The Liberal’s pick for Grande Prairie is in, armed with a list of promises for the Peace Country’s critical sectors.
Maureen McLeod has held numerous elected positions within the Liberal Party of Canada, but now her eyes are on the MP spot.
Farmers and food
McLeod says protecting food producers is critical, especially as the Canada-US Trade War continues to leave farmers in the dark.
“We will make permanent the doubling of the revenue protection of farmers under the Agri-Stability Program- $6 million per farm, in the case of significant revenue drops caused by, for example- tariffs,” she says. “We will build more domestic processing capacity with another $2 million domestic food processing fund, [and] as your MP I would personally champion Grande Prairie as a new processing plant site.”
McLeod adds that support for farmers goes beyond revenue protections- she says the Carney Liberals plan to spend more on farmers for sustainability, and to “clean up” the industry as a whole.
“Increase the support for farmers and ranchers with an additional $30 million in agri-marketing programs,” she says. “Help farmers and ranchers to buy new farm equipment with a $30 million top-up to the agriculture clean technology program.”
Energy
McLeod says if elected, she will support the Liberal plans to open up trade and energy distribution between the provinces, along with new programs to reduce the decision making process for major federal projects.
“Establish a major federal project office to move forward one project, with one review, issuing decisions for major projects within two years instead of five,” she says. “Develop a trade and energy corridor, build out an east-west electricity grid, invest in Canada’s clean energy potential.”
Workers
When it comes to workers, McLeod makes promises to increase opportunities for workers, no matter what point they are in their careers.
“For our valued workers- a new upscaling and training benefit up to $15,000 for workers in the middle of their careers, an apprenticeship grant of up to $8,000 for registered apprentices,” she says. “A new $20 million capital funding stream for colleges such as Northwestern Polytechnic to support new training spaces for apprentices.”
