STRATHROY-MP Bev Shipley hosted nine town hall meetings this past week across his riding in order to consult with constituents on priorities they would like to see the Government of Canada consider in the 2010 Budget and in the Throne Speech March 3rd and March 4th respectively.

“I wanted to take the time to reach out to the residents in my riding and to hear firsthand what they want to see included in the Throne Speech and this year’s Federal Budget” Shipley said.  “It’s about connecting with the people and town hall meetings are just one of the ways that I do that.”  In fact, Shipley has conducted town hall meetings and stakeholder groups on various issues since first being elected in 2006.

Shipley also felt it was important to provide a brief history of the global recession which originated in the United States and the strides being made though Canada’s Economic Action Plan.  Shipley said that that over the past 18 months “Canada has faced the deepest global recession since WW2. Our government's response was to implement the Economic Action Plan which was a $62 billion shot in the arm to the Canadian economy.” Lambton Kent Middlesex has received $80 million of those dollars for community centres, bridges, and roadwork, water and sewer lines among a number of other projects in partnerships with municipalities and the Government of Ontario.

Shipley told those in attendance that while the Economic Action Plan was necessary to deal with the unprecedented global recession, stimulus spending would have to come to an end.  “During our first three years in government we were able to balance the budget and pay down our debt by $40 billion and that is what we have to get back to.” Shipley added the conservative government’s priorities will be to complete the Economic Action Plan and as the economy continues to recover, to return to balanced budgets and debt reduction.  Most important Shipley noted, "we will not be raising taxes.”

Shipley said he was “pleased” with the turnouts and the input he received.  “My constituents are telling me their priorities are job creation, healthcare, lower taxes and debt reduction; and I agree wit them.”

During the meeting Shipley invited participants to complete a priorities list which he said he has now forwarded to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in preparation for the budget.  “Our government’s budget consultations were far and wide across the country because we believe it is important to speak directly to Canadians about their priorities."