Conservative Critic Takes MacAulay to Task for Promoting Toronto over Atlantic Canada

October 24, 2016

QUISPAMSIS, NB – Conservative Atlantic and ACOA Critic, the Hon. Rob Moore, today responded to Prince Edward Island MP and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay’s ridiculous comments, where MacAulay said he believes having a “central Canadian” as the minister responsible for ACOA is better than an Atlantic Canadian minister.  Moore issued the following statement:

“Lawrence MacAulay isn’t fooling anyone with his assertion that it’s better to have an ACOA Minister from Toronto than from Atlantic Canada.  This is his attempt to put on a brave front in the face of an unprecedented slight to Atlantic Canada. Since ACOA was created in 1987, both Conservative and Liberal Prime Ministers have appointed an Atlantic Canadian as the responsible Minister.

“I have no doubt that the truth is Liberal MPs from Atlantic Canada are both embarrassed and offended that this appointment is held by someone from Ontario.  Regional Development Ministers need to be aware of the issues and opportunities in their region.  This is certainly made more difficult if you’re trying to represent Atlantic issues from Mississauga, Ontario.

“The Atlantic region elected 32 Liberal Members of Parliament, and has four Atlantic Liberal Premiers, yet Atlantic Liberal MPs are embarrassingly silent.  If they won’t stand up and have their voices heard, the Conservative Party of Canada certainly will.  Unlike Lawrence MacAulay, Scott Brison, Dominic LeBlanc and Judy Foote, Conservatives will continue to insist that an Atlantic Canadian be appointed as Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.”