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Local MPs left out of funding announcements

Recently, the Harper government announced significant funding for improvements to the graving dock in Esquimalt. The announcement was made by John Duncan, the Conservative member for Vancouver Island North, some distance from Esquimalt.

Recently, the Harper government announced significant funding for improvements to the graving dock in Esquimalt. The announcement was made by John Duncan, the Conservative member for Vancouver Island North, some distance from Esquimalt. There was no mention of Randall Garrison, the NDP member for the riding receiving the funding.

More recently, further spending was announced (“Coastal treasures getting upgrades,” Times Colonist, July 16). Once again, the funding was announced by Duncan, who represents none of the ridings that received funding. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who represents Saanich-Gulf Islands, where funding was allotted to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, is not mentioned. Randall Garrison, NDP member for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, where funding was announced for the West Coast Trail, Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill, is not mentioned. James Lunney, independent member for Nanaimo-Alberni, where funding will benefit Pacific Rim National Park Reserve as well as the highway from Port Alberni to Tofino and Ucluelet, is not mentioned.

Were these members invited to be present for the funding announcements on behalf of their constituents? Were they consulted about the funding? Did they have nothing to say at all about these announcements, or were they, in the eyes of the Harper government, simply not worth being included?

Bruce Whittington

Ladysmith