Fedeli will wait and see on Throne Speech promises

Mayor Vic Fedeli will "wait and see" what happens with promises made by Prime Minister Paul Martin in Monday's Throne Speech.

The speech, read in the House of Commons by Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson, contains Martin's promise to work with the provinces to share a portion of gas-tax revenues with Canadian cities.

He also promised cities a full rebate on the GST they pay for goods and services.

Government officials estimate the GST portion will amount to $7 billion nationwide.

Promised before
Fedeli said the move would mean an extra $750,000 a year for North Bay's coffers.

But he reacted cautiously to the news.

"I'm just going to wait and see," Fedeli said.

"This has been promised before, and I'm not going to count on it for this budget year, but let's hope those promises come through in time for the budget next year."

Nipissing MP Bob Wood said the GST and gas tax promises would be "welcomed" in the community.

Necessary equipment and personnel
Wood said he was also “encouraged” by another portion of the Throne Speech which ensures the Canadian Forces will get necessary equipment and personnel, including immediate investment in capital equipment such as new armoured vehicles and replacements for the Sea King helicopters.

“I’m particularly happy with that kind of endorsement because Mr. Martin has maintained for some time that the Canadian Forces have been underfunded,” Wood said.

The commitment from Martin “to ensure high-quality, publicly funded health care for every Canadian” is another area of the speech Wood called “worthwhile.”

“It’s a commitment that every Canadian will have timely access to quality care regardless of income and geography, and access when they need it.”

Research and expertise
The speech also gives hope to small business entrepreneurs, Wood said, with the announcement that the government intends to build on the experience of the National Research Council "to help small firms bridge the commercialization gap by providing the research and expertise that small business cannot develop on its own.”

“That,” Wood said, “should be welcomed in the Nipissing riding as well.”