Brison Report - Friday, September 19, 2008

"Yet the reality is this: Mr. Harper’s diesel tax cut would be a mere drop in the bucket, especially in light of price surges like this weekend’s.

 

The cost of diesel has gone up 35 per cent over the past six months, and the Tory pledge represents less than a two per cent savings on fuel for an average trucking firm. But it’s a measure that would cost the federal treasury $600 million a year.

 

Under Mr. Dion’s new Green Shift – revised in early September at the behest of nervous Atlantic Canadian MPs – $1 billion would be invested in helping farmers, foresters, fishermen and truckers make the transition to more environmentally friendly technology.

 

Now, which sounds like the smarter use of taxpayers’ money to you?

 

A tax cut that will be out of sight and out of mind tomorrow and that will have little, if any, trickle-down effect on the consumer?

 

Or an investment that will ultimately help energy-intensive industries cut down on their diesel-guzzling?

 

Mr. Harper’s election gimmick may sound better to the untrained ear, but Mr. Dion is the one with the sounder policy here."

Read the entire editorial by clicking HERE.

CBC Interview

Scott recently did an interview with the CBC on telecommunication issues which you can read HERE.

He said:

"The wireless spectrum auction, which resulted in a $4.3 billion windfall for the government — $2.8 billion more than what was initially predicted — at least $2 billion of that ... ought to be invested in national broadband and high-speed internet infrastructure to help connect the 20 per cent of Canadians who live in rural and small-town Canada.

 

Since I made that statement a few weeks ago, our office has received calls from across the country offering support. It's very difficult to build a knowledge-based business in a community without high-speed internet. Rural and small-town Canada already face a number of challenges. This is one the government could help to deal with and address."

and....

"Informed, educated and demanding consumers are important to the Canadian economy. The government ought to be providing better information more quickly to Canadian consumers. Ultimately, consumers demanding better value for their dollars can help strengthen Canadian companies. Competition is ultimately good for business."