The Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce looks back with satisfaction at what the Harper government was able to accomplish in the Parliamentary sitting that has just ended.
Ben Lobb is back in the riding after the Commons rose on Friday for MPs’ three-month summer break.
Lobb says guiding the country from a minority position was challenging and points to the federal budget as an answer to tough economic times.
Lobb says around 80 per-cent of the so-called “Economic Action Plan” is already benefiting Canadians.
Lobb says the budget is having a positive effect despite Opposition threats to force a federal election over things like eligibility rules for Employment Insurance.
Lobb says the budget works well because Canadians told the government what they wanted it to contain.
Lobb says he and other members of the Conservative caucus fanned out across Canada and consulted with individuals and businesses leading to release of what he calls a budget for Canadians.
Lobb says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the Conservative caucus deserves credit for responding to the nation’s economic challenges.
He says the Harper government’s efforts are proved by a recent Bank of Nova Scotia forecast saying the economy will grow by 2.5 per-cent next year after moderate expansion later this year.
Lobb dismisses the scandal surrounding Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt as “a story the media had some fun with”.
Raitt was the centre of recent media attention when she referred to the shortage of medical isotopes as a “sexy” issue that could be exploited for political gain.