For generations, thousands of coastal Canadian sealers have relied on the seal hunt for income and ultimately, their livelihood. 

 

While Michael Ignatieff claims to support the seal hunt, he is in fact attempting to play both sides of the issue. A senior Liberal, Mac Harb, announced on Tuesday that he intends to reintroduce his bill calling for the banning of the seal hunt.

 

The seal hunt is a sustainable activity based on sound conservation principals. Our Canadian sealers have been a part of the hunt for generations upon generations. To them, sealing is about more than fur; they are trading numerous other products such as seal oil and meat. 

 

Our Canadian seal hunt represents a growing share of what is already a multi-million dollar business. In these challenging economic times, Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are threatening those who depend on the seal hunt for their living.

 

The reintroduction of this bill will undermine the hunt and undercut the livelihood of sealing families.

 

If Michael Ignatieff truly supports Canadian Sealers, he should call on his entire caucus to stand united behind our sealers.

 

While Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals play politics with Canadian families, our Conservative Government is unwavering in its support for the generations of men and women who depend on this sustainable hunt.

Today, Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented our Conservative Government’s Budget plan, which is helping to lead the way on jobs and growth.  

 

As Canadians remain concerned about jobs and the economy, our Government has held hundreds of consultations with Canadian workers and businesses.  As a result, Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on Canada’s economic recovery with action to sustain our country’s economic advantage and chart the way forward to balance our budget.

 

The priorities of Canadians are at the forefront of plan to lead the way on jobs and growth.  As Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan rolls out, it contains important stimulus measures to help create jobs now, including the rapid rollout of infrastructure projects across the country.  It takes additional steps to protect existing jobs and create new ones, and it looks ahead to the future in order to secure Canada’s long-term growth.

 

We are also taking steps to reduce the deficit and to return to balanced budgets in the medium term.  At the same time, we will not balance the budget by cutting transfer payments for health care or education, or by raising taxes on hard-working Canadians.

 

Compare our Conservative Government’s action to protect our economy with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.  Ignatieff has described himself as a “tax-and-spend Liberal”.  Senior members of the Liberal Party suggest we need to raise taxes.  Ignatieff brags that he was the first Liberal to tout a carbon tax.  And if he becomes Prime Minister, Ignatieff says he “will have to raise taxes.”  That’s not the way to strengthen our economy. 

 

Our Conservative Government’s Jobs and Growth plan will help solidify Canada’s economic recovery, and it will sustain Canada’s economic advantage now and for the future.

 

Canada is at a key moment in our history as we emerge from the global recession.  Thanks to Conservative leadership, our Government is taking a key role in ensuring Canada’s economic recovery.