Big spending Conservatives
Prentice was among 62 Conservative MPs who have put their names on more than 130 news releases in which they announced, re-announced or otherwise took credit for nearly $3 billion in spending announcements that have gushed forth since MPs broke for summer recess 24 days ago.
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An analysis by Canwest News Service shows the bulk of these spending announcements have been made in regions and ridings where the Conservatives need to win new seats to gain a majority. But in those areas of the country that are already bedrocks of Conservative support, such as Alberta or Saskatchewan, the money is barely trickling in.There's more there in the report to peruse, including all the "sponsorship" money for festivals and other programs funded by Heritage Canada. ("The Conservatives have tightened up accountability rules and eligibility criteria, but they're playing the sponsorship game just as governments before them did.")
Yes, all governments do it. But the levels at play here are astronomic, particularly when you consider the minority position the Conservatives are in.
And a note that occurs to me, having read this news report in which Mike Wallace, the Ontario MP for Burlington is cited, sticking his nose in the trough neck deep...would the good folks in Burlington please rid us of this reactionary right wing partisan who just doesn't jibe with Ontario sensibilities, please?
