Rota says cabinet shuffle leaves Canada vulnerable

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota
News Release

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NORTH BAY - - Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Cabinet appointments “raise some very serious questions, in terms of how the Conservatives intend to govern this country.”

“Canada is facing significant challenges in this period of international economic turmoil, yet Mr. Harper refuses to accept any responsibility for putting Canada’s economy in such a vulnerable position,” says Mr. Rota.

“Canadians want a Finance Minister who will outline a clear plan to help them protect their savings, their pensions and jobs. Mr. Flaherty's record proves he is not the man that should be managing Canada’s finances in a time of economic crisis,” says Mr. Rota.

“Furthermore, the three ministers responsible for regional development agencies – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Western Economic Diversification – have been reduced to Ministers of State in the midst of an economic crisis, where the regions of the country are most vulnerable,” says Mr. Rota. “What’s worse is that there is no longer a minister responsible for FedNor. Instead the regional development program for Northern Ontario appears to have been downgraded and absorbed into the Industry portfolio.”

Mr. Rota also noted that Mr. Harper has done nothing to demonstrate accountability for his government’s dangerous mismanagement of food safety and cavalier attitude towards the listeria crisis. “Mr. Ritz was busy making jokes while people were dying of listeriosis. By reappointing Mr. Ritz to Agriculture, Mr. Harper is putting his stamp of approval on the handling of the crisis.”

“As the Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, my responsibility is to ensure that the needs of my constituents are being well served by the federal government,” says Mr. Rota. “While I may not agree with many of Mr. Harper’s Cabinet appointments, I remain committed to working with members from all parties, to make certain that the people of Northern Ontario are not overlooked by the Conservatives.”

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