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The NDP Have Some Explaining To Do |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Tuesday, 21 March 2006 |
Liberal Economic Development Critic Manning MacDonald is mystified by the questions and comments made by the NDP's David Wilson during and after the legislature's Public Accounts Committee meeting yesterday.
"It's obvious to me the NDP soft-balled their questions to government bureaucrats concerning a forgiveable loan to Magic Valley Fun Park in Pictou County," said MacDonald.
Wilson told reporters after the meeting that the government should fund any small business that relies on tourism in rural Nova Scotia. He also said government should set up another agency to hand out grants to small business.
"It concerns me that the NDP would fund any business, regardless of their viability or their financial history in repaying government loans, just because they are in rural Nova Scotia. This is yet another attempt by the NDP to prop up the government and buy rural votes," added MacDonald.
MacDonald says the NDP seems to be confused about their position on this issue. Today in the New Glasgow Evening News, NDP leader Darrell Dexter said he is concerned about how the money got into the hands of Magic Valley without going through the usual channels of the NSBI (Nova Scotia Business Inc.), that it came from "what appears to be a slush fund," said Dexter.
"What is the NDP's real position?" asked MacDonald. "The Liberal Caucus believes that every business, regardless of their location, should only receive a loan from government if they have a viable business plan that the entire deal is a good use of Nova Scotia tax dollars."
"We are in full support of economic development in rural parts of the province. What we are not in support of are grants and political gifts to friends of government," said MacDonald. "I wonder how many reliable and financially responsible companies in rural Nova Scotia have been turned down for a government loan.
"The NDP are not providing a real opposition. Nova Scotians deserve better; Nova Scotians deserve the truth, and not sugar-coated responses to controversial issues." |
