Ottawa - With just a few weeks left before Parliament rises for the summer, obstructionist tactics being used by Stéphane Dion and the Liberals could result in the loss of billions of dollars in funding for important programs and tax cuts for families and seniors according to Bev Shipley M.P. Lambton Kent Middlesex.

Shipley says that if Bill C-52, the Budget Implementation Act, is not passed by the unelected Liberal Senate by June 30th, more than $4 billion in 2006-07 year-end tax relief and program funding will be lost including but not just the following:

• Lower taxes for families through the new $2,000 Child Tax Credit;

• Tax relief through an increase to the capital gains exemption;

• Improved financial security for seniors through an increase in the age limit for contributing to Registered Pension Plans and RRSPs from 69 to 71;

• $1.5 billion in clean air funding to assist provinces with projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution;

• $225 million in new funding for the Nature Conservancy of Canada to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive lands across the country;

• More than $1 billion in health care funding to help provinces reduce patient waiting times and improve the delivery of health services;

• $614 million in funding for federal/provincial infrastructure projects and labour market training;

• $30 million in funding for the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Network to improve the lives of the more than 40,000 Canadians with permanent spinal cord injuries; and

“Stéphane Dion should show some leadership by directing his Liberal MPs and his unaccountable Liberal Senators to put the interests of Canadians ahead of partisan politics and ensure passage of Bill C-52 by June 30, 2007,” said Shipley from his Ottawa office.

-30-

For more information please contact Bev Shipley, M.P., 613-947-4582