Conservatives keep millions in their coffers instead of investing in Atlantic Canada

With the recent wave of job losses in Atlantic Canada and the country’s uncertain economic outlook, the NDP is troubled to learn that the Conservative government decided to leave millions of dollars intended for job creation in government coffers, rather than invest the money.

From 2010 to 2014, the Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Rob Moore, left a total of $45 million in available funds untouched.

“The Development Agency’s purpose is to promote job creation, but in 2013-2014, $5.7 million from their budget went unused,” said NDP ACOA critic Ryan Cleary (St. John’s South—Mount Pearl). “I’m asking the minister to invest the funds that Parliament allocated for Atlantic Canada in the current fiscal year immediately—not use the money to embellish their fiscal outlook in April. Our regional economies need it.”

Local organizations rely on these funds to help boost economic development and improve the standard of living in Atlantic Canada.

“We know that each year, the Conservatives have been leaving funds that Parliament voted on, just sitting in the bank. This sneaky austerity is hurting young entrepreneurs and stalling job creation in Canada,” added Cleary.