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Nova Scotia PC finance critic Scott Brison recently called on the federal Liberals to eliminate the $447-million Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, which gives government grants to Atlantic Canadian businesses.

By eliminating ACOA, Brison feels that the federal government could use the savings to give Atlantic Canadian companies corporate tax reductions. Brison would rather "leave that capital with these productive Atlantic Canadian entities, who know how to invest it and know how to grow their businesses and employ Atlantic Canadians."

As well, Brison even predicted that corporate tax reductions over a decade would attract international businesses and reduce Atlantic Canada's reliance on transfer payments.

This is a very risky strategy from an Atlantic Canadian politician who is considering a run for the PC federal leadership.
The PCs have done well in this region the last three federal elections by nominating candidates who want to preserve the status quo of government grants and welfare payments for Atlantic Canada.

At the same time, it is also a very commendable strategy because it proves that some Atlantic Canadians want to succeed by using their own business savvy and creativity and not purely rely on transfer payments.

Brison may not be the most well-known of the potential PC leadership candidates. But his call for fiscal independence and corporate tax reductions is exactly what Atlantic Canada needs.