Posted By Kyle Rea, TIMES-JOURNAL STAFF

Measures to deal with an economic recession are already in place.

But if more is needed, the current Conservative government is ready.

So says Joe Preston, MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, responding a day after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty handed down an economic forecast.

Facing what the government has termed a "technical recession," Flaherty called for five years of modest surpluses, including $100 million for 2009, as well as putting a cap on wage increases for bureaucrats and MPs and calling for some belt-tightening by members everywhere.

"I think it's a pretty positive document. We've put in place over the last few years measures to keep this country in a balanced-budget situation," Preston said.
He cited cuts to the GST and income-tax breaks for Canadians as ways to provide economic stimulus well before the current worldwide crisis.

"We're being hounded by the opposition to do stimulus. Britain just announced ... stimulus this week. They cut their GST. We did that two years ago and a year ago. Part of the problem here is that things we've already done, we're not being given credit for stimulus."

Preston noted, for instance, cuts to the GST mean about $40 million a year, in each riding "that is now staying in people's pockets. That's no small chump change for Elgin-Middlesex-London."

Those methods mean the Conservatives are able to offer infrastructure help, aid for seniors and, if necessary, "even be prepared to help industry and the financial institutions."

Preston said he met recently with the Big Three automakers as well as Industry Minister Tony Clement regarding a potential stimulus package.

"We're ready to go with more as needed, but some of these people have been asked for plans and asked to tell what they want ... . Should we put a bushel basket of money in the middle of the floor and say help yourself, or should we say 'What's your plan,' what are you going to do, what's in it for Canada and how's it going to be spent? I think that's the job of a fiscally responsible government."

But all these plans may be moot if the three opposition parties -- Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois -- follow through on a threat to vote against the economic statement. That's a confidence motion and could trigger another federal election.

Is Preston ready for another trip to the polls?

"God no, and I don't think Canadians are ready for one either. We're here to try to get things solved and done. And I think Canadians sent us back here to do so."

One of the measures the opposition parties say irks them the most is a proposal to get rid of taxpayer support for political parties. Each party receives $1.75 per vote they receive in an election. In all, it totals $30 million a year.

Preston said scrapping this policy is all part of the belt-tightening the Conservatives plan to do, since their party will lose $10 million.

"The biggest hit being taken is by us. I can't face the Canadian public and say ' you're in tough times but we don't want to face the same tough times as you."

"At a time when families are having to take a look at their budgets, we're doing the same thing. Whether it's office costs or less flights, we've all been looking at it."

Preston explained that he sits on the board of internal economy and plans to look at expenses at Parliament Hill, "And see if there's any more money we can save."

Article ID# 1322891