Puffin poop draws big laughs with Liberals

Liberal party faithful gathered on Fisher Street Wednesday as Anthony Rota the Federal incumbent for Nipissing-Timiskaming, hosted the grand opening event for his North Bay campaign office.

On hand to help with the opening was fellow Liberal candidate Bob Rae who took a moment to poke fun at the fallout from the Conservative’s Puffin bird ads as he repeatedly asked what folks thought of Conservative policies that drew the quick decisive crowd response of ‘Puffin Poop’.

“Elections are supposed to be fun … if they’re going to do stupid things of course we’re going to have a little fun with them that is what politics is all about …it can’t be completely serious all the time,” Rae told reporters when asked about his tongue-in-cheek stance on the poor taste ad.

Moving on Rae turned his attention to the failed policies of the Harper government noting at issue is Stephen Harper and his broken promises.

“This is a government that said we were going to have fixed elections and democracy would be different and the Prime Minister would treat people with respect and he wouldn’t try to manipulate things and he’s broken that promise,” Rae tells reporters.

“He broke the promise on Income Trust, he’s broken his promise on health care, he broke the government of Canada’s commitment to Aboriginal People and I think it is the issue. We certainly intend to make it an issue, I think it’s a major issue for Canadians. And it speaks to the kind of government we want to have and it speaks to the kind of country we want to have quite frankly.”

“How seriously can you take a government that turns around and says we need to have an election because there is a political stalemate when Parliament isn’t even sitting, Parliament wasn’t even in session, how seriously can you take that integrity and that sincerity I don’t think very seriously at all,” Rae continued.

Rae said the Liberal platform is very clear with practical proposals that will help make the country prosperous while addressing the ever increasing divide between rich and poor. He said their needs to be clearer innovative ways to address those issues while finding ways to ensure Canada has a sustainable environment and a stronger presence on the international stage.

“How we make sure Canada’s voice in the world is taken more seriously and we have a stronger presence internationally and much greater consistency with our own values that will become clearer as time goes on,” he notes.

“But here we are in the aftermath of the election call and I think that it is important that people pause and reflect for a while and say why does this guy want to call an election now.”

Locally Rota said there are a number of issues at hand but clearly the cuts to FedNor stand out.

“We have to start back with Stephen Harper who doesn’t believe in regional economic development, there’s plenty of documentation on that historically when he was with the Reform, Alliance and now he’s keeping it under wraps,” states Rota.

“It just seems that every time there is an election FedNor comes up and economic regional development, we have to remember that they cut over $6 million from the program. My bill C-499 wants to make it an agency so he has more difficulty cutting it. Some say well you never made it an agency before when the Liberal government was there, FedNor was never in danger when the Liberals where there with the Conservatives it is in danger.”

Turning his attention to the local candidate Rae said Rota has got a tremendous future in whatever he wants to do.

“You know there are people that everybody recognizes, people of substance and integrity. I’ve seen them throughout my political life they’re often not people who are household names in all parts of the country, but they are people who make Parliament work. And they’re people that make the caucus work and I think the fact that Anthony was chosen as the chair of caucus is a good recognition of the respect that we have for Anthony and the work that he’s doing.”

“He’s a terrific Member of Parliament and I think the future is pretty limitless for Anthony.”

When asked about the criticism in media reports that Stephan Dion and the party were not ready for the campaign both Rae and Rota dismissed the talk stating signs went up across the province Sunday and that the party is ready.

“As is always we have a really strong team and we are working hard,” says Rota.

“The team has come together and we are going to fight a very strong and fair campaign keeping everything above board and we’ll take the high road and continue to do so,” he continued.

“I am sure the people of Nipissing-Timiskaming will look at the candidates and decide which one is best for them who best represents the people of Nipissing-Timiskaming I believe I am that person.”

Rota's Opening Speech.