Thank you for your questions concerning these important policy issues for Prince Edward Island

Jamie Vander Kooi

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• Publié par: Musor
• Nombre de lectures: 29
• Langue: English

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Thank you for your questions concerning these important policy issues

for Prince Edward Island. Our tourism industry is vital to our economic

development and viability so we must continue to work together to

ensure a strong and sustainable future. Please contact me if you have

any other questions or concerns and I look forward to meeting again

soon.

Aviation Costs in Canada

The Liberal Party has been active with a working group that looked at

the growing costs of air flight travel, especially to smaller centres.

Myself with my Liberal colleagues worked to reduced the costs

associated with the Canadian Border Service Agency providing after hour

services to various small airports across Canada.

Yet as fuel prices continue to rise we need to be leading the way with

new green technology that will ensure equitable access to air travel

both domestically and internationally. We have led the way in many

concerns with regard to aviation innovation and the Liberal Party will

partner our knowledge with $1.7 billion for accelerated capital cost

allowance rates to encourage investments in green technologies and

equipment and the Science, Research & Experimental Development Tax

credit will be made partially refundable to ensure that all companies

have an incentive to invest in the kind of R&D that Canada will need to

compete in the green economy of the 21st century.

The Liberal Party will always support reducing the burden in the

aviation sector for the benefit of Canada's domestic and international

air travellers. The previous liberal government had already reduced

airport rent and we intend to lower corporate taxes to relieve more

companies, including those involved in the tourism industry, from their

financial burdens. The goal is to create a dynamic environment in which

all actors in the aviation sectors can thrive and improve tourism in

Canada.

Border Infrastructure & Travel Facilitation

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is part of an overall

effort by the U.S. to improve its own security, in this case by

addressing security of documentation at the border.

To address the concerns about the economic impact of the WHTI,

particularly at land border crossings, the former Liberal government

implemented a number of significant improvements to border security:

•

creation of the Canada Border Services Agency;

•

negotiated the Canada-US Smart Border Action Plan;

•

the FAST Free and Secure Trade Program;

•

Canada-US Integrated Border Enforcement Teams; and,

•

the NEXUS program for frequent travelers.

The Liberal Party has been critical of the Conservative failure to

lobby Washington for a relaxation of travel restrictions.

As well, we

have heavily criticized the Conservative government when the Auditor

General reported in March 2007 that the Conservatives had absolutely no

plan to deal with the long expected surge in passport applications as a

result of the increased travel requirements.

With the June 1, 2009 deadline for the passport requirement at land

border crossings fast approaching, we will need to ensure that passport

applications are fulfilled in a timely manner so that there are no

major interruptions at our border crossings.

Marketing Investment for the promotion of Canada overseas

The Liberal Party agrees that the Canadian Tourism Commission plays an

important role in promoting Canada as a tourist destination overseas

and would be willing to increase the Commission's budget if its mandate

is broaden.

Securing Approved Destination Status from China

In 2005, the former Liberal government reached an agreement in

principle with China that would have seen China officially recognize

Canada as an Approved Tourism Destination (ADS). Unfortunately, before

the agreement could be put into place, there was a change of government

in Canada, and the new Conservative government has mismanaged relations

with China. As a result the agreement has not yet been enacted.

Liberals believe strongly in restoring constructive relations with

China, and reviving efforts to have Canada recognized as an ADS. Canada

is now the only major industrialized country without such an agreement,

and as a result, Chinese tourists are flocking to 134 ADS countries

instead of Canada. Our tourism industry needs this. One of a new

Liberal government's highest foreign policy goals will be to undo the

Conservatives' damage to Canada-China relations.

Establishing a GST rebate for individual foreign visitors

Unfortunately, as a result of fiscal mismanagement of the Conservative

government, we are not able to entertain the resumption of the GST

Visitors Rebate Program.

The Conservative government ran a deficit for

the first two months of this fiscal year, dramatically limiting our

fiscal flexibility.

Ensuring tourism has a sufficient supply of qualified staff

The Liberal Party's platform believes in making investments that build

all aspects of our society - cultural, economic and environmental.

Investments in infrastructure, the arts, the environment, our

universities and our health care system will allow us to create the

type of society that will attract not only more tourists, but also the

best people in the tourism industry.

Our investments in education, in

universities and colleges, will make sure that these people possess the

necessary skills to help your industry flourish.

Wood Islands Ferry

I will work with the elected Member of Parliament for Cardigan and all

Island MPs to secure that this essential service will continue. It is

extremely important for our tourism industry as well as for our

trucking and our residents.

Shawn Murphy

Liberal Candidate

Charlottetown