THUNDER BAY – Governing is all about making choices. One of the difficult choices ahead for the federal
Conservatives will be in making cuts to spending that will gain support across Canada. one area there could be fairly painless cuts would be for the feds to slice billions off their spending by cutting back on the purchase of new fighter jets.
The $30 billion proposed spending on fighter jets is a large amount of money. Cutting it won’t end Canada’s ability to defend our country. It could open the door however to putting money into people rather than expensive jet fighters that many other countries are already looking at with jaded eyes.
There are many areas where should the government decide to cut the fighter program, where some of that money could be spent. One would be making major investments into Canada’s youth. Education, and support for federal programs that help young people make positive choices in their lives would be two areas. Another would be investing the funds needed to bring Northern First Nation communities up to education and housing standards that will better prepare those communities for the engaged future envisioned by the Prime Minister.
Choosing people and youth programs over fighter jets would offer the Conservatives a win – win situation.
It is, however likely that political ideology will win over political possibilities, and there will be cuts to programs for people. Should that be the case, it will be a tool that the opposition will use over the coming years as evidence of a government that “doesn’t care” or is “out of touch” with the people of Canada.
It might even be very effective.
James Murray