Budget lacks details for Atlantic Canada: May

OTTAWA – Green Party leader Elizabeth May today said the 2008 budget appears bereft of measures to address the concerns of Atlantic Canadians and still leaves many questions unanswered.

“Yesterday’s budget fails to even mention the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA),” said Ms. May. “Atlantic Canadians are left wondering whether this year’s ACOA funding will be slashed once again. This budget was obviously very minimalist, but surely our region deserves more information. When will we have complete details on what these numbers will mean for Atlantic Canada?”

Ms. May said she is still waiting for substantial details on the government’s replacement deal for the Atlantic Accord. In last year’s budget, Prime Minister Harper betrayed the region by altering the Atlantic Accord agreements.

Ms. May also cited the budget’s failure to respond to questions of Coast Guard funding for Aurora surveillance aircraft. Although money was promised for a new icebreaker, there was no mention of the Auroras. She added that the budget is not, by any means, “green” and provides no funding for Nova Scotia to further develop the renewable energy sector – wind, solar and tidal power.

“It is impossible to know when complete details of the budget will be available, including funding for ACOA and the Atlantic Accord replacement, but we will continue to monitor the situation on behalf of Atlantic Canadians and will be ready to act.”