Northern Ontario's main industries have received assistance through the Economic Action Plan and will continue to do so if a Conservative majority government is elected, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Harper stumped in Sault Ste. Marie Monday, making appearances at Sault College and the Canadian Heritage Bushplane Museum on the last week of the election campaign tour.
Harper promised help for the faltering steel and forestry industry through budgetary measures. He said that while funding has been made to infrastructure through the Economic Action Plan, other budgetary measures include proposals to extend accelerated capital allowances to manufacturing, steel and forestry.
The proposals are welcomed by the Canadian Association of Exporters and Manufacturers, Harper told the crowd of about 250 pre-invited supporters in the new foyer of Sault College, which was built with federal stimulus funding.
Harper said he believes lower taxes help keep businesses competitive around the world, but said he couldn't comment on the high Canadian dollar and its effect on heavy industry.
He told supporters it is important a majority Conservative government be elected May 2 and suggested that the region vote for a member of government.
"Isn't it a shame it took Tony Clement down in Parry Sound and Greg Rickford up in Kenora to identify the kinds of priorities we need here in Sault Ste. Marie?" he said. "When there are serious economic issues facing communities and facing people in Northern Ontario, they don't need MPs whose simple answer is they are going to vote against everything ... We need people to work with the government and with the people in this area to make real things happen."
But Harper made a small blunder, calling local candidate Bryan Hayes a small business owner. In fact, Hayes is a former small business owner.
He also made reference to the former late Mayor John Rowswell, who "made a tremendous contribution to the community."
Harper said if re-elected, he will focus on implementing four key priorities for Canadians: creating jobs and growth, keeping taxes down and delivering affordable benefits to families, providing stable funding for universal public health care and ensuring a key crime reduction bill is passed.
While Harper knows the long-gun registry is a key issue in Northern Ontario, he warned that the law won't be repealed if the Conservatives don't have the balance of power because the other parties don't support the repeal.
"We differ significantly from the other parties," Harper said. "Our priorities are the priorities of Canadians and they're based on the track record of a government that is leading Canada out of a recession and into a position of strength and optimism."
A handful of protesters gathered outside Sault College.
Pirie Kaufman, who identified himself as a supporter of NDP incumbent Tony Martin, was among those picketing.
"I believe that Mr. Harper has provided us with bad government and I think it's time for a change," said Kaufman.
Martin and Liberal challenger Christian Provenzano were also quick to criticize Harper's visit.
Martin said Harper has avoided offering anything that specifically addresses the concerns of voters in Northern Ontario.
"Unlike the Conservatives, New Democrats have a practical plan to stimulate the economy while making life more affordable for Canadians," he said in a release. "New Democrats are focused on practical solutions to these tough times. Stephen Harper has a lot of nerve coming down here playing cynical and negative politics. Sault Ste. Marie needs real action, not an out-of-touch prime minister looking to drive a wedge between Canadians."
Provenzano says Harper has done damage to Canadian politics.
"Something is clear — voters are disgusted at the direction that Canadian politics has taken. It is Stephen Harper who has bred this cynicism and it is Stephen Harper who hopes to benefit from it," Provenzano said in release.
He said while Harper complains of constant elections, he was the cause of them, including in 2006 when he worked with the NDP to bring down the Paul Martin government after 19 months in office and by calling an election in 2008 "on a flimsy pretext."
This election was caused by his contempt for Parliament and unwillingness to work with NDP and Liberals, he said.
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