Ottawa, ON – Richard Bragdon, Conservative Shadow Minister for Atlantic Economic Development, released the following statement outlining Conservatives’ Big Plan for Small Towns:
“From the fishing wharves of the Atlantic to Prairie farms and lumber towns from New Brunswick to BC, rural and remote communities have long been the backbone of this country.
“Unfortunately, after more than a decade of Ottawa-knows-best Liberal mismanagement, too many Canadians from places like these feel patronized, ignored and forgotten. Meanwhile, crime, high costs, taxes and needless red tape change so many main streets for the worse.
“That’s why Conservatives want to move forward to fight rural alienation and give these communities their rightful place at the table.
“Today, I am proud to unveil Conservatives’ Big Plan for Small Towns, an eight-point plan that will fight for:
- Farms – Halt the Liberals’ reckless AAFC closures and create a provisional approval process so products cleared by competent foreign regulators are available to our farmers within 90 days.
- Forestry – Streamline federal and provincial regulations to avoid duplication and demand the elimination of the tariff on softwood lumber exports to the United States.
- Fish – Bring in a public registry of quota and license holders and double the permanent funding for small craft harbours.
- Fuel – Cancel the planned Labour Day tax hike and remove all federal taxes on gas until at least Canada Day 2027.
- Finance – Defer all capital gains taxes on money reinvested in Canada, spurring the growth our businesses need to succeed.
- Frequencies – Treat broadband connectivity as essential infrastructure and deliver it on an accelerated timeline, fast-tracking approvals and getting Universal Broadband Fund dollars flowing to shovel-ready projects.
- Firearms – Protect hunters and sport shooters by cancelling the Liberals’ costly gun grab, while fighting for better border security to actually stop illegal weapons.
- Faith – Take steps to prevent attacks on places of worship, ensuring these crimes carry serious consequences.
“These are real solutions to the real issues faced by rural and remote communities, and we are proud to bring them forward today.
“Conservatives will always fight for a country where all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, can have a seat at the table, where their concerns are heard and they can live out their values of faith, family and freedom wherever they are.”