Laval business reps meet with Liberal Marc Garneau

Marc Garneau, the federal Liberal Party’s spokesman for industry, science and technology, was in Laval on March 14, for head-to-head discussions with Laval’s small and medium-size enterprise (SME) owners.

Speaking with journalists after the morning meeting, Garneau said the purpose of the discussions was to tell the business owners about the various means available to them for accessing new international markets. “It was very useful to listen to them and to tell them how the federal government can help,” said Garneau.

Election talk
Garneau said the meeting had nothing to do with the fact an election could be called at any time, depending on whether the Conservative budget gains sufficient support from the opposition parties so that the minority government doesn’t fall. He said the stop in Laval had been planned months ago.
As for the Liberals’ prospects in a forthcoming election, Garneau said that controversies involving the Conservatives, such as the finding that they acted in contempt of Parliament by withholding information, as well as questions of electoral expense fraud dating back to the 2006 election, will start to make more of an impact on Canadian voters and will also be seen in polling results.
“I think Mr. Harper wants an election, he just doesn’t want to be blamed for provoking an election and I think he is looking at the situation very carefully,” added Garneau. Garneau predicted that if Harper were truly set on triggering an election, he would make sure not to put anything in the budget that would facilitate another party supporting it.

Liberals’ Nassif
Laval Liberal candidate Eva Nassif, who took part in the meeting with the business owners, said she is going into the election fully prepared. She insisted that in fact she’s been ready for a long time. “I’m listening to people’s needs, whether they are entrepreneurs, seniors or younger,” she said. Nassif will be running against incumbent Bloc Québécois MP Nicole Demers, who has represented the riding for the past seven years. Technically, the riding has never been Liberal since it was split off from the old Laval West riding in 2004.
“We never take anything for granted, but I’m working hard and meeting people,” said Nassif. “I will it to people to choose if they want to Bloc to be here again and again, or of they prefer some change with a strong voice in Ottawa and a party that can replace the Conservatives as a government. I would invite the constituents to think carefully this time before voting.”

Angelo Iacono
Angelo Iacono, who is representing the Liberals in Alfred-Pellan, said he’s been out some time now knocking on doors, meeting a lot of “future constituents.” He said his efforts are causing Bloc Québécois Robert Carrier’s team to get their act into gear. “I’ve been going to a lot of functions and activities, and some people have even mistaken me for the MP,” he said, adding that he took this to be a sign that the Bloc MP isn’t very well known. Carrier has represented Alfred-Pellan since 2004.