Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 22, 2015
Kathleen Wynne issues infrastructure ‘challenge’ to federal leaders
Premier Kathleen Wynne wants all levels of government to invest about $100 billion a year to close Canada’s infrastructure gap.
With a federal election later this year, Wynne was in Ottawa on Tuesday to urge voters to opt for the party that will invest the money needed to build up the country.
“This isn’t about politics or who gets credit,” the premier told a Canada 2020 luncheon audience.
“I would be happy to put up as many ‘Economic Action Plan’ signs as it takes to help advance the economic strength of this province,” she said, referring to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s familiar blue billboards that spring up wherever Ottawa is spending money on a new project.
“As we enter an election year, I issue a challenge to all the federal parties and their leaders.”
Wynne urged Harper, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May to “tell Canadians how you will help to build a stronger economic union across our country.”
“Tell us what you will do to help Canada catch up and ultimately take the lead when it comes to the kind of infrastructure that is essential for our economic competitiveness,” she said.
While Wynne often campaigns with Trudeau, she emphasized she is burying the hatchet with the Harper after more than a year of frosty relations with the Conservative prime minister.
“Two weeks ago, I had a positive and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Harper. We discussed a range of pressing issues, including the progress that is being made under existing infrastructure agreements,” she said. (Source: Toronto Star)