the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Meteorological Service of Canada so that they are maintained, and that there are no layoffs of indeterminate staff."
Objectively good news, that the government has retreated from their slash and burn approach on this file. However, Baird, in typical Conservative fashion blames the gutting of these programs on the Liberals. Yawn:
"The current financial pressures come from many sources, but a major factor was the $17.1 million cut agreed to by former Environment Minister Stéphane Dion in 2005."
Blaming a 2 1/2 year old budget for your independent decision to re-direct funding away from these programs, how accountable of you Mr. Baird. It's Dion's fault that Baird instructed his department to pull money out of the programs. Huh? It's Dion's fault that the government has a 6 billion dollar surplus in the first quarter, and yet they can't find a few paltry million to maintain vital work. What a pathetic copout, and further proof that no matter what, the Conservative government is incapable of taking responsibility for their own actions, nevermind admit a mistake.
2 comments:
Nice to see them backtrack on this. Lots of fear that these programs, as well as those within Ag Canada, will be cut if they get a majority.
Not surprising at all to see them not be able to take responsibility. The way things are going, I hink that 2011 will be about when they take responsibility for anything.
The Cons seem to have no problem taking credit for the economy they inherited.
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