BY BRENT FOX
The Advertiser
NovaNewsNow.com


He will work to address development, environmental issues and those of the rural economy and the working poor.

Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison looks forward to his new task with the Liberal Party as election platform development co-chair with former leadership rival Bob Rae.

Brison was unsuccessful in his bid for the federal Liberal leadership earlier this month, and it looked to some that his views -- grounded on economic development -- might be a difficult sell with new leader Stephane Dion.

However, Dion has reached out and put the other leadership contenders – including Brison – to work as a "Dream Team" for the next election, expected in the spring.

Second-place contender Michael Ignatieff is now the deputy Liberal leader.

Pleased with the task given him, Brison told The Advertiser at lunch Dec. 19 that he’s particularly interested in the areas of rural and small-town development, Atlantic Canada, bringing the environment and the economy together, and in the area of the working poor.

Brison said, "it’s good for Kings and Hants counties to have someone at the table shaping policy. As well, it’s good to have someone from rural Canada to help prepare the country for the challenges ahead."

Brison was the only Atlantic Canadian in the eight-person leadership race, and one of only two not from urban central Canada.



Can’t survive on minimum wages

Of the matters he wishes to emphasize, Brison said, “my concern around the issue of the working poor is it used to be that when somebody had a job, things were all right. This is no longer true. Working people can’t survive on minimum wages.

“There’s something wrong with that, he said. Programs such as an income tax benefit are needed to help people stay off the assistance roles and in the workplace."

As for environmental issues, Brison noted there would be a huge challenge for Canadians this century because of the growing demand for energy, including in China, India and Brazil. At the same time, Canada is losing ground to the Scandinavians in the environmental economics.

He wants Canada to develop environmentally clean technology to help meet world energy and environmental sustainability needs. This is good for our economy.

“I see everything from the economic side, he said, and that helps. There’s money to be made in the new environmental technology."

He also sees tax breaks for those who purchase more environmentally friendly vehicles; make their homes more environmentally friendly; and for companies using environmentally friendly equipment. “I’m excited about creating economic opportunities through environmental responsibility," the MP said.

Being tapped for the election platform co-chair came as somewhat of a surprise for Brison, though he had spoken with Dion generally on duties to be done.

The Liberal election platform can be expected to cover a lot of political ground. Rae is a former NDP MP and Ontario premier. Brison is a former federal Progressive Conservative and was a leadership contender in that entity before its merger to form the new Conservatives.